Purpose: To analyze the predictive value of increased visit-to-visit blood pressure (BP) variability for cardiovascular (CV) risk assessment in the adult hypertensive population of Romania using the data from SEPHAR II national representative survey. Methods: Study group included 978 hypertensive adults identified in SEPHAR II survey (54.9% females, mean age 54.42±13.38 years). Visit-to-visit BP variability was defined by standard deviation (s.d.) of the mean SBP and CV risk by ESH/ESC risk stratification chart. Forth quatile of SBP's.d., age, sex, SBP, pulse pressure (PP), heart rate (HR) ≥ 70 beats per minut (bpm) and insulin resistance (IR) defined by triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol ratio above 3, were included in a binary logistic regression analysis using a stepwise method to validate the best model for prediction of increased (high and very high) CV risk. Results: Mean BP value of the study group was 149.96/89.18mmHg. Median value of SBP' s.d. was 4.95mmHg (range: 0 - 72.12mmHg). Approximatly a quarter of hypertensive subjets had SBP's.d. ≥ 10.69mmHg (4th quatile of SBP's.d.) and 63,1% of subjects had HR ≥ 70bpm. One third of hypertensive subjects had a very high CV risk. Adjusted regression model for prediction of increased CV risk includes: SBP's.d. ≥10.69mmHg (OR: 3,59; 95% CI:1.38 – 9.35), age (OR:1.05; 95% CI:1.03 – 1.07), SBP ((OR:1.06; 95% CI:1.04 – 1.08), HR ≥70bpm (OR:1.74; 95% CI:1.01 – 2.98) and IR (OR:3.42; 95% CI:1.78 – 6.54). Figure 1: ROC Curve for predition model Conclusions: Almost a quarter of Romania's adult hypertensive population has high visit-to-visit BP variability and a very high CV risk. Our study suggests that increased visit-to-visit BP variability can be an usefull predictor of increased CV risk additive to other convetional predictors, this model needing validation in a prospective survey.

The prevalence of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the setting of cirrhosis ranges between 4 and 47% and its presence increases the mortality rate, especially when hypoxemia is present. Our study aim was to fix whether there is a correlation of results between two simple and non‐invasive procedures such as transthoracic contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and pulse oximetry, used for early detection of HPS in patients with liver cirrhosis, having as endpoint the improvement in their outcome. The rapid lung enhancement and delayed left ventricle enhancement of the saline solution, after at least three systolic beats during CEUS and pulse oximetry showing a SaO2 < 95%, were correlated and considered positive for the diagnosis of HPS. One hundred and sixty‐five (44%) of the total of 375 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis enrolled in the current study, with or without respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, clubbing, distal cyanosis, cough and/or spider angioma), showed positive criteria for HPS diagnosis during CEUS. SaO2 < 95% and PaO2 < 70 mmHg were found in 123 patients (33%) during pulse oximetry investigation. Pearson correlation index showed a good correlation between lung and heart CEUS findings and pulse oximetry (r = 0.97) for HPS diagnosis. CEUS and pulse oximetry results correlate and rapidly diagnose HPS, a highly fatal complication of liver cirrhosis (LC), guiding the future treatment by speeding up orthotopic liver transplant OLT recommendations to improve the survival rates.

Aim of the study was to evaluate the dynamic and the relationships between: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), T troponin and, C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with unstable angina (UA) and non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods and results. 48 patients with UA and NSTEMI were in the study and their characteristics are presented in table 1. T troponin, NT-proBNP and CRP were performed at the admission and about 24 hours from the ad admission. The mean values and correlation indexes are shown in table 2. Conclusions. Among negative T troponin patients, the increased values of NT-proBNP and CRP discriminated a high risk group. It was also a good correlation of NT-proBNP with T troponin and CRP in patients with NSTEMI and NT-proBNP with CRP in patients with UA.

Aim: To assess significance of arrhythmia in dilated cardiomyopathy.Method: Database of the Romanian dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) study. Routine Holter monitoring. Statistical analysis SPSS.Study group: The register comprises today 773 patients and the Holter subgroup 224 patients; main characteristics as well as survival do not differ for the Holter subgroup as compared to the whole register.Results: Severe arrhythmia (> class 4A Lown) were present in 132 pts, (59%). Survival was similar in the subgroups with and without severe arrhythmia. Patients with severe arrhythmia and nonischemic DCM had median survival probability of 2 years vs 3 years in ischemic DCMConclusion: Presence of severe arrhythmia is an indicator for poor survival in nonischemic DCM.

Ten center multicentric register with prospective enrollment of consecutive patients (pt.) diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) - WHO criteria-starting 1994. Ischemic DCM (IS DCM) was considered in pt with significant coronary lesions or documented myocardial infarction. Systematic noninvasive follow-up at 6 month interval. The register comprises 375 DCM pt.; 91% are men, mean age is 51+/-14 years. 80% have idiopathic DCM (I DCM); 88% were in NYHA class III or IV Prevalence of smoking, hypertension, and regular alcohol consumption was similar in I DCM and IS DCM ECHO could not differentiate between I DCM and IS DCM Severe arrhythmia and presence of late potentials had similar frequency in the two groups Patients having I DCM and IS DCM had similar clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis: survival probability was 50% at 2 years and 15 % at 5 years. No pt experienced heart transplant.