[Prognostic Value of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients With Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure].

Aim      To determine the incidence rate and the practical significance of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in the development of cardiovascular complications in patients with decompensated chronic heart failure (DCHF).Material and methods  This prospective, single-site observational study included 171 patients older than 18 years with NYHA functional class (FC) II-IV chronic heart failure (CHF) who were hospitalized for DCHF. Standard and extended 2D and 3D echocardiography (EchoCG) was performed for all patients on admission.

[Cross-Talk of the Glutamate and Leptin Receptor Pathways].

The hormone leptin is produced in adipocytes of white adipose tissue and crosses the blood-brain barrier. Leptin receptors are present in the brain regions that are involved in higher cognitive functions. In particular, leptin directly influences the glutamate receptor trafficking in CA3 → CA1 synapses to increase the phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P3) level, which is controlled by phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K).

[The Value of Right Ventricular Dysfunction and Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Artery Coupling in Chronic Heart Failure: The Role of Echocardiography].

In this review article we discuss the clinical and prognostic value of echocardiographic evaluation methods of the right ventricular function and right ventricular - pulmonary artery coupling, advantages and disadvantages of echocardiography in comparison with other instrumental methods of investigation in patients with chronic heart failure.