Do we differ in terms of indications and demographics in cardiac resynchronisation recipients in Poland? Insights from the European CRT Survey II Registry.

Background: Multiple randomised clinical trials have proven that cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality in appropriately selected patients with congestive heart failure and is recommended for such patients as per the European Society of Cardiology guidelines.

Aim: In this paper we compare the indications and demographics in cardiac resynchronisation recipients in Poland and other European countries.

Methods: In 2015 and 2016, physicians from 42 European countries participated in the second edition of the European Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy Survey.

Interleukin-6 signaling in patients with chronic heart failure treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Introduction: Increased expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been described in left ventricular dysfunction in the course of chronic heart failure. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a unique treatment method that may reverse the course of chronic heart failure (CHF) with reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF). We aimed to evaluate the IL-6 system, including soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) and soluble glycoprotein 130 (sgp130), in HF-REF patients, with particular emphasis on CRT effects.

Alterations of soluble TWEAK and CD163 concentrations in patients with chronic heart failure.

Unlabelled: Inflammatory activation plays a pivotal role in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF). A novel mediator from TNF family: soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) along its soluble decoy receptor CD163 (sCD163) recently has been investigated in other cardiovascular pathologies. We aimed to evaluate sTWEAK and sCD163 concentrations in HF-REF patients.

[Complex congenital heart disease in adult complicated by endocarditis. Diagnostic difficulties].

We describe a case of a 45-year-old man admitted with symptoms of infective endocarditis on tricuspid valve. At this time complex congenital heart disease was first time diagnosed. Differential diagnosis between tetralogy of Fallot and double-chambered right ventricle is discussed.

Analysis of apoptotic markers Fas/FasL (CD95/CD95L) expression on the lymphocytes in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Acute coronary syndromes are caused by the rupture or erosion of an atherosclerotic plaque which by secreting a variety of proteases is capable of degrading pericellular matrix components induces death of endothelial cells. This mechanism plays the main role in apoptosis.

Aim: To estimate expression of apoptotic Fas/FasL (CD95/CD95L) on lymphocytes in the peripheral blood.

[Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and atherosclerosis].

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) takes part in tissue regeneration after injury. It is a potent survival and regeneration factor after severe tissue damage. It promotes cell growth and protection from apoptosis, regulates the cell migration and differentiation.

[Assessment of serum levels of adhesion molecules (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin) in stable and unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction].

The targeting and recruitment of inflammatory cells to vascular endothelium in ischaemic heart diseases is mediated by Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1), Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule (VCAM-1) and E-selectin and proinflammatory cytokines. Accumulation of mononuclear cells to the endothelium is one of the earliest events in the formation of an atherosclerotic lesion. The aim of this study was to estimate the serum concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), selectin E (sE-selectin) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (Group 1--n = 18 patients: 3 women and 15 men, mean age--60 years), unstable angina pectoris (Grupa 2--n = 31 patients: 8 women and 23 men, mean age--62 years and stable heart disease (Grupa 3--n = 25 patients: 14 women and 11 men, mean age--61 years.

Cytokines in patients with ischaemic heart disease or myocardial infarction.

Background: Cytokines are responsible for the modulation of immunological and inflammatory processes as well as proliferative responses and apoptosis. It has been recently suggested that such cytokines as interleukin 6 (IL-6), soluble interleukin 6 receptor (sIL-6R) and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 10 (IL-10) may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes.

Aim: To assess serum concentration of IL-6, sIL-6R and IL-10 in patients with ischaemic heart disease or acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

[Left atrial tumour in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy: myxoma or thrombus? A case report].

A case of a 51-year-old male with dilated cardiomyopathy and left atrial mass detected by echocardiography is described. Differential diagnosis between thrombus and myoxoma was difficult. Anticoagulation therapy was initiated and no intra-atrial mass was detected during the control echocardiographic examination.