Background and objective: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a decrease in systolic blood pressure (BP) of 20 mm Hg and in diastolic BP of 10 mm Hg when changing the position from lying to standing. Arterial hypertension (AH), comorbidities and polypharmacy contribute to its development. The aim was to assess the presence of OH and its predictors in asymptomatic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Material and methods: 45 CKD patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m² (CKD+) were examined for signs of OH and its predictors. The results were compared with the control group of 22 patients with eGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m² (CKD–). Asymptomatic patients without ischemic heart disease and previous stroke were qualified. Total blood count, serum creatinine, eGFR, urea, phosphates, calcium, albumins, parathyroid hormone, uric acid, C reactive protein, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, lipid profile, and urine protein to creatinine ratio were assessed. Simultaneously, patients underwent echocardiography. To detect OH, a modified Schellong test was performed. Results: OH was diagnosed in 17 out of 45 CKD+ patients (average age 69.12 ± 13.2) and in 8 out of 22 CKD– patients (average age 60.50 ± 14.99). The CKD+ group demonstrated significant differences on average values of systolic and diastolic BP between OH+ and OH– patients, lower when standing. In the eGFR range of 30–60 mL/min/1.73 m² correlation was revealed between OH and β-blockers (p = 0.04), in the entire CKD+ group between β-blockers combined with diuretics (p = 0.007) and ACE-I (p = 0.033). Logistic regression test revealed that chronic heart failure (CHF, OR = 15.31), treatment with β-blockers (OR = 13.86) were significant factors influencing the presence of OH. Conclusions: Predictors of OH in CKD may include: CHF, treatment with β-blockers, combined with ACE-I and diuretics.

Background: The comprehensive assessment of right ventricular (RV) performance is of paramount importance because it is has been recognized as a strong prognostic factor in a variety of clinical settings. The aim herein was to evaluate the usefulness of RV longitudinal strain imaging by speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in daily clinical practice, especially in the context of RV systolic function and its changes after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: This prospective study enrolled 63 patients with ischemic injury (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] ≤ 45%). Additionally, a subgroup was created: patients with ACS treated with successful percutaneous coronary intervention. The clinical and echocardiographic parameters, including STE, were analyzed. Results: Significant correlations for both RV free-wall (RVFWSL) and four-chamber (RV4CSL) longitudinal strain evaluated by STE with New York Heart Association class, LVEF, E/E’ ratio, as well as conventional parameters of RV function were found. RVFWSL was able to detect subtle RV functional abnormalities, unreachable for traditional indices. RV recovery after ACS was not related to higher LVEF but better contractility of the interventricular septum (IVS) assessed by STE. Conclusions: Right ventricular strain proved to be a useful two-dimensional echocardiographic method to detect impaired RV performance, which showed a significant relationship with clinical and other echocardiographic indices. The IVS played a vital role in RV recovery among ACS survivors. Background: The comprehensive assessment of right ventricular (RV) performance is of paramount importance because it is has been recognized as a strong prognostic factor in a variety of clinical settings. The aim herein was to evaluate the usefulness of RV longitudinal strain imaging by speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in daily clinical practice, especially in the context of RV systolic function and its changes after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: This prospective study enrolled 63 patients with ischemic injury (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] ≤ 45%). Additionally, a subgroup was created: patients with ACS treated with successful percutaneous coronary intervention. The clinical and echocardiographic parameters, including STE, were analyzed. Results: Significant correlations for both RV free-wall (RVFWSL) and four-chamber (RV4CSL) longitudinal strain evaluated by STE with New York Heart Association class, LVEF, E/E’ ratio, as well as conventional parameters of RV function were found. RVFWSL was able to detect subtle RV functional abnormalities, unreachable for traditional indices. RV recovery after ACS was not related to higher LVEF but better contractility of the interventricular septum (IVS) assessed by STE. Conclusions: Right ventricular strain proved to be a useful two-dimensional echocardiographic method to detect impaired RV performance, which showed a significant relationship with clinical and other echocardiographic indices. The IVS played a vital role in RV recovery among ACS survivors.

Coronary artery bypass grafting may be associated with several cardiac complications, including ischemia, acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, or hemodynamic instability. Accumulating evidence suggests that well-developed coronary collateral circulation may protect against adverse effects, including myocardial ischemia. Assessment of myocardial microvascular perfusion is, therefore, of great clinical interest in beating heart surgery. In this paper, myocardial microvascular perfusion is continuously assessed on the beating heart using laser Doppler flowmetry in consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting procedures. No significant (p = 0.110) differences were found between the averaged perfusion signal (n = 42) at the baseline, during artery occlusion, or after reperfusion (732.4 ± 148.0 vs. 711.4 ± 144.1 vs. 737.0 ± 141.2, respectively). In contrast, significantly different (p < 0.001) mean perfusion signals (n = 12) were found (805.4 ± 200.1 vs. 577.2 ± 212.8 vs. 649.3 ± 220.8) in a subset of patients who presented with hemodynamic instability and myocardial ischemia. Additionally, a strong positive correlation between the plasma levels of high-sensitivity troponin I and perfusion decrease level after artery occlusion was found (r = 0.854, p < 0.001). This study argues that myocardial microvascular perfusion remains constant during coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart in advanced coronary artery disease. This phenomenon is most likely due to an extensive coronary collateral circulation.