The Impact of Sclerostin Levels on Long-Term Prognosis in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography: A Personalized Approach with 9-Year Follow-Up.

Sclerostin might play a role in atherosclerosis development. This study aimed to analyze the impact of baseline sclerostin levels on 9-year outcomes in patients without significant renal function impairment and undergoing coronary angiography. The primary study endpoint was the rate of major cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a combined rate of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or death at 9 years.

Dedicated bifurcation stents or regular drug eluting stents in distal left main stenosis: A retrospective study.

Background: In the distal left main (LM) atherosclerosis mainly develops within bifurcation or trifur-cation. The aim of this study was to analyze the strategy of distal LM stenosis treatment and associated clinical outcomes in a large hospital in Northern Poland.

Methods: The study population consisted of consecutive patients with stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and distal LM stenosis who were hospitalized between June 2012 and June 2013.

Platelet distribution width as the prognostic marker in coronary bifurcation treatment.

Background: Mean platelet volume (MPV) was proved to be a reliable prognostic factor in cardiac patients. However, platelet distribution width (PDW) was disclosed to be more specific marker of platelet reactivity. The aim of study was to evaluate whether baseline PDW value can predict the outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with drug-eluting stent implantation within coronary bifurcation lesions.

The approach to coronary bifurcation treatment and its outcomes in Poland: The single center experience.

Background: Coronary bifurcation lesions pose therapeutic problems during percutaneous coronary interventions. The aim of this study was to analyze the strategy of coronary bifurcation treatment and associated angiographic as well as clinical outcomes in a large hospital in Northern Poland.

Methods: Between January 2012 and January 2014 patients with stable coronary artery disease or non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) were treated with regular drug-eluting stents (rDES) or dedicated bifurcation stents (BiOSS Expert® or BiOSS LIM®).

[Acute coronary syndrome suspicion in patient with left coronary artery arising from right coronary sinus].

We present a case of 73 year-old patient who underwent coronary angiography due to suspicion of acute coronary syndrome without persistent ST segment elevation. The angiographic result showed no lesions that could cause recurrent chest pain,but it also revealed a seldom coronary artery abnormality - left coronary artery arising from right coronary sinus. Performed computed tomography of the chest confirmed the result of the coronarography.

[Cardiac tamponade as the first symptom of lung cancer].

Pericardial effusion is a relatively common clinical problem. It is, however, rarely the first symptom of cancer. Cardiac tamponade testifies to an advanced stage of cancer and is a negative prognostic factor.

Relationship between serum asymmetric dimethylarginine and left ventricular structure and function in patients with end‑stage renal disease treated with hemodialysis.

Introduction:  Asymmetric dimethylarginin (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, considered an effector of endothelial dysfunction. Among multiple diseases associated with elevated ADMA, chronic renal disease is often mentioned. ADMA is thought to be related to certain adverse cardiovascular effects of chronic uremia.

[Coronary-cameral fistulae drained into left ventricle causing acute coronary syndrome?].

Coronary-cameral fistulae are rare and predominantly congenital communication between the coronary arterial circulation and the chambers or great vessels of the heart, accounted for less than 0.4% of all congenital heart abnormalities. We presented a case of 47 year-old female with troponin positive acute coronary syndrome admitted to our coronary care unit in whom we diagnosed coronary-cameral fistulae which could cause myocardial ischaemia.

[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular aneurysm].

We present a case of 68 year-old woman with previously diagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy complaining of progressive dyspnoe after the acute coronary syndrome. The echocardiogram confirmed hypertrophic hypertrophy and revealed an aneurysm in the apical portion of the left ventricle (LV). The Doppler-echocardiography showed two intra-LV gradients: midventricular and subaortic, with systolic anterior motion of anterior mitral leaflet.

[Rupture of the sinus of Valsalva aneurysm complicated by infective endocarditis -- diagnosis difficulties].

Aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva is a rare congenital heart disease. It constitutes about 0.14%-1.