MINOCA: A Pathophysiological Approach of Diagnosis and Treatment-A Narrative Review.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a clinical entity characterized by the absence of significant coronary artery obstruction in epicardial arteries (<50%) on coronary angiography in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This article aims to provide a narrative review of the pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic challenges, and prognosis associated with MINOCA based on pathophysiology regarding the atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic causes. Etiological factors, including thromboembolism, coronary artery spasm, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, coronary microvascular disease, and supply-demand mismatch, are addressed.

Prognostic Role of Functional SYNTAX Score Based on Quantitative Flow Ratio.

Background/objectives: The quantitative flow ratio (QFR)-based functional Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score (FSSQFR) combines coronary arteries' anatomy and physiology.

Methods: We performed an offline FSSQFR calculation in all-comers undergoing coronary angiography in a single center. Based on the tertiles of SYNTAX Score (SS), patients were divided into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups with the following cut-offs: SS/FSSQFR < 13, SS/FSSQFR: 13-21, and SS/FSSQFR: >21.

Intradialytic Hypertension in Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize the current evidence regarding epidemiology, clinical pathophysiology, and latest therapeutic approaches for the management of intradialytic hypertension (IDH).

Recent Findings: IDH is a rather common complication of dialysis, affecting 10-15% of the patient population and significantly increasing the cardiovascular risk. Its pathophysiology involves multiple mechanisms, including volume and sodium overload, sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) overactivity, endothelial dysfunction, and arterial stiffness.

IGFBP-2 in Critical Illness: A Prognostic Marker in the Growth Hormone/Insulin-like Growth Factor Axis.

Critical illness (CI) triggers complex disruptions in the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis, significantly affecting the dynamics of insulin-like growth-factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs). Among these, IGFBP-2 shows a sustained elevation during CI, which inversely correlates with serum levels of IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and the acid-labile subunit (ALS). Although IGFBP-2 does not directly interact with ALS, it may influence the availability of IGFs by competing with other IGFBPs for binding to IGF-1 and IGF-2.

Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Renal Biopsy in Greek Children: 15 Years of Experience at a Single Center.

Background: Percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy (PRB) is a key element for diagnosis and management of several renal pathologies. We aimed to lay out the experience of our pediatric nephrology unit performing PRBs. The rationale and findings of these biopsies, safety issues and considerations of the extracted data are going to be analyzed.

Guidelines for the management of hypertension in CKD patients: where do we stand in 2024?

Until recently, major bodies producing guidelines for the management of hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) disagreed in some key issues. In June 2023, the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) published the new 2023 ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension a document that was endorsed by the European Renal Association. Several novel recommendations relevant to the management of hypertension in patients with CKD appeared in these guidelines, which have been updated to reflect the latest evidence-based practices in managing hypertension in CKD patients.

Clinical and mycological outcomes of candidaemia and/or invasive candidiasis by Candida spp. and antifungal susceptibility: pooled analyses of two randomized trials of rezafungin versus caspofungin.

Objectives: A post hoc analysis used pooled STRIVE/ReSTORE trial data to determine outcomes with rezafungin versus caspofungin by Candida species and antifungal susceptibility.

Methods: The efficacy and safety of once weekly rezafungin 400/200 mg versus once daily caspofungin 70/50 mg was demonstrated in the randomized, double-blind phase 2 STRIVE (NCT02734862) and phase 3 ReSTORE (NCT03667690) trials involving adults with candidaemia and/or invasive candidiasis. In this analysis, data were pooled for patients with a documented Candida infection within 96 hours of randomization who also received ≥1 dose of study drug.

The role of C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio as a prognostic biomarker in patients hospitalized for cardiorenal syndrome.

Background: Cardio-renal syndrome, characterized by simultaneous cardiac and renal impairment, presents significant challenges in patient prognostication and management. This study aimed to investigate the C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CRP/Albumin ratio) as a prognostic marker in patients with cardiorenal syndrome.

Methods: This observational cohort study included consecutive patients hospitalized for cardiorenal syndrome.

Physical Activity Habits Among Physicians: Data From the Athens Medical Association.

Background: Physicians' exercise habits vary across different medical specialties and health service infrastructure. We assessed physicians' exercise performance according to the recommendations of the 2020 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines.

Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 742 physicians of the Athens Medical Association (AMA), Greece.

Sex-related differences in the 20-year incidence of CVD and its risk factors: The ATTICA study (2002-2022).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine sex-related differences in the long-term (20-year) incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its determinants.

Methods: In 2002, 3,042 apparently healthy Greek adults were recruited, and in 2022, the 20-year follow-up was conducted with 2,169 participants, 1,988 of whom had completed CVD assessments. Sex-specific analyses using nested Cox proportional hazards were performed, as well as classification and regression tree (CRT) analysis modeling.

Cardiac involvement in a female patient with Beçhet's disease: newer diagnostic and therapeutic approaches-a case report.

Background: Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystemic chronic inflammatory disorder. Cardiac manifestations in BD are extremely rare. There have been no reports of cardiac involvement of BD and especially endomyocardial fibrosis in the left ventricle (LV).

Vitamin D Supplementation: Shedding Light on the Role of the Sunshine Vitamin in the Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes and Its Complications.

As the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) continues to increase globally, researchers are keen to investigate various interventions to mitigate its impact. Among these, vitamin D supplementation has attracted significant attention due to its influence on insulin secretion from the pancreas and insulin receptors in body cells. A substantial body of evidence indicates that vitamin D supplementation can reduce low-grade inflammation, a critical factor in developing insulin resistance.

Frequencies or Absolute Numbers? Cluster Analysis of Frequencies and Absolute Numbers of B-Cell Subsets in Dialysis Patients Who Are Candidates for Kidney Transplantation Reveals Different Profiles.

Detailed characterization of B cells in dialysis patients who are candidates for kidney transplant is still lacking, with little information on how dialysis duration and modality impact B cell subsets. Cluster analysis of flow cytometry determined the frequencies and absolute numbers of B-cell subsets and divided the cohort of 78 candidates into two distinct clusters, one with shorter and one with longer dialysis duration. The immune profiles of the clusters differed depending on whether frequencies or absolute counts were considered.