p = 0.03). Conclusions: Our results suggest that AEMD is associated with an increased risk of recurrence of AF within 1-month. These data may have implications for the identification of patients who are most likely to experience substantial benefit from cardiversion therapy for AF. (Cardiol J 2013; 20, 6: 639-647)

Leukocytes are reported as crucial not only for plaque activation but also in thrombus formation in acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). Among the markers of inflammation, in coronary artery disease neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been reported to have the greatest predictive power of poor outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate the association of NLR with coronary thrombus in patients with non-ST-segment elevated ACSs (NST-ACSs). A total of 251 patients were hospitalized with a diagnosis of NST-ACS including non-ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction and unstable angina pectoris. Coronary angiographies were performed. In 167 patients, coronary thrombus was detected. Between the patient groups with and without coronary thrombus, neutrophil count, platelet count, and NLR are significantly increased, and lymphocyte count is significantly decreased in the group with coronary thrombus as compared to patient group without coronary thrombus. Leukocyte count and NLR may give an indication about the presence of coronary thrombus. In NST-ACS, blood parameters may give valuable information about the status of the coronary arteries.

Objective: Non-dipper hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of non-dipping hypertension with aortic diameter in patients with metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods:This study included 70 hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome. These patients were evaluated with 24-h blood pressure Holter monitoring and divided into two groups of 35 patients each. Aortic diameter was measured by M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography. These parameters were compared between the two groups. Results:In the dipper group, there were 26 female and 9 male patients with a mean age of 55±11 years. In the non-dipper group, there were 25 female and 10 male patients with a mean age of 56±11 years. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of basic characteristics. Non-dipper hypertensive patients had a higher thoracic aortic diameter value than dipper patients (35.6±2.4 and 33.23±1.1, p<0.01). Conclusion:These findings suggest that thoracic aortic diameter value is higher in patients with non-dipper hypertension.Key Words: Blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, aortic diameter, echocardiography, non-dipper Özet Amaç: Non-dipper hipertansiyon artmış kardiyovasküler mortalite ve morbidite ile ilişkilidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı metabolik sendromlu hastalarda aort çapı ile non-dipping hipertansiyon ilişkisini değerlen-dirmektir. Gereç ve Yöntem:Çalışmaya metabolik sendromlu 70 hipertansif hasta alındı. Bu hastaların 24 saat kan basıncı ölçümü holter ile değerlen-dirildi ve herbirinde 35 hasta olan iki gruba ayrıldı. Aort çapları M mod ve iki boyutlu ekokardiyografi ile değerlendirildi. Bu paramatreler iki gurup arasında karşılaştırıldı. Bulgular:Dipper gurupta yaş ortalaması 55±11 yıl olan 26 kadın, 9 erkek hasta vardı. Non-dipper gurupta yaş ortalaması 56±11 yıl olan 25 kadın, 10 erkek hasta vardı. Temel özellikler açısından iki gurup arasında anlamlı farklılık yoktu. Non-dipper gurupta torasik aort çapları dipper guruba göre yüksekti (35.6±2.4 and 33.23±1.1, p<0.01).Sonuç: Bu bulgular non-dipper hipertansiyon hastalarında torasik aort çaplarının yüksek olduğunu göstermiştir.Anahtar Kelimeler: Kan basıncı, metabolik sendrom, aort çapı, ekokardiyografi, non-dipper

Left atrial (LA) volumes were measured echocardiographically in 32 MS patients and 32 age- and sex-matched controls. LA volumes were determined at the time of mitral valve opening (maximal, Vmax), at the onset of atrial systole (p wave on the electrocardiogram, Vp) and at the mitral valve closure (minimal, Vmin) according to the biplane area-length method in apical 4-chamber and 2-chamber view. All volumes were corrected to the body surface area, and following left atrial emptying functions were calculated. LA passive emptying volume =Vmax- Vp LA passive emptying fraction = LA passive emptying volume/Vmax . Conduit volume= LV stroke volume - (Vmax- Vmin), LA active emptying volume =Vp- Vm,, LA active emptying fraction= LA active emptying volume/Vp, LA total emptying volume = (Vmax -Vmin), LA total emptying fraction = LA total emptying volume/Vmax. RESUITS: LA maximal volume and LA presystolic volume were significantly higher in MS patients than in controls (P <0.001). But LA minimum volume was significantly lower in MS patients than in controls (P <0.001). Although LA passive emptying volume (P <0.03), LA passive emptying fraction (P <0.001) and conduit volume (P <0.001) were found to be significantly lower in MS patients than in controls, LA active emptying volume (P <0.001) and LA active emptying fraction (P< 0.001) were significantly greater in MS patients than in controls. Conclusion In our study, metabolic syndrome was associated with increased left atrial volume, decreased left atrial passive emptying function and increased pump function. Increased left atrial pump function represents a compensatory mechanism in patients with MS.Thus, these results underline the importance of maintaining a sinus rhythm in these patients.

BackgroundHypertension is the most prevalent and modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation. The pressure overload in the left atrium induces pathophysiological changes leading to alterations in contractile function and electrical properties. ObjectiveIn this study our aim was to assess left atrial function in hypertensive patients to determine the association between left atrial function with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). MethodWe studied 57 hypertensive patients (age: 53±4 years; left ventricular ejection fraction: 76±6.7%), including 30 consecutive patients with PAF and 30 age-matched control subjects. Left atrial (LA) volumes were measured using the modified Simpson's biplane method. Three types of LA volume were determined: maximal LA(LAVmax), preatrial contraction LA(LAVpreA) and minimal LA volume(LAVmin). LA emptying functions were calculated. LA total emptying volume = LAVmax−LAVmin and the LA total EF = (LAVmax-LAVmin )/LAVmax, LA passive emptying volume = LAVmax− LAVpreA and the LA passive EF = (LAVmax-LAVpreA)/LAVmax, LA active emptying volume = LAVpreA−LAVmin and LA active EF = (LAVpreA-LAVmin )/LAVpreA. ResultsThe hypertensive period is longer in hypertensive group with PAF. LAVmax significantly increased in hypertensive group with PAF when compared to hypertensive group without PAF (p=0.010). LAAEF was significantly decreased in hypertensive group with PAF as compared to hypertensive group without PAF (p=0.020). A' was decreased in the hypertensive group with PAF when compared to those without PAF (p = 0.044).ConclusionIncreased LA volume and impaired LA active emptying function was associated with PAF in untreated hypertensive patients. Longer hypertensive period is associated with PAF.