Publications by authors named "Bohdan Firek"
Background: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) risk stratification in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) may be complicated by other potential causes of arrhythmia.
Objectives: We aimed to characterize SCA survivors with isolated (iMVP) and non-isolated MVP (non-iMVP) and to assess their long-term follow-up.
Methods: This ambispective study included 75 patients with MVP who experienced SCA and were treated in our center between 2009-2024.
Article Synopsis
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common among patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and affects the effectiveness of the treatment by reducing biventricular pacing (BiVp) beats.
- This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of rhythm control (using electrical cardioversion) versus rate control (using atrioventricular node ablation) strategies in CRT recipients suffering from persistent AF.
- Results showed that while both strategies improved BiVp percentage similarly, only patients who restored sinus rhythm experienced a significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), indicating the importance of maintaining normal heart rhythm in these patients.
Background: Both transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of mitral regurgitation or left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) require periprocedural anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin (UFH) that is administered either before or immediately after transseptal puncture (TSP). The optimal timing of UFH administration (before or after TSP) is unknown. The Strategy To Optimize PeriproCeduraL AnticOagulation in Structural Transseptal Interventions trial (STOP CLOT Trial) was designed to determine if early anticoagulation is effective in reducing ischemic complications without increasing the risk of periprocedural bleeding.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To compare effectiveness of different treatments for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who were scheduled for cardioversion (CV) or ablation (CA) presenting with left atrium appendage (LAA) thrombus despite chronic oral anticoagulation therapy (OAC).
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. We analyzed 2014-2019 medical records of patients scheduled for CV or CA of AF who were diagnosed with LAA thrombus despite optimal OAC and had a follow-up transesophageal echocardiogram (TOE).
Introduction: Fluoroscopy guidance alone is not sufficient for the accurate localization of the pacing lead (PL) in the right ventricle (RV) during implantation of the cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED). The aim of this study was to create a surface electrocardiogram (ECG) algorithm based on paced QRS (pQRS) morphology to accurately localize PL position in the RV.
Methods And Results: Thirty consecutive patients scheduled for catheter ablation of right heart arrhythmias were enrolled.
New diagnostic pathways urgently needed. Protocol of PET Guidance I pilot study: positron emission tomography in suspected cardiac implantable electronic device-related infection.
Kardiol Pol
February 2017
Background: Cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infection is a complication of increasing incidence. We present a protocol of an observational case control clinical trial "Positron Emission Tomography Combined With Computed Tomography (PET CT) in Suspected Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infection, a Pilot Study - PET Guidance I" (NCT02196753).
Aim: The aim of this observational clinical trial is to assess and standardise diagnostic algorithms for CIED infections (lead-dependent infective endocarditis, generator pocket infection, fever of unknown origin) with PET CT in Poland.
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate value of osteoprotegerin (OPG) in patients with degenerative aortic stenosis and preserved left-ventricular ejection fraction.
Methods: We have prospectively followed 70 patients with aortic stenosis (mean aortic gradient ≥15 mmHg) and preserved left-ventricular ejection fraction for 1 year. In all patients, echocardiography and blood tests (OPG, lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) were performed at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up.
Aims: One of the disadvantages of classic pace mapping (PM) is the operator's subjective interpretation. The aim of this single-centre retrospective study was to evaluate the value of automated template matching (AMT) in patients ablated due to ventricular outflow tract arrhythmias (OTAs).
Methods And Results: From an overall group of 105 patients with OTA who were scheduled for transcatheter ablation (TA), AMT was accessible in 42 patients [21 right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), 21 left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), 28 women, aged 51.
Background: Previously presented new electrocardiography (ECG) algorithm for localization of arrhythmogenic focus (AFo) in right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) was based on spontaneous arrhythmia QRS morphology analysis. The aim of this study was to estimate the clinical value of our RVOT algorithm in a prospective study.
Methods And Results: Algorithm validation was made on 62 patients with RVOT arrhythmias (45 women), mean age 41.
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) may cause electrical and structural atrial remodelling, leading to progression from paroxysmal to permanent form of arrhythmia. Predictors of such a transition have not yet been well established.
Aim: To assess the role of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and left ventricular (LV) diastolic impairment in prediction of progression from paroxysmal/persistent AF to permanent AF.
Aims: Having several recently published reports on increased rate of cardiac perforation with some lead models as background, we assess the relation between cardiac perforations and models of leads used.
Methods And Results: All pacing and defibrillation leads implantations between 1 January 2007 and 31 March 2008 were analysed retrospectively. There were 2247 leads implanted in 1419 patients aged 67.
Background: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) has become a valuable therapeutic tool in patients with advanced chronic heart failure (CHF). The search for optimal methods for the assessment of CRT efficacy is still underway.
Aim: To evaluate the impact of implantation of CRT devices in patients with CHF on adaptation of circulatory and respiratory systems to maximal exercise assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPX) and 6-minute walking tests (6MWT).
A case of a young patient admitted to our hospital due to acute myocardial infarction is presented. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries. Echocardiography performed immediately after coronary angiography showed the presence of the left atrial myxoma.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Gene therapy is a new, experimental method of treatment in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
Aim: To determine the safety and efficacy of gene encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165) administered directly into the myocardium as the single treatment or combined with coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG).
Methods: VEGF gene transfer was performed in 22 patients (20 male, 2 female, ages from 48 to 73 years old).