Comparison of the population of Polish patients participating in the TRANSITION study with the international population: a post hoc analysis.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) patients discharged from a hospital are at a high risk of death and rehospitalization. Scarce data are available on the use of sacubitril / valsartan in this population in Poland.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of sacubitril / valsartan in the group of Polish patients who participated in the TRANSITION study with the patients recruited at other sites.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pulmonary Hypertension Patients: Insights from the BNP-PL National Database.

We aimed to evaluate the clinical course and impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the rate of diagnosis and therapy in the complete Polish population of patients (pts) with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH-1134) and CTEPH (570 pts) treated within the National Health Fund program and reported in the national BNP-PL database. Updated records of 1704 BNP-PL pts collected between March and December 2020 were analyzed with regard to incidence, clinical course and mortality associated with COVID-19. Clinical characteristics of the infected pts and COVID-19 decedents were analyzed.

ECG in the clinical and prognostic evaluation of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: an underestimated value.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease leading to right ventricular (RV) failure and manifests in decreasing exercise tolerance. Our study aimed to assess the usefulness of electrocardiographic parameters reflecting right heart hypertrophy as predictors of clinical status in PAH.

Methods: The retrospective analysis included 26 patients, mean 49 ± 17 years of age, diagnosed with PAH, and eligible to undergo cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET).

IGFBP7 Concentration May Reflect Subclinical Myocardial Damage and Kidney Function in Patients with Stable Ischemic Heart Disease.

The objective of this study was to determine the associations between insulin-like growth-factor-binding protein 7(IGFBP7) concentrations and concentrations of troponin T(TnT), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) and the parameters of kidney function in patients with stable ischemic heart disease(IHD). The IHD group consisted of 88 patients, and the population group comprised 66 subjects without a history of IHD. IGFBP7, TnT and NTproBNP concentrations were measured.

Monocyte Subsets in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure Treated with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: The exact role of individual inflammatory factor in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains elusive. The study aimed to evaluate three monocyte subsets (classical-CD14CD16, intermediate-CD14CD16, and nonclassical-CD14CD16) in HFrEF patients and to assess the effect of the cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on the changes in monocyte compartment.

Methods: The study included 85 patients with stable HFrEF.

Effectiveness and safety of a simple home-based rehabilitation program in pulmonary arterial hypertension: an interventional pilot study.

Background: Rehabilitation plays an important role in the management of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and current guidelines recommend implementation of a monitored individualized exercise training program as adjuvant therapy for stable PAH patients on optimal medical treatment. An optimal rehabilitation model for this group of patients has not yet been established. This randomized prospective study assessed the effectiveness and safety of a 6-month home-based caregiver-supervised rehabilitation program among patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Ventricular-Arterial Coupling in Predicting Prognosis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Patients.

In response to an increased afterload in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the right ventricle (RV) adapts by remodeling and increasing contractility. The idea of coupling refers to maintaining a relatively constant relationship between ventricular contractility and afterload. Twenty-eight stable PAH patients (mean age 49.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in the era of modern therapeutic approaches: data from the Polish multicenter registry (BNP-PL).

Background: Significant achievements in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) have provided effective therapeutic options for most patients. However, the true impact of the changed landscape of CTEPH therapies on patients' management and outcomes is poorly known. We aimed to characterize the incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of CTEPH patients in the modern era of CTEPH therapies.

Impact of Pulse Wave Velocity and Parameters Reflecting Android Type Fat Distribution on Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndromes.

Background: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is caused by a decreased left ventricle relaxation and is associated with an increased risk of symptomatic heart failure (HF) and excessive mortality.

Aim: To evaluate the frequency and factors related to LVDD in the population with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS).

Methods: 200 patients (mean age 63.

Defining right ventricular dysfunction by echocardiography in normotensive patients with pulmonary embolism.

Introduction: Although the prognostic value of various echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) was reported in normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), there is no generally accepted definition of RVD.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare echocardiographic parameters for the prediction of an adverse 30‑day outcome and create an optimal definition of RVD.                                     Patients and methods: Echocardiographic parameters including the right ventricular to left ventricular diameter ratio (RV to LV ratio) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) to predict PE‑related mortality, hemodynamic collapse, or rescue thrombolysis within the first 30 days were directly compared in 490 normotensive patients with PE.

Galectin-3 as the Prognostic Factor of Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Long-Term Follow up in Patients after Myocardial Infarction-A Pilot Study.

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a new independent risk factor in the development and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the study was to evaluate whether Gal-3 concentration has prognostic value and if it reflects the progression of atherosclerosis in carotid arteries in patients with CAD after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The analysis included 110 patients who were hospitalized due to AMI, treated with primary coronary intervention (PCI) and further attended a follow-up visit, and 100 healthy volunteers.

Characterization of Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Data from the Polish Registry of Pulmonary Hypertension (BNP-PL).

Current knowledge of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) epidemiology is based mainly on data from Western populations, and therefore we aimed to characterize a large group of Caucasian PAH adults of Central-Eastern European origin. We analyzed data of incident and prevalent PAH adults enrolled in a prospective national registry involving all Polish PAH centers. The estimated prevalence and annual incidence of PAH were 30.

Chemokines profile in patients with chronic heart failure treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Purpose: Inflammatory mechanisms have been suggested to play a role in the heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF) development, but the role of chemokines is largely unknown. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may reverse the HF-REF course. We aimed to evaluate selected chemokines concentrations in HF-REF patients and their relationship with disease severity and clinical response to CRT.

Treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in a multidisciplinary team.

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) may be treated with pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) and medical therapy (MT). Assessment in a multidisciplinary team of experts (CTEPH team) is currently recommended for treatment decision making. The aim of the present study was to report the effects of such an interdisciplinary concept.

Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Clinical Significance and Impact on Prognosis.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the most common causes of cardiovascular death. The most often PE etiology is a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities, but embolic material can arise in pelvic or upper extremity veins as well as in right heart chambers. There is growing number of evidences of atrial fibrillation (AF) involvement in PE.

Increased platelet content of SDF-1alpha is associated with worse prognosis in patients with pulmonary prterial hypertension.

Inflammatory processes and platelet activity play an important role in the pathophysiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Enhanced IL-6 signaling and higher concentration of stromal-derived factor alpha (SDF-1) have been previously shown to be linked with prognosis in PAH. We hypothesized that platelets of PAH patients have higher content of IL-6 and SDF-1 and thus are involved in disease progression.

The significance of diminished sTWEAK and P-selectin content in platelets of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterized by proliferative changes in pulmonary arteries. There is growing evidence suggesting that soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and P-selectin could be involved in PAH development and progression. Here we investigate whether circulating platelets may be a source of sTWEAK and contribute to diminished availability of sTWEAK and P-selectin in PAH patients.

Interleukin-6 signaling in patients with chronic heart failure treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Introduction: Increased expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been described in left ventricular dysfunction in the course of chronic heart failure. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a unique treatment method that may reverse the course of chronic heart failure (CHF) with reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF). We aimed to evaluate the IL-6 system, including soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) and soluble glycoprotein 130 (sgp130), in HF-REF patients, with particular emphasis on CRT effects.

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in the Course of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Clinical Significance and Impact on Prognosis.

The relationship and clinical implications of atrial fibrillation (AF) in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) are poorly investigated. We aimed to analyze clinical characteristics and prognosis in PE patients with paroxysmal AF episode. .

Correlations between electrocardiogram and biomarkers in acute pulmonary embolism: Analysis of ZATPOL-2 Registry.

Background: Electrocardiography (ECG) is still one of the first tests performed at admission, mostly in patients (pts) with chest pain or dyspnea. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between electrocardiographic abnormalities and cardiac biomarkers as well as echocardiographic parameter in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 614 pts.

The strengths and weaknesses of non-invasive parameters obtained by echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing in comparison with the hemodynamic assessment by the right heart catheterization in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Purpose: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) diagnosis requires invasive assessment by right heart catheterization (RHC), but screening and monitoring are performed using non-invasive methods: echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). The aim of the study was to assess correlations between the parameters obtained in non-invasive testing and RHC in patients with PH of different etiologies.

Material/methods: The study included 53 medical records of PH patients (32 women) aged 29-81 years.

Differences of psychological features in patients with heart failure with regard to gender and aetiology - Results of a CAPS-LOCK-HF (Complex Assessment of Psychological Status Located in Heart Failure) study.

Objective: Objective of the study was to assess the psychological state of HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) with regard to gender and aetiology.

Methods: 758 patients with HFrEF (mean age - 64±11years, men - 79%, NYHA class III-IV - 40%, ischemic aetiology - 61%) in a prospective Polish multicenter Caps-Lock-HF study. Scores on five different self-report inventories: CISS, MHLC, GSES, BDI and modified Mini-MAC were compared between the sexes taking into account the aetiology of HFrEF.

Alterations of soluble TWEAK and CD163 concentrations in patients with chronic heart failure.

Unlabelled: Inflammatory activation plays a pivotal role in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF). A novel mediator from TNF family: soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) along its soluble decoy receptor CD163 (sCD163) recently has been investigated in other cardiovascular pathologies. We aimed to evaluate sTWEAK and sCD163 concentrations in HF-REF patients.