Del Nido vs. Cold Blood Cardioplegia for High-Risk Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with Reduced Ventricular Function.

Introduction: The evidence for using del Nido cardioplegia protocol in high-risk patients with reduced ejection fraction undergoing isolated coronary surgery is insufficient.

Methods: The institutional database was searched for isolated coronary bypass procedures. Patients with ejection fraction < 40% were selected.

Long-term bio-functional performance of a novel, self-positioning balloon expandable transcatheter biological aortic valve system in the ovine aortic banding model.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate bio-functionality of a novel, proprietary balloon-expandable biological transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) system (InFlow, CardValve Consortium, Poland) in an ovine model of aortic banding.

Methods: Surgical ascending aorta banding was created in 21 sheep. Two weeks later, 18 biological valves were implanted within the model using 15-16 F InFlow TAVI systems and carotid cut-down approach.

Determinants of Inadequate Cardioprotection in Adult Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Background:  Perioperative cardioprotection is essential for achieving satisfactory clinical outcomes in heart failure patients. It is important to understand the factors affecting perioperative cardioprotection.

Methods:  The institutional database was searched for patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF, < 40%) who underwent surgery with cardioplegia-induced arrest.

Relationship between anthropometric and body composition parameters and anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG titers in females vaccinated against COVID-19 according to the heterologous vaccination course: A cohort study.

Introduction: The aim of this cohort study was to evaluate the relationship between anthropometric and body composition parameters and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers in a group of females who were vaccinated against COVID-19 with two doses of ChAdOx1 vaccine and then boosted with the BNT162b2 vaccine.

Materials And Methods: The study group consisted of 63 women. Basic demographic and clinical data were collected.

Student information use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since early 2020, life for students has changed tremendously. It has been a time of stress, turmoil, and trauma for students. Researchers from a large Midwestern university wanted to determine how student information use has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Safety and feasibility of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery early after drug-eluting stent implantation due to acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The evidence on performing minimally invasive coronary artery surgery early after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is limited.

Aim: The study aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of this approach.

Methods: This registry included 115 (78% male) patients treated from 2013 to 2018, who underwent non-left anterior descending (LAD) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to ACS with contemporary DES implantation (39% diagnosed with myocardial infarction at baseline), followed by endoscopic atraumatic coronary artery bypass (EACAB) surgery within 180 days, after temporary P2Y12 inhibitor discontinuation.

Temporal, biomechanical evaluation of a novel, transcatheter polymeric aortic valve in ovine aortic banding model.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the functionality, durability, and temporal biocompatibility of a novel, balloon-expandable polymeric transcatheter heart valve (ATHV) system (InFlow, CardValve Consortium, Poland). Along with expanding TAVI indications, the demand for new transcatheter valves is increasing.

Methods: A surgical ascending aortic banding model was created in 20 sheep.

Del Nido versus cold blood cardioplegia in adult patients with impaired ejection fraction undergoing valvular and complex heart surgery.

Background: There is sparse evidence on the efficacy of del Nido cardioplegia in high-risk patients with reduced ejection fraction undergoing valvular or complex heart surgery, and further investigation is required.

Methods: An institutional registry was searched for patients who underwent valvular or complex heart surgery and had an ejection fraction <40%. Subjects who received del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) and cold blood cardioplegia (CBC) were selected.

Use of del Nido cardioplegia in acute coronary syndrome cases with decreased ejection fraction.

Background: There has been increasing interest in using del Nido cardioplegia in adult cardiac surgery. However, there is limited evidence for its efficacy in patients with acute coronary syndrome and reduced ejection fraction.

Methods: This study examined patients with decreased ejection fraction (EF < 40%) who were hospitalized due to acute coronary syndrome and received either del Nido (DN) or cold blood cardioplegia (CB).

One-stage hybrid coronary revascularization for the treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease- Periprocedural and long-term results from the "HYBRID-COR" feasibility study.

Background: The constant growth of interest in hybrid coronary artery revascularization (HCR) is apparent. Yet, few studies report outcomes of the one-stage HCR. Consequently, the status of such procedures is not adequately supported in clinical guidelines.

An Immune Response to Heterologous ChAdOx1/BNT162b2 Vaccination against COVID-19: Evaluation of the anti-RBD Specific IgG Antibodies Titers and Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) Test Results.

This study aimed to assess the magnitude of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers and Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) test results following administration of booster BNT162b2 in 48 ChAd-primed participants (vaccination schedule: ChAd/ChAd/BNT). Whole blood samples were collected: first, before and second, 21 days after the booster dose. The IgG level was measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay; the intensity of the T-cell response-IFNγ concentration-was assessed using IGRA test.

Del Nido versus Bretschneider cardioplegic solution in valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis - a case-control pilot study.

Introduction: The adequate protection provided by the del Nido cardioplegia has already been proven in trials comparing the solution with blood cardioplegia. However, evidence regarding comparison to the Bretschneider HTK solution is limited.

Aim: To determine the efficacy of the del Nido cardioplegia when compared to Bretschneider HTK solution in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis.

Three-Dimensional-Printed Mechanical Transmission Element with a Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor Embedded in a Replaceable Measuring Head.

Compliant mechanisms have gained an increasing interest in recent years, especially in relation to the possibility of using 3D printers for their production. These mechanisms typically find applications in precise positioning systems of building robotic devices or in sensing where they can be used to characterize displacement. Three-dimensional printing with PLA materials allows fiber optic-based sensors to be incorporated into the structures of properly designed compliant mechanisms.

Transcatheter Versus Surgical Valve Replacement: A 24-months Propensity-matched Analysis of the SILCARD Registry.

Background: Data concerning the comparison between transcatheter aortic valve implantation and surgical aortic valve replacement in a real-world setting are scarce and in Central and Eastern Europe no such data exist. In this study, we aimed at analyzing retrospectively the characteristics and outcome of patients with aortic stenosis treated either with surgical aortic valve replacement or transcatheter aortic valve implantation between 2006 and 2016 in the Silesian Province, Poland in a representative real-world cohort.

Methods: In the Silesian Cardiovascular Database we retrospectively identified 5186 patients who received either transcatheter aortic valve implantation or surgical aortic valve replacement in 1 of 3 tertiary cardiovascular centers.

One-shot cardioplegia for minimally invasive mitral valve repair-a comparison of del Nido and Bretschneider Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate solutions.

Background: Minimally invasive procedures are demanding in terms of cardioprotection. In many leading centres Bretschneider HTK solution is used for mitral valve surgery. The study was designed to provide comparison of the del Nido and Bretschneider HTK protocol.

RT-PCR Detection of SARS-CoV-2 among Individuals from the Upper Silesian Region-Analysis of 108,516 Tests.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has left a huge mark on everyday lives, introducing restrictions and plunging the global economy. This study aimed to analyze the available epidemiological data from the register of one of the largest laboratories testing for SARS-CoV-2 in the Silesian voivodship of Poland.

Methods: This analysis is based upon the epidemiological records collected between 30 March 2020, and 30 April 2021, by the Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia (Zabrze, Poland).

Modelling the growth, development and yield of Triticum durum Desf under the changes of climatic conditions in north-eastern Europe.

How agricultural ecosystems adapt to climate change is one of the most important issues facing agronomists at the turn of the century. Understanding agricultural ecosystem responses requires assessing the relative shift in climatic constraints on crop production at regional scales such as the temperate zone. In this work we propose an approach to modeling the growth, development and yield of Triticum durum Desf.

The impact of del Nido cardioplegia solution on blood morphology parameters.

Background: Crystalloid cardioplegic solutions are believed to reduce hemoglobin significantly and increase the transfusion rate. However, recent reports indicate that the del Nido cardioplegia may preserve blood morphology parameters.

Methods: In "The del Nido versus cold blood cardioplegia in aortic valve Replacement" trial patients undergoing aortic valve replacement were randomized into the del Nido (DN) or cold blood cardioplegia (CB) group.

Age- and gender-related differences in the del Nido cardioprotection protocol.

Background: The evidence regarding the impact of patient's age and gender on del Nido cardioplegia cadio-protection capability in adults is strongly limited.

Methods: A group of 75 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) with del Nido cardioplegia was divided into Group 1 (male) and Group 2 (female). Creatine kinase (CK-MB isoenzyme) and high sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) values at 24 hours and 48 hours, occurrence of cardiac activity during crossclamp and ventricular fibrillation (VF) during reperfusion were compared.

Long‑term outcomes of transcatheter self-expanding aortic valve implantations in inoperable and high surgical-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis: a single-center single-valve registry.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is being increasingly used in patients with longer life expectancy. Data on long‑term outcomes are still limited.

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the clinical outcomes of patients treated with TAVI and identify baseline and procedure‑related factors influencing long‑term survival.

Long-term echocardiographic evaluation of asymptomatic patients undergoing minimally invasive valve repair for severe primary mitral regurgitation.

Background: Asymptomatic patients with newly diagnosed severe primary mitral regurgitation (MR) may not be candidates for surgery according to clinical guidelines.

Aims: We aimed to determine whether asymptomatic patients with severe primary MR benefit from minimally invasive mitral valve repair.

Methods: This prospective registry study assessed consecutive asymptomatic patients who underwent mitral valve repair using right minithoracotomy.

Five-Year Outcomes after PCI or CABG for Left Main Coronary Disease.

Background: Long-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with contemporary drug-eluting stents, as compared with coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG), in patients with left main coronary artery disease are not clearly established.

Methods: We randomly assigned 1905 patients with left main coronary artery disease of low or intermediate anatomical complexity (according to assessment at the participating centers) to undergo either PCI with fluoropolymer-based cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents (PCI group, 948 patients) or CABG (CABG group, 957 patients). The primary outcome was a composite of death, stroke, or myocardial infarction.

Prediction of complications and death in octogenarians with left main coronary artery disease after coronary artery bypass implantation - off-pump, on-pump and minimally invasive techniques comparison.

Introduction: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting is considered potentially more effective than on-pump surgery in elderly patients.

Aim: To compare the early and long-term results of these techniques in patients ≥ 80 years of age with left main coronary artery disease.

Material And Methods: All patients ≥ 80 years of age ( = 3648) who were reported to the Polish National Registry of Cardiac Surgery Procedures between 2006 and 2016 and underwent primary, isolated coronary artery bypass surgery were included in the study.