Characteristics of patients diagnosed for cardiac cause of ischemic neurological events and prescreened with a transcranial Doppler examination.

Introduction: Screening for patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients with ischemic neurological events is becoming more common.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate clinical characteristics and atrial septum anatomy in relation to age and presence of PFO, as well as factors associated with a history of stroke in patients assessed for cardiac causes of ischemic neurological events.

Patients And Methods: A total of 817 patients with a history of neurological episodes (stroke, transient ischemic attack [TIA], or migraine) were prescreened using transcranial Doppler ultrasound.

Atrial septum anatomy as a predictor of ischemic neurological episodes in patients with a patent foramen ovale.

Background: The correlation between atrial septum anatomy and the risk of ischemic neurological events remains underexplored.

Aims: This study aimed to examine both the functional and anatomical attributes of the atrial septum and identify predictors of stroke and/or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in patients diagnosed with patent foramen ovale (PFO).

Methods: A total of 155 patients diagnosed with PFO, with a cardiological cause of neurological events, were enrolled.

Experience in patent foramen ovale closure with the CERA Lifetech occluder in patients with cryptogenic stroke.

Introduction: Nowadays, percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients after cryptogenic stroke is becoming a dominating strategy. The most commonly used and investigated device is the Amplatzer occluder. However, several other devices have been designed for transcatheter closure of PFO, which are not so well examined.

Recurrent cerebrovascular events in patients with a history of cryptogenic stroke or transient ischemic attack and patent foramen ovale in a long‑term follow‑up.

Introduction: Cryptogenic stroke may be associated with a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Both cardiovascular risk factors and transcatheter closure of PFO may have an impact on the risk of recurrent cerebrovascular events.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence and risk factors of recurrent cerebrovascular events (rCVE) in patients with a history of cryptogenic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and PFO.

Impact of percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure on migraine headaches in patients with history of ischemic neurological events.

Introduction: Observational studies have shown that migraine has been associated with patent foramen ovale (PFO). Whilst studies investigating PFO closure for the treatment of migraine have been neutral, there is some evidence that symptoms of migraine may improve if the PFO was closed after ischemic stroke.

Aim: To establish whether closure of PFO in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is associated with reduction in the severity of co-existent migraine headaches.

Early Stage of Atherosclerosis in Aortocoronary Saphenous Vein Grafts: Intravascular Ultrasound Study.

Introduction: Angiographically visible plaques in patent vein grafts are usually detected years after surgery. Our aim was to examine early plaque formation in vein grafts.

Methods: Bypass angiography and intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) examination were performed on 77 aortocoronary saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) implanted in 36 patients during the first 2 years after CABG.

Temporal healing patterns and coverage dynamics after new Polish transcatheter PFO occluder implantation in a swine.

Background: Although currently used devices for interventional closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) are widely used due to the minimally invasive nature of this technique and high success rate, there is still a need to look for new materials and designs in order to improve the treatment outcomes.

Aim: To evaluate the safety, biocompatibility, temporal healing patterns, and coverage dynamics of the new Polish PFO occluder (Balton, Warsaw, Poland) in a swine model - an observation that may assist the decision with regard to its first-in-human use and duration of anticoagulation therapy.

Methods: In total, 12 pigs were scheduled for 28-day (n = 6) and 90-day follow-up (n = 6).

Neointima development in externally stented saphenous vein grafts.

Introduction: The main limitation of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is rapid neointimal hyperplasia leading to graft failure.

Aim: To assess plaque formation in saphenous vein grafts (SVG) covered by an external Dacron stent in comparison with the classical technique.

Material And Methods: In the study group vein grafts covered by external stent mesh made of Dacron were implanted.

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.

Periprocedural and late complications after percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale: a single centre experience.

Background: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a potential risk factor for ischaemic stroke in young individuals. An interventional method of secondary stroke prevention in PFO patients is its percutaneous closure.

Aim: To assess safety and effectiveness (i.

Percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage to prevent ischaemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who require but have contraindications to oral anticoagulation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a five-fold increased risk for stroke due to cardioembolic events. Most strokes in patients with AF arise from thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Oral anticoagulation is a standard treatment of AF patients with high risk of stroke.

Risk factors of asymptomatic restenosis in patients with first anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: The issue of predicting coronary artery restenosis, especially silent, in patients following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been extensively studied, however, risk factors have not been fully defined.

Aim: To asses the frequency of silent restenosis and its predictors in patients with anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary PCI and implantation of bare metal stents (BMS).

Methods: We recruited a cohort of 114 patients with first anterior STEMI treated with primary PCI within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms, and with the left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion (TIMI 0) and successful flow restoration (TIMI 3).

Predictive value of ischemic mitral regurgitation during the acute phase of ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary coronary intervention for left ventricular remodeling in long-term follow-up.

Unlabelled: Reperfusion therapy, mainly primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), has improved survival and lowered complication rate in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Nevertheless, some patients develop left ventricular remodeling (LVR) during long-term follow-up.

Aims: To assess the incidence of ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) in the acute phase of STEMI treated with primary PCI.

Altered fibrin clot structure/function in patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke.

Background And Purpose: We tested the hypothesis that fibrin structure/function is unfavorably altered in patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke.

Methods: Ex vivo plasma fibrin clot permeability, turbidimetry, and efficiency of fibrinolysis were determined in 89 patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) and a history of first-ever stroke, 58 patients with first-ever stroke and no PFO, and 120 healthy controls.

Results: Stroke patients, evaluated 3 to 19 months after the event, and controls did not differ with regard to age, sex, smoking, and fibrinogen.

[Results of treating myocardial infarction patients with ST segment elevation in Górnoślaskim Ośrodku Kardiologii in Katowice].

Background: Reperfusion therapy reduces mortality rate in patients with acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI).

Aim: The aim of the study was to access the early outcome of patiens (pts) with STEMI admitted to Upper Silesian Cardiology Centre in 2002.

Methods: 957 pts with AMI were enrolled into the study.