Covid pandemic as a catalyst for good innovations

MUDr. Ivo Varvařovský, Ph.D.

Interv Akut Kardiol. 2022;21(1):7-8 | DOI: 10.36290/kar.2022.011  

Same­‑day discharge cardiac cathteterizations and interventional procedures during covid-19 pandemic in 2021

Ivo Bernat, David Horák, Štěpán Jirouš, Tobias Lerchner, Jan Pešek, Jiří Koza, David Slezák, Roman Miklík, Richard Rokyta

Interv Akut Kardiol. 2022;21(1):9-12 | DOI: 10.36290/kar.2022.006  

Background: One-year analysis of same-day discharge (SDD) coronary catheterizations, interventions and device replacement procedures during the covid-19 pandemic at the Complex Cardiovascular Center of the University Hospital in Pilsen. Methods: In 2021, 53 to 87 patients were admitted monthly and 817 in total to the SDD specialized Radial Lounge at the Department of Cardiology. Coronary angiography (CAG) was performed in 729 patients and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 176 (24%). Fifty-five patients were admitted for permanent pacemaker exchange and in 33 of them an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator exchange. Results: Out of 729 transradial...

Influence of different clinical factors on collateral formation in patients with chronic total occlusion

Sohil Elfar, Ahmed Onsy, Hesham M Abu Shouk, Ibrahim Abdelhamid

Interv Akut Kardiol. 2022;21(1):13-17 | DOI: 10.36290/kar.2022.003  

Background: The degree of coronary collateral development influences the outcome after acute myocardial infarction and long­‑term survival. This study aims to assess the factors that influence the development of collaterals in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO). Patients and methods: The study included 70 patients with coronary CTO. The patients were classified according to the presence and the degree of collateral formation using the Rentrop classification. Collaterals were present in 54 patients (77.1%), and 16 patients had no collaterals (22.9%). Patients with collaterals were significantly younger (51.76 ± 7.94) than those without...

Stroke and/or transient ischemic attack prophylaxis from the perspective of an interventional cardiologist

Bronislav Janek

Interv Akut Kardiol. 2022;21(1):19-26 | DOI: 10.36290/kar.2022.007  

Stroke is one of the most common causes of permanent disability and death in economically developed countries. Ischemic strokes and transient ischemic attacks account for 85% of all these events. The paper deals with two the main causes of central thromboembolism: non-valvular atrial fibrillation and paradoxical embolization with evidence of patent foramen ovale as well as the possibilities of catheterization treatment in their prophylaxis.

Current trends in infective endocarditis

Michal Pazderník

Interv Akut Kardiol. 2022;21(1):27-34 | DOI: 10.36290/kar.2022.004  

According to recently published data, the incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) has been increasing, up to 15 cases per 100,000 population. Due to the still extremely high rate of complications and mortality, the diagnosis and treatment of IE require a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach, hence the role of the "Endocarditis Team" in the treatment of this disease is essential. The use of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear imaging methods (18-FDG PET/CT and SPECT) plays an important role, as these imaging modalities have become part of the diagnostic criteria. Blood culture-negative endocarditis is documented...

Ticagrelor monotherapy after percutaneous coronary intervention in comparison with dual-antiplatelet therapy

Michal Rezek, Hana Moravcová

Interv Akut Kardiol. 2022;21(1):35-40 | DOI: 10.36290/kar.2022.001  

The duration of dual-antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention as well as its composition vary. However, the standard approach was that its termination was followed by long-term administration of acetylsalicylic acid. Recently, studies have become available dealing with a reduced duration of dual-antiplatelet therapy followed by the administration of a P2Y12 inhibitor in monotherapy, most frequently of ticagrelor. These studies include patients with both stable and acute forms of coronary artery disease. The available data suggest that discontinuation of acetylsalicylic acid after a short initial course of dual-antiplatelet therapy...

Triple combination, double meaning

Vojtěch Novotný

Interv Akut Kardiol. 2022;21(1):41-44 | DOI: 10.36290/kar.2022.002  

The case report presents two views on the concept of "triple combination" in treating a particular patient with coronary artery disease. The first, somewhat untraditional meaning of the two-word expression is used to describe an unusual case of three chronic total occlusions (CTO) in three different coronary territories clinically manifested by heart failure in the setting of ischaemic cardiomyopathy. All the occlusions were gradually recanalized using CTO PCI techniques with a good angiographic and clinical effect. There was a marked improvement in the original systolic left ventricular dysfunction. The individual procedures are illustrated by images...

Commentary on the article by Miroslav Bulvas entitled “Beginning of interventional angiology: the 4th Medical Department, General University Hospital, Prague”

prof. MUDr. Michael Aschermann, DrSc.

Interv Akut Kardiol. 2022;21(1):52  

Assoc. Prof. František Holm, MD, CSc., turns seventy

prof. MUDr. Jan F. Vojáček, DrSc.

Interv Akut Kardiol. 2022;21(1):53  

Optical coherence tomography in a catheterization laboratory: at the verge of the second decade

Ivona Kask, Jan Kaňovský, Kristýna Hlaváčová, David Pospíšil, Petr Kala

Interv Akut Kardiol. 2022;21(1):45-51 | DOI: 10.36290/kar.2022.005  

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) with a resolution of 10-15 μm is currently the most accurate imaging modality for invasive coronary artery evaluation. As the options of signal and image processing and of using artificial intelligence in medicine progress, so does the evolution of OCT imaging. The article describes the history of OCT development and technical details of this modality, and summarizes the latest data obtained in scientific research. The introduction of novel software tools and hybrid modalities in cardiology may bring new possibilities in quantitative and qualitative assessment of coronary arteries during an interventional procedure.

Recollection of a great man and cardiologist professor Vasiľ Hricák, PhD., FESC

Ján Murín

Interv Akut Kardiol. 2022;21(1):54