Can human myocardium be remotely preconditioned? The results of a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: No experimental study has shown that the myocardium of a remotely preconditioned patient is more resistant to a standardized ischaemic/hypoxic insult.

Methods: This was a single-centre randomized (1:1), double-blinded, sham-controlled, parallel-group study. Patients referred for elective coronary bypass surgery were allocated to either remote ischaemic preconditioning (3 cycles of 5-min ischaemia/5-min reperfusion of the right arm using a blood pressure cuff inflated to 200 mmHg) or sham intervention.

Prosthesis-patient mismatch and left ventricle systolic strain in patients with severe degenerative aortic stenosis, who are undergoing surgical valve replacement.

Background: Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) is an independent predictor of post-operative mortality after aortic valve replacement (AVR), particularly when it is associated with a left ventricle (LV) dysfunction. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) could be useful in assessing LV function in patients with PPM.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of PPM on myocardial multidirectional LV systolic strain in patients who are undergoing AVR for severe degenerative aortic stenosis (AS).

Echocardiographic evaluation of myocardial strain in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Introduction: Echocardiographic evaluation of regional myocardial function helps to assess the efficacy of therapeutic interventions and to predict the prognosis and clinical outcomes.

Aim: To assess whether myocardial strain can be useful in estimation of left ventricle (LV) function in patients who have undergone transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Material And Methods: Twenty-six patients with severe aortic stenosis, who successfully underwent TAVI, were enrolled in the study.

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids do not influence the efficacy of dual antiplatelet therapy in stable angina pectoris patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: We aimed to prospectively assess the influence of the recommended dose, 1.0 g of polyunsaturated fatty acids (N-3 PUFA) daily, on platelet reactivity in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: Forty consecutive patients with SAP and successful PCI were randomized to the study group (group PUFA: n = 20; age 65 ± 8; standard therapy + 75 mg acetylsalicylic acid + 75 mgclopidogrel + N-3 PUFA/Omacor 1 g daily) and the control group (group C: n = 20; age 65 ± 9; standard therapy + 75 mg acetylsalicylic acid + 75 mg clopidogrel).

Anthracycline chemotherapy impairs the structure and diastolic function of the left ventricle and induces negative arterial remodelling.

Background: Anthracycline affects various cell lines, which may contribute to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and vascular remodelling.

Aim: To assess the complex influence of anthracycline chemotherapy on the echocardiographic parameters of LV systolic and diastolic function and indices of vascular function and structure.

Methods: 35 women (age 50 ± 9 years old) with breast cancer scheduled for standard anthracycline chemotherapy were enrolled into the study.

Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on depressive symptoms, anxiety and emotional state in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Our aim was to assess whether an early introduced n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) supplementation affects depression symptoms, anxiety and emotional state in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and no history of mental disorders.

Methods: Fifty two patients with AMI were enrolled into the study and randomized to the study group (group P; n=26; standard therapy+n-3 PUFA 1 g daily) or the control group (group C; n=26; standard therapy). The following psychological tests were used at the baseline (3rd day of AMI) and after one month (30±1 days): Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory in a specific situation (STAI-S) and as a general trait (STAI-T), Emotional State Questionnaire (ESQ).

[Ventilation abnormalities in systolic and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction].

Introduction: Respiratory disturbances are important element of congestive heart failure. In systolic left ventricle (LV) dysfunction some of ventilation parameters are impaired at early stage of the disease. The knowledge on ventilation disturbances in diastolic LV dysfunction is, however, poor.

Copeptin constitutes a novel biomarker of degenerative aortic stenosis.

Copeptin is a new biomarker of cardiovascular diseases. Its diagnostic value in degenerative aortic valve stenosis (AS) with preserved left ventricle systolic function is unknown. We aimed to assess the association of serum copeptin levels with AS severity and coexistence of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Effects of pantoprazole on dual antiplatelet therapy in stable angina pectoris patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Our aim was to prospectively assess the potential influence of pantoprazole therapy on the antiplatelet effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and clopidogrel (CLO) in stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: Forty-four patients with SAP (CCS I-III) and successful PCI with stent implantation were enrolled into the study. The patients were divided into group proton pump inhibitors (PPI): 23 patients with indications for PPI (F/M = 9/14; age = 64 ± 9; standard therapy + 20 mg pantoprazole) and the control group (group C): 21 patients (F/M = 6/15; age = 64 ± 8; standard therapy).

N-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid therapy improves endothelial function and affects adiponectin and resistin balance in the first month after myocardial infarction.

Introduction: N-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) exert clinical beneficial effects in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, their exact mechanisms of action are not well recognized yet. Our aim was to evaluate effects of early introduced n-3 PUFA supplementation on endothelial function and serum adipokine concentrations in patients with AMI.

Biomarkers of calcification and atherosclerosis in patients with degenerative aortic stenosis in relation to concomitant coronary artery disease.

Introduction: There is an ongoing debate regarding aortic valve degenerative processes. Some markers of calcification and atherosclerosis may be potentially useful in establishing their etiology.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the biochemical markers of calcification and atherosclerosis in patients with degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) in relation to the aortic valve calcium score (AVCS) and concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD).

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids early supplementation improves ultrasound indices of endothelial function, but not through NO inhibitors in patients with acute myocardial infarction: N-3 PUFA supplementation in acute myocardial infarction.

Background & Aims: Our aim was to evaluate early initiated one month n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplementation effects on ultrasound indices of endothelial function and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Forty patients with AMI and successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were recruited into the study and randomized to the study group (group P; n = 20; standard therapy + n-3 PUFA 1 g daily) or the control group (group C; n = 20; standard therapy). Ultrasound indices of endothelial function: flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation (NMD) and serum ADMA concentrations (ELISA) were obtained before and after one month (30 ± 1 days) therapy (presented as means ± standard deviations).

Serum ADMA concentration-- an independent factor determining FMD impairment in cardiac syndrome X.

Unlabelled: Mechanisms of decreased endogenous vascular reactivity in individuals with cardiac syndrome X (CSX) are not fully understood.

Aim: To evaluate the following serum markers: total nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and to establish their relation to ultrasound indexes of endothelial function and structural remodeling in CSX patients.

Method: The study group consisted of 43 CSX patients (mean age: 56.

The relationship between cardiovascular risk estimated by use of SCORE system and intima media thickness and flow mediated dilatation in a low risk population.

Background: The SCORE system is a simple, currently recommended method of cardiovascular risk assessment. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between SCORE risk and intima media thickness (IMT) and flow mediated dilatation (FMD) in a low risk population.

Methods: 119 people (59 men) without known cardiovascular disease and estimated by means of SCORE system risk < 5%, were included in the study.

In-stent coronary restenosis, but not the type of stent, is associated with impaired endothelial-dependent vasodilatation.

Background: Precise mechanisms leading to restenosis are not fully understood. The type of implanted stent and the intensity of atherogenic processes may affects the restenosis rate.

Aim: To compare the long-term effects of the coronary stent implantation - paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) or bare-metal stents (BMS) - on endothelial-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) serum levels and to assess the relationship between FMD, PDGF, ADMA and every-stage in-stent restenosis (eISR).

Coronary artery calcium score assessed by a 64 multislice computed tomography and early indexes of functional and structural vascular remodeling in cardiac syndrome X patients.

Background: Regardless of normal coronary angiograms, coronary artery calcium (CAC) can be found in cardiac syndrome X (CSX) patients. According to some data, a relationship between the CAC score and markers of early atherosclerosis in CSX has been observed. Our aim was to assess whether the extent of the CAC score assessed by multislice computed tomography (MSCT) with a 64-slice system in CSX patients is related to brachial artery reactivity, intima-media thickness (IMT), and arterial compliance indexes.

Mental stress, heart rate and endothelial function in patients with syndrome X.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine whether the baseline heart rate (HR) and changes in HR after mental stress (MS) can influence endothelial function in syndrome X.

Methods: Forty four patients with syndrome X (F/M: 21/23, mean age: 55.4 +/- 10.

The indexes of arterial structure and function in women with simple obesity: a preliminary study.

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. The aim of the present study was to compare the indexes of arterial structure and function in women with simple obesity and healthy individuals. Twenty-two women with simple obesity (body mass index [BMI]: 33.

Flow-mediated dilation and gender in patients with coronary artery disease: arterial size influences gender differences in flow-mediated dilation.

Background: The risk of atherosclerosis and its complications differs between male and female subjects. This is probably associated with gender differences in endothelial function as reflected by endothelium-dependent vasodilation. The aim of the study was to compare flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in males and females with coronary artery disease (CAD), and to determine factors that might potentially influence FMD.

Churg-Strauss syndrome and congenital factor Leiden thrombophilia as nontypical causes of intracardiac thrombosis.

We present and discuss the case of a 26-year-old man suffering from Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS). In our patient the disease severely affected both the heart and the lungs. Left ventricular dysfunction and intracardiac thrombosis, probably secondary to the cardiotoxic effect of eosinophils, were revealed by echocardiography.