Cardiology Letters, 2022 (vol. 31), issue 5-6

Comment on 2021 ESC/EACTS Guidelines on the Management of Valvular Heart Disease

Šimková I, Valočik G, Hudec M

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(5):269-275  

Time trends in cardiac stress testing and imaging in Slovakia during the years 2011-2021. Part I.

Dúbrava J

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(5):276-283  

Objectives: To analyze time trends in ordering cardiac stress testing and imaging in Slovakia, based on reported charges to health insurance companies. Methods: We evaluated the number of procedures and payments for exercise ECG, stress echocardiography (SE), stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, CT angiography, and cardiac CT in Slovakia during the years 2011-2021. The data were provided by all health insurance companies in Slovakia. The number of procedures was evaluated according to the medical codes in the current "List of medical procedures and their point values". Results: During the years 2011-2021, all health insurance companies reported...

Determining optimal threshold for lumen stenosis in coronary CT angiography to select patients for heart catheterization: a single-centre retrospective analysis

Gibarti C, Urban L, Vicha B, Hanova K, Gallovicova A, Koribsky R, Majernik J, Gal P$2Lukacin S, Studencan M

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(5):284-290  

Aim: Due to high costs and invasiveness (resulting in discomfort/complications) coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has become a clinically useful and relevant examination technique before cardiac catheterization. We aimed to retrospectively compare the utility of incorporating the CCTA data at the East-Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases into coronary interventions by direct comparison with data obtained following invasive coronary angiography (ICA) focusing on four coronary arteries (LM - left main stem, LDA - left anterior descending artery, CX - circumflex artery and RCA - right coronary artery). Methods: The study was conducted...

Predictors of knowledge of blood pressure - a descriptive study

Sedova L, Bartlova S, Hudackova A, Haviernikova L, Dolak F

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(5):291-297  

Goal: The goal of the study was to identify the number of individuals treated for hypertension, to verify the degree of their knowledge of their topical values of systolic and diastolic pressure, and to find out the dependence of regular BP measuring in the home setting on selected socio-demographic factors. Methodology: The quantitative study was performed using the method of standardized face-to-face interviews. The sample consisted of 1,004 respondents. The data were collected using a non-standardized questionnaire focused on stroke prevention and relating selected factors. Results: The investigation identified more than 58% of patients treated...

Primary hyperaldosteronism - an often underestimated reason for arterial hypertension

Lazúrová I

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(5):298-32  

Primary hyperaldosteronism (PH), i.e. Conn syndrome, is considered the most common cause of endocrine hypertension with the prevalence of 5-10% in the general population of hypertensive subjects and 20-30% in patients with resistant and severe hypertension. Therefore its systematic screening among hypertonics is very important. Screening of PH should be a part of differential diagnosis in selected groups of hypertonics, especially those with resistant or severe diastolic hypertension. Because long term aldosterone overproduction may cause severe organ complications such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and renal impairment, it is necessary...

The role of renal denervation in the treatment of resistant arterial hypertension

Moščovič M, Rašiová M

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(5):303-310  

Renal denervation is a procedure interrupting the sympathetic innervation of the kidney, resulting in a decrease in sympathetic activity and blood pressure. It is performed on patients with resistant primary arterial hypertension and with persistent systolic blood pressure values above 160 mm Hg (in patients with diabetes mellitus above 150 mm Hg) despite the use of 3- or more combinations of antihypertensive drugs, including a diuretic. The main goal is to achieve a decrease in cardiovascular risk in patients without medical options for optimal management of hypertension. It is necessary to rule out secondary causes of hypertension, pseudoresistance...

Preventing and treating anthracycline cardiotoxicity

Sokol J, Nehaj F, Chudej J, Lisá L, Lineková Ľ, Staško J

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(5):311-319  

Anthracycline chemotherapeutic agents are widely used in the treatment of hematological and solid tumors, working principally through DNA intercalation and topoisomerase II inhibition. Unfortunately, their use is limited by a cumulative dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. Despite more than five decades of research, the biological mechanisms underlying anthracycline cardiotoxicity are not completely understood. The mechanisms through which cardiotoxicity occurs are complex and diverse, ultimately leading to increased oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and subsequent cellular apoptosis. In this review, we explore the potential mechanisms of anthracycline-associated...

Cardiac resynchronization therapy

Kerekanič M

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(5):320-328  

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a real public epidemic and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality of patients worldwide. Despite modern pharmacological therapy, prognosis of CHF is poor. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has become an important therapy for selected patients with CHF, left ventricular systolic dysfunction and electromechanical dyssynchrony. Clinical studies have demonstrated that CRT reduces morbidity and mortality of patients due to CHF. The aim of the present work is a summary of current recommendations for CRT in therapy of CHF.

Coronary artery aneurysm after Kawasaki disease

Fabo P, Olejnik P

Cardiology Letters 2022, 31(5):329-333  

The complication of coronary artery aneurysm development after Kawasaki disease is currently not common after introducing human immunoglobulin therapy. Still, it is a life-threatening complication requiring consistent life-long follow-up to avoid acute coronary syndrome. We present a case report of a Kawasaki disease patient with initial large coronary artery aneurysm regressing to medium size coronary artery aneurysm. Based on the recent recommendation from the American Heart Association for Kawasaki disease management, an adequate thromboprophylaxis was set in this patient.