CPAP vs HFNC in treatment of patients with COVID-19 ARDS: A retrospective propensity-matched study.

Background: Previous studies exploring the application of noninvasive ventilation or high-flow nasal cannula in patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have yielded conflicting results on whether any method of respiratory support is superior. Our aim is to compare the efficacy and safety of respiratory therapy with high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure in treatment of COVID-19-related ARDS.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study based on data from patients who received respiratory support as part of their treatment in the COVID intensive care unit at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb between February 2021 and February 2023.

Adults with congenital heart disease: what every cardiologist should know about their care.

As patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) continue to enjoy longer lives, non-congenital cardiologists and other healthcare professionals are increasingly encountering them in their practice and are challenged by their specific needs. Most under- and post-graduate medical training tends to overlook this common pathology, resulting in insufficient awareness of post-repair or post-palliation residual lesions and sequelae from previous interventions. In a strive towards improving the quality of care for this ever-growing cardiovascular patient cohort, it is prudent to outline the areas of concern and specific management needs pertaining to adult patients with CHD and share it with non-CHD professionals.

Decoding the Epigenetics of Infertility: Mechanisms, Environmental Influences, and Therapeutic Strategies.

Infertility is a complex condition caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Recent advances in epigenetics have highlighted the importance of epigenetic changes in fertility regulation. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in infertility, with a focus on DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs.

Efficacy and Safety of High PEEP NIV in COVID-19 Patients.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) with high PEEP levels application in patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study with data collected from 95 patients who were administered NIV as part of their treatment in the COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) at University Hospital Centre Zagreb between October 2021 and February 2022. The definite outcome was NIV failure.

Comparison of apixaban versus aspirin for the prevention of latent bioprosthetic aortic valve thrombosis: study protocol for a prospective randomized trial.

Background: The optimal antithrombotic strategy early after aortic valve replacement surgery with a biological valve remains controversial due to lack of high-quality evidence. Either oral anticoagulants or acetylsalicylic acid should be considered for the first 3 months. Hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening on cardiac computed tomography has been associated with latent bioprosthetic valve thrombosis and may be prevented with anticoagulation.