A study to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of stress coping strategies in heart failure patients in Poland (CAPS-LOCK-HF sub-study).

Background And Aim: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of different stress coping strategies in Polish patients suffering from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF).

Methods: This manuscript is a sub-study of the CAPS-LOCK-HF multicentre psychological status assessment of patients with HFREF. Patients with > six-month history of HFREF and clinical stability for ≥ three months and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 45% were enrolled in the study.

Differences of psychological features in patients with heart failure with regard to gender and aetiology - Results of a CAPS-LOCK-HF (Complex Assessment of Psychological Status Located in Heart Failure) study.

Objective: Objective of the study was to assess the psychological state of HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) with regard to gender and aetiology.

Methods: 758 patients with HFrEF (mean age - 64±11years, men - 79%, NYHA class III-IV - 40%, ischemic aetiology - 61%) in a prospective Polish multicenter Caps-Lock-HF study. Scores on five different self-report inventories: CISS, MHLC, GSES, BDI and modified Mini-MAC were compared between the sexes taking into account the aetiology of HFrEF.

Stroke Risk Factors Beyond the CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score: Can We Improve Our Identification of "High Stroke Risk" Patients With Atrial Fibrillation?

The prevention of stroke and other thromboembolic events plays a crucial role in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation. Not all patients with atrial fibrillation are equal in terms of thromboembolic risk; therefore, not all will benefit from oral anticoagulation treatment. The general principle is that the expected benefit of anticoagulation in reduction of thromboembolic risk must exceed the expected harm caused by possible bleeding.

Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction in Atrial Fibrillation Patients: A Cross-Sectional, Epidemiological Study.

Background: Sexual dysfunctions, especially erectile dysfunction (ED), are a major problem in cardiovascular patients. They are caused by cardiovascular risk factors including low-grade inflammation process, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and hemodynamic and vascular alterations. The same mechanisms are some of the main causes and/or consequences of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Perception of health control and self-efficacy in heart failure.

Background: The issue of self-perceived health control and related sense of self-efficacy has not received any attention in patients with heart failure (HF), although these psychological features have been established to determine the patients' approach towards healthcare professionals and their recommendations, which strongly affects compliance.

Methods: A total of 758 patients with systolic HF (age: 64 ± 11 years, men: 79%, NYHA class III–IV: 40%, ischaemic aetiology: 61%) were included in a prospective Polish multicentre Caps-Lock-HF study. A Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale was used to assess subjective perception of health control in three dimensions (internal control, external control by the others, and by chance); the Generalised Self Efficacy scale (GSES) was used to estimate subjective sense of self-efficacy; and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to determine depressive symptoms.

Prognostic value of troponin I and NT-proBNP concentrations in patients after in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Objectives: Cardiac arrest (CA) is a complex event with a dismal survival rate. The aim of this study was to determine whether N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels measured on admission and serial cardiac troponin I determination in patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) are predictive of 30-day mortality.

Methods: Out of 9877 patients hospitalized in the cardiac intensive care unit during the study, we enrolled consecutive patients experiencing cardiac arrest within 12 hours of admission.

Presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea and remote outcomes of atrial fibrillation ablations - a long-term prospective, cross-sectional cohort study.

Background: Prior studies suggested that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) promotes recurrence of arrhythmia in patients after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Methods: In this prospective, long-term, observational study, we enrolled 290 consecutive patients admitted for AF ablation. Prior to the ablation, all patients underwent a polygraphy sleep study for the diagnosis of OSA.

Association of the CHADS2 and CHA 2DS 2-VASc scores with left atrial enlargement: a prospective cohort study of unselected atrial fibrillation patients.

Assessment of thromboembolic risk is crucial for proper management of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Currently used risk score base only on scarce clinical data and do not take into consideration parameters including echocardiographic findings. The aim of this study was to evaluate if left atrium (LA) enlargement is associated with higher thromboembolic risk assessed by CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores in a cohort of unselected non-valvular AF patients.

OSACS score-a new simple tool for identifying high risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome based on clinical parameters.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a cardiovascular risk factor associated with clinical complications like hypertension, ischaemic heart disease or thrombosis. The aim of this study was to develop a new scoring system, based on objective clinical and echocardiographic parameters.

Methods: One hundred fifty-eight consecutive acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients underwent standard clinical, laboratory and echocardiography assessment after ACS, and their risk of OSAS was assessed using Berlin Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

Assessment of CHADS2 and CHA 2DS 2-VASc scores in obstructive sleep apnea patients with atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: Assessment of stroke risk and implementation of appropriate antithrombotic therapy is an important issue in atrial fibrillation patients. Current risk scores do not take into consideration the comorbidities associated with elevated thromboembolic like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of the study was to establish whether atrial fibrillation patients with coexisting OSA have higher stroke risk according to CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores.

Clinical characteristics, aetiology and occurrence of type 2 acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. One of the most important diseases in this group is myocardial infarction (MI). According to the universal definition developed by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), MI is divided into five main types based on its cause.

Clinical characteristics of patients with acute coronary syndrome at high clinical suspicion for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Introduction: The risk of a cardiovascular event increases with the number of cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to identify patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) who were at high clinical suspicion for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). We also report the clinical characteristics of ACS patients at high clinical suspicion for OSAS.

Usefulness of the D-dimer concentration as a predictor of mortality in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

During cardiac arrest and after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, activation of blood coagulation occurs, with a lack of adequate endogenous fibrinolysis. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the serum D-dimer concentration on admission is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. We enrolled 182 consecutive patients (122 men, mean age 64.

Resistant hypertension in an obese patient with obvious obstructive sleep apnea and occult pheochromocytoma.

We report the case of a 34-year-old male patient who presented with generalized weakness, poorly controlled hypertension, nocturnal hypertension spikes, and morning headaches. The history of resistant hypertension, obesity, enlarged neck size, and loud irregular snoring strongly suggested obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). To exclude other possible causes of resistant hypertension, the patient underwent an abdominal ultrasound examination, which revealed a lesion in the left adrenal gland area.

[Stroke in young diver with patent foramen ovale].

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is the most common cause of right-to-left shunt which carries a significant risk for stroke when associated with venous thrombosis, coagulation abnormalities or other conditions. We present a young male in whom diving was associated with stroke in a subject with otherwise clinically silent PFO.

The high risk of obstructive sleep apnea--an independent risk factor of erectile dysfunction in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Introduction: Sleep-related breathing disorders are highly prevalent in patients with established cardiovascular disease. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with several cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim: The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the prevalence of ED in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients at high risk of OSA, and to evaluate the leading factors that increase the risk of ED.

[Cardiogenic shock secondary to the tako-tsubo syndrome in young male patient].

Tako-tsubo's syndrome is usually induced by sudden stress reaction, however symptoms may also occur without any cause. Most reported cases of this syndrome, more than 95%, affect women older than 60 years. We present a case of a 45 year-old man in good health with severe cardiovascular complication due to "simple" laryngological surgery using systemic anaesthesia.

Signs of myocardial ischemia on electrocardiogram correlate with elevated plasma cardiac troponin and right ventricular systolic dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Plasma cardiac troponins (cTn) are frequently elevated in acute pulmonary embolism (APE). ST-segment abnormalities on electrocardiography are also commonly observed in APE patients. However, it has not been defined which ventricle is a potential source of cTn release.

Can obstructive sleep apnea be a cause of in-stent thrombosis?

We present the case of a 45-year-old patient readmitted to Central University Hospital at 3 a.m. for acute retrosternal chest pain associated with ST-segment elevation in lead I, aVL, V1-V6 in standard 12-lead ECG performed on admission in emergency department.

Mean platelet volume predicts early death in acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Recently, mean platelet volume (MPV) was reported to predict venous thromboembolism. Moreover, MPV correlates with platelet reactivity and indicates poor outcome in acute coronary syndromes.

Objective: To examine the hypothesis that in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) MPV is elevated and may predict mortality.