Cardiology Letters, 2023 (vol. 32), issue 6

Original article

The role of vasoactive hormones in pathogenesis of vasovagal syncope

Lazúrová Z, Lukáčová M, Popovňáková M, Wedel MA, Mitro P

Cardiology Letters 2023, 32(6):373-379

Background: Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is the most common type of syncope. In the pathogenesis, the excessive activation of the autonomic nervous system plays a role, but there is also increasing evidence of the significant role of neurohumoral mechanisms. An imbalance in the levels of vasoactive hormones which are involved in the regulation of blood pressure, such as catecholamines, adenosine, neuropeptide Y (NPY), endothelin (ET-1), angiotensinogen (ANG) or apelin (APE), and others, may participate in the manifestation of VVS. Aim: To clarify the importance of vasoactive hormones - NPY, ET-1, ANG and APE in the pathogenesis of VVS. Patients and methods:...

Review

Atrial high rate episodes in clinical practice

Hanák P

Cardiology Letters 2023, 32(6):380-384

The detection of atrial high rate episodes (AHREs) as well as subclinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF) using cardiac implantable electronic devices increases proportionally to the length of the patients' follow-up period. The occurrence of AHREs nowadays is shown in massively increasing events during routine arrhythmologic follow ups. Almost 35% of patients with an implanted pacemaker have at least one AHRE over a period of 2.5 years. The significance and risk of given episodes is constantly being explored and evolving over time. According to current knowledge, we know that AHREs represent not only the risk of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, but also...

Cardiac tamponade as the first manifestation of cardiac angiosarcoma

Snopek P, Hasilla J, Patrovič L, Juskanič D, Bezák B, Gašparovič I, Šoóšová I

Cardiology Letters 2023, 32(6):385-393

Cardiac masses and tumors represent a heterogeneous group of disease states. They include primary tumors (benign, malignant), metastatic diseases and numerous pathologies, e.g. thrombus. Clinical manifestations range from an incidental finding on imaging tests indicated for other reasons, to life-threatening manifestations such as cardiac tamponade. The aim of the article is to highlight the difficult diagnosis and management of heart tumors, as well as the unexpectedly rapidly progressing fate of a patient with this rare diagnosis.

Ankle blood pressure. Valid alternative of brachial blood pressure?

Dúbrava J

Cardiology Letters 2023, 32(6):394-397

Ankle blood pressure (BP) is used in situations where the measurement of brachial BP is impossible. However, the methodology is not sufficiently standardized. According to comparative studies, ankle systolic BP is significantly higher than brachial systolic BP (by 12-20 mmHg). Diastolic BP and mean BP do not differ significantly. So far, only one professional society has published a position statement regarding ankle BP (British and Irish Hypertension Society). If the standard diagnosis of arterial hypertension using brachial BP is not possible, ankle BP with a threshold of ≥ 155/90 mmHg can be used as an alternative. Ankle BP can be measured only...