Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis After Sars-CoV-2 Infection as Limitation of Contemporary Transplantology: A Case Report.

Invasive fungal infections are uncommon in pediatric heart transplant recipients. Risk and mortality are highest in the first 6 months post-transplant, especially in patients with previous surgery and those requiring mechanical support. There is a possibility that prior SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause a more severe course of pulmonary aspergillosis, especially in immunosuppressed individuals. This report describes a female patient, eight years of age, who was admitted to the pediatric cardiac surgery department with symptoms of end-stage heart failure in urgent need of mechanical circulatory support (MCS). A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was implanted as a bridge to transplantation. During over a year on the waiting list, LVAD was replaced twice due to the presence of fibrin on the inlet valve. While staying in the ward, the patient underwent SARS-CoV-2 infection. An orthotopic heart transplant was successfully performed after 372 days of MCS with LVAD. One month after transplantation, the girl developed severe pulmonary aspergillosis complicated by sudden cardiac arrest and implantation of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) used for 25 days. Unfortunately, a few days after weaning from VV ECMO, the patient died due to intracerebral bleeding.

Cardiac Metastatic Tumors: Current Knowledge.

Cardiac tumors are a heterogeneous group of pathologic masses of the heart that contain primary tumors-benign or malignant, and secondary tumors. Metastases are significantly more frequent, mostly originating from lung, breast, gastrointestinal tract, or ovary carcinomas. Secondary cardiac tumors may be asymptomatic or may cause cardiovascular, systemic, or embolic symptoms. The study is a summary of the available knowledge on cancerous metastatic lesions of the heart. Pleural mesothelioma (48.4%), adenocarcinoma (19.5%), or squamous cell carcinoma (18.2%) of lung, breast carcinoma (15.5%), ovarian carcinoma (10.3%), and bronchoalveolar carcinomas (9.8%) are cited as the most common origin of secondary heart tumors. Masses can spread by direct tumor invasion, by lymphatic vessels, veins, or arteries. Patients with cancer and nonspecific cardiovascular symptoms should be particularly vigilant, and the possibility of metastasis in an unusual location such as the myocardium should be considered in the diagnosis. Diagnostic methods include echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and histologic evaluation. Treatment of choice is managing primary carcinoma, due to the poor outcomes of surgical methods.

Fat, Sugar or Gut Microbiota in Reducing Cardiometabolic Risk: Does Diet Type Really Matter?

The incidence of cardiometabolic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, is constantly rising. Successful lifestyle changes may limit their incidence, which is why researchers focus on the role of nutrition in this context. The outcomes of studies carried out in past decades have influenced dietary guidelines, which primarily recommend reducing saturated fat as a therapeutic approach for cardiovascular disease prevention, while limiting the role of sugar due to its harmful effects. On the other hand, a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) as a method of treatment remains controversial. A number of studies on the effect of LCDs on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus proved that it is a safe and effective method of dietary management. As for the risk of cardiovascular diseases, the source of carbohydrates and fats corresponds with the mortality rate and protective effect of plant-derived components. Additionally, some recent studies have focused on the gut microbiota in relation to cardiometabolic diseases and diet as one of the leading factors affecting microbiota composition. Unfortunately, there is still no precise answer to the question of which a single nutrient plays the most important role in reducing cardiometabolic risk, and this review article presents the current state of the knowledge in this field.

[MASKS - PROTECTION OR DANGER? ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE ORDER TO COVER MOUTH AND NOSE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC [ARTICLE IN POLISH]].

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Current information suggests the existence of two main transmission routes for SARS-CoV-2. This is the drip trajectory and contact transmission. The order to cover the mouth and nose in the public space has been introduced as one of the preventive measures to limit the spread of some virus-induced respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Both medical and non-medical masks have become the most popular tool. Is there any evidence of their effectiveness? What can be the disadvantages of using them? The aim: To analyze social behaviour towards the order to cover the nose and mouth during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and to confront them with the results of research on the effectiveness of medical and non-medical masks. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material and methods: The study involved a group of 2512 respondents from all over Poland. The research tool was an original questionnaire containing 24 questions. RESULTS: Results: 76.1% of the respondents declare that they always obey the current order. 83% use a material mask and 26.9% wear a surgical mask. 35.2% of respondents think that the order to cover their nose and mouth is not justified. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The authors confronted the results of the questionnaire with the scientific research mentioned above. There is limited evidence to resolve the question - "Masks - protection or danger?" However, it is worth noting the small harmfulness and indirect evidence of benefits, which together have precedence over the lack of clear arguments supporting the use of masks by Polish society in times of epidemics.