We present the case of a 51-year-old male with known congestive heart failure and acute myocarditis who presented to the emergency department (ED) with swollen testicles and urinary symptoms two weeks after the initiation of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor treatment. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan was consistent with the diagnosis of Fournier’s gangrene (FG). Intravenous antibiotics were administered and surgical exploratory intervention and excision of necrotic tissue were performed, stopping the evolution of necrotizing fasciitis. FG, a reported adverse event, may rarely occur when SGLT2 inhibitors are administered in patients with diabetes. To our knowledge, there have been no reported cases of FG in Romania since SLGT2 inhibitors were approved. The distinguishing feature of this case is that the patient was not diabetic, which emphasizes that patients without diabetes who are treated for heart failure with SGLT2 inhibitors may also be at risk of developing genitourinary infections. The association of predisposing factors may have contributed to the development of FG in this case and even though the benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors outweigh the risks, serious adverse events need to be voluntarily reported in order to intervene promptly, verify the relationship, and minimize the risk of bias.

Background and Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate whether the benefits of sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on cardiovascular outcomes extend when initiated in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), regardless of diabetic status. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from 2015 up to July 2025, according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing SGLT2 inhibitors with controls in post-ACS patients. Articles without full-text data for extraction, with unavailable outcome data or evaluating patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) were excluded. Primary outcomes were all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Secondary outcomes included recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), rehospitalization for ACS, revascularization and stroke. Meta-analysis was conducted using the R statistical software (Version 4.5.1). Subgroup analysis was performed by study design to evaluate outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) populations. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) 2.0 and Risk of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tools. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results: A total of 16 studies were included in the meta-analysis, encompassing over 130,000 patients. Initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors after ACS was associated with a significant reduction in the primary outcome of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.77; (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67–0.89)] and CV mortality [HR = 0.83; (95% CI: 0.70–0.99)]. In subgroup analyses, patients with T2DM experienced a significant reduction in all-cause mortality [HR = 0.73, (95% CI: 0.62–0.86)] and recurrent MI [HR = 0.83, (95% CI: 0.69–0.99)]. Conclusions: Initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors after ACS is associated with a significant reduction in all-cause and CV mortality. Subgroup analysis further demonstrated a reduction in all-cause mortality and recurrent myocardial infarction among patients with T2DM, while in patients without diabetes, no significant effects were observed. Although evidence certainty ranged from low to moderate and large RCTs are still ongoing, these findings support the early introduction of SGLT2 inhibitors in eligible patients with T2DM following ACS, pending confirmation by large, prospective clinical trials.

The increasing worldwide prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) means almost 360 million people are suffering from this disease (in 2011) and it is estimated to reach 552 million people by 2030.1 The latest European Action on Secondary Prevention by Intervention to Reduce Events (EuroASPIRE) study (2013) has revealed that the mean prevalence of DM in European patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is around 38 %, with Cyprus leading the way with 55 % and Russia coming last with 27 %.2 Morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease is 2–5 tim

Anomalies of the thoracic venous system are rare and usually discovered incidentally, but they become clinically relevant in the case of patients requiring cardiac device implantation. Persistent left superior vena cava is considered the most common venous drainage abnormality, with several anatomical variants that generate technical difficulties during pacemaker or defibrillator lead placement. We report a case of an isolated persistent left superior vena cava with abnormal drainage into the left atrium, associated with a hypoplastic right-sided superior vena cava, in a patient scheduled for permanent pacemaker implantation. Considering the patient’s anatomical characteristics, a transvenous approach proved unfeasible and the procedure was successfully accomplished via the surgical placement of a left ventricle epicardial lead. We aim to emphasize the clinical importance of such venous anomalies and to discuss the practical implications and challenges derived from these types of conditions, especially in the field of electrophysiology.

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major public health issue worldwide, disproportionately affecting socioeconomically disadvantaged populations due to the social determinants of health (SDOHs). In Western Romania, these populations are particularly vulnerable to CVD. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and impact of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) among socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals in Western Romania and identify the primary CVRFs contributing to the high incidence of CVD within this population. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational design was employed, utilizing data from the medical records of 1433 eligible individuals. The inclusion criteria were based on Eurostat’s EU-SILC benchmarks, focusing on severe material deprivation, at-risk-of-poverty rates, and low work intensity. Data on demographics, familial and personal medical history, smoking status, blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and HbA1c levels were collected. Results: Of the 1433 subjects, 34.75% were male, with a median age of 52 years. Significant conditions included diabetes (7.39%), coronary disease (3.83%), arterial hypertension (35.58%), and dyslipidemia (21.28%). Median ages were higher for those with diabetes (65 vs. 51 years, p < 0.0001), coronary disease (64 vs. 51 years, p < 0.0001), arterial hypertension (65 vs. 43 years, p < 0.0001), and dyslipidemia (66 vs. 47 years, p < 0.0001). BMI (Body Mass Index) classifications showed 33.77% were overweight, 21.21% obese, and 15.07% morbidly obese. Smokers were younger than non-smokers (48 vs. 54 years, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The findings highlight the significant prevalence of CVRFs among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations in Western Romania. Socioeconomically disadvantaged populations exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, impaired glucose regulation, hypertension, and dyslipidemia compared to their before known status.