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Atherosclerosis plays an important role in the etiopathogenesis of coronary artery ectasia (CAE). Inflammation markers may play a part in the pathogenesis of CAE. We aimed to assess the association between the CAE and the neutrophil-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio. Consecutive eligible patients (n = 181) were divided into 3 groups: patients with CAE, those with newly diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD), and those with a normal coronary angiogram. The N/L ratio and mean platelet volume (MPV) were measured as part of the automated complete blood count. There were no statistically significant differences in N/L ratio and MPV between the CAE and the CAD groups. The N/L ratio and MPV were significantly higher in patients in both CAE and CAD groups compared to those in the control group (P < .01). An increased N/L ratio may play a role not only in the pathogenesis of CAD but also in the pathophysiology of CAE.

average pH was found to be 7.1-7.2. The final dialysate was also measured for electrolytes with the following results: P = 1.48 mmol/L (4.6 mg/dL), Na = 146 mmol/L, K = 2.2 mmol/L, Cl = 108 mmol/L, total carbon dioxide (TCO2) = 38 mmol/L.In the second experiment, the dialysis machine was programmed to use concentrates similar to those employed in the first experiment to produce a final dialysate sodium concentration of 138 mmol/L and a final dialysate bicarbonate concentration of 37 mmol/L. The pH of the dialysate was found to be 7.2. The electrolyte concentrations were as follows: P = 1.39 mmol/L (4.3 mg/dL), Na = 141 mmol/L, K = 2.1 mmol/L, Cl = 103 mmol/L, TCO2 = 40 mmol/L.A final dialysate pH of 7.1-7.2 is low enough to prevent the precipitation of calcium and magnesium phosphate salts. When preparing this phosphate-enriched dialysate for clinical dialysis, an intravenous or a highly pure grade disodium monohydrogen phosphate should be used. If preferred, a mechanical agitator or mixer could aid the dissolution of the phosphate salt in the acid concentrate. Disodium monohydrogen phosphate is alkaline in nature. However, the amount used in the present method is small, causing only a minor increase in the level of the total buffer base in the final dialysate. Nevertheless, it would seem prudent to start with a lower final dialysate bicarbonate level at first and to closely monitor the postdialysis serum bicarbonate values. The optimal dialysate bicarbonate concentration can then be chosen by evaluating those post-dialysis levels. Although our previously described method of using a mixture of disodium monohydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4.7H2O) and monosodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH2PO4. H2O) 2 is equally effective in enriching dialysate with phosphates, the present approach of using a single-phosphate salt is simpler and would appear to be the method of choice.

OBJECTIVE:Cardiac syndrome X is characterized by angina-like chest pain, a positive stress test, and normal coronary arteries. A patient's mean platelet volume, which potentially reflects platelet function and activity, is associated with coronary atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mean platelet volumes of patients with cardiac syndrome X, those with coronary artery disease and normal subjects.METHODS:Two hundred thirty-six subjects (76 patients with cardiac syndrome X, 78 patients with coronary artery disease, and 82 controls) were enrolled in the study. All of the subjects were evaluated with a detailed medical history, physical examination, and biochemical analyses. The mean platelet volumes were compared between the three groups.RESULTS:The mean platelet volumes in the patients with cardiac syndrome X and with coronary artery disease were significantly higher than those that were observed in the control group. There were no significant differences in the mean platelet volumes between the cardiac syndrome X and the coronary artery disease groups.CONCLUSION:We have established that patients with cardiac syndrome X and coronary artery disease exhibit higher mean platelet volumes compared to controls. Patients with cardiac syndrome X exhibited higher mean platelet volumes compared to the controls, reflecting the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis. These findings suggest that, in addition to endothelial dysfunction, the presence of atherosclerosis may also contribute to the etiopathogenesis of cardiac syndrome X.

Neutrophils and lymphocytes (N/L) ratio and carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) value have been studied as new predictors of cardiovascular risk. We aimed to investigate N/L ratio and C-IMT value in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX) and compare patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and normal participants. A total of 288 participants were enrolled in the study. The N/L ratio and C-IMT value were compared among the 3 groups. There were no statistically significant differences in N/L levels between CSX and CAD groups. The N/L ratio was found significantly increased in patients with CSX and CAD, compared to the control group. Patients with CAD and CSX had significantly higher C-IMT value compared to control participants. Significant positive correlation was found between C-IMT value and plasma level of N/L ratio. The relationship among CSX and higher N/L ratio level and C-IMT suggests that endothelial dysfunction may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of the CSX.