Left Atrial Strain in Omicron-Type COVID-19 Patients.

Background: Information about left atrial (LA) 2-dimensional (2D) strain parameters in patients with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate LA strain (LAS) in COVID-19 patients with the Omicron variant and compare it to that of propensity-matched patients with the wild-type (WT) variant.

Methods: A total of 148 consecutive patients who were hospitalized with Omicron COVID-19 underwent an echocardiographic evaluation within the first day after hospital admission and were compared to propensity-matched patients (1:1) with the WT variant.

Human infection with IsrRAPXV, a novel zoonotic bat-derived poxvirus.

Background: Bats are recognized as the natural reservoir of several zoonotic viruses that pose a threat to public health worldwide. In our recent reports we describe the identification of a novel poxvirus, IsrRAPXV, in Egyptian fruit bats. This poxvirus is associated with high morbidity and mortality in bats.

Dual anti-viral treatment for persistent COVID-19 in immunocompromised hemato-oncological patients is associated with a favorable prognosis and minor side effects.

In hemato-oncological patients, COVID-19 can present as a persistent infection with ongoing symptoms and viral replication over a prolonged period of time. Data are scarce on the preferred treatment options for these patients. We describe our experience with a five-day course of dual anti-viral treatment with remdesivir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for hemato-oncological immunocompromised patients with persistent COVID-19.

Rate of Correction and All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Severe Hypernatremia.

Importance: Hypernatremia is common among hospitalized patients and is associated with high mortality rates. Current guidelines suggest avoiding fast correction rates but are not supported by robust data.

Objective: To investigate whether there is an association between hypernatremia correction rate and patient survival.

Pericardial Involvement in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19: Prevalence, Associates, and Clinical Implications.

Background The scope of pericardial involvement in COVID-19 infection is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence, associates, and clinical impact of pericardial involvement in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods and Results Consecutive patients with COVID-19 underwent clinical and echocardiographic examination, irrespective of clinical indication, within 48 hours as part of a prospective predefined protocol.

Forced Diuresis with Matched Isotonic Intravenous Hydration Prevents Renal Contrast Media Accumulation.

The accumulation of contrast media in the kidneys might lead to contrast-induced acute kidney injury. In this prospective, controlled observational study, we aimed to evaluate whether forced diuresis with matched isotonic intravenous hydration prevents the accumulation of contrast media in the kidneys of patients undergoing cardiac interventional procedures. We compared the intensity of contrast media accumulation as observed in nephrograms following these procedures, with and without peri-procedural controlled renal flushing.

Clinically Significant High-Grade AV Block as a Reversible Cause for Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized Patients-A Propensity Score Matched Cohort.

High-grade AV block (HGAVB) is a life-threatening condition. Acute kidney injury (AKI) which is usually caused by renal hypo-perfusion is associated with adverse outcomes. We aimed to investigate the association between AKI and HGAVB.

COVID-19, a tale of two peaks: patients' characteristics, treatments, and clinical outcomes.

Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) continues to challenge healthcare systems globally as many countries are currently experiencing an increase in the morbidity and mortality. Compare baseline characteristics, clinical presentation, treatments, and clinical outcomes of patients admitted during the second peak to those admitted during the first peak. Retrospective analysis of 258 COVID-19 patients consecutively admitted to the Tel Aviv Medical Center, of which, 131 during the first peak (March 21-May 30, 2020) and 127 during the second peak (May 31-July 16, 2020).

The Predictive Role of Combined Cardiac and Lung Ultrasound in Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate sonographic features that may aid in risk stratification and to propose a focused cardiac and lung ultrasound (LUS) algorithm in patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

Methods: Two hundred consecutive hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 underwent comprehensive clinical and echocardiographic examination, as well as LUS, irrespective of clinical indication, within 24 hours of admission as part of a prospective predefined protocol. Assessment included calculation of the modified early warning score (MEWS), left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, hemodynamic and right ventricular assessment, and a calculated LUS score.

Effect of pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement on long- and mid-term mortality.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become quite common. Atrioventricular conduction defects remain a frequent complication resulting with permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation. Past studies showed conflicting results regarding PPM effect on mortality.

Correction to: Lung ultrasound predicts clinical course and outcomes in COVID-19 patients.

The original article can be found online.

Natural cannabinoids suppress the cytokine storm in sepsis-like in vitro model.

Natural cannabinoids may have beneficial effects on various tissues and functions including a positive influence on the immune system and the inflammatory process. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of natural cannabinoids on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated whole human blood cells. Levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured before and after exposure of LPS-stimulated whole blood to different concentrations of Cannabidiol (CBD) or a combination of CBD and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extract.

Lung ultrasound predicts clinical course and outcomes in COVID-19 patients.

Purpose: Information regarding the use of lung ultrasound (LUS) in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is quickly accumulating, but its use for risk stratification and outcome prediction has yet to be described. We performed the first systematic and comprehensive LUS evaluation of consecutive patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection, in order to describe LUS findings and their association with clinical course and outcome.

Methods: Between 21/03/2020 and 04/05/2020, 120 consecutive patients admitted to the Tel Aviv Medical Center due to COVID-19, underwent complete LUS within 24 h of admission.

Infected Thrombus on a TAVI Aortic Valve.

After a series of tests, an 86-year-old patient was shown to have an infected thrombus on a TAVI valve and was referred to urgent surgery. The valve with the infected thrombus was removed and a biological prosthetic valve was implanted in its place.

Hospitalization as an opportunity to correct errors in anticoagulant treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Aims: To assess whether hospitalization may assist in correcting errors in anticoagulant therapy among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Our cohort included patients admitted to our institution with a history of AF between 2016 and 2018. We categorized patient's treatment upon admission and discharge as lacking (no treatment despite indication), inadequate (according to individual characteristics) or adequate.

Dimethyl sulfoxide attenuates nitric oxide generation via modulation of cationic amino acid transporter-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a solvent that is commonly used in medicine. Conflicting data exist as to its effects on endothelial function. Endothelial cell dysfunction (ECD) is characterized by decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity.

Estradiol augments while progesterone inhibits arginine transport in human endothelial cells through modulation of cationic amino acid transporter-1.

Decreased generation of nitric oxide (NO) by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) characterizes endothelial dysfunction (ECD). Delivery of arginine to eNOS by cationic amino acid transporter-1 (CAT-1) was shown to modulate eNOS activity. We found in female rats, but not in males, that CAT-1 activity is preserved with age and in chronic renal failure, two experimental models of ECD.

Attenuated glomerular arginine transport prevents hyperfiltration and induces HIF-1α in the pregnant uremic rat.

Pregnancy worsens renal function in females with chronic renal failure (CRF) through an unknown mechanism. Reduced nitric oxide (NO) generation induces renal injury. Arginine transport by cationic amino acid transporter-1 (CAT-1), which governs endothelial NO generation, is reduced in both renal failure and pregnancy.

Rosiglitazone improves aortic arginine transport, through inhibition of PKCalpha, in uremic rats.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists were shown to inhibit atherosclerosis through augmentation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity. In addition, rosiglitazone exerts a beneficial effect in chronic renal failure (CRF). Since l-arginine transport by CAT-1 (the specific arginine transporter for eNOS) is inhibited in uremia, we aimed to explore the effect of rosiglitazone on arginine transport in CRF.

A profound decrease in maternal arginine uptake provokes endothelial nitration in the pregnant rat.

While a specific role for nitric oxide (NO) in inducing the hemodynamic alterations of pregnancy is somewhat controversial, it is widely accepted that excess NO is generated during pregnancy. L-Arginine is the sole precursor for NO biosynthesis. Among several transporters that mediate L-arginine uptake, cationic amino acid transporter-1 (CAT-1) acts as the specific arginine transporter for endothelial NO synthase.