The usefulness of sST2 and galectin-3 as novel biomarkers for better risk stratification in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Estimation of sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk is an integral part of clinical management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Identification of novel biomarkers of this disease can provide additional criteria for SCD risk stratification. Soluble suppression of tumourigenicity (sST2) and galectin-3 (Gal-3) are useful biomarkers for prognosis of heart failure (HF).

ANP and BNP plasma levels in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

Introduction: Atrial (ANP) and B-type (BNP) natriuretic peptides are hormones secreted by the heart as a response to volume expansion and pressure overload.

Aim: To assess the changes of ANP and BNP after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) and to investigate factors associated with endpoints.

Material And Methods: The study included 96 patients (90.

Prognostic value of novel biomarkers compared with detailed biochemical evaluation in patients with heart failure.

Introduction: The assessment of prognosis is crucial for the clinical management of patients with heart failure (HF).

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of novel biomarkers for the assessment of prognosis in patients with HF, compared with a detailed assessment based on routine laboratory tests.

Patients And Methods: The study included 179 patients with HF.

Usefulness of Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy (Tc-[HYNIC, Tyr3]-Octreotide) and 123I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine Scintigraphy in Patients with SDHx Gene-Related Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas Detected by Computed Tomography.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) using (99m)Tc-[HYNIC, Tyr3]-octreotide (TOC) and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) in patients with SDHx-related syndromes in which paragangliomas were detected by computed tomography and to establish an optimal imaging diagnostic algorithm in SDHx mutation carriers.

Methods: All carriers with clinical and radiological findings suggesting paragangliomas were screened by SRS and 123I-mIBG. Lesions were classified by body regions, i.

Relationship between primary aldosteronism and obstructive sleep apnoea, metabolic abnormalities and cardiac structure in patients with resistant hypertension.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate in patients with resistant hypertension (RHTN) enrolled in the RESIST-POL study the relationship between primary aldosteronism (PA) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and their effect on metabolic abnormalities and cardiac structure.

Material And Methods: We included 204 patients (123 M, 81 F, mean age 48.4 yrs) with true RHTN, eGFR > 60 mL/min/1,73 m(2) and no known diabetes.

Impact of percutaneous coronary intervention on biomarker levels in patients in the subacute phase following myocardial infarction: the Occluded Artery Trial (OAT) biomarker ancillary study.

Background: The purpose of the Occluded Artery Trial (OAT) Biomarker substudy was to evaluate the impact of infarct related artery (IRA) revascularization on serial levels of N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and dynamics of other biomarkers related to left ventricular remodeling, fibrosis and angiogenesis.

Methods: Patients were eligible for OAT-Biomarker based on the main OAT criteria. Of 70 patients (age 60.

Hepatocyte growth factor - the earliest marker of myocardial injury in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) concentration increases in the first few hours of myocardial infarction (MI).

Aim: (1) To illustrate human HGF (hHGF) plasma concentration during the first 24 h of ST segment elevation myocardialinfarction (STEMI); (2) To estimate the odds ratio of STEMI in the context of hHGF measurements; (3) To describe the normalconcentration of hHGF in healthy subjects.

Methods: The study groups consisted of 73 STEMI patients and 11 healthy volunteers.

Potential prevention of pacing-induced heart failure using simple pacemaker programming algorithm.

Introduction: Right ventricular pacing (RVP) causes ventricular desynchronization and may lead to the development of heart failure (HF). Prolongation of atrioventricular delay (AVD) in DDDR pacemakers reduces unnecessary RV stimulation. The aim of the study was to verify the influence of RVP reduction on HF symptoms.

Ischaemia modified albumin in patients with acute coronary syndrome and negative cardiac troponin I.

Background: Approximately 40-60% of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have normal cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations on admission. Ischaemia modified albumin (IMA) has been suggested as a new biomarker of myocardial ischaemia.

Methods: A total of 43 patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of ACS but with normal (< 0.

Concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Unlabelled: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a regulator of vascular formation in physiological and pathological conditions. The aim of our study was to evaluate the value of VEGF as a surrogate marker of myocardial injury in acute ischemic conditions.

Materials And Methods: In 104 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with and without ST segment elevation (STEMI and NSTEMI) the plasma and serum human VEGF (hVEGF) concentration was measured two times i.

The role of B-type natriuretic peptide in the evaluation of left atrioventricular valve regurgitation following surgical repair of partial atrioventricular canal.

Background: Left atrioventricular valve (LAVV) regurgitation usually follows surgical repair of partial atrioventricular canal (PAVC). Although measurements of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are useful for the monitoring and prediction of outcomes in chronic mitral regurgitation, no data are available on the role of BNP measurements in the assessment of LAVV regurgitation in patients after surgical correction of PAVC.

Aim: To determine the role of plasma BNP determination in the assessment of LAVV regurgitation in patients after surgical repair of PAVC.

Adrenomedullin concentrations at two time points following myocardial infarction and prediction of mid-term outcomes.

Introduction: Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a vasopeptide with multiple actions in the cardiovascular system and a potentially powerful tool in comparison to some of the well-established unimodal biomarkers of risk stratification in myocardial infarction (MI). Previous studies on ADM in acute MI were based on single assessment. Therefore the aim of the study was to examine the relation between ADM plasma concentrations assessed at different time points following MI and outcomes.

Clinically overt and silent cerebral embolism in the course of infective endocarditis.

The data on cerebral embolism prevalence in the course of infective endocarditis (IE) are most probably underestimated. Part of the cerebral embolism episodes are clinically silent. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of clinically silent cerebral embolism in the course of IE and to correlate hematological, inflammatory, and echocardiography parameters with the presence of clinically overt or silent cerebral embolisms.

Influence of exercise training on leptin levels in patients with stable coronary artery disease: A pilot study.

Background: This study was designed to examine the influence of exercise training on leptin levels in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Sixty-four male patients, mean age 55.6 ± 6.

Determinants of the reduction in B-type natriuretic peptide after mitral valve replacement in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Background: Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are closely related to symptoms in left ventricle (LV) systolic heart failure, although marked regarding heterogeneity levels among subjects are reported.

Aims: To assess the influence of right ventricle on plasma BNP in the patients with different grades of its overload secondary to severe mitral valve stenosis (MVS).

Methods: Plasma BNP was evaluated in MVS patients (n = 27) before valve replacement and during follow-up (FUV) 401 ± 42 days after operation.

High concentrations of B-type natriuretic peptide and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with paroxysmal/persistent atrial fibrillation as possible markers of conversion into permanent form of arrhythmia: 1-year prospective evaluation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) may cause electrical and structural atrial remodelling, leading to progression from paroxysmal to permanent form of arrhythmia. Predictors of such a transition have not yet been well established.

Aim: To assess the role of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and left ventricular (LV) diastolic impairment in prediction of progression from paroxysmal/persistent AF to permanent AF.

Inflammatory response and postoperative kidney failure in patients with diabetes type 2 or impaired glucose tolerance undergoing heart valve surgery.

Background: Diabetes type 2 (DM) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are linked with a 3-fold increased risk of renal failure after heart valve surgery. The increase of proinflammatory cytokines is detected in patients with DM or IGT, moreover cardiac surgery promotes the proinflammatory response, which may be responsible for the development of postoperative kidney failure.

Aim: To assess the impact of perioperative pro- and antiinflammatory reaction after heart valve surgery and other clinical parameters on the risk of postoperative acute kidney injury in patients with DM or IGT.

Usefulness of 6-minute walk test, plasma neurohumoral and cytokine activation in the assessment of symptomatic patients with left ventricle dysfunction caused by chronic severe mitral valve regurgitation.

Objective: The aim of our study was to select the most relevant markers of impaired left ventricle (LV) function in patients with heart failure (HF) symptoms due to severe chronic mitral regurgitation (MR).

Methods And Results: Thirty-six patients with decompensated HF due to severe MR underwent echocardiography, 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and measurements of plasma renin activity, angiotensin II, aldosterone, noradrenaline (NA), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) with its receptors, and interleukine-6. Patients presented with significant neurohumoral/cytokine activation.

Antioxidative activity of sulodexide, a glycosaminoglycan, in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a pilot study.

Background: Oxidative stress may promote chronic inflammation and contribute to accelerated atherogenesis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Sulodexide, a glycosaminoglycan consisting primarily of heparin, has been shown to affect oxidative stress in experimental settings. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effect of sulodexide administration on oxidative stress, inflammation and plasma lipids in patients with proven stable CAD.

Hepatocyte growth factor--a new marker for prognosis in acute coronary syndrome.

Unlabelled: This study was designed to check the properties of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as a new marker of myocardial necrosis.

Materials And Method: In one hundred and four patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), plasma human HGF (hHGF) concentrations were assessed twice, i.e.

Gender differences in angiotensin II and aldosterone secretion in patients with pressure overloaded systemic right ventricles are similar to those observed in systemic arterial hypertension.

Background: There are very few and inconclusive data concerning the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity in adults with systemic right ventricles, compared to classic heart failure patients. Therefore, we prospectively evaluated angiotensin II and aldosterone levels in a series of patients following Mustard or Senning procedures for complete transposition of the great arteries.

Methods: Forty-two patients (31 male and 11 female, mean age 20.

Application of classic heart failure definitions of asymptomatic and symptomatic ventricular dysfunction and heart failure symptoms with preserved ejection fraction to patients with systemic right ventricles.

Heart failure guidelines classify patients into subgroups with asymptomatic versus symptomatic ventricular dysfunction versus heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction. In this study, this approach was applied in a series of patients with complete transposition of the great arteries after atrial switch to assess to what extent this classification fits patients with systemic right ventricles. The study included stable adult patients after atrial switch, stratified according to preserved versus impaired systolic function (fractional area change > or =0.

Endogenous catecholamine levels and function of the systemic right ventricle following atrial switch.

Background: As a result of successful surgery there is a large cohort of young adults with systemic right ventricles, suffering from progressive right ventricular dysfunction. Beta-blockers are successfully used in left ventricular failure. We assessed catecholamine levels and related it to cardiac function late following atrial switch, to provide the pathophysiologic basis for pharmacotherapy in patients with systemic right ventricles.

Alterations in calcium regulatory protein expression in patients with preserved left ventricle systolic function and mitral valve stenosis.

Background: In heart failure, alterations in the expression of proteins relevant to calcium homeostasis are involved in depressed contractility and diminished relaxation. However the regulation of genes expression is only partially known. The aim was to assess expression of calcium regulatory proteins in left ventricle (LV) myocardium characterised by a preserved global function in mitral valve stenosis (MVS) model but increased neurohumoral/cytokine (N/C) activation.