Emergency Endovascular Interventions on Descending Thoracic Aorta: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: Implementation of emergency endovascular aortic repair provides an attractive opportunity in the treatment of complicated acute aortic syndromes involving descending aorta.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for the treatment of acute surgical emergencies involving the descending thoracic aorta.

Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of all patients undergoing TEVAR in a single center since 2007 was undertaken.

Mechanical circulatory support. An expert opinion of the Association of Intensive Cardiac Care and the Association of Cardiovascular Interventions of the Polish Cardiac Society.

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) methods are used in patients with both acute and chronic heart failure, who have exhausted other options for pharmacological or surgical treatments. The purpose of their use is to support, partially or completely, the failed ventricles and ensure adequate organ perfusion, which allows patients to restore full cardiovascular capacity, prolonging their life and effectively improving its quality. The three most popular devices include an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), percutaneous assist devices (including Impella, TandemHeart), and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).

Patient Safety during ECMO Transportation: Single Center Experience and Literature Review.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been proven to support in lifesaving rescue therapy. The best outcomes can be achieved in high-volume ECMO centers with dedicated emergency transport teams.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the safety of ECMO support during medical transfer on the basis of our experience developed on innovation cooperation and review of literature.

Extended cardiopulmonary resuscitation: from high fidelity simulation scenario to the first clinical applications in Poznan out-of-hospital cardiac arrest program.

Background: The outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients are poor. In some OHCA cases, the reason is potentially reversible cardiac or aortic disease. It was suggested previously that high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) followed by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support may improve the grave prognosis of OHCA.

Long-term biventricular circulatory support with POLVAD-MEV paracorporeal pulsatile pumps. Single-centre experience.

Introduction: Severe heart failure decompensation requires circulatory mechanical support in emergency situations. Polish paracorporeal pulsatile pumps, POLVAD-MEV, are designed for biventricular end-stage heart dysfunction.

Aim: To evaluate long-term POLVAD-MEV therapy by multiple pump exchange in patients on a transplant list.

A concept for the development of a pioneer regional Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Program to improve patient outcomes.

Background: Immediate initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) increases chances of restoring spontaneous circulation and survival after out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). For some refractory cases, extended cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) may be a promising option.

Aims: The aim of the study was to estimate the possibility of implementation of ECPR procedure to improve current early outcomes of patients after OHCA.

Unfractionated Heparin Versus Subcutaneous Nadroparin in Adults Supported With Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: a Retrospective, Multicenter Study.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) requires constant management of coagulation. Whereas unfractionated heparin remains the anticoagulant of choice, experienced centers report high bleeding rates. Biocompatibility of the extracorporeal circuit enables management of anticoagulation with subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparins only.

Off pump hybrid extra-anatomic techniques for aortic arch repair-own experience.

Background: Treatment of the aortic arch pathologies is technically challenging. In this study we assess early and late outcomes of hybrid aortic arch repairs that comprise extra-anatomic surgical procedures completed by thoracic endovascular interventions [thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR)].

Methods: Since 2007, 21 patients (8 women and 13 men) with a median age of 48 years have undergone hybrid procedures for aortic arch pathologies.

Endovascular treatment of complex diseases of the thoracic aorta-10 years single centre experience.

Background: Introduction of invasive endovascular techniques constituted a real a breakthrough in the treatment of aortic aneurysm dissection and rupture. We assessed the effectiveness and safety of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients with thoracic aortic pathologies.

Methods: Between 2007 and 2017, 118 patients with thoracic aortic pathology underwent TEVAR.

Introducing of the First DCD Kidney Transplantation Program in Poland.

In many countries, including Poland, the main problem with transplantation is the insufficiency of organ donors in relation to the demand for organs. Hence, the common aim globally is to increase the pool of donors. The prolonged survival of patients after transplantation, with respect to the survival time of patients on dialysis, makes the search much more intense.

Fluid therapy in non-septic, refractory acute decompensated heart failure patients - The cautious role of central venous pressure.

Purpose: Fluid therapy in congestive acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients might be inappropriate and worsening the prognosis. The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of fluid administration on mortality in non-septic, ADHF patients with reduced ejection fraction.

Material And Methods: We analyzed 41 ADHF consecutive 'cold-wet' patients (mean age 69.

Prototype of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy simulator used in regional ECMO program.

Background: Simulation is widely accepted as an important tool in training and educating healthcare providers. The first regional polish extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program called "ECMO for Greater Poland" was recently started.

Methods: We present a prototype for ECMO prepared for high-fidelity medical simulation in extracorporeal life support.

An innovative panel to assess endothelial integrity of pedicled and skeletonized internal thoracic artery used as aortocoronary bypass graft: a randomized comparative histologic and immunohistochemical study.

Background: Optimal preservation of endothelial integrity of the vessels used as aortocoronary grafts is a crucial determinant of long-term clinical success of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The purpose of this study was to evaluate an impact of two common techniques to harvest left internal thoracic artery (LITA) on endothelial integrity.

Methods: One hundred twenty consecutive patients (84 males and 36 females) with a mean age of 64.

BEST Life-"Bringing ECMO Simulation To Life"-How Medical Simulation Improved a Regional ECMO Program.

The implemented "ECMO for Greater Poland" program takes full advantage of the ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) perfusion therapy to promote health for 3.5 million inhabitants in the region. The predominant subjects of implementation are patients with hypothermia, with severe reversible respiratory failure (RRF), and treatment of other critical states leading to heart failure such as sudden cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock or acute intoxication.

Development of regional extracorporeal life support system: The importance of innovative simulation training.

Background: Despite advances in mechanical ventilation, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates ranging from 30% to 60%. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) can be used as a "bridge to recovery". ECMO is a complex network that provides oxygenation and ventilation and allows the lungs to rest and recover from respiratory failure, while minimizing iatrogenic ventilator-induced lung injury.

Preoperative blood morphology and incidence of acute kidney injury after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting - a single-center preliminary report.

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may complicate the postoperative course and has a negative impact on outcome. In some cases, postoperative AKI develops in spite of normal baseline creatinine concentration and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Aim: To examine whether there is any association between the preoperative blood morphology and incidence of post-operative AKI.

The role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients after irreversible cardiac arrest as potential organ donors.

The number of people waiting for a kidney or liver transplant is growing systematically. Due to the latest advances in transplantation, persons after irreversible cardiac arrest and confirmation of death have become potential organ donors. It is estimated that they may increase the number of donations by more than 40%.

Post-traumatic acute thoracic aortic injury (TAI)-a single center experience.

Background: We assess the effectiveness and our experience in emergency thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients with post-traumatic acute thoracic aortic injury (TAI) and associated multiorgan trauma. TAI is a life-threatening condition. It usually results from a sudden deceleration caused by vehicle accident, a fall or some other misfortune.