Background Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is the treatment of choice for patients with acute and chronic coronary syndromes as it reduces mortality and prevents recurrent thrombotic complications. The assessment of both ischaemic burden and bleeding risk is crucial in deciding which DAPT to choose and how long it should be continued. Objectives The aim of our study was to perform prospective clinical follow-up of patients receiving fixed-dose combination therapy (ASA 75 mg + clopidogrel 75 mg). Our study is a multicentric, cross-sectional, observational, cohort study. Methods A total of 1500 patients who were started on fixed-dose combination DAPT for acute or chronic coronary syndrome were included in the study. Primary endpoints were hospitalization for any reason, hospitalization for cardiovascular cause, acute myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization and bleeding; the secondary endpoints were death for any reason or cardiovascular cause and stroke. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 5%. Results Median age was 63 years; 78.5% of the patients were receiving DAPT treatment for acute coronary syndrome. The rates of hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons, acute myocardial infartion, stent thrombosis and target-vessel revascularization were 7.9%, 2.3%, 1.3% and 4.2%, respectively. While the rate of BARC type 1 bleeding was 3.3%, the rate of BARC type 5, 3, or 2 bleeding was 0.6%. The secondary endpoints which were death from any cause, cardiovascular death and stroke were 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Our study shows that fixed-dose combination therapy is effective and safe in appropriately selected patients with acute or chronic coronary syndromes.

Depression and anxiety are common psychological disorders following acute coronary syndrome (ACS), potentially affecting patient outcomes. Sex-based disparities in the prevalence of these disorders may significantly impact recovery and rehabilitation post-ACS. To evaluate gender-based differences in depression and anxiety prevalence among Turkish patients following (ACS), and to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with psychological distress. In this cross-sectional observational study, 604 patients (144 women and 460 men) diagnosed with ACS were enrolled at their initial outpatient follow-up (4-8 weeks post-discharge). Data collection included demographic and clinical surveys along with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Depression and anxiety were significantly more prevalent in women than men (61.1% vs. 37.4% for depression, p < 0.001; 30.6% vs. 20.0% for anxiety, p = 0.008). Moderate-to-severe symptoms were also more common among women for both conditions (p < 0.001). Lower education levels and income below expenses were associated with higher anxiety and depression scores (p < 0.025). Among women, married individuals reported higher anxiety than widowed/divorced women (p < 0.001). Hypertension significantly increased distress, particularly in men (p < 0.001), while chronic kidney disease had a stronger impact among women (p < 0.018). There are marked gender disparities in depression and anxiety prevalence post-ACS, with women being significantly more affected. Socioeconomic disadvantages and comorbid conditions contribute to psychological distress. Routine psychological screening and sex-sensitive interventions, especially for vulnerable groups, are crucial for improving outcomes after ACS. Significant gender disparities exist in post-ACS depression and anxiety, with women disproportionately affected. Socioeconomic disadvantage and comorbidities further compound psychological distress. Integrating routine mental health screening and sex-sensitive interventions into post-ACS care is essential, particularly for high-risk populations, to improve long-term outcomes.

Background and Objectives: Pulmonary embolism (PE), the third most prevalent cause of cardiovascular death, is often regarded as a potentially fatal condition. Renal function has been shown to affect the short- and long-term prognosis of acute PE in several large registries. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between acute kidney injury (AKI) and the lactate-to-albumin ratio (LAR) in patients hospitalized for PE. Materials and Methods: 264 PE patients were included in this retrospective analysis. Based on the presence or absence of AKI, the study population was split into two groups. Results: Of the 264 patients included in our study, 161 (61%) were female. The median age was 67 ± 16 years. The sample was divided into two groups based on whether AKI developed (No AKI group, n = 176; AKI group, n = 88). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that sPESI score, receiving fibrinolytic therapy (tPA), and LAR (OR: 6.334, 95% CI: 3.070–13.069; p < 0.001) were independently associated with AKI in patients with PE. In particular, an LAR > 0.55 predicted AKI in patients with PE, with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 67% (AUC = 0.749, 95% CI = 0.692–0.800, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the LAR independently predicts AKI in patients with PE. This is the first study that precisely examines this association in PE patients, as far as we are aware.

Objective: Ferritin is a critical protein involved in iron storage and functions as an acute-phase reactant, playing a significant role in chronic inflammation and the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Elevated ferritin levels in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis may influence cardiac electrophysiological parameters, such as the corrected index of cardio-electrophysiological balance, a marker of proarrhythmic risk. This study aimed to investigate the association between ferritin levels and the corrected index of cardio-electrophysiological balance in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis. Material and Method: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 438 patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis, categorized into two groups according to their ferritin levels: Group 1 (≥1000 ng/mL, n=254) and Group 2 (≤200 ng/mL, n=184). Demographic, biochemical, and electrocardiographic data, including corrected index of cardio-electrophysiological balance, were analyzed. The correlation between ferritin levels and the corrected index of cardio-electrophysiological balance was assessed. Results: The index of cardio-electrophysiological balance was significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (5.1 vs. 4.9, p=0.003). A moderate positive correlation between ferritin levels and the index of cardio-electrophysiological balance was identified (r=0.326, p

Background and Objectives: To date, the role of the modified Rajan’s heart failure (mR-hf) risk score has been studied in patients with heart failure with reduced (HFrEF) and mid-range ejection fraction (EF). However, it has not been investigated in subjects with preserved EF (HFpEF). We aimed to examine the predictive value of the mR-hf risk score for mortality in both HFrEF and HFpEF. Methods: A total of 220 patients with HFrEF and HFpEF were included in this retrospective study. The study sample was divided into two groups according to mortality. Findings were compared between the groups. Results: The Non-survived group included 27 subjects, while the Survived group comprised 193 patients. The mR-hf risk score was significantly lower in the Non-survived group than the Survived group (p<0.001). According to the multivariate analysis, the mR-hf risk score and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification were independently associated with all-cause mortality (OR: 0.938, 95% CI: 0.905-0.972; p<0.001 and OR: 2.278, 95% CI: 1.161-4.468; p=0.017, respectively). Furthermore, the mR-hf risk score predicted mortality in both HFrEF and HFpEF (p values, <0.015 and <0.004, respectively). Conclusion: The mR-hf risk score could be a simple tool for predicting mortality in patients with HF, irrespective of EF.