[Association of red blood cell distribution width with presence and severity of rheumatic mitral valve stenosis].

Objective: As an indicator of variability in circulating erythrocyte size, red cell distribution width (RDW) is linked to chronic inflammation. The association of rheumatic heart valve stenosis and inflammation is also well-known. This study aimed to assess the relationship between RDW and presence and severity of rheumatic mitral valve stenosis (RMVS).

Treatment of mechanical valve thrombosis in the right heart: overview of the requirements for the new thrombolytic protocols.

Prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is a rare but serious complication of implanted mechanical valves. Intravenous thrombolytic treatment has emerged as an alternative to surgical therapy in the management of patients with stuck valves. As tricuspid valve replacement is a rare venture, the indications for such therapy and appropriate patient selection are evolving.

Is there a relationship between obesity, heart rate variability and inflammatory parameters in heart failure?

Background: To investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on heart rate variability (HRV) and inflammatory parameters in patients with heart failure.

Methods: We analyzed 55 consecutive patients (mean age, 63.5 +/- 12.