Cor et Vasa, 2026 (vol. 68), issue 1

Speckle Tracking Echocardiography: The Secret Key To Predicting Poor Outcomes in Infective Endocarditis

Ahmed A. Elamragy, Juliette Bahgat Mesak, Wael Mohamed Elnaggar, Karim Said, Marwa Sayed Meshaal

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):8-15  

Objectives: To investigate speckle-tracking echocardiography's role in detecting subclinical myocardial dysfunction in infective endocarditis (IE) patients and predicting in-hospital outcomes. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 46 patients with active IE. Blood cultures and serology tests were performed, and blood samples for total leucocytic count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin were col- lected at multiple intervals. Serial conventional transthoracic echocardiography with speckle tracking was also performed. Results: Most patients had right-sided IE linked to intravenous drug use. Despite preserved left ventricular ejection fraction...

Comparative study of lead placement in the right ventricular apex vs. right ventricular outflow tract: effects on left ventricular systolic dysfunction, dilatation, and myocardial performance - a single-center experience

Rerdin Julario, Ruth Irena Gunadi, Makhyan Jibril Al-Farabi, Rumman Karimah, Budi Baktijasa Dharmadjati, I Gde Rurus Suryawan, Yudi Her Oktaviono

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):16-23  

Aim: This study aims to analyze the difference of right ventricular (RV) apex and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) pacing with the incidence of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, LV dilatation, and left ventricular myocardial performance index (LVMPI) after 2 years of implantation. Methods: This is an analytic observational study with a retrospective cohort design. The study subjects were patients using single-chamber RV pacing permanent pacemaker (PPM) after 2 years of implantation at Soetomo Surabaya General Hospital. We collected baseline characteristic data, electrocardiogram, and PPM burden. Subsequently, LVMPI, cardiac chamber...

Clinical Spectrum and Risk Factors for Heart Failure in Very Young Patients

Yogi Puji Rachmawan, Witri Pratiwi, Fawzia Haznah Nurul Imani, Helda, Bambang Budi Siswanto, Nurhayati Adnan

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):24-30  

Background: The prevalence of heart failure (HF) in younger individuals is rising, challenging the traditional perception of HF as a disease of older adults. This trend carries significant clinical and economic implications, as HF requires lifelong management, leading to increased healthcare costs and reduced productivity. Objective: This study aims to investigate the clinical spectrum and underlying risk factors of HF patients at young age. Method: This case-control design study was conducted at HF Clinic of Hasna Medika Hospital in Cirebon. The case group were HF patients aged 17-40 years who were examined at outpatient clinic or admitted to hospital...

Comparing Patient-Reported Quality of Life in Leadless Pacemakers versus Conventional Pacemakers: A Systematic Review

Moses Orvin Reviano, Rerdin Julario

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):31-38  

Background: Conventional pacemakers (C-PM) are recommended for permanent pacemaker implantation, but developments have led to leadless pacemakers (L-PM). Evolving clinical guidelines support quality of life (QoL) in pacemaker selection, with L-PM hypothesized to offer better QoL by minimizing lead-based complications, but variability in patient selection criteria complicates this. This systematic review aims to compare patient-reported QoL in L-PM versus C-PM. Methods: A literature search was done on PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Science Direct, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and Wiley Online Library from 2015 to 2025. Included studies compared...

Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance Reflected by Reduced Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Coronary Slow Flow

Okan Tanriverdi

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):39-42  

Background: Coronary slow flow (CSF) is an angiographic entity characterized by delayed contrast progres- sion in coronary arteries without significant epicardial obstruction. Autonomic dysregulation has been sug- gested as a potential contributor to its pathophysiology. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a validated, non-invasive tool for assessing autonomic function. Objective: To evaluate alterations in HRV parameters among patients with CSF and to explore the potential role of autonomic nervous system imbalance in its pathogenesis. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 50 patients with CSF and 50 age- and sex-matched controls with normal coronary...

Predictors and Outcomes of No-reflow among Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients

Beshoy Yacoub, Amir Anwer Shaker, Sameh El-Kaffas, Mohammed El Ramly, Mohamed A. Abdelwahab

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):43-50  

Background: The no-reflow phenomenon (NRP) can occur in up to 40% of patients after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). NRP significantly diminishes the benefits of reperfusion therapy, leading to increased infarct size and poorer outcomes. Although the exact pathophysiology of non-reperfusion injury (NRP) is not fully understood, various factors may contribute to it through different mechanisms. Aim: In this study, we aim to investigate clinical and interventional predictors of no-reflow and their impact on in-hospital outcomes among a cohort of acute STEMI patients presenting...

Pilot Evaluation of Endothelin-1 and TG/HDL-C Ratio for Early Cardiovascular Risk Stratification in Adiposity-Based and Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndromes

Aldian Arie Pratama, Agustin Iskandar, Singgih Pudjo Wahono

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):51-60  

Adiposity-related chronic diseases and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome significantly contribute to the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where early risk stratification is still inadequate. This study evaluated the efficacy of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and the triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio as early, cost-efficient biomarkers for cardiovascular risk assessment in persons with adiposity-based chronic disease (ABCD) and early-stage CKM syndrome. An analytical experimental investigation was performed on persons aged 30 to 65 years with ABCD...

(Acoramidis: another treatment option for transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis)

Tomáš Paleček

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):61-65  

Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) of the heart is a progressive and ultimately fatal disease characterized by the deposition of insoluble amyloid fibrils, derived from the misfolded protein transthyretin (TTR), in the myocardium. In the Czech Republic, wild-type ATTR cardiomyopathy (ATTRwt) dominates, typically affecting individuals older than 65 years. The hereditary form of ATTR (ATTRv) is probably rare in our country. In the last 15 years, there has been a significant development in the field of specific, disease-modifying treatment of ATTR cardiomyopathy. This therapy focuses either on influencing TTR synthesis in the liver (suppressors of TTR formation),...

(Impact of Methodology on the Estimated Prevalence of Primary Hyperaldosteronism in Apparently Resistant Hypertension)

Tomáš Kvapil, Eva Kociánová, Zdeněk Ramík, Jan Olšr, Jan Vácha, Libor Jelínek, Jan Václavík

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):66-72  

Objective: The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the prevalence of primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) in patients with apparently resistant hypertension (aRH) and to critically analyze the methodological factors influencing the estimation of this prevalence. Methods: A review of the available literature was conducted, focusing on studies assessing the prevalence of PHA in patients with resistant hypertension. Methodological differences between studies were analyzed, including definitions of resistant hypertension, thresholds for the aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR), use of confirmatory tests, management of interfering antihypertensive...

(Beta-blockers in patients after myocardial infarction with ejection fraction 41-49%?)

Radek Pudil

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):73-77  

Beta-blocker therapy is one of the fundamental pillars of pharmacological treatment for patients after myocardial infarction with reduced ejection fraction. It has been shown that the benefit of this therapy decreases as the ejection fraction increases. Recently, results from several studies (REBOOT-CNIC, BETAMI, DANBLOCK, and CAPITAL-RCT) and their meta-analysis have been presented, providing very favorable data demonstrating the benefit of beta-blocker therapy in patients with mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. According to this analysis, a lower incidence of monitored outcomes (all-cause mortality, new myocardial infarction, or heart...

(Cardiac resynchronisation therapy in children and patients with congenital heart disease: a review article)

Michal Vrbík, Tereza Zmatlíková, Olena Jurčenko, Jan Kovanda, Miroslav Ložek, Jan Janoušek

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):78-85  

This review addresses the issue of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in pediatric and congenital heart disease (CHD) patients with heart failure caused by systolic dysfunction and electromechanical dyssynchrony. Heart failure is one of the leading causes of long-term morbidity and mortality in patients with CHD. Approximately 600-700 children with CHD are born each year in the Czech Republic. Most of them require interventional therapy. A number of cardiac surgical procedures results in electromechanical dyssynchrony caused either by bundle branch block or conventional ventricular pacing. CRT presents an integral part of heart failure therapy...

(Physical activity and exercise in the prevention of coronary heart disease: implications for clinical practice)

Ladislav Baťalík, Bogna Jiravská Godula, Libor Jelínek, Eliška Sovová

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):100-110  

Cardiovascular diseases represent a significant global health problem. Regular physical activity and exercise are among the most effective interventions for primary and secondary prevention. Epidemiological data show that even low to moderate levels of regular physical activity reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. The underlying mechanisms include favorable changes in traditional risk factors and direct vascular effects. Conversely, physical inactivity is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and overall mortality. In secondary prevention, participation in structured cardiac rehabilitation programs significantly reduces the risk of...

Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome: the etiology, clinical presentation, and treatment options

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

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):111-118  

Objective: Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome (KTS) is a combined slow-flow vascular malformation associated with excessive growth of limbs. The aim of this review is to summarize the knowledge about the presumed etiology, the most common anomalies associated with KTS, the diagnostic approach, and the treatment strategies. Methods: A literature search was conducted between January and May 2025 using PubMed and Google Scholar databases, focusing on terms such as Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome and PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS). Conclusions: KTS manifests as a cluster of congenital malformations affecting the limb and typically affects the lower...

Relationship of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) as Diagnostics and Prognostics Tools of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Current Status

Zanella Yolanda Lie, Yan Efrata Sembiring

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):119-122  

The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has emerged as a promising biomarker in deep vein thrombosis (DVT), reflecting the intricate relationship between inflammation and thrombosis. This literature review examines NLR's dual role as both a diagnostic and prognostic tool in DVT management. Current evidence demonstrates that elevated NLR (>3.0) correlates strongly with DVT occurrence, severity, and recurrence risk, particularly in high-risk populations such as postoperative and cancer patients. Mechanistically, NLR captures the pro-thrombotic effects of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the anti-thrombotic regulation by lymphocytes, offering...

(Anticoagulation in Maintenance Dialysis Patients with Atrial fibrillation - Consensus Expert Opinion of the Czech Society of Nephrology and the Czech Society of Cardiology)

Štěpán Havránek, Ivan Rychlík, Kryštof Rückl, Eliška Dvořáčková, Pavel Osmančík, Petr Peichl, Alena Paříková, Martin Havrda, Vladimír Tesař, Petr Ošťádal

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1):87-99  

Atrial fibrillation is a frequent arrhythmia in patients with end-stage renal disease and on maintenance dialysis treatment. In the general population, anticoagulation therapy is indicated in patients with arrhyth- mia to prevent cardioembolic complications. In the case of end-stage kidney disease and hemodialysis, the treatment is challenging due to the lack of data or contraindications of some anticoagulants. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and patients on hemodialysis are at high risk not only for ischemic cardioembolic events but also for a higher incidence of bleeding complications. This paper aims to describe the criteria for initiation...

Internista a kardiolog profesor Richard Češka se stal šéfem světové interní medicíny

Michael Aschermann

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1)  

Michael Aschermann, Ondřej Aschermann: Historie katetrizací srdce

Prof. MUDr. Tomáš Kovárník, Ph.D.

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1)  

Opustil nás profesor Jan Petrášek (8. 9. 1929–12. 2. 2026)

Michael Aschermann

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1)  

Zemřel dětský kardiolog a intenzivista primář MUDr. Jaroslav Wiedermann, CSc. (6. 4. 1949–4. 12. 2025)

Prof. MUDr. Eva Klásková, Ph.D., MHA; MUDr. Sabina Kaprálová, Ph.D.; MUDr. Alžběta Palátová

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1)  

Pan profesor MUDr. Jiří Vítovec, CSc., FESC, slaví životní jubileum

Michael Aschermann

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(1)