Early repolarization pattern on ECG predicts worse outcomes in patients hospitalized due to chronic heart failure decompensation.

Background: To improve the outcomes of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), it is important to identify reliable prognostic tools. Early repolarization pattern (ER) on 12‑lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is a predictor of worse outcomes, which has been widely researched in the general population but not in the CHF population.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence and prognostic value of ER and compare its prognostic significance with other non-invasive diagnostic methods for CHF outcomes and hospital readmissions.

Single-Center Study in Lithuania to Evaluate the Role of Transthoracic Impedance Cardiography in the Diagnosis and Outcome Evaluation of 301 Patients with Chronic Heart Failure Exacerbation.

BACKGROUND Scientific data regarding transthoracic impedance cardiography (ICG) parameters and its utility in patients with heart failure (HF) remains controversial. This study from a single center in Lithuania aimed to evaluate the role of ICG in the diagnosis and outcome evaluation of patients who were admitted to the hospital due to HF exacerbation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The sample consisted of 301 consecutive patients with a previous chronic HF diagnosis (166 men, 135 women) hospitalized for HF flare-ups.

Evaluation of the Reliability of Electrocardiographic Criteria for Cardiac Hypertrophy Based on Echocardiographic Data.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) regardless of other risk factors may be associated with an increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, timely diagnosis for LVH is important in order to avoid possible complications. One of the simplest and cheapest methods to diagnose LVH is electrocardiography (ECG).

Differences in the Selvester QRS score after primary PCI strategy and conservative treatment for STEMI patients with negative T waves.

Background: According to current guidelines, the main indications for PCI in patients with STEMI are ST-segment deviations and defined time from the onset of symptoms. Negative T wave at admission can be a sign of prolonged ischemia or spontaneous reperfusion. In both situations, the urgent intervention is questionable.

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As the prevalence of obesity is increasing in a population, diagnostics becomes more problematic. Our aim was to compare the 3M Littmann 3200 Electronic Stethoscope and 3M Littman Cardiology III Mechanical Stethoscope in the auscultation of obese patients. .

A constant ST segment elevation in leads II, III, AVF: An electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, clinical, exercise test, laboratory and multi-slice computed tomography angiographic study.

A constant ST-elevation was more often described in precordial leads. We presented it in leads II, III, AVF in 16 consecutive patients seeking to establish a link between it and clinical, laboratory, echocardiography, exercise test, and multi-slice computed tomography angiography data. Main complaint of these obese middle-age men was angina pectoris (68.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction at Non-PCI Capable Hospitals in 2007 and in 2014.

Background: There is little known about whether characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have changed over the years in non-PCI capable hospitals in real-life. Our aim was to assess them between 2007 and 2014.

Methods: It was a retrospective cohort study.

Comparison of the improvement in myocardial perfusion and function in cases of rapid and slow electrocardiographic stage dynamics between patients with TIMI-3 flow after primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.

Background And Objective: Post-PCI TIMI flow grade 3 in infarct-related artery not always is associated with follow-up improvement in myocardial perfusion and function. We compared the improvement in myocardial perfusion and function in cases of rapid and slow electrocardiographic (ECG) stage dynamics between patients with TIMI-3 flow after primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Materials And Methods: Ten patients with post-PCI TIMI-3 flow were divided into group A (n=50, no rapid change of ECG stages) and group B (n=50, with a ≥2 ECG stages per 2 days change rate).

T-wave normalization during follow-up after early and late mechanical recanalization of infarct-related artery with and without stent implantation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate T-wave normalization during the 6-month follow-up in the patients who underwent early or late mechanical recanalization of the infarct-related artery with and without stent implantation.

Material And Methods: A total of 248 consecutive patients were divided into the following groups: early angioplasty (≤24 hours) without (n=114) or with stents (n=6) and late angioplasty (>24 hours) without (n=114) or with stents (n=14). The changes in T-wave recovery, QRS score, and echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction were compared between the groups.

Changes of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data after early and late mechanical recanalization of infarct-related artery with and without stent implantation.

Objective: To show differences in the changes of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data after early and late mechanical recanalization of infarct related artery with and without stent implantation and to assess the value of QRS score in the follow-up period.

Material And Methods: A total of 248 consecutive patients were divided into these groups: early angioplasty (24 hours) angioplasty without stents (n=114) or with stents (n=14). The changes in QRS score and echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction during the hospital and 3-month follow-up periods were compared between the groups.

Prediction of improvement in left ventricular function during a 1-year follow-up after acute myocardial infarction by the degree of acute resolution of electrocardiographic changes.

Background And Purpose: Reperfusion therapy results in better left ventricle (LV) function in cases of successful myocardial reperfusion; however, insufficient reperfusion or reocclusion of the infarct-related artery is associated with LV dysfunction. This study was proposed to determine whether the rate of ECG stage dynamics, after mechanical, thrombolytic, or spontaneous recanalization, is a predictor of improvement in LV function.

Methods: Twenty-seven consecutive patients, observed for 1 year, were divided into group A (11, change rate of > or =2 ECG stages per 2 days), group B (13, no rapid change), and cases with reocclusion (3).

Implementation of the patient education about cardiovascular risk factors into a daily routine of the Cardiology Unit of the hospital.

Background: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in developed countries. Main modifiable cardiovascular risk factors are smoking, hypertension and dyslipidemia. We sought to introduce the patient education about these risk factors into a daily routine of the Cardiology Unit of the hospital.

Prediction of decrease in myocardial perfusion defect size and severity during a 3-month follow-up by the degree of acute resolution of electrocardiographic changes.

Myocardial perfusion in infarct-related artery (IRA) distribution improves progressively until a few months after successful reperfusion therapy. We assessed the rate of electrocardiographic (ECG) stage dynamics to predict perfusion improvement after mechanical, thrombolytic, or spontaneous recanalization of IRA. Thirteen patients were divided into group A (n = 8, with > or = 2 ECG stages per 2-day change rate) and group B (n = 5, no rapid change of ECG stages).

[Early results of primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: evaluation of myocardial reperfusion].

Unlabelled: The purpose of the study was to determine the prognostic value of simultaneous evaluation of angiographic (TIMI flow) and ECG (ST segment resolution) changes on hospital results in primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty patients.

Methods And Patients: The primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed in 250 patients with the first acute myocardial infarction. All the patient were divided into four groups according the restored TIMI flow and the resolution of ST segment changes.

[Percutaneous revascularization of myocardium: extent, application and treatment strategy of acute coronary syndromes].

Unlabelled: The comparative value of different factors of reperfusion technique and strategy in restoring of myocardial function is underestimated. The aim of this study is to assess the value of reperfusion strategy for restoring of myocardial function in follow-up period.

Material And Methods: From 1999 to 2001, 4260 patients with acute coronary syndromes were analyzed.

[Quantitative assessment of acute myocardial infarction size. Impact of early mechanical recanalization of infarct related artery].

Unlabelled: The aim of investigation: 1) to determine the diagnostic value of QRS score and LV echocardiography in assessment of the size of myocardial infarction in acute stage, 2) to establish the impact of infarct related artery recanalization on myocardial infarction size.

Methods And Material: In order to investigate whether infarct size could be estimated by QRS scoring system soon after reperfusion we evaluated QRS score obtained serially before and twice after reperfusion, and the echocardiographic global EF in 57 patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent successful mechanical recanalization of infarct related artery. Coronary flow in infarct related artery was evaluated by the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction trial (TIMI) criteria.

[Impact of the effectiveness of myocardial reperfusion after thrombolytic and spontaneous recanalization of infarct related artery on myocardial recovery in the future].

Objective: To assess the efficiency of myocardial reperfusion after thrombolytic and spontaneous recanalization of infarct related artery (IRA) by the serial 12 lead ECG data and its impact on subsequent myocardial recovery.

Material And Methods: We examined 25 patients with a first Q wave myocardial infarction at hospital and after 1 and 3 years from discharge (13 treated with intravenous thrombolysis, 12 treated conservatively). Four patients treated using thrombolysis and 3 patients treated conservatively were excluded from the analysis due to reocclusion or another myocardial infarction and coronary bypass surgery.