Effect of ivabradine on ventricular arrhythmias in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction.

Background/introduction: Heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction are at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Ivabradine, a specific inhibitor of the If current in the sinoatrial node, provides heart rate reduction in sinus rhythm and angina control in chronic coronary syndromes.

Objective: The effect of ivabradine on ventricular arrhythmias in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction patients has not been fully elucidated.

Efficiency of MVP ECG Risk Score for Prediction of Long-Term Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With ICD for Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background And Objectives: The morphology-voltage-P-wave duration (MVP) electrocardiography (ECG) risk score is a newly defined scoring system that has recently been used for atrial fibrillation (AF) prediction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of the MVP ECG risk score to predict AF in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in long-term follow-up.

Methods: The study used a single-center, and retrospective design.

The prognostic impact of inflammation in patients with decompensated acute heart failure, as assessed using the pan-immune inflammation value (PIV).

There is increasing evidence that composite scores based on blood counts, which are reflectors of uncontrolled inflammation in the development and progression of heart failure, can be used as prognostic biomarkers in heart failure patients. The prognostic effects of pan-immune inflammation (PIV) as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) were evaluated based on this evidence. The data of 640 consecutive patients hospitalized for New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 2-3-4 AHF with reduced ejection fraction were analyzed and 565 patients were included after exclusion.

The role of smart devices and mobile application on the change in peak VO in patients with high cardiovascular risk: a sub-study of the LIGHT randomised clinical trial.

Background: This investigation aims to assess the influence of a mobile application and smart devices on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) over a one-year period in individuals who have high risk for cardiovascular disease.

Methods: This is a post-hoc subgroup analysis of Lifestyle Intervention Using Mobile Technology in Patients with High Cardiovascular Risk: A Pragmatic Randomised Clinical Trial (LIGHT). In the intervention plus standard care standard standard care arms, 138 and 103 patients were recruited, respectively.

Left Ventricular Mass Index Predicts Pacemaker-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Patients with Dual Chamber Permanent Pacemakers Implanted Due to Complete Atrioventricular Block.

Background: Pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) occurs as a result of high-burden right ventricular (RV) pacing, which usually develops in patients with complete atrioventricular (AV) block. There is a paucity of data on the association between PICM and pre-implantation left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of LVMI on PICM in patients who had dual chamber permanent pacemakers (PPMs) implanted secondary to complete AV block.

C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio Predicts In-hospital Mortality in Patients with Acute Heart Failure.

Objective: Acute heart failure remains at high risk of mortality despite recent advances in the management and treatment of heart failure. Recently, C-reactive protein to albumin ratio has been shown to predict all-cause mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The association between C-reactive protein to albumin ratio and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute heart failure regardless of the left ventricular ejection fraction remains unknown.

Digital Health Interventions in Patient Management Following Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of the Literature.

Objective: Acute coronary syndrome patients should be closely followed-up to maintain optimal adherence to medical treatments and to reduce adverse events. Digital health interventions might provide improved outcomes for patient care by providing closer follow- up, compared to standard care. Thus, in this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the effect of digital health interventions on follow-up in acute coronary syndrome patients.

Machine Learning Approach on High Risk Treadmill Exercise Test to Predict Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease by using P, QRS, and T waves' Features.

Treadmill Exercise Test (TET) results and patients' clinical symptoms influence cardiologists' decision to perform Coronary Angiography (CAG) which is an invasive procedure. Since TET has high false positive rates, it can cause an unnecessary invasive CAG. Our primary objective was to develop a machine learning model capable of optimizing TET performance based on electrocardiography (ECG) waves characteristics and signals.

The Triglyceride-Glucose Index Can Predict Long-Term Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Turkish Patients With High Cardiovascular Risk.

Objective: There is an evidence gap regarding the predictive accuracy of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index for long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in individuals with high cardiovascular risk. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the predictive value of the TyG index for long-term MACEs in patients at high cardiovascular risk.

Methods: In total, 483 patients with high cardiovascular risk were included in this analysis.

The relation between average 1-year home blood pressure and the change in pro-BNP and left ventricle mass index.

Background: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the association between average 1-year home blood pressure and the change in left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and pro-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels.

Methods: This prospective study was a subgroup analysis of lifestyle intervention using mobile technology in patients with high cardiovascular risk: a pragmatic randomized clinical Trial (LIGHT). In total, 242 patients were stratified into tertiles according to their average 1-year home blood pressure.

Cardiac variables associated with atrial fibrillation occurrence and mortality in octogenarians implanted with dual chamber permanent pacemakers.

Background: There is a dearth of data on the predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) and the association between AF and long-term mortality in octogenarians with dual-chamber permanent pacemakers (PPM). We investigate the occurrence of AF and whether it is associated with overall mortality among octogenarians with dual-chamber PPM implants.

Methods: Three hundred and fifty-four patients with PPM implants were divided into two groups based on their long-term survival status.

Biomimetic sharkskin surfaces with antibacterial, cytocompatible, and drug delivery properties.

Fighting with the infection is one of the most challenging and costly burdens of the healthcare system. Several types of antibiotics and antibacterial agents have been designed and used in combating this dilemma. Nevertheless, the overuse of drugs and the difficulties of proper delivery have led to the development of drug-resistance in many species of bacteria which has reduced the efficacy of antibiotics.

Prognostic value of serum albumin for long-term mortality in patients with dual-chamber permanent pacemakers.

This investigation aims to examine the prognostic utility of albumin concentrations for long-term all-cause mortality in patients undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation. A total of 1798 patients who received permanent pacemaker implantation were divided into quartiles according to serum albumin concentrations. The significance of albumin in predicting long-term mortality was compared in these quartiles.

Predictors for early mortality in patients with implantable cardiac defibrillator for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are recommended in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients to reduce arrhythmic deaths. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with mortality within one-year following the ICD. The data from our hospital's electronic database system was extracted for patients who were implanted ICD secondary to HFrEF between 2009 and 2019.

The use of ivabradine in a patient with idiopathic ventricular arrhythmia originating from the left ventricular summit.

Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VA) are common and treatment options include anti-arrhythmic drugs (AAD) or catheter ablation. Patients presenting with idiopathic VA which is originating from the left ventricular summit (LVS) poses a particular challenge as the success for catheter ablation is low and AAD's may not be used long-term due to side effects. Ivabradine is an inhibitor of funny current (If) in cardiac pacemaker cells by blocking hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN).

Evaluating systemic immune-inflammation index in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Background: Pro-inflammatory pathways play an important role in the follow-ups of patients with intracardiac defibrillators (ICDs) for heart failure (HF) reduced with ejection fraction (HFrEF). A newly defined index - the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII)-has recently been reported to have prognostic value in patients with cardiovascular disease. This study's aim is to evaluate the SII value regarding its association with long-term mortality and appropriate ICD therapy during a 10-year follow-up.

Effect of a mobile application and smart devices on heart rate variability in diabetic patients with high cardiovascular risk: A sub-study of the LIGHT randomized clinical trial.

Background: This investigation aims to evaluate the effect of a mobile application and smart devices on frequency and time domains of heart rate variability (HRV) in diabetic patients in 1-year follow-up.

Methods: This is post-hoc analysis of a diabetic subgroup of "Lifestyle Intervention usinG mobile technology in patients with high cardiovascular risk: a pragmatic randomized clinical Trial" (LIGHT). One hundred and nine and 118 patients were enrolled in two arms: the intervention plus usual care and the usual care arm.

Management of heart failure with concomitant complete atrioventricular block caused by a novel missense LMNA mutation.

A 30-year-old lady was admitted to the hospital with progressive exertional dyspnoea and bradycardia. A complete atrioventricular block was diagnosed using 12‑lead electrocardiography and a transthoracic echocardiography revealed a severely impaired left ventricular systolic dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 20%. Following hospitalization, her coronary angiography was normal, so a whole exome sequencing was conducted.

Comparison of mortality prediction scores in elderly patients with ICD for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Background: This investigation aimed to examine and compare the predictive value of MADIT-II, FADES, PACE and SHOCKED scores in predicting one-year and long-term all-cause mortality in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implanted patients, 75 years old and older, since there has been an area of uncertainty about the utility and usefulness of these available risk scores in such cases.

Methods: In this observational, retrospective study, 189 ICD implanted geriatric patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of long-term mortality in follow-up. The baseline characteristics and laboratory variables were compared between the groups.

Predictors for the prolonged R wave peak time among patients with arterial hypertension.

Objective: Hypertension (HT) is prevalent in the general population and is associated with significant cardiovascular adverse events. Major structural and electrical remodeling occurs in the ventricular myocardium in response to the pressure overload. Increased left ventricular mass (LVM) and myocardial fibrosis contribute to the prolongation of the R wave peak time (RWPT), which may indicate electrical remodeling in patients with HT.

The value of C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio in predicting long-term mortality among HFrEF patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators.

Background: Patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who received implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) still remain at high risk due to pump failure and prevalent comorbid conditions. The primary aim of this research was to evaluate the predictive value of C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) for all-cause mortality among patients with HFrEF despite ICD implantation.

Materials And Methods: Those who were implanted ICD for HFrEF in our institution between 2009 and 2019 were included.

Lifestyle intervention using mobile technology and smart devices in patients with high cardiovascular risk: A pragmatic randomised clinical trial.

Background And Aims: Mobile technology-based solutions present promising effects against cardiovascular diseases. Long-term follow-up in mobile phone-based interventions has not yet been elucidated as a primary prevention technique for cardiovascular diseases. The objective of the present trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of lifestyle intervention on the change in the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score in a 1-year follow-up using smart phone technology in patients with high cardiovascular risk.

Prognostic nutritional index as the predictor of long-term mortality among HFrEF patients with ICD.

Background: The benefit of implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) could be limited in a particular group of patients. Low prognostic nutritional index (PNI) indicates malnutrition and proinflammatory condition. We sought to investigate the value of PNI in predicting long-term mortality among HFrEF patients with ICD.

Fibrinogen and D-dimer variances and anticoagulation recommendations in Covid-19: current literature review.

INTRODUCTION Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a newly described virus responsible for the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), named by the World Health Organization (WHO) in February/2020. Patients with Covid-19 have an incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of 15.9-29% and sepsis is observed in all deceased patients.