Arrhythmias Following Patent Foramen Ovale Closure: An Unsolved Enigma.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure has proven to be an effective method of reducing the risk of recurrent stroke in patients with embolic stroke of unknown origin (ESUS). One of the most recognized post-procedural complications is the de novo occurrence of supraventricular arrhythmias, mainly atrial fibrillation, in the first three months following PFO closure. Earlier studies reported the incidence to be around 3.

Effect of an Exercise Intervention Program on BMI and Distance Covered in the 6 Min Walking Test (6MWT) in Obese Children.

Background/objectives: Childhood obesity appears to be an alarmingly growing global threat. Current evidence has shown that obesity can be successfully managed with interventions targeting movement skills, motor coordination and physical activity. However, data concerning physiotherapy practice are limited.

Impact of C-FOS/C-JUN Transcriptional Factors Co-Expression in Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Significant transcription factors - including c-Fos (gene locus: 14q24.3) and c-Jun (gene locus: 1p32-p31) - regulate cell homeostasis preventing abnormal signal transduction to nucleus. Their over-activation seems to be associated with an aggressive phenotype in non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs).

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in 7704 Individuals: An Analysis from the Greek Registry for the Prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (GRegistry-FH).

The intention of this study was to profile the cohort from the Greek Registry for the prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (GRegistry-FH) by estimating the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), pre-DM, smoking, abnormal thyroid function (ATF), and lipid values. The GRegistry-FH is a prospective study involving door-to-door interviews conducted by trained interviewers. Overall, 7704 individuals aged ≥18 years, randomly selected from all the regions of Greece, participated.

Physical Activity in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: The Effects of Caregivers and Residential Factors.

Introduction Physical inactivity is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients; several patient- and disease-related factors are linked to a sedentary lifestyle, but social and environmental influences remain unexplored. This study evaluates the level of physical activity in patients with CKD and investigates the associations with caregivers' physical activity levels, characteristics of the residential environment, and objective measures of exercise capacity. Methods Eighty CKD patients (20 per CKD stage 2-4) were included; patients and their carers filled out the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), questionnaires about residential environment and past exercise habits.

Endothelial dysfunction in adults with congenital heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) can face a lifelong risk of premature cardiovascular events. Endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness may be some of the key mechanisms involved. Early identification of endothelial damage in ACHD could be crucial to mitigate the adverse events.

The Relationship Between Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Response During Exercise Testing with Microcirculation Indices.

Introduction: Hypertension is associated with changes in microcirculation, while increased blood pressure (BP) during exercise stress testing has been correlated with adverse outcomes.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship of microcirculation with exercise BP response in hypertensive individuals.

Methods: 105 hypertensive individuals underwent exercise stress testing and nail-fold videocapillaroscopy assessment, in order to evaluate the relationship of BP response to exercise with capillary density.

Large tumor thrombus extending into the right atrium through the inferior vena cava due to hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report.

This is a case report of a 54-year-old patient with hepatocellular cancer under palliative chemotherapy who admitted with dyspnea on minimal exertion and peripheral oedema over the past 5 days. Echocardiogram revealed a large echogenic mass in the right atrial cavity which did not enhance with intravenous echo contrast agent, and a distended inferior vena cava (IVC) which was occluded by echogenic material with no signs of flow. To distinguish with accuracy if the thrombus was a bland or tumor thrombus, contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (CT) was performed.

Association between simple, combined lipid markers and 20-year cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes: the ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022).

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between simple, combined lipid biomarkers, and 20-year cumulative incidence of new type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among adults participating in the ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022).

Methods: The present analysis included data from 2000 individuals free of T2DM at baseline (age 43 ± 13 years; 51% women). Sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, clinical, and biochemical parameters were collected at baseline and follow-up examinations; combined lipid markers were evaluated.

Deep learning for cardiac imaging: focus on myocardial diseases, a narrative review.

The integration of computational technologies into cardiology has significantly advanced the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases. Computational cardiology, particularly, through cardiovascular imaging and informatics, enables a precise diagnosis of myocardial diseases utilizing techniques such as echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography. Early-stage disease classification, especially in asymptomatic patients, benefits from these advancements, potentially altering disease progression and improving patient outcomes.

Addressing pain in people living with cystic fibrosis: Cystic fibrosis foundation evidence-informed guidelines.

Even as many outcomes for people living with cystic fibrosis (PLwCF) improve, individuals still experience extensive symptom burdens. From birth, many PLwCF experience both pain as a symptom of their CF disease and procedural pain, posing detriments to health, functioning, and quality of life. Despite its prevalence and impact, there is no CF-specific guidance for the assessment and management of pain.

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.

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.

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.

Transition to Enteral Triazole Antifungal Therapy for Pediatric Invasive Candidiasis: Secondary Analysis of a Multicenter Cohort Study Conducted by the Pediatric Fungal Network.

Of 319 children with invasive candidiasis, 67 (21%) transitioned from intravenous to enteral antifungal therapy. Eight (12%) transitioned back to intravenous antifungal therapy, one due to perceived treatment failure defined by clinical progression or worsening. Global treatment response at study completion was successful in 66 participants who transitioned to enteral therapy.

Effectiveness of N-3 fatty acids supplementation on spondyloarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background & Aims: The study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of n-3 fatty acids (FA) supplementation on spondyloarthritis (SpA) disease activity, inflammatory markers, and imaging.

Methods: The study protocol was developed and registered online in advance. The PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) electronic databases were systematically searched for RCTs up to April 2024.