Publications by authors named "Katarzyna Starzyk"

Article Synopsis
  • Current guidelines do not require transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for well-anticoagulated patients before catheter ablation (CA) for atrial arrhythmias, but clinical practice often differs.
  • This study analyzed data from the LATTEE registry to find echocardiographic parameters that can effectively predict the absence of left atrial thrombus (LAT) in patients, which would help skip unnecessary TEE procedures.
  • Key echocardiographic criteria, such as a left ventricular ejection fraction over 65% and specific left atrial measurements, showed 100% sensitivity for identifying LAT-free patients, potentially allowing 35% of patients to avoid TEE before CA.
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Background: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of a single haemodialysis (HD) session on the retinal and optic nerve morphology in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients.

Methods: It is a prospective study including only the right eye of 35 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients subjected to HD. Each patient underwent a full eye examination 30 min before HD (8 a.

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Article Synopsis
  • Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is typically used to check for left atrial appendage thrombus (LAT) before procedures like cardioversion, but it can be uncomfortable for patients on long-term anticoagulants.
  • A machine learning model called LAT-AI was developed to predict the presence of LAT using data from a large patient registry involving both training and external testing cohorts.
  • The study found that LAT-AI performed better than conventional methods in predicting LAT, and implementing its protocol could help 40% of patients on anticoagulation avoid unnecessary TOE procedures.
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Heart failure (HF) remains one of the most common causes of hospitalization and mortality among Polish patients. The position of the Section of Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy presents the currently applicable options for pharmacological treatment of HF based on the latest European and American guidelines from 2021-2022 in relation to Polish healthcare conditions. Treatment of HF varies depending on its clinical presentation (acute/chronic) or left ventricular ejection fraction.

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Introduction: The left atrium appendage thrombus (LAAT) formation is a complex process. A CHADS-VASc scale is an established tool for determining the thromboembolic risk and initiation of anticoagulation treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF/AFL). We aimed to identify whether any transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) parameters could have an additional impact on LAAT detection.

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Background: Our aim was to assess the characteristics and to identify predictors of left atrial thrombus (LAT) in patients under age 65 with atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFl).

Methods: We conducted a subanalysis of a multicenter, prospective, observational study [the LATTEE registry]. Consecutive AF/AFl patients referred for cardioversion or ablation were enrolled.

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An increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and a higher risk of thromboembolic complications in AF patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BMI on the risk of left atrial thrombi (LATs) in patients with nonvalvular AF/atrial flutter (AFl) (NV AF/AFl). Patients diagnosed with NVAF/AFl (between November 2018 and May 2020) were selected from the multicenter, prospective, observational Left Atrial Thrombus on Transesophageal Echocardiography (LATTEE) registry that included AF/AFl patients referred for cardioversion or ablation followed by transesophageal echocardiography.

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Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of left atrial thrombus (LAT) on transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (AF/AFl) with reference to the presence of heart failure (HF) and its subtypes.

Methods And Results: The research is a sub-study of the multicentre, prospective, observational Left Atrial Thrombus on Transoesophageal Echocardiography (LATTEE) registry, which comprised 3109 consecutive patients with AF/AFl undergoing TOE prior to direct current cardioversion or catheter ablation. TOE parameters, including presence of LAT, were compared between patients with and without HF and across different subtypes of HF, including HF with preserved (HFpEF), mid-range (HFmrEF), and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

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Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and flutter (AFl) increase the risk of thromboembolism. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of left atrial thrombus (LAT) in AF/AFl in relation to oral anticoagulation (OAC). Methods: LATTEE (NCT03591627) was a multicenter, prospective, observational study enrolling consecutive patients with AF/AFl referred for transesophageal echocardiography before cardioversion or ablation.

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Introduction: We aimed to compare the prevalence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus and its predictors between old and young patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Material And Methods: The study included 1970 patients aged ≥ 65 ( = 822 (41.7%)) and < 65 ( = 1148 (58.

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Background: Oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) prevents ischaemic incidents in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). CHADS-VASc risk score of ≥2 points in men and ≥3 in women is a class I indication for OAT. OAT should also be considered as a prevention of thromboembolism in AF men with a CHADS-VASc score of 1 point and women with 2 points, but the class of recommendation is lower (IIa).

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The CHA2DS2-VASc scale does not include potential risk factors for left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) formation such as a form of atrial fibrillation (AF) and impaired kidney function. The real risk of thromboembolic complications in AF patients is still unclear as well as an optimal anticoagulant treatment in males with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1 and females with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 2.The aim of this study was to compare the predictive value of the CHA2DS2-VASc scale and other scales to estimate the risk of LAAT formation in AF patients treated with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and to assess the prevalence of thrombi in patients at intermediate risk of stroke.

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Background: The prevalence and predictors of left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who have been treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are not well defined. We aimed to assess the occurrence and predictors of LAAT on transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in patients with non-valvular AF treated with NOACs for at least 3 weeks.

Methods: Consecutive patients with non-valvular AF who underwent TOE before catheter ablation or electrical cardioversion in three high-reference centers between 2014 and 2018 were included.

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Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high risk of ischemic stroke. The most frequent thrombus location in AF is the left atrial appendage (LAA). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a basic diagnostic examination in patients (pts) with AF.

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Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics, the incidence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus and its predictors, and spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in a population of patients with AF depending on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values.

Methods: This study included 1962 patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiographic examination prior to cardioversion or ablation in the years 2014-2018 in three cardiac centers.

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The velocity of left atrium appendage (LAA) wall motion during atrial fibrillation (AF) is a potential marker of mechanical remodelling. In this study, we investigated whether the velocity of LAA wall motion during AF predicted the success of electrical cardioversion and long-term sinus rhythm maintenance. Standard echocardiographic data were obtained by transthoracic echocardiography, and LAA wall motion velocities were measured by transoesophageal echocardiography.

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Background: The aim of this study was to assess whether echocardiographic measurements of left atrial (LA) morphology and function could predict sinus rhythm maintenance after electrical cardioversion among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and normal function or mild dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV).

Methods: One hundred seventeen patients with persistent AF who underwent successful electrical cardioversion were prospectively enrolled. Echocardiography was performed one day subsequent to successful cardioversion.

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Background: According to the applicable guidelines for stroke prevention, patients with a high risk of thromboembolic com-plications should receive oral anticoagulants.

Aim: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the prevention of thrombosis in patients with diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) on discharge and a high risk of stroke.

Methods: The present study is a retrospective single-centre registry.

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We conducted a cross-sectional observation study that included 500 asymptomatic subjects to investigate the relationship between bone metabolism and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in hypertensive conditions. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteopontin (OPN) levels and their associations with hypertension were analyzed to predict CAC in 316 subjects. Multislice computed tomography was used to quantify CAC.

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We report a case of a 53-year-old man with acute myocardial infarction complicated on the 5th day of hospitalisation by systemic arterial embolism and renal infarction secondary to left ventricle thrombus. Clinical manifestations included: acute onset, nausea, vomiting, abdomen and flank pain. The diagnosis was confirmed by imaging findings: echocardiography and angio-CT performed during hospitalisation.

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