Vane blood-bathed technique reveals the significance of adrenergic reaction in myocardial infarction.

Using the blood-bathed technique of Vane we induced acute coronary occlusion in the dog and subsequently detected adrenaline release into the circulatory system, determined the rate of release and documented its significance for induction of cardiac arrhythmias. In the intact anesthetized dog, adrenaline excess of the magnitude released after coronary occlusion was sufficient to injure the healthy myocardium and to induce unfavorable metabolic systemic alterations. Subsequently, clinical research has documented that a serious clinical course of acute myocardial infarction is associated not only with enhanced excretion of catecholamines but also with augmentation of plasma renin activity and aldosterone levels.

Effects of vitamins C and E on the outcome after acute myocardial infarction in diabetics: a retrospective, hypothesis-generating analysis from the MIVIT study.

Background: There is significant evidence that reactive oxygen species play an important role in endothelial dysfunction, ischemia/reperfusion injury as well as in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM). It is also known that vitamins C and E have substantial antioxidant properties. However, clinical evidence concerning this topic is insufficient so far.

Association between carotid artery atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease in young females. Reference to sex hormone profile.

Background: Atherosclerosis of coronary and peripheral arteries occurs rarely in premenopausal women. It has been postulated that sex hormones protect the vascular wall.

Aim: To evaluate whether ultrasound assessment of the changes in the wall of carotid arteries provides any useful information on the severity of atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels as well as whether the atherosclerotic changes in the wall of carotid arteries are accompanied by oestrogen insufficiency in the premenopausal age.

Risk factors of atherosclerosis in premenopausal women with a sense of well-being. A pilot study.

Introduction: Women before menopause are thought to be relatively safe from cardiovascular disease due to the protective effects of oestrogens, although one may question this opinion with regards to women with many typical risk factors. However, because of the shortage of data concerning prevalence of risk factors in young women, it is not known whether this phenomenon is confined to a limited group or affects many women.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of either typical risk factors of atherosclerosis or emotional disturbances that might increase the probability of coronary artery disease in young women.

Rationale and design of ACTIVE: the atrial fibrillation clopidogrel trial with irbesartan for prevention of vascular events.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently occurring cardiac arrhythmia with often serious clinical consequences. Many patients have contraindications to anticoagulation, and it is often underused in clinical practice. The addition of clopidogrel to aspirin (ASA) has been shown to reduce vascular events in a number of high-risk populations.

Prognostic value of exercise-induced QT dispersion in patients after acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Electrocardiographic exercise tests are widely recommended for patients before discharge after myocardial infarction, what justify the search for new variables which may improve their prognostic value. QT dispersion in 12 lead ECG reflects the heterogeneity of ventricular repolarisation. Increased QT dispersion is a noninvasive marker of ischaemia and electrical instability.

Low serum triiodothyronine in acute myocardial infarction indicates major heart injury.

Aims: In patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), low serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentration is commonly associated with a severe clinical course. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether a severe clinical course in patients with low T3 is related to the magnitude of myocardial injury assessed by echocardiography.

Methods And Results: Out of 635 patients with MI we enrolled 100 consecutive patients.

L-arginine supplementation prolongs exercise capacity in congestive heart failure.

Background: In congestive heart failure (CHF), endothelial dysfunction may contribute to impairment of exercise induced vasodilatation and decreased exercise capacity. We hypothesised that administration of L-arginine, a precursor of nitric oxide (NO) and postulated antioxidant, may improve endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and exercise capacity and also exert antioxidant activity.

Aims: To investigate the effect of oral supplementation with L-arginine on exercise capacity and markers of oxidative stress in patients with mild to moderate CHF.

Lipid profile during the first 24 hours after myocardial infarction has significant prognostic value.

Aims: A high level of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol disturbs the endothelial function. Thus it can be expected, that hypercholesterolaemia may unfavourably influence the course of the acute myocardial infarction. The aim of the study was to check whether patients with lipid levels above normal during the first hours of myocardial infarction have an unfavourable clinical outcome.

Is preinfarction angina associated with better outcome after myocardial infarction?

Background: In a clinical setting of acute myocardial infarction (MI), short-lasting and transient anginal pain, preceding the development of acute MI, is regarded as a symptom representing ischaemic preconditioning. Some experimental and clinical data suggested that preinfarction angina may favourably influence the course of acute MI.

Aim: We sought to examine the hypothesis that preinfarction angina occurring within 24 hours prior to the onset of acute MI favourably influences the outcome.

Antioxidant vitamins decrease exercise-induced QT dispersion after myocardial infarction.

Background: Antioxidant vitamins C and E inhibit neutrophil-mediated production of free radicals in acute myocardial infarction (MI) which may limit MI size and improve myocardial perfusion.

Aim: To examine whether treatment with vitamin C and E reduces inhomogeneity of repolarisation in patients with acute MI.

Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial 37 patients with acute MI were enrolled and assigned to vitamin C and E (600 mg/day each) or placebo treatment, starting on the first day of acute MI and lasting for 14 days.

Intravenous amiodarone for cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common causes of hospital admission, with a prevalence of up to 5% of the population, increasing with advancing age. Emergency direct current cardioversion is the therapy of choice when arrhythmia leads to hemodynamic compromise, but in patients who are hemodynamically stable, antiarrhythmic drugs are usually given to restore sinus rhythm.

Hypothesis: The study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of intravenous amiodarone in cardioversion of recent-onset paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

[Hypertension and metabolic syndrome in population of one company. Monotherapy with amlodipine and doxazosin].

Unlabelled: In Poland diagnosing of hypertension (HA) and the efficacy of treatment of this condition is still insufficient. Consideration of the concomitant metabolic disorders may help to choose the best line of therapy.

Aim Of The Study: To determine the incidence of HA and concomitant lipid and carbohydrate metabolism disturbances in population of one company.

QT interval dispersion in ventricular beats: a noninvasive marker of susceptibility to sustained ventricular arrhythmias.

Increased QT dispersion (QTd) calculated from sinus beats has been shown to identify patients prone to sustained VT. However, predictive accuracy of this parameter is limited. Electrophysiological properties of the myocardium may be altered by a premature ventricular beats, which is a well-established trigger for sustained VT.

[Micronized fenofibrate, decreased triglyceride levels, total cholesterol and LDL fractions in serum].

Elevated serum level of triglycerides is a classic indication for fibrates. Micronized fenofibrate is hypolipemic drug with proven safety and efficacy in a view of triglycerides reduction, but according to few papers published so far on the subject is also effective in decreasing elevated total and LDL cholesterol. The aim of study was to confirm results obtained from these few previous studies.

Clinical characteristics of patients with increased urinary excretion of adrenaline in mild to moderate heart failure.

Background: We have previously demonstrated that adrenaline (AD) is released into the circulation during acute myocardial infarction and is associated with a more severe clinical course. The role of elevated AD levels in congestive heart failure is not known.

Hypothesis: The study aimed to determine whether increased daily AD excretion is associated with more severe clinical symptoms and a more complicated clinical course in patients with exacerbation of congestive heart failure (CHF).

Effects of glucose-insulin-potassium infusion on QT dispersion in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Increased QT dispersion during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been associated with the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias. Also, serum potassium levels have been shown to be relevant to the arrhythmic risk in this group of patients. The aim of the present study was to assess changes in QT dispersion during infusion of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) during AMI.

Effects of intravenous amiodarone on ventricular refractoriness, intraventricular conduction, and ventricular tachycardia induction.

Aims: Intravenous amiodarone has recently emerged as an important drug for the acute treatment of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. However, electrophysiological actions and the efficacy of the drug in the suppression of ventricular tachycardia inducibility have not yet been fully established. The present study was designed to address these issues.

Isosorbide dinitrate inhibits platelet adhesion and aggregation in nonthrombolyzed patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Apart from their vasodilatatory properties, nitrates have been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation. The effects of nitrates on platelet adhesion have not been studied. Nonselected patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have been suggested to gain no benefit from administration of nitrates.