Cardiology Letters, 2018 (vol. 27), issue 1

EPIT-HF survey of chronic heart failure with reduced, mid-range and preserved ejection fraction in Slovakia. Part 2: Focus on therapy

Dúbrava J, Šidlo R

Cardiology Letters 2018, 27(1):5-19  

Background: There is only minimal data on the treatment of chronic HF in real practice in Slovakia. For the therapy of heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF), no Slovak data has yet been published. Aims: In a prospective survey, to determine and compare the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment for three phenotypes of chronic heart failure (HF) - HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), HFmrEF and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We also investigated drug prescription preferences within individual drug classes. Methods: The survey was carried out by 161 physicians (115 cardiologists - 71.4% and 46 internists...

Assessment of left ventricular arrhythmogenic substrate in patients with ischemic heart disease by cardiac magnetic resonance

Neuschl V, Berecova Z, Madaric J, Simkova J, Glezlova A, Hatala R

Cardiology Letters 2018, 27(1):20-26  

Background: The most common cause of sudden death is malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmia - ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation occurring based on the morphological substrate of the infarction scar. Objectives: Results of qualitative and quantitative analysis of the scar and LV (left ventricular) function acquired by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) were correlated with the subsequent occurrence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias in patients with a high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Methods: We have prospectively followed 47 patients (mean age 60 ± 11 years) who were hospitalized for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator...

Antithrombotic therapy in seniors with atrial fibrillation

Olexa P

Cardiology Letters 2018, 27(1):31-35  

Seniors with atrial fibrillation have a high risk of ischaemic stroke, having a higher risk with increasing age. However, there is a growing risk of bleeding complications correlated with increased age. Oral anticoagulants present an effective prevention of thromboembolic events, but this treatment is even safer than warfarin for an elderly population. Warfarin and antiplatelet therapy with ASA currently does not have adequate evidence-based medicine available and is not recommended. The results of randomised control studies show that if a patient meets the criteria, they should be treated with NOAK, regardless of age. The highest representation of...

Do we need a magnet in the ambulance? Case studies from pre-hospital emergency medical service.

Bulíková T, Haluška M

Cardiology Letters 2018, 27(1):36-39  

Benign heart tumors - cardiac myxoma

Nehaj F, Kubašková M, Sokol J, Mokáň M, Jankovičová V, Michalová R, Kovář F, Mizera S, Galajda P, Péč M, Mokáň M

Cardiology Letters 2018, 27(1):27-30  

Introduction: If a cardiac mass is a tumor, its aetiology can be often determined by considering the age of the patient, location and tissue characterisation by non-invasive imaging echocardiography, a golden standard for detecting and diagnosing the cardiac tumor. Diagnosing cardiac tumors is challenging, because the presentation of clinical features is based on location, size, type of the tumor or extent of infiltration into the neighboring tissue. Cardiac myxomas comprise the majority part of primary heart tumors. Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study is to define and describe the characteristic and behaviour of cardiac myxomas on a...