Higher admission glycaemia independently of diagnosed or unrecognised diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for failed myocardial tissue reperfusion and higher mortality after primary angioplasty.

Background And Aim: Admission hyperglycaemia worsens reperfusion in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). ST-segment elevation resolution parallels myocardial tissue reperfusion and predicts the outcome of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).

Methods: We investigated whether higher glycaemia on admission impairs tissue-level reperfusion after pPCI for STEMI, as-sessed with the single-lead Schröder method of ST-segment resolution analysis (maxSTE).

Chemotherapy and echocardiographic indices in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: the ONCO-ECHO study.

The cardiotoxicity of chemotherapy (CTx) for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is not well recognized. In order to facilitate individual risk counseling for patients, we analyzed the effect of CTx on echocardiographic indices in regard to clinical data in patients treated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). A prospective multicenter ONCO-ECHO trial included 67 patients with NHL (45 patients with DLBCL (diffuse large B cell lymphoma) and 22 with non-DLBCL).

Alternative Splicing of NOX4 in the Failing Human Heart.

Increased oxidative stress is a major contributor to the development and progression of heart failure, however, our knowledge on the role of the distinct NADPH oxidase (NOX) isoenzymes, especially on NOX4 is controversial. Therefore, we aimed to characterize NOX4 expression in human samples from healthy and failing hearts. Explanted human heart samples (left and right ventricular, and septal regions) were obtained from patients suffering from heart failure of ischemic or dilated origin.

MicroRNA in cardiovascular biology and disease.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are members of a non-coding RNA family. They act as negative regulators of protein translation by affecting messenger RNA (mRNA) stability; they modulate numerous signaling pathways and cellular processes, and are involved in cell-to-cell communication. Thus, studies on miRNAs offer an opportunity to improve our understanding of complex biological mechanisms.

Perventricular Implantation of Melody Valve in Child With Pulmonary Hypertension After a Potts Shunt.

The Potts operation is a surgical option for the treatment of children with suprasystemic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Its positive hemodynamic effect may be obliterated by pulmonary valvar insufficiency. We describe a case in which the Potts shunt was followed by perventricular Melody valve implantation in the pulmonary position in a 12-kg child with a previously repaired truncus arteriosus communis (TAC) in whom PAH developed.

Are heart rate monitors valuable tools for diagnosing arrhythmias in endurance athletes?

Millions of physically active individuals worldwide use heart rate monitors (HRMs) to control their exercise intensity. In many cases, the HRM indicates an unusually high heart rate (HR) or even arrhythmias during training. Unfortunately, studies assessing the reliability of these devices to help control HR disturbances during exercise do not exist.

[Effects of hybrid comprehensive cardiac telerehabilitation conducted under the pension prevention program of the Social Insurance Institution].

Background: The Polish Social Insurance Institution (SII), under its pension prevention initiative, has taken measures to support the patients return to work and thus developed a new model of hybrid, comprehensive, cardiac telerehabilitation (HCCT). The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of HCCT in terms of its acceptance, adherence to and influence on patients' physical capacity and ability to return to work.

Material And Methods: The study included 99 patients, aged 54.

Chronic kidney disease in Polish elderly population aged 75+: results of the WOBASZ Senior Survey.

Purpose: Kidney filtration decreases with age, which results in an increased frequency of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the elderly population. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence and epidemiology of CKD in the Polish elderly population.

Methods: A representative sample of the Polish elderly population, composed of 918 people (F 452, M 466) in the age of ≥75 years, was chosen.

Percutaneous retrieval of centrally embolized fragments of central venous access devices or knotted Swan-Ganz catheters. Clinical report of 14 retrievals with detailed angiographic analysis and review of procedural aspects.

Introduction: Totally implantable venous access systems (TIVAS), Swan-Ganz (SG) and central venous catheters (CVC) allow easy and repetitive entry to the central cardiovascular system. Fragments of them may be released inadvertently into the cardiovascular system during their insertion or as a result of mechanical complications encountered during long-term utilization.

Aim: To present results of percutaneous retrieval of embolized fragments of central venous devices or knotted SG and review the procedural aspects with a series of detailed angiographies.

Combination Testing Using a Single MSH5 Variant alongside HLA Haplotypes Improves the Sensitivity of Predicting Coeliac Disease Risk in the Polish Population.

Assessment of non-HLA variants alongside standard HLA testing was previously shown to improve the identification of potential coeliac disease (CD) patients. We intended to identify new genetic variants associated with CD in the Polish population that would improve CD risk prediction when used alongside HLA haplotype analysis. DNA samples of 336 CD and 264 unrelated healthy controls were used to create DNA pools for a genome wide association study (GWAS).

Acute coronary syndromes in young women - the scale of the problem and the associated risks.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system mainly affect elderly patients, but they are increasingly often encountered in young individuals. It is estimated that 1 in 20 patients with ischemic heart disease is under the age of 45 years. Only 20% of them are women.

The rs12526453 Polymorphism in an Intron of the PHACTR1 Gene and Its Association with 5-Year Mortality of Patients with Myocardial Infarction.

Objective: The rs12526453 (C/G) is a single nucleotide polymorphism in an intron of the PHACTR1 gene (phosphatase and actin regulator 1). The C allele is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease in an unknown mechanism. We investigated its association with long-term overall mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated invasively.

Case report on successful 'bail out' aortic homograft implantation in a 81-year old woman with aortic ring rupture after double TAVI procedure.

A 81-year woman was admitted to our institution due to worsening chronic heart failure. The patient presented herself with severe aortic valve stenosis and mitral valve insufficiency. Due to estimated high operative risk a TAVI approach was chosen.

Challenges in standardization of blood pressure measurement at the population level.

Background: Accurate blood pressure measurements are needed in clinical practice, intervention studies and health examination surveys. Blood pressure measurements are sensitive: their accuracy can be affected by measurement environment, behaviour of the subject, measurement procedures, devices used for the measurement and the observer. To minimize errors in blood pressure measurement, a standardized measurement protocol is needed.

The relationship between audience mentality and attitudes towards healthy lifestyle promotion in the mass media.

Health promoters who use the mass media to encourage people to change their health behaviours usually underestimate the importance of audience's mental predispositions, which may determine their susceptibility to such influences. This paper presents research findings that show how some elements of an audience's mentality are related to their attitudes towards healthy lifestyle promotion in the mass media (HLPMM). The research project, undertaken between 2007 and 2009, comprised: a qualitative study using in-depth interviews (N=30); a self-administered survey on a purposive sample (N=237) and a computer-assisted personal interview or interviewing (CAPI) survey on a representative sample of Polish adult population (N=934).

The use of 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging for therapeutic decisions in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices and significant neurological, neurosurgical and neuro-oncology diagnostic indications.

Between September 2009 and May 2014 the classification of 36 patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) in terms of the feasibility of MRI scanning due to strong clinical indications was carried out. Finally MRI examinations were performed in 20 patients, of whom 27 studies were conducted and a total number of 35 anatomical regions were scanned. Neurological, neurosurgical and neuro-oncology indications for MRI were reported in 19 patients (95%) in whom 26 MRI studies (96.

Early hemodynamic response to the tilt test in patients with syncope.

Introduction: Our aim was to evaluate the differences in the early hemodynamic response to the tilt test (HUTT) in patients with and without syncope using impedance cardiography (ICG).

Material And Methods: One hundred twenty-six patients (72 female/48 male; 37 ±17 years) were divided into a group with syncope (HUTT(+), n = 45 patients) and a group without syncope (HUTT(-), n = 81 patients). ECG and ICG signals were continuously recorded during the whole examination, allowing the calculation of heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), and cardiac output (CO) for every beat.

System of donor hospital transplant coordinators maintained and financed by national transplant organization improves donation rates, but it is effective only in one half of hospitals.

Introduction: In 2010, the system of donor hospital transplant coordinators was implemented in 200 hospitals in Poland on the basis of contracts with Poltransplant.

Methods: This study evaluated whether the system (nationwide, maintained and funded by national organization) is sufficient, improved donation after brain death rates, and hospital activities.

Results: Donation indicators over a 21-month period of coordinators' work were compared with the 21-month period before their employment.

Postoperative coronary aneurysm treated with endovascular coiling.

We present a rare case of aneurysm formation of the circumflex coronary artery after a Bentall procedure. Implantation of a stent graft in the circumflex artery and closure of the aneurysm neck failed. An endovascular procedure was used to coil the aneurysm and prevent rupture.

Does inclusion of education and marital status improve SCORE performance in central and eastern europe and former soviet union? findings from MONICA and HAPIEE cohorts.

Background And Objective: The SCORE scale predicts the 10-year risk of fatal atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), based on conventional risk factors. The high-risk version of SCORE is recommended for Central and Eastern Europe and former Soviet Union (CEE/FSU), due to high CVD mortality rates in these countries. Given the pronounced social gradient in cardiovascular mortality in the region, it is important to consider social factors in the CVD risk prediction.