Publications by authors named "Farkowski M"
Cardiomyopathies (CMs) are a very broad group of diseases, including genetically determined and acquired, and their classification is based on phenotypic characteristics. There is always a need to search for the etiology (often also to try to identify the genetic cause), which may determine the appropriate choice of clinical management. The geographical distribution of genetic variants varies as does the prevalence across populations, ethnic groups, regions, and countries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: Catheter ablation is the most effective rhythm-control option in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and is currently considered an option mainly for improving symptoms. We aimed to assess the impact of catheter ablation on hard clinical outcomes.
Methods And Results: We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing catheter ablation vs.
Aims: Recent trial data demonstrate beneficial effects of active rhythm management in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and support the concept that a low arrhythmia burden is associated with a low risk of AF-related complications. The aim of this document is to summarize the key outcomes of the 9th AFNET/EHRA Consensus Conference of the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA).
Methods And Results: Eighty-three international experts met in Münster for 2 days in September 2023.
Implantable loop recorders (ILR) are considered increasingly helpful in diagnosing cardio-neurological conditions, especially if arrhythmic events are of high clinical importance but are unlikely to be captured by standard methods of electrocardiogram recording due to the low frequency of events and short duration of a single event. The compelling evidence from randomized trials and observational studies strongly supports ILR utilization in patients after cryptogenic stroke or transient ischemic attack and in patients with recurrent transient loss of consciousness of unknown origin. These two groups of patients are expected to gain the most from initiating ILR-driven clinically effective management strategies.
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- Limited data on venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk after right-sided electrophysiological (EP) studies and ablations exist, with no guidelines for managing DVT and PE, unlike left-sided procedures.
- An EHRA survey of 244 participants aimed to assess current anticoagulation practices and VTE prevention during right-sided EP procedures, highlighting that the right femoral vein is the most common access point.
- Findings revealed that most respondents do not routinely use intravenous heparin or prescribe VTE prophylaxis, with only a minority continuing preventive measures post-discharge, despite some operators reporting instances of DVT and PE in the past year.
Background: Data on sex differences in terms of action of antiarrhythmic agents (AADs) are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical profile of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and efficacy and safety of AADs used for pharmacological cardioversion (PCV) of AF.
Methods: This research was a sub-analysis of the retrospective multicenter Cardioversion with ANTazoline II (CANT) registry, which comprised 1365 patients with short-duration AF referred for urgent PCV with the use of AAD.
Aims: Electrophysiological (EP) operations that have traditionally involved long hospital lengths of stay (LOS) are now being undertaken as day case procedures. The coronavirus disease-19 pandemic served as an impetus for many centres to shorten LOS for EP procedures. This survey explores LOS for elective EP procedures in the modern era.
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- The study explores young electrophysiology (EP) professionals’ concerns about radiation exposure and its effects on reproduction and pregnancy, showing a significant level of apprehension among participants.
- A survey conducted with 252 EP personnel revealed that a large percentage were worried about radiation's impact on reproductive health and were mostly unaware of existing safety guidelines.
- The findings indicate a need for better communication and adherence to safety measures, as many women in EP labs face restrictions during pregnancy, with zero-fluoroscopy being favored for safety.
Cardiovascular diseases account for 43% of deaths in Poland. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of cardiovascular deaths by as much as 16.7%.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: Patients with atrial fibrillation who despite taking oral anti-coagulant therapy (OAT) suffer a stroke or systemic embolism (SSE) without vascular cause or who develop left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus (LAAT) should be considered as having malignant LAA. The optimal treatment strategy to reduce SSE risk in such patients is unknown. The aim of the study is to investigate the diagnostic and therapeutic pathways for malignant LAA practiced in European cardiac centres.
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- The study aimed to uncover regional differences in characteristics and satisfaction levels among patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) across Europe.
- Data was collected from 1,809 ICD patients through an online questionnaire in 10 European countries, revealing that Central/Eastern European patients reported higher satisfaction and feelings of being well-informed compared to their Western and Southern European counterparts.
- The findings suggest that Southern European physicians need to address quality of life concerns, while Western European physicians should work on enhancing the information they provide to patients, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to address these regional disparities.
Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in Poland Compared with other European Countries from the Patient's Perspective: Insights from the EHRA Patient Survey.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
March 2023
Article Synopsis
- The study compares Polish ICD recipients with those from other European countries regarding quality of life, information before implantation, and end-of-life issues.
- Polish patients reported a higher improvement in quality of life (51.0%) versus 44.3% in other countries, but less frequent use of remote monitoring (21.0% in Poland vs. 66.8% elsewhere).
- Despite being well-informed before implantation (78.1% in Poland), Polish patients were less familiar with the ICD deactivation process compared to their European counterparts.
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia which places a significant bur-den on individuals as well as the healthcare system. AF management requires a multidisciplinary approach in which tackling comorbidities is an important aspect.
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate how multimorbidity is currently assessed and managed and to determine if interdisciplinary care is undertaken.
Background: There is no clear guidance on how to implement opportunistic atrial fibrillation (AF) screening in daily clinical practice.
Objectives: This study evaluated the perception of general practitioners (GPs) about value and practicalities of implementing screening for AF, focusing on opportunistic single-time point screening with a single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) device.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a survey developed to assess overall perception concerning AF screening, feasibility of opportunistic single-lead ECG screening and implementation requirements and barriers.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluated how well ICD patients received information about their device and its implications, highlighting gaps in knowledge.
- About 71.5% of participants felt adequately informed, yet many lacked critical information regarding complications, driving restrictions, and end-of-life options.
- Notably, women reported feeling less informed and involved in decision-making compared to men, indicating a need for improved communication in this area.
Catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is the therapy of choice for the maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with symptomatic AF. Time towards interventional treatment and peri-procedural management of patients undergoing AF ablation may vary in daily practice. The scope of this European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) survey was to report the current clinical practice regarding the management of patients undergoing AF ablation and physician's adherence to the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines and the EHRA/HRS/ECAS expert consensus statement on the CA for AF.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssess the diagnostic value of 18-F FDG PET/CT in cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) infections in facilitating diagnostic process and optimizing decision-making process.Study group (n = 21) patients with initial suspected diagnosis of CIED-related infection or fever of unknown origin and patients referred for device removal due to infection. Control group (n = 13) patients with implanted CIED, who underwent PET/CT due to other non-infectious indications and had no data for infectious process in follow-up.
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- Atrial fibrillation (AF) presents significant challenges in healthcare, and the effective treatment of pulmonary vein isolation shows varying definitions of success among studies.
- An online survey, conducted with support from the European Heart Rhythm Association, gathered insights from 107 clinicians regarding their practices in monitoring and defining successful AF ablation outcomes.
- Most clinicians (82%) routinely monitor AF recurrences post-ablation, with a majority defining success as a combination of absence of symptoms and recorded AF, and considering anticoagulation cessation primarily for patients with paroxysmal AF.
Electrical storm (ES) is a predictor of mortality, and its treatment is challenging. Moreover, not all potential therapeutic strategies are available in all hospitals, and a standardized approach among European centres is lacking. The aim of this European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) survey was to assess the current management of patients with ES both in the acute and post-acute phases in 102 different European centres.
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