Hyperuricemia treatment in acute heart failure patients does not improve their long-term prognosis: A propensity score matched analysis from the AHEAD registry.

Background: Hyperuricemia is associated with a poorer prognosis in heart failure (HF) patients. Benefits of hyperuricemia treatment with allopurinol have not yet been confirmed in clinical practice. The aim of our work was to assess the benefit of allopurinol treatment in a large cohort of HF patients.

Positive influence of being overweight/obese on long term survival in patients hospitalised due to acute heart failure.

Background: Obesity is clearly associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates. However, in patients with acute heart failure (AHF), an increased BMI could represent a protective marker. Studies evaluating the "obesity paradox" on a large cohort with long-term follow-up are lacking.

Prevalence and clinical significance of liver function abnormalities in patients with acute heart failure.

Aims: Liver pathology caused by cardiac dysfunction is relatively well recognized, however, its clinical importance has not been fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of liver function tests (LFTs) abnormalities and to identify associated factors mediating hepatic impairment in patients with acute heart failure (AHF).

Methods: The AHEAD (Acute Heart Failure Database) registry is a database conducted in 9 university hospitals and 5 regional health care facilities in the Czech Republic.

Comparison of long-term effect of dual-chamber pacing and alcohol septal ablation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: Nonpharmacological treatment of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) comprises surgical myectomy (SME), alcohol septal ablation (ASA), and dual-chamber (DDD) pacing. The aim of the study was to compare the long-term effect of DDD pacing and ASA in symptomatic HOCM patients.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated retrospective data from three cardiocenters; there were 24 patients treated with DDD pacing included and 52 treated with ASA followed for 101 ± 49 and 87 ± 23 months, respectively.