Cor et Vasa - Latest articles

Gender Differences in Indications and Findings of Ambulatory Electrocardiographic MonitoringOriginal research articles

May Al-Jorani, Moatamn Reda Skuk, Haitham Ali Abdullah Al-Sudani, Ali AbdulAmeer Al-Mosawi, Kasim Abbas Al-Iqabby, Zainab Atiyah Dakhil

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):631-635 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.007  

Background: There are significant differences in electrocardiographic parameters between males and females. However, there is a lack of data regarding the gender-related differences in indications and findings of ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring (AEM) especially in Middle Eastern population. Purpose: We sought to investigate the gender-related differences in the baseline ECG findings, indications, and findings of AEM in an Iraqi cohort of patients referred for AEM. Methods: Baseline ECG was analyzed for each patient, indications, and findings of AEM for each patient was documented. Results: n = 100 (53% were males and 47% were females). Patients...

Is there a relationship between aortic valve degeneration and left ventricle function?Original research articles

Aysel Akhundova, Murat Sunbul, Tarik Kivrak, Fuad Samadov, Bulent Mutlu

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):624-630 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.143  

Purpose: The aim of the study was to explore the association between aortic valve (AV) degeneration and left ventricular (LV) functions and its relation with biomarkers. Methods: Forty-two consecutive patients with degenerative AV disease and 25 controls were included. Degenerative AV were divided into stenotic and sclerotic valves. All patients underwent a two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography and 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) before and after semi-supine bicycle exercise test. We also evaluated the association between aortic sclerosis and biomarkers such as galactine-3, high-sensitive (hs) troponin-T, C-reactive protein...

Can systolic pulmonary artery pressure be used as one of the criteria of risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism?Original research articles

Habibe Hezer, Ayse Sule Ates, Idris Yakut, Hatice Kilic, H. Canan Hasanoglu

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):617-623 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.020  

Background: In acute pulmonary embolism (PE), rapid diagnosis and treatment planning according to mortality risk classification are important. Objectives: To explore the effectiveness of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) values in the risk stratification of the patients with acute PE. Methods: This study is a retrospective, cross-sectional clinical trial design. A total of 221 patients who were admitted to our hospital and diagnosed as acute PE by thorax computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) was included in the study. All patients were evaluated by echocardiography (ECHO) and sPAP was calculated by Bernoulli equation. The relationships...

Knowledge Upgrading of General Practitioners in the Community Health Cares in Surabaya after Joining Virtual Training of Early Cardiovascular Detection in Pregnancy: A Quasi-Experimental StudyOriginal research articles

Meity Ardiana, Andrianto, Denisa Nugrahita Asmarani, Ryan Enast Intan, Lukman Hakim Andira, Fita Triastuti

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):610-616 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.001  

Aim: To assess the knowledge improvement of general practitioners of Surabaya community health centers about screening, recognizing, and managing cardiovascular disease in pregnancy after receiving interven- tion, formed as virtual training. Method: This study is a quasi-experimental study with one-group pretest-posttest design. Intervention, formed as educational training about heart disease detection in pregnancy, was given to the participants. Participants consisted of general practitioners practicing at Community Health Centers in Surabaya. Pre-test and post-test consisted of questions about training's curriculum was given to the participants....

The Usefulness of RDW as a Predictor of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after CryoablationOriginal research articles

Pinar Keskin, Halil Lutfi Kisacik, Sinan Inci, Murat Gul, Ozcan Ozeke, Serkan Topaloglu, Dursun Aras

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):604-609 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.110  

Aim: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is known to be related to inflammation and has been associated with poor outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, little is known about the role of RDW as a predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after cryoablation, and thus we aimed to investigate the relation between RDW and the recurrence of AF after cryoablation. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the case records of 90 patients after cryoablation (mean age, 50.06±12.36) with symptomatic paroxysmal AF despite being prescribed at least one anti-arrhythmic drug. The patients were divided into two groups based on the recurrence...

(An assessment of quality of life, anxiety, and depression of the senior citizens with cardiovascular disease)Original research articles

Katka Bobčíková, Radka Bužgová, Radka Kozáková, Renáta Zeleníková

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):598-603 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.106  

Aim: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate a quality of life, anxiety, and depression of the senior citizens with cardiovascular diseases living in the community. Their links with the subjective assessment of the state of health, with whether the senior lives alone in the household, with gender and age were also investigated. Methods: Quality of life was assessed by Older People's Quality of Life - Brief version (OPQOL-BRIEF), the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) was used to assess anxiety and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was used to assess depression. The criteria for inclusion in the sample were: age over 60 years, an...

(24-hour physical behavior profile in heart failure patients with different physical fitness: a pilot study)Original research articles

Jan Vindiš, Jana Pelclová, Marcela Škvařilová, Renáta Aiglová, Denisa Nohelová, Jakub Flašík, Patrik Keprt, Miloš Táborský

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):590-597 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.038  

24-hour physical behavior profile may take part in an important preventive role in patients with cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. A higher risk of adverse cardiac events is also associated with a lower level of physical fitness. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the 24-hour physical behavior profile of patients with heart failure regarding their different levels of physical fitness. Physical behavior was assessed using three accelerometers placed on different parts of the body (wrist, hip, and thigh). The measurement concerned 20 patients (67.7±6.34 years) with NYHA class II and II-III heart failure for seven consecutive...

(Arrhythmogenic potential in Turner syndrome patients)Original research articles

Sabina Kaprálová, Jan Pavlíček, Alžběta Palátová, Radek Vrtěl, Hana Tomášková, Jiřina Zapletalová, Eva Klásková

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):582-588 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.036  

Introduction: Turner syndrome (TS) is associated with a range of distinct cardiovascular risks such as congenital heart disease and acquired cardiovascular disease. Data on arrhythmogenic potential in TS carriers are inconsistent, especially regarding the occurrence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias due to long QT interval. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ECG abnormalities in patients with TS. Methods: 61 girls and women with TS syndrome were included in the study and underwent a cardiac examination including ECG and 24-hour ECG Holter monitoring. The 12-lead ECG was used to assess the length of PR and QT interval, the mean...

Radek Ptáček, Petr Bartůněk: Důstojnost v medicíněBook reviews

Prof. MUDr. Jan Petrášek, DrSc.

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):576  

Radkin Honzák: Emoce od A do PBook reviews

Prof. MUDr. Jan Petrášek, DrSc.,

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):575  

Cholesterolový paradoxLetters

Prof. Vladimír Staněk, CSc., FESC,

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):573-574  

Zemřel MUDr. Pavel Jebavý, CSc.Personalia

Prof. MUDr. Jan F. Vojáček, DrSc., FESC, FACC

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):571-572  

Prof. MUDr. Vladimír Staněk, CSc., FESC, slaví 90. narozeninyPersonalia

Prof. MUDr. Josef Kautzner, CSc.,

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):568-569  

Sino-atrial block due to Guillan-Barré syndrome: a rare caseCase reports

Giuseppe Pelaggi, Alfredo Luongo, Francesca Parisi, Paolo Vinciguerra, Alessia Perna, Federica Cocuzza, Francesca Campanella, Alessio Currò, Lorenzo Pistelli

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):563-566 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2021.100  

Sino-atrial node block is a condition characterized by a slowed (or interrupted) electrical impulse transmis- sion from the sino-atrial node to the atrium.¹ The sino-atrial dysfunction potentially leads to sinusal arrest, bradycardia up to asystole, syncope and cardiac arrest. In such situations, a temporary or permanent pacemaker implantation is necessary. Different causes may be responsible for sinus atrial block, more frequently vagal hypertone, ions alterations, myocarditis and iatrogenic causes.^2-9 We report the case of a sixty-year-old man with Guillain-Barré syndrome who required pacemaker implantation for II to III degree...

A multimodality imaging approach to multifocal intracardiac massesCase reports

Vanda Devesa Neto, João Miguel Santos, Luis Ferreira Santos, José Miguel Correia

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):560-562 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.053  

The authors expose a case report of a 75-year-old woman admitted due to syncope and history of endometrial sarcoma. Echocardiography at hospital admission revealed two cardiac masses (in the right atrium [32×38 mm] and the other in the left ventricle [42×32 mm]), both with mobility and causing dynamic obstruction of the tricuspid valve and left ventricular outflow tract. Metastatic lesions were promptly suspected, considering the previous history, and an approach based on multimodality cardiovascular imaging was performed for differential diagnosis. Endometrial stromal sarcomas are rare tumors of the uterus corresponding to 0.2-1% of all uterine malignancies....

Anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the right coronary sinus of ValsalvaCase reports

Rodolfo Caminiti, Giampaolo Vetta, Antonio Parlavecchio, Giuseppe Dattilo, Michele Magnocavallo, Domenico Giovanni Della Rocca, Massimo Siviglia, Francesco Antonio Benedetto

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):558-559 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.076  

A 73-year-old man underwent coronary angiography before aortic valve replacement due to severe aortic stenosis showing an abnormal origin of the left main coronary artery (LMCA). The LMCA arises from the right coronary sinus of Valsalva and passes anteriorly to the pulmonary trunk.

(Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome)Case reports

Lucie Petroušová, Jakub Sulženko

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):555-557 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.099  

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is caused by external compression of vascular structures in the fossa poplitea. In most cases it manifests as lower extremity claudication. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent artery damage, which would most often lead to aneurysmatic dilatation of the artery with possible onset of thrombosis and next may lead to embolization into the peripheral arteries, which would manifest as peripheral artery disease. This article is an overview of this problematics and a case report.

(Left-right short circuit in an adult woman between the left coronary artery and the sinus coronarius caused by a giant fistula)Case reports

Zuzana Komorová, Martin Novák, Jiří Seménka, Věra Feitová, Petr Němec, Lenka Špinarová

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):550-554 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.078  

Communication between coronary arteries and large arteries or heart cavities in the form of fistula is a rare anomaly occurring in about 0.1-1.0% of coronarographed patients. Our case report describes a 65-year-old patient admitted to our department for suspicious left-right short circuit. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed and revealed communication between the left coronary artery trunk and the coronary sinus. Coronary angiography and subsequent CT coronarography confirmed the finding of a gigantic fistula between the ACS strain and the coronary sinus. Due to the extent of the short circuit, cardiac surgery was indicated - fistula ligation...

Infective endocarditis complicated by brain embolism: a case reportCase reports

Peter Snopek, Jozef Hasilla, Lukáš Patrovič, Dominik Juskanič, Jakub Benko, Matej Samoš

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):545-549 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.129  

Symptomatic neurological complications occur in 15-30% of patients with infective endocarditis. At the same time, other clinically silent cerebral embolisms occur in 35-60% of patients. Staphylococcus aureus is the pathogen that causes nervous system involvement most frequently. We report a case of a 67-year-old man with infective endocarditis following a dental procedure that manifested as spondylodiscitis and multiple brain embolization, including a brain abscess that required drainage. After six weeks of treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics and complex supportive therapy, we discharged the patient in a satisfactory mental and somatic...

(PRKAG2 syndrome as a highly arrhythmogenic eventuality in the differential diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - an example of two families with a confirmed causative DNA variant)Case reports

Markéta Hodboďová, Alice Krebsová, Petra Peldová, Rostislav Polášek, Tomáš Roubíček

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):538-544 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.116  

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) affects 0.2% of the population and is the most common form of hereditary heart muscle disease in adults. The most frequent cause of HCM are changes in the genes encoding sarcomere proteins. However, up to 10% of patients are affected by another type of systemic genetic dis- ease that has myocardial hypertrophy as only one of its multi-organ manifestations. Among these diseases is PRKAG2 glycogenosis, a rare metabolic storage disorder caused by an inherited defect in the γ2 regulatory subunit of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In addition to skeletal muscle myopathy, it causes HCMP with...

Humanin and Cardiovascular DiseasesReview articles

Lutfu Askin, Okan Tanriverdi

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):533-537 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.057  

Mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) are encoded by mitochondrial DNA. MDPs include humanin, ribosomal ribonucleic acid type c (MOTS-c), and small humanin-like peptides 1-6 (SHLP1-6). In times of stress, they support mitochondrial activity and cell survival. MDPs influence cell survival, metabolism, stress response, and inflammation in vivo and in vitro. Recent research shows MDPs play a significant role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. In addition, possible pathogenic pathways include ischemia, reperfusion damage, fibrosis, and coronary microcirculatory dysfunction. CVD biomarkers or therapy targets, MDPs. This group...

Cardiac surgery and the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemicReview articles

Morad Yaser Al Mostafa, Hashim Talib Hashim, Yazeed Fawwaz Abu Ruman, Irfan Ullah, Ali Talib Hashim

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):529-532 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.098  

COVID-19 is having an impact on both infected and non-infected patients. During the outbreak period, a smaller number of patients underwent cardiac surgery. These patients experienced more symptoms, had longer procedures, and had a higher in-hospital mortality rate. While the consequences of the pandemic are not fully understood, one thing is certain; we must prepare for a possible new outbreak. Currently, the future of cardiac surgery after the pandemic is unclear as the evidence is still emerging. However, the lessons learned from these unprecedented times can be taken forward to inform future service planning. Moving forward, routine screening of...

(Current methods for measurement of arterial stiffness)Review articles

Mirela Rajčinova, David Zemánek, Lukáš Matera, Vratislav Fabián

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):525-528 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.112  

Increased arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Measuring this parameter in clinical practice is controversial. Authors of this article bring review of current methods for measuring this parameter, but also for other haemodynamic parameters such as central aortic blood pressure and augmentation index. We discuss these topics and their pathophysiological context.

(Current role of mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke)Review articles

Jan Křeček, Boris Kožnar, Jakub Sulženko, Zdenko Stelmach, Petr Widimský, Ivana Štětkářová, Tomáš Peisker, Peter Vaško, Petr Mikulenka, David Lauer, Dušan Kučera

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):514-524 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.105  

Ischemic stroke is a severe condition with a high mortality and a serious risk of permanent functional dis- ability. The treatment of acute ischemic stroke has undergone a number of major changes in recent years - from systemic thrombolysis to the wide range of current mechanical thrombectomy modalities. Studies such as MR CLEAN, ESCAPE, EXTEND-IA, SWIFT PRIME and others have demonstrated improved outcomes in patients with large vessel occlusion when mechanical thrombectomy was used compared with best medical treatment including systemic thrombolysis. These results have completely changed the treatment paradigm. Currently, a wide variety of endovascular...

Periprocedural myocardial injury after elective percutaneous coronary intervention in stable angina pectoris: a tertiary center experienceOriginal research articles

Mert Sarilar, Veysel Oktay, Gursu Demirci, Dogac Oksen, Vedat Sansoy

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):508-513 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.111  

Background: Periprocedural myocardial injury and its clinical significance in stable patients are still under discussion. This subject has been assessed in many studies with different definitions, thresholds, and biomarkers for years. This study aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of periprocedural myocardial injury based on latest 4th UDMI guideline definitions. Methods: 238 patients who underwent elective percutaneous coronary intervention at single center were retrospectively enrolled. Patients who developed periprocedural myocardial injury were compared with patients with normal troponin values after the procedure for clinical outcomes. Primary...

The relationship between the level of soluble CD40 ligand and angiographic extent and severity of coronary artery diseaseOriginal research articles

Betül Cengiz Elçioğlu, Şükrü Taylan Şahin, Evin Bozçali, Şölen Himmetoğlu, Hüsniye Yüksel

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):501-507 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.132  

Objectives: Previous studies have suggested that atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease and implicate components of the immune system in atherogenesis. The CD40 and CD40 ligand system regulates multiple phases of the humoral and cellular immune response. Soluble CD40 (sCD40) ligand especially releases from activated platelets. Platelets are involved not only in thrombosis, but also in atherosclerotic lesion formation and restenosis processes. The aim of our study is to evaluate whether there is a relationship between the level of sCD40 ligand and angiographic extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and to compare other cardiovascular...

Gender differences in epidemiology and risk factors of acute coronary syndrome in Algerian patients of the Oran city: descriptive cross-sectional studyOriginal research articles

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

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):496-500 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.114  

Background and aims: The aim of this study is to determine the role of clinical, lifestyle, and behavioral characteristics on the severity of the disease according to the gender. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study. Results: An initial sample of 1219 patients was admitted for ACS in the cardiology service of Oran-University-Hospital-Center. The electrocardiographic results revealed that 34% of the patients had ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) while 66% had non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). In STEMI patients, the mean age was 60.87±12.20 years. STEMI patients sample included 413 patients...

Gut microbiota changes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and concomitant coronary artery diseaseOriginal research articles

Galyna Fadieienko, Oleksiy Gridnyev, Olena Kurinna, Nataliia Chereliuk

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):489-495 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.126  

Background and the research aim: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) bears serious economic consequences for the health care system worldwide and Ukraine, in particular. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main cause of mortality in NAFLD patients. Changes in the gut microbiota composition can be regarded as a potential mechanism of CVD in NAFLD patients. The research aim was the investigation changes in major gut microbiota phylotypes, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria with quantification of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes in NAFLD patients with concomitant CVD. Materials and methods: There were...

Impact of invasively determined cardiac power index on survival in patients with advanced chronic heart failureOriginal research articles

Ali Dogan, Denyan Mansuroglu, Oguz Konukoglu, Emrah Ozdemir, Mert Sarilar, Ayda Guler, Nuri Kurtoglu

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):485-488 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.100  

Background: Hemodynamic parameters have recently emerged as tools for risk stratification of heart failure patients. Cardiac power output (CPO) is an indicator of cardiac performance. Cardiac power index (CPI) is calculated by indexing CPO to body surface area. The study aimed to demonstrate the prognostic role of resting CPI in advanced chronic heart failure patients. Methods: The study included patients with advanced chronic heart failure, ejection fraction below 30%, and classes III and IV functional capacity who had had right and left heart catheterization. A total of 99 patients were enrolled, with those having left ventricular assist device (LVAD)...

The Drugs Used in the Treatment of Supraventricular Tachycardia in Pediatrics: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisOriginal research articles

Hashim Talib Hashim, Jaffer Shah, Ali Talib Hashim, Omar Abdelnasser Abdelmonem Ismail Mohamed, Mahmoud Shaban Abdeljalil, Joseph Varney

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):477-484 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.097  

Background: Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is an abnormally rapid heart rhythm that results from improper electrical activity in the upper part of the heart. Acute management of children presenting with SVT may be a challenge, as the exact tachycardia mechanism is often unknown. The strategy for treatment depends on the presentation and clinical status of the patient. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify and select original research reports on supraventricular tachycardia management drugs in children and infants with no structural heart disease (all children from 1 hour to 17 years of age) in accordance with the...