Çetin EROL
The Anatolian Journal of Cardiology - 2026;30(7):410-410
In this issue we publish a very important review by Münzel et al from Germany titled 'Dirty Earth, Diseased Hearts: Soil, Water, and Plastic Pollution in the Cardiovascular Exposome'. They conclude that reducing soil, water, and plastic pollution must become a central pillar of cardiovascular prevention through enforceable, lifecycle-based policies that protect human health. Thanks to Prof. Münzel et al. The hemoglobin-albumin-lymphocyte-platelet (HALP) score is an emerging nutritional-inflammatory biomarker. Although minimally invasive valve surgery (MIVS) offers advantages over sternotomy, current prediction models such as EuroSCORE II and STS-PROM may not fully capture perioperative vulnerability. Evidence evaluating whether HALP predicts early postoperative recovery in MIVS remains limited. This is the issue that Zengin et al from Türkiye tried to solve. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is an established alternative for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are unsuitable for surgical valve replacement. Conscious sedation is preferred to preserve spontaneous respiration and patient cooperation. So Gürsoy Çirkinoğlu and Şahinkaya from Türkiye invetigated the best sedation type during this operation. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and NT-proBNP are key biomarkers reflecting myocardial injury and hemodynamic load in heart failure or after cardiac surgery. However, data on their postoperative course in pediatric HeartMate 3 recipients are limited. Ön et al from Türkiye aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of postoperative changes in these biomarkers in these pediatric patients. As age increases, the body's immune system gradually exhibits a chronic, low-grade activation state, known as inflammatory aging, characterized by a sustained increase in levels of inflammatory cells and mediators in peripheral blood. This state can damage the vascular endothelial function, accelerate the process of atherosclerosis, and significantly increase the risk of CVD death. Therefore, finding biomarkers that can reflect chronic low-grade inflammation is of great significance for CVD risk management in the elderly. Sun et al from China used the aggregate index of systemic inflammation fort his purpose. The optimal treatment strategy for isolated side branch lesions remains uncertain. In their study, Akın et al from Türkiye aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of drug-coated balloon angioplasty for the treatment of de novo isolated side branch stenosis. And a case report, letters, e-page original... I hope this new issue of our journal will be interest of our readers.
