Background: Surgical revascularization is the gold standard in the management of patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). It is well known that increased oxidative stress during ischemia-reperfusion and post-revascularization procedures leads to the release of free radical in the circulation. This process can cause reversible or irreversible myocardial damage. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of trimetazidine on decreasing postoperative ischemia-reperfusion myocardial damage. Material and methods: This prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial included 90 patients with elective surgery, operated between March 2018 and October 2018. The patients were divided into two equal groups, a study group and a control group; those in the study group received trimetazidine 35 mg b.d., immediately after tracheal extubation, in addition to their regular therapy. Pre- and postoperative levels of specific blood biomarkers such as high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated. Patients were followed for a period of 6 months after surgery. Results: MDA levels were lower in patients who received trimetazidine, leading to a reduction in oxidative stress and improved cardiomyocyte protection by augmentation of the antioxidant status. The quality-of-life assessment with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire yielded excellent results. Conclusions: Improvement of myocardial cell metabolism and decreasing the level of postoperative ischemiareperfusion damage is alleviated by postoperative regular trimetazidine therapy.

Background: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) represents the advanced stages of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and is caused by atherosclerotic damage in the lower limbs, having a greater risk of major amputation. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of systemic immune index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and the aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) on the clinical severity and long-term risk of amputation among patients with CLTI after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Material and Methods: This is a retrospective observational study involving 104 patients diagnosed with CLTI and treated with PTA. Based on clinical severity, the cohort was divided into two groups: stage III Leriche-Fontaine and stage IV Leriche-Fontaine. Results: We observed higher levels of SII (p = 0.027), SIRI (p = 0.0008), and AISI (p = 0.0024) in patients with trophic lesions. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with values of SII (p = 0.008), SIRI (p = 0.022), and AISI (p = 0.006) above the median at the time of admission are at a higher risk of major amputation in the long term following PTA. At the multivariate regression analysis, high baseline values of SIRI (odds ratio (OR) = 2.28; p = 0.017) and AISI (OR = 2.32; p = 0.043) were associated with stage IV Leriche-Fontaine, but not SII (OR = 1.71; p = 0.055). Additionally, in the Cox regression analysis, we found that SII (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.56; p = 0.010), SIRI (HR = 1.63; p = 0.009), and AISI (HR = 1.55; p = 0.016) are predictive factors for long-term risk of major amputation after endovascular treatment. Conclusions: Elevated levels of SIRI and AISI have been found to be linked with the severity of clinical symptoms and an increased risk of long-term major amputation in patients with CLTI following PTA. Additionally, higher baseline values for SII were associated with a greater risk of major amputation, but not with clinical severity in the same group of patients.

In the modern management of coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a pivotal diagnostic tool, offering detailed visualization of coronary artery lumens and atherosclerotic plaques. We present the case of a 49-year-old woman, with no prior cardiovascular history but with several risk factors, in whom CCTA identified a highly inflamed atherosclerotic plaque, which led immediately to an acute myocardial infarction. Significantly, this case spotlights the vital role of perivascular inflammation mapping in CCTA, crucial for identifying high-risk plaques. The case emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive, multifaceted diagnostic approach in the evaluation and management of CAD, incorporating advanced techniques like perivascular inflammation mapping for a more accurate and predictive assessment.