(Postmortem genetic testing in sudden cardiac death victims and genetic screening of relatives at risk in the Czech Republic)

Alice Krebsová, Štěpánka Pohlová Kučerová, Pavel Votýpka, Petra Peldová, Markéta Kulvajtová, Petra Dohnalová, Matěj Bílek, Veronika Stufka, Kristina Rücklová, Iva Grossová, Hanka Wünschová, Terezia Tavačová, Jana Hašková, Markéta Segeťová, Andrea Gřegořová, Veronika Zoubková, Jana Petřková, Martin Dobiáš, Michal Makuša, Alžběta Blanková, David Veitr, Hynek Řehulka, Ivan Šubrt, Alexander Pilin, Petr Tomášek, Jan Janoušek, Josef Kautzner, Milan Macek Jr.

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):7-22 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.059  

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in individuals younger than 40 years has a heritable cause in a significant subset of cases. Identification of SCD, postmortem genetic analysis along with the cardiological screening in first degree relatives represents an important tool for the primary prevention of cardiac arrest in victim's relatives and requires multicentric and multidisciplinary collaboration. Between 2016 and 2021 we dealt with totally 133 cases of sudden death, the complex cardiogenetic analysis was performed in 115 cases at the age of 0-59 years with post mortem diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, acute aortic dissection and cases without morphological finding...

Coronary artery bypass grafting after iatrogenic coronary artery dissection: A single center eight years' experience

Mehmet Ali Yeşiltaş, Ali Aycan Kavala, Saygin Turkyilmaz, Yusuf Kuserli, Hasan Toz, Onur Emre Satilmis

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):23-29 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.093  

Background: Iatrogenic coronary artery dissection during diagnostic or therapeutic catheterization is a rare and mortal complication that may result in a newly developed myocardial infarction. In this study, we aimed to share the results of CABG treatment of patients with iatrogenic coronary artery dissection after coronary angiography (CAG) in our clinic. Methods: All patients who underwent CAG or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in our hospital between January 2014 and December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively and patients who underwent CABG after iatrogenic coronary artery dissection were included in the study. The dissection classification...

New onset of atrial fibrillation in acute coronary syndromes

Helder Santos, Mariana Santos, Margarida Gancho Figueiredo, Mariana Caetano Coelho, Samuel Almeida, Lurdes Almeida, Sofia B. Paula

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):31-37 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.052  

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are common in the Portuguese population. In some cases, AF first episode can occur in ACS context. Nevertheless, the impact of new-onset AF (nAF) in the setting of ACS seems to be associated with a poor prognosis. Objectives: To understand different characteristic in nAF patients with ACS and to evaluate the predictors of nAF. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study based on the Acute Coronary Syndrome Portuguese National Registry, including 29 851 patients admitted for ACS between 1/10/2010-4/09/2019, classified according to the presence or absence of nAF during the hospitalization....

The Effect of Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation on Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Faruk Kara, Ahmet Özderya, Gülay Uzun, Ezgi Kalaycioğlu, Muhammet Raşit Sayin, Turhan Turan

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):39-44 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.081  

Objective: The effect of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on systemic inflammation was not well established in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio has emerged as a new inflammation marker and elevated levels were found to be associated with worse clinical outcome in patients with CAD. Also, poor impaired health-related quality of life (HRQL) is an independent predictor of morbi-mortality in patients with CAD. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of exercise-based CR on N/L ratio and HRQL in patients with CAD. Methods: We enrolled 200 stable CAD out-patients referred for Phase III...

Evaluation of Complications Predictors in the Performance of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery in the Cardiac Surgery Clinic "Bicard"

Damir Osmonov, Asan Nazarov, Mustafa Unal, Ishenbai Moldotashev, Nazaraly Usubaliev, Alexander Sorokin, Dmitry Lezhnin

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):45-50 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.049  

The main aim of the research was to do the complex research and stratification of clinical, functional, and surgical risk factors for coronary artery bypass grafting complications development in the preoperative period. Materials and methods: Data of 97 patients with coronary heart disease aged 31-84 (the mean age 62.9±8.4) after coronary artery bypass grafting (with the artificial circulation) have been analyzed. As prognostic criteria were analyzed the patient's age, a history of the acute myocardial infarction, hospitalization time, number of the placed shunts, aortic compression duration, as well as the duration of the artificial circulation

Non-invasive assessment of ventricular-arterial coupling: correlation between myocardial work and the pulse wave velocity parameters

Antonio Parlavecchio, Rodolfo Caminiti, Giampaolo Vetta, Michele Magnocavallo, Domenico Giovanni Della Rocca, Rosario Foti, Manuela Ajello, Pasquale Crea, Giuseppe Dattilo, Massimo Siviglia, Stefano Postorino, Antonio Pangallo, Francesco Antonio Benedetto, Concetta Zito, Scipione Carerj

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):51-56 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.102  

Introduction: The myocardial work (MW) is a new echocardiographic method, based on the pressure-strain loop, which allows quantifying the cardiac performance. On the other hand, the pulse wave velocity (PWV) evaluates arterial stiffness, knowing that as the stiffness of an artery increases, the transmission velocity of the anterograde and the retrograde sphygmic wave increases.

Matrix metallopeptidase-9 prognostic role in STEMI patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in one-year follow-up period

Mykola Kopytsya, Yaroslava Нilоva, Iulia Rodionova, Anton Bilchenko, Inna Kutia, Borys Shelest

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):57-64 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.109  

Objective: The use of matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) in patients with acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as a prognostic indicator has a lot of gaps and the medical community has very limited experience with it. The study aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of MMP-9 in STEMI patients after successful revascularization within a 12-month follow-up period. Material and method: 88 patients met the inclusion criteria and had no exclusion criteria diagnosed with STEMI who underwent primary PCI were enrolled in the study. 66 (75.0%) were men, with a mean age of 60.84±9.68...

Is the microRNA-221/222 Cluster Ushering in a New Age of Cardiovascular Diseases?

Lutfu Askin, Okan Tanriverdi

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):65-67 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.050  

In addition to regulating gene expression, microRNAs (MiRs) regulate messenger RNA degradation and translation rates. MiRs have a high expression in the cardiovascular (CV) system, indicating an important role in vascular health. The atherosclerotic process has been related to miRs-221 and -222. MiRs-221/222 possess anti-stenotic activity. MiR-221/222 may potentially serve as a marker for myocardial remodeling. There is still a long way yet before miRs-221/222 can be recognized as a potential therapeutic target. Identification, validation, and understanding of the function of gene targets are all critical.

Inclisiran: new era of lipid-lowering therapy?

Jan Beneš

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):69-75 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.043  

Dyslipidemia is the most frequent metabolic abnormality in western world population and a major risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) development. Dyslipidemia treatment is still insufficient and achieving target LDL-level infrequent. Statins are a cornerstone of dyslipidemia management. Although statins are one of the safest drugs on the market, statin therapy can be associated with muscle symptoms and increased risk of DM development. Statin discontinuation is frequent, often driven by negative media coverage. Inclisiran is a therapeutic oligonucleotide that employs RNA interference and inhibits the translation of PCSK9-mRNA leading to long-lasting...

(Why to use fixed dose perindopril, bisoprolol combination in hypertonics with CHD?)

Ondřej Petrák

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):77-81 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.004  

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Arterial hypertension is one of the earliest risk factors of atherosclerosis and early intervention significantly reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We have to tailor the treatment to individual patients according to their hypertension subclass and their cardiovascular and metabolic risk profile. The fixed combination has a number of advantages, from better and faster achievement of blood pressure target values, through fewer side effects to improved adherence to treatment. The combination of a beta-blocker (bisoprolol) and an ACE inhibitor (perindopril) has complementary...

Myocarditis in children

Kristina Rücklová, Jan David, Karel Koubský, Jan Pavlíček, Eva Klásková, Vojtěch Šedivý, Sylvia Krupičková, Hana Malcová, Jitka Komínová, Pavel Vít, Peter Kubuš

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):82-89 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.096  

Myocarditis in children is a relatively rare disease which often presents a dilemma that has to be faced not only by paediatric cardiologists but also paediatricians. The diagnosis often remains clinically suspected or probable. Only recent advancements in cardiac magnetic resonance have enabled us to confirm the diagno- sis. However, it may not be readily available. Scientific statement of the American Heart Association on paediatric myocarditis was published in 2021 and provides useful support for treatment. Hence, this article is a result of published guidelines.

Prosthetic valve thrombosis: literature review and two case reports

Kotryna Druteikaitė, Simona Bėrontaitė, Gintarė Valterytė, Gediminas Jaruševičius

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):90-99 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.054  

Prosthetic heart valve thrombosis is one of the most dangerous prosthetic valve complications. Proper monitoring and management of these patients help to prevent this complication. Fluoroscopy is advantageous in cases of thrombosis to assess the function of the prosthetic valve by measuring opening and closing angles. We describe two cases of aortic mechanical valve thrombosis with different mechanisms of thrombus formation. The first case was a 48-year-old woman admitted to the hospital because of shortness of breath during minimal exertion and significantly reduced exercise tolerance. Due to rheumatic heart disease the patient underwent aortic and...

Is the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) a Cardiovascular Disease Marker?

Lutfu Askin, Okan Tanriverdi

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):100-103 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.085  

Numerous indicators have been used to diagnose and prognosticate cardiovascular disease (CVD). The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is a logarithmic conversion of triglyceride (TG) to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) molar concentrations. The close association between AIP and the size of lipoprotein particles may account for its excellent predictive value. AIP may be computed simply using a typical lipid profile. It is a bet- ter predictor of lipoprotein particle size than that of individual lipids or the ratio of TG to HDL.

(Pseudoaneurysm of radial artery as a complication of selective coronary catheterization)

Josef Laštůvka, Martin Porzer, Marian Branny, Leoš Pleva, Jan Mrózek, Pavel Kukla, Tomáš Grézl

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):104-106 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.042  

Selective coronary angiography is a routine examination with a low risk of serious complications.¹ In recent years, with regards to minimizing the risk of local complications and comfort of the patient, the transradial access has been used as the dominant approach. Among the local complications of this approach the most frequent are spasm, radial artery occlusion (ORA), and non-occlusive damage. In rare cases, it is a vessel perforation, pseudoaneurysm, AV fistula, nerve damage, thromboembolization or major bleeding.^2,3 In our case study, we want to show an example where, after several years, a pseudoaneurysm of the radial artery...

(Catheterizational Closure of a Persistent Botallo's Duct in a Patient After Endovascular Treatment of Aortic Dissection Type B)

Jan Švejda, Ladislav Pešl, Jiří Haniš, Aleš Mokráček

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):107-112 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.051  

In patients diagnosed with an acute aortic dissection type B according to the Stanford classification, thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) is the primary recommended treatment in cases with a complicated course. The purpose of implanting a stent graft is to close the entry point of the dissection, thus hopefully causing a thrombus to fill the false lumen throughout the whole stent graft, stabilizing the thoracic aortic wall. In our case report, the thrombus unfortunately did not form, the reason being continuous flow through the false lumen due to an undiagnosed persisting Botallo's duct. The solution to this complication was closing the persisting...

Surgical management of ascending aorta pseudoaneurysm in a patient with COVID-19

Sandra Rečičárová, Peter Ivák, Jan Pirk

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):113-115 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.060  

Pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta is a rare condition associated with high mortality. We present a case of a patient who developed a huge pseudoaneurysm 10 years after the Bentall procedure and one aortocoronary bypass while simultaneously being COVID-19 positive. After treating pneumonia, the surgery was successfully performed with suturing two defects in the aortic conduit. It is a unique case report where the patient survived two life-threatening conditions.

Post‑infectious acute myocardial infarction following COVID‑19 infection in a young patient

Rodolfo Caminiti, Giampaolo Vetta, Antonio Parlavecchio, Michele Magnocavallo, Stefano Postorino, Scipione Carerj, Francesco Antonio Benedetto

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):116-119 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.064  

It is now widely known that COVID-19 can also cause various extrapulmonary manifestations. Possible mechanisms of cardiovascular damage include direct myocardial damage due to hypercoagulability caused by systemic inflammation, which may also lead to destabilisation of coronary plaques. We present a case of a 30-year-old young man following asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, who was admit- ted to the emergency room of the Grande Ospedale Metropolitano di Reggio Calabria, Italy, with typical chest pain. The patient had no cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular risk factors including no family history of cardiovascular disease. Urgent coronary angiography...

Post-myocardial infarction left ventricular intramyocardial dissecting hematoma

Adam Vejmělek, Petr Němec, Petr Fila

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):120-124 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.089  

Background: Intramyocardial dissecting hematoma (IDH) is blood-filled cavitation in the cardiac wall that can occur as a complication of myocardial infarction, chest trauma, or percutaneous intervention. It can develop in the left ventricular free wall, the right ventricle, or the interventricular septum. Case report: The case report describes a patient with IDH as a rare complication of myocardial infarction. The patient was hospitalized for ongoing irritating cough three months after ST elevated myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. The echocardiography showed the image of a pseudoaneu- rysm of the left ventricle....

(Cardiac tamponade as severe manifestation of angiosarcoma)

Daniel Baran, Tomáš Roubíček, Rostislav Polášek

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):125-128 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.082  

Angiosarcoma of the heart is the most common primary malignant tumour of the heart. It is characterized by rapid and aggressive growth. It most commonly affects the right side of the heart. Cardiac imaging and histology are the most important tests leading to right diagnosis. The prognosis of angiosarcomas is very poor. The only potential curative intervention is a radical surgical resection. We describe a case of a 20-year-old man presenting with cardiac tamponade as a severe manifestation of angiosarcoma.

Beware of the Unexpected: Acute Coronary Thrombosis Following the Mildly Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection and Two Different Therapeutic Options

Murat Gul, Sinan Inci

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):129-132 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.074  

COVID-19 infection was declared a pandemic in March 2020 and is responsible for high morbidity and mortality around the globe. Although the most common clinical presentation is respiratory, cardiac complications are common and create new challenges for healthcare. We discuss two mildly symptomatic outpatients with COVID-19 presenting with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and high coronary thrombus burden without atherosclerotic plaque. Our report describes two different therapeutic approaches that illustrate the challenges encountered in the management of disseminated coronary thrombosis in patients with STEMI and COVID-19. Clinicians...

Anomalous origin of the left circumflex artery from right sinus of Valsalva: a rare case but with great clinical relevance

Cristina Poleggi, Davide Restelli, Alfredo Luongo, Federica Cocuzza, Francesca Campanella, Mennili Sara, Alessio Currò, Antonino Recupero, Michele Scarano

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):133-136 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.063  

Anomalous origin of coronary artery (CA) is rare and does not generally lead to myocardial infarction. We report a case of a 61-year-old man presented with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and atypical chest pain. After arrhythmia subsided, ECG showed T wave abnormalities and transient cardiac enzymes were found to be elevated. Coronary angiography demostrated an anomalous origin of the left circumflex artery (LCx) from the right sinus of Valsalva but no obstructive atherosclerotic coronary lesions. The possible relation between the congenital coronary anomaly and the clinical manifestations of the patient is discussed.

Czech Cardiovascular Research and Innovation Day 2022 - Abstracts

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):141-172  

Čestmír Číhalík: Kardiologie v průběhu století

Jan Petrášek

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):139  

František Koukolík: Drby

Jan Petrášek

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):140  

Pan profesor MUDr. Jan Marek, Ph.D., FESC, slaví životní výročí

Michael Aschermann

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):138  

Vyhlášení soutěže o nejlepší publikaci v roce 2023

Michael Aschermann

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(1):6