15 research outputs found
The Importance of the Assessment of Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Scientific Research
No full textEpicardial adipose tissue (EAT) exhibits morphological similarities with pericardial adipose tissue, however, it has different embryological origin and vascularization. EAT is a metabolically active organ and a major source of anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory adipokines, which have a significant impact on cardiac function and morphology. Moreover, it can regulate vascular tone by releasing various molecules. The relationship between EAT and cardiovascular disease and diseases of other organ systems is now considered a common discussion subject. The present clinical review article summarizes the epidemiological findings based on imaging techniques in studies conducted so far. In conclusion, evaluation of the epicardial adipose tissue constitutes a helpful scientific parameter, which can be assessed by means of different diagnostic imaging examinations
Coexistence of Cor Triatriatum Sinister, Fibroelastoma and Pulmonary Veins Ostial Anatomy Variant as Incidental Findings in Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography
No full textCoronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a noninvasive examination whose main purpose is to exclude significant stenosis in the coronary arteries. The obtained computed tomography images may also provide information about other coexisting pathologies of the heart and vessels. The paper presents images of cardiac lesions in a 44-year-old hypertensive patient who underwent CCTA, based on which significant stenosis in the coronary arteries was excluded, the suspicion of a cor triatriatum sinister was confirmed and the presence of fibroelastoma and a variant of the anatomy of the pulmonary veins ostial was confirmed. To sum up, when performing CCTA, apart from the analysis of the coronary arteries, one should remember about lesions in the remaining visible anatomical structures of the heart and large vessels
Coronary-Pulmonary Artery Fistula Recanalization on Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Images
No full textCoronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a non-invasive diagnostic method used (apart from the diagnosis of coronary artery disease) in the diagnosis of malformations of the coronary circulation and monitoring the effects of their treatment. In this paper, the authors present the case of recanalization of the coronary-pulmonary fistula, which was surgically closed in the past. This case highlights that follow-up CCTA after surgical treatment of coronary artery fistula should be performed in every patient. The recommendations regarding the frequency of such follow-up should be made
His Bundle Pacing Improves Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Bradyarrhythmia or Tachy-Brady Syndrome and Permanent Atrial Fibrillation: A Retrospective Analysis
No full textBackground: Permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexists with heart failure (HF), leading to structural remodeling and progressive sinus node dysfunction. As the condition advances, bradyarrhythmia or tachy-brady syndrome may develop. Right ventricular pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy may impair left ventricular function due to non-physiological ventricular activation. His bundle pacing (HBP) offers a more physiological alternative. This study evaluates HBP’s impact on left ventricular function in patients with bradyarrhythmia or tachy-brady syndrome and permanent AF. Methods: A retrospective analysis included 41 patients with HF who underwent HBP implantation due to bradyarrhythmia or tachy-brady syndrome in permanent AF. LVEF, LVEDD, and MR were assessed before and after implantation, alongside the impact of comorbidities (e.g., ischemic heart disease and chronic kidney disease) and pharmacotherapy (digoxin, metoprolol, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists). Statistical analyses included the Wilcoxon test (LVEF and MR), paired Student’s t-test (LVEDD), Spearman’s correlation, and linear regression. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: HBP significantly improved LVEF (median increase: 14.58%; p < 0.001) and reduced LVEDD (mean reduction: 5.41 ± 1.30 mm; p < 0.001). MR severity also decreased (p < 0.001). Patients with lower baseline LVEF showed greater improvement in this parameter after HBP (ρ = −0.671, p < 0.001). Only chronic kidney disease was associated with a lower likelihood of MR improvement (p = 0.0486). Conclusions: HBP improves left ventricular function and reduces MR severity in patients with permanent AF and bradyarrhythmia or tachy-brady syndrome. A low baseline LVEF was the strongest predictor of subsequent improvement. Further studies are needed to confirm long-term benefits
Clinical Significance of Extracellular Volume of Myocardium (ECV) Assessed by Computed Tomography: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
No full textBackground/Objectives: Extracellular volume (ECV) of the myocardium, a biomarker of interstitial space and fibrosis, plays a critical role in cardiac disease diagnosis and prognosis. Although cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for ECV assessment, computed tomography (CT) offers a viable alternative, particularly in patients with contraindications to MRI. This study aimed to assess whether CT-derived ECV is systematically elevated in cardiac diseases associated with myocardial fibrosis. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science up to January 2023 identified 364 studies, including 16 from registers and 4 from manual searches. After exclusions, 73 studies were included in the systematic review. Of these, 15 provided quantitative data on group sizes, mean ECV values, standard deviations, and imaging modalities (CTA, DECT, LIE-DECT) and were analyzed in the meta-analysis. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated using Cochrane Handbook formulas. Statistical analyses employed random-effects models (R version 4.4.2). Results: The pooled analysis showed that ECV was significantly higher in pathological groups compared to controls (SMD 1.60; 95% CI: 1.23–1.96; I2 = 84.6%). Elevated ECV correlated with worse clinical outcomes, including higher mortality in heart failure and advanced myocardial fibrosis in amyloidosis and cardiomyopathies. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that advanced CT techniques (DECT, LIE-DECT) and CTA provided comparable diagnostic accuracy. Conclusions: CT-derived ECV is a reliable, non-invasive marker of myocardial fibrosis, offering diagnostic and prognostic value similar to MRI. Standardizing CT protocols and conducting multicenter studies are essential to validate its broader clinical application
Galectin-3 in Cardiovascular Health: A Narrative Review Based on Life’s Essential 8 and Life’s Simple 7 Frameworks
No full textGal-3, also known as galectin-3, a lectin that binds β-galactosides, has gained attention as a novel biomarker and pathophysiological mediator in cardiovascular disease, where it contributes to inflammation, fibrosis, metabolic dysregulation and cardiac remodeling. This narrative review, developed following SANRA (Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles) guidelines, aims to integrate current clinical and experimental findings on gal-3 into the American Heart Association Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) and Life’s Essential 8 (LE8). By thematically organizing our review across modifiable domains of cardiovascular health, including glucose regulation, lipid metabolism, physical activity, blood pressure, diet, sleep, tobacco use, and body weight (BMI, body mass index), we highlight the role of gal-3 in linking environmental, behavioral and molecular risk factors to cardiometabolic outcomes. Particular attention is given to the oxidative stress, inflammatory–fibrotic axis, and immune activation as mechanistic pathways underlying gal-3-associated cardiovascular damage. We also discuss its relevance to public health and prevention, considering gal-3’s potential for early risk stratification, monitoring lifestyle interventions and personalized prevention strategies. This review bridges molecular mechanisms with clinical and public health relevance, particularly in the context of environmental and lifestyle-related cardiovascular risk
Galectin-3 in Cardiovascular Health: A Narrative Review Based on the Life’s Essential 8 and Life’s Simple 7 Frameworks
No full textThis project is a narrative review exploring the role of galectin-3 (Gal-3) in cardiovascular health and disease, structured according to the American Heart Association's Life’s Essential 8 and Life’s Simple 7 frameworks. Galectin-3, a biomarker associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and metabolic dysregulation, is examined across multiple domains of cardiovascular health, including glucose metabolism, cholesterol levels, physical activity, blood pressure, sleep, and diet. The review aims to synthesize current clinical and experimental findings, identify knowledge gaps, and propose future directions. This preregistration documents the intended scope and methodology of the review, including inclusion of key human and animal studies, and supports transparent and reproducible scholarship
A Meta-Analysis of Clinical and Echocardiographic Outcomes of Physiological Versus Conventional Pacing
No full textBackground: Conduction system pacing (CSP), encompassing His bundle pacing (HBP) and left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP), has emerged as an alternative to conventional pacing methods such as right ventricular pacing (RVP) and biventricular pacing (BVP). This meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of CSP versus conventional pacing on left ventricular function and selected clinical and electrophysiological outcomes. Methods: Prospective and retrospective studies (randomized, observational, registry-based) reporting pre-post data or direct comparisons between CSP (HBP, LBBAP) and conventional methods (BVP, RVP) for at least one of LVEF, LVESV, LVEDV, QRS duration, NYHA class, NT-proBNP, R-wave, or pacing threshold were included. PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched up to 31 March 2025. Quality assessment (QualSyst), publication bias (Egger’s test, trim-and-fill), subgroup analyses, and meta-regression (follow-up duration) were performed. The review was registered in the INPLASY database (INPLASY202540050). Results: 28 studies (8777 patients, 47 comparisons) were included. CSP significantly improved LVEF (SMD = 1.16; 95%CI: 0.94–1.38), shortened QRS duration (SMD = 0.75; 95%CI: 0.24–1.26), and reduced NYHA class (SMD = 1.94; 95%CI: 1.59–2.29), NT-proBNP levels (SMD = 1.27; 95%CI:0.85–1.69), LVEDV (SMD = 0.90; 95%CI: 0.42–1.38), and LVESV (SMD = 1.31; 95%CI: 0.81–1.81). In head-to-head comparisons, LBBAP and HBP showed similar efficacy, both superior to conventional pacing. Improvement in LVEF significantly correlated with longer follow-up (p = 0.004). Publication bias was non-significant (Egger p = 0.15), despite high heterogeneity (I2 > 90%). Conclusions: CSP demonstrated superior clinical and echocardiographic outcomes compared to conventional pacing. Limitations include the predominance of non-randomized studies, high heterogeneity, and variability in follow-up duration, supporting the need for high-quality randomized trials
Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA in Kidney Transplantation as a Potential Rejection Biomarker: A Systematic Literature Review
No full textKidney transplantation (KTx) is the best treatment method for end-stage kidney disease. KTx improves the patient’s quality of life and prolongs their survival time; however, not all patients benefit fully from the transplantation procedure. For some patients, a problem is the premature loss of graft function due to immunological or non-immunological factors. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is degraded deoxyribonucleic acid fragments that are released into the blood and other body fluids. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is cfDNA that is exogenous to the patient and comes from a transplanted organ. As opposed to an invasive biopsy, dd-cfDNA can be detected by a non-invasive analysis of a sample. The increase in dd-cfDNA concentration occurs even before the creatinine level starts rising, which may enable early diagnosis of transplant injury and adequate treatment to avoid premature graft loss. In this paper, we summarise the latest promising results related to cfDNA in transplant patients
The Application of Nanoparticles in Diagnosis and Treatment of Kidney Diseases
No full textNanomedicine is currently showing great promise for new methods of diagnosing and treating many diseases, particularly in kidney disease and transplantation. The unique properties of nanoparticles arise from the diversity of size effects, used to design targeted nanoparticles for specific cells or tissues, taking renal clearance and tubular secretion mechanisms into account. The design of surface particles on nanoparticles offers a wide range of possibilities, among which antibodies play an important role. Nanoparticles find applications in encapsulated drug delivery systems containing immunosuppressants and other drugs, in imaging, gene therapies and many other branches of medicine. They have the potential to revolutionize kidney transplantation by reducing and preventing ischemia–reperfusion injury, more efficiently delivering drugs to the graft site while avoiding systemic effects, accurately localizing and visualising the diseased site and enabling continuous monitoring of graft function. So far, there are known nanoparticles with no toxic effects on human tissue, although further studies are still needed to confirm their safety
