Enhancing TAVI Patient Evaluation: A User-Friendly Tool for CT-Derived Body Composition Assessment

Marek Kantor, Jakub Balušík, Piotr Branny, Lubomír Blaha, Jan Hečko, Matej Pekař

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):323-330 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.008  

Background: CT-derived body composition analysis has emerged as a powerful prognostic tool for TAVI patient outcomes. However, widespread clinical implementation remains limited by complex software requirements and technical expertise barriers. This study aims to develop and validate an accessible web-based interface that streamlines the implementation of existing AutoMATiCA's validated CT-based body composition assessment in the pre-TAVI evaluation workflow. Methods: We developed a web-based interface integrating the validated AutoMATiCA's AI-driven segmentation software for automated body composition assessment. The system analyses pre-procedural...

Prevalence of Near-Death Experiences (NDE) in Patients with Refractory Cardiac Arrest Treated with Conventional and Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Jaroslava Tereza Kovářová, Daniel Rob, František Trantina, Jan Bělohlávek

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):331-335 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.031  

Objective: Near-death experiences (NDE) have not yet been studied in patients with refractory cardiac arrest treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). The aim of this pilot project was to determine the prevalence of NDEs in patients from the randomized Prague OHCA study with refractory cardiac arrest and to analyze differences between patients resuscitated with standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and those resuscitated using the ECPR method. Methods: NDEs were analyzed using a standardized and internationally validated questionnaire among long-term survivors of the randomized Prague OHCA study. The prevalence of NDEs...

(Changes in Body Composition During Outpatient and Hybrid Cardiovascular Rehabilitation in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease)

Marko Zváč, Ladislav Baťalík

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):336-343 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.026  

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of traditional outpatient and hybrid cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs in improving body composition and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A total of 136 out of 169 CAD patients completed a 12-week CR program (outpatient: n = 91, hybrid: n = 45). Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, while cardiovascular parameters were measured before and after the program. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in body composition, cardiovascular parameters, and aerobic capacity (+18 W vs +19 W; p <0.05). The outpatient...

Comparison of EuroSCORE II, STS Score, and ACEF II Score as Predictors of Mortality in CABG Patients at Tertiary Referral Hospital in East Indonesia

Yan Efrata Sembiring, Ali Mustofa, Andrianto, Heroe Soebroto

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):344-349 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.005  

Background: Identifying the optimal surgical approach and therapy for a patient is an important step in the preoperative preparation process. Risk stratification models such as EuroSCORE II, STS score, and ACEF II score were created to assist in evaluating factors associated with surgical outcomes. This scoring models are now utilized to risk stratify patients having coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. However, it has not been determined which model is better for Indonesian patients. The purpose of this study was to compare EuroSCORE II, STS score, and ACEF II score in CABG patients from Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted...

Value of peri-procedural lung ultrasound in predicting heart failure or left ventricular systolic dysfunction within 3 months in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI

Ahmed Talaat, Mohamed Abou El Ezz, Mohamed Mahmoud Abd El Ghany, Mohamed Abdel Meguid Mahdy, Kareem Mahmoud

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):350-359 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.006  

Aim: To see if the detection of subclinical congestion in STEMI patients by lung ultrasound (LUS) could be helpful in predicting the development of future heart failure, systolic dysfunction or diastolic dysfunction. Methods: 150 patients were included. All patients were successfully revascularized and were not suffering from clinical heart failure on admission. The patients had a 28-point LUS study within the first 24 hours of admission, and B-lines were counted. Patients were divided into two groups: 64 patients into the LUS positive group (with 6 or more B-lines) and 86 into the LUS negative group. They were followed-up after 3 months, looking for...

Correlation of ITGB3 Gene rs5918T>C and APOA1 Gene rs1799837C>T Variants with Serum Lipid Profiles in Turkish Cypriot Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Cenk Conkbayir, Mahmut Cerkez Ergoren, Havva Cobanogullari, Ozlem Balcioglu, Irem Abras, Tengul Eminsel, Didem Melis Oztas, Burak Onal, Murat Ugurlucan, Sehime Gulsun Temel

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):360-366 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.004  

Aim: The relationship between hypercholesterolemia, particularly elevated low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and coronary artery disease is recognized by the evidence from previous epidemiologic studies. Importantly, genetic polymorphisms on different genes have been reported to be associated with plasma lipid levels. In this particular study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the ITGB3 gene rs5918 T>C and APO-A1 gene rs1799837 C>T markers and serum lipid metabolism. Patients and methods: A total of 100 subjects with CAD and 250 healthy subjects were involved in the current study. A basic biochemical...

Efficacy of Left Atrial Radiofrequency Surgical Ablation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Concomitant Cardiac Surgical Pathology

Olha Shepetko-Dombrovska, Serhii Varbanets, Pavlo Shepetko-Dombrovskyi, Ivanna Zubovych, Nadiya Rudenko

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):367-375 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.007  

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility of left atrial surgical ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation and concomitant cardiovascular diseases. Methods: The experiment was conducted at the Scientific and Practical Medical Centre of Paediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Adult Clinic (Kyiv, Ukraine, 2024). A total of 69 patients who underwent surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation and concomitant cardiovascular disease took part in the study. Results: It was found that after the procedure of left atrial surgical ablation of the atrial fibrillation focus, the sinus node was the rhythm driver in 45 patients (65% of all)....

The Effect of Cigarette Exposure on Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) and VCAM-1 Expression in the Aorta of Mus musculus Mice

Meity Ardiana, Andrianto, Hanestya Oky Hermawan, Primasitha Maharany Harsoyo, Bagas Setiawan Ihsan Zaini, Akbar Reza Muhammad

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):376-380 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.015  

Background: Smoking remains one of the leading causes of endothelial dysfunction, which triggers the atherosclerotic process and contributes to various cardiovascular diseases. One marker of endothelial dysfunction is an increase in VCAM-1, a molecule that promotes monocyte aggregation and accelerates the development of atherosclerosis. Thickening of the intima-media layer (IMT) is also a common indicator of endothelial damage, frequently observed in smokers. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels and intima-media thickness (IMT). Methods: An experimental study with...

(Constrictive pericarditis after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: a case report and literature review)

Veronika Šimovičová, Marcela Danková, Erika Drangová, Michal Hulman, Eva Gonçalvesová

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):381-385 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2024.107  

Constrictive pericarditis following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is likely to be very rare and is characterized by a relatively severe clinical manifestation. We describe the case of a 42-year-old patient, without significant comorbidities, who developed perimyocarditis after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It was treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Six months after the perimyocarditis episode, the patient presented signs and symptoms of heart failure. A suspicion of constrictive pericarditis was raised. The diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography, which showed typical signs of constriction, and cardiac CT, revealing a thickened...

(The use of cardiac magnetic resonance in the stratification of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy)

Tatiana Štípalová, Roman Panovský, Mary Mojica-Pisciotti, Jan Krejčí

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):386-392 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.038  

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common multifactorial cardiomyopathies that manifests mostly as heart failure with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and/or sudden cardiac death.¹ Detailed characterization of this process plays a key role in the prognostic stratification of DCM patients and in improving clinical therapy. applicability of standard and emerging CMR techniques.

Pelvic venous disease

Mária Rašiová, Martin Koščo, Marek Hudák, Veronika Pavlíková, Marta Bavoľárová

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):393-401 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.059  

Pelvic venous disease is the second most common cause of chronic pelvic pain in women after endometriosis and accounts for 10-20% of gynecological consultations. Its main cause in women is reflux and incompetence of the left ovarian vein. In men, pelvic venous disease can manifest as varicocele and is often the result of venous obstruction in the iliocaval region. This article provides an overview of the symptoms, signs, dia- gnosis, and treatment of the most common causes of pelvic venous disease.

Ketone Body in Heart Failure Patients with Diabetes: Pathophysiology and the Potential Therapeutic Benefit: a Literature Review

Hanestya Oky Hermawan, Primasitha Maharany Harsoyo, Faizal Ablansah Anandita, Aisya Ayu Shafira, Deasy Ardiany, Andrianto

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):402-407 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2024.104  

Background: Common knowledge of heart failure treatment target is to intervene in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the sympathetic autonomic nervous system. However, metabolic aspect in the therapy of heart failure is rarely discussed. It is worth noting that heart failure often co-exist with diabetes. Thus, there is a need for a treatment that can be beneficial for these two diseases. During the pathophysiological transition to heart failure, metabolic abnormalities may occur, and lactic acid, ketone bodies, and amino acids may be used as alternative energy sources. Ketone body has been shown to be associated with these two diseases. Treatment...

A Rare Case of Acute Limb Ischemia due to Left Ventricular Thrombus in Ischemic Heart Disease: Different Approaches to Long-Term Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Therapy

Meity Ardiana, Ovin Nada Saputri, Muhammad Surya Tiyantara, Michael Jonatan, Andrianto, Anudya Kartika Ratri

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):408-411 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2024.044  

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) may develop from the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD), which can rarely embolise and migrate to the peripheral artery. Here, we report the case of a 58-year-old man admitted to our hospital with a sudden onset of pain and numbness in his right lower limb, diagnosed as ALI. Unexpectedly, he also had silent and extensive CAD leading to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and LVT formation. LVT embolization in the peripheral artery was identified as the cause of ALI in this patient. Effective long-term antithrombotic therapy was necessary to reduce cardiovascular adverse events and disease progression....

Miroslav Souček, Bohuslav Kianička, editoři: Vnitřní lékařství 1. díl, 2. díl.

Prof. MUDr. Jan Petrášek, DrSc.

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):414-415 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.068  

Štěpán Havránek a kol. Praktická arytmologie

Prof. MUDr. Michael Aschermann, DrSc., FACC, FESC

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(3):416 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.069