Browsing by Author "Akgun, Arzu Neslihan"

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Acute Coronary Syndrome In Geriatric Patients In An Intensive Care Unit
(2021) Keskin, Suzan; Akgun, Arzu Neslihan; Ciftci, Orcun; Muderrisoglu, Ibrahim Haldun
Objective: The advancing age of acute coronary syndrome and the ageing population are leading to an increase in the number of elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome in our clinical practice. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of acute coronary syndrome in the geriatric patient group. Materials and Method: We retrospectively included geriatric patients who were in intensive care units because of different diagnoses, who also showed an acute coronary syndrome, and who had been diagnosed using the sequential organ failure assessment score. This score is used to describe the condition of a patient with sepsis and the extent of organ damage during treatment in an intensive care unit. We reviewed patients who were at Baskent University Faculty of Medicine between 25 March 2015 and 12 March 2020. Results: We included 63 patients aged 77.27 +/- 7.65 years. There were 40 (63.5%) males and 23 (36.5%) females. A total of 42 (89.4%) patients died in the first 5 months, one (2.1%) died between the 6th and 10th months, two (4.3%) between the 11th and 20th months, and two (4.3%) between the 21st and 30th months. We found a significant relationship between the sequential organ failure assessment score and mortality rate (p<0.05). The sequential organ failure assessment score was reliable in predicting mortality in geriatric patients with acute coronary syndrome, with 57% sensitivity and 75% specificity. Conclusion: Mortality of geriatric patients with acute coronary syndrome can be significantly determined using the sequential organ failure assessment scores.
Comparison of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants and well-controlled warfarin in octogenarians with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: Real-world data from a single tertiary center
(2021) Akgun, Arzu Neslihan; Karacaglar, Emir; Bal, Uğur Abbas; Ozin, Mehmet Bulent; 34236320
Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice, and its prevalence increases with age. Nevertheless, data about the use of oral anticoagulants (OACs) among patients with >= 80 years remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and warfarin in octogenarians with non-valvular AF (NVAF). Methods: Medical records of 387 patients who were >= 80 years and diagnosed with NVAF in our hospital between January 2017 and December 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with NVAF were divided into 2 groups (NOACs and warfarin), and the incidence of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were analyzed. Results: A total of 322 patients were included in the study. The median follow-up duration was 10.9 months for the NOACs group and 12.1 months for the warfarin group. The primary efficacy outcome was stroke/systemic embolism, and the primary safety outcome was major bleeding. A total of 220 patients were taking NOACs, and the most preferred NOACs were apixaban (53.6%), rivaroxaban (29.5%), dabigatran (13.2%), and edoxaban (3.6%) in this order. During a mean follow-up of 302.7 patient-years, the incidence of stroke or systemic embolic events was slightly higher among patients with warfarin but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.862). The incidence rates of major bleeding events were similar between the treatment groups (p=0.824). Conclusion: Our study revealed that the safety and efficacy outcomes are similar between the 2 treatment groups in octogenarians with NVAF.
Direct aortic transcatheter aortic valve implantation
(2021) Karacaglar, Emir; Akgun, Arzu Neslihan; Aydinalp, Alp; Beyazpinar, Deniz Sarp; Sezgin, Atila; Muderrisoglu, Haldun; 34623302
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a safe and effective alternative to surgical valve replacement in intermediate and even in low-risk patient cohorts. Direct aortic (DAo) route may be used in patients with severe peripheral vascular disease. Here, we present an 88-year old patient hospitalized with cardiogenic shock. Echocardiography revealed severe aortic valve stenosis with aortic valve area 0.5 cm(2), mean gradient of 55 mmHg, and peak gradient 92 mmHg. TAVI was considered by the Institutional Heart Team. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) revealed severe peripheral vascular disease, decreased calibration of abdominal aorta, and multiple large vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. The patient was scheduled for a DAo TAVI. A 26-mm Medtronic CoreValve Evolut R valve was implanted after predilatation with median sternotomy. The patient was discharged after 96 hours. Although transfemoral (TF) access is used as the default approach for TAVI, it was contraindicated in our patient owing to severe peripheral vascular disease and decreased calibration of the abdominal aorta at its narrowest point (4.5 mm) with multiple large vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. Careful preprocedural MSCT evaluation is essential and directly affects the success of the procedure. MSCT is also mandatory to confirm the best cannulation zone that must be met for a successful DAo TAVI.
The Effect of Renal Transplantation on Cardiac Functions
(2020) Yilmaz, Kerem Can; Akgun, Arzu Neslihan; Keskin, Suzan; Ciftci, Orcun; Moray, Gokhan; Muderrisoglu, Haldun; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 0000-0001-8926-9142; 33229768; AAJ-8097-2021; W-5233-2018; AAJ-1331-2021
Chronic renal failure is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular poor outcome. Despite advances in dialysis and renal transplantation, these patients still have high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate the changes in blood parameters and echocardiographic parameters of patients undergoing renal transplantation in our center. One hundred and eighty-three patients who underwent renal transplantation between September 2012 and January 2016 were included in the study. Pre- and postoperative hemoglobin values, lipid profiles, ejection fractions, presence of left ventricular hypertrophy, presence of diastolic dysfunction, and valve pathologies were retrospectively scanned. Data were obtained from all patients in terms of blood parameters, but we compared 92 patients' echocardiographic data because of lack of both pre- and postoperative echocardiography records. In our study, 124 patients (67.8%) were male, and the mean age was 42.6 +/- 14.4 years. Hemoglobin levels (11.2 +/- 1.98, 12.7 +/- 2.2 mg/dL, P <0.001) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) values (37.6 +/- 10.5, 46.6 +/- 13.6 mg/dL, P <0.001) were found to be different significantly. In echocardiographic evaluation, there was no difference between pre- and postoperative ejection fractions in 92 patients. However, patients with preoperative ejection fraction <50% had a significant increase in postoperative ejection fraction (40.1 +/- 6.2, 48.4% +/- 9.4%, P = 0.012). Renal transplantation can improve left ventricle ejection fraction in patients with basal ejection fraction less than 50% and also provide a significant increase in hemoglobin and HDL levels in all patients. This suggests that renal transplantation may reverse the process for dilated cardiomyopathy and may improve cardiac function in patients with low ejection fraction. However, transplantation should be performed as early as possible in these patients.
Preoperative Cardiac Risk Assessment in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Experience
(2019) Yilmaz, Kerem Can; Akgun, Arzu Neslihan; Ciftci, Orcun; Muderrisoglu, Haldun; Sezer, Siren; Moray, Gokhan; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-9635-6313; 29025386; AAG-8233-2020
Objectives: Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients on renal replacement therapy and in kidney transplant recipients. There are no specific recommendations for preoperative cardiac risk assessment before renal transplant. The aim of our study was to analyze preoperative cardiac test frequencies, test results, patient characteristics, and relations between cardiac stress test results and severe coronary artery disease. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively examined patients who underwent renal transplant between December 2011 and December 2016 in our hospital (Ankara, Turkey). Our study group included 216 patients. All patients had preoperative echocardiography. We recorded results of exercise stress tests, myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, and coronary angiography. For all patients, preoperative complete blood cell count, creatinine, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and red cell distribution width values were obtained and recorded. Results: We classified patient groups according to presence or absence of severe coronary artery disease. Fourteen of 66 patients had severe coronary artery disease. In univariate analyses, age, having a history of familial coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, presence of coronary artery disease, and triglyceride levels were risk factors for severe coronary artery disease. In multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus, presence of coronary artery disease, and having a history of familial coronary artery disease were statistically significant. Conclusions: Renal transplant recipients are a special patient population, and there must be specific suggestions for this population. If patients present with more than 1 risk factor, a stress test should be performed to evaluate cardiovascular risk. In some patients, especially those whose risk factors include prior cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus, stress tests should be skipped and patients should directly undergo coronary angiography to look for severe coronary artery disease.
Prevalence and Angiographic Characteristics of Coronary Vasospasm Detected at Surveillance Coronary Angiograms Among Patients With Heart Transplants
(2018) Akgun, Arzu Neslihan; Ciftci, Orcun; Yilmaz, Kerem Can; Karacaglar, Emir; Aydinalp, Alp; Sezgin, Atilla; Muderrisoglu, I. Haldun; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-1752-4877; 0000-0001-8926-9142; 0000-0002-2538-1642; 0000-0002-3761-8782; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 29527999; HJP-8792-2023; W-5233-2018; AAJ-1331-2021; ABI-6723-2020; AAD-5841-2021; AAJ-8097-2021
Objectives: Coronary vasospasm in heart transplant recipients occurs through various mechanisms. It has been linked to allograft rejection and coronary vasculopathy, which can result in mortality during follow-up. Here, we investigated the prevalence of coronary vasospasm among heart transplant recipients undergoing surveillance coronary angiography procedures. Materials and Methods: This study was prospectively performed at Baskent University Faculty of Medicine by retrospectively analyzing medical information of patients who underwent bicaval heart transplant between 2003 and 2016 and subsequently had coronary angiography to rule out allograft vasculopathy. We analyzed prevalence of coronary vasospasm, affected vessels, underlying vessel properties, and treatment modalities. Coronary vasospasm was defined as transient diffuse or localized lumina! narrowing, either spontaneously or catheter-induced, relieved spontaneously or with nitroglycerine. Results: Forty-one coronary angiography procedures were performed using the standard Judkins technique. Among these, 5 patients showed coronary vasospasm a mean of 2 years after cardiac transplant. All vasospasm episodes involved the left anterior descending artery, with 2 also involving the circumflex artery and 1 involving the right coronary artery. The degree of luminal narrowing ranged from mild to severe. Episodes that involved the left anterior descending artery more often diffusely involved most of the vessel. In 3 patients, vasospasms were recurrent. Three patients had underlying coronary artery disease, which was relieved in 2 patients who progressed by stent implant. Neither ischemic events nor reduction of ejection fraction was observed during follow-up. There were also no occurrences of cellular or humoral rejection or death in any of the patients with vasospasm. Conclusions: Coronary vasospasm is common in heart transplant recipients. It may be diffuse or localized and occur spontaneously or because of underlying coronary artery disease. Factors, including allograft vasculopathy, associated with coronary vasospasm remain to be determined, and further related research is needed.
Relation of Preoperative and Postoperative Echocardiographic Parameters With Rejection and Mortality in Liver Transplant Patients
(2020) Yilmaz, Kerem Can; Ciftci, Orcun; Akgun, Arzu Neslihan; Muderrisoglu, Haldun; Boyacioglu, Sedat; Haberal, Asuman Nihan; Moray, Gokhan; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0001-8926-9142; 0000-0002-9635-6313; 0000-0003-2498-7287; 0000-0002-9370-1126; 0000-0001-9852-9911; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 29790458; W-5233-2018; AAG-8233-2020; AAJ-1331-2021; AAE-1041-2021; AAE-7637-2021; AAK-4587-2021; AAJ-8097-2021
Objectives: Survival in liver transplant after end-stage liver disease is associated with major cardiac functions. In a significant number of patients with end-stage liver disease, cardiac dysfunctions may be observed, which can include high-output heart failure, cardiac valve disease, and pulmonary venous and arterial hypertension. All of these affect perioperative survival. The aim of our study was to determine whether preoperative and postoperative echocardiographic parameters, specifically right heart-related tricuspid regurgitation, estimated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, are associated with rejection and mortality in liver transplant patients. Materials and Methods: Adult patients (> 18 years old) who underwent liver transplant at our center between January 2011 and March 2017 were included in the study, with 64 patients retrospectively screened. The echocardiographic images that were taken immediately before and immediately after liver transplant were evaluated. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to rejection data and mortality. All parameters were analyzed for both variables. Results: For the 24 patients with liver rejection and 40 patients without liver rejection, there were no statistically significant differences in terms of demographic data, echocardiographic parameters, and laboratory data. However, when patients were evaluated according to survival, there was a statistically significant difference between these 2 groups concerning the echocardiography parameters of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (P = .005), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (P = .001), and postoperative right ventricular width (P = .01). Conclusions: Echocardiography, being a simple and easily accessible technique that is reliable in excluding pulmonary hypertension diagnosis, can be used as a guide in the evaluation of right ventricular function and tricuspid regurgitation, particularly in patients who are not hemodynamically stable before and after liver transplant.
Risk factors for left atrial appendage thrombus
(2020) Yilmaz, Kerem Can; Akgun, Arzu Neslihan; Ciftci, Orcun; Eroglu, Serpil; Pirat, Bahar; Sade, Elif; Ulucam, Melek; Ozin, Bulent; Muderrisoglu, Haldun; 0000-0002-9635-6313; 0000-0001-8926-9142; 0000-0003-4576-8630; 0000-0003-3055-7953; 32342731; AAD-9938-2021; AAG-8233-2020; W-5233-2018; AAI-8897-2021; AAJ-1331-2021
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common persistent rhythm disorder that has been shown to be associated with a significant increase in stroke risk. Left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombi are responsible for most of strokes of cardiac origin. CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc is a risk scoring system to identify patients' indications for anticoagulation in nonvalvular AF patients. The aim of our study was to investigate CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score, the other risk factors, echocardiographic data and blood parameters for LAA thrombus. Methods: Two hundred and sixty-four patients who were admitted to our adult cardiology outpatient clinic and who underwent a transesophageal echocardiography procedure between June 2017 and June 2019 included in our study. Patient's demographic data, transthoracic echocardiographic examinations, and laboratory results were recorded retrospectively. Results: LAA thrombus was detected in 39 (14.7%) patients. The rates of coronary artery disease and systolic dysfunction were significantly higher in patients with LAA thrombus (p = .017, p = .016, respectively). When AF subtypes were examined in detail, thrombus rate was significantly higher in persistent AF (51 vs. 25.7%, p = .002). Although the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score was slightly higher in the thrombus group, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (3.0 +/- 1.65 vs. 2.78 +/- 1.66). Conclusions: In conclusion, CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score system itself was not informative about LAA thrombus formation although some of its components were related with LAA thrombus formation. According to a multiple regression analysis, the independent determinants of LAA thrombus were the presence of AF and coronary artery disease.
The Role of Selvester Score on 12-Lead ECG in Determination of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Among Patients Receiving Trastuzumab Therapy
(2019) Ciftci, Orcun; Yilmaz, Kerem Can; Karacaglar, Emir; Akgun, Arzu Neslihan; Yilmaz, Mustafa; Oguz, Arzu; Muderrisoglu, Ibrahim Haldun; 0000-0001-8926-9142; 0000-0001-6512-6534; W-5233-2018; W-8004-2019; ABI-6723-2020
Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Trastuzumab is an effective breast cancer agent. The most significant side effect of trastuzumab is left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Selvester score calculated from 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) has a proven accuracy in predicting left ventricular infarct area and scar volume. We aimed to determine its role in detection of left ventricular systolic dysfunction among trastuzumab-treated breast cancer patients. Methods: A total of 60 trastuzumab-treated patients were retrospectively included. The patients were grouped into two groups with trastuzumab-induced left ventricular systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <55%) (Group 1) and without (Group 2). The left ventricular systolic dysfunction group was divided into two subgroups: LVEF <50% and (Group 1a) and LVEF 50-54% (Group 1b). The Selvester score was compared between Group 1 and Group 2, and between Group 1a, Group 1b, and Group 2. The predictive role of Selvester score in trastuzumab-induced left ventricular systolic dysfunction was determined with univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The mean age of the patients was 56.7 +/- 13.7 years. Twenty (21.1%) patients had trastuzumab-induced left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The Selvester score was similar between Group 1 and Group 2. Group 1a had a significantly greater Selvester score compared to Group 1b and Group 2 (p<0.05); however, Group 1b and Group 2 had similar Selvester scores (p>0.05). The Selvester score was significantly correlated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction in univariate analysis (r=0.189, p<0.05) but not in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Selvester score may be useful especially for detecting severe trastuzumab-induced left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
Successful Treatment of a Rare Complication in a Heart Transplant Recipient: Spontaneous Axillary Artery Bleeding
(2019) Karacaglar, Emir; Akgun, Arzu Neslihan; Aytekin, Cuneyt; Aydinalp, Alp; Sezgin, Atilla; Muderrisoglu, I.Haldun; 30373508
Spontaneous atraumatic axillary artery bleeding is an unusual clinical entity. Axillary artery bleeding is associated with a high mortality rate. Vascular fragility is defined as a decrease in blood vessel resistance, and increased vascular fragility is one of the reasons for arterial bleeding. In this report, we present a case of spontaneous axillary artery bleeding in a heart transplant recipient.