Predictors of Premature Ventricular Contractions Development in Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Background: Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive patients often develop atrial fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), and conduction disorders. The manifestation of ventricular cardiac arrhythmias accentuates the risk of sudden cardiac death. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on the cohort of 1,614 patients admitted for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients were categorized into two groups based on the occurrence of PVCs. Group I comprised 172 patients diagnosed with PVCs of Lown-Wolf class II - IV upon hospital admission; group II (control group) consisted of 1,442 patients without this arrhythmia. Each patient underwent comprehensive clinical, laboratory, and instrumental evaluations. Results: The emergence of PVCs in individuals afflicted with COVID-19 was associated with a 5.879-fold heightened risk of lethal outcome, a 2.904-fold elevated risk of acute myocardial infarction, and a 2.437-fold increased risk of pulmonary embolism. Upon application of diagnostic criteria to evaluate the "cytokine storm", it was discovered that the occurrence of the "cytokine storm" was notably more frequent in the group with PVCs, manifesting in six patients (3.5%), compared to 16 patients (1.1%) in the control group (P < 0.05). The mean extent of lung tissue damage in group I was significantly greater than that of patients in group II (P < 0.05). Notably, the average oxygen saturation level, as measured by pulse oximetry upon hospital admission was 92.63±3.84% in group I and 94.20±3.50% in group II (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The presence of PVCs in COVID-19 patients was found to elevate the risk of cardiovascular complications. Significant independent predictors for the development of PVCs in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection include: age over 60 years (risk ratio (RR): 4.6; confidence interval (CI): 3.2 - 6.5), a history of myocardial infarction (RR: 3.5; CI: 2.6 - 4.6), congestive heart failure (CHF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (RR: 5.5; CI: 3.9 - 7.6), respiratory failure (RR: 2.3; CI: 1.7 - 3.1), and the presence of a "cytokine storm" (RR: 4.5; CI: 2.9 - 6.0).

Relationship of Pericardial Fat Tissue With Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients Without Cardiovascular Diseases.

Background: Obesity and related cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are important public health problems. The role of visceral ectopic fat remains contested. We studied the relationship between pericardial fat tissue (PFT) volume and CVD risk factors. Methods: We examined 320 patients (average age 63.8 ± 19.9 years) without manifested CVD. Anthropometric indicators were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides were assessed. Cardiovascular (CV) risk was calculated using the SCORE system. All patients underwent chest computed tomography with detection of PFT volume using specialized semiautomatic software. Results: Among study participants with normal body mass, the PFT volume was 1.95 cm3 [2.1; 3.9], while it was 3.0 cm3 [2.0; 3.7] in overweight patients and 3.6 cm3 [2.7; 4.7] in obese patients (P < 0.001). Patients with hypertension (HTN) also had significantly higher PFT volumes compared with individuals without HTN: 3.1 cm3 [2.3; 4.15] versus 1.8 cm3 [1.0; 2.5] (P < 0.001). Patients with higher CV risk had significantly higher PFT volume, categorized as follows: 1.6 cm3 [1.0; 2.4], low risk; 2.24 cm3 [2.0; 3.1], moderate risk; 3.1 cm3 [2.4; 3.7], high risk; and 3.9 cm3 [3.0; 5.1], very high risk, respectively (P < 0.001). Results of multiple regression demonstrated that waist circumference and HDL-C were significantly associated with PFT volume. Another model revealed a significant association of BMI and PFT volume with the level of CV risk. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the association of PFT volume with the major diagnostic criteria of obesity, HTN, lipid disorders, and CV risk measured by the SCORE system.

Relation between Tobacco Smoking/Electronic Smoking and Albuminuria/Vascular Stiffness in Young People without Cardiovascular Diseases.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: Tobacco smoking is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases. In recent years, alternative types of smoking, including vaping, have been becoming popular. The contribution of vape to vascular and renal injury is not known. We studied the relation between smoking of traditional/electronic cigarettes and arterial stiffness and albuminuria, which is also a vascular dysfunction marker. METHODS: We examined 270 young volunteers without significant clinical cardiovascular diseases (mean age: 21.2 ± 2.3 years). Twenty-seven percent of the subjects in the study group were smokers; 69.9% of them smoked traditional cigarettes and 30.1% smoked electronic cigarettes. The urine albumin level was assessed by a dipstick test, and the augmentation index was determined by photoplethysmography. A linear correlation test and multiple regression analysis were applied. RESULTS: The study groups did not differ in basic characteristics. The smokers demonstrated generally higher blood pressure levels and were overweight. Most of the smokers were male. In the groups of smokers, albuminuria was more frequent, especially among vapers (94 vs. 79% in tobacco smokers and 29% in nonsmokers). AU values (median [quartile 25; quartile 75]) were significantly higher in vapers (160 mg/L [150; 207.5]) vs. tobacco smokers (115 mg/L [60; 200]) and vs. nonsmokers (20 mg/L [10; 50]) (р < 0.05). Photoplethysmographic results showed relevant higher augmentation indices among tobacco smokers (-4, [-6.6; -1.9]) and vapers (-5.05 [-13.4; -3.3]) compared to nonsmokers (-16.2 [-23.9; -7]) (р < 0.05). Results of multiple regression analysis demonstrate that smoking of both traditional and electronic cigarettes is related to an increase in the albuminuria level and the augmentation index. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking of both traditional and electronic cigarettes is related to albuminuria and an increase in the augmentation index, which is a noninvasive marker for arterial stiffness.