The Prognostic Role of RDW in Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients with and Without Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure (HF) are interrelated conditions that exacerbate each other through mechanisms like fluid retention, neurohormonal activation, and inflammation. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW), a measure of red blood cell size variability, has emerged as a potential prognostic marker in HF. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of RDW in HF patients, both with and without CKD, focusing on all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalizations.

Heart Failure: A Deficiency of Energy-A Path Yet to Discover and Walk.

Heart failure is a complex syndrome and our understanding and therapeutic approach relies mostly on its phenotypic presentation. Notably, the heart is characterized as the most energy-consuming organ, being both a producer and consumer, in order to satisfy multiple cardiac functions: ion exchange, electromechanical coordination, excitation-contraction coupling, etc. By obtaining further knowledge of the cardiac energy field, we can probably better characterize the basic pathophysiological events occurring in heart disease patients and understand the metabolic substance changes, the relationship between the alteration of energy production/consumption, and hence energetic deficiency not only in the heart as a whole but in every single cardiac territory, which will hopefully provide us with the opportunity to uncover the beginning of the heart failure process.

Neurohormonal Effects of Intravenous Dopamine in Patients with Acute Heart Failure.

: Many clinical trials have shown beneficial effects of low-dose dopamine on renal function, diuresis and symptom relief, or cardiac function in hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure (HF). The aim is to assess the neurohormonal effects and the effects on clinical outcomes of the addition of low-dose dopamine in furosemide treatment in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated HF. : A total of 62 patients hospitalized for acute decompensation of HF, were randomly allocated to one of the following three groups: i.

Prevention of Anthracyclines and HER2 Inhibitor-Induced Cardiotoxicity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: This meta-analysis and systematic review aim to consolidate evidence on cardiotoxicity prevention and treatment strategies in patients receiving anthracyclines or HER2 receptor inhibitors, vital treatments for breast cancer and hematologic malignancies. By synthesizing existing research, the goal is to provide impactful insights that enhance patient care and outcomes.

Methods: Comprehensive research across PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials was conducted, selecting clinical trials focusing on cardioprotection in anthracyclines or HER2 inhibitor-treated individuals.

The Effects of Exercise Training on Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise training on functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) in patients with RA. We performed a search in four databases, selecting clinical trials that included community or outpatient exercise training programs in patients with RA.

Validation of Perioperative Troponin Levels for Predicting Postoperative Mortality and Long-Term Survival in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer.

Hepatopancreato and biliary (HPB) tumors represent some of the leading cancer-related causes of death worldwide, with the majority of patients undergoing surgery in the context of a multimodal treatment strategy. Consequently, the implementation of an accurate risk stratification tool is crucial to facilitate informed consent, along with clinical decision making, and to compare surgical outcomes among different healthcare providers for either service evaluation or clinical audit. Perioperative troponin levels have been proposed as a feasible and easy-to-use tool in order to evaluate the risk of postoperative myocardial injury and 30-day mortality.

The Effects of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Inflammatory Profile in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure of Different Severity.

Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation are common pathophysiological characteristics of chronic heart failure (CHF). Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are recognized as useful markers of vascular damage and endothelial repair. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a cardiac rehabilitation program on EPCs and inflammatory profile in CHF patients of different severity.

Coronary Artery Aneurysms: Comprehensive Review and a Case Report of a Left Main Coronary Artery Aneurysm.

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are rare anatomical disorders of the coronary arteries. Atherosclerosis and Kawasaki disease are the principal causes of CCAs, while other causes including genetic factors, inflammatory arterial diseases, connective tissue disorders, endothelial damage after cocaine use, iatrogenic complications after interventions and infections, are also common among patients with CAAs. Although there is a variety of noninvasive methods including echocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, coronary angiography remains the gold standard diagnostic method.

Does the Addition of Strength Training to a High-Intensity Interval Training Program Benefit More the Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

Background: Aerobic exercise, either continuous or high intensity interval training (HIIT), induces important benefits in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. Resistance training has been also shown to be beneficial in CHF. However, data regarding combined aerobic exercise and muscle strength training is still limited.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A review of diagnostic methods and management strategies.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare non-atherosclerotic cause of acute coronary syndromes defined as non-iatrogenic, non-traumatic separation of the coronary artery wall. The most common profile is a middle-aged woman between 44 and 53 years with few cardiovascular risk factors. SCAD is frequently linked with predisposing factors, such as postpartum, fibromuscular dysplasia or other vasculopathies, connective tissue disease and hormonal therapy, and it is often triggered by intense physical or emotional stress, sympathomimetic drugs, childbirth and activities increasing shear stress of the coronary artery walls.