Severe transient left ventricular dysfunction in a patient with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia.

Unlabelled: Legionella pneumophila infection (legionellosis) usually presents as a multisystemic disease, predominantly affecting the lungs (Legionnaires' disease - LD). Immunodeficiency, chemotherapy or chronic steroids use increase the risk of developing LD. Extrapulmonary manifestations of LD include cardiac complications: myocarditis, pericarditis or endocarditis.

Evaluation of plasma PCSK9 concentrations, transcript of LDL receptor, as well as the total number of monocyte LDL receptors in acute coronary syndrome patients.

Background: Before our study, there were no data concerning complex evaluation of: plasma PCSK9 concentrations, transcript LDL receptor (LDLR), as well as the total amount of monocytes' LDLR in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. PCSK9 levels in a few cohort studies were found to correlate with the number of white blood cells (WBC) or platelets (PLT). The study aims to evaluate PCSK9-LDLR concentrations, as well as to find any association between PCSK9 and WBC or PLT.

Highly upregulated expression of CD36 and MSR1 in circulating monocytes of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) are a group of disorders caused by the significant reduction of circulation in coronary arteries. The most common reason of the dysfunction is a blood clot formed in place of plaque rupture. The role of scavenger receptors in development and progression of atherosclerosis has been confirmed in many animal experiments, however the knowledge about contribution of the receptors in the development of ACS symptoms in humans still remains insufficient.

Relationship between thoracic fluid content and natriuretic peptide type B in patients with systolic heart failure.

Background: Thoracic fluid content (TFC) is one of the basic parameters measured by impedance cardiography (ICG). The B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a neuroendocrine mediator produced in the ventricular myocardium and released in response to the increase of wall tension.

Aim: To determine the relationship between TFC measured by ICG and BNP serum level in patients with systolic heart failure (HF).

Immunoglobulin E as a marker of the atherothrombotic process in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Clot formation is a crucial moment in the patophysiology of acute coronary syndromes. The aim of this research was to assess the relationship between immunoglobulin E (IgE), lipid parameters and chosen hemostatic markers. The role of IgE as a possible participant in the atherothrombotic process was also investigated.

Immunoglobulin E in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Background: In recent years, increased serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration in patients with cardiovascular diseases has been generating more and more interest. It is as yet unknown, however, if the increased IgE level is a marker of future coronary incidents and whether it may be regarded as an ischemic heart disease risk factor, or if it is indicative of the participation of antibodies in an inflammatory reaction to tissue damage. The aim of the study was to evaluate what significant changes in the total IgE concentration occur in patients with different forms of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and whether the concentration differs in comparison to healthy people.