Sources of thromboembolism in patients with correctly functioning mechanical valves: a single-center transesophageal echocardiographic study.

Background: In patients with mechanical prostheses (MP), thromboembolism is one of the most serious complications. The study aim was to assess the incidence of sources of thromboembolism in patients with correctly functioning MP with and without a history of thromboembolism.

Methods: Two hundred ninety-seven patients with correctly functioning MP were enrolled in this single-center, transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE), retrospective, observational study.

[Recent clinical trials in hypertensiology].

The paper presents the results of large randomized clinical trials conducted in recent years, evaluating the efficacy and safety of drugs used to treat hypertension. The results show that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor antagonists for use as monotherapy and especially in combination with calcium antagonists are effective in controlling blood pressure and in preventing and reducing complications of drugs compared with beta-adrenolytics used as monotherapy or in combination with diuretics. Antihypertensive therapy in the elderly reduces morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular causes.

Ischemia-modified albumin in differential diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome without ST elevation and unstable angina pectoris.

Background: Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) was registered by the United States Food and Drug Administration as a marker of myocardial ischemia.

Aim: To assess the usefulness of IMA measurement for differentiating patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with no ST elevation and patients with unstable angina pectoris.

Methods: The study group consisted of 121 patients (mean age 63 +/- 12 years, 84 males), who were admitted to our department with retrosternal chest pain occurring at rest and lasting more than 20 minutes.

The clinical course of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction in patients with hypertension.

Background: Arterial hypertension has been documented as one the cardiovascular risk factors. The issue whether hypertension worsens the clinical course and short-term prognosis of patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been addressed by several studies, however, the results were not uniform.

Aim: To compare the clinical course and short-term prognosis in STEMI patients with or without hypertension.

Influence of co-existing atrial fibrillation on the efficacy of atorvastatin treatment in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: a pilot study.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of co-existing atrial fibrillation (AF) on inflammatory condition factors, left ventricular function, clinical course and the efficacy of statin treatment of congestive heart failure in the course of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Material And Methods: In a prospective, randomized, open-label study, 69 patients with DCM and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < or =40% were divided into two groups, with and without AF, who were treated according to the recommended standards. 68% of patients from the group with AF and 59% of patients from the group without AF were administered atorvastatin 40 mg daily for 8 weeks and 10 mg for next 4 months.

Left ventricular dysfunction and NT-proBNP levels in patients with one-vessel disease after first ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary coronary angioplasty.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the main cause of death in the general population. Despite the fact that primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improves prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure can still develop in some of these subjects. Measurement of natriuretic peptide levels has been shown to be useful in the detection of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and the risk stratification of patients with AMI.

The influence of atorvastatin on parameters of inflammation and function of the left ventricle in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: We assessed the influence of atorvastatin on selected indicators of an inflammation, function of the left ventricle and factors affecting the occurrence of rehospitalisation and mortality in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Material/methods: In a prospective, randomized study, 68 patients with DCM with LVEF View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Circadian changes in the hemostatic system in healthy men and patients with cardiovascular diseases.

The highest risk of cardiovascular events is in the morning, which may be associated with circadian changes in hemostasis. There is a 10% circadian variability in von Willebrand factor (vWF). Circadian periodicity has been noted for both the number of platelets and their aggregability.

Polymorphism C1114G of gene encoding the cardiac regulator of G-protein signaling 2 may be associated with number of episodes of neurally mediated syncope.

Background And Aims: The cardiac regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2) negatively regulates G-protein-coupled receptor signaling. The C1114G polymorphism reduces RGS2 gene expression. This molecular disorder may be one of the important factors influencing progress of neurally mediated syncope.

Genetic insight into syncopal tilted population with severe clinical presentation.

Unlabelled: An impairment of cardiovascular reflexes may be the result of functional alterations in the G proteins intracellular signaling produced by functional genes' polymorphisms. The aim was to evaluate the relationships between single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes encoding G-proteins signaling pathways and syncopal patients with severe clinical manifestation.

Methods And Results: From 307 syncopal patients free from any other diseases 83 (27%) had at least one malignant episode of syncope with a significant injury as fractures.

Endothelial dysfunction in patients with noncomplicated and complicated hypertension.

Endothelial dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Other risk factors of atherosclerosis also affect its development. The aim of the study was to assess nitric oxide metabolites concentration (nitrites and nitrates No(x)) and endothelin (ET-1) in plasma and cyclic 3,5-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in 24 h-urine collection in patients with noncomplicated hypertension without risk factors of atherosclerosis and in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

[Concentrations of adrenal steroids and sex hormones in postmenopausal women suffering from coronary artery disease].

Unlabelled: The lack of the benefits in the prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) from the hormonal substitution with preparations of estradiol (E2) suggests that higher frequency of CAD in postmenopausal women (PMW) may be influenced by a hormonal mechanism different from the postmenopausal hypoestrogenism.

Aim Of The Study: Due to the fact adrenal glands are the important source of steroids in PMW the aim of our research was the assessment of the concentrations of the adrenal hormones and their possible relations with CAD.

Material And Methods: W-CAD group--31 PMW at the age of 66 +/- 9 years with angiographically proven CAD; 3/4 of them suffered from myocardial infarction.

Factors associated with C-reactive protein at the early stage of acute myocardial infarction in men.

Background: Elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with acute coronary events. CRP is related to cardiovascular risk factors and adipokines. The aim of the study was to reveal the factors associated with elevated CRP levels in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI).

A novel approach to syncopal patients: association analysis of polymorphisms in G-protein genes and tilt outcome.

Aims: G-proteins signal transduction pathways play a basic role in cardiovascular reflexes. We hypothesized that the predisposition to reflex-mediated syncope may be associated with genetic variations in G-protein genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three single-nucleotide polymorphisms in G-protein genes on tilting outcome in syncopal patients.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in the elderly with myocardial infarction.

Background: The myocardial infarction (MI) results in the change of the levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in blood. In addition, attention is paid to the dependence of NT-proBNP levels on the patients' age. However, the behavior of natriuretic peptide levels has not been recognized well enough in the elderly with MI treated with invasive methods.

Value of blood adipose tissue hormones concentration--adiponectin, resistin and leptin in the prediction of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in 1-year follow-up after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the impact of adipokines on the future major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: Subjects were 77 men with first, ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention in whom data were available after one year follow-up. Baseline clinical and angiographic data were collected, blood level of C-reactive protein, uric acid, fasting glucose, lipid profile, adiponectin, resistin and leptin and left ventricular ejection fraction on echocardiography were assessed.

The relationship between leptin and obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in men with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Leptin, a hormone-like peptide secreted by adipose tissue, is a strong correlate of obesity. Conflicting data exist concerning leptin as an independent risk factor of coronary artery disease. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between leptin and obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in men with acute myocardial infarction.

Electrocardiographic diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes in patients with left bundle branch block or paced rhythm.

The population of patients with a pacemaker is constantly growing in number. Myocardial infarction in these patients, like in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB), is called the undetermined type and characterizes the highest risk of death. Therefore the early and correct diagnosis of AMI is very important.

Obesity and adiponectin in acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Low plasma concentration of adiponectin, a hormone-like peptide secreted by adipose tissue, is detected in obesity and in coronary artery disease. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of obesity on adiponectin and the relation of adiponectin to the anthropometric parameters and cardiovascular risk factors in men with acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: Two groups of patients with first acute myocardial infarction were analyzed: 40 obese and 40 non-obese men.

The ventricular assist device: a bridge to ventricular recovery, a bridge to heart transplantation or destination therapy?

Despite advances in pharmacological treatments aimed at a neurohormonal blockade for heart failure, there is still a growing number of patients with advanced symptoms who suffer significant morbidity and mortality. At present the most effective cure for end-stage congestive heart failure is cardiac transplantation. This method is severely limited owing to a lack of available organs.

Obesity and heart rate variability in men with myocardial infarction.

Background: Obesity has been shown to affect heart rate variability (HRV). Adipokines (hormone-like peptides secreted by adipose tissue) display several bioactivities and have an impact on the cardiovascular system. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of obesity (BMI > or = 30) and adipokines (leptin, adiponectin and resistin) on HRV.

[Clinical value of the estimation of blood pressure circadian rhythm].

Arterial blood pressure is one of the main factors of the development of organ vascular changes. Clinical studies have demonstrated that not only blood pressure absolute values but its 24h profile as well may be of significance for the rate and severity of organ damage. The study analyses the results and observations of the so far carried out investigations concerning the lack of nocturnal fall of blood pressure on the development of vascular changes in brain, carotid artery, myocardial hypertrophy and renal lesions.

Effects of hypertension therapy based on eprosartan on systolic arterial blood pressure and cognitive function: primary results of the Observational Study on Cognitive function And Systolic Blood Pressure Reduction open-label study.

Background: Recent studies have indicated a relationship between hypertension and cognitive function but therapeutic trials of antihypertensive therapy on the prevention of cognitive disorders have produced controversial findings.

Methods: The Observational Study on Cognitive function And Systolic Blood Pressure Reduction is an open-label trial in 28 countries designed to evaluate the impact of eprosartan-based therapy on cognitive function. The Mini-Mental State Examination was used as a global tool for the comprehensive assessment of cognitive function, with an intention to treat a cohort of 25 745 hypertensive patients aged at least 50 years during a follow-up interval of 6 months.