Browsing by Author "Ekmekçi C."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Selective COX-2 inhibition with different doses of rofecoxib does not impair endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease
    (2005) Tikiz C.; Ütük O.; Bayturan O.; Bayindir P.; Ekmekçi C.; Tikiz H.
    In this study, we investigated the effects of both 25 and 50 mg daily doses of rofecoxib on the endothelial functions of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). For this purpose, 34 patients with documented severe CAD and who were under aspirin treatment (300 mg/day) were randomized to receive 4 weeks of treatment with a placebo (n = 10, group I), rofecoxib 25 mg/day (n = 12, group II), and rofecoxib 50 mg/day (n = 12, group III). Brachial artery vasodilator responses were measured in order to evaluate endothelial function. The percentage of change in endothelial-dependent vasodilation in groups I, II, and III were similar at the baseline level and showed no significant change after treatment (6.2 ± 3.9% vs. 5.9 ± 3.1% and 5.8 ± 3.3% vs. 5.6 ± 3.8% and 6.1 ± 4.5% vs. 5.8 ± 4.1%, respectively; P > 0.05). Compared with the baseline, endothelium-independent vasodilatation, as assessed by nitroglycerine (NTG), remained unchanged after the treatment period (11.2 ± 6.9% vs. 10.3 ± 7.1% and 11.2 ± 6.3% vs. 9.9 ± 5.1% and 9.5 ± 4.9% and 8.8 ± 4.6%, respectively; P > 0.05). Treatment with both doses also showed no significant effects on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and resting arterial diameters (P > 0.05). In conclusion, 4 weeks of treatment with standard and high doses of rofecoxib showed no significant effects on either endothelial-dependent or independent vasodilator response or plasma hs-CRP levels in patients with severe CAD taking concomitant aspirin. Copyright©2005 by Okayama University Medical School.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Relationship between the degree of malnutrition and echocardiographic parameters in hemodialysis patients
    (2007) Kürşat S.; Tekçe H.; Ekmekçi C.; Çolak H.B.; Alici T.
    Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the degree of malnutrition and inadequate volume control evidenced by echocardiography. Methods: In this study 72 chronic hemodialysis patients were investigated in a cross-sectional manner. The malnutrition score was calculated using Subjective Global Assessment. M-mode echocardiography was performed in all patients. Results: The highest malnutrition score (23.2 ± 1.5 points) and lowest vena cava inferior collapse index (35 ± 2%) were observed in the eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy group. The malnutrition index was found to be in positive relationship with the left atrium diameter and index, left ventricular mass and index, and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter. On the other hand, a negative correlation was detected with the vena cava inferior collapse index. When all parameters that were found to be related to malnutrition were assessed by multivariate analyses, a statistically significant relation was found between the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and the malnutrition index. Conclusion: The results of our study show that the progressive worsening of the nutritional status follows a parallel course along with the deterioration in the echocardiographic parameters concerning hypervolemia. This in turn suggests that increasing degrees of malnutrition are associated with more profound derangements in the volume status. Volume excess might be a mechanism explaning the increased mortality and morbidity caused by malnutrition in hemodialysis patients. Owing to its cross-sectional design, this study cannot provide unequivocal evidence regarding the cause and effect relationship between volume overload and malnutrition in hemodialysis patients. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG.