Cor et Vasa, 2025 (vol. 67), issue 5

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and DXA-Assessed Body Composition Changes after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A One-Year Retrospective Study

Matej Pekař, Pavol Holéczy, Jitka Macháčková, Aleš Foltys, Zdeněk Švagera, Marek Bužga

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):555-560 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.020  

Background: While laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is known to reduce weight, its impact on cardiovascular risk profile through changes in body composition remains unclear. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 98 patients who underwent LSG, analyzing body composition via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and cardiovascular risk parameters at baseline and 12 months post-surgery. Changes in weight, fat mass, lean mass, atherogenic lipid profile, and glucose metabolism were assessed, along with their interrelationships. Results: Significant reductions were observed in total body weight, fat mass, and lean mass at 12 months post-surgery...

Endocardial radiofrequency ablation of septal hypertrophy in the interventional treatment of the hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy; comparison with the alcohol septal ablation, pilot data of the randomized trial

Katarína Doležalová, Zdeněk Stárek, Martin Pešl, Filip Souček, Jan Sitar, Tomáš Honěk, Jan Krejčí

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):561-570 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.101  

Introduction: Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is characterized by dynamic left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction due to asymmetric septal hypertrophy and systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve. In patients with persistent symptoms despite optimized medical therapy, septal reduction therapy is indicated. While alcohol septal ablation (ASA) is a well-established catheter-based treatment, endocardial radiofrequency ablation of septal hypertrophy (ERASH) has recently emerged as a promising alternative. Aim of our study is to report the pilot data of the randomized study comparing efficacy and safety of ERASH versus...

Prophylactic Negative Pressure Therapy in Reducing the Risk of Sternal Wound Infection after Cardiac Surgery

Salifu Timbilla, Ján Gofus, Petr Smolák, Eva Čermáková, Jiří Manďák, Jan Vojáček

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):571-575 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.030  

Background: Postoperative sternal wound infections and dehiscence are serious complications of cardiac surgery that increase the length of hospital stay and healthcare costs. Standard wound care may be insufficient for preventing these complications in high-risk patients. Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized study comparing the efficacy of closed incisional negative pressure wound therapy (ciNPWT) using Prevena (study group) versus standard wound dressing (control group) in patients at high risk of sternal wound infections following cardiac surgery. Primary outcomes included the incidence of sternal wound infection at seven days and three...

Adherence to treatment in the elderly with chronic heart failure

Lucie Karlická, Darja Jarošová

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):577-585 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.035  

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate and evaluate adherence to treatment in the elderly with chronic heart failure and the significance of factors explaining it. Methods: This is cross-sectional correlational and descriptive quantitative study. The research sample consisted of 127 elderly people with chronic heart failure who met the specified criteria. To assess adherence to treatment in the elderly with chronic heart failure, the Czech version of the modified standardized questionnaire ACDI - Adherence of Patients with Chronic Disease Instrument was used. Data collection took place between 2023 and 2024 at the Cardiovascular...

(Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery via Video-Assisted Thoracotomy - A Single Center Study)

Marián Homola, Štefan Lukačín, Tomáš Toporcer, Anton Bereš, Michal Trebišovský, Peter Šafár, Adrián Kolesár

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):586-589 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.039  

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS), using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), has estab- lished itself as an effective approach in cardiac surgery over the past 30 years. This type of surgery allows for smaller incisions, leading to faster recovery and fewer postoperative complications. This retrospective study analyzed 54 patients who underwent minimally invasive mitral valve surgery between May 2018 and May 2024 at the Department of Heart Surgery, East Slovak Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases. The results showed that 92% of patients underwent mitral valve repair with the implantation of an annuloplasty ring, while in 8%...

Cardiac sequelae after COVID-19: results of a one-year follow-up study with ECG monitoring

Gabriela Matejová, Martin Radvan, Elis Bartečků, Veronika Bulková, Martin Kameník, Lumír Koc, Jana Hořínková, Radka Štěpánová, Petr Kala

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):591-596 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.019  

Objective: To evaluate the need for ECG monitoring of unselected patients recovered from COVID-19 and to estimate the risk of development of arrhythmias and heart rate variability change after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods: Between March 2020 and January 2021 patients who had recovered from PCR-proven SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic infection (alfa and beta variants) were enrolled in a prospective observational cohort study CoSuBr (COvid SUrvivals in BRno) and those with two 7-day ECG monitoring have been analysed. Demographic parameters, patient history, clinical evaluation, and 7-day ECG monitoring were recorded within...

Surgical Management and Postoperative Outcomes of Ventricular Septal Rupture Following Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Case Series

Daud Yudhistira Sukanto, Yan Efrata Sembiring, Oky Revianto

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):597-600 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.067  

Introduction: Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but life-threatening complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), occurring in approximately 0.2% of post-AMI cases. Surgical repair is the definitive treatment, it carries a high mortality risk, particularly when performed emergently. Aim: To present a case series of five patients with VSR following AMI and evaluate their surgical management and postoperative outcomes at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on five male patients, aged 44 to 63 years, diagnosed with VSR post-AMI between 2023 and 2024. Patient demographics, VSR characteristics, surgical...

Short-term effects of exercise training program on patients with compensated chronic heart failure

Omar El Tahan, Ghada Youssef, Yasser Baghdady, Mohamed Abdelghany, Ahmed Mohsen

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):601-612 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.061  

Background: About 1% to 2% of adults suffer from heart failure (HF), a complex syndrome with significant clinical and public health issues. Exercise training for heart failure seeks to enhance patients' physical fitness and quality of life while simultaneously diminishing the likelihood of hospitalizations and mortality. Poor heart failure patient participation was apparent despite strong guidelines for cardiac rehabilitation. Objectives: For evaluating how a brief, structured exercise training program impacts those suffering from compensated chronic heart failure in terms of improving clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic parameters. Methods:...

Association of insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE) with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and factors risk in Western Algeria: case-control study

Asma Amrani-Midoun, Nadia Laredj, Taki Djebaili, Djelti Mounia, Abdelkader Djelloul, Lilia Zouli, Hamid Aoumeur, Nachi Mourad

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):614-619 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.027  

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a multifactorial disease resulting from the interaction of environmental and genetic factors. The I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene has been associated with the risk of developing acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Our case-control study aimed to access the potential association of insertion/deletion (I/D) ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) gene polymorphism and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) among a sample of Algerian patients from Western Algeria. Methods: We conducted a case-control study comprising 169...

(Non-Pharmacological Management of Ventricular Tachycardias in a Complex Cardiovascular Center)

Filip Schlosser, Petr Peichl, Josef Kautzner

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):620-630 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.064  

Ventricular arrhythmias significantly influence morbidity and mortality in patients with structural heart dis- ease. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators positively affect survival but do not prevent ventricular arrhythmias. Until recently, the cornerstone of management of ventricular arrhythmias was administration of antiarrhythmic drugs, which have limited efficacy and non-negligible side effects. Nowadays, newer non-pharmacological treatment modalities have emerged, namely catheter ablation. Radiofrequency energy is considered the gold standard and its effect can be further augmented by using different types of catheters, alternative perfusion...

(Isolated dissection of the internal carotid artery)

Marek Hudák, Martin Koščo, Lucia Dekanová, Veronika Pavlíková, Mária Rašiová

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):631-640 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.075  

Isolated dissection of the internal carotid artery is a serious medical condition due to the risk of ischemic stroke developing, especially in young patients. Its management is complex, consisting of pharmacological and non-pharmacological, endovascular treatment. Each of the treatment options must be strictly indicated after meeting the strict indications. The aim of this article is to provide the reader with a comprehensive view of this disease from etiopathogenesis to treatment and prognosis. The most important goal is to provide the most up-to-date knowledge about the method of treatment and the indications of each treatment option.

The LACE Index: A Predictor of Mortality and Readmission in Cardiovascular Diseases

Lutfu Askin, Yahya Urkmez, Okan Tanriverdi

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):641-645 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.016  

The LACE index is a predictive tool used in healthcare to estimate the risk of hospital readmission for patients who have been discharged from the hospital. LACE stands for length of stay, acuity of admission, comorbidity burden, and emergency department (ED) visits. It is a simple scoring system that assigns points to each of these four factors based on their presence and severity and then sums up the points to calculate the LACE index score. The LACE index is often used by healthcare providers to identify patients who may be at higher risk of being readmitted to the hospital after discharge. By identifying patients with higher LACE scores, healthcare...

Potential of pentoxifylline in preventing reperfusion injury after surgery on limb ischemia: a literature review

Abu Rizal Dwikatmono Johan, Danang Himawan Limanto, Heroe Soebroto

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):646-650 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.032  

Background: Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is characterized by a sudden loss of blood flow to the lower limbs, often resulting from embolism or thrombosis. Management of ALI is critical, as it can lead to severe complications, including ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) during revascularization procedures. IRI involves complex functional and structural changes following restoration of blood flow, leading to inflammation and oxidative stress. These pathological processes can exacerbate tissue damage and impede recovery. Pentoxifylline has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent due to its ability to improve blood flow and reduce the inflammatory response....

Abiotrophia defectiva - silent invader and real diagnostic challenge

Lujza Ondrušková, Marcela Tavačová, Tibor Malacký

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):651-654 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.033  

Abiotrophia defectiva belongs to the normal human microbiome of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. Rarely, about 1-3% of all infective endocarditis, it can be the cause of infective endocarditis. Although uncommon, it is associated with high mortality and complication rates. The chronic course and difficult isolation requiring specialized culture media are contributing to a delayed diagnosis. Moreover, infective endocarditis by A. defectiva is known for its aggressive nature characterized by the development of large vegetations leading to massive, life-threatening systemic embolizations, valves destructions, and progressive...

Memorandum o vzájemné spolupráci

Prof. MUDr. Milan Macek jr., DrSc, MHA, Prof. MUDr. Petr Ošťádal, Ph.D., FESC, Prof. MUDr. Miloš Táborský, CSc., FESC, FACC, MBA, Prof. MUDr. Aleš Linhart, DrSc., FESC, FCMA, Doc. MUDr. Alice Krebsová, Ph.D.

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):655-657 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.114  

Peter Baláž, Adam Whitley Cévní chirurgie do kapsy. Vascular Surgery: A Pocket Guide

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

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):662 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.110  

Jiří Vítovec, Monika Špinarová, Anna Chaloupka, Karel Lábr: Farmakoterapie srdečního selhání

Prof. MUDr. Jan Petrášek, DrSc.

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):663 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.111  

Libor Jelínek, Samuel Genzor, Jan Václavík a kolektiv: Adherence k medikaci kardiovaskulárních onemocnění v praxi

Prof. MUDr. Jan Petrášek, DrSc.

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):664 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.115  

Prof. MUDr. Eliška Sovová, Ph.D, MBA, slaví významné životní jubileum

Michael Aschermann

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):659-660 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.105  

Mgr. Klára Procházková, odpovědná redaktorka Cor et Vasa, slaví životní jubileum

Michael Aschermann

Cor Vasa 2025, 67(5):661 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.109