Cardiology Letters, 2018 (vol. 27), issue 6

Editorial

Comment on 2018 ESC/ESH Guidelines for management of arterial hypertension

Filipová S, Gašpar Ľ, Vachulová A, Škultétyová D, Kulinová M, Sirotiaková J

Cardiology Letters 2018, 27(6):282-288

Original article

The role of novel biomarkers in acute cardiorenal syndrome

Danková M, Mináriková Z, Danko J, Gergel J, Ponťuch P, Goncalvesová E

Cardiology Letters 2018, 27(6):289-294

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents the significant problem of increased morbidity and mortality in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Novel biomarkers such as neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) and insulin-like factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7) represent a group of molecules that appear to be relevant for assessing the occurence of AKI in high-risk patients with AHF. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the levels of novel biomarkers and to identify predictors of AKI in patients with acute heart failure. Methods: We analysed clinical, echocardiographic...

Review

Matrix metalloproteinases and heart failure

Husseinová M, Radošinská J

Cardiology Letters 2018, 27(6):308-313

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been identified as enzymes responsible for degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Myocardial ECM is a dynamic medium that is fundamental for the structural and physiological homeostasis of the heart. ECM alterations may lead to both systolic or diastolic dysfunction and development of heart failure (HF). Although the causes of HF are multiple, maladaptive ECM remodeling is a typical and common outcome in the development and progression of this disease. In this review, we aimed to introduce MMPs in general and summarize the recent knowledge concerning the role of MMPs in cardiovascular diseases, focusing...

Case report

Papillary fibroelastoma of the mitral valve in a patient with recurrent syncope

Dubrava J, Fiala P

Cardiology Letters 2018, 27(6):314-317

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas (PF) are rare benign neoplasms. They can result in severe complications, mainly due to embolism, most frequently stroke and transient ischemic attack. Only a few case reports of PF as a culprit of syncope have been published. We herein describe, to the best of our knowledge, the first case report showing a PF of the mitral leaflet protruding into the left ventricular outflow tract in a patient with recurrent syncope. Syncopal workup should also include the evaluation of the infrequent causes involving the left heart masses. Fig. 3, Ref. 10, on-line full text (Free, PDF) www. cardiologyletters.sk