The impact of left circumflex coronary artery ostium stenosis on outcomes for patients after percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main disease.

Background: The impact of left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) ostium atherosclerosis in left main coronary artery (LM) bifurcation disease is not well-known.

Aim: The study aimed to assess whether the involvement of LCX ostium carries prognostic implications in patients undergoing unprotected LM percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: Consecutive 564 patients with unprotected LM (ULMCA) disease who underwent LM PCI between January 2015 and February 2021, with at least 1 year of available follow-up were included in the study.

Peri-Procedural Troponin Elevation after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease.

Left main (LM) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are challenging and highly invasive procedures. Periprocedural myocardial injury (Troponin (Tn) elevation > 99th percentile) is frequently detected after LM PCI, being identified even in up to 67% of patients. However, the prognostic implications of periprocedural Tn elevation after LM PCI remain controversial.

Clinical factors affecting survival in patients with D-transposition of the great arteries after atrial switch repair: A meta-analysis.

Background: Atrial switch repair (AtrSR) was the initial operation method in patients with D-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) constituting the right ventricle as a systemic one. Currently, it has been replaced with arterial switch operation (ASO), but the cohort of adults after AtrSR is still large and requires strict cardiological management of late complications. For this reason, we aimed to evaluate potential long-term mortality risk factors in patients with D-TGA after AtrSR (either Mustard or Senning procedures) Methods: We searched the MEDLINE database for suitable trials.

Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Left Main Coronary Artery Stenting in Patients Disqualified from Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

The study aims to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of left main percutaneous coronary interventions (LM PCI) in patients disqualified from coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). We included 459 patients (mean age: 68.4 ± 9.

Do non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants increase the risk of myocardial infarction?

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), compared with warfarin, have a favorable risk-benefit profile. However, in the RE-LY study in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the number of patients with MI was higher in the dabigatran group as compared to the warfarin group. Many meta-analyses showed that dabigatran treatment led to an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI).

Very long-term follow-up of patients with coronary bifurcation lesions treated with bioresorbable scaffolds.

Backgrounds: The data concerning the use of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) in coronary bifurcation lesions are limited.

Aims: The objective of the study was to evaluate the early and very long-term clinical outcomes of bifurcation stenting with ABSORB BVS.

Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with coronary bifurcation lesions treated with BVS were included.

A Meta-Analysis Evaluating the Colchicine Therapy in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

Evidence from recent studies has shown the benefits of colchicine for patients with coronary artery disease. The aim was to assess the effect of colchicine treatment on cardiovascular events, with an estimation of the risk of discontinuation and net clinical benefit. Fourteen trials with a total of 13,186 patients were selected through a systematic search.

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants and Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation with or without Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: A Meta-Analysis.

The study aimed to assess the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and major adverse cardiac events during non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) compared to warfarin therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), both treated and not treated with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). In a systematic search, we selected eight randomized clinical trials with a total of 81,943 patients. Dabigatran, compared to warfarin, significantly increased the risk of MI (relative risk [RR] 1.

A Personalized Approach to Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in the Left Main Coronary Artery-Is the Female Gender Associated with Worse Outcomes?

There is still controversy whether the female gender is associated with worse outcomes after the percutaneous coronary intervention within the left main (LM PCI). This study aimed to examine gender-based differences in real-life LM PCI patients and present a gender-personalized LM PCI approach. Consecutively, 613 patients underwent LM PCI in our department from January 2015 to June 2019.

The impact of right coronary artery support on outcomes of patients with unprotected left main disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Many operators are discouraged from performing left main (LM) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in the absence of right coronary artery (RCA) support due to the increased procedure risk.

Aims: We aimed at assessing the impact of absent functional RCA on prognostic implications in patients undergoing unprotected LM PCI.

Methods: 613 patients underwent LM PCI in our department between 2015 and 2019.

Prolonged antithrombotic therapy in patients after acute coronary syndrome: A critical appraisal of current European Society of Cardiology guidelines.

The increased risk of non-cardiovascular death in patients receiving clopidogrel or prasugrel in comparison with the placebo group in the Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT) trial in contrast to the decreased risk of cardiovascular death and all-cause death seen in patients treated with low-dose ticagrelor in the EU label population of the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 trial, resulted in inclusion in the 2020 ESC NSTE-ACS guidelines the recommendation for use of clopidogrel or prasugrel only if the patient is not eligible for treatment with ticagrelor. The prevalence of the primary outcome composed of cardiovascular death, stroke, or myocardial infarction was lower in the low-dose rivaroxaban and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) group than in the ASA-alone group in the COMPASS trial. Moreover, all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality rates were lower in the rivaroxaban-plus-ASA group.

Islets of heterogeneous myocardium within the scar in cardiac magnetic resonance predict ventricular tachycardia after myocardial infarction.

Introduction: We assessed findings in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as predictors of ventricular tachycardia (VT) after myocardial infarction (MI), which could allow for more precise identification of patients at risk of sudden cardiac death.

Methods: Forty-eight patients after prior MI were enrolled and divided into two groups: with (n = 24) and without (n = 24) VT. VT was confirmed by electrophysiological study and exit site was estimated based on 12-lead electrocardiogram.

Triple versus double antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and stent implantation: a meta‑analysis of randomized trials.

Background: Appropriate double (DT) and triple (TT) antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and stent implantation is unclear.

Aim: The aim of the study was to perform a meta‑analysis of studies comparing DT and TT in patients with atrial fibrillation and stent implantation.

Methods: Of the 450 reports, 5 randomized trials were included in the meta‑analysis: WOEST, ISAR‑REACT, PIONEER AF‑PCI, RE‑DUAL PCI, and AUGUSTUS, with a total of 9931 patients.

Optimal Timing of P2Y12 Inhibitor Loading in Patients Undergoing PCI: A Meta-Analysis.

Background And Aim:  The timing of P2Y12 inhibitor loading in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a matter of debate. The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and safety of oral P2Y12 inhibitors: clopidogrel, ticagrelor and prasugrel administered at two different time points in relation to PCI: early (> 2 hours pre-PCI) versus late (< 2 hours pre-PCI or post-PCI).

Methods:  This is a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Long-term clinical results of biodegradable vascular scaffold ABSORB BVS™ using the PSP-technique in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The PSP (predilatation, sizing, post-dilatation)-technique was developed to improve the prognosis of patients after bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) implantation. In acute coronary syndrome (ACS) the use of BVS is particularly demanding and carries some potential risk regarding aggressive lesion preparation, proper vessel sizing due to spasm and thrombus inside the artery. The aim herein, was to determine the long-term results of BVS stenting in ACS patients depending on the scaffold implantation technique.

Treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome: Recommendations for medical emergency teams: Focus on antiplatelet therapies. Updated experts' standpoint.

A group of Polish experts in cardiology and emergency medicine, encouraged by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines, have recently published common recommendations for medical emergency teams regarding the pre-hospital management of patients with acute coronary syndrome. Due to the recent publication of the 2017 ESC guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation and 2017 focused update on dual antiplatelet therapy in coronary artery disease the current panel of experts decided to update the previous standpoint. Moreover, new data coming from studies presented after the previous document was issued were also taken into consideration.

Impact of digoxin on risk of death in heart failure patients treated with b-blockers. Results from Polish part of ESC Heart Failure Long-Term Registry.

Background: Digoxin is used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). It was reported to increase the risk of death in HF. Studies on digoxin are based mainly on patients treated some years ago, before the era of common b-blocker use.

Patients treated with bivalirudin are still at higher risk of stent thrombosis: a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials of bivalirudin and heparin for percutaneous coronary interventions.

Background: Although the current practice guidelines recommend using both heparin and bivalirudin for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), the research data are ambiguous.

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the impact of bivalirudin and heparin on major clinical endpoints in PCI patients with particular emphasis on periprocedural stent thrombosis.

Methods: A total of 18 randomised clinical trials involving 41,752 subjects were included.

Single-pill combinations (SPCs) and treatment of arterial hypertension in Poland. Expert consensus statement of the Polish Society of Hypertension and Polish Cardiac Society Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy.

The reasons for the publication of current expert consensus statement after 4 years from the previous one are: the growing number of evidence on the benefits of the use of single-pill combinations (SPCs) in hypertension (also with concomitant dyslipidaemia), the extension of indications for their use in the hypertension management algorithm and the emergence in recent years after the publication of Polish Society of Hypertension experts' position statement in 2013 of new types of SPCs available to doctors in Poland, including triple-drug combinations of antihypertensives and the so-called "hybrids" SPCs containing not only antihypertensive drugs but also statins. The current position statement of experts summarizes the progress of knowledge and practical application of SPCs of antihy-pertensives in Poland. It seems that there will be a long gap in the introduction of new classes of antihypertensive drugs.

Evaluation of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds in acute coronary syndrome: A two-center, one-year follow-up analysis.

Background: Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) have emerged as a new treatment option in cardiovascular medicine. Nonetheless, there is still limited data on the use of these novel devices in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of BVS implantation in patients with ACS.

Patients' knowledge of heart failure and their perception of the disease.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to gain a deeper insight into patients' perception of chronic heart failure (CHF) symptoms by analyzing their compliance with nonpharmacological recommendations.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective, single-center survey-based registry. Patients included in this study were hospitalized between December 2014 and January 2016 at the 1 Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Lord's Transfiguration, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, and had been diagnosed with CHF at least 3 months prior to inclusion.