Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale using the internal jugular venous approach.

Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale is routinely performed using the transfemoral approach, which is safe and technically easy. Our case represents the rare situation where the procedure needs to be performed using the right internal jugular venous approach. According to our best knowledge this is the first report of a patent foramen ovale closure procedure with access through the internal jugular with necessity to advance the guide wire and transseptal sheath into the left ventricle.

Comparison of early and long-term results of percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction, complicated or not by cardiogenic shock.

Objectives: Cardiogenic shock (CS) still remains one of the most important factors affecting the mortality rate of patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the data with follow-up longer than 1 year are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early and long-term treatment results of patients with STEMI, complicated or not by CS, who underwent percutaneus coronary interventions.

Comparison of primary balloon angioplasty with bailout stenting strategy to primary coronary stenting strategy in the treatment of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Background: In recent years significant progress has been made in invasive treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Primary coronary stenting is currently a routine strategy which replaced primary balloon angioplasty with bailout stenting preferred in the past. Studies comparing these two strategies of stenting in AMI are scarce.

Comparison of outcomes of direct stenting versus stenting after balloon predilation in patients with acute myocardial infarction (DIRAMI).

Due to recent advances in stent design, stenting without balloon predilation (direct stenting) has become more extensively used in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We performed a randomized study with broad inclusion criteria and early randomization after presentation to compare direct stenting with stenting after balloon predilation in patients with AMI. A total of 248 patients was randomized.

Effects of direct stenting on epicardial and myocardial perfusion in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Results of studies comparing direct stenting (DS) with conventional stenting (CS) after balloon predilatation in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) have been reported in the past, however they are conflicting. There are only few randomised studies that aim to answer whether DS improves epicardial and myocardial patency.

Aim: To assess the effects of DS on epicardial and myocardial patency in patients with acute MI.

Importance of complete revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: The role of incomplete revascularization (ICR) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is controversial. We evaluated the impact of ICR on short- and long-term outcome in patients with AMI and multivessel disease (MVD) treated with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) during index hospital stay.

Methods: Single-center observational study covered 798 patients with MVD selected from 1486 consecutive patients with AMI treated with PCI.

[Value of electrocardiography in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism].

Diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism is difficult. The aim of the study was analysis of electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in patients with acute pulmonary embolism and analysis of correlations between electrocardiographic changes and pulmonary angiography and pulmonary artery pressure. ECG in 22 patients aged 47 +/- 13 years old (9 women and 13 men) with confirmed pulmonary embolism and without pre-existing cardiorespiratory diseases were analyzed.

Myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes. Results of primary coronary angioplasty.

Background: Although the introduction of primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) improved the outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), diabetes remains a significant factor which worsens prognosis.

Aim: To compare the immediate and in-hospital results of PCI in patients with acute MI with or without diabetes.

Methods: The outcome of 139 patients with diabetes and 528 patients without diabetes was compared.

[Comparison of coronary angioplasty results in two groups of patients with myocardial infarction: aged 40 years or younger, and older than 40 years--an in-hospital observation].

The aim of the study was a comparison of coronary angioplasty as the method of myocardial infarction treatment in the two groups of patients: 1st--aged 40 years and younger, and 2nd--older than 40 years of age. The 1st group consisted of 50 patients in the mean age of 36.5 +/- 3.

[Cardiogenic shock in the course of myocardial infarction--the results of treatment during hospitalization and in long-term follow-up].

Unlabelled: Cardiogenic shock develops in 5-15% of patients hospitalised with acute myocardial infarction. It is responsible for more than a half of all hospital deaths with survival rate of about 20%. Conventional medical therapy with use of adrenergic, vasoactive, inotropic and thrombolytic agents has failed to improve survival.

Outcomes of primary coronary angioplasty and angioplasty after initial thrombolysis in the treatment of 374 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: In patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), the efficacy of thrombolysis is low. Angioplasty after failed thrombolysis (rescue percutaneous coronary angioplasty [PTCA]) has been associated with an increase in the incidence of inhospital complications. It has been proposed that these complications result from the procedure itself.