Hypertension in patients with Alzheimer's disease--prevalence, characteristics, and impact on clinical outcome. Experience of one neurology center in Poland.

The aim of the study was to evaluate hypertension (HT) prevalence, characteristics, and impact on clinical outcome in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We evaluated 701 patients with AD (249 males, 452 females, and mean age 74.9 ± 7.

Prognostic value of novel biomarkers compared with detailed biochemical evaluation in patients with heart failure.

Introduction: The assessment of prognosis is crucial for the clinical management of patients with heart failure (HF).

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of novel biomarkers for the assessment of prognosis in patients with HF, compared with a detailed assessment based on routine laboratory tests.

Patients And Methods: The study included 179 patients with HF.

Severe chronic heart failure in patients considered for heart transplantation in Poland.

Background: Based on the results of clinical trials, the prognosis for patients with severe heart failure (HF) has improved over the last 20 years. However, clinical trials do not reflect 'real life' due to patient selection. Thus, the aim of the POLKARD-HF registry was the analysis of survival of patients with refractory HF referred for orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT).

Is evaluation of complex polymorphism helpful in the assessment of prognosis after percutaneous coronary intervention. A prospective study.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a complex disorder accounting for the majority of cardiovascular deaths and morbidity. It is believed that genetic factors explain part of the excessive risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Aim: To evaluate the influence on long-term prognosis of some genetic polymorphisms affecting renin-angiotensin system, inflammatory response, beta-2 adrenergic receptor, nitric oxide and platelets activity in patients with stable CAD undergoing routine PCI.

The impact of early menopause on risk of coronary artery disease (PREmature Coronary Artery Disease In Women--PRECADIW case-control study).

Background: Despite improved understanding of atherothrombosis pathophysiology, risk factors associated with premature coronary artery disease (CAD) in women are poorly recognized.

Design And Methods: A single-centre, case-control study comprised 323 women (less than 55 years) with established CAD, enrolled between April 2005 and January 2008, and 347 age-matched healthy women selected from the Multi-Center All-Polish Health Survey. We aimed to assess the relationship of menopause and premature CAD.

Characteristics of the heart failure population in Poland: ZOPAN, a multicentre national programme.

Background: It is difficult to define the optimal management of elderly heart failure (HF) patients with complex comorbidities. Thus, comprehensive characterisation of HF patients constitutes a crucial pre-condition for the successful management of this fragile population.

Aim: To analyse the 'real life' HF patients, including the evaluation of their health conditions, management and their use of public health resources.

Inverse association of the obesity predisposing FTO rs9939609 genotype with alcohol consumption and risk for alcohol dependence.

Aims: To investigate whether the FTO rs9939609 A allele (a risk factor for obesity) is associated with measures of alcohol consumption.

Design: Population-based cross-sectional study and two case-control studies.

Setting: Poland and the Warsaw area.

Prevalence of classical risk factors in Polish women with premature coronary artery disease.

Background: It is generally believed that in 50% of perimenopausal women several factors other than classical risk factors play a significant role in the development of premature coronary artery disease (CAD).

Aim: To determine the prevalence of five classical risk factors (cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and obesity) in women aged〈 55 years with premature CAD.

Methods: We performed a single-centre, case-control study in women〈 55 years with angiographically confirmed CAD or troponin-positive acute coronary syndrome.

Prognosis in patients with severe heart failure referred for heart transplantation--POLKARD-HF 2003-2007.

POLKARD-HF study was a prospective registry of patients, referred for the heart transplantation. The registry collected data on factors influencing the prognosis of patients. The death or the emergency heart transplantation (UNOS status 1) was assumed as the endpoint in the distant observation.

Acute coronary syndrome--how to reduce the time from the onset of chest pain to treatment?

Background: Enormous progress in treating acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and shortening the time between the onset of pain and intervention has been made in recent years. However, the time from the beginning of pain to the call for help is still too long.

Aim: To establish the causes of delayed call for help by ACS patients and to answer the question how to shorten that time.

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.

Effect of protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) 46L gene polymorphism on LDL cholesterol concentration in a Polish adult population.

The purpose was to study the effect of PCSK9 46L on cholesterol concentration and cardiovascular morbidity. By comparing 176 carriers with 6618 non-carriers identified through a cross-sectional population study (WOBASZ) we confirmed the LDL lowering effect of PCSK9 46L and demonstrated that it increases with the concentration of LDL. We noted that PCSK9 46L was associated with tendency for protection from myocardial infarction but not stroke suggesting a difference in the effect on susceptibility to these disorders.