NOMOGRAM CONTAINING SIMPLE ROUTINE CLINICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS CAN PREDICT PATHOLOGIC VENTRICULAR REMODELING IN STEMI PATIENTS.

Heart failure is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with ischemic heart disease being one of the most important etiologic factors. Heart failure develops due to ventricular remodeling, which leads to increases in left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes. In this prospective observational study, we included 101 patients with first episode of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in whom percutaneous coronary intervention was conducted within 12 h and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction III flow was achieved. The aim was to determine which clinical and biochemical parameters can help predict pathologic ventricular remodeling 1 year after myocardial infarction. We created a nomogram based on routinely used blood tests and vital parameters which showed highest correlation with pathologic ventricular remodeling. The nomogram included NTproBNP value 12 h after reperfusion, aspartate transaminase value 12 h after reperfusion, systolic blood pressure value on admission, and culprit coronary artery. We performed ROC analysis which yielded great predictive value of the nomogram. The area under curve was 0.907 (95% CI 0.842-0.973). The nomogram value of -3.54 had 91.4% sensitivity and 74.0% specificity. We believe that this nomogram, once validated, could offer a widely available, low-cost option that would help identify patients at risk of developing pathologic left ventricular remodeling and achieve this at a very early stage of myocardial infarction (12 h after reperfusion has been achieved).

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) update on epidemiology, pathogenicity, clinical course and treatments.

During the December of 2019, a series of patients with pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus; the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) corona (COV-2), that is, COVID-19. Since the first cluster of cases was reported in China on 31 December 2019 until the 28 April 2020, there were internationally reported 3'000'000 cases, in over 185 countries, and 207'265 deaths. To date, it is still not unanimously clear which effects parameters of virus and host are important for the development of severe disease course. According to the most updated internationally available online cases register, COVID-19 disease has mild symptoms in around 85% of cases, there are 3%-10% of critical cases, and mortality is around 5%-7%. Since currently there is no available vaccine and no well-established specific antiviral therapy, numerous agents are being tested in clinical scenarios. The most common regimens include remdesivir, convalescent plasma. Widely used chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin combinations, as well as lopinavir-ritonavir were shown to have less efficient treatment effects. More severe cases of pneumonia and dyspnoea, or uncontrollable fever are treated as inpatients, and nearly 10% in intensive care units. Oxygen supplementation is indicated to maintain peripheral blood oxygenation over 90%-96%. Advanced support systems include mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membranous support; however, those without targeted antiviral therapy represent only temporary bridge for scarce potential restitution in patient themselves. The aim of review is to present current state of the art in epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical course and treatment of COVID-19 patients.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AND ANDROGEN DEPRIVATION THERAPY.

The leading cause of death in patients with prostate cancer are cardiovascular diseases. Androgen deprivation therapy is the mainstay of treatment in prostate cancers. The latter has numerous perplexed disadvantaging effects to cardiovascular health. ADT alternates the metabolic profile, insulin resistance and glucose metabolism, causes loss of lean body mass, an increase in adipose tissue, obesity, worsening of atherosclerosis and heart failure. It is important to point out that prostate cancer survivors have increased prevalence of coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular stroke, myocardial infarctions and cardiovascular mortality. Due to these reasons particular care on prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases should become a standard of care in patients with prostate cancer.

Ratio of End-Systolic Volume to Left Atrial Area Is a Solid Benchmark of Systolic Dysfunction in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathies.

BACKGROUND Impairment of systolic function and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) are well-known negative prognostic markers in non-ischemic cardiomyopathies (NICMPs). There is limited knowledge of the geometrical rearrangements of the ventricle volumes over size of the left atrium and their connections with systolic dysfunction and existence of LGE. MATERIAL AND METHODS Consecutive cases of NICMPs with impaired systolic function and controls were included from a computerized database of cardiac magnetic resonance exams for a 2.5-year period. Ratios made from volumetric parameters over left atrial area (LAA) area were calculated. RESULTS Our study included 205 cases referred to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR); age was 48.7±17.0 years (range 15.2-80.4), male-to-female ratio 137 (66.8%): 68 (33.2%), (both p>0.05). LGE was significantly correlated with impairment of systolic function (Rho CC=0.395; p<0.001). For detection of systolic impairment, a critical value of end-systolic-volume (ESV)/LAA of ≥2.7 had an area under curve (AUC) of 0.902 (0.853-0.939), p<0.001; stroke-volume (SV)/LAA ≤3.0 had AUC=0.782(0.719-0.837), p<0.001, and end-diastolic volume (EDV)/LAA <7.4 had an AUC of 0.671 (0.602-0.735); p<0.001. In analyses of LGE, a value of SV/LAA of ≤3.0 had an AUC of 0.681 (0.612-0.744), p<0.001; while ESV/LAA and EDV/LAA were not significant (both p<0.05). ESV/LAA was correlated with systolic dysfunction (Rho-correlation-coefficient: 0.688; p<0.001) and existence of linear midventricular LGE stripe (Rho-CC=0.446; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS ESV/LAA was the most effective for detection of systolic impairment and was associated with the existence of LGE. Prospective validation for clinical applicability and prognostic relations are warranted in future studies.

Overlapping Phenotypes and Degree of Ventricular Dilatation Are Associated with Severity of Systolic Impairment and Late Gadolinium Enhancement in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathies.

BACKGROUND Dilatation and other infrastructural rearrangements of the left ventricle are connected with poor prognosis. The aim of our study was to analyze the overlapping phenotypes and dilatation of the ventricle on impairment of systolic function and existence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). MATERIAL AND METHODS Consecutive sample of cases with dilated left ventricle due to non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and healthy controls were included from our cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) database for a period of 3 years (n=1551 exams). RESULTS The study included 127 patients; 30 (23.6%) with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM); 30 (23.6%) with left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC); 13 (10.2%) with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and 50 (39.4%) controls. Overlapping phenotypes were found in 48 (37.8%) of the studied cases. Odds for impairment of systolic function in connection with overlapping phenotypes were estimated at 7.8 (95%-CI: 3.4-17.6), (p<0.001). There were significant differences in geometric parameters for patients with overlapping phenotypes vs. controls, as follows: left ventricle end-diastolic dimension(LVEDD)=6.6±0.8 vs. 5.6±1.0 cm (p<0.001); left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)=39.3±14.0 vs. 52.1±16.1 (p<0.001); and existence of LGE 36 (75.0%) vs. 21 (26.6%), (p<0.001), respectively. Overlapping phenotypes correlated with LVEDD (Spearman's-Rho-CC)=0.521, p<0.001; LVEF (Rho-CC)=-0.447, p<0.001 and LGE (Rho-CC)=0.472, p<0.001. CONCLUSIONS This study found there are many patients with overlapping phenotypes among NICMPs with dilated left ventricles. Overlapping phenotype was associated with greater LVEDD, lesser systolic function, and commonly existing LGE, which all impose increased cardiovascular risk. Linear midventricular LGE stripe was the most powerfully connected with loss of systolic function.

Ventricular diastolic dimension over maximal myocardial thickness is robust landmark of systolic impairment in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND The effects of focal hypertrophy on geometry of the left ventricle and systolic function have not been studied in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), despite the fact that the former is the most prominent disease characteristic. The aim of our study was to analyze systolic function over ventricle geometry, generating a functional index made from left ventricle end diastolic dimension (LVEDD) divided by end diastolic thickness of the region with maximal extent of hypertrophy and interventricular septum. MATERIAL AND METHODS Our hospital database of cardiac magnetic resonance was screened for HCM. Geometric functional index (GFI) was calculated for LVEDD over maximal end diastolic thickness (MaxEDT) giving GFI-M, while LVEDD over interventricular septum was expressed as GFI-I. There were 55 consecutive patients with HCM. RESULTS There were 43 males (78.2%) and 12 females (21.8%). The mean age was 52.3±16.7 years (range: 15.5-76.4 years). A significant difference of GFI was found for preserved versus impaired systolic function of the left ventricle (preserved systolic function); GFI-M 2.28±0.60 versus 3.66±0.50 (p<0.001), and GFI-I 2.75±0.88 versus 3.81±0.87 (p<0.001), respectively. Diagnostic value was tested using receiver operating curve (ROC) analyzes, with GFI-M area under curve (AUC)=0.959 (95% CI: 0.868-0.994); (p<0.001) and GFI-I-AUC=0.847 (0.724-0.930); (p<0.001). GFI-M was superior to GFI-I for appraisal of left ventricle systolic dysfunction in HCM; ΔAUC=0.112 (0.018-0.207); (p=0.020). CONCLUSIONS GFI is a simple tool, with high sensitivity and specificity for detecting impairment of systolic function in patients with HCM. Further studies would be necessary to investigate its clinical and prognostic impacts, as well as reproducibility with prospective validation.

Changes in pulmonary artery systolic pressure correlate with radiographic severity and peripheral oxygenation in adults with community-acquired pneumonia.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the relationship between changes in pulmonary artery systolic pressure (ΔPASP) and both severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and changes in peripheral blood oxygen partial pressure (PaO2 ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five consecutive adult patients hospitalized for treatment of CAP were recruited in this single-center cohort study. Doppler echocardiographic measurement of PASP was performed by 2 staff cardiologists. Follow-up assessment was performed within 2 to 4 weeks of ending antibiotic treatment at radiographic resolution of CAP. Fifteen patients were excluded during follow-up due to confirmation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. RESULTS: Pneumonia was unilateral in 40 (66.7%) and bilateral in 20 (33.3%) patients. Radiographic extent of pneumonia involved 2 pulmonary segments in 31 patients (51.7%), 3 to 5 pulmonary segments in 25 (41.7%), and 6 pulmonary segments in 4 patients (6.6%). ΔPASP between hospital admission and follow-up correlated with the number of pulmonary segments involved (Rho = 0.953; P < .001) and PaO2 (Rho = -0.667; P < .001). The maximum PASP was greater during pneumonia than after resolution (34.82 ± 3.96 vs. 22.67 ± 4.04, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in PASP strongly correlated with radiological severity of CAP and PaO2 . During pneumonia, PASP appeared increased without significant change in left ventricular filling pressures. This suggests that disease-related changes in lung tissue caused by pneumonia may easily and reproducibly be assessed using conventional noninvasive bedside diagnostics such as echocardiography and arterial blood gas analysis.

Auxiliary diagnostic potential of ventricle geometry and late gadolinium enhancement in left ventricular non-compaction; non-randomized case control study.

BACKGROUND: There are still ambiguities existing in regard to left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) diagnostic imaging. The aim of our study was to analyze diagnostic potential of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and ventricle geometry in patients with LVNC and controls. METHODS: Data on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) studies for LVNC were reassessed from the hospital's database (3.75 years; n=1975 exams). Matching sample of controls included cases with no structural heart disease, hypertrophic or dilative cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia or subacute myocarditis. Eccentricity of the left ventricle was measured at end diastole in the region with pronounced NC and maximal to minimal ratio (MaxMinEDDR) was calculated. RESULTS: Study included 255 patients referred for CMR, 100 (39.2%) with LVNC (prevalence in the studied period 5.01%) and 155 (60.8%) controls. Existing LGE had sensitivity of 52.5% (95%-CI:42.3-62.5), specificity of 80.4% (95%-CI:73.2-86.5) for LVNC, area under curve (AUC) 0.664 (95%-CI:0.603-0.722);p<0.001. MaxMinEDDR>1.10 had sensitivity of 95.0% (95%-CI:88.7-98.4), specificity of 82.6% (95%-CI: 75.7-88.2) for LVNC, AUC 0.917 (95%-CI:0.876-0.948); p<0.001. LGE correlated with Max-Min-EDD-R (Rho=0.130; p=0.038) and there was significant difference in ROC analysis ΔAUC0.244 (95%-CI:0.175-0.314); p<0.001. LGE also correlated negatively with stroke volume and systolic function (both p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: LGE was found to be frequently expressed in patients with LVNC, but without sufficient power to be used as a discriminative diagnostic parameter. Both LGE and eccentricity of the left ventricle were found to be relatively solid diagnostic landmarks of complex infrastructural and functional changes within the failing heart.

Influence of Transiently Increased Nutritional Risk on a Left Ventricle Myocardial Mass Assessed by Echocardiography.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Metabolic derangements due to increased nutritional risk lead to catabolism and loss of proteins, muscle tissue and eventually mass of parenchymatous organs. The aim of our study was to assess whether transitory nutritional risk after heart surgery influences on the left ventricle myocardial mass (LVMM), assessed by echocardiography. METHODS: Consecutive sample of patients scheduled for cardiovascular rehabilitation, in period 0-3 months after surgery. Nutritional risk screening (NRS) was analyzed using the NRS-2002 tool. RESULTS: Study sample included 330 patients after heart surgery for ischemic 186 (56.4%); valvular 91 (27.6%) and valvular plus ischemic 53 (16.1%) heart disease. Age was 65.5 ± 10.6 (range 23-84) and there were more male patients than female - 240 (72.7%) and 90 (27.3%), respectively. The percentage of unintentional loss of weight was 10.8 ± 3.4%, in range 0-23.81%, whereas NRS-2002 was 4.4 ± 1.1. LVMM was 218.7 ± 65.9 g vs. 252.3 ± 51.7 (p = 0.015); for patients with increased nutritional risk and controls, respectively. There was no significant correlation of LVMM with NRS-2002, while the percentage of unintentional loss of weight displayed only weakly inverse correlation (Rho CC = -0.197; p = 0.007). LVMM also correlated significantly with body mass index (Rho CC = 0.247; p < 0.001) and waist-to-hip ratio (Rho CC = 0.291; p < 0.001). In conclusion, LVMM was found to decrease slightly in the period of increased nutritional risk, following heart surgery. Changes in LVMM are partially consequences of systemic catabolic response, as well as anthropometric changes due to unintentional loss of weight.

Impact of cardiovascular treatments and systolic dysfunction on nutritional risk in patients with ischemic and valvular heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: There is a limited knowledge about connections existing between impaired systolic function and nutritional risk. The aim of our study was to evaluate nutritional risk in patients recently treated for valvular or ischemic heart disease, depending on the impairment of left ventricle systolic function and chronic cardiovascular therapy. METHODS: Nutritional risk screening was applied using a nutritional risk screening (NRS)-2002 [ 1 ] tool in cross-sectional study settings on patients scheduled for cardiovascular rehabilitation. There were 105 patients with impairment of left ventricle systolic function (LVEF ≤ 40) vs 145 consecutive matching peers with preserved LVEF. Percentage weight loss history (WLH) from preceding cardiovascular treatments was available for more than 85% of studied patients. RESULTS: Mean WLH was 7.7 ± 4.6%, and NRS-2002 was 3.6 ± 1.5. Significant differences in percentage WLH and NRS-2002 were found for age groups (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively), cardiovascular treatments (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively), and grades of renal function (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively), whereas there was no difference on the basis of systolic function preservation (both p > 0.05, respectively). Utilization of proton pump inhibitors, loop diuretics, and calcium channel antagonists increased the odds for pronounced nutritional risk, 2.60 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-5.47), p = 0.012, vs 2.15 (95% CI, 1.00-4.62), p = 0.049, vs 2.18 (95% CI, 1.01-4.68), p = 0.046, respectively. Conversely, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors exhibited protective effects to the nutritional risk, 0.20 (95% CI, 0.05-0.89), p = 0.035. CONCLUSION: Clinically, most evocative connections of nutritional risk screening and unintentional weight loss were found in relation to invasiveness of preceding cardiovascular treatments, rather than preservation of systolic function. Protective effects on nutritional risk were found for ACE inhibitors, whereas loop diuretics and proton pump inhibitors increased the nutritional risk and unintentional loss of weight.

Impact of aspirin resistance on outcomes among patients following coronary artery bypass grafting: exploratory analysis from randomized controlled trial (NCT01159639).

Individual variability in the response to aspirin, has been established by various platelet function assays, however, the clinical relevance of aspirin resistance (AR) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has to be evaluated. Our working group conducted a randomized controlled trial (NCT01159639) with the aim to assess impact of dual antiplatelet therapy (APT) on outcomes among patients with AR following CABG. Patients that were aspirin resistant on fourth postoperative day (POD 4) were randomly assigned to receive either dual APT with clopidogrel (75 mg) plus aspirin (300 mg)-intervention arm or monotherapy with aspirin (300 mg)-control arm. This exploratory analysis compares clinical outcomes between aspirin resistant patients allocated to control arm and patients that have had adequate platelet inhibitory response to aspirin at POD 4. Both groups were treated with 300 mg of aspirin per day following surgery. We sought to evaluate the impact of early postoperative AR on outcomes among patients following CABG. Exploratory analysis included a total number of 325 patients. Of those, 215 patients with adequate response to aspirin and 110 patients with AR allocated to aspirin monotherapy following randomization protocol. The primary efficacy end point (MACCEs-major adverse cardiac and cardiovascular events) occurred in 10 and 6 % of patients with AR and with adequate aspirin response, respectively (p = 0.27). Non-significant differences were observed in bleeding events occurrence. Subgroup analysis of the primary end point revealed that aspirin resistant patients with BMI > 30 kg/m(2) tend to have a higher occurrence of MACCEs 18 versus 5 % (relative risk 0.44 [95 % CI 0.16-1.16]; p = 0.05). This exploratory analysis did not reveal significant impact of aspirin resistance on outcomes among patients undergoing CABG. Further, sufficiently powered studies are needed in order to evaluate clinical relevance of AR in patients undergoing CABG.

Development of a concept for a personalized approach in the perioperative antiplatelet therapy administration/discontinuation management based on multiple electrode aggregometry in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery.

In patients undergoing coronary artery surgery, improvements in clinical outcomes currently rely on continued refinements of the surgical technique and modulation of adjuvant pharmacotherapy. Despite medical and technological advances, negligible rate of bleeding and ischemic events still persist necessitating further improvements in patient management. Platelet function testing (PFT) might play an important role in meticulous balancing between the risk of bleeding and thrombotic events. A suitable balance can be achieved by implementing a personalized, PFT based approach in antiplatelet therapy (APT) administration/discontinuation management. Despite emerging evidence on the widespread variability in platelet inhibitory response to APT, numerous PFT devices and heterogeneity in reporting study results hamper pooling of the evidence which in turn results with a lack of consensus in "on treatment" platelet reactivity associated with ischemic and bleeding events in perioperative phase. The literature on multiple electrode aggregometry (Multiplate(®); Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) in coronary artery disease patients was reviewed systematically. Based on the evidence evaluating the relationship between "drug specific" PFT and bleeding or adverse ischemic events, we sought to define therapeutic window for the most commonly administered antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin (ASPI test) and adenosine-diphosphate receptor blockers (ADP test). Preoperatively, APT administration was primarily focused to avoid bleeding complications. ASPI test value of 20 AUC and ADP test value of <73 AUC were set as cut-off values that delineate bleeding tendency. Postoperatively, "therapeutic window" was set to avoid both bleeding and adverse ischemic events. Therapeutic ranges were as follows: 20 AUC < ASPItest ≤ 30 AUC and 19AUC < ADP ≤ 46AUC, respectively. This is the first attempt to define PFT based "therapeutic window" according to, perioperative APT administration/discontinuation management would be targeted. It seems that the "one-size-fits-all" concept of perioperative APT administration management is outdated and further development of PFT based, personalized APT administration/discontinuation management is desirable. This concept therefore presents a possible step forward in patient care and provides a platform for further interventional trials whereby the impact of its application on clinical outcomes would be validated.

The predictive value of platelet function point-of-care tests for postoperative blood loss and transfusion in routine cardiac surgery: a systematic review.

Excessive bleeding after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) operations remains to be a persistent problem and weak platelet function certainly contributes to bleeding diathesis. Antiplatelet therapy (APT) is an integral component of perioperative management in patients undergoing cardiac surgery procedures, both with and without use of CPB. In addition to individual variability in platelet function, different preoperative APT administration/discontinuation management further affects platelet function, which in turn may reflect bleeding tendency. However, the impact of drug-induced platelet inhibition on early postoperative bleeding extent remains difficult to predict. Herein, we reviewed the available evidence on the association between platelet function testing values and the extent of bleeding and transfusion requirements in early perioperative period. Currently, the association between platelet function measured by ex vivo assay and the occurrence of bleeding events remains uncertain. The intent of this review is to provide comprehensive literature insight into published evidence, investigating the possibility of platelet function tests to predict bleeding extent as well as transfusion requirements in cardiac surgery patients.

Bleeding and Thrombotic Events in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Circulatory Support: A Review of Literature.

Bleeding and thrombotic events are among the most common complications detected in patients with mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Herein, we reviewed the available evidence on the prevalence, etiology, and management of bleeding and thrombotic events in patients following MCS procedures, such as implantation of both intra- and paracorporeal devices that generate either pulsatile or nonpulsatile flow. Extracorporeal life support procedures providing support to the failing heart and lungs were also reviewed. Most bleeding and thromboembolic events occur despite appropriate hemostatic and anticoagulation management based on conventional coagulation laboratory parameters. Prevalence of bleeding events in this population ranges between 5 and 81%. Wide range in prevalence of bleeding reported in literature may be explained by different devices with different anticoagulation protocols being used, as well as different definitions of bleeding outcomes. Although bleeding events are more common than thromboembolic events, the consequences of thrombotic events are often detrimental. Management of bleeding events remains challenging and measures to prevent and treat bleeding events are often followed by thromboembolic events. Therefore, a personalized approach based on point-of-care hemostatic tests and adjusted to device type and patient comorbidities is therefore warranted. To provide advanced understanding of hemostatic disturbances during MCS, prospective trials focused on bleeding and thromboembolic events as primary endpoints should be conducted. Better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and a shift towards a personalized approach based on functional point-of-care hemostatic properties assessment may provide more favorable clinical outcomes. This should, however, be coupled with further technological improvements providing better device surface hemocompatibility as interaction between blood and device surface affects the hemostatic equilibrium.

Characteristics of NRS-2002 Nutritional Risk Screening in patients hospitalized for secondary cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of nutritional risk in patients scheduled for cardiovascular rehabilitation. BACKGROUND: Knowledge concerning nutritional aspects of cardiovascular diseases is contemporary limited. METHODS: Nutritional risk screening using a standardized Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002) questionnaire was performed on a cohort of consecutive patients scheduled for rehabilitation 1-6 months after treatment for ischemic, valvular, or combined causes of heart diseases. Baseline weight was available for more than 80% of patients. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 317 patients, aged 23-85 years, with a mean age of 62.5 ± 11.3 years. Male to female share was 253 (79.8%) and 64 (20.2%), respectively. Twenty-eight (8.8%) were treated for myocardial infarction conservatively, 151 (47.6%) by percutaneous coronary interventions, and 145 (45.7%) by surgery. NRS-2002 was 3.56 ± 1.54 in range 0-6. A high correlation was found between the NRS-2002 and percentage weight loss history (rho = 0.813; p <0.001). Significant differences according to increased nutritional risk (NRS-2002 ≥ 3) were found within age groups (p < 0.001), disease etiology (p = 0.002), cardiovascular treatments (p < 0.001), and grades of renal function (p < 0.001). Odds for developing increased nutritional risk (NRS-2002 ≥ 3) were significant for cardiovascular treatments (odds ratio [OR] = 4.35, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.28-8.30, p < 0.001), age (OR = 3.19, 95% CI, 2.00-5.09, p < 0.001), grade of renal function (OR = 1.91, 95% CI, 1.17-3.09, p = 0.009), diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.37, 95% CI, 1.09-5.16, p = 0.029), and any psychological disturbance (OR = 2.04, 95% CI, 1.06-3.90, p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Pronounced nutritional risk frequently existed among patients at stationary cardiovascular rehabilitation. Nutritional risk was connected with preceding cardiovascular treatments, patient age, and renal function. Further studies concerning nutritional risk and its connections with clinical outcomes might serve as a resourceful perspective to improve outcomes or quality of care for the entities from the cardiovascular diseases continuum.

Bioelectrical impedance analyzes offers clinically relevant appraisal of body composition, but fails to recognize nutritional risk or differences between surgery and percutaneous coronary interventions treatments--a non-randomized cohort.

Our aim was to evaluate the adipose tissue percentage content appraised with BIA in patients recently treated for cardiovascular disorders by means of surgery or percutaneous coronary interventions. Study included 208 consecutive patients, in age range 25-84 years, 176 male and 32 female. There were 108 (51.9%) percutaneous coronary interventions and 100 (48.1%) operations. Adipose tissue share appraised by BIA in our settings was 28.6-6.7% with significant differences in relation with gender (p<0.001) and no relations with the age of patients. Intermediate levels of correlations were found in relation to the body mass index (Rho: 0.521, p<0.001), waist-circumference (Rho: 0.450; p<0.001) and hip-circumference (Rho: 0.393; p<0.001). ROC-analyzes revealed diagnostic cutoff point of BIA at 29.5% for predicting the obesity (AUC=0.761; p<0.001) and 27% for metabolic syndrome (AUC=0.715; p<0.001). There were no relations of BIA to nutritional status, laboratory or echocardiography diagnostic. BIA offered clinically relevant appraisal of anthropometrically and metabolic related risks from cardiovascular continuum. Diagnostic yields solely on impedance analyze bases seem limited, particularly in investigational settings with composited endpoints.