[Some aspects of energy-saving pacing in the light of the author's studies].

Unlabelled: Pacemaker working time, which was in the beginning not more than one year, reached the maximum in the first half of the 70s, then shortened to between a few to several years. Aim of the study was investigated the electrical properties of the endocavitary pacemaker leads, considered the possibility of manufacturing a longlasting pacemaker ("lifetime pacemaker") and examined the preference of patients in relation to dimensions of the implanted device.

Materials And Methods: The investigation included 190 electrodes with cathodes coated with titanium nitride (TIJ and TIR), 244--coated with iridium (SXA and SXV) and 90--coated with black platinum (DXA and DXV).

[Parameters of cardiac pacing and effectiveness of defibrillation during implantable cardioverter-defibrillator lead implantation to right ventricle outflow tract].

Unlabelled: Traditional implantation site for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is right ventricular apex (RVA). According to many data, this location ensures low enough defibrillation threshold. ICDs are more often implanted in patients with impaired left ventricle function, in whom, along with disease progression, the need for permanent stimulation develops.

[QTc duration in the long QT syndrome type 2 - diagnostic dilemma].

We present a case of a 43-year old woman with a long QT syndrome (LQTS). Despite her family history of several sudden deaths in close relatives the patient was misdiagnosed, being treated many years for epilepsy. Finally, after another series of syncopal spells she was diagnosed with LQTS.

[Patients history following artificial aortic valve and pacemaker implantation].

Unlabelled: The follow-up of 22 patients (out of 31 patients after artificial aortic valve and pacemaker implantation between 1982 and 2001) have been evaluated. There were 15 men aged 30-76 (x=55) and 7 women aged 43-69 (x=59). Aortic valve replacement (AVR) was subsequently followed by pacemaker implantation (PI) after approximately 16 days.

[Passive-fixation ventricular lead of DDD pacing system implantation through left superior vena cava].

Passive-fixation of ventricular lead was implanted through left superior vena cava (LSVC) and DDD pacing system replaced AAI in a young patient with II degree A-V block. Good mechanical stability and proper bioelectrical parameters obtained in short-lasting, uncomplicated procedure does not stay in line with world-wide approach. It is preferential for active fixation of leads in the right ventricle through the LSVC.

[Acute pacing parameters of endocardial ventricular leads: comparison of two electrode designs].

Background: Active-fixation pacemaker leads seem to have advantages over passive-fixation ones, such as the possibility of pacing at various sites, low dislodgement rate, and they are easier to extract. Unexpectedly their popularity in European countries is not high.

Aim: The comparative estimation of acute electrical parameters between high-impedance fractal passive-fixation and traditional active-fixation leads.

[Long-term results of radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias].

Background: Although the short-term results after radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), accessorry pathway (AP), atrioventricular junction (AVJ) and common atrial flutter (Aflu) have been widely reported, there is insufficient data on long-term outcome.

Aim: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of RF ablation of cardiac arrhythmias in a single center.

Methods: The study population consisted of 349 consecutive patients (mean age 49.

[7 years retrospective analysis of implantation and reimplantation of cardioverter-defibrillators].

Aim: The aim of the study was to clinical analyse patients with cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) treated in Cracow Department of Electrocardiology IK CMUJ between 1997-2004.

Methods: Data from 199 patients, aged 10 to 82, mean 56.9 year, in whom 198 implantations (31 of dual-chamber) and replacements were analyzed.

[Pacemaking in Cracow in years 1966-1980].

Permanent pacemaking, a new and effective bradycardia--treatment method, has appeared in the sixties. In Cracow the first emergency temporary stimulation by means of transvenously inserted intracardiac electrode was performed in 1966. Permanent technique of artificial pacing was introduced soon after.