Changes over time in the prevention of recurrent coronary artery disease in everyday practice.

Introduction: Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high risk of recurrent cardiovascular events, and risk factor control is crucial in this population.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the implementation of the European Society of Cardiology guidelines regarding prevention of recurrent CAD in 2011 to 2013 with 2016 to 2017.

Patients And Methods: The study included 5 hospitals with cardiology departments serving the city of Kraków and its surrounding districts.

Temporal changes in the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease in patients following myocardial revascularization.

Introduction: Well-organized, effective secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) has a potential to improve the patients' prognosis following myocardial revascularization procedures.

Aim: To evaluate overtime changes in the implementation of the ESC guidelines for secondary prevention by assessing control of the main risk factors and the rate of cardioprotective drug use in patients following myocardial revascularization procedures.

Material And Methods: Patients aged < 81 years who had been hospitalized for a myocardial revascularization procedure in five hospitals serving Krakow and surrounding districts were recruited and interviewed 6-18 months following discharge.

Obesity in patients with established coronary artery disease over a 20-year period (1997-2017).

Background: Body mass reduction in overweight and obese people so as to reduce blood pressure, low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and the risk of type 2 diabetes as well as to lower the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events is strongly recommended in current guidelines.

Objectives: To evaluate changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in patients with established coronary artery disease over a 20‑year period (1997-2017).

Patients And Methods: Consecutive patients younger than 71 years of age and hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome or myocardial revascularization procedures were recruited and interviewed 6 to 18 months after their discharge from hospital.

Practice setting and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease.

Introduction: Patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. The aim of the analysis was to compare time trends in the extent to which cardiovascular prevention guidelines have been implemented by primary care physicians and specialists.

Material And Methods: Five hospitals with cardiology departments serving the city and surrounding districts in the southern part of Poland participated in the study.

Factors related to the effectiveness of hypercholesterolemia treatment following hospitalization for coronary artery disease.

INTRODUCTION    Patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVES    The aim of the study was to identify factors related to control of hypercholesterolemia in patients after hospitalization for CAD. PATIENTS AND METHODS    The study included consecutive patients from 5 hospitals with cardiology departments serving one city in southern Poland.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in Real Life.

Participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRPs) improves prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, not much is known about the effectiveness of CRP in real life. The aim of this analysis was to identify factors related to the referral to CRP following hospitalization for CAD and estimate the effectiveness of the programs in real life.

Relation of atrial fibrillation and right-sided cardiac thrombus to outcomes in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) can induce a hypercoagulable state in both the left and right atria. Thrombus in the right side of the heart (RHT) may lead to acute pulmonary embolism (APE). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of RHT and AF and to assess their impact on outcomes in patients with APE.

T-wave inversion in patients with acute pulmonary embolism: prognostic value.

Introduction: T-wave inversion (TWI) is a common ECG finding in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of TWI in patients with APE and to describe their relationship to outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective study of 437 patients with APE.

Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease in contemporary clinical practice.

Background: The highest priority in preventive cardiology was given to patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the study was to assess the implementation of guidelines for secondary prevention in everyday clinical practice by evaluating control of the main risk factors and the cardioprotective medication prescription rates for patients, following their hospitalization for CAD.

Methods: Five hospitals with cardiology departments serving the city and its surround-ing districts in southern part of Poland participated in the study.

Use of ischemic ECG patterns for risk stratification in intermediate-risk patients with acute PE.

Background: European recommendations on the management of acute pulmonary embolism (APE) divide patients into 3 risk categories: high, intermediate, and low. Mortality has previously been estimated at 3% to 15% in the intermediate group. The aim of this study was to use a new metric "ischemic electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns" to more precisely estimate the risk (complications or death) of APE patients identified as "intermediate risk" by current European Society of Cardiology (ESC) criteria.

Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with acute pulmonary embolism complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare electrocardiography (ECG) parameters in patients with APE presenting with or without CS.

Methods: A 12-lead ECG was recorded on admission at a paper speed of 25 mm/s and 10 mm/mV amplification.

Population of Polish patients participating in the Heart Failure Pilot Survey (ESC-HF Pilot).

Background: Heart failure (HF) is currently one of the main causes of cardiovascular mortality. In order to collect current epidemiological data on patients with HF, the Heart Failure Pilot Survey (ESC-HF Pilot) registry was initiated.

Aim: Primary objective of the study was to compare clinical epidemiology of outpatients and inpatients with HF and investigate currently used diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in Poland and 11 other European countries.

Electrocardiography and prognosis of patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: To assess the influence of electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern on prognosis and complications of patients hospitalized with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 292 patients who had confirmed APE. There were 183 females and 109 males, the age range was 17 to 89 years, and the mean age was 65.

The value of ECG parameters in estimating myocardial injury and establishing prognosis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: The electrocardiogram (ECG) is characterised by little sensitivity and specificity in the diagnostic evaluation of acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Aim: To assess the significance of ECG changes in predicting myocardial injury and prognosis in patients with APE.

Methods: The study group consisted of 225 patients (137 women and 88 men), mean age: 66.

Increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome and indications for treatment with oral anticoagulation.

Background: Antiplatelet drugs currently constitute the basic treatment of coronary artery disease (acute coronary syndrome [ACS], stable angina and patients treated with percutaneous coronary interventions [PCI]). The number of patients with indication for dual antiplatelet therapy with comorbidities with high thrombo-embolic risk (such as atrial fibrillation [AF], venous thrombotic disease, valvular diseases) is increasing. That is why the need for simultaneous administration of dual antiplatelet and oral anticoagulant therapy (triple therapy) has become more common recently.

The prognostic value of ST-segment elevation in the lead aVR in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) presents many abnormalities. There are no data concerning prognostic significance of ST-elevation (STE) in lead aVR in patients with APE.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of STE in aVR in patients with APE and its correlation with clinical course as well as other ECG parameters recorded at admission.

[Patient with left ventricular aneurysm and thrombus after myocardial infarction - long-term observation].

A 14-year follow-up of a 69 year-old male with left ventricular aneurysm and thrombus after antero-septal myocardial infarction is presented. We describe problems with thromboembolic and bleeding complications in the context of changes in the guidelines over the period of treatment.

[Cardiac involvement in Fabry's disease - typical disease course and diagnostic problems].

Fabry disease is a rare X-linked recessive lysosomal storage disease, which can cause a wide range of systemic symptoms. A deficiency of the enzyme alpha galactosidase A due to mutation causes a glycolipid to accumulate within the blood vessels, other tissues, and organs. This accumulation leads to an impairment of proper heart function.

How often pulmonary embolism mimics acute coronary syndrome?

Background: The clinical picture of acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is often uncharacteristic and may mimic acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or lung diseases, leading to misdiagnosis. In 50% of patients, APE is accompanied by chest pain and in 30-50% of the patients markers of myocardial injury are elevated.

Aim: To perform a retrospective assessment of how often clinical manifestations and investigations (ECG findings and elevated markers of myocardial injury) in patients with APE may be suggestive of ACS.

Changes in secondary prevention of coronary artery disease in the post-discharge period over the decade 1997-2007. Results of the Cracovian Program for Secondary Prevention of Ischaemic Heart Disease and Polish parts of the EUROASPIRE II and III surveys.

Background: Both in the European and Polish guidelines, the highest priority for preventive cardiology was given to patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). The Cracovian Program for Secondary Prevention of Ischaemic Heart Disease was introduced in 1996 to assess and improve the quality of clinical care in secondary prevention. Departments of cardiology of five participating hospitals serving the area of the city of Kraków and surrounding districts (former Kraków Voivodship) inhabited by a population of 1 200 000 took part in the surveys.

Dual antiplatelet therapy and antithrombotic treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome--does everyday medical practice reflects current recommendations? A pilot study.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy for 12 months is currently recommended for all patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), both for those treated pharmacologically or with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Recently, the need for simultaneous administration of dual antiplatelet and oral anticoagulant therapy (triple therapy) has become more common. However, in addition to intensifying antiplatelet treatment, the risk of haemorrhagic complications is also significantly increased with triple therapy.

Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease in hospital practice over the decade 1996-2006. Results of the Cracovian Program for Secondary Prevention of Ischaemic Heart Disease and Polish parts of the EUROASPIRE II and EUROASPIRE III surveys.

Background: Both in the European and Polish guidelines the highest priority for preventive cardiology was given to patients with established cardiovascular disease. The Cracovian Program for Secondary Prevention of Ischaemic Heart Disease was initiated in 1996. The main goal of the program was to assess and improve the quality of clinical care in the secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease.

Acute pulmonary embolism registry in the Małopolska region - clinical course.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a life-threatening disease. Mortality in APE still remains very high in spite of progress in diagnostic tools. Mortality rate is about 30% in patients with unrecognised APE.

Dual antiplatelet therapy and antithrombotic treatment: Recommendations and controversies.

Dual antiplatelet therapy is currently recommended for all patients with acute coronary syndromes, independent of whether they receive pharmacological treatment or undergo percutaneous coronary intervention. Antiplatelet agents are the cornerstone of pharmacological treatment in interventional cardiology. However, there is a clear need for randomized trials to assess the treatment strategy of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients who also need long-term antithrombotic treatment (such as those with atrial fibrillation, prosthetic heart valve, mitral valve regurgitation or stenosis, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or pulmonary hypertension).