Lymphocyte-to-Red Blood Cell Ratio-The Guide Star of Acute Coronary Syndrome Prognosis.

Background: Beneath the surface of the acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) iceberg lies a hidden peril, obscured by the well-known cardiovascular risk factors that tip the iceberg. Before delving into the potential time bomb these risk factors represent, it is crucial to recognize the obscured danger lurking under the surface. What secrets does the STEMI iceberg hold? To unveil these mysteries, a closer look at the pathophysiology of STEMI is imperative.

Blood Cell Ratios Unveiled: Predictive Markers of Myocardial Infarction Prognosis.

Background: Even if the management and treatment of patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) have significantly evolved, it is still a burgeoning disease, an active volcano with very high rates of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, novel management and therapeutic strategies for this condition are urgently needed. Lately, theories related to the role of various blood cells in NSTEMI have emerged, with most of this research having so far been focused on correlating the ratios between various leukocyte types (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio-NLR, neutrophil/monocyte ratio-NMR).

An Actual Perspective on I1-Imidazoline Agonists in Blood Pressure Control. Results of a Multicentric Observational Prospective Study.

Despite the disadvantaged position of central adrenergic drugs (CAD) in the current therapeutic regimens of hypertensive patients, we hypothesized that the addition of the most recent representatives of this class - I1-imidazoline agonists (CAD-I1A) - to the usually recommended drugs might contribute to better blood pressure (BP) control. This multicentric observational prospective study included patients with BP . 140/90 mm Hg who were using at least two antihypertensive drugs and were reassessed at three months apart in 44 urban medical centers.

Constrictive Pericarditis in the Light of Multimodal Cardiac Imaging. A Case Report.

Heart failure (HF) caused by constrictive pericarditis (CP) is very rare, but has a significant healing potential. In order to diagnose it, an initial high level of suspicion is imperative, given that HF presents in a setting lacking clinical signs capable of pinpointing a specific aetiology. However, current modern imaging techniques permit the accurate construction of a diagnosis for CP, clearing the way for surgical treatment.

Current Insights into the Significance of the Renal Resistive Index in Kidney and Cardiovascular Disease.

Initially, the renal resistive index (RRI) was investigated with the aim of improving diagnosis in kidney diseases, but this goal was not met. Recently, many papers have highlighted the prognostic significance of the RRI in chronic kidney disease: specifically, in estimating the revascularization success of renal artery stenoses or the evolution of the graft and the recipients in renal transplantation. Moreover, the RRI has become significant in the prediction of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients.

Ups and downs of conducting a national representative survey on hypertension during pandemic time: main results of SEPHAR IV.

Objectives: This national representative survey sought to assess hypertension's prevalence, awareness, treatment and control in Romania.

Methods: A representative sample (by age, sex and residence) of 1477 Romanian adults (51.19 ± 16.

Prevalence and Predictors of Renal Disease in a National Representative Sample of the Romanian Adult Population: Data from the SEPHAR IV Survey.

Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) correlates with the prevalence of hypertension (HT). We studied the prevalence and predictors of CKD in a representative sample of the Romanian adult population. Methods: A sample of 1470 subjects were enrolled in the SEPHAR IV (Study for the Evaluation of Prevalence of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk) survey.

Mean Platelet Volume: A Possible Predictor for Patients with Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure.

Purpose: Despite all medical efforts and discoveries, heart failure (HF) remains one of the most important and common public health problems, with high mortality and hospitalization rates, due to decompensation of HF. In the present study, we aimed to identify a predictive factor through which we can evaluate the risk of readmission and mortality in the first year, given the initial admission of a patient with decompensated heart failure.

Patients And Methods: The parameter we have investigated is the mean platelet volume (MPV).

Implications of Myocardial Bridge on Coronary Atherosclerosis and Survival.

Background: In this study, we aimed to describe the impact of MBs on atherosclerosis and survival, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We retrospectively studied 1920 consecutive patients who underwent conventional coronary angiography for suspected CAD. Atherosclerotic load (AL), defined as the sum of degrees of stenosis, and general atherosclerotic load (GAL), representing the sum of AL, were compared between patients with MB and a control group without MB; patients in these groups were similar in age and sex.

Gender Disparities in the Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control of High Blood Pressure.

The gender effects in arterial hypertension (HT) epidemiology remain poorly clarified to date. We present an up-to-date review of the data regarding gender disparities in HT's prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control. Based on the data from three consecutive national-representative SEPHAR (Study for the Evaluation of Prevalence of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk in Romania) surveys conducted between 2005 and 2016, we provide insights into gender differences in HT's epidemiology and their 11- years the evolutionary trend in a high-CV risk European country.

Sulodexide improves pain-free walking distance in patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Peripheral arterial disease is associated with very high cardiovascular risk. The main symptom is intermittent claudication, which strongly affects the quality of life. Therefore, treatment goals in peripheral arterial disease consist of the reduction of cardiovascular events and the relief of symptoms.

Therapeutic Challenges in Patients With Noncardioembolic Acute Ischemic Stroke in Need of Double Antiplatelet Therapy for Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: The risk of ischemic stroke (IS) is significant within 6-12 months from the myocardial revascularization for an acute cardiac event. Consequently, we can expect to have patients with an acute IS occurring right in the time frame of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) imposed by the coronary heart disease (CHD).

Areas Of Uncertainty: Until present, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with acute IS in need of DAPT for ischemic heart disease.

Perspectives on hypertension's prevalence, treatment and control in a high cardiovascular risk East European country: data from the SEPHAR III survey.

Objectives: To estimate the trend in arterial hypertension's prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in Romania, starting from the latest national survey Study for the Evaluation of Prevalence of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk in Romania III that has a crucial importance for the development of prevention strategies at national level.

Methods: A representative sample of 1970 Romanian adults (mean age 48.38 years, age range 18-80 years, 52.

Healing a Broken Heart: a Case Report of Left Ventricular Free Wall Rupture and Review of the Literature.

The occurrence of left ventricular free wall rupture in acute myocardial infarction decreased with the extent of interventional procedures of reperfusion, but it is still encountered in 1-2% of these patients. We are presenting the case of a 58 years old male with left ventricular free wall rupture occurred as a late complication of an inferior-lateral ST-elevated myocardial infarction. The aim of this case report is to underline the main clinical features, the diagnostic value of the echocardiographic exam and the importance of early surgical intervention in a rare, but very dangerous condition, with persistent high mortality rates.

Objectives and methodology of Romanian SEPHAR II Survey. Project for comparing the prevalence and control of cardiovascular risk factors in two East-European countries: Romania and Poland.

Introduction: Comparing results of representative surveys conducted in different East-European countries could contribute to a better understanding and management of cardiovascular risk factors, offering grounds for the development of health policies addressing the special needs of this high cardiovascular risk region of Europe. The aim of this paper was to describe the methodology on which the comparison between the Romanian survey SEPHAR II and the Polish survey NATPOL 2011 results is based.

Material And Methods: SEPHAR II, like NATPOL 2011, is a cross-sectional survey conducted on a representative sample of the adult Romanian population (18 to 80 years) and encompasses two visits with the following components: completing the study questionnaire, blood pressure and anthropometric measurements, and collection of blood and urine samples.

Visit-to-Visit Blood Pressure Variability and Arterial Stiffness Independently Predict Cardiovascular Risk Category in a General Population: Results from the SEPHAR II Study.

Introduction: The aim of our study was to evaluate visit-to-visit blood pressure variability (BPV) and the association of this parameter with cardiovascular risk determinants, according to the SEPHAR II survey.

Methods: Following a selection based on the multi-stratified proportional sampling procedure, a total of 1975 subjects who gave informed consent were evaluated by means of a questionnaire, anthropometric, blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness measurements (pulse wave velocity and augmentation index), 12-lead ECG recordings, and blood and urine analysis. BPV was quantified in terms of the standard deviation (SD) of the mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and high BPV was defined as SBP-SD above the 4th quartile.

New cardiovascular risk factors and their use for an accurate cardiovascular risk assessment in hypertensive patients.

Objectives: To analyze the predictive value of new cardiovascular (CV) risk factors for CV risk assessment in the adult Romanian hypertensive (HT) population.

Methods: Hypertensive adults aged between 40-65 years of age, identified in national representative SEPHAR II survey were evaluated by anthropometric, BP and arterial stiffness measurements: aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao), aortic augmentation index (AIXao), revers time (RT) and central systolic blood pressure (SBPao), 12 lead ECGs and laboratory workup. Values above the 4th quartile of mean SBP' standard deviation (s.

Hypertension prevalence and control in Romania at a seven-year interval. Comparison of SEPHAR I and II surveys.

Objectives: To present the current epidemiologic situation regarding hypertension's prevalence and control in Romania's adult population (revealed by SEPHAR II survey results) and to evaluate their tendency during the last 7 years (by comparing with the SEPHAR I survey results).

Methods: The two SEPHAR cross-sectional national surveys were conducted on a representative sample for the Romanian adult population (SEPHAR I: 2017 individuals aged 18-85 years, 45% response rate, SEPHAR II: 1975 individuals aged 18-80 years, 69% response rate), by means of questionnaire interview, blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements during two study visits. Hypertension was defined as SBP at least 140  mmHg and/or DBP at least 90  mmHg at both study visits or previously diagnosed hypertension under current treatment.

Profile of the Romanian hypertensive patient data from SEPHAR II study.

Aim: The objective of this paper is to present the profile of the Romanian hypertensive patient as revealed by the analysis of hypertensive subjects from SEPHAR II survey.

Methods: A total number of 798 hypertensive subjects identified by SEPHAR II survey were analyzed in terms of socio-demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, subclinical target organ damage, established target organ disease, total CV risk and HT awareness, treatment and control. The profile of the Romanian hypertensive patients was built using the mod of every above mentioned target variables.

Total cardiovascular risk estimation in Romania. Data from the SEPHAR study.

Objective: of this sub-study was to assess the impact of major CV risk factors on mortality due to CV diseases among Romanian adult subjects using the SCORE System.

Study Design And Setting: In 2005, a survey for CV risk factors (SEPHAR) was performed in Romania involving 2017 subjects aged over 18 yrs, a representative sample for the Romanian adult population. Romania's area was divided into ten regions recommended by The National Commission of Statistics.