Percutaneous retrieval of centrally embolized fragments of central venous access devices or knotted Swan-Ganz catheters. Clinical report of 14 retrievals with detailed angiographic analysis and review of procedural aspects.

Introduction: Totally implantable venous access systems (TIVAS), Swan-Ganz (SG) and central venous catheters (CVC) allow easy and repetitive entry to the central cardiovascular system. Fragments of them may be released inadvertently into the cardiovascular system during their insertion or as a result of mechanical complications encountered during long-term utilization.

Aim: To present results of percutaneous retrieval of embolized fragments of central venous devices or knotted SG and review the procedural aspects with a series of detailed angiographies.

Lumen and calcium characteristics within calcified coronary lesions. Comparison of computed tomography coronary angiography versus intravascular ultrasound.

Introduction: Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) is a diagnostic method used for exclusion of coronary artery disease. However, lower accuracy of CTCA in assessment of calcified lesions is a significant factor impeding applicability of CTCA for assessment of coronary atherosclerosis.

Aim: To provide insight into lumen and calcium characteristics assessed with CTCA, we compared these parameters to the reference of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Intramyocardial plasmid-encoding human vascular endothelial growth factor A165/basic fibroblast growth factor therapy using percutaneous transcatheter approach in patients with refractory coronary artery disease (VIF-CAD).

Background: VIF-CAD randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was an attempt to induce therapeutic angiogenesis by percutaneous intramyocardial transfer of bicistronic (vascular endothelial growth factor/fibroblast growth factor [VEGF/FGF]) plasmid (pVIF) in patients with refractory heart ischemia. Myocardial perfusion, clinical symptoms, exercise tolerance, left ventricular function, and safety were assessed.

Methods: Fifty-two patients with refractory coronary artery disease were randomized to receive VEGF/FGF plasmid (n = 33) or placebo plasmid (n = 19) into myocardial region showing stress-induced perfusion defects.

Significance of dyslipidaemia in patients with heart failure of unexplained aetiology.

Background: Dyslipidaemia has been studied in the prognosis of heart failure (HF). Little is known about the role of dyslipidaemia in the aetiopathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Aim: To assess (1) serum lipid levels in DCM considering the severity of heart failure; (2) the association between DCM and lipid abnormalities; (3) prognostic significance of lipids in DCM.

Cardioverter-defibrillator lead-related thrombus treated with prolonged anticoagulation in patient with prothrombotic disorder.

Following an accidental finding of a large atrial lead-related thrombus in a 33-year-old woman with suspected prothrombotic disorder, a conservative treatment with low molecular weight heparin injections and close transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic monitoring was used. It led to a complete resolution of the thrombus in 4 weeks without the need for a high-risk operation in this patient.

Comparison of prognostic value of epicardial blood flow and early ST-segment resolution after primary coronary angioplasty. ANIN--Myocardial Infarction Registry.

Background: TIMI scale is commonly used for angiographic assessment of reperfusion effectiveness and early risk stratification in patients treated with primary angioplasty for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Since ST-resolution analysis allows a noninvasive insight into the reperfusion status at the myocardial tissue level, it may be a better predictor of outcome after primary angioplasty.

Aim: To compare the prognostic value of the reperfusion effectiveness evaluation based on either the epicardial blood flow assessment according to the TIMI scale, or ST-segment resolution analysis in patients treated with primary coronary angioplasty for STEMI.

Assessment of the inflammatory process by endomyocardial biopsy in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy based on pathological and immunohistochemical methods.

Introduction: Myocarditis may lead to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in immunogenetically predisposed individuals. The diagnosis of myocardial inflammation is currently based on histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. Previous studies indicate that inflammatory cardiomyopathy occurs in approximately 50% of patients with DCM.

Acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock. In-hospital and mid-term results of invasive treatment in the National Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw-Anin.

Background: Mortality in acute myocardial infarction (MI) complicated by cardiogenic shock approaches 90%, regardless of the type of pharmacological treatment.

Aim: To assess in-hospital and mid-term results of invasive treatment of patients with acute MI with ST segment elevation (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Methods: From a prospective registry of all patients admitted to our institution for urgent coronary angiography due to acute coronary syndrome between February 2001 and June 2002, patients with STEMI, symptom duration up to 12 hours and cardiogenic shock diagnosed on admission were identified.

Familial dilated cardiomyopathy: evidence for clinical and immunogenetic heterogeneity.

Background: There is increasing awareness of the familial nature of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Mutations in the genes coding for cytoskeletal and sarcomere proteins have been identified. Phenotyping of familial DCM (FDCM) may help to improve genetic diagnosis.

[Level of angiotensin II and aldosterone in plasma is often elevated in patients with heart failure treated with converting enzyme inhibitors--preliminary results].

In large randomised trials, ACE inhibitors (ACEI) have been shown to reduce mortality, morbidity and improve quality of life in patients (pts) with congestive heart failure. However, long-term prognosis of patients in the community remains poor. It has been suggested that one of the reasons may be inadequate neuroendocrine suppression with current treatment strategies.