Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina KeYWORdS: carotid artery stenosis, peak-systolic velocity, multiple risk factors. citAtiON: Cardiol Croat. 2018;13(11-12):443. | https://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2018.443 *AddReSS fOR cORReSpONdeNce: Amina Bičo, Clinic of Heart and Blood Vessel Diseases, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. / Phone: +387-61-348-688 / Email: amina.osmanagic@yahoo.com ORcid: Amina Bičo, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6937-1772 • Alden Begić, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5374-0892 Dževdet Radončić, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5917-2956 • Mirza Dilić, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7309-1455

Introduction: In addition to the fastest reperfusion procedure of coronary arteries blood flow, identification of patients with increased risk of early and late complications is of the utmost importance in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: We included total of 207 patients in the acute phase of myocardial infarction, which were divided into two groups, 127 patients without clinical symptoms of heart failure (HF) and 60 patients with HF symptoms. For all patients serum aldosterone levels were determined 24 hours after acute MI. Results: In the group of decompensated patients, changes in aldosterone level did not show a statistically significant effect on paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) occurrence (p > 0.05), while in the group of compensated patients there is statistically significant effect on PSVT occurrence (p =0.004). Changes in aldosterone level in the group of decompensated (p=0,030) and compensated patients (p=0,024), showed statistically significant influence on the ventricular tachycardia (VT) occurrence. In the group of compensated patients, changes in aldosterone level showed a statistically significant effect on ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurrence (p = 0.024). Conclusion: Plasma aldosterone level in patients with acute myocardial infarction has a significant influence on the occurrence of cardiac rhythm disorders irrespective of the existence of cardiac decompensation. Keywords: aldosterone, myocardial infarction, prediction.

2017 ESC Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Diseases, in collaboration with the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) : Document covering atherosclerotic disease of extracranial carotid and vertebral, mesenteric, renal, upper and lower extremity arteries

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice and its prevalence increases with age. Patients who develop AF also have cardiovascular risk factors, structural heart disease, and comorbidities, all of which can increase mortality. AF causes a significant economic burden with the increasing trend in AF prevalence and hospitalizations. Research Objectives: The objective of our study is to evaluate the impact of the most common known risk factors on the incidence of atrial fibrillation as an important precursor of cardiac and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality among our patients in Bosnia and Herzegovina during median follow up period (September 2006 - September 2016). The other objective is to estimate the CHA2DS2-VASc score among our patients based on clinical parameters. Patients and methods: This study includes 2352 ambulant and hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation. All patients underwent clinical evaluation which includes thorough assessment for potential risk factors and concomitant conditions in order to determine which of them represent the most common among examinees with atrial fibrillation. Results: The results show that male gender has slightly more incidence of AF. Obesity and overweight with BMI ≥ 27, cigarettes smoking and sedentary life style are almost present in patients with AF. Arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic renal dysfunction, structural and valvular heart disease and peripheral vascular disease are the most common comorbidities among our patients. The mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.2±1.4 and the mean HAS-BLED score was 2.1±1.2. Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac rhythm disorder. The study shows that obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking cigarettes and dyslipidemia can be considered as triggers and predisposing factors for appearance of AF. Arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, Peripheral vascular disease and chronic kidney disease are playing important role in developing of AF.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation represents the most common cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice. By year 2030, 14–17 million AF patients are anticipated in the European Union. Atrial fibrillation remains one of the major causes of stroke, heart failure, sudden death all over the world. Research Objectives: The objective of our study is to determine the cardiac and cerebrovascular events (myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, sudden cardiac death) and their cumulative incidence during 11 years follow up period. Patients and methods: This study includes 2352 ambulant and hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who were enrolled during the follow up period. All patients underwent clinical evaluation in order to determine cardiac and cerebrovascular events (myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, sudden cardiac death) and their cumulative incidence. Results: The results of cumulative incidence for sudden cardiac death was 1.71%, for stroke 2.56%, for myocardial infarction 1.20% and for heart failure was 5.73%. In our study the age-adjusted incidence and prevalence of AF are slightly lower in women. The study shows that the risk of death is higher in females than in males with AF. Conclusion: Despite good progress in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), this arrhythmia remains one of the major causes of stroke, heart failure, sudden death. Effective treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation includes not only rate control, rhythm control, and prevention of stroke, but also management of cardiovascular risk factors and concomitant diseases.

Introduction: Up to 50% of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) have preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFPEF group)1. Due to diverse activated pathophysiological pathways, there should be a difference in biomarkers release in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFREF). BNP is the best studied biomarker in AHF, but we want to investigate difference in release of troponin (marker of myocytes stress and injury), tumor marker CA125 (marker of congestion and volume overload om HF) and cystatin C (marker of interstitial fibrosis).

Background Women with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have higher mortality rates than men. We investigated whether sex‐related differences in timely access to care among STEMI patients may be a factor associated with excess risk of early mortality in women. Methods and Results We identified 6022 STEMI patients who had information on time of symptom onset to time of hospital presentation at 41 hospitals participating in the ISACS‐TC (International Survey of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Transitional Countries) registry (NCT01218776) from October 2010 through April 2016. Patients were stratified into time‐delay cohorts. We estimated the 30‐day risk of all‐cause mortality in each cohort. Despite similar delays in seeking care, the overall time from symptom onset to hospital presentation was longer for women than men (median: 270 minutes [range: 130–776] versus 240 minutes [range: 120–600]). After adjustment for baseline variables, female sex was independently associated with greater risk of 30‐day mortality (odds ratio: 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.27–1.97). Sex differences in mortality following STEMI were no longer observed for patients having delays from symptom onset to hospital presentation of ≤1 hour (odds ratio: 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.29–2.02). Conclusions Sex difference in mortality following STEMI persists and appears to be driven by prehospital delays in hospital presentation. Women appear to be more vulnerable to prolonged untreated ischemia. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT01218776.

The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) provides recommendations to improve the editorial standards and scientific quality of biomedical journals. These recommendations range from uniform technical requirements to more complex and elusive editorial issues including ethical aspects of the scientific process. Recently, registration of clinical trials, conflicts of interest disclosure, and new criteria for authorship -emphasizing the importance of responsibility and accountability-, have been proposed. Last year, a new editorial initiative to foster sharing of clinical trial data was launched. This review discusses this novel initiative with the aim of increasing awareness among readers, investigators, authors and editors belonging to the Editors´ Network of the European Society of Cardiology.

The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) provides recommendations to improve the editorial standards and scientific quality of biomedical journals. These recommendations range from uniform technical requirements to more complex and elusive editorial issues including ethical aspects of the scientific process. Recently, registration of clinical trials, conflicts of interest disclosure, and new criteria for authorship- emphasizing the importance of responsibility and accountability-, have been proposed. Last year, a new editorial initiative to foster sharing of clinical trial data was launched. This review discusses this novel initiative with the aim of increasing awareness among readers, investigators, authors and editors belonging to the Editors' Network of the European Society of Cardiology.

The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) provides recommendations to improve the editorial standards and scientific quality of biomedical journals. These recommendations range from uniform technical requirements to more complex and elusive editorial issues including ethical aspects of the scientific process. Recently, registration of clinical trials, conflicts of interest disclosure, and new criteria for authorship - emphasizing the importance of responsibility and accountability-, have been proposed. Last year, a new editorial initiative to foster sharing of clinical trial data was launched. This review discusses this novel initiative with the aim of increasing awareness among readers, investigators, authors and editors belonging to the Editors´ Network of the European Society of Cardiology.

Summary The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) provides recommendations to improve the editorial standards and scientific quality of biomedical journals. These recommendations range from uniform technical requirements to more complex and elusive editorial issues including ethical aspects of the scientific process. Recently, registration of clinical trials, conflicts of interest disclosure, and new criteria for authorship, emphasizing the importance of responsibility and accountability, have been proposed. Last year, a new editorial initiative to foster sharing of clinical trial data was launched. This review discusses this novel initiative with the aim of increasing awareness among readers, investigators, authors and editors belonging to the Editors’ Network of the European Society of Cardiology.