Cardiology Letters, 2022 (vol. 31), issue 3

Comment on 2021 ESC Guidelines on cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy

Kaliská G, Margitfalvi P, Kmec J

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(3):153-158  

The relationship between cardiac resynchronization therapy and serum levels of copeptin

Kerekanic M, Jakubova M, Komanova E, Sedlak J, Stancak B

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(3):178-183  

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex syndrome characterized by an abnormal neurohormonal activation, including arginine vasopressin (AVP). Copeptin is an indicator of AVP activation, which levels are elevated in CHF and have prognostic importance. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an important device therapy for patients with advanced CHF, left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and evidence of electromechanical dyssynchrony. The aim of the present study was to determine the possible relationship between CRT and serum copeptin levels. Methods: We included CRT patients with ischemic as well as nonischemic etiology of CHF....

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Kurečko M, Valočik G, Kollárová A

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(3):184-195  

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive and alternative treatment of severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AoS) indicated in patients with high or intermediate surgical risk. Implantation of incorrect prosthesis size has direct impact on patient´s outcome after TAVI. Annular area, perimeter, area derived diameter, perimeter derived diameter (DP) and mean diameter are recommended in order to select the prosthesis size, based on the industry´s recommendations for TAVI valves. Aim: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the influence of three dimenisonal (3D) transesophageal (TEE) aortic annulus parameters on...

Pulmonary embolism and Covid-19

Čambál D, Molnárová K, Petruš P, Haršány J, Klepanec A

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(3):196-201  

Aims: Patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) have different in-hospital mortality rates depending on their comorbidities and the grade of the obstruction of the pulmonary artery. In this study, we observed whether Covid-19 infection had a worsening impact on prognosis in patients affected by PE. We also analysed the significance of known risk factors such as Troponin levels, NTproBNP levels, D-dimer, arterial blood lactate, and CRP levels in patients with Covid-19 associated PE. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we observed patients hospitalised during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Trnava. Patients were divided into two groups,...

Cardiac pacing in the treatment of vasovagal syncope - new technologies and old questions

Mitro P

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(3):159-164  

Cardiac pacing is a therapeutic alternative in patients with cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope (VVS). It is used infrequently, according to current recommendations, in patients over 40 years of age with frequent and unpredictable syncope if life style modifications fail. If these conditions are met, the indication for pacing is based on the evidence of asystole in the head-up tilt test or finding of spontaneous asystole in ECG monitoring. The trend is to use a pacemaker algorithm that allows pacing initiation even before significant bradycardia occurs (CLS algorithm). In patients with cardioinhibitory VVS under the age of 40, there are first reports...

Significance of CT coronary angiography in diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease

Huňavý M, Gibarti C, Koribský R, Gonsorčík J

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(3):165-177  

Coronary artery disease is currently a worldwide problem and its prevalence is constantly growing with the ageing of the population, but also due to unhealthy lifestyle habits or inadequate risk factors control. In developed countries it is the leading cause of heart failure. Noninvasive methods of its diagnosis, mainly multidetector computed tomography, has made huge progress in terms of radiation dose reduction, improvement in its diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. With technological advances such as CT evaluation of fractional flow reserve and CT myocardial perfusion imaging it is now possible to evaluate functional significance of...

Za profesorom MUDr. Igorom Riečanským, DrSc.

Marcela Danková, Veronika Šimovičová, Stanislav Mizera, Miriam Vojvodová, Eva Gonçalvesová

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(3):202-205