Stem cells mobilization by cardiopulmonary bypass after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Introduction: Expression of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells occurs as a result of an inflammatory reaction caused by a damaged organ. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are exposed to an inflammatory reaction, which may be a trigger in the mobilization of regenerative cells.

Aim: To assess the impact of CPB on stem and progenitor cells mobilization in patients scheduled for CABG.

Surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis in low-risk elective patients: Analysis of the Aortic Valve Replacement in Elective Patients From the Aortic Valve Multicenter Registry.

Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains the preferred strategy for high-risk or elderly individuals with aortic valve (AV) stenosis who are not considered to be optimal surgical candidates. Recent evidence suggests that low-risk patients may benefit from TAVI as well. The current study evaluates midterm survival in low-risk patients undergoing elective surgical AV replacement (SAVR) versus TAVI.

Can cardiopulmonary bypass system with blood priming become a new standard in coronary surgery?

Background: Commonly used cardiopulmonary bypass systems with cardiotomy reservoir, oxygenator, and roller pump require preoperative crystalloid filling. Radical reduction of the filling fluid volume and replacing it with the patient's own blood has a fundamental impact on the outcome.

Aim: A comparison of cardiopulmonary bypass filled with the patient's blood, applied in Poland for the first time, and the classical system filled with crystalloids.

Effect of a significant asymptomatic unilateral carotid artery stenosis on outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Occurrence of a stroke is a major concern in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). It remains uncertain whether significant asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is associated with stroke incidence in such patients.

Aim: To investigate the incidence of cerebrovascular events, myocardial infarction (MI), and death in patients with a significant asymptomatic CAS undergoing CABG.

Cardiac myxoma - clinical presentation and long-term post-operative follow-up.

Background: Myxoma is the commonest cardiac neoplasm. Due to varying symptomatology, its diagnosis can prove difficult. It is agreed to have an excellent prognosis.

Circulating very small embryonic-like stem cells in cardiovascular disease.

Very small embryonic-like cells (VSELs) are a population of stem cells residing in the bone marrow (BM) and several organs, which undergo mobilization into peripheral blood (PB) following acute myocardial infarction and stroke. These cells express markers of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), such as Oct-4, Nanog, and SSEA-1, as well as early cardiac, endothelial, and neural tissue developmental markers. VSELs can be effectively isolated from the BM, umbilical cord blood, and PB.

Pleiotropic effects of atorvastatin and fenofibrate in metabolic syndrome and different types of pre-diabetes.

Objective: To compare extra-lipid effects of statins and fibrates in relation to the baseline metabolic status of patients.

Research Design And Methods: The study involved a group of 242 metabolic syndrome patients with or without pre-diabetes and randomized to atorvastatin, fenofibrate, or placebo.

Results: Compared with matched healthy subjects, metabolic syndrome patients exhibited higher plasma levels/activities of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, factor VII, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, and enhanced monocyte cytokine release.

Invasive treatment of coronary artery disease in octogenarians.

Introduction: There are many patients aged over 80 years among those hospitalised for coronary artery disease (CAD). The unanswered question is whether invasive treatment of such patients is effective and safe.

Aim: To assess and compare one-year clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and surgical coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients aged over 80 years and in younger patients.

Total arterial revascularization for multiple vessel coronary artery disease: with or without cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background: To assess the usefulness of off-pump technique for more technically demanding coronary artery bypass procedures using exclusively arterial conduits.

Methods: Analysis of perioperative data of 324 consecutive patients in whom total arterial revascularization for multiple- vessel coronary artery disease was performed--181 cases on-pump and 143 cases off-pump.

Results: On average in the on-pump group 2.

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery -- first experience in Poland.

Background: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery has been introduced to treat various cardiac disorders, predominantly ischaemic heart disease. Its usage in valvular disorders has been only recently proposed.

Aim: To assess safety and efficacy of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.

Dysfunction of left ventricle as an indication for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass carries significant risk for patients with severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.

Methods: Between 1997 and 2000, 240 patients underwent OPCAB. The patients were retrospectively divided into 2 groups with regard to LV function.

Primary OPCAB as a strategy for acute coronary syndrome and acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Conventional coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) carries higher mortality and morbidity for patients undergoing surgery during acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate potential benefits of avoiding CPB by instead performing off-pump CAB (OPCAB) during surgery on patients in ACS.

Methods: Among 624 patients who underwent OPCAB between January 1999 and June 2001, 143 underwent surgery during ACS (group 1).