This study demonstrated a significant impairment in endothelial function and increased insulin resistance in patients with psoriasis. This is a comprehensive study for identifying atherosclerotic risk factors in psoriasis. We suggest that psoriatic patients should be paid attention for atherosclerosis and its risk factors.

Background: Increasing evidence-based indications for the implantation of permanent pacemakers (PMs) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) have led to an increase in the rate of device infections.The aim of the present study was to evaluate infection frequency, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and microbiologic and therapeutic features in patients with PM/ICD infections. Hypothesis: Clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients can affect the PM/ICD infections. Methods: The PM/ICD infection group consisted of 57 patients diagnosed and treated with PM/ICD infections in our hospital. The control group in this case-control study consisted of 833 patients in whom a PM or ICD had been implanted and no infections were noted. Results: Patients with PM/ICD infections (median age 65 years; range, 18-104 years) were older than those without PM/ICD infections (median age 58 years; range, 18-86 years; P = 0.005). The percentage of generator replacement was higher in the PM/ICD infection group compared with the control group (16% vs 8%, P = 0.003). Independent predictors of PM/ICD infections were advanced age (>60 years; odds ratio [OR]: 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-4.0, P = 0.021) and device revision (OR: 3.8, 95% CI: 1.5-5.5, P = 0.002). Primary antibiotic prophylaxis during the procedure reduced the risk for PM/ICD infection (OR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.4-0.8, P = 0.011). Conclusions: PM/ICD infections occur in a significant number of patients. It is important to be aware of the risk factors for PM/ICD infections so that patients with an increased risk can be identified and preventive measures can be implemented.

These data suggest that glycemic control, obesity, and the dose of aspirin have influence on AR in diabetic subjects. Further studies with larger groups are needed to clarify the role of glycemic control on AR.

Atrial arrhythmias are common problems in hypertensive patients. Atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) can be used to evaluate development of atrial arrhythmias. The authors aimed to assess inter-and intra-AEMD in hypertensive patients. A rterial hypertension is a common cause of cardiovascular damage. The effects of hypertension on the heart are both structural and functional. Assessment of the function of the heart is an important requisite for intervention and risk stratification in hypertensive patients. 1Hypertension is the leading cause of impaired diastolic heart function. Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, extracellular and perivascular fibrosis, contractile alterations in myocytes, and myocardial ischemia have been implicated in developing diastolic dysfunction in hypertension.2 Hypertension may also cause instability and heterogeneity in atrial conduction by these hemodynamic and morphologic changes in the left atrium and left ventricle.Echocardiographic evaluation of electrical events, especially atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD), is novel in cardiac ultrasound practice. With recent developments in tissue Doppler echocardiography it

Summary Objective:  This study was designed to determine the relationship between serum uric acid level and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods:  A total of 1012 patients who underwent coronary angiography were included in this study. All patients were assessed for the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and ongoing medications. Serum uric acid and creatinine level, as well as a fasting lipid profile and fasting blood glucose, were measured in all patients before the procedure. The severity of CAD was assessed by the Gensini score. Results:  Of 1012 patients (mean age, 59.4 ± 10.24 years), 680 were men (mean age, 58.7 ± 10.5 years) and 332 were women (mean age, 61.0 ± 9.51 years). Of the study patients, 703 (69%) were hypertensive, 292 (28.9%) were diabetic (DM), 304 (30%) had a smoking history, 306 (30%) had low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and 350 (34%) had hypertriglyceridaemia. CAD was present in 689 (68%) patients who were assessed by coronary angiography. One‐, two‐ and three‐vessel disease was detected in 32.6%, 32.5% and 34.9% of the patients respectively; left main coronary artery lesion was detected in 15% of the patients. A statistically significant difference in the mean uric acid concentrations was found between the patients with or without CAD [380 ± 121 μmol/l (6.39 ± 2.04 mg/dl) vs. 323.5 ± 83.2 μmol/l (5.44 ± 1.40 mg/dl) p < 0.001]. Based on logistic regression analysis, the increased serum uric acid level was found to be associated with the presence of CAD in both men and women (p < 0.001). The increased serum uric acid level was also found to be associated with the severity of CAD in both men and women based on multivariate linear regression analysis (p < 0.001). Conclusion:  In conclusion, serum uric acid level was found to be associated with the presence and severity of CAD.