(Development of sleep apnea syndrome in a patient with heart failure before and after orthotopic heart transplant)Case reports

Lujza Zikmund Galková, Jiří Hlásenský, Lenka Špinarová, Petr Němec, Jiří Vítovec, Jan Krejčí

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):698-704 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.015  

This article shows different types of sleep apnea syndrome (SA) in a patient with severe heart failure before and after orthotopic heart transplant and the treatment of SA. Sleep apnea is an influenceable independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. Its main symptoms may be long-term fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness, cognitive deficit including impaired short-term memory and concentration disorder, behavioral disorders such as moodiness, aggressivity, the lack of motivation and so-called nocturnal symptoms: ronchopathy (snoring), frequent sleep arousals accompanied by gasping, nycturia, fragmentation of sleep, mouth dryness after awakening...

(Extremely rare intrapericardial location of paraganglioma)Case reports

Jaroslav Zajíc, Aleš Mokráček, Ladislav Pešl, Jiří Haniš, Dita Schaffelhoferová

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):692-697 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.002  

Cardiac paragangliomas are a very rare primary location of paraganglioma. Approximately 1-2% of paragangliomas occur in the chest, less than 0.3% are cardiac locations. We report the case of a patient with a cardiac paraganglioma, which was an accidental finding during an echocardiographic examination. As the tumor did not show signs of hormone production before the operation, this type of rare tumor was not thought of and the diagnosis was made only on the basis of histological examination.

(Spontaneous coronary artery dissection during a sightseeing flight)Case reports

Lucjan Rucki, Radim Špaček, Miroslav Hudec, Libor Škňouřil

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):688-691 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.025  

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is one of the causes of acute coronary syndrome. It is most common in young women and may occur after physical or emotional stress and may be associated with fibromuscular dysplasia or inflammatory diseases. Its treatment may be conservative and revascularization is indicated in case of ongoing myocardial ischemia, which is associated with the risk of iatrogenic coronary artery dis- section. In this case report, we present a young woman who developed coronary artery dissection during a sightseeing flight. Due to ongoing chest pain, the patient was indicated for PCI, which was complicated by left main coronary...

(EHRA clinical consensus statement on conduction system pacing implantation: endorsed by the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), Canadian Heart Rhythm Society (CHRS), and Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS). Translation of the document prepared by the Czech Society of Cardiology)Expert consensus statement

Haran Burri, Marek Jastrzebski, Oscar Cano, Karol Čurila, Jan de Pooter, Weijian Huang, Carsten Israel, Jacqueline Joza, Jorge Romero, Kevin Vernooy, Pugazhendhi Vijayaraman, Zachary Whinnett, Francesco Zanon, Miloš Táborský, Karol Čurila, Marián Fedorco, Josef Kautzner, Alan Bulava, Patrik Jarkovský, Rostislav Polášek, Miroslav Novák, Vít Gloger, Milan Kozák, Štěpán Havránek, Vlastimil Vančura, Alexandr Schee, Milena Kubíčková

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):656-687 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.061

Conduction system pacing (CSP) has emerged as a more physiological alternative to right ventricular pacing and is also being used in selected cases for cardiac resynchronization therapy. His bundle pacing was first introduced over two decades ago and its use has risen over the last five years with the advent of tools which have facilitated implantation. Left bundle branch area pacing is more recent but its adoption is growing fast due to a wider target area and excellent electrical parameters. Nevertheless, as with any intervention, proper technique is a prerequisite for safe and effective delivery of therapy. This document aims to stan- dardize the...

(General and clinical neurocardiology)Commentary

Jan Galuszka

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):653-655 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.016  

The article briefly summarizes the key publications of neurocardiology in foreign and domestic literature in the last forty years, deals with the definition of the term, the definition of general and clinical neurocardiology. It highlights the work of the pioneers of neurocardiology, John Andrew Armour and Jeffrey Laurence Ardell, the importance of the autonomic nervous system in the hierarchical control of cardiac activity. Final- ly, it recalls important documents of translational and clinical neurocardiology, the SPARC project and the potential of neuromodulation therapy in practice.

(Frailty syndrome, what should we know before cardiac surgery)Review articles

Petr Smolák, Ján Gofus, Martin Voborník, Martin Děrgel, Salifu Timbilla, Martin Maťátko, Samuel Marcinov, Jiří Manďák, Jan Vojáček

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):648-652 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.026  

Frailty syndrome is a clinical syndrome in which three or more of the following criteria are present: an unintentional weight loss of 4.5 kg (10 lb) in the past year, patient-reported exhaustion, poor muscle grip strength, slow walking speed, and reduced physical activity. The prevalence of frailty in cardiac surgery patients ranges from 4.1% to 46% according to available studies. It is associated with the occurrence of sarcopenia and osteoporosis. The Edmonton Frail Scale tool, developed for non-geriatric specialists, is useful for diagnosis in cardiac surgery and provides information regarding the patient's dependence on the environment, knowledge...

(Gliflozins, chronic heart failure, and chronic kidney disease - a review and our initial experience)Review articles

Jakub Flašík, Miloš Táborský

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):643-646 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.113  

While, as a class of drugs, gliflozins were originally developed as oral antidiabetic agents, these molecules have been shown in recent years to exert clinically significant effects also in indications such as chronic heart failure and chronic kidney disease. These beneficial actions of both empagliflozin and dapagliflozin have been documented in several studies irrespective of the presence or absence of type-2 diabetes. It were particularly their nephroprotective effects which were consistently observed regardless of the individual studies' primary goals. At present, the two gliflozins play an important role in the management of chronic heart failure...

Early-term results of coronary artery bypass grafting in renal transplant patientsOriginal research articles

Ali Aycan Kavala, Saygin Turkyilmaz, Yusuf Kuserli, Gülsüm Turkyilmaz, Mehmet Ali Yeşiltaş, Hasan Toz, Selim Tumkaya

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):636-642 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.008  

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of mortality and morbidity in kidney transplant patients. Many case reports and case series about coronary artery bypass grafting operation after renal transplantation have been presented. In this article, we aim to evaluate the patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery after renal transplantation. Methods: Among the 4330 patients who underwent CABG between January 2012 and December 2021, there were 11 patients who had a previous renal transplant. Seven patients (64.6%) were male and four (35.4%) were female. The median age of the included patients was 52 (42-66). Results: While ten...

Gender Differences in Indications and Findings of Ambulatory Electrocardiographic MonitoringOriginal research articles

May Al-Jorani, Moatamn Reda Skuk, Haitham Ali Abdullah Al-Sudani, Ali AbdulAmeer Al-Mosawi, Kasim Abbas Al-Iqabby, Zainab Atiyah Dakhil

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):631-635 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.007  

Background: There are significant differences in electrocardiographic parameters between males and females. However, there is a lack of data regarding the gender-related differences in indications and findings of ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring (AEM) especially in Middle Eastern population. Purpose: We sought to investigate the gender-related differences in the baseline ECG findings, indications, and findings of AEM in an Iraqi cohort of patients referred for AEM. Methods: Baseline ECG was analyzed for each patient, indications, and findings of AEM for each patient was documented. Results: n = 100 (53% were males and 47% were females). Patients...

Is there a relationship between aortic valve degeneration and left ventricle function?Original research articles

Aysel Akhundova, Murat Sunbul, Tarik Kivrak, Fuad Samadov, Bulent Mutlu

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):624-630 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.143  

Purpose: The aim of the study was to explore the association between aortic valve (AV) degeneration and left ventricular (LV) functions and its relation with biomarkers. Methods: Forty-two consecutive patients with degenerative AV disease and 25 controls were included. Degenerative AV were divided into stenotic and sclerotic valves. All patients underwent a two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography and 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) before and after semi-supine bicycle exercise test. We also evaluated the association between aortic sclerosis and biomarkers such as galactine-3, high-sensitive (hs) troponin-T, C-reactive protein...

Can systolic pulmonary artery pressure be used as one of the criteria of risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism?Original research articles

Habibe Hezer, Ayse Sule Ates, Idris Yakut, Hatice Kilic, H. Canan Hasanoglu

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):617-623 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.020  

Background: In acute pulmonary embolism (PE), rapid diagnosis and treatment planning according to mortality risk classification are important. Objectives: To explore the effectiveness of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) values in the risk stratification of the patients with acute PE. Methods: This study is a retrospective, cross-sectional clinical trial design. A total of 221 patients who were admitted to our hospital and diagnosed as acute PE by thorax computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) was included in the study. All patients were evaluated by echocardiography (ECHO) and sPAP was calculated by Bernoulli equation. The relationships...

Knowledge Upgrading of General Practitioners in the Community Health Cares in Surabaya after Joining Virtual Training of Early Cardiovascular Detection in Pregnancy: A Quasi-Experimental StudyOriginal research articles

Meity Ardiana, Andrianto, Denisa Nugrahita Asmarani, Ryan Enast Intan, Lukman Hakim Andira, Fita Triastuti

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):610-616 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.001  

Aim: To assess the knowledge improvement of general practitioners of Surabaya community health centers about screening, recognizing, and managing cardiovascular disease in pregnancy after receiving interven- tion, formed as virtual training. Method: This study is a quasi-experimental study with one-group pretest-posttest design. Intervention, formed as educational training about heart disease detection in pregnancy, was given to the participants. Participants consisted of general practitioners practicing at Community Health Centers in Surabaya. Pre-test and post-test consisted of questions about training's curriculum was given to the participants....

The Usefulness of RDW as a Predictor of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after CryoablationOriginal research articles

Pinar Keskin, Halil Lutfi Kisacik, Sinan Inci, Murat Gul, Ozcan Ozeke, Serkan Topaloglu, Dursun Aras

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):604-609 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.110  

Aim: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is known to be related to inflammation and has been associated with poor outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, little is known about the role of RDW as a predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after cryoablation, and thus we aimed to investigate the relation between RDW and the recurrence of AF after cryoablation. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the case records of 90 patients after cryoablation (mean age, 50.06±12.36) with symptomatic paroxysmal AF despite being prescribed at least one anti-arrhythmic drug. The patients were divided into two groups based on the recurrence...

(An assessment of quality of life, anxiety, and depression of the senior citizens with cardiovascular disease)Original research articles

Katka Bobčíková, Radka Bužgová, Radka Kozáková, Renáta Zeleníková

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):598-603 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.106  

Aim: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate a quality of life, anxiety, and depression of the senior citizens with cardiovascular diseases living in the community. Their links with the subjective assessment of the state of health, with whether the senior lives alone in the household, with gender and age were also investigated. Methods: Quality of life was assessed by Older People's Quality of Life - Brief version (OPQOL-BRIEF), the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) was used to assess anxiety and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was used to assess depression. The criteria for inclusion in the sample were: age over 60 years, an...

(24-hour physical behavior profile in heart failure patients with different physical fitness: a pilot study)Original research articles

Jan Vindiš, Jana Pelclová, Marcela Škvařilová, Renáta Aiglová, Denisa Nohelová, Jakub Flašík, Patrik Keprt, Miloš Táborský

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):590-597 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.038  

24-hour physical behavior profile may take part in an important preventive role in patients with cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. A higher risk of adverse cardiac events is also associated with a lower level of physical fitness. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the 24-hour physical behavior profile of patients with heart failure regarding their different levels of physical fitness. Physical behavior was assessed using three accelerometers placed on different parts of the body (wrist, hip, and thigh). The measurement concerned 20 patients (67.7±6.34 years) with NYHA class II and II-III heart failure for seven consecutive...

(Arrhythmogenic potential in Turner syndrome patients)Original research articles

Sabina Kaprálová, Jan Pavlíček, Alžběta Palátová, Radek Vrtěl, Hana Tomášková, Jiřina Zapletalová, Eva Klásková

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(4):582-588 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2023.036  

Introduction: Turner syndrome (TS) is associated with a range of distinct cardiovascular risks such as congenital heart disease and acquired cardiovascular disease. Data on arrhythmogenic potential in TS carriers are inconsistent, especially regarding the occurrence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias due to long QT interval. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ECG abnormalities in patients with TS. Methods: 61 girls and women with TS syndrome were included in the study and underwent a cardiac examination including ECG and 24-hour ECG Holter monitoring. The 12-lead ECG was used to assess the length of PR and QT interval, the mean...

Radek Ptáček, Petr Bartůněk: Důstojnost v medicíněBook reviews

Prof. MUDr. Jan Petrášek, DrSc.

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):576  

Radkin Honzák: Emoce od A do PBook reviews

Prof. MUDr. Jan Petrášek, DrSc.,

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):575  

Cholesterolový paradoxLetters

Prof. Vladimír Staněk, CSc., FESC,

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):573-574  

Zemřel MUDr. Pavel Jebavý, CSc.Personalia

Prof. MUDr. Jan F. Vojáček, DrSc., FESC, FACC

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):571-572  

Prof. MUDr. Vladimír Staněk, CSc., FESC, slaví 90. narozeninyPersonalia

Prof. MUDr. Josef Kautzner, CSc.,

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):568-569  

Sino-atrial block due to Guillan-Barré syndrome: a rare caseCase reports

Giuseppe Pelaggi, Alfredo Luongo, Francesca Parisi, Paolo Vinciguerra, Alessia Perna, Federica Cocuzza, Francesca Campanella, Alessio Currò, Lorenzo Pistelli

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):563-566 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2021.100  

Sino-atrial node block is a condition characterized by a slowed (or interrupted) electrical impulse transmis- sion from the sino-atrial node to the atrium.¹ The sino-atrial dysfunction potentially leads to sinusal arrest, bradycardia up to asystole, syncope and cardiac arrest. In such situations, a temporary or permanent pacemaker implantation is necessary. Different causes may be responsible for sinus atrial block, more frequently vagal hypertone, ions alterations, myocarditis and iatrogenic causes.^2-9 We report the case of a sixty-year-old man with Guillain-Barré syndrome who required pacemaker implantation for II to III degree...

A multimodality imaging approach to multifocal intracardiac massesCase reports

Vanda Devesa Neto, João Miguel Santos, Luis Ferreira Santos, José Miguel Correia

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):560-562 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.053  

The authors expose a case report of a 75-year-old woman admitted due to syncope and history of endometrial sarcoma. Echocardiography at hospital admission revealed two cardiac masses (in the right atrium [32×38 mm] and the other in the left ventricle [42×32 mm]), both with mobility and causing dynamic obstruction of the tricuspid valve and left ventricular outflow tract. Metastatic lesions were promptly suspected, considering the previous history, and an approach based on multimodality cardiovascular imaging was performed for differential diagnosis. Endometrial stromal sarcomas are rare tumors of the uterus corresponding to 0.2-1% of all uterine malignancies....

Anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the right coronary sinus of ValsalvaCase reports

Rodolfo Caminiti, Giampaolo Vetta, Antonio Parlavecchio, Giuseppe Dattilo, Michele Magnocavallo, Domenico Giovanni Della Rocca, Massimo Siviglia, Francesco Antonio Benedetto

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):558-559 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.076  

A 73-year-old man underwent coronary angiography before aortic valve replacement due to severe aortic stenosis showing an abnormal origin of the left main coronary artery (LMCA). The LMCA arises from the right coronary sinus of Valsalva and passes anteriorly to the pulmonary trunk.

(Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome)Case reports

Lucie Petroušová, Jakub Sulženko

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):555-557 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.099  

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is caused by external compression of vascular structures in the fossa poplitea. In most cases it manifests as lower extremity claudication. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent artery damage, which would most often lead to aneurysmatic dilatation of the artery with possible onset of thrombosis and next may lead to embolization into the peripheral arteries, which would manifest as peripheral artery disease. This article is an overview of this problematics and a case report.

(Left-right short circuit in an adult woman between the left coronary artery and the sinus coronarius caused by a giant fistula)Case reports

Zuzana Komorová, Martin Novák, Jiří Seménka, Věra Feitová, Petr Němec, Lenka Špinarová

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):550-554 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.078  

Communication between coronary arteries and large arteries or heart cavities in the form of fistula is a rare anomaly occurring in about 0.1-1.0% of coronarographed patients. Our case report describes a 65-year-old patient admitted to our department for suspicious left-right short circuit. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed and revealed communication between the left coronary artery trunk and the coronary sinus. Coronary angiography and subsequent CT coronarography confirmed the finding of a gigantic fistula between the ACS strain and the coronary sinus. Due to the extent of the short circuit, cardiac surgery was indicated - fistula ligation...

Infective endocarditis complicated by brain embolism: a case reportCase reports

Peter Snopek, Jozef Hasilla, Lukáš Patrovič, Dominik Juskanič, Jakub Benko, Matej Samoš

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):545-549 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.129  

Symptomatic neurological complications occur in 15-30% of patients with infective endocarditis. At the same time, other clinically silent cerebral embolisms occur in 35-60% of patients. Staphylococcus aureus is the pathogen that causes nervous system involvement most frequently. We report a case of a 67-year-old man with infective endocarditis following a dental procedure that manifested as spondylodiscitis and multiple brain embolization, including a brain abscess that required drainage. After six weeks of treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics and complex supportive therapy, we discharged the patient in a satisfactory mental and somatic...

(PRKAG2 syndrome as a highly arrhythmogenic eventuality in the differential diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - an example of two families with a confirmed causative DNA variant)Case reports

Markéta Hodboďová, Alice Krebsová, Petra Peldová, Rostislav Polášek, Tomáš Roubíček

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):538-544 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.116  

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) affects 0.2% of the population and is the most common form of hereditary heart muscle disease in adults. The most frequent cause of HCM are changes in the genes encoding sarcomere proteins. However, up to 10% of patients are affected by another type of systemic genetic dis- ease that has myocardial hypertrophy as only one of its multi-organ manifestations. Among these diseases is PRKAG2 glycogenosis, a rare metabolic storage disorder caused by an inherited defect in the γ2 regulatory subunit of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In addition to skeletal muscle myopathy, it causes HCMP with...

Humanin and Cardiovascular DiseasesReview articles

Lutfu Askin, Okan Tanriverdi

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):533-537 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.057  

Mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) are encoded by mitochondrial DNA. MDPs include humanin, ribosomal ribonucleic acid type c (MOTS-c), and small humanin-like peptides 1-6 (SHLP1-6). In times of stress, they support mitochondrial activity and cell survival. MDPs influence cell survival, metabolism, stress response, and inflammation in vivo and in vitro. Recent research shows MDPs play a significant role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. In addition, possible pathogenic pathways include ischemia, reperfusion damage, fibrosis, and coronary microcirculatory dysfunction. CVD biomarkers or therapy targets, MDPs. This group...

Cardiac surgery and the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemicReview articles

Morad Yaser Al Mostafa, Hashim Talib Hashim, Yazeed Fawwaz Abu Ruman, Irfan Ullah, Ali Talib Hashim

Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):529-532 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.098  

COVID-19 is having an impact on both infected and non-infected patients. During the outbreak period, a smaller number of patients underwent cardiac surgery. These patients experienced more symptoms, had longer procedures, and had a higher in-hospital mortality rate. While the consequences of the pandemic are not fully understood, one thing is certain; we must prepare for a possible new outbreak. Currently, the future of cardiac surgery after the pandemic is unclear as the evidence is still emerging. However, the lessons learned from these unprecedented times can be taken forward to inform future service planning. Moving forward, routine screening of...