Lately, easier and shorter tests have been used in the functional evaluation of cardiac patients. Among these, walking speed (WS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests are associated with all-cause mortality, mainly cardiovascular and the rate of re-hospitalization, especially in the elderly population. We prospectively analyzed a group of 38 patients admitted to the Cardiology Clinic from Elias Hospital, Romania, with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) (n=22) and STEMI (n=16). We assessed the patients immediately after admission and before discharge with G-WALK between the 1st and 30th of September 2019. Our study group had a mean age of 62.7±12.1 years. Patients with a low WS were older (69.90±12.84 vs. 59.90±10.32 years, p=0.02) and had a lower serum hemoglobin (12.38±1.20 vs. 13.72±2.07 g/dl, p=0.02). The WS significantly improved during hospitalization (p=0.03) after optimal treatment. The TUG test performed at the time of admission had a longer duration in patients with heart failure (14.05 vs. 10.80 sec, p=0.02) and was influenced by patients’ age (r=0.567, p=0.02), serum creatinine (r=0.409, p=0.03) and dilation of right heart chambers (r=0.399, p=0.03). WS and TUG tests can be used in patients with CCS and STEMI, and are mainly influenced by age, thus having a greater value among the elderly.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a medical condition which is primarily characterized by airway inflammation and destruction of the pulmonary parenchyma. Besides the well-known physical comorbidities, psychological comorbidities such as anxiety have been found to be also increased in this category of patients. Our main three hypotheses referred to the biochemical markers of COPD (erythrocyte sedimentation rate- ESR, total serum protein and forced expiratory volume in the first second- FEV1) and their power of predicting the level of anxiety in this population. The study was conducted on 150 patients suffering from COPD. Based on their anxiety level, they were distributed in 2 groups: high anxiety and low anxiety. The results showed statistical significant differences between the two experimental groups regarding all three of our dependent variables, validating all of our three hypotheses. More specific, the patients in the high anxiety group had a significantly lower mean of FEV1 compared to low anxiety group (M = 46.01 vs. M = 41.47; p = 0.042). Also, patients from the high anxiety group had a significantly higher mean of total serum proteins compared to low anxiety group (M = 9.2 vs. M = 8.6; p = 0.002). And lastly, patients with high anxiety symptoms had a higher mean of ESR compared to those with low anxiety symptoms (M = 27.54 vs. M = 22.8; p = 0.045). Therefore, these biochemical markers commonly used in the diagnosing of COPD may be also used in predicting the severity of anxiety symptoms in this at risk group of patients.

Physical rehabilitation programs for patients with heart failure (HF) are underdeveloped in our country. In order to establish the correct rehabilitation plan, the first step is to evaluate the patient’s functional capacity. G-Walk is a simple and effective test in assessing functional capacity. The aim of the study is to analyze the correlation between the results obtained in Timed Up and Go (TUG) and walking speed test and the prognosis of patients with heart failure. Material and methods. We prospectively analyzed a group of 44 patients with heart failure class II-III NYHA hospitalized in the Cardiology Department of Elias Hospital between June 17 and July 15, 2019.We evaluated the functional mobility of the patients with heart failure with the G-Walk device that contains a wireless sensor. The G-Walk device represents a gait analysis system, performing – according to a protocol – 2 tests: Walk (patient’s walking speed) and TUG (measures balance and mobility). Results. After analyzing the walking speed, the patients were divided into 2 groups: those with a speed <0.8 m/s and those with a speed> 0.8 m/s. Out of 44 patients, 21 patients had a walking speed < 0.8 m/s and 23 patients had a walking speed > 0.8 m/s. It was seen that patients with lower walking speed (V < 0.8 m/s) versus patients with better walking speed (V > 0.8 m/s) were older, had a lower body weight, a lower blood pressure value, a lower value of the oxygen saturation, a lower value of sodium and a higher blood glucose value. After analyzing the value of the TUG test, patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with a TUG test duration < 15 seconds and patients with a TUG test duration > 15 seconds. Thus, out of 44 patients studied, 19 patients had a TUG value < 15 seconds and 25 patients had a TUG value over 15 seconds. It was observed that patients with a higher TUG value (> 15 seconds) versus patients with normal TUG value (< 15 seconds) were older, had a higher creatinine value and a higher blood glucose value. Conclusions. It has been shown that a low value of walking speed and mobility is associated with increased morbidity and mortality of all causes in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease. The physical rehabilitation of patients with heart failure is very important for improving the quality of life.

Diagnostic errors are real and are causing harm to patients on a global scale. However, the methods for measuring diagnostic errors are underdeveloped. One very important tool in this regard is the use of autopsies, in order to point out the cases where the actual affliction was missed and to quantify the incidence of such mistakes. We have carried out a study to compare the clinical diagnostic with the post mortem autopsy report in 119 patients who have died at the Pulmonology Hospital in Iasi, Romania, between January 2nd 2016 and January 2nd 2017. The purpose of this research is to determine the incidence of diagnostic errors and to identify the most missed or overlooked respiratory diseases.