Browsing by Author "Vujisić-Tešić, Bosiljka (6508177183)"

Introduction Pericardial effusion can be a consequence of a number of pathological conditions, and as such it can cause impaired left ventricular filling followed by decreased cardiac output and blood pressure. This kind of hemodynamic compromise and its consequences are extremely uncommon unless pericardial effusion causes tamponade. Case Outline We describe a very rare case of a 30-year old male patient, with an acute aortic dissection type II causing pericardial effusion without clinical nor echocardiographic signs of tamponade, while presenting with an acute renal and hepatic failure. After initial diagnostic uncertainties, and following final diagnosis of an acute aortic dissection, this patient underwent surgical aortic valve replacement with a satisfactory outcome. Conclusion It is important to underscore the significance of clinical situation of simultaneously existing acute renal and hepatic failures in the setting of a “non-tamponade” pericardial effusion, following a type II aortic dissection. Although most commonly aortic dissection presents itself with typical clinical symptoms or patient history data, it is not that unusual for it to be hidden in an entirely atypical clinical milieu as the one described in this case. © 2016. Srpski Arhiv za Celokupno Lekarstvo. All right reserved.

Introduction Several cardiovascular manifestations in patients with diabetes may be asymptomatic. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is considered to be the earliest metabolic myocardial lesion in these patients, and can be diagnosed with tissue Doppler echocardiography. Silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) is a characteristic and frequently described form of ischemic heart disease in patients with diabetes. Objective The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of LVDD and SMI in patients with type 2 diabetes, as well as to compare demographic, clinical, and metabolic data among defined groups (patients with LVDD, patients with SMI and patients with type 2 diabetes, without LVDD and SMI). Methods We investigated 104 type 2 diabetic patients (mean age 55.4±9.1 years, 64.4% males) with normal blood pressure, prehypertension and arterial hypertension stage I. Study design included basic laboratory assessment and cardiological workup (transthoracic echocardiography and tissue Doppler as well as the exercise stress echocardiography). Results LVDD was diagnosed in twelve patients (11.5%), while SMI was revealed in six patients (5.8%). Less patients with LVDD were using metformin, in comparison to other two groups (χ2 =12.152; p=0.002). Values of HDL cholesterol (F=4.515; p=0.013) and apolipoprotein A1 (F=5.128; p= 0.008) were significantly higher in patients with LVDD. Conclusion The study confirmed asymptomatic cardiovascular complications in 17.3% patients with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction Atrioventricular (AV) junction ablation coupled with pacemaker implantation is an effective therapeutic option for rate control in atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). However, there is controversy regarding the long-term outcome of the procedure, since right ventricular stimulation can lead to left ventricular remodelling and HF. Objective The aim of the study was to determine a 5-year outcome of the procedure on survival, HF control and myocardial function in patients with HF and uncontrolled AF. Methods All patients with AF and HF who underwent AV-junction ablation with pacemaker implantation in our institution ere followed after the procedure. HF diagnosis was established if ≥2 of the following criteria were present: 1) ejection fraction (EF) ≤45%; 2) previous episode of congestive HF (CHF); 3) NYHA-class ≥2; and 4) use of drug-therapy for HF. Results Study included 32 patients (25 males; 53.4±9.6 years). The mean heart rate was 121±25 bpm before and 75±10 bpm after ablation (p=0.001). Over the follow-up of 5.0±4.0 years nine patients (28.1%) died (five died suddenly, three of terminal CHF and one of stroke). After the procedure, CHF occurrence was reduced (p=0.001), as well as the annual number of hospitalizations (p=0.001) and the number of drugs for CHF (p=0.028). In addition, NYHA-class and EF were improved, from 3.3±0.7 to 1.6±0.8 (p<0.001) and from 39±11% to 51±10% (p<0.001), respectively. Conclusion In HF patients with uncontrolled AF, 5-year mortality after AV-junction ablation and pacemaker implantation was 28%. In the majority of these patients good rate of AF and HF control were achieved, as well as the improvement of functional status and myocardial contractility.

Introduction: Cardiac tamponade (CT) is a life-threatening complication of radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The course and outcome of CT in low-to-medium volume electrophysiology centers are underreported. Methods: We analyzed the incidence, management and outcomes of CT in 1500 consecutive RFAs performed in our center during 2011–2016. Results: Of 1500 RFAs performed in 1352 patients (age 55 years, interquartile range: 41–63), 569 were left-sided procedures (n = 406 with transseptal access). Conventional RFA or irrigated RFA was performed in 40.9% and 59.1% of procedures, respectively. Ablation was performed mostly for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (25.4%), atrial fibrillation (AF; 18.5%), atrial flutter (18.4%), accessory pathway (16.5%) or idiopathic ventricular arrhythmia (VA; 12.3%), and rarely for structural VA (2.1%). CT occurred in 12 procedures (0.8%): 10 AF ablations, 1 idiopathic VA and 1 typical atrial flutter ablation. Factors significantly associated with CT were older age, pre-procedural oral anticoagulation, left-sided procedures, transseptal access, AF ablation, irrigated RFA and longer fluoroscopy time (on univariate analysis), and AF ablation (on multivariable analysis). The perforation site was located in the left atrium (n = 7), right atrium (n = 3), or in the left ventricle or coronary sinus (n = 1 each). Upon pericardiocentesis, two patients underwent urgent cardiac surgery because of continued bleeding. There was no fatal outcome. During the follow-up of 19 ± 14 months, eight patients were arrhythmia free. Conclusion: Incidence of RFA-related CT in our medium-volume center was low and significantly associated with AF ablation. The outcome of CT was mostly favorable after pericardiocentesis, but readily accessible cardiothoracic surgery back-up should be mandatory in RFA centers. © 2016, The Author(s).

Background/Aim. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia in general population. The aim of the study was to compare all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in patients with lone and idiopathic AF to correspondent mortality in general population of Serbia. Methods. A longitudinal observational study included the patients with nonvalvular AF as the main indication for inhospital and/or outpatient treatment in the Clinical Center of Serbia, during a period 1992-2007, if the latest date of first diagnosed AF was early January 2003; in that way, the total follow-up could last at least 5 years (minimum 1 year prospectively), or until death. Principles of oral anticoagulation, heart rhythm and frequency control during the study period were conducted according to the latest international guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of AF in the study period. Lone and idiopathic AF were defined as AF in patients without any underlying disease, younger than 60 years (lone AF) or older (idiopathic AF). To compare mortality of the study population with mortality of general population we used the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and chi-square test with p < 0.05 as a level of statistical significance. Results. Out of 442 patients with AF and no underlying disease, aged 47 ± 12.6 years, with mean follow-up of 11.5 ± 7.2 years, 12 patients (2.7%) died: 7 patients of non-cardiovascular causes and 5 patients (1.1%) of cardiovascular death. When compared to the general population of Serbia, all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in the patients with lone and idiopathic AF were not higher than in general population (p < 0.05). Conclusion. All-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality of patients with lone and idiopathic AF are similar to all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in general population of Serbia.

Echocardiography is an indispensable diagnostic tool of cardi-ologists and other specialties involved in proving care to cardiovascular patients. In this paper, Echocardiographic Society of Serbia provides its viewpoint regarding the organization of basic education in transthoracic echocardiography, aiming at homogeneity of education and improving the quality of echo-cardiographic training in Serbia. © 2021, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.

Background: Oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are elevated in diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Little is known about their dynamics in the acute phase of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), especially in relation to the presence of DM and pre-diabetes (pre-DM). This study aimed to analyze timedependent changes in ox-LDL and hs-CRP regarding the presence of pre-DM and DM in STEMI patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Methods: In 103 consecutive patients with the first anterior STEMI ox-LDL and hs-CRP were measured before pPCI, on day 2 and day 7 after pPCI. Results: Patients were classified into: non-diabetics, pre-diabetics and diabetics. In each group the maximal ox-LDL concentration was found on admission, decreased on day 2 and reached the lowest values on day 7 (p<0.001). Diabetics had the highest ox-LDL concentrations compared to pre-diabetics and non-diabetics (on admission: p=0.028, on day 2: p=0.056, on day 7: p=0.004). hs-CRP concentration rose from admission, reached its peak on day 2 and decreased on day 7, in each group (p<0.001). Significant differences in hs-CRP concentrations were found between non-diabetics and pre-diabetics on admission (p=0.018) and day 2 (p=0.026). In a multivariate analysis DM was an independent determinant of high ox-LDL concentrations. Both ox-LDL and hs-CRP significantly correlated with Killip class, left ventricular ejection fraction, NT-proBNP and peak troponin I. Conclusions: In patients with the first STEMI treated by pPCI there were significant differences in ox-LDL and hs-CRP concentrations between non-diabetics, pre-diabetics and diabetics. Ox-LDL and hs-CRP concentrations were related to heart failure parameters. © by Danijela Trifunović 2015.

Background: Oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are elevated in diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Little is known about their dynamics in the acute phase of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), especially in relation to the presence of DM and pre-diabetes (pre-DM). This study aimed to analyze timedependent changes in ox-LDL and hs-CRP regarding the presence of pre-DM and DM in STEMI patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Methods: In 103 consecutive patients with the first anterior STEMI ox-LDL and hs-CRP were measured before pPCI, on day 2 and day 7 after pPCI. Results: Patients were classified into: non-diabetics, pre-diabetics and diabetics. In each group the maximal ox-LDL concentration was found on admission, decreased on day 2 and reached the lowest values on day 7 (p<0.001). Diabetics had the highest ox-LDL concentrations compared to pre-diabetics and non-diabetics (on admission: p=0.028, on day 2: p=0.056, on day 7: p=0.004). hs-CRP concentration rose from admission, reached its peak on day 2 and decreased on day 7, in each group (p<0.001). Significant differences in hs-CRP concentrations were found between non-diabetics and pre-diabetics on admission (p=0.018) and day 2 (p=0.026). In a multivariate analysis DM was an independent determinant of high ox-LDL concentrations. Both ox-LDL and hs-CRP significantly correlated with Killip class, left ventricular ejection fraction, NT-proBNP and peak troponin I. Conclusions: In patients with the first STEMI treated by pPCI there were significant differences in ox-LDL and hs-CRP concentrations between non-diabetics, pre-diabetics and diabetics. Ox-LDL and hs-CRP concentrations were related to heart failure parameters. © by Danijela Trifunović 2015.

Introduction: Large population-based observational trials have shown atrial fibrillation (AF) to be an independent risk factor for increased mortality. Objective: To examine all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality of patients with AF compared to corresponding mortality in general population of Serbia. Methods: This longitudinal observational study included patients with nonvalvular AF as the main indication for in-hospital and/or outpatient treatment at the Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, during the period 1992-2007, if the latest date of the first diagnosed AF was early January 2003, so that the total follow-up could last at least 5 years (minimum 1 year prospectively), or until death. Patients with acute causes of AF, advanced left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF≤25%), preexcitation, known malignancy or any advanced chronic disease and patients with poorly documented history of previous AF were not included. To compare mortality of study population with mortality of general population, we used standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and chi-square test, p<0.05. Results: Out of 1,100 patients (389 females, 35.4%), aged 52.7±12.2 years, with total follow-up 9.94±6.05 years (prospective 5.75±4.28, retrospective 4.21±5.51), 40% had no underlying disease; others most frequently had arterial hypertension. AF was paroxysmal in 665 (60.5%), persistent in 225 (20.5%) and permanent in 210 patients (19.1%). Newly diagnosed AF was documented in 1058 patients (96.2%). Until the end of the study, 85 patients died (7.7%). Cardiovascular death was noted in 62 patients (72.9%), most frequently in form of sudden death (27/85, 31.7%), death from congestive heart failure (18/85, 21.2%) and stroke (14/85, 16.5%). Most patients (67/85, 78.8%) had AF at the time of death. SMR for all-cause mortality was 2.43 (p<0.0001) and for cardiovascular mortality 3.03 (p<0.0001). Conclusion: All-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality of AF patients are higher than corresponding mortality in general population of Serbia, despite active treatment.

Introduction Left ventricular aneurysm is one of the most significant complications of myocardial infarction and it is thought to develop in 5–10% of all patients with acute myocardial infarction. Case report A 50-year-old male patient with a history of chronic alcohol abuse and risk factors for coronary heart disease was treated twice in the regional hospital center because of heart failure. Initially, echocardiography was not performed. Three years later he was admitted to the Urgent Center with a chief complaint of chest pain. He was evaluated by echocardiography, which showed a scar affecting the inferior wall of the left ventricle with an aneurysm on its basal portion which contained a thrombus. The patient also underwent transesophageal echocardiography which confirmed that there was a rupture of the commissural chordae tendineae of the posterior mitral leaflet with severe regurgitation. In consideration of these findings, the patient was referred to undergo coronary angiography, which revealed single vessel coronary artery disease. The patient subsequently underwent cardiac surgery for mitral valve replacement with an artificial valve, along with repair of the left ventricular aneurysm. Conclusion With consideration of his history of alcohol abuse, our patient likely experienced a silent inferior-basal myocardial infarction complicated by the development of an aneurysm of the ventricular wall. Subacute bacterial endocarditis may have been a contributing factor leading to infarction and rupture of the mitral valve chordae tendineae, and causing symptoms of heart failure and chest pain in our patient. © 2017 The Czech Society of Cardiology