Barbara Erzen

Dr. Barbara Erzen


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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3 October 2023 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
VBVinko Boc
Vinko Boc
MKMatija Kozak
Matija Kozak
BEBarbara Erzen
Barbara Erzen
Mojca Bozic MijovskiMojca Bozic Mijovski
Mojca Bozic Mijovski
ABAnja Boc
Anja Boc
Ales BlincAles Blinc
Ales Blinc
High incidence of superficial femoral artery (SFA) restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) poses a persistent challenge in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treatment. We studied how the patients‘ and lesions’ characteristics, thrombin generation, overall haemostatic potential (OHP), and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NR4A2 and PECAM1 genes affected the likelihood of restenosis. In total, 206 consecutive PAD patients with limiting intermittent claudication due to SFA stenosis who were treated with balloon angioplasty with bailout stenting when necessary were included. Patients’ clinical status and patency of the treated arterial segment on ultrasound examination were assessed 1, 6, and 12 months after the procedure. Restenosis occurred in 45% of patients, with less than 20% of all patients experiencing symptoms. In the multivariate analysis, predictors of restenosis proved to be poor infrapopliteal runoff, higher lesion complexity, absence of treated arterial hypertension, delayed lag phase in thrombin generation, and higher contribution of plasma extracellular vesicles to thrombin concentration. Poor infrapopliteal runoff increased the risk of restenosis in the first 6 months, but not later. The negative effect of poor infrapopliteal runoff on SFA patency opens questions about the potential benefits of simultaneous revascularisation of below-knee arteries along with SFA revascularisation.

21 May 2026 in Frontiers in Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DČDanilo Češljarac
Danilo Češljarac
ELErik Lipej
Erik Lipej
BSBrina Skaza
Brina Skaza
AMAna Spirkoska Mangaroska
Ana Spirkoska Mangaroska
MŠMišo Šabovič
Mišo Šabovič
BEBarbara Erzen
Barbara Erzen
Background: Older adults presenting to emergency departments or acute wards are at increased risk of functional decline, delirium, falls, prolonged hospital stay, and early mortality. Early recognition of vulnerability is crucial for timely preventive interventions, yet specific geriatric assessment is often not performed at admission due to time limitations. Aim: To provide a clinically focused synthesis of short geriatric screening tools and present a practical two-step model linking early screening with targeted clinical action. Methods: This narrative review summarizes brief screening instruments that can be completed within minutes and are suitable for routine use. A targeted literature review identified tools used and evaluated available evidence on predictive accuracy, feasibility, and clinical integration. Results: Rapid tools such as ISAR, TRST, PRISMA-7, and APOP allow early identification of patients at risk of functional decline, readmission, or short-term mortality. Multidomain instruments, including HARP, SHERPA, and ISAR-HP, provide broader prognostic information, supporting discharge planning and targeted follow-up. Predictive accuracy is generally moderate, with the area under the curve (AUC) typically between 0.60 and 0.70. Clinical impact depends on embedding screening into routine workflows and linking results to actionable interventions such as early mobilization, cognitive assessment, medication review, or referral to geriatric specialists. Clinical integration seems to require a tiered, two-step approach: rapid screening upon admission, followed by a comprehensive multidomain assessment on the ward. Conclusion: Short geriatric screening tools are essential in acute care. A two-step approach appears to be a practical and clinically reasonable strategy for optimizing early detection and linking screening to targeted interventions. However, further research is needed to validate its effectiveness and define the optimal implementation strategy.

29 June 2026 in Frontiers in Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
DČDanilo Češljarac
Danilo Češljarac
ELErik Lipej
Erik Lipej
BSBrina Skaza
Brina Skaza
AMAna Spirkoska Mangaroska
Ana Spirkoska Mangaroska
MŠMišo Šabovic
Mišo Šabovic
BEBarbara Erzen
Barbara Erzen
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1815638.].