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Background: Data show that due to endothelial damage and thrombogenic effects, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may accelerate the development of atherosclerosis and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The impaired metabolism of aminothiols increases oxidative stress, as these molecules are involved in antioxidant defense as well as in thiol redox control. In this study, total levels of selected aminothiols (i.e., cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (HCy), and glutathione) in convalescents after coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) were evaluated. The analyses were made according to the sex of the patients, time from COVID-19 onset, and COVID-19 severity. Methods: The study group consisted of 212 patients after COVID-19. Levels of total aminothiols were assessed in the blood plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The mean Cys concentrations were higher in men than in women (229.92 µmol/L ± 51.54 vs. 210.35 µmol/L ± 41.90, respectively; p = 0.003). Differences in Cys levels were also noticed in the total study group between patients distinguished due to time from disease onset (226.82 µmol/L ± 40.57 in <12 weeks, 232.23 µmol/L ± 47.99 in patients 12–24 weeks, and 208.08 µmol/L ± 48.43 in patients >24 weeks; p = 0.005). In addition, over 11% of total patients 12–24 weeks from disease onset had Cys levels above 300 µmol/L compared to almost 4% of patients <12 weeks and 2% of patients >24 weeks (p = 0.046). In sex-adjusted subgroups, significant differences due to time from COVID-19 were found in Cys levels in women (p = 0.004) and in glutathione levels in men (p = 0.024). None of the aminothiol levels differed between the subgroups based on the severity of COVID-19. Conclusions: Men had overall higher Cys levels than women. Cys levels were lower >24 weeks after COVID-19 onset than in the earlier period after disease onset. A partial elevation in Cys levels 12–24 weeks after the disease onset may contribute to the increase in CVD risk in the post-COVID-19 period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) increase cardiovascular risk and worsen patients' prognoses. One early predictor of increased risk is a change in arterial stiffness. This study aimed to evaluate arterial stiffness parameters using the non-invasive photoplethysmography (PPG) method in Polish patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and/or atherosclerosis (AS). Methods: The study group consisted of 333 patients (Caucasians, both sexes, aged 30–85 years old). Patients were analyzed in four groups depending on AH and AS (Group I: patients without AH or AS, Group II: AH patients, Group III: AS patients, and Group IV: AH/AS patients) and, in addition, according to sex and history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Arterial stiffness parameters, i.e., reflection index (RI), peak-to-peak time (PPT), and stiffness index (SI) were automatically calculated with PPG based on the analysis of the pulse wave contour. Results: Mean values of RI and SI were higher in men than women (p < 0.001 each). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) also differed between sexes (p = 0.010). Mean SI values differed between the study groups (p = 0.038) with the highest SI found in AS/AH patients and the lowest—in patients without AH or AS. The mean SI values were significantly lower in women compared to men in both Group I and Group II (p = 0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively). The mean values of RI were also greater in men than in women in Group I and Group II (p < 0.001 for each group). Regarding COVID-19 history, only HR values differed between patients with and without COVID-19 in AH patients (p = 0.012). In AH patients, men had higher values of RI and SI compared to women (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). On the other hand, AS women with COVID-19 had significantly greater mean values of SI (9.66 m/s ± 1.61) than men with COVID-19 (7.98 m/s ± 1.09) (p = 0.045). Conclusions: The present study confirmed that sex had a significant impact on arterial stiffness parameters. Both AH and AS affected arterial stiffness. Heart rate was greater in hypertensive patients after COVID-19 compared to hypertensive patients without COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: His bundle pacing (HBP) is suitable for 80% of patients with any indication for permanent pacemaker implantation, with a clinical benefit compared to right ventricular pacing (RVP). Although complications and mortality related to RVP are widely reported in the literature, data on HBP are limited. This study aimed to analyze HBP complications and outcomes in the short-term (up to 30 days) and long-term (up to the following 24 months) follow-up (F/U). Materials and Methods: The study includes 373 patients aged ≥ 18, enrolled from October 2015 to May 2019 in a single-center HBP prospective registry conducted in the Department of Electrocardiology, Upper Silesian Medical Centre of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. Mortality and HBP complications were used as end-points: during hospitalization and up to 30 days (short-term F/U), and for each F/U point—six months, 12 months, and 24 months after the procedure (long-term F/U). Results: Successful HBP was achieved in 252 patients (68%), with an increasing success rate during consecutive years: 57% in 2015–2016 and 73% in 2017–2019. Complications were found in 8.4% of patients (21/252) in short-term F/U and 5.8% (13/224), 5.5% (11/201), and 6.9% (12/174) at six months, 12 months, and 24 months, respectively. There were no deaths during the first 30 days. However, 26 patients (10.3%) died within 24 months. A left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 34% was the only independent predictor of all-cause mortality or any major complication in the 24-month F/U. Conclusions: This single-center study reported a low risk of mortality and complications associated with HBP at the short-term F/U. However, during the long-term F/U, we observed a higher but acceptable risk of major complications, with a lower LVEF being an independent predictor of the composite end-point of all-cause mortality or any major complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Electromechanical coupling in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is not fully understood. Our aim was to determine the best combination of electrical and mechanical substrates associated with effective CRT. Methods and results Sixty-two patients were prospectively enrolled from two centres. Patients underwent 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), echocardiography, and anatomo-electromechanical mapping (AEMM). Remodelling was measured as the end-systolic volume (ΔESV) decrease at 6 months. CRT was defined effective with ΔESV ≤ −15%. QRS duration (QRSd) was measured from ECG. Area strain was obtained from AEMM and used to derive systolic stretch index (SSI) and total left-ventricular mechanical time. Total left-ventricular activation time (TLVAT) and transeptal time (TST) were derived from AEMM and ECG. Scar was measured from CMR. Significant correlations were observed between ΔESV and TST [rho = 0.42; responder: 50 (20–58) vs. non-responder: 33 (8–44) ms], TLVAT [−0.68; 81 (73–97) vs. 112 (96–127) ms], scar [−0.27; 0.0 (0.0–1.2) vs. 8.7 (0.0–19.1)%], and SSI [0.41; 10.7 (7.1–16.8) vs. 4.2 (2.9–5.5)], but not QRSd [−0.13; 155 (140–176) vs. 167 (155–177) ms]. TLVAT and SSI were highly accurate in identifying CRT response [area under the curve (AUC) > 0.80], followed by scar (AUC > 0.70). Total left-ventricular activation time (odds ratio = 0.91), scar (0.94), and SSI (1.29) were independent factors associated with effective CRT. Subjects with SSI >7.9% and TLVAT <91 ms all responded to CRT with a median ΔESV ≈ −50%, while low SSI and prolonged TLVAT were more common in non-responders (ΔESV ≈ −5%). Conclusion Electromechanical measurements are better associated with CRT response than conventional ECG variables. The absence of scar combined with high SSI and low TLVAT ensures effectiveness of CRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cell therapy has the potential to improve symptoms and clinical outcomes in refractory angina (RFA). Further analyses are needed to evaluate factors influencing its therapeutic effectiveness. Aim: Assessment of electromechanical (EM) parameters of the left ventricle (LV) and investigation of correlation between EM parameters of the myocardium and response to CD133+ cell therapy. Material and methods: Thirty patients with RFA (16 active and 14 placebo individuals) enrolled in the REGENT-VSEL trial underwent EM evaluation of the LV with intracardiac mapping system. The following parameters were analyzed: unipolar voltage (UV), bipolar voltage (BV), local linear shortening (LLS). Myocardial ischemia was evaluated with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The median value of each EM parameter was used for intra-group comparisons. Results: Global EM parameters (UV, BV, LLS) of LV in active and placebo groups were 11.28 mV, 3.58 mV, 11.12%, respectively; 13.00 mV, 3.81 mV, 11.32%, respectively. EM characteristics analyzed at global and segmental levels did not predict response to CD133+ cell therapy in patients with RFA (Global UV, BV and LLS at rest R = -0.06; R = 0.2; R = -0.1 and at stress: R = 0.07, R = 0.09, R = -0.1, respectively; Segmental UV, BV, LLS at rest R = -0.2, R = 0.03, R = -0.4 and at stress R = 0.02, R = 0.2, R = -0.2, respectively). Multiple linear regression of the treated segments showed that only pre-injection SPECT levels were significantly correlated with post-injection SPECT, either at rest or stress (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Electromechanical characteristics of the left ventricle do not predict changes of myocardial perfusion by SPECT after cell therapy. Baseline SPECT results are only predictors of changes of myocardial ischemia observed at 4-month follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]