Echocardiographic Findings of Covid-19 Patients in Canton Sarajevo During the Third Wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Background: Increasing evidence indicates that COVID-19 may result in cardiac issues in certain individuals, such as myocarditis, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Ongoing research on echocardiographic manifestations is still limited. Objective: To investigate the incidence and patterns of left and right ventricular dysfunction in COVID-19 patients. Methods: This study retrospectively observed COVID-19 patients admitted to the Clinical Center of University of Sarajevo during the third wave, with a particular focus on cardiac evaluations. Results: Our patients, predominantely male 155 (72.4%), with a mean age of 66.2±11.4, having hypertension 86 (40.1%), diabetes mellitus 61 (28.5%), hyperlipidemia 144 (67.3%), were active smokers 87 (40.6%), had family history of cardiovascular diseases 123 (57.5%) and were COVID-19 positive 95 (44.4%), presented because of chest pain 78 (36.4%), dyspnea 103 (48.1%), palpitations 67 (31.3%), fatigue 106 (49.5%) and peripheral oedema 30 (14.0%). COVID-19 patients reported much higher symptoms of dyspnea (65 (68.4%) vs 38 (31.9%)) and fatigue (73 (76.8%) vs 33 (27.7%)) than COVID-19 negative patients. On the initial laboratory report, COVID-19 patients had a significantly (p<0.05) higher mean score of C-reactive protein (24.0±4.8 vs. 6.0±2.1), D-dimer (1.6±2.5 vs 0.8±0.6), ALT (94.8±17.2 vs 36.5±19.9) and creatinine (128.0±80.8 vs. 93.4±40.1) when compared to COVID-19 negative patients. COVID-19 patients had enlarged left atrium diametes (31.6±5.6 vs 27.5±5.3), enlarged left ventricular diameter both in systole (27.9±18.1 vs 23.3±16.3) and diastole (39.3±24.1 vs 34.9±22.7), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (53.5±9.2 vs 59.8±4.3) and elevated right ventricular systolic pressure (37.0±16.4 vs 35.1±8.6). Conclusion: COVID-19 patients had enlarged left atrium, enlarged systolic and diastolic left ventricular diameter, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and elevated right ventricular systolic pressure.

Bystanders' cardiopulmonary resuscitation involvement in the treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest events and educational status regarding basic life support measures and automated external defibrillator usage among residents in Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Aim To investigate bystanders' CPR involvement in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) events, their current knowledge regarding OHCA and BLS measures, their willingness to learn BLS measures with the usage of AEDs, as well as current practices. Methods This cross-sectional study included: data regarding all OHCA events treated at the Emergency Medical Service of Canton Sarajevo between January 2015 and December 2019, and an online anonymous questionnaire that examined knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding basic life support (BLS) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Results A total of 328 (24.0 %) of 1362 OHCA events achieved the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). OHCA incidence was 62/100.000 inhabitants per year. Male gender (p=0.043) and younger age (p<0.001) were significantly associated with obtaining ROSC. Only 44 (3.2%) OHCA events were assisted by bystanders, who were mostly medical professionals 38 (86.4%), followed by close family members 6 (13.6%). There was no report of AED usage. BLS and AED knowledge test score was in the range 12.0-89.8% with generally poor knowledge. Our residents agreed that BLS measurements are essential, 1604 (86.7 %) and that BLS should be a part of their curriculum, 1678 (90.7 %). Conclusion The prevalence of OHCA events in Bosnia and Herzegovina is similar to the region; ROSC among OHCA events was lower than European average, but among highest in the region. There was an extremely low rate of bystander engagement and no AEDs usage. Governmental institutions and health agencies should intervene to increase population knowledge thus increasing OHCA survival rate.

Management and Invasive Cardiological Review by Comparison of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Left Anterior Descending Artery with Drug Eluting and Bare Metal Stents.

INTRODUCTION: The dominant global public health challenge are non-communicable diseases. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data. The fifth leading causes of death in FB&H are diseases of the heart and coronary arteries: stroke, acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, cardiomyopathy and essential hypertension. The prevention of these diseases has great importance in improving health in B&H. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is in estimation of one-year survival and left heart systolic function after the treatment. After the data collection and evidence of their statistical value, the results of the research point to the profile of patients with a LAD disease in one-vessel coronary artery disease that should be subjected to PCI DES LAD and PCI BMS LAD, respectively, or creating guidelines for a better and more effective LAD treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed as retrospective/ prospective, clinically controlled for a period of three years. In this study was included 60 patients, which was followed in 12 months period. With the PCI BMS method was treated 63.3% and 36.7% of subjects were treated with the PCI DES in LAD. CONCLUSION: The number of complications in patients with one-vessel LAD coronary heart disease, treated with PCI DES and PCI BMS was statistically significant. One possible complication (4 patients) is due to the spread of the disease to other blood vessels. Due to possible complications in the treated or LAD with repeated stenosis, the complication in terms of restenosis of the previously placed stent in 75% are with BM stents justifying the use of drug eluting stent, while the progression of disease in patients (2 patients) indicates the need for detection and prevention of risk factors.