Polypharmacy Associated With the Simultaneous Prevalence of Dry Eye Due to Aqueous Deficiency and Hyposalivation in Adults Over 50 Years Old.

Introduction Dry eye and hyposalivation, often linked to Sjögren's syndrome (SS), are prevalent among adults. However, systemic diseases and their associated medications also play a role, as drug interactions can intensify the effects of certain medications. Objective To assess whether polypharmacy is associated with the co-occurrence of aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE) and hyposalivation in adults aged 50 years and older without SS.

Recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism with cardiac tamponade as initial manifestations of lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome: a case report.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease with an important course due to systemic compromise. SLE is frequently associated with antiphospholipid syndrome, and pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) is particularly common. It is extremely rare for PE to be the initial clinical presentation and even more uncommon for it to coincide with cardiac tamponade, representing a challenge in diagnosis and management.

Dyspnea and Heart Failure: The Role of the Diaphragm.

Background: Dyspnea and exertional intolerance are the most common clinical manifestations of Heart Failure (HF). One of the possible mechanisms of both symptoms in HF patients is weakness of the inspiratory muscles.

Aim: Because the diaphragm is the main inspiratory muscle, this review aimed to investigate the contribution of diaphragmatic function to the genesis of dyspnea or exercise intolerance in HF patients.

Antiproliferative and Pro-apoptotic Activities of vent. Leaves on the Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cell Line (MCF-7).

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, impacting not only the patients but also their families and communities. vent. is a plant endemic to Mexico, traditionally used in Zapotec medicine for the treatment of cancer.

Outcomes after medical treatment for primary aldosteronism: an international consensus and analysis of treatment response in an international cohort.

Background: Primary aldosteronism can be treated medically but there is no standardised method to evaluate treatment outcomes. We aimed to develop criteria for assessing the outcomes of targeted medical treatment of primary aldosteronism, analyse outcomes across an international cohort, and identify factors associated with a complete treatment response.

Methods: An international panel of 31 primary aldosteronism experts used the Delphi method to reach consensus on the definition of complete, partial, or absent biochemical and clinical outcomes of medical treatment of primary aldosteronism.

Complications of transvenous lead extraction-focus on tricuspid valve damage: a case report.

Background: Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) has become an essential component of lead management strategies, but it carries the risk of severe complications, including damage to the tricuspid valve. Currently, there are no established predictors that can help prevent these complications.

Case Summary: An 84-year-old male with a dual-chamber pacemaker was admitted to the hospital due to a pocket fistula resulting from a local infection.

Impact of Wood Smoke Exposure on Aortic Valve Mineralization: Microvesicles as Mineral Conveyors in Patients with Coronary Stenosis.

Aortic valve calcification results from degenerative processes associated with several pathologies. These processes are influenced by age, chronic inflammation, and high concentrations of phosphate ions in the plasma, which contribute to induce mineralization in the aortic valve and deterioration of cardiovascular health. Environmental factors, such as wood smoke that emits harmful and carcinogenic pollutants, carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxide (NO), as well as other reactive compounds may also be implicated.

Mitral valve prolapse in sudden cardiac arrest survivors: Coincidence or causal relationship?

Background: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) risk stratification in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) may be complicated by other potential causes of arrhythmia.

Objective: We aimed to characterize SCA survivors with isolated MVP (iMVP) and non-isolated MVP (non-iMVP) and to assess their long-term follow-up.

Methods: This ambispective study included 75 patients with MVP who experienced SCA and were treated in our center between 2009 and 2024.

High-risk percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction deemed not suitable for surgical revascularisation. A clinical consensus statement from the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) in collaboration with the ESC Working Group on Cardiovascular Surgery.

This clinical consensus statement of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions was developed in association with the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiovascular Surgery. It aims to define procedural and contemporary technical requirements that may improve the efficacy and safety of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), both in the acute phase and at long-term follow-up, in a high-risk cohort of patients on optimal medical therapy when clinical and anatomical high-risk criteria are present that entail unacceptable surgical risks, precluding the feasibility of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This document pertains to patients with surgical contraindication according to the Heart Team, in whom medical therapy has failed (e.

Risk Factors for Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Renal Replacement Therapy in Patients Undergoing Heart Valve Surgery.

Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing heart valve surgery is a common complication requiring special treatment, including renal replacement therapy (RRT). Effective prevention remains the most effective tool to reduce this important clinical problem. The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive abilities of selected perioperative parameters in predicting AKI requiring RRT in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery.

Self-Reported Dyspnea Is Associated with Reduced Health-Related Quality of Life in Quaternary Hospital Workers 1 Year Post Mild COVID-19 Infection.

Background/objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic had significant implications for healthcare workers (HWs), especially those that work in hospitals. This study evaluated health related quality of life (HRQOL) and its relationship with dyspnea approximately one year after COVID-19 infection in HWs.

Methods: HWs with previous COVID-19 infections were interviewed, and the EuroQol five-dimensional three-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) with a visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate HRQOL.

Coffee: Fuel for Your Day or Foe for Your Arteries.

Atherosclerosis, a major cause of cardiovascular diseases, is influenced by modifiable factors such as adiposity and blood cholesterol. Diet is crucial in these areas, particularly regarding antioxidant, inflammatory, and obesity effects. Coffee, a globally popular stimulant beverage, has garnered significant attention for its potential impact on cardiovascular diseases.

Visceral adipose tissue mediates the relationship between left ventricular global longitudinal strain and insulin resistance among adults living with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Adipose tissue distribution plays a crucial role in the development of cardiovascular complications. In particular, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) has been linked to insulin resistance (IR) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the relationship between VAT, cardiac dysfunction and the meditation capacity of VAT related to IR has not been fully characterized.

Randomized comparison of a Gladius first versus standard antegrade wiring strategy for crossing coronary chronic total occlusions: the Gladius first trial.

Objectives: Antegrade wiring (AW) is the most common coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) crossing strategy and usually relies upon stepwise guidewire escalation starting from the low tip-load polymer-jacketed wire (standard guidewire escalation). The authors aimed to investigate whether the upfront use of intermediate tip-load polymer-jacketed guidewire translates into improved procedural outcomes of CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: The Gladius First trial was a single-center, investigator-initiated, randomized, prospective trial.

Iron levels and vulnerable coronary atherosclerotic plaques.

Background: Preliminary research indicates that higher iron levels are associated with worse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.

Aims: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between iron levels and the type and composition of coronary plaques.

Methods: In patients with ≥1 coronary stenosis ≥50% on computed tomography angiography, iron levels, presence of high-risk plaque features, such as low-attenuation plaque (LAP), napkin-ring sign, positive remodeling, and spotty calcium, as well as type and plaque composition (calcified/fibrous/fibro-fatty/necrotic core) were evaluated.

Diagnosis and treatment of Fabry disease. Expert Opinion of the Polish Cardiac Society and the Polish Forum for Fabry Disease.

Fabry disease (FD) belongs to the group of lysosomal storage diseases (LSD), which are characterised by insufficient activity of enzymes responsible for the intra-lysosomal breakdown of various substrates. The result is an uncontrolled accumulation of by-products of cellular metabolism. Lysosomal storage diseases are inherited diseases, transmitted mainly in an autosomal recessive fashion.