Prognostic value of collagen turnover biomarkers in cardiac resynchronization therapy: A subanalysis of the TRUST CRT randomized trial population.

Background: A substantial proportion of patients do not respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Various echocardiographic and biochemical markers including collagen turnover biomarkers were suggested to predict CRT results. However, pathological significance of collagen turnover biomarkers in CRT remains controversial.

Echocardiography-based qualification and response assessment to cardiac resynchronisation therapy in patients with chronic heart failure. The matrix metalloproteinase-9 substudy.

Background: The concept of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is based on biventricular pacing in symptomatic, chronic heart failure (HF) patients with systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and QRS ≥ 120 ms. The response to CRT is determined by clinical and echocardiographic parameters. The change of biochemical status (e.

The incremental value of right ventricular indices for predicting response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in chronic heart failure (HF) is associated with poor prognosis. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established method of improving prognosis in HF. However, the majority of known indices predictive of response to CRT are based on left ventricular (LV) assessment.

Effect of anemia in high-risk groups of patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

The significance of anemia in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of anemia on the short- and long-term prognosis of patients with AMI treated with PCI, including high-risk subgroups. The study group consisted of 1,497 consecutive patients with AMI treated in the acute phase with PCI.

Triple-site versus standard cardiac resynchronization therapy study (TRUST CRT): clinical rationale, design, and implementation.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF), lowered LV ejection fraction, and wide QRS. However, many patients (< or =40%) do not respond to this form of pacing. TRUST CRT is a prospective, single-center, randomized, single-blind, parallel, and controlled study that has been designed to treat patients with moderate to severe HF (NYHA III-IV), QRS > or =120 ms, sinus rhythm, LV dysfunction (EF < or = 35%), and signs of mechanical dyssynchrony.

The comparison of contrast echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging for evaluation of reperfused myocardium in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction.

Background: Prediction of functional myocardial recovery post acute myocardial infarction should be based not only on flow patency of the infarct related artery (IRA) but also on the quality of microcirculation in at-risk segments. Myocardial blush grade (MBG) is a method of perfusion assessment which has an established value in prediction of both ventricular remodelling and prognosis. However, its invasive character encourages the search for other methods able to reflect myocardial recovery following successful reperfusion.

Sequence of electrical activation, atrial remodelling and atrial fibrillation in patients with nodal re-entrant tachycardia.

Objective: The objective of the study was to verify, if the particular sequence of electrical atrioventricular activation during tachycardia is associated with the development of atrial remodelling and predisposition to atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT).

Methods And Results: We assessed 117 consecutive patients with AVNRT identified during electrophysiological study. Two groups were identified: the AF group, n = 21 (17.

Risk stratification according to the type of impaired renal function in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: It has been shown that successful reperfusion improves in-hospital and long-term outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Nevertheless, some patients are still at high risk due to AMI despite achievement of reperfusion. Impaired renal function (IRF) is one of the recently recognised risk factors in this population.

Effectiveness of radiofrequency catheter ablation of right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia using the CARTO system.

Background: Ventricular ectopy or ventricular tachycardia (VT) originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) are the most common forms of arrhythmias in patients with structurally normal heart. Pharmacological treatment is effective in no more than 50% of patients, whereas radio-frequency catheter ablation (RFCA) offers a much higher success rate.

Aim: To assess early and late outcome in patients with RVOT arrhythmias treated with RFCA combined with electro-anatomical mapping system (CARTO).