(1) Background: Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Despite substantial progress in its prevention and treatment, mortality rates remain high. Device therapy for HF mainly includes cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and the use of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Recently, however, a new device therapy—cardiac contractility modulation (CCM)—became available. (2) Aim: The purpose of this study is to present a first case-series of patients with different clinical patterns of HF with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), supported with the newest generation of CCM devices. (3) Methods and results: Five patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35% and a New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≥ III were supported with CCM OPTIMIZER^® SMART IPGCCMX10 at our clinic. The patients had a median age of 67 ± 8.03 years (47–80) and were all males—four with ischemic etiology dilated cardiomyopathy. In two cases, CCM was added on top of CRT (non-responders), and, in one patient, CCM was delivered during persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). After 6 months of follow-up, the LVEF increased from 25.4 ± 6.8% to 27 ± 9%, and the six-minute walk distance increased from 310 ± 65.1 m to 466 ± 23.6 m. One patient died 47 days after device implantation. (4) Conclusion: CCM therapy provided with the new model OPTIMIZER^® SMART IPG CCMX10 is safe, feasible, and applicable to a wide range of patients with HF.

Purpose: The relationship between personality traits and cardiovascular disease has gathered sustained interest over the last years, type –D personality (TDP) being significantly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, data regarding the connection between the TDP and the severity of CAD disease is scarce. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between TDP and the complexity of CAD, and to compare it with other sociodemographic and clinical features. Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional case-control clinical-based study on 221 consecutive hospitalized patients with chest pain (60 ± 10.2 years; 131 men), referred for coronary angiography. Results: TDP was identified in 42 (19%) patients, using the DS 14 scale. Symptomatology profile was evaluated using the SCL-90 scale. Syntax score was greater in the subgroup of patients with TDP in comparison to non-TDP subgroup (26.21± 12.03 vs 15.49± 8.89, respectively, p< 0.001), and most of SCL-90 symptom dimensions have significantly higher levels in the subgroup of TDP with CAD patients (all p < 0.05). Smoking (β=0.132, p=0.037), dyslipidemia (β=0.149, p=0.013), Diabetes Mellitus (β=232, p< 0.001), NA dimension of TDP (β=0.255, p< 0.001) and SI (β=0.279, p< 0.001) dimension of TDP have a significant contribution to the complexity of CAD assessed by Syntax score. Conclusion: TDP was associated with a more complex CAD assessed by Syntax score, and may represent a dynamic interface between the biological and psychological vulnerabilities and the symptoms of CAD.

Background: Nocturia has a high prevalence in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and is known to be a bothersome symptom for people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD). Objective: to characterize nocturia in a sample of PwPD, in relation to sleep, fatigue and other non-motor symptoms (NMS). Methods: we assessed 130 PwPD using a comprehensive battery of scales, which includes the Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire (NMSQ), International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Non-Motor Rating Scale (MDS-NMS), Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale version 2 (PDSS-2), Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), The Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-Short form (OABq-SF), and the Parkinson’s Fatigue Scale (PFS-16). Results: according to the positive answers to the item of the NMSQ related to nocturia, patients were divided into PwPD + nocturia, and PwPD − nocturia. Nocturia was reported by 112 patients (86.15%). Quality of life in PwPD + nocturia was worse than in PwPD − nocturia, according to the PDQ-39 scores (13.32 ± 9.00 vs. 26.29 ± 14.55, p < 0.001). Sleep was significantly disturbed in PwPD + nocturia compared to PwPD − nocturia, according to the total scores of various scales, such as PDSS-2, PFS-16. PwPD who complained of nocturia presented higher scores of several NMS. Conclusions: nocturia has a high prevalence in PwPD and it is associated with impaired sleep, fatigue, and reduced quality of life.

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) might worsen sleep quality and quality of life in people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD). Objective: The main aim of the present study is to explore the associations between RLS and sleep, quality of life and other non-motor symptoms (NMS) in a sample of PwPD. Methods: We compared the clinical features of 131 PwPD with and without RLS, in a cross-sectional study. We used several validated scales for assessment: the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group rating scale (IRLS), Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale version 2 (PDSS-2), Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire (NMSQ) and International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Non-Motor Rating Scale (MDS-NMS). Results: Thirty-five patients (26.71%) out of the total PwPD met the RLS diagnostic criteria, without significant differences between male (57.14%) and female (42.87%) (p = 0.431). Higher total scores of PDSS-2 were recorded among PwPD + RLS (p < 0.001), suggesting worse sleep quality. Significant correlations were observed between the diagnosis of RLS and some types of pain (especially nocturnal pain), physical fatigue and probable sleep-disordered breathing, according to the MDS-NMSS assessment. Conclusions: RLS has a high frequency in PwPD and it requires proper management, considering its consequences on sleep and quality of life.

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is a cardiac dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis, occurring in the absence of structural heart disease. It increases perioperative risk, especially in liver transplantation, and may contribute to hepatorenal syndrome. Despite its clinical significance, CCM remains poorly understood and lacks effective treatments. This review aims to summarize recent findings on the pathogenesis of CCM and highlight potential therapeutic targets. A focused literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Clarivate databases, selecting studies from the last five years. Included studies investigated molecular, cellular, and receptor-mediated mechanisms involved in CCM. Results: CCM results from neurohumoral, inflammatory, and electrophysiological disturbances. Key mechanisms involve dysfunction of β-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors, altered ion channels (potassium, L-type calcium), impaired sodium–calcium exchange, and suppression of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R). Dysregulation of the CD73 (5’-nucleotidase, ecto-5’-nucleotidase)–A2 adenosine axis, along with effects from endocannabinoids, nitric oxide (NO) inhibition by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), carbon monoxide (CO), and elevated galectin-3 (Gal-3), further contribute to myocardial dysfunction. Conclusions: CCM is a multifactorial condition linked to systemic and myocardial effects of cirrhosis. A deeper understanding of its mechanisms is essential for developing targeted therapies. Further research is needed to improve patient outcomes.