Mean platelet volume and its prognostic value in acute coronary syndrome complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Background: Elevated mean platelet volume (MPV) has been recently discussed as a predictor of death in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but the cut-off point of MPV in relation to poor prognosis has not been estimated so far. The aim of this study was to evaluate MPV and its prognostic value in ACS complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). Such an analysis in patients with the most serious and fatal complication of ACS has not been performed inpreviously published research.

Vitamin D level and extent of coronary stenotic lesions in patients with first acute myocardial infarction.

Background: The study aimed to examine the relationship between vitamin D levels and the extent of coronary stenotic lesions in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Experimental evidence points to the involvement of multiple factors in coronary plaque formation, including vitamin D. Little is known, however, about the association of vitamin D level with the intensity of atherosclerosis.

Concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Unlabelled: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a regulator of vascular formation in physiological and pathological conditions. The aim of our study was to evaluate the value of VEGF as a surrogate marker of myocardial injury in acute ischemic conditions.

Materials And Methods: In 104 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with and without ST segment elevation (STEMI and NSTEMI) the plasma and serum human VEGF (hVEGF) concentration was measured two times i.

A severe complication after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (Part 2).

We report the case of a 70-year-old woman with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction of the anterior wall, complicated by ventricular septal rupture (two septal defects--VSDs) with symptoms of cardiogenic shock. After 6 weeks of conservative treatment with inotropes and intra-aortic balloon support, the patient underwent surgical repair of VSDs with good clinical outcome.

Coronary artery fistula in a 70 year-old woman with myocardial infarction.

Coronary artery fistulas are infrequent congenital malformations. We present the case of a patient with acute coronary syndrome and fistula between the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the pulmonary artery. The fistula was diagnosed during coronary angiography.

Early implementation of continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration improves outcome in patients with heart failure complicated by acute kidney injury.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication of heart failure (HF). Continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) is a widely accepted method for treating this complication. However, the optimal time of its initiation has not been established.

A severe complication after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (Part 1).

We report the case of a 70-year-old woman with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction of the anterior wall, complicated by ventricular septal rupture (two septal defects--VSDs) with symptoms of cardiogenic shock. After 6 weeks of conservative treatment with inotropes and intra-aortic balloon support, the patient underwent surgical repair of VSDs with good clinical outcome.