Clinical characteristics of patients with myocardial infarction treated in the regional hospital of Radomszczanski District in 2007-2009.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for about 50% of deaths in Poland. The clinical picture of coronary heart disease has been changing over recent years.

Aim: To assess the changes of the clinical characteristics of myocardial infarction (MI) in the population of Radomszczanski District in 2007-2009.

[Role of echocardiography in monitoring of cardiac toxicity of cancer pharmacotherapy. Expert consensus statement of the Polish Clinical Forum for Cardiovascular Imaging].

Recent oncology development results in significant reduction of morbidity and mortality of several kinds of cancer. Such great achievements are at the cost of frequent cardiotoxicity, which predominantly is manifested as cardiomyopathy, cardiac dysfunction and heart failure (HF). Cardiotoxicity may manifest early - during treatment or late - after treatment completion.

Heart remodeling induced by adjuvant trastuzumab-containing chemotherapy for breast cancer overexpressing human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2: a prospective study.

We aimed to investigate the cardiac changes in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer treated with trastuzumab in an adjuvant setting. Two hundred and fifty-three women with HER2-positive breast cancer were included. The assessment of cardiovascular system and echocardiography were performed and compared at baseline, at the termination of trastuzumab therapy and 6 months latter.

[Cardioverter-defibrillator in the treatment of arrhythmia induced by trastuzumab used in the adjuvant setting in a patient with positive human epidermal growth factor receptor type-2 breast cancer].

A case of a 36-year old woman with HER2-positive early breast cancer treated with adjuvant trastuzumab left ventricle dysfunction and cardiac arrest in ventricular fibrillation mechanism is presented. After having been successfully resuscitated, trastuzumab therapy was withheld, pharmacotherapy (beta-blocker, ACE-I) implemented and ICD was implanted. Echocardiography performed 6 months later, revealed normal systolic function of the left ventricle.

Cardiac complications associated with trastuzumab in the setting of adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer overexpressing human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 - a prospective study.

Introduction: Trastuzumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody, is targeted against the external domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2). It improves efficacy of HER2-positive breast cancer treatment. The authors present their experience with patients (pts) treated with trastuzumab in the aspects of cardiac complications.

Left atrial size in hypertension and stroke.

Introduction: An enlarged left atrium is associated with increased risk for stroke. However, there are controversies regarding how left atrial size should be measured.

Material And Methods: Echocardiography and carotid artery ultrasound were performed in 120 patients with essential hypertension (HT group) and in 64 hypertensive patients admitted with a first-ever ischemic stroke (HT-stroke group).

Left atrial and left atrial appendage systolic function in patients with post-myocardial distal blocks.

Introduction: The study aimed to evaluate function of the left atrium (LA) and of the left atrial appendage (LAA) after myocardial infarction (MI) complicated by intracardiac conduction disturbances.

Material And Methods: The study comprised 59 patients with persistent post-myocardial distal blocks, who were allocated to one of the three following subgroups: study group I - 20 patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB); study group II - 20 patients with right bundle branch block (RBBB), and study group III -19 pts with left anterior hemiblock (LAHB). The control groups included patients with MI in their history and no BBBs (19 pts - group IV) and clinically healthy people (16 patients - group V).

High sensitivity C-reactive protein, NT-proBNP and hemodynamic left ventricular function in acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation - a preliminary report.

Background: Prognostic factors in acute coronary syndromes have been the subject of interest in cardiology over the last few years. Our study aimed to compare humoral marker concentration shifts (hsCRP, Nt-proBNP) and hemodynamic left ventricular systolic function index changes, determined by means of echocardiography in the first hours of acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Material/methods: The study comprised 33 patients with ACS without ST segment elevation.

Prognostic value of NT-proBNP levels in patients undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation.

Introduction: Several reports confirmed the prognostic value of the N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide prohormone (NT-proBT) in various patient populations. Patients with medical indications for implantation of an artificial cardiac pacemaker are at high risk of cardiovascular events. There is limited data assessing the prognostic value of NT-proBNP in this group.

Correlation analysis of atrial natriuretic peptide concentration, echocardiographic left atrial and left ventricular dimensions, and renal function parameters in patients after permanent pacemaker implantation.

Background: Atrial endocrine function was established in the second half of the 20th century, confirming the role of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in the physiology of the cardiovascular system. The present study was undertaken to evaluate changes in ANP and echocardiographic parameters within the first month after VVI and DDD pacemaker implantation and to evaluate correlations between the parameters.

Methods: The study population consisted of group I--20 VVI patients aged 71-90 years (mean age 77.

Post-myocardial infarction intraventricular conduction defects and B-type natriuretic peptide levels.

Background: Levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a significant marker of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, may provide information on the severity of heart failure in patients with intraventricular conduction defects (IVCD).The aim of this study was to measure serum BNP levels in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients with IVCD.

Methods: In 2004-2005 during standard follow-up at 6 mo after acute MI in 158 subjects, BNP was measured using an immunoenzymatic method.

Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide as a marker of myocardial asynchrony.

Objectives: Myocardial asynchrony in postinfarction patients with intraventricular conduction defects (IVCD) may influence plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). The aim of the study is to evaluate asynchrony parameters in postinfarction patients with IVCD and to define the relationship between plasma levels of BNP and echocardiographic parameters of asynchrony.

Methods: The study included 158 patients 6 months after myocardial infarction (MI): 126 patients with IVCD and 32 patients without IVCD.

Does permanent cardiac stimulation through atrial natriuretic peptide secretion influence the basic parameters of renal function?

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate atrial humoral function and renal function after pacemaker implantation due to atrioventricular conduction disturbances. We analyzed blood atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentration and basic parameters of renal function within 1 month of implantation of VVI and DDD pacemakers. We evaluated correlations between blood ANP values and basic renal function parameters.

Myocardial asynchrony in patients with postinfarction intraventricular conduction defects.

Background: Postinfarction intraventricular conduction defects lead to asynchronous activation of the myocardium.

Hypothesis: The aim of the current study is to evaluate contraction asynchrony in postinfarction patients with intraventricular conduction defects.

Methods: A total of 158 patients 6 months postmyocardial infarction and 15 healthy subjects underwent echocardiography to evaluate atrioventricular, interventricular, intraventricular asynchrony, and myocardial performance index (MPI).

[Perioperative cardiac arrhythmias in patients undergoing surgical treatment for lung cancer].

Introduction: Thoracic surgery is associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Cardiac arrhythmias are the most common and severe complications in early postoperative period.

Objectives: Evaluation of the prevalence and causes of cardiac arrythmias, factors that predispose to their occurrence and their influence on general state of health in short-term postoperative period.

[Thyrometabolic disorders and heart failure].

Thyroid hormones are essential to maintain normal function of many systems including the cardiovascular system. Their excess or deficiency may upset human body homeostasis. Hyperthyroidism leads to cardiovascular system's hyperdynamic status which is characterized by tachycardia, increased difference between systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, significant increase of the stroke volume and improvement of the left ventricular diastolic function.

NT-proBNP plasma levels and echocardiographic assessment of cardiac function in patients after renal transplantation.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the most important causes of death in patients with chronic renal disease (CRD). Successful renal transplantation (RTx) corrects water and electrolyte disturbances and decreases or eliminates anaemia. It favourably influences cardiac haemodynamics and reduces risk of cardiovascular events.

Atrial natriuretic peptide for monitoring cardiovascular system performance following pacemaker implantation.

Background: The effects of different modes of pacing on cardiac performance have been investigated in a few small studies, and the results are not conclusive.

Aim: To assess the effects of different modes of pacing on atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) plasma concentration and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods: The study group consisted of 55 subjects without symptomatic CHF.

Adenosine-activated myocardial ischemia does not induce delayed preconditioning.

Background: Our objective was to determine whether adenosine-induced ischemia exerts a delayed cardiac protective effect in patients with stable effort angina ischemic heart disease.

Material/methods: The study group was comprised of 32 patients (men) with symptoms of stable effort angina, aged 38-65 years (Group 1), and 18 clinically healthy subjects (3 women, 15 men), aged 35-55 years (Control group). The study protocol included baseline ECG and treadmill echocardiogram (ET1); ECG and adenosine echocardiogram performed 7 days after ET1; repeated exercise test exactly 24 h after adenosine infusion (ET2).

Evaluation of the effect of flights in supersonic fighters on sinus rhythm variability parameters.

Heart rate variability is a widely used method to evaluate vagal and sympathetic influences on the heart. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of autonomic nervous system components' interaction in supersonic fighter pilots by means of a sinus rhythm variability analysis. The following frequency domain parameters were analyzed: low-frequency (LF) power spectral of 0.