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Cognitive impairment (CI) is an important comorbidity in patients with heart failure (HF). Its prevalence parallels the severity of heart failure, while it is an independent prognostic marker of adverse events. Various factors contribute to cognitive decline in HF, influencing self-care. There are no standardized screening methods for the diagnosis and management of these patients. The aim of the present manuscript is to provide an overview of the impact of cognitive impairment in HF, describe the utility of assessment tools and imaging methods for the evaluation of CI, and propose a comprehensive diagnostic and management approach.

AIMS Oral sucrosomial iron (SI) combines enhanced bioavailability and tolerance compared to conventional oral iron along with similar efficacy compared to intravenous iron in several conditions associated with iron deficiency (ID). METHODS AND RESULTS In this non-randomized, open-label study, we sought to evaluate prospectively the effects of SI on clinical parameters, exercise capacity and quality of life in 25 patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and ID, treated with SI 28 mg daily for 3 months, in comparison to 25 matched HFrEF controls. All patients were on optimal stable HF therapy. Patients were followed for 6 months for death or worsening HF episodes. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between groups. At 3 months, SI was associated with a significant increase in haemoglobin, serum iron and serum ferritin levels (all P ≤ 0.001) along with a significant improvement in 6-min walked distance and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (all P

Atrial tachyarrhythmias and worsening heart failure frequently coexist and potentially progress to a life threatening condition. Therapeutic approach requires simultaneous management of rapid ventricular response and heart failure symptom relief in order to improve haemodynamic stability and cardiac function. Landiolol is an ultra-short-acting b-adrenergic receptor blocker with high b1 selectivity incorporated in 2020 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation. We provide a report of two cases with atrial fibrillation treated with landiolol in the acute setting of pulmonary oedema and cardiogenic shock, respectively. Additionally, we searched the international database PUBMED (MEDLINE, PubMed Central) to retrieve scientific evidence regarding its implementation in the treatment of atrial tachyarrhythmias in patients with cardiac dysfunction. Recent studies support the use of landiolol in patients with acute heart failure and atrial tachyarrhythmias. Compared to digoxin, landiolol proved to be more effective in controlling heart rate, with minimal adverse effects. Moreover, landiolol may be helpful in the conversion of atrial tachyarrhythmia to sinus rhythm. A more potent effect has been reported in patients with heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction, small left ventricular volume and high blood pressure. Likewise, administration of low doses of landiolol in patients with cardiogenic shock and atrial tachyarrhythmias reduced heart rate and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and improved cardiac contractility without reducing blood pressure. Landiolol seems to be an attractive alternative in the acute management of patients with atrial tachyarrhythmias and cardiac dysfunction, though further clinical trials are needed to establish its role.

In light of the accumulating evidence on the negative predictive value of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), a group of experts from the fields of intensive care medicine, emergency medicine, internal medicine and infectious diseases frame a position statement on the role of suPAR in the screening of patients admitted to the emergency department. The statement is framed taking into consideration existing publications and our own research experience. The main content of this statement is that sUPAR is a non-specific marker associated with a high negative predictive value for unfavourable outcomes; levels < 4 ng/ml indicate that it is safe to discharge the patient, whereas levels > 6 ng/ml are an alarming sign of risk for unfavourable outcomes. However, the suPAR levels should always be interpreted in light of the patient's history.

Aim Endothelial glycocalyx is involved in the clinical course of atherogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether disturbance of glycocalyx integrity is related with increased cardiovascular risk. Methods Perfused Boundary Region (PBR), a marker of glycocalyx integrity, was measured non-invasively in sublingual microvessels with a diameter ranging from 5–25 μm using a dedicated camera (Sideview, Darkfield Imaging). Increased PBR indicates reduced glycocalyx thickness. We measured baseline PBR in 400 apparently healthy subjects, without established cardiovascular disease. We prospectively monitored the occurrence of major cardiovascular events (MACE-death, myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure hospitalization) during a 6-year follow-up period using electronic records and clinic visits. Results Forty-three MACE were documented during follow-up. Subjects with PBR at 5–9 μm microvessel diameter greater than 1.15 μm (mean value of the study cohort) had 2-fold higher risk for MACE than those with lower PBR in a model including sex, age, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, current smoking, family history of coronary artery disease and treatment with ACEi/ARBs or lipid lowering agents (hazard ratio (HR): 2.49; 95% CI: 1.23–5.02, p=0.011, net reclassification improvement (NRI): 25%; C-statistic: 0.738). PBR5-9 ≥1.15 was an independent and additive predictor of outcome when added in a model including SCORE, risk factors not included in SCORE (diabetes, family history of CAD) and medication (HR: 2.48 NRI: 23.8%, C-statistic increase from 0.629 to 0.678, for all cardiac events and HR: 4.19, NRI: 33.1%, C-statistic increase from 0.654 to 0.734 for death myocardial infarction and stroke, p Conclusion Endothelial glycocalyx integrity is an independent and additive predictor to atherosclerotic risk factors for adverse outcome at 6 years follow-up in individuals without diagnosed cardiovascular disease. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

We investigated whether disturbance of glycocalyx integrity is related with increased cardiovascular risk. In 600 healthy subjects, we measured perfused boundary region (PBR), a marker of glycocalyx integrity, in sublingual microvessels with diameter ranging 5-25 µm using a dedicated camera (Sideview Darkfield Imaging). Increased PBR indicates reduced glycocalyx thickness. We prospectively monitored the occurrence of cardiovascular events (MACE-death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) during a 6-year follow-up. Fifty-seven MACE were documented. Increased values of PBR5-25 predicted higher risk for MACE in a model including sex, age, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, family history of coronary disease, treatment with ACEi/ARBs, or lipid-lowering agents (hazard ratio (HR), 6.44, p = 0.011; net reclassification improvement (NRI), 28%; C-statistic: 0.761). PBR5-25 was an independent and additive predictor of outcome when added in a model including the European Heart SCORE, diabetes, family history of CAD, and medication (HR, 4.71; NRI: 39.7%, C-statistic from 0.653 to 0.693; p lt; 0.01).Glycocalyx integrity is an independent and additive predictor to risk factors for MACE at 6-year follow-up in individuals without cardiovascular disease. ClinicalTrials.govIdentifier:NCT04646252. PBR5-25 was an independent and additive predictor of adverse cardiovascular events in a model including the European Heart SCORE, diabetes, family history of coronary disease, and medication (HR: 4.71, NRI: 39.7%, C-statistic from 0.653 to 0.693; p lt; 0.01, NRI:37.9%).

Heart failure (HF) has been classified in chronic HF (CHF) and acute HF (AHF). The latter has been subdivided in acutely decompensated chronic HF (ADCHF) defined as the deterioration of preexisting CHF and de novo AHF defined as the rapid development of new symptoms and signs of HF that requires urgent medical attention. However, ADCHF and de novo AHF have fundamental pathophysiological differences. Most importantly, the typical illness trajectory of HF, which is similar to that of other chronic organ diseases including lung, renal, and liver failure, features a gradual decline, with acute episodes usually related to disease evolution followed by partial recovery. Thus, ADCHF should be considered part of the natural history of CHF and renamed CHF exacerbation (CHFE) in accordance with the appropriate terminology used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. AHF, in turn, should include only acute de novo HF. The clinical implications of this paradigm shift will be in CHFE the change in focus from in-hospital to optimal ambulatory CHF management aiming at primary and secondary CHFE prevention, while in AHF, the institution of measures for in-hospital limitation of cardiac injury and prevention or retardation of symptomatic CHF development.

Inotropes are pharmacological agents that are indicated for the treatment of patients presenting with acute heart failure (AHF) with concomitant hypoperfusion due to decreased cardiac output. They are usually administered for a short period during the initial management of AHF until haemodynamic stabilisation and restoration of peripheral perfusion occur. They can be used for longer periods to support patients as a bridge to a more definite treatment, such as transplant of left ventricular assist devices, or as part of a palliative care regimen. The currently available inotropic agents in clinical practice fall into three main categories: beta-agonists, phosphodiesterase III inhibitors and calcium sensitisers. However, due to the well-documented potential for adverse events and their association with increased long-term mortality, physicians should be aware of the indications and dosing strategies suitable for different types of patients. Novel inotropes that use alternative intracellular pathways are under investigation, in an effort to minimise the drawbacks that conventional inotropes exhibit.

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a common clinical challenge that a wide spectrum of physicians encounters in every practice. In many cases, AHF is due to decompensation of chronic heart failure. This decompensation may be triggered by various reasons, with sepsis being a notable one. Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the dysregulated host response to infection and is associated with a very high mortality, which may reach 25%. Alarmingly, the increase in the mortality rate of patients with combined cardiac dysfunction and sepsis is extremely high (may reach 90%). Thus, these patients need urgent intervention. Management of patients with AHF and sepsis is challenging since cornerstone interventions for AHF may be contraindicated in sepsis and vice versa (e.g., diuretic treatment). Unfortunately, no relevant guidelines are yet available, and treatment remains empirical. This review attempts to shed light on the intricacies of the available interventions and suggests routes of action based on the existing bibliography.

Advanced neuroimaging is one of the most important means that we have in the attempt to overcome time constraints and expand the use of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). We assessed whether, and how, the prior use of advanced neuroimaging (AN), and more specifically CT/MR perfusion post-processed with RAPID software, regardless of time from symptoms onset, affected the outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who received IVT. Methods. We retrospectively evaluated consecutive AIS patients who received intravenous thrombolysis monotherapy (without endovascular reperfusion) during a six-year period. The study population was divided into two groups according to the neuroimaging protocol used prior to IVT administration in AIS patients (AN+ vs. AN−). Safety outcomes included any intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and 3-month mortality. Effectiveness outcomes included door-to-needle time, neurological status (NIHSS-score) on discharge, and functional status at three months assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results. The rate of IVT monotherapy increased from ten patients per year (n = 29) in the AN− to fifteen patients per year (n = 47) in the AN+ group. Although the onset-to-treatment time was longer in the AN+ cohort, the two groups did not differ in door-to-needle time, discharge NIHSS-score, symptomatic ICH, any ICH, 3-month favorable functional outcome (mRS-scores of 0–1), 3-month functional independence (mRS-scores of 0–2), distribution of 3-month mRS-scores, or 3-month mortality. Conclusion. Our pilot observational study showed that the incorporation of advanced neuroimaging in the acute stroke chain pathway in AIS patients increases the yield of IVT administration without affecting the effectiveness and safety of the treatment.

Background: \ud The role of neurohormonal inhibition in chronic heart failure is well established. There is limited data on the effect of up-titration of renin angiotensin inhibition (RASi) and beta-blockers (BBs) on clinical outcomes of patients with worsening heart failure (HF) across the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) spectrum.\ud \ud Methods and results: \ud We analyzed data from 2345 patients from BIOSTAT-CHF (80.9% LVEF

In the acute cardiac care setting, undifferentiated clinical presentations such as dyspnea, chest pain, shock, and cardiac arrest are common diagnostic challenges for the clinician. Lung ultrasonography is a well-established diagnostic tool which can be integrated in simplified decision making algorithms during the initial approach of the patient, in order to differentiate accurately cardiac from non-cardiac causes and improve the management of time-sensitive cardiovascular emergencies.

Introduction Secondary acute heart failure (AHF) during hospitalization for another primary diagnosis is a frequent in-hospital complication. Purpose This analysis aims to describe differences in prognosis of these patients in comparison with patients admitted for AHF (primary AHF diagnosis) and also identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Methods This is a sub-analysis of the Acute Heart Failure Global Survey of Standard Treatment (ALARM-HF), which enrolled 4953 patients from 9 countries. All parameters univariately associated with in-hospital mortality in the primary and secondary AHF groups were included in the multivariate logistic regression model. Results Secondary AHF diagnosis was observed in 24.1% (N=1196) of the total study cohort. These patients demonstrated almost double all-cause in-hospital mortality rates compared to patients with primary AHF (16.9% versus 8.9%, p In patients with primary AHF, negative prognostic factors included older age (>75 years) (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.24–3.26, p=0.004), acute coronary syndromes (ACS) (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.57–4.69, p In secondary AHF, independent predictors of in-hospital mortality included left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 75 years (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.09–4.54, p=0.026), ACS (OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.50–8.39, p=0.004), diabetes (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.23–4.16, p=0.008), pre-admission treatment with digoxin (OR 7.27, 95% CI 1.83–28.87, p=0.005), in-hospital medication with dobutamine (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.28–4.61, p=0.006), dopamine (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.12–4.67, p=0.022) and noradrenaline (OR 4.14, 95% CI 1.76–9.76, p=0.001). Covariates independently associated with survival benefit in secondary AHF were pre-admission treatment with diuretics (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.09–0.88, p=0.030) and in-hospital treatment with ACEIs (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.07–0.39, p Conclusion Patients with secondary AHF experienced a more complicated in-hospital course with worse prognosis, compared to primary AHF. LVEF 75 years, ACS, diabetes, pre-admission treatment with digitalis, in-hospital medication with dobutamine, dopamine and noradrenaline were identified as independent negative prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality in secondary AHF patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Purpose of review Cardiogenic shock is a multifactorial and diverse entity in which inotropes are the cornerstone therapy. Although published clinical trials have focused on pharmacologic treatment of cardiogenic shock, there is lack of an established and widely accepted decision-making algorithm on the use of inotropic agents in cardiogenic shock. Recent findings The current review incorporates cardiogenic shock pathophysiology, inotropes and vasopressors pharmacodynamics. It emphasizes on each agent's indications, potential adverse effects, highlights special considerations and fsummarizes the recent guidelines. Summary Finally, proposes an algorithm of inotropes and vasopressors use and their potential combinations based on the clinical stage of cardiogenic shock. This algorithm can be used as a guide during the initial management of cardiogenic shock while underlying cause investigation is underway.

Risk stratification in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has been previously based on the severity of acute clinical presentation, presence of cardiovascular comorbidities, and abnormalities of ischemia-specific biomarkers, most importantly troponins. Natriuretic peptides (NPs), which become elevated upon increased myocardial wall stress, are established diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in patients with heart failure. Recently, their prognostic potential in ACS has been reported, specifically as predictors of future new-onset heart failure or left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. In the current issue of the Hellenic Journal of Cardiology, a new role of NPs is suggested in ACS as predictors of long-term mortality associated with recurrent cardiac ischemic events, specifically in patients with preserved or mid-range LV ejection fraction upon index ACS. Potential pathophysiological mechanisms that explain the association between augmented NP levels with recurrent myocardial ischemia are hypothesized including the potential of NPs to reflect augmented local and/or systemic inflammation, prothrombotic state, and vascular dysregulation. Keywords: Natriuretic peptides, Acute coronary syndromes, Prognosis

Inotropes aim at increasing cardiac output by enhancing cardiac contractility. They constitute the third pharmacological pillar in the treatment of patients with decompensated heart failure, the other two being diuretics and vasodilators. Three classes of parenterally administered inotropes are currently indicated for decompensated heart failure, (i) the beta adrenergic agonists, including dopamine and dobutamine and also the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine, (ii) the phosphodiesterase III inhibitor milrinone and (iii) the calcium sensitizer levosimendan. These three families of drugs share some pharmacologic traits, but differ profoundly in many of their pleiotropic effects. Identifying the patients in need of inotropic support and selecting the proper inotrope in each case remain challenging. The present consensus, derived by a panel meeting of experts from 21 countries, aims at addressing this very issue in the setting of both acute and advanced heart failure., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Objective To study the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with severe sepsis and baseline hyperglycemia and investigate the impact of hyperglycemia on the final outcome. Patients A total of 265 patients admitted with severe sepsis in 3 major hospitals in South-Western Greece, during a 1-year period, were included in the study. Patients were divided in 3 groups according to their glycemic profile at admission: patients with stress hyperglycemia (group SH, n = 47), with diabetes mellitus (group DM, n = 65), and with normal glucose level (group NG, n = 153). Hyperglycemia was defined as an admission or in-hospital fasting glucose level of ≥126 mg/dL or a random blood glucose level of ≥200 mg/dL on ≥2 determinations. Results A total of 42.2% of patients with severe sepsis had baseline hyperglycemia with 17.7% having sepsis-induced stress hyperglycemia. No family history was noted in the SH group. A higher percentage of septic patients with stress hyperglycemia died compared with patients with normal glucose levels (42.5% versus 13.7%) and diabetics (42.5% versus 24.6%). Group DM had also a poorer prognosis than group NG (24.6% versus 13.7%). A positive correlation was detected between the fasting blood glucose levels of group SH and the severity of sepsis indicated by sepsis-related organ failure assessment score. Conclusion Baseline hyperglycemia, including stress-induced hyperglycemia, is common in patients with severe sepsis. Stress-induced hyperglycemia is related to a more severe disease and poorer prognosis.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prognostic role of severe hypoxemia on admission as an independent risk factor of pulmonary complications and mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis. Pulmonary complications were studied in 166 previously healthy patients with acute pancreatitis. Forty-eight patients (28.9%) developed one or more pulmonary complications, including pleural effusion, atelectasis, pulmonary consolidations, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Pulmonary consolidations (odds ratio = 7.25) and, especially, ARDS (odds ratio = 22.9) were significantly associated with severe baseline hypoxemia (PaO2

A 45-year-old man was admitted for high-grade fever (39 jC) in the preceding 10 days, accompanied by rigor and dry cough. He had a history of alcohol abuse and mild cirrhosis (Child B stage). On admission, he appeared ill, with tachycardia and normal blood pressure. There were bilateral diffuse coarse lung crepitations. Heart sounds were normal. Hemoglobin was 10 mg/dl and leukocytes were 22 10 l 1 (90% neutrophils). He had mild renal failure and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. Arterial blood gases showed mild respiratory alkalosis. The electrocardiogram (ECG) showed sinus tachycardia. Chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Stain for acid-fast bacilli and serologic screening for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C were negative. With a diagnosis of pulmonary infection, the patient was started on ciprofloxacin and clindamycin. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed small pericardial effusion, with no evidence of vegetations on any of the four cardiac valves. A thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan revealed two dense irregular regions of consolidation (2 cm each) in contact with the pleural surface in the right posterior and left upper lobe. Lung perfusion scintillation scanningwas unremarkable. An abdominal CTscan revealed splenomegaly and an enlarged liver with cirrhotic morphology. On the fourth hospital day, the patient developed rapid atrial fibrillation with signs of heart failure. Hemoglobin