Left atrial appendage thrombus in patients referred for electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation: a prospective single‑center study.

Introduction: Left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) is a risk factor for stroke; however, the actual health risk associated with LAAT in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) on chronic anticoagulation is unknown.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of LAAT, and its predictive role in relation to mortality, stroke, and systemic thromboembolic events among consecutive AF patients on oral anticoagulation (OAC) admitted for electrical cardioversion.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective, single‑ center cohort study.

Giant Left Atrial Thrombus Despite Anticoagulation with Apixaban in a Patient with Mitral Stenosis and Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the presence of a left atrial thrombus correlates with the highest risk of stroke. Mitral stenosis (MS) is an acquired disease that leads to atrial pressure overload and subsequent significant anatomical and electrical remodeling of the left atrium. This promotes the occurrence of AF and atrial thrombus formation.

Choosing a treatment method for post-catheterization pseudoaneurysms guided by the late to early velocity index.

Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection (UGTI) is often the first-line treatment for iatrogenic post-catheterization pseudoaneurysms (psA). There are also first reports of the use of biologically derived tissue glues (TG) instead of sole thrombin especially when UGTI was unsuccessful or in case of psA recurrence. Previously, we have established that a late to early velocity index (LEVI) < 0.

Isoprostane-8 and GDF-15 as novel markers of post-PE syndrome: Relation with prothrombotic factors.

Background: Post-pulmonary embolism (PE) syndrome occurs in up to 50% of PE patients. The pathophysiology of this syndrome is obscure.

Objective: We investigated whether enhanced oxidative stress and prothrombotic state may be involved in post-PE syndrome.

Right ventricular echocardiographic parameters associated with prothrombotic abnormalities in normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: In acute pulmonary embolism (PE) right ventricular (RV) pressure overload negatively affects prognosis. Recently we have shown that RV dilatation is associated with a prothrombotic state in PE. We investigated which RV echocardiographic parameters best indicate prothrombotic alterations in acute PE.

Comparison of safety and effectiveness between the right and left radial artery approach in percutaneous coronary intervention.

Introduction And Objectives: There is a paucity of data comparing the left radial approach (LRA) and right radial approach (RRA) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in all-comers populations and performed by operators with different experience levels. Thus, we sought to compare the safety and clinical outcomes of the RRA and LRA during PCI in "real-world" patients with either stable angina or acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: To overcome the possible impact of the nonrandomized design, a propensity score was calculated to compare the 2 radial approaches.

Loose Fibrin Clot Structure and Increased Susceptibility to Lysis Characterize Patients with Central Acute Pulmonary Embolism: The Impact of Isolated Embolism.

Background:  Prothrombotic fibrin clot properties are associated with higher early mortality risk in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) patients. It is unknown whether different types of PE are associated with particular clot characteristics.

Methods:  We assessed 126 normotensive, noncancer acute PE patients (median age: 59 [48-70] years; 52.

Effect of day- and night-time admissions on long-term clinical outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Introduction: It has been suggested that the time of admission during the day and night may influence the clinical outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of day- and night‑time admissions on the clinical outcomes of patients with AMI undergoing PCI.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective cohort study was based on the data on PCIs performed in Poland from January 2014 to December 2017, prospectively collected in the National Registry of Invasive Cardiology Procedures (ORPKI).

Prothrombotic fibrin clot properties associated with NETs formation characterize acute pulmonary embolism patients with higher mortality risk.

Venous thromboembolism is associated with formation of denser fibrin clots resistant to lysis. We investigated whether prothrombotic plasma clot properties are associated with the severity of acute pulmonary embolism (PE). We enrolled 126 normotensive acute PE patients (aged 58 ± 14 years) and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Clinical presentation and 3-year outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndromes and non-obstructive coronary arteries on angiography.

Background: With the emerging interest in patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), there is a need to define an even broader group of patients with the syndrome of myocardial ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA). There are limited data on the clinical characteristics and prognoses of such patients who present with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and undergo urgent coronary angiography that reveals no significant lesions. The aim of this observational study was to compare patients with ACS INOCA and those with ACS with obstructive coronary artery disease (OCAD) both within unadjusted cohorts and with propensity score matched controls.

The progress in outcomes of the management of patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction between 2005 and 2014 in Poland - a propensity score matching analysis from the PL-ACS registry.

Introduction: Dynamic changes both in clinical profile and treatment strategy of non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients have been observed recently. The exact impact of them on prognosis in a wide national population remains unclear.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of treatment advances between 2005 and 2014 on the outcomes of NSTEMI cases.

Elevated Lactate Levels in Acute Pulmonary Embolism Are Associated with Prothrombotic Fibrin Clot Properties: Contribution of NETs Formation.

Background: Elevated plasma lactate levels correlate with high mortality rate in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) patients. We hypothesized that elevated lactate levels correlate with prothrombotic fibrin clot properties and enhanced neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in acute PE.

Methods: As many as 126 normotensive acute PE patients (aged 58 ± 14 years) were enrolled.

Global peak left atrial longitudinal strain assessed by transthoracic echocardiography is a good predictor of left atrial appendage thrombus in patients in sinus rhythm with heart failure and very low ejection fraction - an observational study.

Background: Peak left atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) can help identify left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) in patients with atrial fibrillation. Nevertheless, few studies have been performed in patients in sinus rhythm without established indications for anticoagulation but with increased risk of LAAT, such as heart failure (HF) with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction patients. The primary aim of this study was to identify clinical and transthoracic echocardiography predictors of LAAT in HF patients with very low left ventricular ejection fraction and sinus rhythm.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Two Dosing Protocols for Ultrasound Guided Thrombin Injection in Patients with Iatrogenic Femoral Pseudoaneurysms.

Objective: Ultrasound guided thrombin injection (UGTI) is a minimally invasive method of treatment for iatrogenic post-catheterisation femoral pseudoaneurysms (psAs). The optimal dosing protocol for UGTI has not been established. The aim of the study was to compare the success and complication rates between two different dosing protocols (the most commonly used "standard dose protocol" and the "low dose protocol," which is the fractionated administration of smaller thrombin doses of up to 40 IU every 15 s) in patients with a psA with sac volume of ≥1 mL.

Trends in antithrombotic management of patients with atrial fibrillation. A report from the Polish part of the EURObservational Research Programme - Atrial Fibrillation General Long-Term Registry.

Introduction: Data on antithrombotic treatment among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Poland are limited.

Objectives: We aimed to describe antithrombotic management within the Polish part of the EUROobservational Research Programme on Atrial Fibrillation General Long-Term Registry.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed data collected at baseline and at 1‑year follow‑up from 701 Polish patients treated at 25 Polish centers between 2013 and 2016.

Association between the mortality rate and operator volume in patients undergoing emergency or elective percutaneous coronary interventions.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that low operator and institutional volume may be associated with an increased risk of adverse events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between operator volume and procedure- -related mortality in the emergent and elective settings.

Methods: Data were obtained from a national registry of PCIs, maintained in cooperation with the Association of Cardiovascular Interventions of the Polish Cardiac Society.

Late to early velocity index as a predictor of iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysm recurrence in patients treated with ultrasound-guided thrombin injection.

Introduction: Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection (UGTI) is the preferred treatment of pseudoaneurysms (psA). The potential risk of complications increases with the number of UGTI treatments needed for complete psA obliteration. Identification of risk factors for recurrent psA is needed.

Safety of dental extractions in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy - a meta-analysis.

Introduction: Safety of dental extractions in patients on chronic antiplatelet therapy either with only acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or clopidogrel or with both combined has been a matter of debate, with no clearly conclusive studies published.

Aim: To perform a meta-analysis of published observational studies in order to study the effect of single and double antiplatelet therapy in comparison to controls on the occurrence of immediate local bleeding complications during dental extractions.

Material And Methods: PubMed/Scopus/Embase database search revealed 22 papers (13 original and 9 review), 3 of which were finally included in the meta-analysis.

Polish regional differences in patient knowledge on atrial fibrillation and its management as well as in patterns of oral anticoagulant prescription.

BACKGROUND The Jessa Atrial Fibrillation Knowledge Questionnaire (JAKQ) was successfully used to assess knowledge gaps in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). AIMS To evaluate the regional differences among Polish patients in their awareness of AF diagnosis and oral anticoagulation use. METHODS A total of 1583 patients with AF at a median (IQR) age of 72 (66-79) years completed the JAKQ in 3 cardiology centers (center I, Kraków; center II, Toruń; center III, Kielce) from January 2017 to June 2018.

Outcomes of a routine invasive strategy in elderly patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction from 2005 to 2014: results from the PL-ACS registry.

Background: Elderly patients (≥75 years old) with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) represent a large subgroup of all cases. They are rarely included in randomized trials because of comorbidities and concerns about complications. Furthermore, invasive treatments are used less frequently in this patient group.

Altered Fibrin Clot Properties Predict Stroke and Bleedings in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation on Rivaroxaban.

Background and Purpose- We investigated whether clot permeability can predict clinically relevant outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with rivaroxaban. Methods- In the cohort study, we enrolled 232 consecutive patients with AF on rivaroxaban 20 mg/d (76.3%) or 15 mg/d (23.

Left atrial longitudinal strain in dilated cardiomyopathy patients: is there a discrimination threshold for atrial fibrillation?

To determine the left atrial longitudinal strain discrimination threshold of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A total of 100 DCM patients and LVEF < 25% were included. Of them, 50 had sinus rhythm (SR), and 50 had AF.

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Thrombocytopenia.

Aims: Thrombocytopenia was one of the exclusion criteria in randomized trials in which non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were tested. The safety of NOACs in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and thrombocytopenia remains unclear.

Methods: We studied 62 patients with AF aged from 53 to 85 (mean 70.