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).

Pararenal Fat and Renal Dysfunction in Patients without Significant Cardiovascular Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Accumulation of fat tissue around the kidneys is considered to be a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The objective of the study was to investigate the association of pararenal fat tissue (PRFT) and renal dysfunction in patients without clinically significant cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). METHODS: The study included 320 patients without CVDs (mean age 63.8 ± 13.9 years). All patients underwent anthropometric measurements, standard biochemical blood tests, including a lipid panel and uric acid concentration. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using the CKD-EPI formula. All patients underwent computed tomography of the abdomen with measurement of the PRFT thickness. The research results were processed using StatSoftStatistica 10.0 software. RESULTS: The average PRFT thickness was 1.45 cm [0.9; 2.0]. It was significantly higher in obese individuals when compared with patients with normal body weight (1.9 cm [1.3; 2.6] vs. 1.0 cm [0.6; 1.7]) and overweight people (1.9 cm [1.3; 2.6] vs. 1.1 cm [0.8; 1.6]) (p < 0.001). GFR was significantly higher in subjects with normal body weight when compared with obese patients (72 mL/min/1.73 m2 [59; 83] vs. 61 mL/min/1.73 m2 [51; 70]) and overweight patients (72 mL/min/1.73 m2 [59; 83] vs. 61 mL/min/1.73 m2 [54; 72]) (p < 0.001). PRFT thickness was significantly higher in patients with stage 3 CKD when compared with those with stage 1 CKD (2.2 cm [1.6; 3.3] vs. 0.9 cm [0.9; 1.0]) and with stage 2 CKD (2.2 cm [1.6; 3.3] vs. 1.3 cm [0.9; 1.8]) (p < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between PRFT thickness and body mass index (r = 0.49, p < 0.05), waist circumference (r = 0.55, p < 0.05), GFR (r = -0.47, p < 0.05), and uric acid level (r = 0.46, p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between GFR and age (ß ± SE -0.43 ± 0.15, p = 0.01), PRFT thickness (ß ± SE -0.38 ± 0.14, p = 0.01) and with the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ß ± SE -0.32 ± 0.12, p = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of renal dysfunction development was associated with PRFT thickness (OR = 6.198; 95% CI: 1.958-19.617; p < 0.05). ROC analysis determined the threshold values of PRFT thickness (>1.68 cm, AUC = 0.875), above which the development of renal dysfunction can be predicted (sensitivity 63.2%, specificity 93.4%). CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate the relationship between PRFT and visceral obesity and renal dysfunction in patients without clinically significant CVDs.

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.

Case Report: A 64-Year-Old Man with 10-Year History of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis with Bronchiectasis and Severe Klebsiella pneumonia.

BACKGROUND Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare and severe progressive disease with multiple clinical manifestations and organ damage. Usually, it requires long-term monitoring of the state of many organs due to the gradual character of its manifestations. CASE REPORT We report a case of a long-term follow-up of a patient with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis with emphasis on specific clinical features in this patient. A 64-year-old man was being followed up for 10 years. The initial diagnosis was allergic bronchial asthma; however, as new clinical signs and symptoms developed, the diagnosis of EGPA became obvious. A positive treatment response was seen, mainly manifested as reduced polyneuropathy. Meanwhile, bronchial asthma remained uncontrolled and bronchiectasis and Klebsiella pneumoniae colonization developed despite the combination treatment with prednisolone and methotrexate. Furthermore, the patient suffered a cerebral ischemic infarction. During the last hospital admission, severe uncontrolled bronchial asthma complicated with pneumonia resulted in the patient's death. CONCLUSIONS This clinical case shows the gradual development of EGPA with multiple-organ involvement, including respiratory manifestations and peripheral and central nervous system damage. Immunosuppressive treatment combined with complications of EGPA could have contributed to severe pneumonia development and death of the patient.

Metastasis of Testicular Choriocarcinoma in the Stomach, Complicated by the Development of Choriocarcinoma Syndrome.

Choriocarcinoma (CC) is a very rare and aggressive neoplasm. The characteristic feature of this disease is a rapid hematogenous spread, mainly to the lungs and brain, which largely defines clinical signs of the disease and complicates the diagnosis. Gastrointestinal metastases are rare, and of those, only few cases with gastric location have been reported. There are publications describing choriocarcinoma syndrome (CCS). As a rule, it presents in patients with an advanced disease and is characterized by hemorrhage from metastatic foci, leading to hemoptysis and gastrointestinal bleeding. CCS development is associated with poor prognosis and high mortality. This article describes a case of testicular CC with rare few gastric metastases, complicated by CCS.

Anaplastic Carcinoma of the Pancreas: Clinical and Morphological Characteristics.

Anaplastic pancreatic carcinoma is a very rare histological subtype of pancreatic cancer, which is characterized by a more aggressive course than for conventional ductal adenocarcinoma. In this article, we consider the features of the clinical course, the difficulties of diagnosis in connection with the absence of pathognomonic signs of pancreatic cancer, and the morphological picture of this disease in a patient 60 years of age. This clinical case clearly demonstrates the complexities of the pancreatic carcinoma diagnosis, fast disease progression, and extremely unfavorable prognosis. It is important for clinicians to remember that this pathology often has a subclinical course, and the oncomarker levels are not always true.

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.

Central and peripheral hemodynamic effects of losartan and in combination with hydrochlorothiazide in mild to moderate essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin II antagonists have proved to be effective antihypertensive agents with organoprotective properties. We aimed to clarify the effects of losartan and its combination with hydrochlorothiazide on 24-h blood pressures (BPs), central hemodynamics and microcirculation in essential hypertension (EH). METHODS: Forty patients with mild to moderate EH were randomly allocated to receive losartan 50 mg (group I) or losartan 50 mg in combination with hydrochlorothiazide, 12.5 mg (group II). At baseline, week 2 and 8, ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), central hemodynamics monitoring and microcirculation investigation were performed. RESULTS: In both groups, 24-h, daytime and night-time systolic (SBP) and diastolic (SBP) significantly decreased at week 8. DBP decreased more than SBP. Both drug regimens led to significant decrease in total peripheral vascular resistance; stroke and cardiac indexes remained unchanged. Losartan and its combination with hydrochlorothiazide improved main parameters of microcirculation. The index of microcirculation increased, as did the amplitude of cardiodependent and low frequency waves. CONCLUSIONS: Losartan monotherapy and losartan in combination with hydrochlorothiazide are effective antihypertensive agents. The BP-lowering effect is realized through reduction of total peripheral vascular resistance. Moreover, both drug regimens significantly improve parameters of microcirculation.