ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction as a COVID-19 manifestation in a recent heart transplant recipient.

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Body Composition Before and After Heart or Lung Transplantation: Preliminary Results.

Little is known about the importance of changes in body composition of patients before and after heart or lung transplantation. Reduced muscle mass may be a poor prognostic factor for death and morbidity in patients after orthotopic heart transplantation. Only a few studies have shown data on changes in the amount of adipose tissue and muscle tissue and their impact on patient prognosis. Therefore, more data is needed concerning this issue. The aim of this study was to assess the body composition of patients before and after heart or lung transplantation using bioimpedance. Forty-two patients have been recruited to the study, including 20 patients before organ transplant, 11 patients after heart transplant, and 11 patients after lung transplant (up to 24 months after organ transplantation). The mean age of patients enrolled in the study before and after organ transplantation was 52.05 ± 16.24 years and 50.77 ± 13.38 years, respectively. Body composition measurements were performed by bioimpedance using the SECA mBCA 515 - medical Body Composition Analyzer. In summary, we have shown that body composition was significantly changed after heart and lung transplantation, such as in muscle mass value and fat-free mass value. Adequate intervention at these points might reduce the risk of short and long-term mortality and morbidity.

How to Distinguish Marfan Syndrome from Marfanoid Habitus in a Physical Examination-Comparison of External Features in Patients with Marfan Syndrome and Marfanoid Habitus.

Marfan Syndrome (MFS) is a systemic disorder caused by mutations in fibrillin-1. The most common cause of mortality in MFS is dissection and rupture of the aorta. Due to a highly variable and age-dependent clinical spectrum, the diagnosis of MFS still remains sophisticated. The aim of the study was to determine if there exist phenotypic features that can play the role of "red flags" in cases of MFS suspicion. The study population included 306 patients (199 children and 107 adults) who were referred to the Department of Pediatric Cardiology due to suspicion of MFS. All patients underwent complete clinical evaluation in order to confirm the diagnosis of MFS according to the modified Ghent criteria. MFS was diagnosed in 109 patients and marfanoid habitus in 168 patients. The study excluded 29 patients with other hereditary thoracic aneurysm syndromes. Comparative analysis between patients with Marfan syndrome and marfanoid habitus was performed. Symptoms with high prevalence and high positive likelihood ratio were identified (pectus carinatum, reduced elbow extension, hindfoot deformity, gothic palate, downslanting palpebral fissures, lens subluxation, myopia ≥ 3 dioptres remarkably high stature). The differentiation between patients with MFS and marfanoid body habitus is not possible by only assessing external body features; however, "red flags" could be helpful in the screening phase.