The objective of this study was to evaluate whether global longitudinal strain (GLS), early systolic lengthening (ESL), and postsystolic shortening (PSS), individually and combined, predict anatomical disease severity and significant coronary artery stenosis in non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). We prospectively enrolled 112 NSTE-ACS patients with preserved LVEF and no regional wall motion abnormalities. GLS, ESL, and PSS were measured using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as ≥90% stenosis in at least one major epicardial artery, and anatomical burden was quantified using the SYNTAX score. Linear and logistic regression, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, DeLong comparison, and internal validation were performed. GLS and PSS were significant predictors of SYNTAX score in univariate linear regression. In the multivariable model, only GLS remained independently associated with SYNTAX ( P < 0.001), explaining 26.2% of variance (adjusted R ² =0.24; variance inflation factor <5). Significant stenosis was present in 70 patients (62%). ESL ( P = 0.028) and PSS ( P = 0.001) predicted ≥ 90% stenosis in univariate analysis, whereas GLS reached significance only in multivariable analysis (odds ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.09–1.51, P = 0.003). The multimarker model (GLS + ESL + PSS) had the highest ROC area under the curve (AUC) (0.726) but did not significantly outperform GLS alone (AUC 0.707; P = 0.390). Model-predicted probabilities correlated with SYNTAX (ρ =0.480, P < 0.001). GLS is the strongest strain-derived predictor of both significant stenosis and anatomical CAD burden in NSTE-ACS with preserved LVEF. Strain-based analysis may aid early, noninvasive risk stratification in this population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The timing of aortic valve replacement (AVR) in severe asymptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) remains debated. Preserved ejection fraction (EF) may mask subclinical dysfunction, while global longitudinal strain (GLS), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and diastolic indices (E/E') provide complementary prognostic information. A predictive model for adverse outcomes after AVR integrating GLS, BNP, and E/E' has not been previously investigated. METHODS Ninety-six patients with severe asymptomatic AS and preserved EF (>50%) undergoing AVR were assessed at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months. Echocardiography (GLS, EF, LVMI, IVSd, LVIDd, E/E'), BNP, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Primary endpoint was LV remodeling; secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). RESULTS Despite preserved EF, 76% had impaired GLS (<15%), and 64% remained in negative remodeling at 6 months. Baseline GLS ≤15% was the only independent predictor of adverse remodeling in multivariable logistic regression (OR 4.7 at 3 months; OR 3.5 at 6 months). For MACE, baseline E/E' >13 was the strongest independent predictor (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.58-7.57, p = 0.004). The integrated GLS-BNP-E/E' model demonstrated superior predictive strength compared with individual parameters, with Nagelkerke R2 values of 0.41 for remodeling and 0.31 for MACE. CONCLUSION A multimodal risk model integrating GLS, BNP, and E/E' predicts adverse remodeling and MACE in severe asymptomatic AS. These findings highlight the complementary role of imaging and biomarkers in risk stratification before AVR-a concept that warrants confirmation in future multicenter studies.

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the analgesic effects of functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) and interferential current therapy (IFC) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) before and after treatment. Methods: This prospective pilot study included 30 patients with KOA, who were randomly assigned to two groups: FMS (n = 15) and IFC (n = 15). Both groups received 20 treatment sessions over four weeks. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) pre- and post-treatment. Non-parametric statistical tests were applied due to the small sample size and non-normal distribution of the data. Results: In the FMS group, the median VAS score decreased significantly from pre-intervention (Me = 7.0; IQR, 5.0-7.0) to post-intervention (Me = 2.0; IQR, 1.0-2.0), with z = −3.43, p < 0.001. In the IFC group, there was also a significant decrease in the median VAS score from pre-intervention (Me = 7.0; IQR, 5.5-8.0) to post-intervention (Me = 5.0; IQR, 4.0-6.0), z = −3.47, p < 0.001. The Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated a statistically significant difference; the median ΔVAS was significantly higher in the FMS group (Me = 4; IQR, 3.5-6.0) than in the IFC group (Me = 2; IQR, 1.0-2.0) (U = 45, Z = −4.576, p < 0.001). Conclusion: FMS may be a more effective non-invasive treatment option for pain reduction in patients with KOA compared with IFC.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has underscored the significant role of cardiovascular risk factors in determining the severity and outcomes of the disease. Pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases have emerged as key contributors to increased susceptibility to severe forms of COVID-19, influencing both short-term and long-term health outcomes. This review examines the complex interplay between these risk factors and the virus’s direct impact on the cardiovascular system. Key findings suggest that conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity not only predispose individuals to more severe disease but also exacerbate complications such as myocardial injury, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Furthermore, the long-term cardiovascular effects of COVID-19, including myocarditis and pericarditis, are of growing concern, particularly in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. The virus’s ability to induce myocardial damage through mechanisms involving ACE2 receptor binding and inflammatory cytokine storms has been well-documented. The pandemic has also highlighted significant cardiovascular complications, including left and right ventricular dysfunction, myocardial injury, and elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, with the right ventricle being particularly affected due to pulmonary damage. Imaging modalities such as echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance have proven valuable for diagnosing myocardial injury and complications, although accessibility may be limited in routine clinical practice. Survivors of severe COVID-19, especially those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, face an elevated risk of major adverse cardiovascular events for up to two years post-infection. Evaluation of post-COVID patients includes ECGs, laboratory tests, echocardiography, and cardiac MRI, which provide critical insights into myocardial injury and complications. Preventive measures, including vaccination, regular monitoring of cardiovascular health, and lifestyle modifications, play a crucial role in reducing the long-term risk of cardiovascular complications. The role of vaccination in mitigating the risk of severe disease and cardiovascular complications is well-established, despite rare cases of vaccine-related myocarditis. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing targeted management strategies, improving patient outcomes in both acute and long-term COVID-19 effects, and addressing the broader challenges posed by COVID-19’s impact on cardiovascular health.

Introduction. Over the past decades, there has been a significant improvement in the quality of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The goal of this study is to assess patient related risk factors for the development of ST in patients treated with PCI. Results. According to the study, the percentage of patients with ST who had bare metal stents (BMS) was significantly higher (72.41%) than that of patients without ST (27.59%). Conclusion. Lower ejection fraction, presence of dyslipidemia and usage of BMS were identified as independent predictors of ST. Keywords: Stent Thrombosis, Risk Factors, Prognosis.

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Given the undeniable clinical and prognostic value, the function of the left atrium (LA) plays a leading role in the contemporary evaluation of cardiac diseases and is considered an essential morphological substrate for the development of cardiovascular diseases. It is sensitive to nervous, endocrine, and immunological stimuli. New evidence from the literature highlights the importance of fibrotic, electrical, and autonomic remodeling of the LA, introducing the concept of atrial cardiomyopathy, which is closely associated with atrial fibrillation and stroke. In the past, the diameter of the LA was the most important parameter for assessing its characteristics, but new information about the various roles of the LA has created the need for parameters that more precisely or thoroughly evaluate LA function. The function of the LA is complex, consisting of three phases: the reservoir phase (ventricular systole), the conduit phase (early diastole), and the pump phase (late diastole). The introduction of myocardial deformation analysis, or strain of the LA via speckle tracking, has achieved significant progress in detecting even subtle functional abnormalities before an increase in LA size. This method improves the diagnostic capabilities of standard echocardiographic examinations, and its diagnostic and prognostic value is sometimes comparable to more advanced and less accessible techniques such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.