The influence of physical training on endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Background: Endothelial damage is the key factor in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Regular physical activity exerts beneficial direct and indirect effects on, among others, cardiovascular system, locomotor system, lipids, carbohydrate and hormonal balance, maintenance of a proper body weight as well as immunological system.

Objectives: The aim of the study included evaluating the effect of a regular, two-month physical training on endothelial function parameters in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

In vitro photodynamic therapy with chlorin e6 leads to apoptosis of human vascular smooth muscle cells.

Percutaneous coronary intervention has become the most common and widely implemented method of heart revascularization. However, the development of restenosis remains the major limitation of this method. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) recently emerged as a new and promising method for the prevention of arterial restenosis.

The influence of a tilt training programme on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity in patients with vasovagal syncope.

Objective: We assessed the influence of short-term and long-term tilt training on the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in vasovagal patients.

Methods And Results: Thirty-nine patients (28 F, 11 M) aged 39.7 +/- 11.

Idiopathic pulmonary artery aneurysm.

Pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) is an uncommon lesion, which may be associated with different etiologies including congenital cardiovascular diseases, systemic vasculitis, connective tissue diseases, infections, and trauma. Idiopathic PAA is sporadically diagnosed by exclusion of concomitant major pathology. We report a case of a 56-year-old female with an idiopathic pulmonary artery dilatation identified fortuitously by echocardiography and confirmed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

Electrocardiographic characteristics of atrioventricular block induced by tilt testing.

Aims: The electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics of atrioventricular (AV) block during reflex syncope may be unique due to the presence of hypervagotonia. The aim of the present study was to define the ECG characteristics of the AV block induced by neurocardiogenic reflex provoked by tilt testing (TT).

Methods And Results: A series of 31 patients with presumed vasovagal syncope and AV block provoked by TT was studied.

Plasma levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 and their relationship with left ventricular diastolic function in patients with stable angina pectoris and preserved left ventricular systolic performance.

Aims: The role of inflammation--a key factor underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) and systolic heart failure--in promotion of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction has not been investigated extensively so far. The aim of this study was: (i) to evaluate plasma levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 in patients with stable CAD and preserved LV systolic function and (ii) to assess their relationships with LV diastolic function.

Methods: The study population consisted of 126 patients with single vessel and 58 patients with multivessel stable CAD and LV ejection fraction >50%, and 39 healthy controls.

[Plasma urotensin II level in patients with chronic congestive heart failure].

Urotensin II (UTII) is recently discovered neurohumoral factor influencing function and structure of the myocardium and remodeling of the vessels, and it may contribute to pathogenesis of chronic congestive heart failure. The aim of the study was estimation of plasma concentration of UTII in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. The investigations were performed on 79 patients (37 women and 42 men) aged 43-87 yr.

[The contribution of inflammatory process in pathogenesis and natural history of atrial fibrillation].

The inflammatory process plays important role in pathogenesis of some cardiovascular diseases. Atrial fibrillation is atrial arrhythmia with rapid, asynchronous activation of atrial myocytes. The inflammatory process can be responsible for atrial electrical and anatomical remodeling and therefore shifts towards arrhythmia persistence.

[The influence of occupational lead exposure on transmural repolarization dispersion].

Unlabelled: The parts of QT interval: time from Q wave to the peak of T wave (QTp) representing the de- and repolarization of subepicardial layer and the time from the peak of T wave to its end (QTp-e) building the transmural dispersion of repolarization enable more exact assessment of repolarization period of the heart muscle. Occupational exposure to lead influences the electrophysiologic properties of the heart. The aim of our study was to assess the QTp and QTp-e interval in workers occupationally exposed to lead.

Chemokines and left ventricular function in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Leukocytes are activated in the inflammatory process involving locally atherosclerotic lesions through adhesive molecules attaching to the surface of endothelial cells, especially during acute myocardial infarction. The aim of the study was to assess MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, and RANTES serum levels in patients with STEMI and to correlate them with the severity of left ventricle (LV) dysfunction.

Methods: Forty patients were initially divided into two groups, with group 1 having an ejection fraction (EF) above 40% and group 2 an EF of 40% or less.

The pattern of activation of the sympathetic nervous system during tilt-induced syncope.

A 49-year-old patient with a history of situational syncope and minimal electrocardiographic signs of accessory pathway is described. The evidence for pre-excitation was present only during the sympathetic activation caused by exercise testing and isoprenaline infusion. This phenomenon served as an indicator of significant adrenergic drive to the heart after the tilt-induced syncope.

[The leptin concentration in patients with primary arterial hypertension].

Unlabelled: Leptin seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension by activation of the sympathetic nervous system, influencing water - electrolyte balance and vascular remodeling. It is not known whether leptin is a factor participating in the pathogenesis of primary arterial hypertension or its higher concentration in patients with arterial hypertension reflects only the presence of other factors leading to increased blood pressure. The aim of the study was to try to estimate the leptin participation in the development of the arterial hypertension, to evaluate the concentration of leptin in blood serum of patients with mild, moderate and severe arterial hypertension and to determine the relationships between the observed leptin concentration, arterial hypertension degree according to WHO criteria and body mass.

[Life saving angioplasty of left main coronary artery in a high risk patient].

A case a of a life-saving angioplasty of left main coronary artery (LMCA) is presented. A 75 year old patient with a history of diabetes, previous CABG and carotid surgery was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of early post-infarct angina. Coronary angiography revealed significant stenosis of LMCA, in addition to previously known multi-vessel diffuse CAD.

Platelet aggregation and P-selectin levels during exercise treadmill test in patients with ischaemic heart disease.

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with higher platelet activation sometimes despite aspirin use. There are conflicting data concerning platelet activation course during physical exercise in patients on aspirin with CAD.

Aim: To assess platelet activation pattern during physical exercise in patients with CAD.

[Successful percutaneous angioplasty of renal artery in a patient with severe arterial hypertension and symptoms of hyperaldosteronism: a case report].

Arterial hypertension may result from renal artery stenosis. In this type of hypertension renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is activated and patients often produce signs of hyperaldosteronism. It must be distinguished from primary hyperaldosteronism in order to chose a proper therapy.

Efficacy of tilt training in patients with vasovagal syncope.

Background: Besides pharmacological therapy and pacemaker implantation, tilt training is a promising method of treatment in patients with vasovagal syncope (VVS). Tilt training is usually offered to patients with malignant or recurrent VVS which impairs their quality of life and carries a risk of injury.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of tilt training in patients with VVS.

Aspirin failure course during exercise and its connection with soluble CD40L.

Introduction: The aspirin failure (resistance) is a still discussed and highly studied problem. This phenomenon is observed in rest, but could be precipitated by an exercise. The aspirin resistance was also linked with the inflammatory process which is a key event for the atherosclerosis development.

Influence of tilt training on activation of the autonomic nervous system in patients with vasovagal syncope.

Objective: Tilt training is a new treatment for vasovagal syncope. Its therapeutic efficacy is thought to be the result of the desensitization of cardiopulmonary receptors, but it could be the influence of the tilt training on the activation of the autonomic nervous system as well.

Methods And Results: The study group consisted of 24 vasovagal patients (17 women and 7 men) aged 32.

Abnormalities of pulmonary venous flow in patients with lone atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Mechanisms underlying lone atrial fibrillation (LAF) are poorly defined. We sought to investigate indices of left atrial (LA) function in patients with recurrent LAF, in comparison with that in healthy subjects.

Methods And Results: Investigations were performed in 42 patients aged 51.

[Myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery and dobutamine-induced left ventricular outflow tract gradient -- a case report].

We present a case of a 47-year-old patient with arterial hypertension and progressive ST segment changes with a T wave inversion during 2 years of observation. Coronary angiography showed myocardial bridging of LAD and no significant coronary artery stenosis. During subsequent two last years the patient was repeatedly hospitalised due to chest pain.

[The influence of deterioration of clinical condition on the change of revascularisation method in coronary artery disease].

A case of a 52-year old woman with diabetes mellitus and symptomatic, multivessel coronary disease is presented. The patient underwent coronary angiography. Taking in consideration the intensity of atherosclerotic lesions and vessels diameter, she was initially selected for cardiovascular surgery.

[Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity during head-up tilt testing in patients with vasovagal syncope].

Unlabelled: The stimulation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system during tilt table test is caused by sympathetic nervous system activation by orthostatic stress and a serotonin release as well. In healthy individuals increase of plasma renin activity during test with maximal values on the peak of the test was described.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the activation of RAAS in patients with neurally mediated syncope during the tilt table test by means of plasma renin activity and serum aldosterone levels.