Effect of Low High-Density Lipoprotein Level on Endothelial Activation and Prothrombotic Processes in Coronary Artery Disease-A Pilot Study.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) play an important role in the prevention of atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between serum HDL-C concentration and proinflammatory/prothrombic activation in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. The study group included 27 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and 30 stable angina pectoris (SA) patients.

Inhibitors of sodium-glucose transport protein 2: A new multidirectional therapeutic option for heart failure patients.

Several mechanisms have been suggested to explain positive cardiovascular effects observed in studies with sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. The reduction in glucose reabsorption in proximal tubuli induced by SGLT2 inhibitors increases urinary glucose and sodium excretion resulting in increased osmotic diuresis and consequently in decreased plasma volume, followed by reduced preload. In addition, the hemodynamic effects of SGLT2 inhibition were observed in both hyper and euglycemic patients.

Associations between selected angiographic parameters and the number of CD34⁺ cells and plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and angiogenin in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Left ventricular (LV) function and prognosis in patients after myocardial infarction are associated with some angiographic parameters.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the associations between the TIMI score in the infarct-related artery (IRA) before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), myocardial blush grade (MBG) following effective PCI, and the extent of collaterals measured using the Rentrop scale and plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenin, number of CD34⁺ cells, as well as LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and wall motion score index (WMSI).

Patients And Methods: In 62 patients with the first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with PCI and bare metal stent implantation, plasma VEGF and angiogenin levels as well as the number of CD34⁺ cells were assessed before PCI, 24 hours after PCI, at discharge, and at 30 days following STEMI.

Does mobilisation of CD34+ stem cells along with VEGF, angiogenin, IL-6, IL-8, and hsCRP levels allow predicting the direction of left ventricular ejection fraction and wall motion score index changes in patients with myocardial infarction?

Background: Left ventricular (LV) systolic function is a significant prognostic factor in patients after myocardial infarction (MI). Multiple angiogenic and inflammatory factors are involved in postinfarction LV remodelling process. In addition, CD34+progenitor cells mobilised from bone marrow and tissue niches participate in regeneration of the infarcted myocardium.

[Soluble selectins in myocardial infarction].

Unlabelled: In myocardial infarction, the endothelial activation which induces leukocytes migration into the myocardial tissues, may play an important role in ischemic injury. Selectins, shedding from the surface of activated cells into bloodstream, maybe suggested as markers of endothelial activation and leukocytes stimulation. The aim of the study was evaluation.

Neither cyclosporine nor tacrolimus deteriorate endothelial function in renal transplant recipients assessed with reactive hyperernia index.

Background: Cardiovascular mortality in renal transplant recipients is nearer 10-fold higher than in general population. Immunosuppressive therapy is one possible cause, for these drugs can modify cardiovascular risk factors, which can induce endothelial dysfunction, the first step in the process of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to compare vasodilatatory function of endothelium in renal transplant recipients in relation to the immunosuppressive drug-cyclosporine or tacrolimus.

Value of oral glucose tolerance test in the acute phase of myocardial infarction.

Background: Although European guidelines advise oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) before or shortly after hospital discharge, data supporting this recommendation are inconclusive. We aimed to analyze whether disturbances in glucose metabolism diagnosed before hospital discharge in AMI patients represents a latent pre-existing condition or rather temporary finding. Additionally, we planned to investigate the value of pre-selected glycemic control parameters as predictors of long-term glucometabolic state.

Circulating endothelial cells in coronary artery disease.

Background: endothelial damage and dysfunction play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD). The quantification of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) in the peripheral blood is a novel method for assessing endothelial damage.

Aim: to evaluate the possible diagnostic use of single quantification of CEC in peripheral blood by flow cytometry in patients with CAD.

[ECG changes in patients with stroke].

We present a case of a male patient who was admitted to the cardiology department with a diagnosis of NSTEMI (deep negative T waves in all precordial leads). Two weeks earlier he was hospitalised because of a stroke caused by thrombosis of the left carotid artery. He had no angina.

Increased morning ADP-dependent platelet aggregation persists despite dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Preliminary report.

Background: Numerous trials have reported on the morning increase in the occurrence of myocardial infarction, stroke and sudden cardiac death. Similarly, enhanced morning platelet aggregation has been observed in healthy individuals and in subjects with coronary artery disease without adequate antiplatelet treatment. The purpose of the study was to assess circadian variation in platelet aggregation in patients with first ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary interventions (pPCI) and dual antiplatelet therapy.

The effect of trimetazidine added to maximal anti-ischemic therapy in patients with advanced coronary artery disease.

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of trimetazidine administered for 20 days in 56 patients with ischemic heart disease treated with maximal tolerated doses of anti-ischemic drugs who were not candidates for percutaneous or surgical revascularization.

Methods: The efficacy of trimetazidine was evaluated by comparing exercise testing parameters before and after treatment, combined with the patient response to a questionnaire administered at baseline and following the treatment. We evaluated the duration of exercise, workload, double product, time to the occurrence of ischemic changes in ECG, the number of leads with diagnostic ST segment depression, and the magnitude of ST segment depression.

Smokers versus non-smokers undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: The impact of clinical and procedural characteristics on in-hospital mortality.

Background: We aimed to compare clinical and procedural characteristics of unselected smokers and non-smokers undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and to assess their impact on in-hospital mortality.

Methods: One thousand consecutive patients treated interventionally were retrospectively enrolled into a single academic centre registry.

Results: Smokers (n = 631), in comparison to non-smokers (n = 369), were younger and less likely to be hypertensive, diabetic and female gender.

One-year outcomes of left main coronary artery stenting in patients with cardiogenic shock.

Background: The high in-hospital mortality of patients with cardiogenic shock is being reduced thanks to coronary interventions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes of angioplasty and stenting in patients with cardiogenic shock caused by left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease.

Methods: A group of 71 consecutive patients managed for LMCA disease in an emergency setting (38 patients in cardiogenic shock and 33 without shock symptoms) were followed up clinically and angiographically for one year.

Predicted and observed in-hospital mortality after left main coronary artery stenting in 204 patients.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare risk predicted using available risk scores and actual outcomes in patients with left main coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation (PCI LM).

Methods: We studied 204 patients treated with elective or emergent coronary angioplasty. We estimated in-hospital mortality using the EuroSCORE, Parsonnet and GRACE risk scores and compared this data with actual in-hospital mortality.

Gender differences and in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.

Background: Many observational and randomised studies have suggested that women are referred for invasive diagnostics and treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) less frequently than men, and the effects of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among women are worse than in men.

Aim: To compare direct results of PCI in men and women.

Methods: The study was a retrospective assessment of case records of one thousand consecutive patients treated with PCI because of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (344 patients), unstable angina (UA) (164 patients) and stable angina (SA) (492 patients).

Endothelial function in patients with chest pain and normal coronary angiograms.

Background: A normal coronary angiogram is found in about 20% of patients who undergo coronary angiography due to chest pain. In some of them syndrome X is diagnosed. Endothelial dysfunction is one possible cause of this pathology.

[Acute myocardial infarction in a patient with iatrogenic thyrotoxicosis--a case report].

We present a patient with myocardial infarction and normal coronary angiogram. The patient had no classical coronary risk factors, but had thyrotoxicosis, which was taken into consideration as a possible cause of myocardial infarction.

Endothelial function parameters in patients with unstable angina and infection with Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction may be a factor linking infection with atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between seropositivity to Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and/or to Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) and some endothelial function parameters in patients with unstable angina.

Methods: In 31 patients with unstable angina, we determined the serum concentration of the von Willebrand factor (vWF), thrombomodulin, tissue plasminogen activator antigen, and tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 antigen, the concentration of IgG antibodies to Hp and Cp (all by ELISA), and the level of C-reactive protein.

[Recurrent restenosis in patient with single vessel coronary artery disease].

We present a patient with a single-vessel coronary artery disease, who during 5.5 years underwent 6 coronary intervention procedures -- 3 stent implantations including one drug eluting stent -- TAXUS, 2 balloon coronary angioplasty procedures and CABG. The choice of the optimal therapeutic method in patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease is discussed.

Effect of parathormone on heart rate variability in hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Parathormone (PTH) is a very potent uraemic toxin, which affects heart structure and function. PTH also plays the role in uraemic autonomic neuropathy (AN). The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between high PTH level and AN assessed with frequency domain measures of heart rate variability (HRV).

[Acute myocardial infarction in a patient with normal coronary arteries--a case report].

A case of a 72-year-old female who was admitted for elective dual-chamber pacemaker implantation, is presented. A few hours after the procedure the patient developed chest pain with ST-segment elevation in ECG and a significant increase in the troponin I level. An acute myocardial infarction was diagnosed.

Myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteriogram: the role of ephedrine-like alkaloids.

Background: The overwhelming majority of myocardial infarctions result from atherosclerosis, generally with superimposed coronary thrombosis. The prevalence of patients who develop myocardial infarction and in whom subsequent angiography shows normal coronary arteries is approximately 5%. Many of these cases are caused by coronary artery spasm and/or thrombosis, perhaps with an underlying endothelial dysfunction of the epicardial coronary arteries.

[Cardiac tamponade as a cause for exploratory laparatomy - a case report].

We present a case of 39-year-old male with symptomatic cardiac tamponade due to neoplastic disease. Because of abdominal symptoms the patient was diagnosed as having acute abdomen and underwent exploratory laparatomy which revealed enlarged liver and ascites. Correct diagnosis was established later by echocardiography and effective pericardiocentesis was performed.