Patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: A sub-analysis from the 3-year Coordinated Myocardial Infarction Care Program (KOS-MI) registry.

Background: The Coordinated Care Program after Myocardial Infarction (KOS-MI) implemented in Poland has shown significant improvement in patient prognosis, ended in nationwide success, and got international attention. A similar program and methodology may be an attractive option for patients with heart failure (HF).

Aims: This study aimed to analyze whether a similarly structured program would also be beneficial for HF patients after myocardial infarction.

Comparison of efficacy of pharmacological cardioversion with antazoline and propafenone versus electrical cardioversion in atrial fibrillation during cryoablation.

Introduction: Antazoline with propafenone may be an alternative to electrical cardioversion (ECV) in restoring sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), including during balloon cryoablation.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of antazoline with propafenone and ECV in restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm at discharge in patients with AF during cryoablation with special regard to type of AF.

Material And Methods: The study retrospectively analyzed 196 patients who underwent elective cryoablation.

Del Nido vs. Cold Blood Cardioplegia for High-Risk Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with Reduced Ventricular Function.

Introduction: The evidence for using del Nido cardioplegia protocol in high-risk patients with reduced ejection fraction undergoing isolated coronary surgery is insufficient.

Methods: The institutional database was searched for isolated coronary bypass procedures. Patients with ejection fraction < 40% were selected.

Long-term bio-functional performance of a novel, self-positioning balloon expandable transcatheter biological aortic valve system in the ovine aortic banding model.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate bio-functionality of a novel, proprietary balloon-expandable biological transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) system (InFlow, CardValve Consortium, Poland) in an ovine model of aortic banding.

Methods: Surgical ascending aorta banding was created in 21 sheep. Two weeks later, 18 biological valves were implanted within the model using 15-16 F InFlow TAVI systems and carotid cut-down approach.

Determinants of Inadequate Cardioprotection in Adult Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Background:  Perioperative cardioprotection is essential for achieving satisfactory clinical outcomes in heart failure patients. It is important to understand the factors affecting perioperative cardioprotection.

Methods:  The institutional database was searched for patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF, < 40%) who underwent surgery with cardioplegia-induced arrest.

Long-term outcomes of the Coordinated Care Program in Patients after Myocardial Infarction (KOS-MI).

Background: The Coordinated Care in Myocardial Infarction Program (KOS-MI) was introduced to improve prognosis for patients after myocardial infarction (MI). The program includes complete revascularization followed by unrestricted access to rehabilitation, electrotherapy, and cardiac care.

Aim: This study aimed to assess major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) of patients enrolled in the KOS-MI at 3-year follow-up.

Safety and feasibility of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery early after drug-eluting stent implantation due to acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The evidence on performing minimally invasive coronary artery surgery early after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is limited.

Aim: The study aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of this approach.

Methods: This registry included 115 (78% male) patients treated from 2013 to 2018, who underwent non-left anterior descending (LAD) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to ACS with contemporary DES implantation (39% diagnosed with myocardial infarction at baseline), followed by endoscopic atraumatic coronary artery bypass (EACAB) surgery within 180 days, after temporary P2Y12 inhibitor discontinuation.

Temporal, biomechanical evaluation of a novel, transcatheter polymeric aortic valve in ovine aortic banding model.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the functionality, durability, and temporal biocompatibility of a novel, balloon-expandable polymeric transcatheter heart valve (ATHV) system (InFlow, CardValve Consortium, Poland). Along with expanding TAVI indications, the demand for new transcatheter valves is increasing.

Methods: A surgical ascending aortic banding model was created in 20 sheep.

Del Nido versus cold blood cardioplegia in adult patients with impaired ejection fraction undergoing valvular and complex heart surgery.

Background: There is sparse evidence on the efficacy of del Nido cardioplegia in high-risk patients with reduced ejection fraction undergoing valvular or complex heart surgery, and further investigation is required.

Methods: An institutional registry was searched for patients who underwent valvular or complex heart surgery and had an ejection fraction <40%. Subjects who received del Nido cardioplegia (DNC) and cold blood cardioplegia (CBC) were selected.

Use of del Nido cardioplegia in acute coronary syndrome cases with decreased ejection fraction.

Background: There has been increasing interest in using del Nido cardioplegia in adult cardiac surgery. However, there is limited evidence for its efficacy in patients with acute coronary syndrome and reduced ejection fraction.

Methods: This study examined patients with decreased ejection fraction (EF < 40%) who were hospitalized due to acute coronary syndrome and received either del Nido (DN) or cold blood cardioplegia (CB).

Actual status and future directions of cardiac telerehabilitation.

Telerehabilitation (TR) was developed to achieve the same results as would be achieved by the standard rehabilitation process and to overcome potential geographical barriers and staff deficiencies. This is especially relevant in periodic crisis situations, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Proper execution of TR strategy requires both well-educated staff and dedicated equipment.

Incidence and course of acute coronary syndrome cases after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The collateral damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic affected cardiovascular disease patients, mainly acute coronary syndrome (ACS) cases. Additionally, lockdown caused treatment-related concerns and reluctance to seek medical help, factors that can delay treatment.

Aim: We aimed to analyze the incidence and course of ACS after the first COVID-19 wave.

One-stage hybrid coronary revascularization for the treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease- Periprocedural and long-term results from the "HYBRID-COR" feasibility study.

Background: The constant growth of interest in hybrid coronary artery revascularization (HCR) is apparent. Yet, few studies report outcomes of the one-stage HCR. Consequently, the status of such procedures is not adequately supported in clinical guidelines.

The impact of first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 2019 pandemic in Poland on characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized due to stable coronary artery disease.

Background: An investigation of baseline characteristics, treatment, and outcomes in patients with stable coronary disease after the first wave of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- -CoV-2) pandemic may provide valuable data and is beneficial for public health strategy in upcoming years.

Methods: A multi-institutional registry, including 10 cardiology departments, was searched for patients admitted from June 2020 to October 2020. The baseline characteristics (age, gender, symptoms, comorbidities), treatment (non-invasive, invasive, surgical), and hospitalization outcome (mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, composite endpoint - major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events [MACCE]) were evaluated.

6-Month Evaluation of a Transcatheter Aortic Valve (Myval) in a Novel Ovine, Supra-Aortic Banding Model.

The aim of the study was to evaluate a balloon expandable transcatheter heart valve (THV) system (Myval) at 6-month follow-up in ovine banding model. Eleven THV systems were implanted via carotid approach. There were 2 procedure-related deaths and 2 premature deaths.

Microcrystalline paclitaxel-coated balloon for revascularization of femoropopliteal artery disease: Three-year outcomes of the randomized BIOPAC trial.

The aim of the BIOPAC trial was to determine long-term safety and efficacy of a novel microcrystalline paclitaxel-coated balloon (mcPCB) with a biocompatible polymer as an excipient in the treatment of occlusive femoropopliteal lesions. In this first-in-human prospective controlled randomized trial, 66 patients with femoropopliteal, symptomatic (Rutherford stages 2B to 5) occlusive arterial disease were randomized to either mcPCB (study group) or POBA (plain old balloon angioplasty) (control group) on a 1:1 basis. Late lumen loss (LLL) at 6 months was the primary endpoint of the study and serious adverse events (SAE: death, amputation, repeated revascularization) were considered a composite secondary endpoint.

Drug-likeness of linear pentamidine analogues and their impact on the hERG K channel - correlation with structural features.

This work presents drug-likeness and the cardiotoxicity profiles of six potent pentamidine analogs 1-6 and three new compounds 7-9 as chemotherapeutics for therapy of pneumonia. A combination of experimental and computational approaches was used in the cardiotoxicity examination. The hERG trafficking and functionality of the hERG currents were tested by western blot analyses, immunofluorescent staining procedures, and patch-clamp electrophysiological assays.

Pentamidine analogs as inhibitors of [(3)H]MK-801 and [(3)H]ifenprodil binding to rat brain NMDA receptors.

The anti-protozoal drug pentamidine is active against opportunistic Pneumocystis pneumonia, but in addition has several other biological targets, including the NMDA receptor (NR). Here we describe the inhibitory potencies of 76 pentamidine analogs at 2 binding sites of the NR, the channel binding site labeled with [(3)H]MK-801 and the [(3)H]ifenprodil binding site. Most analogs acted weaker at the ifenprodil than at the channel site.

Probing the relationship between anti-Pneumocystis carinii activity and DNA binding of bisamidines by molecular dynamics simulations.

The anti-Pneumocystis carinii activity of 13 synthetic pentamidine analogs was analyzed. The experimental differences in melting points of DNA dodecamer 5'-(CGCGAATTCGCG)2-3' complexes (ΔTm), and in the biological activity measured using ATP bioluminescence assay (IC50) together with the theoretical free energy of DNA-ligand binding estimated by the proposed computational protocol, showed that the experimental activity of the tested pentamidines appeared to be due to the binding to the DNA minor groove with extended AT sequences. The effect of heteroatoms in the aliphatic linker, and the sulfonamide or methoxy substituents on the compound inducing changes in the interactions with the DNA minor groove was examined and was correlated with biological activity.

In vitro screening of pentamidine analogs against bacterial and fungal strains.

A series of linear pentamidine analogs exhibiting low cytotoxicity, active against Pneumocystis carinii, were evaluated for in vitro activities against bacterial and fungal strains. The majority of the tested bis-amidines exhibited marked activities against Gram-positive strains. In view of the fact that the highest potency was found for 1,5-bis(4-amidinophenoxy)-3-thiapentane dihydrochloride 1j with the S atom in the middle of the aliphatic linker, four new pentamidines bearing S atoms were synthesized and also evaluated against MRSA strains.

Analogs of pentamidine as potential anti-Pneumocystis chemotherapeutics.

A series of 20 pentamidine analogs were prepared using 2 general Schemes that evaluated heteroatoms, sulfobenzene and alkanediamide groups in the aliphatic linker and methoxy substituents attached to the benzene rings for efficacy against the fungal pathogen, Pneumocystis carinii in an ATP bioassay. All but one of the 20 bisamidines reduced the ATP content of the P. carinii over the 72 h of the assay period.

Helicobacter pylori infection can modulate the susceptibility of gastric mucosa cells to MNNG.

The pathogenesis of stomach cells can be associated with their susceptibility to exogenous dietary irritants, like nitrosamines such as dimethylnitrosamines (DMNA), and to the effects of non-dietary factors, including Helicobacter pylori infection. We used N-methyl-N'-nitro N-nitrosoguanidyne (MNNG) as a surrogate agent that induces a spectrum of DNA damage similar to DMNA. Using the alkaline comet assay, we showed that antioxidants--vitamins C and E, quercetin, and melatonin--reduced the genotoxic effect of MNNG in H.

Interaction of amoxicillin with DNA in human lymphocytes and H. pylori-infected and non-infected gastric mucosa cells.

Amoxicillin is a penicillin derivative belonging to a group of beta-lactam antibiotics used in Helicobacter pylori eradication. Clinical application of amoxicillin is underlined by its antibacterial activity, but little is known about its interaction with DNA of human cells. Using the alkaline comet assay we investigated the genotoxicity of amoxicillin in human peripheral blood lymphocytes as well as in H.

DNA damage and repair in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric mucosa cells.

Helicobacter pylori is a common human pathogen and its infection is believed to contribute to gastric cancer. Impaired DNA repair may fuel up cancer transformation by the accumulation of mutation and increased susceptibility to exogenous carcinogens. To evaluate the role of infection of H.