Percutaneous angioplasty of chronically occluded coronary arteries: long-term clinical follow-up.

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of a chronic total occlusion (CTO) is one of the most demanding procedures in interventional cardiology. In spite of growing experience and technological progress, efficacy of PCI of CTO remains lower than that of standard PCI.

Aim: To evaluate long-term clinical results of PCI in patients with stable angina and CTO.

[Factors influencing signal-averaged ECG parameters in hemodialysis patients].

The aim of the present study was to estimate the influence of hemodialysis process (HD) on the signal-averaged ECG (SAECG) parameters and to evaluate possible factors promoting SAECG parameters disturbances in the group of hemodialysis patients (HD-pts). 55 selected HD-pts entered the study. SAECG parameters (QRS duration, root-mean-square of the terminal 40 ms of the QRS--RMS40, low-amplitude signal duration--LAS40), were measured pre and postdialysis.

Effect of haemodialysis on signal-averaged electrocardiogram P-wave parameters.

Background: The P-wave signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) is a non-invasive technique considered to indicate an increased risk for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of the haemodialysis (HD) process on SAECG parameters in the group of selected HD patients.

Methods: Forty-seven HD patients (without relevant cardiac diseases) were included.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for chronic total coronary occlusion in patients with stable angina. Relationship between lesion anatomy, procedure technique and efficacy.

Background: In spite of continuing progress in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), recanalisation of chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) still remains a challenge for invasive cardiologists.

Aim: To analyse the results of PCI of CTO and to assess the relationship between lesion anatomy, procedural technique and efficacy of PCI in patients with stable angina.

Methods: The study group consisted of 460 consecutive patients (81% males, age 25-80 years, 68% with a history of myocardial infarction [MI]), who underwent CTO recanalisation in our institution between 1996 and 2003.

Coronary atherosclerosis in patients with acquired valvular disease.

Background: Coronary atherosclerosis often coexists with acquired valvular disorders. There is growing evidence in literature that these two conditions may have common aetiology.

Aim: To assess the incidence of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with acquired valvular disorders and to compare clinical parameters as well as the prevalence of risk factors between patients with aortic and mitral valve diseases.

[Angina pectoris in patients with aortic valvular stenosis].

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the factors contributing to the development of anginal pain common in patients with aortic valvular stenosis (SOAS).

Methods: The study included 74 consecutive patients, aged 60,5 (+/- 10,7), with severe acquired valvular aortic stenosis (resting maximum systolic pressure gradient above 50 mm Hg) who were referred for evaluation prior to elective cardiac surgery. The history of angina and its severity according to CCS classification and of common atherosclerosis risk factors including: hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, smoking, diabetes mellitus and family history was taken.

[Partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage with atrial septal defect of the sinus venosus type. Diagnostic role of multi-slice spiral computerised tomography--a case report].

A case of a 53-year-old male with a long-lasting pulmonary hypertension of an unknown cause is presented. Both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography as well as cardiac catheterisation failed to document any cardiac defect. Finally, a multi-slice spiral computerised tomography revealed the presence of an anomalous pulmonary vein drainage to the superior vena cava with concomitant inter-atrial septal defect of a sinus venosus type.

Giant left atrial thrombus in advanced mitral stenosis diagnosed by echocardiography and multislice CT--case report.

The paper presents a rare case of the giant left atrial thrombus in the advanced stage of mitral stenosis. The clinical course of the disease was analyzed and the possibilities of imaging the lesions by echocardiography and multi-slice computed tomography were compared.

[Toxicological cardiology].

The general cardiac signs and symptoms of acute drug poisoning and the treatment guidelines were presented in this article. The cardiovascular drugs toxicity and ethano-induced cardiac injury were discussed. The special interest was put on the drugs which cause QT prolongation and induce torsades de piontes (TdP).

Renin-angiotensin system gene polymorphisms: assessment of the risk of coronary heart disease.

Background: Renin-angiotensin system genes are candidate genes in cardiovascular system diseases. Angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen (AGT) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) gene polymorphisms are considered risk factors in coronary heart disease (CHD).

Aim: To evaluate the involvement of the ACE, AGT and AT1R genetic variants in predisposition to CHD as well as their association with other known risk factors.

The influence of nitroglycerin on myocardial 99mTc-Tetrofosmin uptake defects in coronary artery disease.

Nitroglycerin (Ntg) is known to increase blood flow to the hypoperfused myocardial area and thus to reduce regional ischaemia of the heart muscle in coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a therapeutic dose of Ntg on 99mTc-Tetrofosmin uptake defects occurring in patients (pts) with CAD in myocardial SPECT at rest. The study population comprised 34 pts with CAD.

Atrial pacing of transplanted heart.

Unlabelled: Orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) is most effective method for treatment of irreversible heart failure. Patients after OHT considered for permanent pacing consist still present a challenge for the implanting physician due to distorted atrial geometry and specific electrophysiological conditions of atrium. The aim of our study was to analyse the effectiveness of permanent atrial pacing in these patients.

Atrial resynchronization in patients after heart transplantation.

Unlabelled: Lower-Shumway technique (atrioatrial anastomosis) is the most frequently used technique for orthotopic heart transplantation and such a patient has two right atria and two sinus nodes. Sinus node dysfunction (SND) is a frequent finding in pts. after OHT; taking advantage of the frequency of innervated sinus node of recipient's atrial remnant as a natural biosensor for triggered pacing of donor atrium is an interesting option for these pts.