Functional Mechanical Behavior and Biocompatible Characteristics of Graphene-Coated Cardiovascular Stents.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is a treatment method that involves reopening narrowed arteries with a balloon catheter that delivers a cylindrical, mesh-shaped implant device to the site of the stenosis. Currently, by applying a coating to a bare metal stent (BMS) surface to improve biocompatibility, the main risks after PCI, such as restenosis and thrombosis, are reduced while maintaining the basic requirements for the mechanical behavior of the stent itself. In this work, for the first time, the development and optimization process of the spatial structure of the Co-Cr stent (L-605) with a graphene-based coating using cold-wall chemical vapor deposition (CW-CVD) to ensure uniform coverage of the implant was attempted.

Moderately Increased Left Ventricular Filling Pressure Suggesting Early Stage of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Patients with Invasively Assessed Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction.

: With modern diagnostic tools, incidence ischemia with no obstructive coronary atherosclerosis (INOCA) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are found to be much higher than previously believed, and-as they lead to adverse cardiovascular outcomes-their causes and development are subjects of ongoing research. There is growing evidence that coronary microvascular dysfunction might be the underlying cause of both INOCA and HFpEF. : In 65 patients with effort angina but no obstructive coronary artery disease, the index of microvascular resistance and coronary flow reserve were measured invasively in the LAD.

Analysis of COVID-19 Incidence and Protective Potential of Persisting IgG Class Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Hospital Staff in Poland.

The immune responses to both SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccines are of key importance in prevention efforts. In April and May 2020, 703 study participants tested for COVID-19 by PCR tests were registered. In June and July 2020, they were examined for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG.

Telemedicine in Cardiology: Modern Technologies to Improve Cardiovascular Patients' Outcomes-A Narrative Review.

The registration of physical signals has long been an important part of cardiological diagnostics. Current technology makes it possible to send large amounts of data to remote locations. Solutions that enable diagnosis and treatment without direct contact with patients are of enormous value, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak, as the elderly require special protection.

Graphene Coating Obtained in a Cold-Wall CVD Process on the Co-Cr Alloy (L-605) for Medical Applications.

Graphene coating on the cobalt-chromium alloy was optimized and successfully carried out by a cold-wall chemical vapor deposition (CW-CVD) method. A uniform layer of graphene for a large area of the Co-Cr alloy (discs of 10 mm diameter) was confirmed by Raman mapping coated area and analyzing specific G and 2D bands; in particular, the intensity ratio and the number of layers were calculated. The effect of the CW-CVD process on the microstructure and the morphology of the Co-Cr surface was investigated by scanning X-ray photoelectron microscope (SPEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).

Gallato Zirconium (IV) Phtalocyanine Complex Conjugated with SiO2 Nanocarrier as a Photoactive Drug for Photodynamic Therapy of Atheromatic Plaque.

A new conjugate of gallato zirconium (IV) phthalocyanine complexes (PcZrGallate) has been obtained from alkilamino-modified SiO nanocarriers (SiO-(CH)-NHNPs), which may potentially be used in photodynamic therapy of atherosclerosis. Its structure and morphology have been investigated. The photochemical properties of the composite material has been characterized.

Applications for graphene and its derivatives in medical devices: Current knowledge and future applications.

Graphene is a novel carbon-based material with unique crystal nanostructure and extraordinary physical and chemical properties. Several biomedical applications of graphene and graphene-derived materials have been proposed. Its antimicrobial properties might be useful in all areas of medicine where antiseptics are required.

Biocompatible Carbon-Based Coating as Potential Endovascular Material for Stent Surface.

Stainless steel 316L is a material commonly used in cardiovascular medicine. Despite the various methods applied in stent production, the rates of in-stent restenosis and thrombosis remain high. In this study graphene was used to coat the surface of 316L substrate for enhanced bio- and hemocompatibility of the substrate.

Low frequency electromagnetic field decreases ischemia-reperfusion injury of human cardiomyocytes and supports their metabolic function.

Electromagnetic field at extremely low frequencies plays a significant role in the physiological function of human tissues and systems. It is shown that electromagnetic field inhibits production of reactive oxygen species which are involved in heart injury triggered by oxidative stress. We hypothesize that low frequency electromagnetic field protects function of cardiac cells from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Multimodality imaging of intermediate lesions: Data from fractional flow reserve, optical coherence tomography, near-infrared spectroscopy-intravascular ultrasound.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) assesses a functional impact of the atheroma on the myocardial ischemia, but it does not take into account the morphology of the lesion. Previous optical coherence tomography (OCT), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) studies presented their potential to detect vulnerable plaques, which is not possible by FFR assessment. With the following study, the intermediate lesions were assessed by FFR, OCT and combined NIRS-IVUS imaging to identify plaque vulnerability.

In vitro photodynamic therapy with chlorin e6 leads to apoptosis of human vascular smooth muscle cells.

Percutaneous coronary intervention has become the most common and widely implemented method of heart revascularization. However, the development of restenosis remains the major limitation of this method. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) recently emerged as a new and promising method for the prevention of arterial restenosis.

[Life saving angioplasty of left main coronary artery in a high risk patient].

A case a of a life-saving angioplasty of left main coronary artery (LMCA) is presented. A 75 year old patient with a history of diabetes, previous CABG and carotid surgery was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of early post-infarct angina. Coronary angiography revealed significant stenosis of LMCA, in addition to previously known multi-vessel diffuse CAD.

[Complex coronary artery disease due to coronary spasm and atherosclerotic lesions - a case report].

We present a case of 55-year old man with a complex form of ischaemic heart disease. Except a significant narrowing of the circumflex coronary branch, a spasm of several branches of left coronary artery was found. The percutaneous balloon angioplasty and a modification of pharmacological treatment (introduction of nitrates and Ca-blockers) was effective.