Background: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LV DD) is the most dominant cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) worldwide. This pathological condition may contribute to postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (pcPH) development. Hypoxemia, often observed in pcPH, may significantly negatively impact the course of hospitalization in patients after cardiac surgery. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of LV DD on the frequency of postoperative respiratory adverse events (RAE) in patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). Methods: The left ventricular (LV) diastolic function was assessed in 56 consecutive patients admitted for CABG. We investigated the relationship between LV DD and postoperative respiratory adverse events (RAE) in groups with normal LV diastolic function and LV DD stage I, II, and III. Results: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction stage I was observed in 11 patients (19.6%) and LV DD stage II or III in 19 patients (33.9%). Arterial blood partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) to the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) index during postoperative mechanical ventilation was significantly lower in LV DD stage II or III than in the group with normal LV diastolic function. Patients with DD stage II or III had a higher occurrence of postoperative pneumonia than the group with normal LV diastolic function. Conclusions: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is widespread in cardiac surgery patients and is an independent risk factor for lower minimal PaO2/FiO2 index during mechanical ventilation and higher occurrence of pneumonia.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an independent risk factor of increased morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery patients (CS). The most common cause underlying PH is left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the echocardiographic probability of PH in patients undergoing CS and its correlation with postoperative respiratory adverse events (RAE). Methods: The echocardiographic probability of PH and its correlation with LV diastolic dysfunction was assessed in 56 consecutive adult patients who were qualified for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Later, the postoperative RAE (such as pneumonia, pulmonary congestion, or hypoxemia), the length of intensive care unit (ICU) treatment and mortality in groups with moderate or high (PH-m/h) and low (PH-l) probability of pulmonary hypertension were examined. Results: PH-m/h was observed in 29 patients, of whom 65.5 % had LV diastolic dysfunction stage II or III. A significantly higher occurrence of RAE was observed in the PH-m/h group as compared to the PH-l group. There were no differences between the PH-m/h and PH-l patient groups regarding the in-hospital length of stay or mortality. Conclusions: High or intermediate probability of PH is common in cardiac surgical patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and correlates with respiratory adverse events.

Advances in antiretroviral therapy have resulted in a significant increase in life expectancy and quality of life of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH). However, long-term observation of this population revealed an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Moreover, development of atherosclerosis may be secondary to numerous factors. Traditional risk factors of ischemic heart disease, such as hypertension, diabetes, and cigarette smoking, are more common in HIV-infected population than in non-HIV-infected one. Many antiretroviral drugs have an unfavorable metabolic profile, leading to dyslipidemia, lipodystrophy, and impaired glucose metabolism. Markers of immuno-activation, coagulation, and endothelium dysfunction, may remain elevated despite an effective antiretroviral treatment (ART). Inflammation affects arterial endothelium, leading to an increased deposition of lipids in the arterial wall. HIV infection may also affect blood pro-thrombotic activity. All these factors lead to more rapid atherosclerosis formation and increased risk of myocardial infarction. In order to lower cardiovascular risk in PLWH, traditional risk factors should be modified, and ART with less impact on patients' metabolisms should be used. If necessary, a lipid-lowering treatment should be introduced. Treatment with statins brings an additional benefit of reducing inflammatory markers associated with an increased CVD risk. When selecting a statin, possible interactions with ART need to be considered.

No abstract

No abstract