Atrial fibrillation is a predictor of nonobstructive coronary artery disease in elective angiography in old age: a cross-sectional study in Poland and Russia.

Background: Significant changes in the coronary vessels are not confirmed in a large proportion of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Aims: The present study aimed to determine correlates and independent predictors of nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in older adults referred for elective coronary angiography.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 2,214 patients referred to two medical centers (in Poland and Russia) between 2014 and 2016 for elective coronary angiography due to exacerbated angina, despite undergoing optimal therapy for CAD.

Patient perceptions of anticoagulant treatment with dabigatran or a vitamin K antagonist for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation according to region and age: an exploratory analysis from the RE-SONANCE study.

Background: The oral anticoagulant dabigatran offers an effective alternative to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF), yet patient preference data are limited. The prospective observational RE-SONANCE study demonstrated that patients with AF, newly initiated on dabigatran, or switching to dabigatran from long-term VKA therapy, reported improved treatment convenience and satisfaction compared with VKA therapy. This pre-specified sub-study aimed to assess the impact of country and age on patients' perceptions of dabigatran or VKA therapy in AF.

Patient perception of anticoagulant treatment for stroke prevention (RE-SONANCE study).

Objective: We evaluated atrial fibrillation (AF) patients' perceptions of anticoagulation treatment with dabigatran or a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) for stroke prevention, according to accepted indications.

Methods: The RE-SONANCE observational, prospective, multicentre, international study used the validated Perception on Anticoagulant Treatment Questionnaire (PACT-Q) to assess patients with AF already taking a VKA who were switched to dabigatran (cohort A), and newly diagnosed patients initiated on either dabigatran or a VKA (cohort B). Visit 1 (V1) was at baseline, and visit 2 (V2) and visit 3 (V3) were at 30-45 and 150-210 days after baseline, respectively.

Factors Affecting Trough Plasma Dabigatran Concentrations in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Chronic Kidney Disease.

Introduction: Dabigatran is effective and widely used to prevent ischemic stroke and systemic embolism (SE) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) also has implications for choice of any medications, as it alters pharmacokinetic parameters of drugs.

Aim: To evaluate trough plasma dabigatran concentration (DTPC) and to analyse potential factors affecting these values in patients with AF and CKD.

Impact of atrial fibrillation on the rate of mild cognitive impairment in the elderly.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with cardiovascular risks is a transitional state to vascular dementia but which still has a possibility of being managed. The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) on cognitive performances in the elderly in comparison with similar cardiovascular risks. One hundred unselected patients were included in AF+ and AF- groups.

Prolonged dry apnoea: effects on brain activity and physiological functions in breath-hold divers and non-divers.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of voluntary breath-holding on brain activity and physiological functions. We hypothesised that prolonged apnoea would trigger cerebral hypoxia, resulting in a decrease of brain performance; and the apnoea's effects would be more pronounced in breath-hold divers.

Methods: Trained breath-hold divers and non-divers performed maximal dry breath-holdings.