Unmet needs in diagnostics of acute pulmonary embolism and their determinants in Polish hospitals.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) represents the third most common acute cardiovascular disease in Poland, posing an increasing burden on healthcare systems.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the availability of diagnostic methods and unmet needs in APE diagnosis in Polish hospitals.

Methods: An online survey prepared using the modified Delphi method was distributed to hospital departments for completion by physicians.

Training-induced impairment of endothelial function in track and field female athletes.

Professional athletes are often exposed to high training loads that may lead to overfatigue, overreaching and overtraining that might have a detrimental effects on vascular health. We determined the effects of high training stress on endothelial function assessed by the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and markers of glycocalyx shedding. Vascular examination as well as broad biochemical, hormonal and cardiometabolic evaluation of sprint and middle-distance female runners were performed after 2 months of preparatory training period and compared to age-matched control group of women.

Age-related decrease in serum dihydrotestosterone concentration is accompanied by impaired vascular status.

Introduction: The effect of androgens on the cardiovascular system in humans is ambiguous. Moreover, still little is known about the effects of the most potent androgen, dihydrotestosterone, on arterial stiffness and endothelial function. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether age-dependent alterations in serum concentration of dihydrotestosterone and its circulating metabolite are accompanied by changes in endothelial function and arterial stiffness.

Prothrombotic state, endothelial injury, and echocardiographic changes in non-active sarcoidosis patients.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory granulomatous disease of unknown cause that most commonly affects lungs and lymph nodes, with frequent yet asymptomatic cardiac involvement. The epidemiologically associated cardiovascular risk suggests an underlying prothrombotic state and endothelial dysfunction, currently understudied in the available literature. Therefore, we aimed to investigate prothrombotic plasma properties together with selected echocardiographic and laboratory biomarkers of cardiovascular injury in that disease.

Endothelial function in patients with critical and non-critical limb ischemia undergoing endovascular treatment.

Background: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most advanced stage of peripheral arterial disease. CLI patients, compared to non-CLI, achieve worse treatment outcomes and generate higher costs.

Aims: The aim of the study was to compare endothelial function and clinical outcomes in CLI and non-CLI patients after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).

Age-Dependent Impairment in Endothelial Function and Arterial Stiffness in Former High Class Male Athletes Is No Different to That in Men With No History of Physical Training.

Background Physical activity is generally considered to exert positive effects on the cardiovascular system in humans. However, surprisingly little is known about the delayed effect of professional physical training performed at a young age on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in aging athletes. The present study aimed to assess the impact of long-lasting professional physical training (endurance and sprint) performed at a young age on the endothelial function and arterial stiffness reported in older age in relation to glycocalyx injury, prostacyclin and nitric oxide production, inflammation, basal blood lipid profile, and glucose homeostasis.

Posture commonly and considerably modifies stenosis of left common iliac and left renal veins in women diagnosed with pelvic venous disorder.

Objective: Pelvic venous incompetence or pelvic congestion syndrome (commonly referred to as pelvic venous disorder [PVD]) is increasingly diagnosed, especially in multiparous women. This may be either primary or secondary to pelvic venous outflow obstruction-left common iliac vein (LCIV) or left renal vein (LRV) stenosis. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination performed in the supine position is commonly used for diagnosis of LRV and LCIV stenosis; however, body position may affect the cross-sectional area (CSA) of both of these veins during IVUS.

Atorvastatin and Conditioned Media from Atorvastatin-Treated Human Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor-Derived Cells Show Proangiogenic Activity but Not .

Myeloid angiogenic cells (MAC) derive from hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) that are mobilized from the bone marrow. They home to sites of neovascularization and contribute to angiogenesis by production of paracrine factors. The number and function of proangiogenic cells are impaired in patients with diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.

Microcirculation disorders of the oral cavity in patients with primary Raynaud phenomenon.

INTRODUCTION Raynaud phenomenon is a medical condition in which the spasm of the arteries causes episodes of reduced blood flow. Potential disorders in the microcirculation of the oral mucosa may promote the occurrence of lesions. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to investigate the association of the frequency of oral cavity lesions with oral microcirculatory dysfunction in patients with primary Raynaud phenomenon (PRP) in comparison with healthy control group.

The relationship between pulse waveform analysis indices, endothelial function and clinical outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease treated using percutaneous transluminal angioplasty during a one-year follow-up period.

Background: Several predictors of clinical outcomes after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) interventions in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have been investigated. Indices of endothelial function, arterial pulse waveform analysis (aPWA) and markers of peripheral artery ischemia were among the most commonly examined. The aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between potential predictors of clinical outcomes after peripheral artery PTA during a 1-year follow-up period.

Myocardial Injury is More Common than Deep Venous Thrombosis after Vascular Surgery and is Associated with a High One Year Mortality Risk.

Objective/background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been considered the dominant major life threatening vascular complication after non-cardiac surgery, but recent studies have shifted the emphasis toward myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) as a common adverse event in the peri-operative setting. The aim of the present study was to compare the incidence and influence on mortality of two dominant venous and arterial events in the peri-operative period by prospectively screening a consecutive cohort of patients undergoing vascular surgery.

Methods: This was a sub-study of Vascular Events In Non-cardiac Surgery Patients Cohort Evaluation (VISION), the main objective of which was to evaluate major peri-operative complications after non-cardiac surgery.

Comprehensive assessment of vascular health in patients; towards endothelium-guided therapy.

Endothelial function has diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic significance. A number of non-invasive techniques were introduced for its assessment, including flow-mediated dilation (FMD), finger plethysmography (RH-PAT) and digital thermal monitoring (DTM). All these methods can be performed simultaneously.

[Polish guidelines for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. 2012 update].

The overall objective of the Polish guidelines for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism is to increase patient benefit and safety by appropriate prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism as well as proper management of the complications associated with antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy. These guidelines apply to adult trauma, cancer, surgical, and medical patients as well as those at increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Specific recommendations have been formulated for pregnant women, patients requiring surgery while receiving long-term oral anticoagulant treatment, and patients undergoing regional anesthesia and/or analgesia.

Impaired responsiveness to clopidogrel and aspirin in patients with recurrent stent thrombosis following percutaneous intervention for peripheral artery disease.

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) following peripheral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with stent implantation are prone to stent thrombosis despite treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel. Impaired clopidogrel responsiveness is associated with increased risk of ischemic events in patients following coronary stent implantation. We sought to assess platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel and aspirin in patients with PAD and recurrent stent thrombosis.