Role of Lactate Dehydrogenase as a Biomarker of Early Cardiac Remodeling: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme assay was used widely in the past to diagnose myocardial infarction (MI). Recent studies show that lactate dehydrogenase seems to be a promising biomarker of adverse left ventricular remodeling.

Objectives: Higher levels of these biomarkers were associated with lower odds for favorable reverse remodeling in patients with MI.

Biomarkers and their combination in a prediction of decompensation after an index hospitalization for acute heart failure.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) still remains as one of the most common causes of hospital admission with a high mortality rate.

Aim: To investigate the possible prognostic role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), high-sensitivity (hs) cardiac troponin (cTn) I, cystatin C, and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) in the prediction of decompensation after an index hospitalization and to investigate their possible additive prognostic value.

Patients And Methods: Two hundred twenty-two patients hospitalized with acute HF were monitored and followed for 18 months.

The Role of Dyslipidemia in Atherogenesis in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

Background: To evaluate atherosclerotic changes in carotid arteries (CCA) in uremic patients before and after 18 months of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) treatment, and to evaluate the impact of dyslipidemia and CAPD treatment on vascular remodeling.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a longitudinal, prospective study during 2020 and 2021 at the Clinic for Nephrology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo. Patients with end-stage renal disease were included and were followed during 18 months of CAPD treatment.

Lipid status and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Aim To assess morphological characteristics of carotid blood vessels in uremic patients before to the initiation of the dialysis treatment, and corelate data with various dialysis therapy modules. Methods The study included 30 patients with end-stage renal disease (ERDS) prior to commencing dialysis, 30 patients treated with haemodialysis and 30 patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The control group consisted of 15 subjects with normal kidney function (eGFR>60ml/min).

The Effectiveness of Eplerenone vs Spironolactone on Left Ventricular Systolic Function, Hospitalization and Cardiovascular Death in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure-HFrEF.

Background: Heart failure remains one of the most prevalent clinical syndromes associated with significant morbidity and mortality. According to current guidelines, the prescription of a MRA is recommended to reduce the risk of HF hospitalization and death in all patients with symptomatic heart failure and no contraindications for this therapy.

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy of eplerenone vs.

Triglyceride level as a potential marker of residual cardiovascular risk and its relation to HeartScore.

Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) are still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Elevated LDL-cholesterol is established as a strong marker of cardiovascular risk. Some researchers believe that measuring triglyceride levels gives a good assessment of the residual risk for ASCVD besides the measurement of LDL-cholesterol.

Relation between thyroid hormonal status, neutrophillymphocyte ratio and left ventricular systolic function in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Aim To examine a relation of thyroid function, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with left ventricular function measured through the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods This prospective research involved 160 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction. Patients were divided into those with normal thyroid hormone status (n=80) and those with hypothyroidism (newly diagnosed) (n=80).

Pericardial Effusion in Postcoronavirus Disease Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction of the Left Ventricle and Normal Values of N-Terminal-Pro B-Type Natriuretic Peptide-Link with C-Reactive Protein and D-Dimer.

Aim: The aim of this study was to link the values of D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP), with the occurrence of pericardial effusion in patients who had coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and have preserved systolic function of the left ventricle (LV).

Methods: This was a prospective study and included 146 patients who underwent echocardiographic examination 30 days after the acute phase of COVID-19. Patients who were placed on mechanical ventilation, patients who had pulmonary thromboembolism or acute coronary syndrome during the acute period of the disease, patients who had an ejection fraction of the LV <50%, patients who were diagnosed with pericarditis during acute illness or clinical signs of heart failure (or had elevated N-terminal-pro hormone B-type natriuretic peptide value), with verified renal or hepatic dysfunction were excluded from the study, including patients with diabetes mellitus Type 1, patients with cancer, connective tissue disease, or pregnant women.

Optimal use of lipid-lowering therapy after acute coronary syndromes: A Position Paper endorsed by the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP).

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and consequent acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are substantial contributors to morbidity and mortality across Europe. Much of these diseases burden is modifiable, in particular by lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). Current guidelines are based on the sound premise that with respect to low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), "lower is better for longer", and the recent data have strongly emphasized the need of also "the earlier the better".

Beta-blocker Use in Moderate and Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Introduction: The most appropriate choice of pharmacological treatment of heart rhythm disorders occurring in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular comorbidity is often a topic of debate between pulmonologists and cardiologists in clinical practice, although numerous studies and clinical trials have demonstrated evidence to support the use of selective beta-blockers (BBs) in these patients.

Aim: To examine the difference in the number of exacerbations in patients treated with a combination of verapamil and digoxin or BB alone in patients with different COPD stages.

Patients And Methods: The study included 68 patients (n = 68) diagnosed with COPD who were followed-up during a 12-month period, and the number of exacerbations were analyzed.

Optimal Choice of Pharmacological Therapy - Prevention of Stroke and Assessment of Bleeding Risk in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: The aim of the study was to highlight the importance of adequate anticoagulant therapy and the correlation of higher risk of stroke.

Methods: This study analyzed data obtained from 103 patients with diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) (39 of them had a stroke). Patients were divided into groups according to the CHADS, CHADS-VASc, and HASBLED scores.

Significance of Nitric Oxyde Saliva Concentration of the Patients with Renal Failure on Hemodialysis.

Introduction: An increase in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis concentration could help alleviate some pathological changes directly related to uremia.

Aim: To investigate the concentration of nitric oxide in saliva of patients with terminal stage of chronic renal failure on hemodialysis and to investigate the effect of hemodialysis on concentration of nitric oxide in saliva of the patients with terminal stage of chronic renal failure on hemodialysis.

Material And Methods: The study had a prospective character and included 60 respondents of both sexes, at age between 20 and 60 years.

Serum Aldosterone as Predictor of Progression of Coronary Heart Disease in Patients Without Signs of Heart Failure After Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Introduction: In patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) early risk assessment of development of complications is of great importance. It is proven that aldosterone level has a major role in progression of cardiovascular pathology.

Aim: Determination of influence of aldosterone plasma level in the progression of heart disease in patients without signs of heart failure after AMI.

Impact of Different Types of Statins on Clinical Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized for Ischemic Heart Failure.

Introduction: The effect of statins on risk of heart failure (HF) hospitalization and lethal outcome remains dubious.

Aim: To investigate whether statin therapy improves clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized for ischemic heart failure (HF), to compare the efficacy of lipophilic and hydrophilic statins and to investigate which statin subtype provides better survival and other outcome benefits.

Material And Methods: Total amount of 155 patients in the study were admitted to the Clinic for Cardiology, Rheumatology and Vascular diseases in Clinical Center University of Sarajevo in the period from January 2014- December 2017.

The serum triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio in patients with acute coronary syndrome with and without renal dysfunction.

Aim To assess triglyceride - to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL)-C ratio in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to verify its association with renal dysfunction. Methods A cross sectional study included 85 ACS patients divided in two groups with (ACS - RD) and without (ACS-nRD) presence of renal dysfunction, and 35 healthy subjects. Blood pressure, blood glucose, C-reactive protein, urea, creatinine, eGFR and serum lipids levels (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C) was measured in all participants.

Predictors of Hospitalization for Heart Failure Decompensation in 18-months Follow-up After Index Hospitalization for Acute Heart Failure.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) has very high rate of repeat hospitalizations due to HF decompensation (HHFD), sometimes very shortly after discharge for acute HF.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to investigate rate of HHFD and to identify their possible predictors.

Patients And Methods: Total amount of 222 patients hospitalized at Clinic for heart and vessel disease and rheumatism in acute HF were followed for next 18 months for occurrence of HHFD.

Prognostic indicators of adverse renal outcome and death in acute kidney injury hospital survivors.

Introduction: Data regarding prognostic factors of post-discharge mortality and adverse renal function outcome in acute kidney injury (AKI) hospital survivors are scarce and controversial.

Objectives: We aimed to identify predictors of post-discharge mortality and adverse renal function outcome in AKI hospital survivors.

Patients And Methods: The study group consisted of 84 AKI hospital survivors admitted to the tertiary medical center during 2-year period.

Renal Function Outcome Prognosis in Septic and Non-septic Acute Kidney Injury Patients.

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate prognostic impact of clinical factors on outcome of renal function in septic and non-septic acute kidney injury (AKI) patients.

Methods: The prospective, observational, clinical study was performed at Nephrology Clinic and Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre Sarajevo. One hundred patients with diagnosis of AKI were enrolled in the study, and divided into two groups: septic and non-septic AKI patients.

Serum level of tumor marker carbohydrate antigen-CA125 in heart failure.

Objective: To assess serum levels of tumor marker carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) in patients with heart failure (HF) and to investigate possible correlation with echocardiographic parameters and level of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).

Patients And Methods: We included 76 patients with different cardiac symptoms hospitalized at Clinic for heart disease and rheumatism. Control group (n = 26) was consisted of patients without signs and symptoms of HF, normal left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and normal BNP level.

Streptokinase versus alteplase: comparison of echocardiographic parameters and post-coronarography treatment--our experience.

Introduction: Usage of fibrinolytic therapy leads to reperfusion of the occluded coronary arteries, rescue of ventricle myocardium and successful recovery of patient.

Goal: The objective of this study was to compare the reperfusion effect of streptokinase and alteplase in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by analyzing echocardiographic parameters and post-coronarography treatment.

Patients And Methods: We observed 53 patients in AMI and divided them depending on applied therapy in streptokinase and alteplase group.

Brain natriuretic peptide release in acute myocardial infarction.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is released from ventricular myocites due to their stretching and volume overload. In heart failure there is BNP release. Aim of this study was to observe BNP release in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Biphasic and monophasic pattern of brain natriuretic peptide release in acute myocardial infarction.

This study evaluated brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) release in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), absolute values as well as pattern of its release. There are two different patterns of BNP release in AMI; monophasic pattern--concentration in the first measurement is higher than in the second one, and biphasic pattern--concentration in the first measurement is lower than in the second one. We observed significance of biphasic and monophasic pattern of BNP release related to diagnostic and prognostic value.