Faculty of Medicine

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    IMPACT OF CEREBRAL PERFUSION STRATEGIES ON NEUROLOGICAL OUTCOMES IN AORTIC ARCH REPAIR USING THE FROZEN ELEPHANT TRUNK TECHNIQUE
    (Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 2025-07-18)
    Shokarovski, Marjan
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    Mehmedovic, Nadica
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    Grazhdani, Sonja
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    Grueva, Elena
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    This study aimed to evaluate the impact of various cerebral perfusion strategies on neurological outcomes, comparing our results on trilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (tACP) to reported rates from latest literature analysis on bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (bACP) and unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (uACP). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 15 patients who underwent surgical intervention at the University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery in Skopje between 2018 and 2023. All patients included had elective chronic aortic dissections. Preoperative evaluation encompassed a detailed medical history, physical examination, diagnostic imaging, and risk stratification using the EuroSCORE II model. Standardized surgical techniques, including trilateral cerebral perfusion, were employed intraoperatively. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major neurological complications, including stroke and SCI, while the secondary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Results: Major neurological events, including stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA), were observed in 6.7% of patients, with SCI occurring in a single case (6.7%). These rates are notably lower than previously reported figures of 5-15% for procedural strokes following complex aortic arch repairs employing uACP or bACP. All-cause mortality in our cohort was 20%, compared to the 31% reported in the literature for patients undergoing open aortic arch repair. Conclusion: In patients undergoing total aortic arch repair with the FET technique, tACP appears to be a viable strategy for cerebral and spinal cord protection. The complication rates observed in our cohort are favorable and support further investigation with larger patient populations to validate these findings.
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    Multistage Hybrid Treatment of Aortic Aneurysm and Management of Postoperative Complications: A Case Report
    (Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts/Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2025-06-01)
    Shokarovski, Marjan
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    Mehmedovic, Nadica
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    Grazhdani, Sonja
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    Grueva, Elena
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    The Frozen Elephant Trunk (FET) is a surgical procedure developed for simultaneous repair of the aortic arch and the proximal descending thoracic aorta. Experience has shown its technical feasibility and good clinical results, although complications remain possible. Case Presentation: A 66-year-old male presented for evaluation due to findings from computed tomography angiography of aneurysms in the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and abdominal aorta. The patient had a history of a quadruple coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and placement of two stents in the descending thoracic aorta, which were improperly aligned, thrombosed, and further complicated the case. The patient underwent surgery involving sternotomy to perform the FET procedure, replacing the ascending aorta and aortic arch and placing a stent graft in the proximal descending thoracic aorta. Simultaneously, two coronary artery bypass grafts were performed. Postoperatively, the patient was stable, and the intervention outcome was satisfactory. Subsequently, endovascular treatment was carried out on the remaining thoracic aorta and abdominal blood vessels. However, respiratory failure necessitated the placement of stent grafts in the left main bronchus on two occasions. Despite extensive efforts, the patient succumbed to respiratory insufficiency. Conclusion: Timely intervention and a multidisciplinary approach played a key role in addressing complications, although the patient ultimately experienced a fatal outcome due to multiorgan failure.
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    The Coumadin Ridge: An Example of a Left Atrial Pseudotumor Demonstrated by Echocardiography
    (National Society of Cardiology of North Macedonia, 2022-11)
    Milachik, Branka
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    Grueva, Elena
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    Genetically Associated Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Combined with Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava
    (Valley International, 2023-01-24)
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    Grueva, Elena
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    Mitevski, Goran
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    Nikolovski, Robert
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    Janushevski, Filip
    Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited cardiomyopathy. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is an efficient way of preventing sudden cardiac death in these patients. Aim: Diagnosis and treatment of genetically associated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Case Report: We present a 28-year patient with a history of tachycardia, dizziness, transient chest pains, and anamnestic information on episodes of short-term loss of consciousness and fatigue. She has a positive family history of HCM and her uncle died young from sudden cardiac death (SCD). The electrocardiogram showed hypertrophy, which was confirmed with echocardiography and MRI. Genetic testing confirms PRKAG2 gene mutation. Holter24-hour ECG monitoring showed domination of sinus bradycardia after which it was recommended implantation of ICD. On implantation, persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) was discovered and the implantation side was changed. A bipolar Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator was implanted. Conclusion: When HCM is confirmed at a young age, genetically associated HCM should always be considered. Early recognition of hereditary hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can facilitate better disease management and follow-up even before symptoms appear.
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    Cohort profile: the ESC EURObservational Research Programme Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infraction (NSTEMI) Registry
    (Oxford Academic, 2022-12-13)
    Nadarajah, Ramesh
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    Ludman, Peter
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    Appelman, Yolande
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    Brugaletta, Salvatore
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    Budaj, Andrzej
    The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) EURObservational Research Programme (EORP) Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) Registry aims to identify international patterns in NSTEMI management in clinical practice and outcomes against the 2015 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without ST-segment-elevation.
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    Presentation, care and outcomes of patients with NSTEMI according to World Bank country income classification: the ACVC-EAPCI EORP NSTEMI Registry of the European Society of Cardiology
    (Oxford Academic, 2023-02-03)
    Nadarajah, Ramesh
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    Ludman, Peter
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    Laroche, Cécile
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    Appelman, Yolande
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    Brugaletta, Salvatore
    Background: The majority of NSTEMI burden resides outside high-income countries (HICs). We describe presentation, care and outcomes of NSTEMI by country income classification. Methods: Prospective cohort study including 2947 patients with NSTEMI from 287 centres in 59 countries, stratified by World Bank country income classification. Quality of care was evaluated based on 12 guideline-recommended care interventions. The all-or-none scoring composite performance measure was used to define receipt of optimal care. Outcomes included in-hospital acute heart failure, stroke/transient ischaemic attack and death, and 30-day mortality. Results: Patients admitted with NSTEMI in low to lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs), compared to patients in HICs, were younger, more commonly diabetic and current smokers, but with a lower burden of other comorbidities, and 76.7% met very high risk criteria for an immediate invasive strategy. Invasive coronary angiography use increased with ascending income classification (LLMICs, 79.2%; upper middle income countries [UMICs], 83.7%; HICs, 91.0%), but overall care quality did not (≥80% of eligible interventions achieved: LLMICS, 64.8%; UMICs 69.6%; HICs 55.1%). Rates of acute heart failure (LLMICS, 21.3%; UMICs, 12.1%; HICs, 6.8%; p < 0.001), stroke/transient ischaemic attack (LLMICS: 2.5%; UMICs: 1.5%; HICs: 0.9%; p = 0.04), in-hospital mortality (LLMICS, 3.6%; UMICs: 2.8%; HICs: 1.0%; p < 0.001) and 30-day mortality (LLMICs, 4.9%; UMICs, 3.9%; HICs, 1.5%; p < 0.001) exhibited an inverse economic gradient. Conclusions: Patients with NSTEMI in LLMICs present with fewer comorbidities but a more advanced stage of acute disease, and have worse outcomes compared with HICs. A cardiovascular health narrative is needed to address this inequity across economic boundaries.