Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy -- dilemmas and difficulties.

Introduction: The implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is an established method of sudden cardiac death (SCD) prevention. The value of ICD therapy in secondary prevention of SCD is unquestionable. Precise identification of high-risk patients and ICD use for primary prevention of SCD, especially in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), remain controversial.

[Heart failure in advanced age].

In Europe, 20% of the populations is over 65 years of age. About 5% of the older adults have heart failure. Heart failure (HF) in the elderly is an increasing public health problem, leading cause of hospitalization in older patients and a major cause of morbidity and mortality.

[Accordion effect--a rare pseudocomplication of coronary angioplasty. A case report].

Accordion effect is a rare pseudocomplication of coronary angioplasty created by straightening of tortuous coronary artery with a guidewire. Its morphology is nearly identical with vessel dissection, spasm or thrombosis but no special treatment is needed. Immediate and correct diagnosis of accordion effect prevents consequences of unnecessary dilatation of normal coronary segment.

Early and long-term results of non-surgical septal reduction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Non-surgical septal reduction (NSMR) is a new method of treatment in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). The long-term outcome of patients undergoing this procedure has not yet been well established.

Aim: To assess the short- and long-term results of NSMR in HOCM.