Cardiology Letters, 2016 (vol. 25), issue 1

Urinary NGAL as a predictor of acute kidney injury in patients with acute heart failure

Danková M, Pázmanová T, Hricák V, Gergel J, Svobodová V, Žitný B, Daňová K, Remišová S, Ponťuch P

Cardiology Letters 2016, 25(1):9-15  

Aim: To assess differences in the levels of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (u-NGAL) as a marker of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) in relation to NT-proBNP and a dose of intravenously administered furosemide. Patients and Methods: We analysed urine samples in 60 patients with acute heart failure admitted to the Coronary Care Unit of the 4th Department of Internal Medicine and to the Department of Emergency Cardiology of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. Urine samples were collected immediately at admission and after 24 hours. The supernatants were stored at -72 °C and analysed by...

The role of rotation assessed by 3D speckle tracking echocardiography in determination of origin of heart failure

Vachalcová M, Valočik G, Kurečko M, Dvorožňáková M, Jankajová M

Cardiology Letters 2016, 25(1):16-21  

Aim: It is known that the apical rotation assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is an effective non-invasive parameter reflecting the global contractility of the left ventricle (LV). The change of its direction and loss of left ventricular torsion is associated with significant left ventricular remodeling, advanced electrical dyssynchrony, reduction of systolic function, increased filling pressures and indicates the development of heart failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the main parameters assessed by threedimensional (3D) STE to distinguish between ischemic and nonischemic etiology of heart failure (HF). Methods: 38 patients...

Novel oral anticoagulants in treatment and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism in current clinical practice: what is the message from the randomized clinical studies?

Remková A

Cardiology Letters 2016, 25(1):22-30  

The objective of anticoagulant treatment in patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) is prevention of early death and recurrent symptomatic deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism. Heparins and vitamin K antagonists (VKA) have been the mainstay of prevention and treatment of VTE for many years, but they have numerous limitations. In recent years, novel non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have emerged as promising alternatives with the potential to overcome the limitations of traditional treatment of VTE. Clinical trials provided data on the efficacy and safety of the NOACs in comparison with standard care (heparin + VKA) in the acute treatment...

The role of cachexia and obesity in patients with chronic heart failure

Valentová M, Murín J

Cardiology Letters 2016, 25(1):31-38  

Normal weight, or even underweight, are known to be associated with a worse prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure. Cachexia, defined as an unintentional weight loss, is linked to 1-year mortality of 50%. Cachexia results from a decreased calorie intake due to appetite loss and malabsorption on one hand. On the other hand, increased catabolism, which arises from overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines and activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system, exacerbates cachexia. These abnormalities may be linked to right heart failure and consecutive venous congestion. Gut dysfunction, which is due to congestive right heart failure, seems...

MitralClip - intervention therapy of mitral insufficiency

Dvorožňáková M, Valočik G, Kurečko M, Jankajová M, Vachalcová M

Cardiology Letters 2016, 25(1):39-44  

The MitralClip (MC) is used for intervention therapy in serious mitral regurgitation. It is a metal implant with two arms, aimed at joining together the middle scallops of the mitral valve cusps and thus reduce the mitral mouth area, and thereby also the serious nature of mitral regurgitation. Surgery treatment of patients with isolated serious functional mitral insufficiency bears a high risk. The EVEREST II study confirmed that cardio-surgery for these patients is not superior to the intervention procedure. The less risky MC intervention can be more suitable in such cases and nevertheless also less effective. A successful intervention process depends...

Water - medium of life

Bada V

Cardiology Letters 2016, 25(1):49-58  

Cardiovascular medicine in Slovakia and Slovak Society of Cardiology - reality, trends and objectives

Hatala R

Cardiology Letters 2016, 25(1):5-8  

Empagliflozin (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor) - the hope for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Murín J

Cardiology Letters 2016, 25(1):45-48  

During the current epidemic of diabetes mellitus there is a great search for new antidiabetic drugs. Clinical studies in recent years have usually been satisfied with the cardiovascular safety of new antidiabetic drugs and have not found a reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Some new antidiabetic drugs contributed to the development of heart failure and this was considered an adverse event. Empagliflozin is in a new class of antidiabetic drugs (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor in kidney) which can improve diabetic compensation by increasing glucosuria. This drug in the clinical trial EMPA-REG OUTCOME has shown us an unbelievably...