Cardiology Letters, 2026 (vol. 35), issue 1

Semaglutide in treatment of obesity and its cardiovascular benefits: evidence from clinical studies and guidelines of European Society of Cardiology

Tibor Harcsa

Cardiology Letters 2026, 35(1):17-22  

Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist originally developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, has recently been shown to reduce body weight and cardiovascular risk even in patients without diabetes. This review summarizes the available evidence on its metabolic and cardiovascular effects based on the key clinical trials SELECT, STEP HFpEF, and STEP 5, as well as its current position in the recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology. Semaglutide significantly reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, improves symptoms and functional...

Long COVID and the pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiovascular damage

Angelika Púzserová, Peter Bališ, Silvia Dobrodenková, Enikő Potocká, Miroslava Kvandová

Cardiology Letters 2026, 35(1):23-32  

Since 2019, SARS-CoV-2 infection has caused significant global morbidity and mortality. Following apparent recovery from acute COVID-19, many patients develop a chronic condition known as long COVID (LC), also referred to as post-COVID syndrome, which can persist for months to years, affect multiple organ systems, and represent a serious public health challenge. LC presents with highly heterogeneous symptoms and is diagnosed clinically due to the absence of specific biomarkers. The underlying pathophysiology is complex and incompletely understood, involving multiple mechanisms including viral persistence, immune dysregulation, microthrombus formation,...

Early risk stratification of the patients with non ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes. Results of the SLOVAKS registry from the year 2020

Martin Studenčan, Martin Hudec, Milan Luknár, Robert Hatala

Cardiology Letters 2026, 35(1):35-37  

A proportion of patients with NSTE-ACS, according to the current Recommendations, should be managed invasively within 24 hours of hospitalization. The aim of the work was to determine what proportion of patients with NSTE-ACS hospitalized in Slovakia in 2020 met the valid criteria for very high and high early cardiovascular risk. In the monitored period, 26.07% of patients met the criteria for very high and 51.9% for high early CV risk and therefore could be managed invasively within 24 hours of hospitalization. Tab 1, Ref. 6, on-line full text (Free, PDF), www.cardiologyletters.sk

AI that can save time and reduce errors

Tomáš Uher, Elena Teringová

Cardiology Letters 2026, 35(1):38-41  

This text summarizes selected trends in digital health and artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiology with a focus on day-to-day clinical applicability. It highlights AI use-cases in electrocardiography and cardiovascular imaging, the potential of wearables and remote monitoring, and practical implementation aspects including validation, safety, accountability, and regulatory considerations. The aim is to provide a brief overview of what was presented at the ESC Digital & AI Summit 2025 in Berlin.

Trivalvular infective endocarditis: A rare presentation in an intravenous drug user

António Carvalho, Luís Cotrim, Pedro Custódio, Pedro Bico

Cardiology Letters 2026, 35(1):33-34  

Guidelines AF 2024 a špecifiká Slovenska

#FOOTER#:42

Cardiology Letters 2026, 35(1):42-43