Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a frequent complication of cardiac surgery associated with adverse outcomes. Systemic inflammation is

This review aims to summarize the global prevalence of healthcare-associated infections in patients with acute heart failure who have been admitted to coronary care units, highlighting the underrepresented burden of infection in this high-risk population. Coronary care units (CCUs) play a pivotal role in the care of patients experiencing acute or decompensated heart failure, offering a highly monitored environment with immediate access to advanced cardiac interventions. The management of heart failure in CCUs involves a multidisciplinary approach that includes hemodynamic monitoring, pharmacologic therapy, respiratory support, and, in selected cases, mechanical circulatory assistance. The early identification of deterioration, rapid therapeutic escalation, and close monitoring of cardiac function are hallmarks of CCU care. However, the complexity and severity of illness in this population are compounded by a high risk of infections, including hospital-acquired pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and device-related infections. These infections not only increase morbidity and prolong hospitalization but also significantly impact mortality and healthcare costs. The immunocompromised state of many heart failure patients—due to poor perfusion, malnutrition, and the use of invasive devices—further elevates their vulnerability. Effective infection prevention, early diagnosis, and targeted antimicrobial therapy are, therefore, critical components of heart failure management within CCUs. This intersection of advanced cardiac care and infection control highlights the need for integrated, multidisciplinary strategies to improve outcomes in this high-risk population.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) represents a group of disorders affecting the structure and function of the heart muscle, leading to a high risk of heart failure and sudden cardiac death (SCD). DCM frequently involves an underlying genetic etiology. Genetic testing is valuable for risk stratification, treatment decisions, and family screening. Romanian population data on the genetic etiology of DCM are lacking. We aimed to investigate the genetic causes for DCM among Romanian adult patients at tertiary referral centers across the country. Clinical and genetic investigations were performed on adult patients presenting to tertiary hospitals in Romania. The genetic investigations used next-generation sequencing panels of disease-associated DCM genes. A total of 122 patients with DCM underwent genetic testing. The mean age at DCM diagnosis was 41.6 ± 12.4 years. The genetic investigations identified pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 50.8% of participants, while 25.4% had variants of unknown significance. Disease-causing variants in 15 genes were identified in people with DCM, with 31 previously unreported variants. Variants in TTN, LMNA, and DSP explained 75% of genetic causes for DCM. In total, 52.4% of patients had a family history of DCM/SCD. Left ventricular ejection fraction of <35% was observed in 41.9% of patients with disease-causing variants and 55% with negative or uncertain findings. Further genotype-phenotype correlations were explored in this study population. The substantial percentage (50.8%) of disease-causing variants identified in patients with DCM acknowledges the importance of genetic investigations. This study highlights the genetic landscape in genes associated with DCM in the Romanian population.

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.

Background/Objectives: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain an important cause of morbidity in coronary care units (CCUs). Although left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is central to cardiovascular risk stratification, its relationship with infection susceptibility in CCU patients is poorly defined. We explored the association between LVEF and HAI incidence in a real-world CCU population. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study including 870 consecutive adult patients admitted to a tertiary CCU. Patients were stratified by LVEF into reduced (<40%) and preserved or mildly reduced (≥40%) groups. HAIs were defined using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC/NHSN) criteria and required microbiological confirmation. Demographic data, comorbidities, exposure to invasive devices, colonization status and clinical outcomes were collected. Associations with HAIs were assessed using univariate and exploratory multivariable logistic regression. Results: Of the 870 patients, 235 (27.0%) had LVEF < 40%. The overall HAI incidence was 1.8% (16/870) and was significantly higher in patients with reduced LVEF compared with those with LVEF ≥ 40% (3.82% vs. 1.10%, p = 0.018). Patients with LVEF < 40% had greater exposure to invasive devices (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.52–2.79, p < 0.001). The excess HAI burden was mainly driven by urinary tract infections (1.70% vs. 0.15%, p = 0.021). Colonization rates at admission were similar between groups. In univariate analysis, reduced LVEF was associated with higher HAI occurrence, but it did not remain independently associated after adjustment. Admission infection, malignancy, CPAP use, and CCU length of stay ≥5 days emerged as independent factors in the exploratory multivariable model (Nagelkerke R² = 0.247). Conclusions: Reduced LVEF is associated with higher HAI incidence in CCU patients, reflecting greater clinical severity, longer hospitalization, and increased exposure to invasive devices. Although not an independent predictor, LVEF appears to function as a clinically useful marker of vulnerability that may support early risk stratification and targeted infection-prevention strategies in CCU settings.