Coronary microcirculation and reperfusion failure. Do we know what diagnostic tools we have?

Almost one in five patient has reperfusion abnormalities despite the type of percutaneous interventional procedure after acute myocardial infarction. It has been shown with myocardial contrast echocardiographic and coronary angiographic studies that infarct related artery patency does not always correlate with the presence of adequate myocardial perfusion in the infarct related artery territory. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain further diagnostic and evaluation tools to assess coronary microcirculation and reperfusion failure.

[Usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of mitral valve anulus abscess--case report].

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive method characterised by high temporal and spacial resolution that makes it possible to obtain very high-quality pictures. It is a less invasive method than TEE and is very significant in the diagnosis of heart tumours. MRI makes it possible to assess the parameters influencing hemodynamic as well as morphological qualities of the tumour such a its size, its movement, its relation to the surrounding structures and the presence of a capsule.

[Comparison of early clinical results after left ventricular aneurysmectomy using classic and modified technique].

Introduction: In our department left ventricular aneurysmectomy was performed using only classic Cooley technique until 1989. Since then a modified technique was introduced: left ventricular geometry reconstruction modo Stoney simultaneously with the excision of scarred endocardium.

Aim: Comparison of early clinical results after left ventricular aneurysmectomy using classic (Group A) and modified technique (Group B).

Impact of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection on survival rate after heart transplantation.

Background: As Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp), a common cause of respiratory infection, is of vasotropic character, chronic infection may be associated with the development of coronary disease, although there have been few reports on the impact of Cp infection on the post-orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) survival rate.

Material/methods: A total of 41 patients (4 females) were followed up for one year after OHT. Serology investigations for IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies against Cp were performed using the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method.

[Clinical outcome in patients after single vessel PTCA with multiple stent implantation].

Multiple stenting in a coronary artery may improve the angiographic result of unsatisfactory percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) but little is known about its clinical outcome. We evaluated 42 patients who underwent multiple contiguous stent implantation (2-4 stents) within a single coronary artery in order to achieve optimal vessel reconstruction. Procedural success rate was 95%.

[The internal thoracic artery in myocardial revascularization in patients with severely depressed left ventricular function].

Introduction: In most prospective, randomized studies, severely depressed left ventricular function is found to be the independent predictor of increased morbidity and mortality after myocardial revascularization [3]. Surgical treatment in this particular group of patients results in superior long-term results [1, 2]. Internal thoracic artery (ITA) is considered to be superior compared to venous grafts in myocardial revascularization for the majority of patients with ischaemic heart disease.

[Risk of hypertension after heart transplantation in the follow-up period].

From October 1988 to March 2000, 58 patients underwent orthotopic heart transplantation (HTX). Data of 220 heart recipients with the follow up > or = 3 months after HTX were analyzed using the average values of blood pressure measured with the sphigmo-manometer. 65% of patients were diagnosed with the hypertension (HA).

[QT dispersion in DDD and VVI paced patients after myocardial infarction or with left ventricular hypertrophy].

The aim of this study was to assess the alterations of stroke volume (SV) on the QT dispersion (QTD) as a result of different pacing modes and programmed AV delays in patients (pts) after myocardial infarction (MI) or with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We studied 14 MI pts (9 M, 5 F) in mean age 72.3 +/- 3.

[Assisted circulation. I. Systems with short-term mechanical circulatory support].

The concept of artificial circulatory support has been established almost 200 years ago. It has only been within the last four decades that physicians and engineers have developed mechanical assist devices that can temporarily support the circulation until the native heart recovers from a reversible injury. If the heart does not recover sufficient function to maintain adequate hemodynamics, long-term circulatory support or permanent replace (biologically--heart transplant or permanent mechanical circulatory support) is needed.

[Use of the internal thoracic artery in repeat myocardial revascularization surgery].

The incidence of redo myocardial revascularization is increasing lately. These procedures are accompanied by the higher operative risk, and the use of internal thoracic artery graft may have additional negative impact on early-rization. Mortality and morbidity in this group did not differ significantly compared to a group where only venous grafts were used.

[Coronary bypass grafting after failed percutaneous angioplasty (PTCA)].

Between January 1991 and September 1997, in the Cardiovascular Surgery Department of the Institute of Cardiology of Jagiellonian University Medical School, 23 patients underwent emergency CABG due to acute myocardial ischaemia in result of failed PTCA. Over the same period of time invasive cardiologists performed 1883 PTCAs out of which 23 (1.2%) were emergency cardiosurgical procedures, and in 38 patients, stents were implanted in the damaged coronary arteries.

[Stents for treatment of transluminal percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) complications].

Unlabelled: This study describes initial results of stent implantation in bailout situations in 38 patients with obstructive dissection after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Before stent introduction 1.8% of all patients after PTCA required emergency bypass grafting (CABG) because of postprocedural complications.

Successful full-term pregnancy in a patient three and a half years after a heart transplant.

The patient is a 28 year old woman who received a heart transplant in 1992 secondary to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with unremarkable post-operative course. In the period immediately post transplantation the patient was on a four-drug immunosuppressive regimen which was subsequently changed to standard three-agent therapy. This therapy was continued until the patient became pregnant.

Measurement of radial bone mineral density in patients after heart transplantation.

Limited physical activity, steroidotherapy and immunosuppression are known risk factors for the development of osteoporosis. The purpose of our current work was to investigate whether patients after heart transplantation (Htx) have an increased incidence of osteoporosis. We compared bone mineral density (BMD) in 32 post-transplant patients with a reference group of 1548 healthy age-matched males.

[Coronary surgery in patients with severely impaired left ventricular function].

Views on surgical treatment of patients with coronary disease and severely restricted left ventricular function are still controversial. In the present work the authors compare the results of direct reconstruction of the coronary arteries in 184 patients with satisfactory or medium restricted left ventricular function (SLV) with a group of 77 patients with severely restricted left ventricular function (RLV). Twenty-three clinical, angiographic, peroperative and postoperative indicators were compared.