Etiology, Risk Factors and Outcome of 1003 Cases of Infective Endocarditis from a 33-year National Survey in the Slovak Republic: An increasing proportion of elderly patients.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is still a significant cause of mortality in European hospitals, despite of the fact, that large nationwide studies were performed in last twenty years and pathogens are well known. The aim of the study was to assess risk factors, mortality, etiology and proportion of elderly patients within a longitudinal nation wide survey of infectious endocarditis in Slovakia.

Patients And Methods: Etiology, risk factors and outcome of 1003 cases of infective endocarditis (IE) in Slovakia over the last 33 years have been assessed.

Patient-related characteristics associated with non-persistence with statin therapy in elderly patients following an ischemic stroke.

Purpose: This study was aimed at evaluating the extent of non-persistence with statin therapy in elderly patients after an ischemic stroke and identifying patient-related characteristics that are risk factors for non-persistence.

Methods: The evaluable study cohort (n = 2748) was derived from the database of the largest health insurance provider in the Slovak Republic. Patients aged ≥65 years who were initiated on statin therapy following the diagnosis of an ischemic stroke during one full year (1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010) constituted this cohort.

Implementation of ESC-STEMI guidelines into clinical practice: an analysis of the Slovak Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (SLOVAKS).

This study analysed the implementation of official European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Initiatives were aimed at the education of both healthcare professionals and inhabitants. Changes in clinical practice and clinical outputs were analysed using data acquired from the SLOVak registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (SLOVAKS).