Septic Cardiomyopathy.

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction represents reversible myocardial dysfunction which ultimately results in left ventricular dilatation or both, with consequent loss of contractility. Studies on septic cardiomyopathy report a wide range of prevalence ranging from 10% to 70%.

The Correlation of Serum Calpain 1 Activity and Concentrations of Interleukin 33 in COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the most severe complications of the COVID-19 disease. The role of IL-33 and calpain 1 was previously described in lung infections and lung tissue damage. Our study examined the association between serum calpain 1 activity and IL-33 concentration in patients with COVID-19 ARDS.

COVID-19 pandemic: Impact on the cardiac implantable electronic devices' implantation rates in Croatia.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has influenced health-care organization worldwide, including management of non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac implantable electronic devices' (CIEDs) implantation rates in Croatia.

Methods: A retrospective, observational, national study was conducted.

The Relationship of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction and Asymmetrical Dimethylarginine as a Biomarker of Endothelial Dysfunction with Cardiovascular Risk Assessed by Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation2 Algorithm and Heart Failure-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, causing endothelial dysfunction (ED) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), contribute to an increased risk of heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the occurrence of LVDD and ED with CV risk assessed by the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation2 (SCORE2) algorithm and HF. In the period from November 2019 to May 2022, a cross-sectional study that included 178 middle-aged adults was conducted.

The Relationship between Nrf2 and HO-1 with the Severity of COVID-19 Disease.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) have significant roles in the development of a hyperinflammatory state in infectious diseases. We aimed to investigate the association of the serum concentrations of Nrf2 and HO-1 with the severity of COVID-19 disease. The study included 40 subjects with mild and moderately severe forms of the disease (MEWS scoring system ≤2).

The Role of Extracorporeal Blood Purification in the Treatment of a Patient with Lemierre's Syndrome.

Lemierre's syndrome refers to the septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. The condition typically begins with an oropharyngeal infection and frequently involves inflammation within the wall of the vein, infected thrombus within the lumen, surrounding soft tissue inflammation, persistent bacteremia, and septic emboli. Lemierre's syndrome is a rare disease; it occurs most commonly in otherwise healthy young adults.

Understanding the association between endothelial dysfunction and left ventricle diastolic dysfunction in development of coronary artery disease and heart failure.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)  have been the most common cause of death worldwide for decades. Until recently the most affected patients were middle-aged and elderly, predominantly men, with more frequent ST elevation myocardial infarction  (STEMI) caused by obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). However, in the last two decades we have noticed an increased incidence of ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA), which includes myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) and non-myocardial infarction syndromes, such as microvascular and vasospastic angina, conditions that have been particularly pronounced in women and young adults - the population we considered low-risky till than.

Perindopril/amlodipine-induced thrombotic microangiopathy.

This is the first report on a case of perindopril/amlodipine-induced thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) syndrome. A 48-year-old female was admitted complaining of nettle rash all over the body, bloody urine, and weakness shortly after starting antihypertensive therapy with perindopril/amlodipine. Shortly thereafter, she developed pronounced hemiparesis, somnolence, and sensorimotor aphasia.

Serum carbohydrate sulfotransferase 7 in lung cancer and non-malignant pulmonary inflammations.

Background: Carbohydrate sulfotransferases (CHST) were shown to be involved in carcinogenesis. The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of serum CHST7 concentration in differentiation between lung cancer and non-malignant pulmonary inflammations.

Methods: Clinical case-control study involving 125 participants was conducted: the control group containing cases of pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was compared to the lung cancer group composed of primary and metastatic cancers.

Case Report: Surgical Treatment of Two Asymptomatic Myxomas at Two Atypical Locations.

Atypical presentation of myxomas in the two cases described here arise from the fact that both patients were asymptomatic and both showed unexpected echocardiographic findings. Asymptomatic presentation is very rare, and occurs in only about 10% of individuals. Atrial myxomas discovered on incidental echocardiography is also a rare phenomenon, as seen in our cases.

Redefining Cut-Points for High Symptom Burden of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Classification in 18,577 Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be classified into groups A/C or B/D based on symptom intensity. Different threshold values for symptom questionnaires can result in misclassification and, in turn, different treatment recommendations. The primary aim was to find the best fitting cut-points for Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) symptom measures, with an modified Medical Research Council dyspnea grade of 2 or higher as point of reference.

Dilemma in clinical diagnosis of right ventricular masses.

Detection of an intracardiac mass always represents a clinical challenge. We present a 61-year-old female patient with symptoms of New York Heart Association class III. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography revealed a hypoechogenic mass in the cavity of the dilated right ventricle (RV).

The Role of Tonsillectomy in the Prevention of Helicobacter Pylori Infection.

The incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection varies globally and depends on the socioeconomic situation of a location. In the territory of Croatia, the incidence rate among the populace is 40-50% in persons with normal gastroscopic findings, whereas it is increased in persons with the pathohistological finding of the ulcus disease. This study examines the potential preventive role of tonsillectomy with regard to H.

[Risk assessment for sleep apnea syndrome and excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Aim: The objective of this study was to examine the risk of sleep apnea syndrome in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to determine correlation with the associated cardiovascular comorbidity in these patients. Chronic and occasional sleep disturbances represent a problem for millions of people worldwide. COPD is a multisystem disease and the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world.

Assessment of endothelial dysfunction by measuring von Willebrand factor and exhaled nitric oxide in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multisystemic disease, one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. The aim of this research is to assess the level of markers of endothelial dysfunction, vWf and the exhaled nitric oxide (NO) depending on the severity of COPD. The study included 100 subjects: 60 patients with COPD without adjoining cardiovascular comorbidity, and 40 patients as the controls.