Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test-The Revolving Door of Left Ventricular Assist Devices in Heart Failure

Is Long COVID Syndrome a Transient Mitochondriopathy Newly Discovered: Implications of CPET

The new outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has an impact worldwide, primarily as a medical emergency. Even that the total constellation is considered as a pandemic of acute respiratory disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) gives rise to dysfunction in multiple organs (e.g., brain, lungs, heart, muscles) that impairs cardiopulmonary (CP) function. Parallel to the CP consequences of COVID-19 is a significant reduction in physical activity. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is daily used in clinical practice to define prognosis, provide risk stratification and treatment strategy. As such, the significance of CPET is crucial concerning clinical assessments of COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, new studies aim at understanding the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in long term. Multiple studies have investigated the cardiopulmonary function and impairment of exercise endurance in such patients, as well as a possible prolonged physical impairment. With this review, we summarize the COVID-19-associated pathophysiology for the Long COVID (LC) syndrome as well as the importance of performing CPET.

Myosin Modulators: The New Era of Medical Therapy for Systolic Heart Failure and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

A new uprising pharmacological treatment for systolic heart failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy demonstrates very promising results the last years. Myosin modulators have already been tested in numerous studies. Myosin inhibitor (mavacamten) and myosin stimulator, (omecamtiv mecarbil) exhibit their effect by improving clinical outcomes, as well as reducing morbidity and mortality. More studies are however required for further evaluation and particularly effect on sarcomeric level. Side effects of both pharmacological agents have been described and should always be close monitored. Cardiopulmonary exercise test has a pivotal role by means of assessing treatment efficacy.