Beneficial effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication in systemic sclerosis patients.

Objective: Previous studies have shown that Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is associated with increased activity and severity of systemic sclerosis (SSc), hence we aimed to evaluate the effect of HP eradication on various symptoms and inflammatory indices.

Methods: The SSc patients without dyspeptic symptoms were prospectively enrolled in this 18-month cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into two groups based on determination of HP infection.

LEFT-SIDED INFERIOR VENA CAVA ASSOCIATED WITH PROXIMAL DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS OF THE LEFT LOWER EXTREMITY.

Left-sided inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare congenital venous anomaly that is most frequently detected incidentally during abdominal computer tomography scanning. However, as in the case presented, the first clinical manifestation of this anomaly may be deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of lower extremities. Therefore, left-sided IVC should be kept in mind in case of inferior DVT, especially in young patients with no predisposing thrombotic risk factors.

Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Mitral Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis-A Narrative Review.

Despite advances in diagnosis, imaging methods, and medical and surgical interventions, prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) remains an extremely serious and potentially fatal complication of heart valve surgery. Characteristic changes of PVE are more difficult to detect by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) than those involving the native valve. We reviewed advances in transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the diagnosis of PVE.

Novel Biodegradable Zn Alloy with Exceptional Mechanical and In Vitro Corrosion Properties for Biomedical Applications.

A series of quaternary Zn-Al-Cu-Li alloys with different weight fractions of Cu, Al, and Li were developed and investigated for potential application in high load bearing bioresorbable implants. The developed alloys provided various fractions of binary and ternary intermetallic structures, which resulted in formation of multiphase microstructures containing a zinc-rich η-phase and LiZn and CuZn phases. The intermetallic phases promoted grain refinement and a good combination of mechanical properties.

Development of high strength and ductile Zn-Al-Li alloys for potential use in bioresorbable medical devices.

A series of Zn-Al-Li alloys with potential application in bioresorbable implants were cast, thermomechanically processed and tested. The formation of secondary phases, such as LiZn, LiZnAl and AlLi, contributed to both dynamic recrystallization and grain refinement of the matrix (η-phase) during the hot-extrusion process, leading to grain sizes as small as 1.75 μm for Zn-4Al-0.

Disturbed Fatty Acid Oxidation, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, and Apoptosis in Left Ventricle of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

Chronic heart failure is a common complication in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM is associated with disturbed metabolism of fat, which can result in excessive accumulation of lipids in cardiac muscle. In the current study, we assessed mitochondrial oxidation of carbohydrates and fatty acids, lipid accumulation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and apoptosis in diabetic left ventricle.

The association between high-density lipoproteins and estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients without severe kidney disease.

Purpose: Several studies investigated the association between the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the concentration of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in patients without severely damaged kidney function. As results of those studies were inconclusive and contradictory, we wanted to investigate this association in multiple cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk patients without severe kidney disease or renal failure.

Methods: We enrolled a cohort of 187 patients with intermediate and high CVD risk without severe renal disease.

infection and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with chronic coronary artery disease.

Aim: Controversy exists concerning the relation between (HP) infection and coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to examine the relationship between HP infection and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with chronic CAD.

Patients And Methods: A total of 150 patients (109 [73%] men; mean age 62.

Anesthesia and perioperative pain management during cardiac electronic device implantation.

Background: The degree of pain caused by the implantation of cardiac electronic devices (CEDs) and the type of anesthesia or perioperative pain management used with the procedure have been insufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to analyze perioperative pain management, as well as intensity and location of pain among patients undergoing implantation of CED, and to compare the practice with published guidelines.

Patients And Methods: This was a combined retrospective and prospective study conducted at the tertiary hospital, University Hospital Split, Croatia.

Impact of diabetes on mortality in peripheral artery disease: a meta-analysis.

Background: There are accumulating studies showing the association between diabetes and all-cause mortality in peripheral vascular disease. However, the results in these studies are conflicting regarding the impact of diabetes on outcome.

Hypothesis: Diabetes is associated with increased risk of mortality in peripheral artery disease.

Trimetazidine does not alter metabolic substrate oxidation in cardiac mitochondria of target patient population.

Background And Purpose: Trimetazidine, known as a metabolic modulator, is an anti-anginal drug used for treatment of stable coronary artery disease (CAD). It is proposed to act via modulation of cardiac metabolism, shifting the mitochondrial substrate utilization towards carbohydrates, thus increasing the efficiency of ATP production. This mechanism was recently challenged; however, these studies used indirect approaches and animal models, which made their conclusions questionable.

[LEFT VENTRICULAR NON-COMPACTION].

Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathy, which is today, due to modern ultrasound technology more frequently detected in clinical practice. It is caused by the failure of normal embryonic development of the myocardium from loosely arranged muscle fibers to the mature compacted form of myocardium. Morphologic presentation consists of unique two-layered structure, a thick noncompacted endocardial and a thin compact epicardial layer, in infero-lateral and apical segments.

Impact of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Exercise-Induced Repolarization Changes in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease.

Recent reports suggest T peak to T end (Tpe) interval and Tpe/QT ratio as valuable indicators of increased arrhythmogenic risk in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to examine the exercise-induced changes in these indexes in patients with stable CAD, before and after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Forty patients were consecutively included in the interventional group (n = 20), with significant lesions (≥75% luminal narrowing) suitable for PCI and in the control group (n = 20), with no significant coronary artery lesions (<50% luminal narrowing).

Left ventricular systolic function in selected type 1 diabetic patients with or without diabetic retinopathy and microalbuminuria.

Vascular endothelial dysfunction is a basic etiologic factor for the development of late clinical complications in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1, such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy (which is characterized at the very beginning by microalbuminuria), and left ventricular cardiac dysfunction. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 and with or without diabetic retinopathy and microalbuminuria, and to correlate the duration of diabetes with the dynamics of diabetic retinopathy, microalbuminuria and asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction development in these patients. One-hundred and twenty selected patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 were examined by ophthalmologist and cardiologist.