Background and Objectives: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains a worldwide management problem. Although there is a general effort for characterizing this population, few studies have assessed the predictive value of the echocardiographic E/e’ ratio in patients with acute HFpEF. The aim of the study was to identify groups with different prognosis in patients hospitalized with a first acute episode of HFpEF. Materials and Methods: The primary endpoint of the study was heart failure readmissions (HFR) at 6 months, while the secondary outcome was six-month mortality. We consecutively enrolled 91 patients hospitalized for the first time with acute HFpEF. We examined the E/e’ ratio as an independent predictor for HFR using univariate regression. Results: We identified and validated the E/e’ ratio as an independent predictor for HFR. An E/e’ ratio threshold value of 13.80 was calculated [(area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) = 0.693, sensitivity = 78.60%, specificity = 55%, p < 0.004)] and validated as an inflection point for an increased number of HFR. Thus, we divided the study cohort into two groups: group 1 with an E/e’ ratio < 13.80 (n = 39) and group 2 with an E/e’ ratio > 13.80 (n = 49). Compared to group 1, group 2 had an increased number of HFR (p = 0.003) and a shorter time to first HFR (p = 0.002). However, this parameter did not influence all-cause mortality within six months (p = 0.84). Conclusions: The dimensionless E/e’ ratio is a useful discriminator between patients with acute HFpEF. An E/e’ value over 13.80 represents a simple, yet effective instrument for assessing the HFR risk. However, all-cause mortality at six months is not influenced by the E/e’ ratio.

Background: The first admission for acute heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) drastically influences the short-term prognosis. Baseline characteristics may predict repeat hospitalization or death in these patients. Methods: A 103 patient-cohort, admitted for the first acute HFpEF episode, was monitored for six months. Baseline characteristics were recorded and their relation to the primary outcome of heart failure readmission (HFR) and secondary outcome of all-cause mortality was assessed. Results: We identified six independent determinants for HFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (p = 0.07), hemoglobin (p = 0.04), left ventricle end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (p = 0.07), E/e’ ratio (p = 0.004), left ventricle outflow tract velocity-time integral (LVOT VTI) (p = 0.045), and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.06). Three of the variables were used to generate a risk score for HFR: LVEDD, E/e’, LVOT VTI -DEI Score = − 28.763 + 4.558 × log (LVEDD (mm)) + 1.961 × log (E/e’ ratio) + 1.759 × log (LVOT VTI (cm)). Our model predicts a relative amount of 20.50% of HFR during the first 6 months after the first acute hospitalization within the general population with HFpEF with a DEI Score over −0.747. Conclusions: We have identified three echocardiographic parameters (LVEDD, E/e’, and LVOT VTI) that predict HFR following an initial acute HFpEF hospitalization. The prognostic DEI score demonstrated good accuracy.

Background and Objectives: Although the effectiveness of remote monitoring (RM) has been extensively studied, a focus on the post-pandemic time period is needed given the social changes and technology advances since this global event occurred. Aim: The present paper responds to this need by reviewing post-pandemic research, to determine if RM of patients with heart failure (HF) using non-implantable devices represents an effective strategy. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and PMC, and the number of articles included was 19. Results: A total of 3,031 patients participated in the 19 studies in this review, who had HF (NYHA class I–IV). Most frequent outcomes of interest were: rates of hospitalization (13 studies), death (5 studies), adherence to medications / healthy behaviors (4 studies), associated costs (4 studies), symptom intensity or frequency (3 studies), etc. The studies included in this review unanimously presented significant findings in favor of RM. Conclusion: The post-pandemic research targeting RM of patients with HF presents more homogenous results to support this type of intervention, as compared to the heterogeneity of the pre-pandemic research.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that can significantly impact the quality of life of those affected. As an autoimmune disease, it can lead to itchy, painful, and scaly patches on the skin. Although various treatments, including topical creams, phototherapy, and systemic medications, are currently available, they may not always offer effective relief and can have side effects. Researchers have thus been exploring the potential benefits of non-psychoactive compounds such as CBD, found in Cannabis sativa plants, for treating psoriasis. CBD treatment may reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, itching, abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes, and may increase hydration. This review aims to provide an overview of the existing literature on the potential uses of CBD for psoriasis treatment.

Epidemiological studies indicate that heart failure (HF) prevalence and associated mortality are significantly higher among Eastern European countries as compared to their Western European counterparts. The significant financial burden on the healthcare system matches these sobering data. Thus, efficient programs for patients with HF have been called for. N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) represents a widely used, cost-effective, and readily available test that can be used to evaluate HF risk. However, it should not be used as a universal assessment, given the existing variability in proposed cut-off scores for various subgroups of patients. Thus, the clinical context needs to always be considered, and alternative diagnoses need to be ruled out. Based upon evidence from the literature for the above assumptions, the advantages and limitations of using NT-proBNP in primary care settings, along with other HF diagnostic modalities, are discussed in this paper. Also, this paper argues that an effective primary care network, in collaboration with specialist providers, may avoid a delay in HF diagnoses, may help provide on-time treatments, and may ultimately cut unnecessary healthcare expenditures associated with HF hospitalizations. Therefore, the present paper proposes an algorithm for diagnosing HF in primary care settings and discusses specific knowledge and skills that family physicians should be well equipped with in order to successfully respond to the needs of their patients with HF.

Aim and Objectives: The objective of our retrospective study was to investigate the changes in pNFH levels in cerebrospinal fluid, which is a reliable marker of neuronal damage, after the loading dose of nusinersen in different types of spinal muscular atrophy. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the spinal muscular atrophy types, the number of copies of the SMN2 gene, and the progression of the motor status using specific motor function scales in a group of 38 patients with spinal muscular atrophy types 1, 2, and 3. Results: We found a significant inverse correlation between pNFH levels and patient age, progress on functional motor scales, and nusinersen administration. Our results also revealed that the neurofilament levels in the cerebrospinal fluid were higher in patients with 2 SMN2 copies than those with more than 2 copies, although the association was not statistically significant due to the abnormal distribution of the values. Conclusions: We identified several predictors of favorable evolution under nusinersen treatment, including spinal muscular atrophy type 1, children aged ≤ 30 months, and the presence of only 2 copies of SMN2. Our study provides important insights into the use of pNFH as a biomarker to monitor disease progression and responses to treatment in patients with spinal muscular atrophy.