Cor et Vasa - Latest articles

Kapesní verze Doporučení ESC /EACTS pro léčbu chlopenních vad 2025. Praz F, Borger MA, Lanz J, Marin-Cuartas M, Abreu A, Adamo M, Marsan NA, Barili F, Bonaros N, Cosyns B, De Paulis R, Gamra H, Jahangiri M, Jeppsson A, Klautz RJM, Mores B, Pérez-David E, Pöss J, Prendergast BD, Rocca B, Rossello X, Suzuki M, Thiele H, Tribouilloy CM, Wojakowski W. Překlad vypracovaný Pracovní skupinou chlopenní a vrozené srdeční vady v dospělosti České kardiologické společnostiGuidelines

Hana Línkováa, Martin Matesb, Petr Toušekc, Zuzana Hlubockád, Tomáš Palečekd, Marian Brannye

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(Suppl.1):39-71 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.038  

2025 cílená aktualizace doporučení ESC/EAS z roku 2019 pro léčbu dyslipidemiíGuidelines

Mach F, Koskinas KC, Roeters van Lennep JE, Tokgözoğlu L, Badimon L, Baigent C, Benn M, Binder CJ, Catapano AL, De Backer GG, Delgado V, Fabin N, Ference BA, Graham IM, Landmesser U, Laufs U, Mihaylova B, Nordestgaard BG, Richter DJ, Sabatine MS, Michal Vrablík, Martin Šatný, Miloš Táborský

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(Suppl.1):30-38 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.032  

Kapesní verze konsenzuálního dokumentu ESC pro klinickou praxi. Konsenzuální dokument ESC ke vztahu duševního zdraví a kardiovaskulárních onemocnění v klinické praxi 2025Guidelines

Bueno H, Deaton C, Farrero M, Forsyth F, Braunschweig F, Buccheri S, Dragan S, Gevaert S, Held C, Kurpas D, Ladwig KH, Lionis CD, Maas AHEM, Merșa CO, Mindham R, Pedersen SS, Kuzman MR, Szmit S, Taylor RS, Uchmanowicz I, Vilchinsky N, Bueno H, Deaton C, Farrero M, Forsyth F, Braunschweig F, Buccheri S, Dragan S, Gevaert S, Held C, Kurpas D, Ladwig KH, Lionis CD, Maas AHEM, Merșa CO, Mindham R, Pedersen SS, Kuzman MR, Szmit S, Taylor RS, Uchmanowicz I, Vilchinsky N, Miloš Táborský, Aleš Linhart, Michal Vrablík

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(Suppl.1):4-29 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.030  

MEMORANDUM O VZÁJEMNÉ SPOLUPRÁCI mezi Českou společností soudního lékařství a soudní toxikologie ČLS JEP, Společností lékařské genetiky a genomiky České lékařské společnosti Jana Evangelisty Purkyně a Českou kardiologickou společností, z.s. aCurrent news

Prof. MUDr. Petr Hejna, Ph.D., MBA, Prof. MUDr. Milan Macek jr., DrSc, MHA, Prof. MUDr. Petr Ošťádal, Ph.D., FESC, Prof. MUDr. Miloš Táborský, CSc., FESC, FACC, MBA

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):513-515  

Diseminovaný epiteloidní hemangioendoteliom jako vzácná příčina nádorového postižení srdce.Case reports

Radka Světlíková, Jan Opatrný, Jan Baxa, Richard Rokyta

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):509-512 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.076  

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare mesenchymal tumor of vascular origin with a heterogeneous clinical course. It most commonly affects the liver, lungs, bones, and soft tissues, whereas cardiac involvement is an exceptionally rare manifestation of the disease and may mimic benign primary cardiac tumors. We present the case of a 29-year-old man with no significant personal or family medical history who was admitted for progressively worsening dyspnea. Initial examination revealed bilateral pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, and an intracavitary mass in the left atrium measuring up to 40 mm, which was considered suspicious for a myxoma...

Growth Differentiation Factor-15 and Cardiovascular Diseases: Biology, Clinical Implications, and Future Outlook.Review articles

Lutfu Askin, Okan Tanriverdi, Husna Sengul Askin

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):503-508 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.012  

Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) is a cytokine responsive to stress, linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, and tissue damage. In the past twenty years, it has become a significant biomarker in several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as heart failure (HF), coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndromes, pulmonary vascular disease, arrhythmias, and cardiometabolic disorders. Increased circulating GDF-15 levels forecast mortality, hospitalisation due to HF, repeated ischaemic incidents, and the likelihood of haemorrhage. This review consolidates GDF-15 biology, pathophysiology, diagnostic and prognostic applications,...

Saphenous Vein Graft in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) Surgery: Combating Thrombosis, Intimal Hyperplasia and Atherosclerosis in Maintaining Long-Term Graft Patency.Review articles

Gold Sunday Palm Tampubolon, Yan Efrata Sembiring, Oky Revianto Sediono Pribadi, Chikita Nur Rachmi, Danang Himawan Limanto, Jeffrey Jeswant Dillon, Ito Puruhito

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):494-502 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.002  

Aim: Gaining further insight to enhance treatment to stop the progression of saphenous vein grafts (SVG) disease, given the interest in using saphenous veins as grafts in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Methods: This comprehensive review synthesizes the current standards, contemporary treatment, and results related to coronary arterial bypass grafting using SVG, exploring a variety of methods and developments that have the potential to improve both immediate and long-term graft patency. Understanding pathophysiology of SVG disease and where it leads to suggest potential new treatments for the condition. Results: Failure of SVG can be the results...

Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Cardiovascular Safety: A Paradigm Shift in Cardiological Practice Jaromír OžanaaReview articles

Jaromír Ožana, Katarína Moravcová, Radek Adámek, Eliška Sovová

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):486-493 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.014  

Background: Hypogonadism is a common but frequently underdiagnosed condition in men with type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Low testosterone levels are associated with an adverse cardiometabolic profile and increased mortality. However, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has long been considered potentially harmful with respect to cardiovascular risk, largely based on observational studies with significant methodological limitations. Aim: To summarize current evidence on the relationship between testosterone, hypogonadism, and cardiovascular risk, to describe the pathophysiological mechanisms linking testosterone deficiency to...

Sekundárna prevencia ischemickej cievnej mozgovej príhody pri foramen ovale patens.Review articles

Juraj Dúbrava

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):481-485 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.024  

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is probably responsible for 5% of all ischemic strokes and 10% of strokes in young and middle-aged people aged 18-60 years. The assessment of the association between PFO and cryptogenic stroke is always only probabilistic. Currently, the best tool for assessing this probability is the PASCAL system (PFO-Associated Stroke Causal Likelihood). It is a simple and effective tool for selecting patients who have the highest benefit from transcatheter closure of PFO and the lowest risk of complications. The PASCAL classification is determined using the RoPE score (Risk of Paradoxical Embolism) and echocardiographic risk characteristics...

Ceramidy jako nové biomarkery kardiovaskulárních onemocnění.Review articles

Janula Stromská, Roman Panovský

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):478-480 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.003  

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors explain only 75% of the risk for cardiovascular disease and exposure to one or more vascular risk factors is common even in individuals who will not develop any clinical manifestations. Ceramides are a heterogeneous group of bioactive membrane sphingolipids that play specialized regulatory roles in cellular metabolism. Ceramides have been identified as novel biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases. © 2026, ČKS.

Katetrizační léčba srdečního selhání.Review articles

Jan Naar

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):470-477 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.064  

A number of non-pharmacological approaches that affect various pathophysiological mechanisms of heart failure are being clinically tested. These methods are at different stages of development. This article focuses on catheter-based techniques for the treatment of heart failure, especially catheter-based left ventricular remodeling and interatrial communication. Regarding catheter-based left ventricular remodeling, some systems have shown promising results in carefully selected patients when performed by an experienced team. Interatrial communication also appears to be effective in certain subgroups of patients with heart failure, both with preserved...

Effect of Radial Artery Grafting on Clinical Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: a Prospective Study on a Sample from Yemen.Original research articles

Abeer Shaiaa Naji Saadan, Nabeel Y. Al-Madwahi

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):461-469 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.007  

Background: Conduit selection is a critical determinant of clinical outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The radial artery has emerged as a preferred arterial conduit because of superior biological properties and patency compared with saphenous vein grafts. However, prospective data evaluating shortterm clinical outcomes and functional recovery associated with radial artery use remain limited in routine clinical practice. Methods: This prospective descriptive study included adult patients undergoing elective CABG at a tertiary cardiac surgery center. Demographic, clinical, operative, and postoperative data were collected. Cardiac...

Device Size/Septal Length as Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation After Percutaneous ASD Closure: 15-Year Follow-Up.Original research articles

Ahmet Özderya, Fatih Gülçebi, Murat Gökhan Yerlikaya, Ali Riza Akyüz

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):455-460 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.029  

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is known to develop during the follow-up of patients who have undergone percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. The primary aim of our study was to investigate the development and predictors of AF in the long-term follow-up of patients after ASD closure. Methods: Fifty-six patients who underwent percutaneous ASD closure at our center between 2008 and 2010 were included in the study. The study population was divided into two groups: patients with and those without an AF diagnosis. Result: There were 13 patients with AF (two males, 11 females; age = 41.02 ± 7.02 years; left ventricle ejection fraction...

Circulating microRNA-29 Reflects Remodeling-Related Ventricular Changes in Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.Original research articles

Mark Onsy Dimitry, Osama Louis, Solaf Ahmed Kamel, Eman Mahmoud Hassan, Rasha Nazih, Sally M. Hafez, Amira Fawzy Soliman, Eman Awadallah

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):448-454 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.018  

Background: Fibrotic remodeling is a hallmark of ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM). Among microRNAs (miR) implicated in extracellular matrix regulation, miR-29 has been experimentally linked to collagen expression and transforming growth factor-β / mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 related signaling. However, its circulating profile in human IDCM and its relationship with ventricular structure and function remain insufficiently characterized. The purpose of this study is to quantify plasma miR-29 in patients with IDCM and examine whether circulating miR-29 aligns with established echocardiographic indices of adverse ventricular remodeling....

The Value of Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 alpha as a Biomarker for Stable Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosis and Risk Stratification.Original research articles

Ahmed G. Bakry, Hossam Eldin M. Mahmoud, M. Abdelsayed, Mustafa M. Ali, Enas Fathy, Omyma Ashraf, Mohammed H. Hassan

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):440-447 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.120  

Background: Stable coronary artery disease (CAD) is a worldwide health concern, and trustworthy biomarkers for CAD diagnosis and risk assessment are still being investigated. The primary regulator of the cellular response to hypoxia, hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), has been thoroughly investigated in the context of acute cardiovascular events; however, its function as a biomarker in stable CAD is less well-established and requires validation. Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of HIF-1α in stable CAD and its correlation with disease severity. © 2026, ČKS.

Ventricular Arrhythmias in Electrolyte Imbalance Julieta LeladzeOriginal research articles

Julieta Leladze

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):427-439 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.036  

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyse the pathophysiological mechanisms, electrocardiographic manifestations, and therapeutic approaches related to ventricular arrhythmias caused by electrolyte imbalance, with emphasis on disturbances of potassium, magnesium, and calcium and their role in arrhythmogenesis and clinical risk assessment. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Scientific publications from 2019-2025 were searched in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The research question was structured using the PICO framework focusing on adult patients with electrolyte disturbances...

Effect of Prosthesis Orifice Area on Left Ventricular Reverse Remodeling After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.Original research articles

Marián Homola, Tomáš Toporcer, Tomáš Lopuchovský, Anton Bereš, Michal Trebišovský, Štefan Lukačín, Adrián Kolesár

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):418-425 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.026  

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate whether valve prosthesis size after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), even in the absence of patient-prosthesis mismatch, influences the magnitude of reverse left ventricular remodeling. Material and methods: A total of 216 patients undergoing isolated SAVR for native AS with a single prosthetic valve model and without preoperative or postoperative atrial fibrillation between January 2021 and December 2024 were included. Echocardiographic parameters were assessed preoperatively and at 1-year follow-up. Changes in left ventricular remodeling were analyzed in relation to indexed geometric orifice area (iGOA)....

Účinnost psychologických intervencí v léčbě arteriální hypertenze: přehledová studie.Original research articles

Radka Kozáková, Radka Bužgová, Katka Bobčíková, Hana Hanyášová, Renáta Zeleníková

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):410-417 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.011  

Aim: The aim of this narrative review was to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological interventions in the treatment of arterial hypertension, with a particular focus on their impact on blood pressure, psychological outcomes (stress, anxiety, depression), and quality of life. Methods: Randomized controlled trials published between 2015 and 2025 were identified through searches of PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library. Studies evaluating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, relaxation techniques, and stress management programs were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Results:...

Endothelial Dysfunction in Non-Diabetic Patients and Coronary Calcification: A Different Pathway to Coronary Artery Disease?Original research articles

Jan Pudil, Tasneem Faheem, Štěpán Jeřábek, David Zemánek, Kristýna Bayerová, Tomáš Kovárník

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):404-409 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.134  

Objective: To evaluate whether endothelial dysfunction (ED) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with a lower prevalence of coronary macrocalcifications (CMC), a marker of more advanced and typically more stable plaque remodelling.Methods: This secondary analysis included 77 consecutive patients enrolled in the FIGARO trial. Endothelial function was evaluated using the EndoPAT 2000 device, with ED defined as RHI < 1.67. Coronary angiograms were re-assessed by blinded reviewers for the presence of angiographically visible macrocalcification. Patients were categorised into three predefined groups:...

Survival benefits of specialized heart failure clinics: Czech real-world evidence.Original research articles

Josef Daněk, Jiří Jarkovský, Klára Benešová, Miloš Táborský

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(4):396-403 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.016  

Background: Heart failure (HF) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide despite major advances in pharmacological and device therapy. Optimized guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and access to specialized care are crucial for improving long-term outcomes. The impact of specialized heart failure clinics on survival in real-world clinical practice remains insufficiently documented in Central and Eastern Europe. Methods: This retrospective observational study compared two complementary datasets of HF patients in the Czech Republic. Nationwide data were obtained from the National Reimbursement of Healthcare Services Database...

Pavel Kolář: Labyrint bolesti a jak se v něm neztratitBook reviews

Prof. MUDr. Jan Petrášek, DrSc.

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(3):387 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.126  

Richard Kahn, zapomenutý pionýr elektrokardiografie z PrahyFrom the history of cardiology

Doc. MUDr. Čestmír Číhalík, CSc.

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(3):385-386 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.063  

Aneurysm of ascending aorta and its surgical management via implantation of personalized external aortic support (PEARS), guidelines for the experts in the Czech RepublicGuidelines

Alice Krebsová, Daniela Žáková, Petr Fila, Ondrej Szárszoi, Radka Kočková, Dominik Gardáš, Josef Kautzner, Ivan Netuka, Petr Němec, Jan Pirk

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(3):374-383 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.054  

Aneurysm of ascending aorta is a potentially lethal disease due to the risk of acute dissection. Medical care for patients is a complex process including accurate imaging of aorta, identification of the aetiology inclusive of genetic consultation, and family cascade screening. These may lead to individualized treatment, where cardiac surgery represents the most effective prevention of aortic dissection. Surgical implantation of personalized external aortic support (PEARS) is being promoted in the Czech Republic, but it is not yet anchored in international recommendations due to the limited experience and data on patient survival. A team of cardiologists,...

Odborné stanovisko Pracovní skupiny pro choroby myokardu a perikardu k léčbě transthyretinové srdeční amyloidózy(Expert consensus statement of the Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardiac Diseases on therapy of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis)Expert consensus statement

Aleš Linhart, Tomáš Paleček, Jan Krejčí, Miloš Kubánek, Alice Krebsová, Vojtěch Melenovský, David Zemánek

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(3):364-373 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.062  

Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) is a progressive infiltrative cardiomyopathy caused by the deposition of amyloid fibrils derived from destabilized transthyretin. In recent years, increasing evidence has shown that this condition is significantly underdiagnosed. Among elderly patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, particularly men over 70 years of age, the prevalence of the wild-type form of ATTR-CM may exceed 10%, with a higher occurrence also described in patients with aortic stenosis. A typical feature in the medical history is carpal tunnel syndrome, often preceding the manifestation of cardiac involvement by several...

Pathophysiology of Anemia in Heart Failure: Mechanisms and Clinical ImplicationsReview articles

Viktória Maľová

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(3):349-361 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.037  

Anemia is a common complication of heart failure (HF) and provides independent prognostic information. It affects up to half of patients and is frequently accompanied by alterations in erythrocyte indices that reflect underlying systemic dysregulation. The pathophysiology of anemia in HF is multifactorial and involves congestion-related hemodilution; impaired erythropoietin (EPO) production and marrow responsiveness due to renal hypoperfusion, inflammation, and uremic milieu; hepcidin-mediated functional iron deficiency; nutritional and medication-related influences; reduced red blood cell lifespan; and oxidative and mitochondrial dysfunction. These...

Multimodality imaging of congenital coronary anomalies non-atherogenic coronary diseasesReview articles

Marek Kardoš, Peter Olejník, Erika Drangová, Jana Poláková Mištinová

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(3):340-348 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.028  

Coronary artery anomalies are very rare in the general population. They can occur as an isolated anomaly or as part of congenital heart defects. Only 20% of them are potentially clinically significant and can manifest with life-threatening symptoms such as myocardial ischemia, malignant ventricular arrhythmia, or sudden cardiac death. They are usually detected as an incidental finding during CT or catheterization coronary angiography. They represent the second most common cause of death in young athletes after hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. In this review, for simplicity and clinical relevance, we focus on the most common coronary artery...

Pacing induced cardiomyopathy and upgrade to cardiac resynchronization therapyReview articles

Jakub Šimka, Jan Vojáček, Petr Pařízek

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(3):330-339 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2026.013  

Upgrade to cardiac resynchronization therapy is an established method to treat patients with a permanent pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator who develop symptoms of heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction. Pacing induced cardiomyopathy represents a potentially reversible cause of left ventricular dysfunction that can fully recover after implantation of biventricular pacing or conduction system pacing.

Genetic diagnostics in cardiology: Impact of heredity on risk of developing cardiovascular diseaseReview articles

Elnura Nishankulova, Katarzyna Wiśniewska, Shoira Agzamova, Evgeni Nikolaev, Remigiusz Tomczyk

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(3):320-329 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.137  

The genetic aspects of cardiovascular disease formation are of relevance due to their significant contribution to the overall structure of cardiac pathology and the expansion of the diagnostic capabilities of molecular technologies. The study aimed to systematise current knowledge about the role of hereditary factors in the development of cardiovascular pathologies and to assess the clinical efficacy of genetic methods for their diagnosis. The literature review, after implementing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, included 60 scientific studies. The analysis demonstrated that primary and secondary structural myocardial damage, cardiac ar- rhythmias...

(Some diagnostic markers of heart failure in patients with aortic valve stenosis)Review articles

David Čmejrek, Martin Hudec, Mária Ivančíková, Peter Fleischer

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(3):314-319 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.132  

Aortic valve stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease in adults. This valve defect often coexists with heart failure syndrome. In our study, we retrospectively analyzed data from 121 patients hospitalized at SUSCCH between March 2024 and March 2025. We examined the dependence of NTproBNP values and their correlation with echocardiographic parameters - LV mass, E/e´, LAVi, LV EF, and PGmean. In our cohort, NTproBNP as a diagnostic marker of heart failure in the context of severe aortic valve stenosis proved to be of little diagnostic value in the initial and mildly advanced stages, with its significance increasing only in the advanced stage...

(Arrhythmogenic mitral valve prolapse retrospective evaluation of options for estimating the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias)Original research articles

Václav Kotyza, Markéta Segeťová, Blanka Skalická, Petr Peichl, Petra Peldová, Milan Macek Jr., Josef Kautzner, Alice Krebsová

Cor Vasa 2026, 68(3):308-313 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2025.136