The best method of anticoagulation for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) is still a topic of interest for physicians. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the effects of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) with those of vitamin-K-antagonist (VKA) anticoagulants in patients with peripheral artery disease. Five databases (Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and CENTRAL) were searched systematically for studies comparing the effects of the two types of anticoagulants in patients with PAD, with an emphasis on lower-limb outcomes, cardiovascular events, and mortality. In PAD patients with concomitant non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), the use of DOACs significantly reduced the risk of major adverse limb events (HR = 0.58, 95% CI, 0.39–0.86, p < 0.01), stroke/systemic embolism (HR 0.76; 95% CI 0.61–0.95; p < 0.01), and all-cause mortality (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.66–0.92; p < 0.01) compared with warfarin, but showed similar risks of MI (HR = 0.81, 95% CI, 0.59–1.11, p = 0.2) and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.77, 95% CI, 0.58–1.02, p = 0.07). Rivaroxaban at higher doses significantly increased the risk of major bleeding (HR = 1.16, 95% CI, 1.07–1.25, p < 0.01). We found no significant difference in terms of revascularization (OR = 1.49, 95% CI, 0.79–2.79, p = 0.14) in PAD patients in whom a poor distal runoff was the reason for the anticoagulation. DOACs have lower rates of major limb events, stroke, and mortality than VKAs in PAD patients with atrial fibrillation. Rivaroxaban at higher doses increased the risk of major bleeding compared with other DOAC drugs. More high-quality studies are needed to determine the most appropriate anticoagulation regimen for patients with lower-limb atherosclerosis.

Remote monitoring (RM) is the newest function of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). In our observational retrospective analysis, we aimed to assess whether telecardiology could be a safe alternative to routine outpatient examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The in- and outpatient visits, the number of acute cardiac decompensation episodes, the RM data from CIEDs, and general condition were examined via questionnaires (KCCQ, EQ-5D-5L). Regarding the enrolled 85 patients, the number of personal patient appearances was significantly lower in the year following the pandemic outbreak compared to the previous year (1.4 ± 1.4 and 1.9 ± 1.2, p = 0.0077). The number of acute decompensation events was five before and seven during lockdown (p = 0.6). Based on the RM data, there was no significant difference in heart failure (HF) markers (all related p > 0.05); only patient activity increased after restrictions were lifted compared to that before the lockdown (p = 0.03). During restrictions, patients reported increased anxiety and depression compared to their previous state (p < 0.001). There was no subjective change in the perception of HF symptoms (p = 0.7). Based on the subjective perception and CIED data, the quality of life of patients with CIED did not deteriorate during the pandemic, but their anxiety and depression intensified. Telecardiology may be a safe alternative to routine inpatient examination.

Background/Objectives: Remote telemedical management (RTM) in heart failure (HF) patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) is a reliable approach to follow device-specific and heart failure-related parameters. However, while some positive outcome data is available, results are inconclusive. We aimed to assess the benefits of continuous remote telemonitoring (RTM) compared to the in-person visit (IPV) in reducing all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalizations (HFH), cardiovascular (CV) deaths, and the occurrence of inappropriate therapy. Methods: The study comprised a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing RTM (device-related or other non-invasive telemonitoring systems) vs. IPV for the management of HF patients. The main endpoints were all-cause and CV mortality. Risk of bias and level of evidence were assessed. Hazard ratios (HRs), odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. CENTRAL, EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched, and only randomized controlled studies were included. Results: Sixteen RCTs were identified, comprising a total of 11,232 enrolled patients. Seven studies evaluated all-cause mortality, resulting in an OR 0.83 (95% CI 0.72 to 0.96). When CV mortality was assessed, the RTM group showed a significant benefit compared to the IPV group (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.97). The risk of bias ranged from “low” to “some concerns” for most outcomes, and the certainty was low to moderate depending on the specific outcomes. Conclusions: RTM proved to be superior in reducing all-cause and CV mortality compared to IPV; however, there is a clear need to have standardized alert actions to achieve the mortality benefit.

ECMO has become a therapeutic modality for in- and out-of-hospital scenarios and is also suitable as a bridging therapy until further decisions and interventions can be made. Case report: A 27-year-old male patient with mechanical aortic valve prothesis had a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). ROSC had been achieved after more than 60 min of CPR and eight DC shocks due to ventricular fibrillation (VF). The National Ambulance Service unit transported the patient to our clinic for further treatment. Due to the trauma and therapeutic INR, a CT scan was performed and ruled out bleeding. Echocardiography described severely decreased left ventricular function. Coronary angiography was negative. Due to the therapeutic refractory circulatory and respiratory failure against intensive care, VA-ECMO implantation was indicated. After four days of ECMO treatment, the patient’s circulation was stabilized without neurological deficit, and the functions of the end organs were normalized. Cardiac MRI showed no exact etiology behind SCA. ICD was implanted due to VF and SCA. The patient was discharged after 19 days of hospitalization. Conclusion: This case report points out that the early application of mechanical circulatory support could be an outcome-determinant therapeutic modality. Post-resuscitation care includes cardiorespiratory stabilization, treatment of reversible causes of malignant arrhythmia, and secondary prevention.

Basic life support (BLS) skills are crucial not only for healthcare workers but for all lay people as well. Timely recognition of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and the initiation of BLS by bystanders before the arrival of healthcare personnel may improve survival. There are several methods of spreading BLS skills and improve BLS skill retention among lay people. One of these methods can be the education of adolescent school children. The introduction of mandatory BLS education in schools was very effective in some European countries to increase the rate of bystander BLS. The current study aims to investigate the efficacy of a BLS training and BLS curriculum among high school children in Hungary. Moreover, the investigators would like to optimise factors influencing skill retention in this first responder group and aim to compare two types of teaching methods: feedback given by the instructor or software-based feedback on the efficacy of chest compressions during the course. This study will be an interventional, assessor blinded, individually randomised parallel group trial recruiting 360 students. BLS skill retention will be assessed at the end of the course, two months after the training and six months after training. The current study will increase our knowledge on the methods educating BLS among high school children. The results will help us to create an effective BLS curriculum at schools. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06016153. Prospectively registered on 08/2023.