Modern Electromagnetic-Radiation-Shielding Materials Made Using Different Knitting Techniques.

This paper summarizes the possibility of employing knitted textile barriers as a shield against electromagnetic fields to protect the human body from their negative impact. Ten variants of knitted fabrics made of electrically conductive yarns, steel, and copper wire that differed in stitch pattern, structural parameters, and raw material, were designed, manufactured, and tested. The knitted fabrics produced differed in structural parameters, including course and wale density, surface density, thickness, thread length in the loop, wale and course take-up, volume cover factor, and surface porosity.

Regional disparity on patient characteristics and perceptions after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation: results from an EHRA patient survey.

Aims: The aim of this study was to identify potential regional disparities in characteristics of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) recipients, patient perceptions and perspectives after implantation and level of information provided to patients.

Methods And Results: The prospective, multicentre, and multinational European Heart Rhythm Association patient Survey 'Living with an ICD' included patients already implanted with an ICD (median ICD dwell time - 5 years, interquartile range 2-10). An online questionnaire was filled-in by patients invited from 10 European countries.

Electromagnetic Wave Absorption in the Human Head: A Virtual Sensor Based on a Deep-Learning Model.

Determining the amount of electromagnetic wave energy absorbed by the human body is an important issue in the analysis of wireless systems. Typically, numerical methods based on Maxwell's equations and numerical models of the body are used for this purpose. This approach is time-consuming, especially in the case of high frequencies, for which a fine discretization of the model should be used.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in Poland Compared with other European Countries from the Patient's Perspective: Insights from the EHRA Patient Survey.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare differences between Polish ICD recipients and ICD recipients from other European countries in terms of quality of life, information provision before ICD implantation, and end-of-life issues.

Methods: This is a sub-analysis of the "Living with an ICD" patient survey (25-item questionnaire) organized by the European Heart Rhythm Association between 12 April 2021 and 5 July 2021 in ten European countries.

Results: There were 410 (22.

Major gaps in the information provided to patients before implantation of cardioverter defibrillators: a prospective patient European evaluation.

Aims: Information provided to patients prior to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) insertion and their participation in the decision-making process are crucial for understanding ICD function and accepting this lifelong therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the extent to which different aspects related to ICD and quality of life were transmitted to patients prior to ICD implantation.

Methods And Results: Prospective, multicenter European study with an online questionnaire initiated by the European Heart Rhythm Association.

Wireless Capsule Endoscope Localization with Phase Detection Algorithm and Adaptive Body Model.

Wireless capsule endoscopes take and send photos of the human digestive tract, which are used for medical diagnosis. The capsule's location enables exact identification of the regions with lesions. This can be carried out by analyzing the parameters of the electromagnetic wave received from the capsule.

Patients with Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices in the Era of COVID-19 and Their Response to Telemedical Solutions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the healthcare system, leading to the rapid implementation of telemedical solutions, especially in cardiology. The aim of this survey was to evaluate the patients (pts) with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) perspectives on the telemedicine elements such as teleconsultation, telemonitoring, and e-prescription. An anonymous questionnaire was created and delivered to CIED pts who came to the ambulatory outpatient clinic.

Long-term quality of life and acceptance of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy: results of the European Heart Rhythm Association survey.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may impact patients' life significantly. The aim of this survey was to analyse the impact of the ICD on quality of life (QoL) metrics from the patient's perspective. 'Living with an ICD' was a prospective, multicentre study with an online questionnaire submitted to the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Research Network centres as well as patient associations from 10 European countries; it was filled-in directly and personally by the patients that were invited to participate, with a minimal interaction or influence from the healthcare professionals.

Optimal Design of Switchable Wearable Antenna Array for Wireless Sensor Networks.

In the paper, we present a novel approach to the optimum design of wearable antenna arrays intended for off-body links of wireless body area networks. Specifically, we investigate a four-element array that has a switchable radiation pattern able to direct its higher gain towards a signal source and a lower gain towards an interference. The aim is to increase the signal to interference ratio.

Do we differ in terms of indications and demographics in cardiac resynchronisation recipients in Poland? Insights from the European CRT Survey II Registry.

Background: Multiple randomised clinical trials have proven that cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality in appropriately selected patients with congestive heart failure and is recommended for such patients as per the European Society of Cardiology guidelines.

Aim: In this paper we compare the indications and demographics in cardiac resynchronisation recipients in Poland and other European countries.

Methods: In 2015 and 2016, physicians from 42 European countries participated in the second edition of the European Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy Survey.

Analysis of Human Body Shadowing Effect on Wireless Sensor Networks Operating in the 2.4 GHz Band.

Miniaturized wireless sensors are designed to run on limited power resources, requiring minimization of transmit power and lowering of the fade margin in the link budget. One factor that has an important impact on wireless sensor network design is path loss between the transmitter and the receiver. This paper presents an analysis of the influence of human bodies on path loss in the 2.

Multi-Objective Optimization of a Wireless Body Area Network for Varying Body Positions.

The purpose of this research was to improve the performance of a wireless body area sensor network, operating on a person in the seated and standing positions. Optimization-focused on both the on-body transmission channel and off-body link performance. The system consists of three nodes.

Many-Objective Automated Optimization of a Four-Band Antenna for Multiband Wireless Sensor Networks.

This paper describes a new design and an optimization framework for a four-band antenna to be used in wireless sensor networks. The antenna is designed to operate effectively in two open frequency bands (ISM-Industrial, Scientific, Medical), 2.4 GHz and 5.

Endovascular extraction of entrapped long-term central feeding catheter: Case series.

Long-term tunneled central venous catheters are widely used in several clinical indications, that is, hemodialysis, chemotherapy, and total parenteral nutrition. However, central venous catheters are associated with a number of complications, including catheter occlusion and sepsis, which may necessitate earlier catheter removal. In most cases manual traction is sufficient to remove the catheter.

Implantation of the Micra transcatheter pacing system: Single Polish center experience with the real costs of hospitalization analysis.

Background: The Micra transcatheter pacing system (TPS) is a miniaturized, single-chamber pacemaker system. Study reported herein is an initial experience with implantation of the Micra TPS.

Methods: The leadless pacemaker was implanted in 10 patients with standard indications for a permanent pacemaker implantation.

Initial experience with the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator with the real costs of hospitalization analysis in a single Polish center.

Background: The recent introduction of an entirely subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibril-lator (S-ICD) represents an important progress in the defibrillation technology towards a less invasive approach. This is a single-center observational study of S-ICD implantations in Poland.

Methods: The S-ICD was implanted in 11 patients with standard indications for an ICD.

Study design and rationale for biomedical shirt-based electrocardiography monitoring in relevant clinical situations: ECG-shirt study.

Background: Today, the main challenge for researchers is to develop new technologies which may help to improve the diagnoses of cardiovascular disease (CVD), thereby reducing healthcare costs and improving the quality of life for patients. This study aims to show the utility of biomedical shirt-based electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring of patients with CVD in different clinical situations using the Nuubo® ECG (nECG) system.

Methods: An investigator-initiated, multicenter, prospective observational study was carried out in a cardiology (adult and pediatric) and cardiac rehabilitation wards.

A new simplified electrocardiographic score predicts clinical outcome in patients treated with CRT.

Aims: Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality for patients with heart failure and wide QRS complex, but up to 1/3 of patients are "non-responders" to the therapy. This study examines the ability of a simple standard electrocardiogram (ECG)-based scoring system to predict clinical outcome.

Methods And Results: Four hundred and ninety-one consecutive patients with CRT-implants (79% males, mean age 71 years, LVEF 24%, 59% with ischemic cardiomyopathy, 83% in NYHA class III) were included from a single large volume centre.

Sprint Fidelis implantable cardioverter-defibrillators lead patient management and survival: Single center study.

Background: Over the last several years significant rises in the use of implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) have also resulted in a number of associated complications. This number includes lead failure. Sprint Fidelis (SF) ICD lead is regarded as a lead with elevated failure risk.

Field-Based Optimal Placement of Antennas for Body-Worn Wireless Sensors.

We investigate a case of automated energy-budget-aware optimization of the physical position of nodes (sensors) in a Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN). This problem has not been presented in the literature yet, as opposed to antenna and routing optimization, which are relatively well-addressed. In our research, which was inspired by a safety-critical application for firefighters, the sensor network consists of three nodes located on the human body.

Readmissions and repeat procedures after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of all-cause rehospitalization and due to atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFl), repeat ablation of AF/AFl, mortality within 30 days and 1-year follow-up in patients after AF/AFl ablation procedure.

Methods: Using data from the National Health Fund we identified a database comprising 2,022 patients who underwent AF/AFl ablation between January, 2012 and December, 2012 in Poland. The primary endpoint was readmission to hospital with discharge diagnosis AF/AFl.