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Apelin is a recently isolated novel endogenous ligand for the angiotensin-like 1 receptor (APJ). Initial experiments in animal models indicate that the cardiovascular system is the main target of the apelin-APJ system. Apelin plays an opposite role to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system as a compensatory mechanism. It is reduced in patients with heart failure, also of ischemic origin. However, only animal studies concern the role of the apelin-APJ system in myocardial ischemia. Less is known about the function of this adipokine in an acute phase of myocardial infarction in human. The apelin-APJ system could perhaps be involved in myocardial protection during acute myocardial ischemia. In the current review we have summarized recent data concerning the role of apelin in acute myocardial infarction and heart failure induced by ischemia., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The heterogeneous group of patients admitted to Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) as well as nonspecific complaints associated with anemia might be the reason for underdiagnosing or minimization of this problem. Because of this heterogeneity, there are no clear guidelines to follow. It is known that anemia is impairing the outcome. Thus, it is crucial to keep alert in the diagnosis and treatment of anemia, especially in critically ill cardiac patients. The greatest groups of patients admitted to ICCU are those with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), severe arrhythmias as well as individuals after cardiac operations. However, patients suffering other critical cardiac illnesses quite often become anemic during hospitalization in ICCU. It is because anemia is typed in the clinical features of heavy diseases or may be the consequence of treatment. The current review focuses on the incidence, complex etiology and predictive role of anemia in a diverse group of ICCU patients. It discusses clinical aspects of anemia treatment in particular groups of critically ill cardiac patients because proper treatment increases chances for recovery and improves the outcome in this severe group of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]