Successful percutaneous treatment of late outflow graft failure of the left ventricular assist device: a long-term follow-up.

Continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) outflow graft stenosis constitutes a severe complication. Treatment options include surgical pump exchange, transcatheter procedures, or systemic thrombolysis. We present a case of a spontaneous mechanical twisting of the outflow graft at two distinct points, which was treated by a two-step percutaneous stent implantation.

Ticagrelor effectively inhibits platelet aggregation in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia.

Background: Mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) is believed to reduce the effectiveness of antiplatelet drugs. Effective dual-antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is mandatory to avoid acute stent thrombosis. The effectiveness of ticagrelor in MTH-treated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors is still a matter of debate.

Chemokine RANTES and IL-1β in mild therapeutic hypothermia-treated patients after out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest.

Introduction: CCL5/RANTES and IL-1β, which regulate the immune response, may have an impact on survival in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

Aim: To evaluate levels of CCL5/RANTES and IL-1β in patients with ACS complicated by SCA, treated with coronary angioplasty (PCI) and mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH), and these chemokines' impact on the 30- and 180-day survival.

Material And Methods: Thirty-three unconscious patients admitted after SCA with ACS underwent PCI and MTH treatment.

Creatine kinase-MB and red cell distribution width as predictors of contrast-induced nephropathy after percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is acute kidney injury (AKI), caused by administration of iodinated contrast media. The reported risk factors of CIN are: pre-existing renal dysfunction, admission anemia, diabetic nephropathy, old age, dehydration, high volume and osmolarity of administered contrast media. Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have threefold higher risk of developing CIN.

Leukotriene biosynthesis in coronary artery disease. Results of the Leukotrienes and Thromboxane In Myocardial Infarction (LTIMI) study.

INTRODUCTION Leukotrienes (LTs) may be involved in atherosclerosis and may contribute to cardiovascular outcomes in CAD. OBJECTIVES    We aimed to compare the baseline LT production in patients with stable CAD (sCAD) and myocardial infarction (MI), and to assess whether an increased LT production is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) at 1 year after MI. PATIENTS AND METHODS    LTIMI (Leukotrienes and Thromboxane In Myocardial Infarction) was a single‑center, prospective, observational study of patients with stable sCAD and MI.

Incidence of Postoperative Delirium and Its Impact on Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

There are limited data on the occurrence of postoperative delirium after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We sought to investigate the incidence of delirium after TAVI and its impact on clinical outcomes. A total of 148 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI were enrolled.

Impact of post-dilatation on the reduction of paravalvular leak and mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Post-implantation paravalvular leak (PVL) remains a significant complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). More importantly, its occurrence may impact long-term mortality.

Aim: We sought to evaluate the effects of balloon post-dilatation (PD) on the reduction of PVL and mortality in patients undergoing TAVI.

Adaptation of global hemostasis to therapeutic hypothermia in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Thromboelastography study.

Background: The use of mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) in patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) who are undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) can protect patients from thromboembolic complications. The aim of the study was to evaluate the adaptive mecha- nisms of the coagulation system in MTH-treated comatose OHCA survivors.

Methods: Twenty one comatose OHCA survivors with acute coronary syndrome undergoing imme- diate pPCI were treated with MTH.

Prognostic value of tricuspid regurgitation velocity and probability of pulmonary hypertension in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with adverse clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We sought to investigate the effects of tricuspid regurgitant velocity (TRV) and echocardiographic probability of PH on clinical outcomes of patients undergoing TAVI. A total of 148 consecutive patients undergoing TAVI were included and stratified as having "low" (TRV ≤2.

Sex-Related Differences in Outcomes After Percutaneous Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate sex-related differences in short-term and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) for severe aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods: A total of 112 patients with severe AS underwent 114 BAV procedures as palliative procedure, bridge to definitive treatment, or before urgent non-cardiac surgery. Patients were followed for 24 months.

Impact of frailty on mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: We sought to investigate the relation between frailty indices and 12-month mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods: We included 101 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis who have undergone TAVI. Frailty indices according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 recommendations (5-m walk test [5MWT] and hand grip strength) as well as other available scales of frailty (Katz index, Elderly Mobility Scale [EMS], Canadian Study of Health and Aging [CSHA] scale, Identification of Seniors at Risk [ISAR] scale) were assessed at baseline.

Association Between Blood Transfusions and 12-Month Mortality After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Blood transfusions are considered as an important predictor of adverse outcome in patients with severe aortic (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We sought to investigate the association between blood transfusions and mortality after TAVI. We enrolled 101 consecutive patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI.

Twelve-month quality of life improvement and all-cause mortality in elderly patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Purpose: Restoration of quality of life (QoL) and improvement of clinical outcomes is crucial in elderly patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We sought to evaluate changes in QoL and all-cause mortality 12 months after TAVI.

Methods: A total of 101 patients who underwent TAVI were included.

Long-Term Mortality and Quality of Life After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Insertion in Very Elderly Patients.

Background: We sought to compare long-term mortality and quality of life (QoL) in very elderly (≥80 years) patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in comparison with younger patients (<80 years).

Methods: A total of 101 patients treated with TAVI were divided into two groups according to age: <80 years (n = 42; 41.6%) and ≥80 years (n = 59; 58.

Acute and long-term outcomes of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the indications, short- and long-term outcomes of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods: A cohort of 112 patients with AS underwent 114 BAV procedures between October 2012 and July 2015 in two Polish interventional cardiology centers. Clinical and echocardiographic data were prospectively collected within 1, 6, and 12 months follow-up.

Urinary 11-Dehydro-Thromboxane B2 as a Predictor of Acute Myocardial Infarction Outcomes: Results of Leukotrienes and Thromboxane In Myocardial Infarction (LTIMI) Study.

Background: Urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane (TX)B2 has been described as a potential predictive biomarker of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in high cardiac risk patients. This part of LTIMI (Leukotrienes and Thromboxane In Myocardial Infarction) study aimed to evaluate the relationship between 11-dehydro-TXB2 and MACEs in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods And Results: LTIMI was an observational, prospective study in 180 consecutive patients with AMI type 1 referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Impact of Coronary Artery Disease Burden on 12-Month Mortality of Patients After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare 12-month mortality rate of patients with and without complete coronary revascularization before transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background: There are limited data on the impact of coronary artery disease burden in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI.

Methods: One hundred and one consecutive patients undergoing TAVI were enrolled.

Early- and mid-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Data from a single-center registry.

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a less invasive treatment option for elderly, high-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) than aortic valve replacement. More importantly, TAVI improves survival and quality of life as compared to medical treatment in inoperable patients.

Aim: To assess early- and mid-term clinical outcomes after TAVI.

Angiographic result of index PCI determines the presence of right ventricular infarction in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction.

It is still a matter of debate which patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction are at increased risk of developing right ventricular (RV) myocardial infarction (RVMI). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) with late enchancement (LE) is regarded as the gold standard for RVMI assessment. We aimed to determine the impact of initial angiographic status and salutary effect of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the presence of RVMI.

Short- and intermediate-term improvement of patient quality of life after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a single-centre study.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a treatment option for elderly high-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Improvement of quality of life (QoL) is a relevant issue in this group of patients.

Aim: To assess changes in QoL after TAVI.

Current approach to transfemoral aortic valve replacement.

We present a case of a 73 year-old male with severe aortic stenosis and high perioperative risk who was considered as candidate for percutaneous valve treatment. After precise clinical assessment, the subject underwent successful transfemoral aortic valve replacement with 29 mm device in analgosedation.

Extent of RV dysfunction and myocardial infarction assessed by CMR are independent outcome predictors early after STEMI treated with primary angioplasty.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of right ventricular (RV) involvement diagnosed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) early after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Background: CMR allows accurate and reproducible RV assessment. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the prognostic value of RV involvement detected by CMR early after STEMI.