The Prognostic Role of Spot Urinary Sodium and Chloride in a Cohort of Hospitalized Advanced Heart Failure Patients: A Pilot Study.

Recent studies have demonstrated the prognostic value of spot urinary sodium (UNa) in acutely decompensated chronic HF (ADCHF) patients. However, data on the prognostic role of UNa and spot urinary chloride (UCl) in patients with advanced HF are limited. In the present prospective pilot study, we examined the predictive value of UNa and UCl concentration at baseline, at 2 h and at 24 h after admission for all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization up to 3 months post-discharge.

Acute Myopericarditis after the Second Dose of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Mimicking Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Myocarditis is a rare adverse event of vaccination. Recently, mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 have been reported to correlate with myocarditis, specifically in adolescents and young men. We report a rare case of a 50-year-old man who presented with symptoms of myocardial infarction 3 days after the second dose of vaccination for COVID-19.

Effect of Elevated Reperfusion Pressure on "No Reflow" Area and Infarct Size in a Porcine Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion.

Background: The "no reflow" phenomenon (microvascular obstruction despite restoration of epicardial blood flow) develops postreperfusion in acute myocardial infarction and is associated with poor prognosis. We hypothesized that increased reperfusion pressure may attenuate the no reflow phenomenon, as it could provide adequate flow to overcome the high resistance of the microvasculature within the no reflow zone. Thus, we investigated the effect of modestly elevated blood pressure during reperfusion on the extent of no reflow area and infarct size in a porcine model of ischemia-reperfusion.

High furosemide dose has detrimental effects on survival of patients with stable heart failure.

Introduction: High doses of furosemide for heart failure (HF) have been correlated with an increased mortality, though whether they are a marker of disease severity or an independent predictor is unknown. We hypothesized that, in patients presenting with stable HF, the likelihood of long-term major adverse clinical events is increased by higher furosemide doses.

Methods: We retrospectively recorded the doses of furosemide prescribed to 173 consecutive, clinically stable patients during a first ambulatory HF department visit.

Beneficial effects of combined exercise training on early recovery cardiopulmonary exercise testing indices in patients with chronic heart failure.

Purpose: Exercise training induces several beneficial effects in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). This study investigated the effects of high-intensity aerobic interval training (AIT) compared with combined AIT and strength training (COM) on early ventilatory and metabolic recovery pattern after symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in CHF patients.

Methods: Stable CHF patients (N = 42; 54 ± 10 years [mean ± SD], 35 males) participated in an exercise training program for 12 weeks, 3 times per week.

Comparison of three different regimens of intermittent inotrope infusions for end stage heart failure.

Aims: Inotrope treatment is often necessary in refractory to optimal management end stage heart failure, when signs of end-organ hypoperfusion appear. The effect of specific inotropes on patient outcome remains controversial. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of levosimendan versus dobutamine, alone or in combination with levosimendan, on the outcome of end-stage heart failure patients, requiring inotropic therapy.