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).

The use of iloprost in the treatment of 'out of proportion' pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Case: Pulmonary hypertension secondary to respiratory disease most often occurs as a complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which currently constitutes one of the leading causes of death. Some patients with hypoxaemia reveal "out of proportion" pulmonary hypertension with inappropriate increase of pulmonary artery pressure. Iloprost, analogue of prostacyclin, dilates systemic vessels and pulmonary vessels in particular if administered by inhalation.

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).

Segmental left ventricular hypokinesis is associated with embolic signals in transcranial Doppler.

Introduction: Global left ventricular (LV) hypokinesis is considered to be the cause of stroke, while the significance of segmental wall motion abnormalities is still unknown.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of embolic signals in the middle cerebral artery in patients with segmental LV wall hypokinesis in the course of coronary artery disease (CAD) with and without stroke.

Patients And Methods: The study included 68 patients (aged 21-87 years) with segmental LV wall hypokinesis (33 patients without and 35 with stroke).

[Influence of physical effort on the activity of the endothelium concerning patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency].

Chronic heart failure is a slowly progressive cardiodepressant process. Systematic physical activity can be an effective tool of preventing and curing cardiac insufficiency. Great significance in the connection between regular physical effort and its cardioprotective effect has the vascular endothelium, secreted pro-inflammatory factors, cytokines and markers ofoxidative stress.

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).

B-cell lymphoma in a 70 year-old male patient with a cardiac tumour.

We present a case of a 70 year-old male with B-cell lymphoma of which the first clinical presentation was cardiac infiltration. The patient underwent full chemotherapy with complete tumour regression. Kardiol Pol 2011; 69, 10: 1063-1065.

[Risk factors of death or re-hospitalization in acute coronary syndrome patients before and after earlier heart revascularization].

Unlabelled: Cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease and its complications--acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are the leading causes of mortality in developed countries. With the growing number of percutaneous revascularization procedures (PCI) patients with at least one prior revascularization procedure constitute a growing population. The aim of the study was to define the predictors of death and rehospitalization of patients treated for ACS before and after earlier heart revascularization.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine and vascular indices of atherosclerosis in patients after coarctation of aorta repair.

Objective: Cardiovascular events are the main cause of premature death after successful repair of aortic coarctation (CoA). The aim of this study was to assess the selected biochemical markers of atherosclerosis in normotensive CoA repaired patients and to establish its relation to ultrasound indexes of vascular pathology.

Methods: 62 patients after CoA repair (37 males, age: 34.

Augmentation of central arterial pressure in adult patients after coarctation repair.

Objectives: Arterial hypertension and its complications are associated with an increased morbidity and mortality in patients after aortic coarctation (CoA) repair. It is debatable whether early surgery can prevent it. Residual stenosis of descending aorta (AoD) and stiffness in the precoarctation region supposedly lead to hypertension.

Preoperative quantification of aortic valve stenosis: comparison of 64-slice computed tomography with transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography and size of implanted prosthesis.

Precise measurements of aortic complex diameters are essential for preoperative examinations of patients with aortic stenosis (AS) scheduled for aortic valve (AV) replacement. We aimed to prospectively compare the accuracy of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) measurements of the AV complex and to analyze the role of the multi-modality aortic annulus diameter (AAd) assessment in the selection of the optimal prosthesis to be implanted in patients surgically treated for degenerative AS. 20 patients (F/M: 3/17; age: 69 ± 6.

Vascular remodeling in adults after coarctation repair: impact of descending aorta stenosis and age at surgery.

Background: Patients after successful repair of coarctation of aorta (CoAo) are at risk of hypertension at rest and associated end-organ damage. The aim of the study was to assess arterial stiffness and function in adults after coarctation repair in relation to descending aorta (AoD) residual coarctation and patient's age at operation.

Methods: 85 patients after CoAo repair (53 males) aged 34.

Parameters of arterial function and structure in adult patients after coarctation repair.

Regardless of a successful operation, patients with coarctation of aorta (CoAo) are exposed to the risk of hypertension and a propensity to vascular and end-organ damage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of residual aorta stenosis as well as the age at the operation on the parameters of arterial function and structure in patients after CoAo repair. Eighty-five patients after CoAo repair (53 males; mean age: 34.

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).