COVID-19 vaccine booster significantly decreases the risk of intensive care unit hospitalization in heart failure patients during the Omicron variant wave: A population-based study.

Background: Heart failure (HF) patients are at higher risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Omicron variant has many novel mutations including those in the spike protein, leading to questions about vaccine effectiveness. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine with or without a booster (i.

[Spontaneous coronary artery dissection, two case reports of men].

Spontaneous coronary dissection (SCAD) is one of the less common causes of acute coronary syndrome. It mainly affects younger patients without typical risk factors for ischemic heart disease. SCAD usually arises suddenly in otherwise healthy individuals with a previously full quality of life, and given the potential urgency of the condition, it is an important nosological unit in the differential diagnosis of chest pain.

Kinetics of Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Septic Shock: A Pilot Study.

Septic shock is a major cause of mortality in ICU patients, its pathophysiology is complex and not properly understood. Oxidative stress seems to be one of the most important mechanisms of shock progression to multiple organ failure. In the present pilot study, we have analysed eight oxidative-stress-related biomarkers in seven consecutive time points (i.

Oxidative Stress in Takotsubo Syndrome-Is It Essential for an Acute Attack? Indirect Evidences Support Multisite Impact Including the Calcium Overload-Energy Failure Hypothesis.

Indirect evidences in reviews and case reports on Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) support the fact that the existence of oxidative stress (OS) might be its common feature in the pre-acute stage. The sources of OS are exogenous (environmental factors including pharmacological and toxic influences) and endogenous, the combination of both may be present, and they are being discussed in detail. OS is associated with several pathological conditions representing TTS comorbidities and triggers.

Prognostic value of oxidative stress in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock: A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Cardiogenic shock is a frequent complication of acute myocardial infarction. Similar to ischemia/reperfusion injury, excessive production of reactive oxygen species can be expected in those who experience cardiogenic shock. The aims of this study were to describe the extent and time course of oxidative stress and evaluate the prognostic value of oxidative stress markers in patients who experienced ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Prognostic value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I in heart failure patients with mid-range and reduced ejection fraction.

Background: The identification of high-risk heart failure (HF) patients makes it possible to intensify their treatment. Our aim was to determine the prognostic value of a newly developed, high-sensitivity troponin I assay (Atellica®, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics) for patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; LVEF < 40%) and HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF) (LVEF 40%-49%).

Methods And Results: A total of 520 patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF were enrolled in this study.

In Comparison to Pathological Q Waves, Selvester Score is a Superior Diagnostic Indicator of Increased Long-Term Mortality Risk in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Treated with Primary Coronary Intervention.

The development of pathological Q waves has long been correlated with worsened outcome in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In this study, we investigated long-term mortality of STEMI patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and compared predictive values of Q waves and of Selvester score for infarct volume estimation. Data of 283 consecutive STEMI patients (103 females) treated by PPCI were analysed.

MyPal-Child study protocol: an observational prospective clinical feasibility study of the MyPal ePRO-based early palliative care digital system in paediatric oncology patients.

Introduction: Electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) have tremendous potential to optimise palliative and supportive care for children with cancer, their families and healthcare providers. Particularly, these children and their families are subjected to multiple strains caused by the disease and its treatment. The MyPal digital health platform is designed to address these complex demands by offering pursuant ePRO-based functionalities via two mobile applications, one developed for children and the other for their parents.

Differences in risk profiles and long-term outcomes in acute heart failure patients with preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in the Czech Republic: The AHEAD registry sub-analysis.

Background: The latest European heart failure guidelines define patients as those with reduced (HFrEF), mid-range, and preserved (HFpEF) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; <40%, 40%-49%, and ≥50%, respectively). We investigated the causes of rehospitalizations/deaths in our institution's heart failure patients and focused on differences in the clinical presentation, risk profile, and long-term outcomes between the HFrEF and HFpEF groups in a real-life scenario.

Methods And Results: We followed 1274 patients discharged from heart failure hospitalization in 2 centres.

Delayed-type Hypersensitivity to Metals in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

The causes of nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy are classified as genetic or nongenetic, but environmental factors such as metal pollutants may interact with genetic susceptibility. The presence of metal particles has been detected in the myocardium, including in those patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. It is also known that hypersensitivity reactions can induce inflammation in tissue.

Impact of Decreased Transmural Conduction Velocity on the Function of the Human Left Ventricle: A Simulation Study.

This study investigates the impact of reduced transmural conduction velocity (TCV) on output parameters of the human heart. In a healthy heart, the TCV contributes to synchronization of the onset of contraction in individual layers of the left ventricle (LV). However, it is unclear whether the clinically observed decrease of TCV contributes significantly to a reduction of LV contractility.

Heart rate as an independent predictor of long term mortality of acute heart failure patients in sinus rhythm according to their ejection fraction: data from the AHEAD registry.

Background: Heart rate (HR) at admission in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) has been shown to be an important risk marker of in-hospital mortality. However, its relation with mid and long-term prognosis as well as the impact of Ejection Fraction (EF) is unknown. Our objective was to study the relationship between long-term survival and HR at admission depending on EF in a cohort of patients hospitalized for AHF.

[Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in acute coronary syndrome].

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Early diagnostics of this disease helps in the appropriate treatment of patients. Great attention is paid to the diagnostic and risk stratification of patients according to circulating biomarkers.

Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity to Metals of Environmental Burden in Patients with Takotsubo Syndrome - Is There a Clinical Relevance?

Objective: Takotsubo syndrome (TS) is a heart condition characterised by a sudden transient left ventricular dysfunction; its pathophysiology is probably associated with elevated levels of catecholamines but the exact mechanism is not known as yet. Literature and clinical experience suggest that TS affects persons with various comorbidities. This pilot work aims to evaluate the frequency of comorbidities with potential pathological immune reactivity, and to evaluate the potential association between TS and hypersensitivity to metals assessed by LTT-MELISA®.

Infectious Complications and Immune/Inflammatory Response in Cardiogenic Shock Patients: A Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction: Patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) are at a high risk of developing infectious complications; however, their early detection is difficult, mainly due to a frequently occurring noninfectious inflammatory response, which accompanies an extensive myocardial infarction (MI) or a postcardiac arrest syndrome. The goal of our prospective study was to describe infectious complications in CS and the immune/inflammatory response based on a serial measurement of several blood-based inflammatory biomarkers.

Methods: Eighty patients with CS were evaluated and their infections were monitored.

[Vitamin D: Its physiology, pathophysiology and significance in etiopathogenesis of malignant diseases].

Vitamin D is an endogenous product of mammalian organisms from which an active agent of a steroid hormone nature is synthesized. These hormones participate in a variety of key metabolic processes in every nuclear cell, whether on endocrine, paracrine and autocrine or subcellular level. Vitamin D represents a very interesting molecule which participates in a great deal of body processes.

[Alternative methods of microvolt T wave alternans measurements in patients with left ventricular cardiac dysfunction].

Background: The presence of a microvolt T wave alternans (MTWA) is linked with increased risk of malignant arrhythmias and overall mortality. The most common method used for MTWA detection is a bicycle exercise test (BET). Method has still several limitations.

Successful treatment of life-threatening Candida peritonitis in a child with abdominal non-Hodgkin lymphoma using Efungumab and amphotericin B colloid dispersion.

Invasive fungal infections are serious complications of cancer therapy. We present a case report of a 12-year-old boy diagnosed with abdominal non-Hodgkin lymphoma and fecal and Candida peritonitis during induction chemotherapy. The invasive mycosis was managed using a combined approach of systemic antifungal agents including efungumab and surgical interventions.