Immunopathology of Corneal Allograft Rejection and Donor-Specific Antibodies (DSAs) as Immunological Predictors of Corneal Transplant Failure.

Despite tremendous developments in the field of laboratory testing in transplantation, the rules of eligibility for corneal transplantation still do not include typing of human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) in the donor and recipient or detection of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) in the patient. The standard use of diagnostic algorithms is due to the cornea belonging to immunologically privileged tissues, which usually determines the success of transplantation of this tissue. A medical problem is posed by patients at high risk of transplant rejection, in whom the immune privilege of the eye is abolished and the risk of transplant failure increases.

Is transesophageal echocardiography necessary before electrical cardioversion in patients treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants? Current evidence and practical approach.

According to current guidelines, non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) should be used at least 3 weeks before planned electrical cardioversion. In accordance with international atrial fibrillation (AF) guidelines, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a pre-procedural examination recommended as an alternative to adequate oral anticoagulation. The strategy related to qualifying patients treated with NOACs for pre-procedural TEE differs in individual centers.

Why Did All Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and High Risk of Stroke Not Receive Oral Anticoagulants? Results of the Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) Registry.

Background: Most atrial fibrillation (AF) patients are at high risk of thromboembolic, and the use of oral anticoagulants (OACs) is advised in such cases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency at which OACs were used in patients with AF and high risk thromboembolic complications, and identify factors that result in OACs not being used in the researched group of patients.

Methods: The prospective, multicenter and non-interventional POL-AF registry is a study that includes AF patients from ten Polish cardiology centers.

Hyperuricemia as a Marker of Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Results of the POL-AF Registry Study.

: Hyperuricemia is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including atrial fibrillation (AF). The prevalence of hyperuricemia and its clinical significance in patients with already diagnosed AF remain unexplored. : The Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) registry includes consecutive patients with AF hospitalized in 10 Polish cardiology centers from January to December 2019.

Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Patients in the Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) Registry.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) can cause severe symptoms, but it is frequently asymptomatic. We aimed to compare the clinical features of patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic AF.

Methods: A prospective, observational, multicenter study was performed (the Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) registry).

Characteristics and Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation with Respect to the Presence or Absence of Heart Failure. Insights from the Multicenter Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) Registry.

Background: We aimed to assess characteristics and treatment of AF patients with and without heart failure (HF).

Methods: The prospective, observational Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) Registry included consecutive patients with AF hospitalized in 10 Polish cardiology centers in 2019-2020.

Results: Among 3999 AF patients, 2822 (71%) had HF (AF/HF group).

Antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, including compliance with current guidelines-data from the POLish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) Registry.

Background: Although triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) is recommended in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), guidelines allow an option of dual antithrombotic therapy (DAT). This study assesses the everyday practice of 10 cardiology departments in antithrombotic therapy in AF patients undergoing PCI and its agreement with current guidelines.

Methods: This analysis included medical data of AF patients enrolled in the prospective, observational registry (The POLish Atrial Fibrillation-POL-AF) that underwent PCI [elective or due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS)].

Risk of left atrial appendage thrombus in older patients with atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: We aimed to compare the prevalence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus and its predictors between old and young patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Material And Methods: The study included 1970 patients aged ≥ 65 ( = 822 (41.7%)) and < 65 ( = 1148 (58.

Elective cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is safe without transesophageal echocardiography in patients treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants: Multicenter experience.

Background: Current guidelines recommend electrical cardioversion (ECV) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after at least 3 weeks of adequate non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) treatment without prior transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). However, in clinical practice in some centres, TEE is performed before ECV in patients with AF. The aim of the study was to evaluate prevalence of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications in patients with AF treated with NOACs and undergoing ECV without prior TEE.

Left atrial wall dyskinesia assessed during contractile phase as a predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence after electrical cardioversion performed due to persistent atrial fibrillation.

Direct current cardioversion (DCCV) is one of the basic methods for restoring sinus rhythm (SR) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Left atrial (LA) strain is one of the parameters used to assess the risk of AF recurrence following DCCV. Assessing the strain also allows for the detection of segmental disorders of LA wall contractility, including dispersion or dyskinesia.

Trends in the Prescription of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation: Results of the Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) Registry.

Background: Current guidelines do not suggest in which groups of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) individual non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) should be used for the prevention of thromboembolic complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of use of apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban, and attempt to identify factors predisposing their administration.

Methods: The Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) registry is a prospective, non-interventional study, including consecutive patients with AF hospitalized in ten Polish cardiology centers during the period ranging from January to December 2019.

Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus Formation Despite Continuous Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulant Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Undergoing Electrical Cardioversion or Catheter Ablation: A Comparison of Dabigatran and Rivaroxaban.

Left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) may be detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) despite continuous anticoagulation therapy. We examined the factors predisposing to LAAT in patients treated with the anticoagulants dabigatran and rivaroxaban. We retrospectively evaluated 1,256 AF patients from three centres who underwent TOE before electrical cardioversion ( = 611, 51.

Prevalence and risk factors of left atrial thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation and lower class (IIa) recommendation to anticoagulants.

Background: Oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) prevents ischaemic incidents in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). CHADS-VASc risk score of ≥2 points in men and ≥3 in women is a class I indication for OAT. OAT should also be considered as a prevention of thromboembolism in AF men with a CHADS-VASc score of 1 point and women with 2 points, but the class of recommendation is lower (IIa).

Tumors of the right atrium and the inferior vena cava operated in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

<b>Introduction:</b> Tumors which most frequently metastasize to the heart include: malignant melanoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, lymphomas and esophageal cancer. <br><b>Purpose:</b> The purpose of this paper was clinical analysis of a group of patients operated in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest due to tumors of the right atrium and the inferior vena cava. <br><b>Material and method:</b> The study covered 7 patients operated at the Cardiac Surgery Clinic with a cardiac tumor diagnosed on the basis of an echocardiographic assessment in the years 2012-2019.

Left atrial emptying fraction determined during atrial fibrillation predicts maintenance of sinus rhythm after direct current cardioversion in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Echocardiography is the basic imaging technique used to determine the odds of maintaining sinus rhythm (SR) following direct current cardioversion (DCCV) for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, most studies are focused on the echocardiographic parameters obtained during SR resulting from successful DCCV. The aim of this study was to assess the value of the echocardiographic parameters measured before DCCV for the prognosis of SR maintenance after DCCV.

Factors determining elective cardioversion preceded by transesophageal echocardiography: experiences of 2 cardiology centers.

Introduction: Although guidelines endorse cardioversion after adequate non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) treatment without prior transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), the majority of patients still undergo this examination.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess factors determining the decision to perform TEE in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who are eligible for elective cardioversion.

Patients And Methods: In this study, we evaluated the medical records of consecutive patients with AF who were admitted for elective cardioversion after prior NOAC treatment.

The prognostic value of soluble suppression of tumourigenicity 2 and galectin-3 for sinus rhythm maintenance after cardioversion due to persistent atrial fibrillation in patients with normal left ventricular systolic function.

Aims: Soluble suppression of tumourigenicity 2 (sST2) and galectin-3 are involved in cardiac fibrosis, inflammation, and remodelling. However, the place of sST2 and galectin-3 in predicting the outcomes of electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) is uncertain. We evaluated whether these biomarkers could predict sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance after cardioversion of persistent AF in patients with normal left ventricular systolic function.

Stroke prevention and guideline adherent antithrombotic treatment in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: A real-world experience.

Patients aged ≥75 years with the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) are at a higher risk of stroke and, according to recent recommendations, should receive oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy. This study aimed to assess the recommended prophylactic antithrombotic therapy among patients with AF aged ≥ 75 years and its compliance with current guidelines. We also aimed to identify predisposing factors associated with the administration of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in elderly patients with AF.

Does the CHA2DS2-VASc scale sufficiently predict the risk of left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with diagnosed atrial fibrillation treated with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants?

The CHA2DS2-VASc scale does not include potential risk factors for left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) formation such as a form of atrial fibrillation (AF) and impaired kidney function. The real risk of thromboembolic complications in AF patients is still unclear as well as an optimal anticoagulant treatment in males with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1 and females with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 2.The aim of this study was to compare the predictive value of the CHA2DS2-VASc scale and other scales to estimate the risk of LAAT formation in AF patients treated with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and to assess the prevalence of thrombi in patients at intermediate risk of stroke.

Thrombus in the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in clinical practice-A multicenter registry.

Background: The prevalence and predictors of left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who have been treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are not well defined. We aimed to assess the occurrence and predictors of LAAT on transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in patients with non-valvular AF treated with NOACs for at least 3 weeks.

Methods: Consecutive patients with non-valvular AF who underwent TOE before catheter ablation or electrical cardioversion in three high-reference centers between 2014 and 2018 were included.

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Is Associated with the Risk of Thrombus in the Left Atrial Appendage in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high risk of ischemic stroke. The most frequent thrombus location in AF is the left atrial appendage (LAA). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a basic diagnostic examination in patients (pts) with AF.

Risk of left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics, the incidence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus and its predictors, and spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in a population of patients with AF depending on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values.

Methods: This study included 1962 patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiographic examination prior to cardioversion or ablation in the years 2014-2018 in three cardiac centers.

Left atrial mechanical remodelling assessed as the velocity of left atrium appendage wall motion during atrial fibrillation is associated with maintenance of sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

The velocity of left atrium appendage (LAA) wall motion during atrial fibrillation (AF) is a potential marker of mechanical remodelling. In this study, we investigated whether the velocity of LAA wall motion during AF predicted the success of electrical cardioversion and long-term sinus rhythm maintenance. Standard echocardiographic data were obtained by transthoracic echocardiography, and LAA wall motion velocities were measured by transoesophageal echocardiography.