A new approach to the production of a biovital skin graft based on human acellular dermal matrix produced in-house, in vitro revitalized internally by human fibroblasts and keratinocytes on the surface.

Patients with extensive and deep burns who do not have enough donor sites for autologous skin grafts require alternative treatment methods. Tissue engineering is a useful tool to solve this problem. The aim of this study was to find the optimal method for the production of a biovital skin substitute based on acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and in vitro cultured fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

Heterogeneous Mixture of Amniotic Cells is Likely a Better Source of Stem Cells than Adipose Tissue.

Stem cells are increasingly being used in the course of burn treatment. As several different types of stem cells are available for the purposes, it is important to chose the most efficient and the most practicable stem cell type. The aim of this study was to compare the potential of heterogeneous amnion cell mixture with the presently used standard therapy, the adipose tissue-derived stem cells.

Triple-site versus standard cardiac resynchronization therapy study (TRUST CRT): clinical rationale, design, and implementation.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF), lowered LV ejection fraction, and wide QRS. However, many patients (< or =40%) do not respond to this form of pacing. TRUST CRT is a prospective, single-center, randomized, single-blind, parallel, and controlled study that has been designed to treat patients with moderate to severe HF (NYHA III-IV), QRS > or =120 ms, sinus rhythm, LV dysfunction (EF < or = 35%), and signs of mechanical dyssynchrony.

Mid-term outcomes of triple-site vs. conventional cardiac resynchronization therapy: a preliminary study.

Background: The primary objectives of this study were to compare the implantation course of triple-site (double left-single right) and conventional cardiac resynchronization devices. The secondary target was to assess mid-term outcomes of both types of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods: Fifty-four patients with NYHA classes III-IV, left ventricular EFor=120 ms were included; 27 received triple-site pacemakers (TRIV group), 27 conventional CRT devices (BIV group).

Sequence of electrical activation, atrial remodelling and atrial fibrillation in patients with nodal re-entrant tachycardia.

Objective: The objective of the study was to verify, if the particular sequence of electrical atrioventricular activation during tachycardia is associated with the development of atrial remodelling and predisposition to atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT).

Methods And Results: We assessed 117 consecutive patients with AVNRT identified during electrophysiological study. Two groups were identified: the AF group, n = 21 (17.

Triple-site biventricular pacing in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy: a feasibility study.

Aims: To evaluate implantation safety and efficiency of triple-site (double left-single right) cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and to assess the outcome of this procedure.

Methods And Results: Twenty-six patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV, left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) < or = 35%, and QRS > or = 120 ms underwent triple-site CRT. Procedural course and complications were analysed.

Triple site biventricular pacing in a patient with congestive heart failure and severe mechanical dyssynchrony.

We report on a case of a 62-year-old patient with symptomatic heart failure and severe ventricular electrical and mechanical dyssynchrony, who was implanted percutaneously with a triple site (dual-left single-right) resynchronization device. At 3-months follow-up, the patient's functional status improved significantly as shown by subjective and objective tests. Furthermore, this mode of pacing has allowed nearly complete inter- and intraventricular mechanical resynchronization.

Resynchronization or dyssynchronization--successful treatment with biventricular stimulation of a child with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without dyssynchrony.

We present a case of a 10-year-old boy with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, intraventricular pressure gradient of 104 mmHg, and indications for prophylactic ICD implantation. Based on intraoperative pressure measurements, the child was implanted with biventricular ICD. During 2.

Importance of complete revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: The role of incomplete revascularization (ICR) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is controversial. We evaluated the impact of ICR on short- and long-term outcome in patients with AMI and multivessel disease (MVD) treated with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) during index hospital stay.

Methods: Single-center observational study covered 798 patients with MVD selected from 1486 consecutive patients with AMI treated with PCI.

Current developments in microvolt T-wave alternans.

Microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA), the beat-to-beat fluctuation in T wave amplitude and morphology, is closely linked to vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmias in various experimental and clinical conditions. Clinically, MTWA is most commonly measured using the spectral method, although non-spectral methods for its assessment from ambulatory electrocardiographical recordings also have been developed. Recent studies suggest that the quantitative assessment of TWA may also be clinically relevant.

Methods of assessment and clinical relevance of QT dynamics.

The dependence on heart rate of the QT interval has been investigated for many years and several mathematical formulae have been proposed to describe the QT interval/heart rate (or QT interval/RR interval) relationship. While the most popular is Bazett's formula, it overcorrects the QT interval at high heart rates and under-corrects it at slow heart rates. This formulae and many others similar ones, do not accurately describe the natural behaviour of the QT interval.

Correction of high myopia with different phakic anterior chamber intraocular lenses: ICARE angle-supported lens and Verisyse iris-claw lens.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy, predictability and safety of implanting two models of anterior chamber IOLs for high myopia. Comparison of the refractive results between two groups of patients implanted with different IOLs.

Materials And Methods: Forty eyes were implanted with phakic IOLs.

Coronary sinus stenting for the stabilization of left ventricular lead during resynchronization therapy.

We report on two patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy, in whom early (intra-operatively, 64-year-old man) and late (4 months post-operatively, 57-year-old woman) instability of the left ventricular (LV) lead occurred. In order to stabilize the electrodes, stents were deployed in both patients within the coronary sinus, into the space between the lead and the wall of the vein effectively pinning the lead to the wall. During 3 and 5 months of follow-up, the electrodes remained stable and allowed for successful resynchronization in both cases.

Left ventricular mass and hypertrophy assessment by means of the QRS complex voltage-independent measurements.

Unlabelled: ECG QRS-complex voltage-based criteria are relatively insensitive for detection of increased left ventricular mass (LVM). We developed and evaluate a new ECG index for LV hypertrophy (LVH) detection regardless of the QRS voltage.

Methods: Study population consisted of 106 patients (73 m, 33 f, aged 60 +/- 10 years) with established coronary artery disease (CAD).

Circadian and sex-dependent QT dynamics.

The dynamic QT relationship between the QT and RR intervals in normal individuals, including sex differences, has not been well examined. The aim of this Holter monitor-based study was to assess circadian and sex-related variations in QT dynamics in healthy subjects. The study population consisted of 50 healthy volunteers (mean age = 32 +/- 6 years, 25 men), in whom 24-hour digital Holter monitoring and QT interactive, beat-by-beat analyses were performed.

Heart rate variability fraction--a new reportable measure of 24-hour R-R interval variation.

Background: The scatterplot of R-R intervals has several unique features. Its numerical evaluation may produce a new useful index of global heart rate variability (HRV) from Holter recordings.

Methods: Two-hundred and ten middle-aged healthy subjects were enrolled in this study.

Influence of perinatal risk factors on CD3+/TCR alphabeta and CD3+/TCR gammadelta lymphocytes in cord blood of preterm neonates.

Background: The aim of the study was the evaluation of CD3+/TCR alphabeta and CD3+/TCR gammadelta lymphocytes in the cord blood of the preterm neonates.

Methods: The study included 26 term neonates as a control group delivered both by spontaneous labor and by cesarean section and 41 preterm neonates: (i) by cesarean section due to abruptio placentae, (ii) by cesarean section due to the danger of intrauterine asphyxia, (iii) by cesarean section due to preterm rupture of membrane (PROM), and (iv) by spontaneous labor. Immunological analysis was performed in the flow cytometer FACScan, using anti-CD3, anti-TCR alphabeta and anti-TCR gammadelta monoclonal antibodies from Becton Dickinson (San Jose, California USA).

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery -- first experience in Poland.

Background: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery has been introduced to treat various cardiac disorders, predominantly ischaemic heart disease. Its usage in valvular disorders has been only recently proposed.

Aim: To assess safety and efficacy of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.

QT dynamics and the risk of sudden arrhythmic cardiac death in ischemic heart disease.

The relationship between altered QT dynamics and the risk of sudden arrhythmic death has not been established so far. This article describes the behavior of QT dynamics assessed in a patient with ischemic heart disease after two documented cardiac arrests due to sustained ventricular arrhythmia.

Immunosuppressive therapy for heart failure: a guide to patient selection.

Therapy with beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, ACE inhibitors and most recently, spironolactone was established for reducing all-cause mortality in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), improving patient clinical status and inhibiting the disease progression. Unfortunately, despite optimal therapy for CHF in some patients, the disease progresses and, as yet, no conclusive mechanism has been identified for deterioration of cardiac function in patients with heart failure. Defining the cause of CHF in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy may have prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Early and late outcome after microwave ablation for chronic valvular atrial fibrillation.

Background: Microwave energy ablation is one of the newer therapeutic options for surgically treating patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) concomitant with mitral valve disease. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate potential risk factors that may have influenced early as well as remote outcome in a set of patients undergoing microwave energy ablation for chronic AF.

Methods: Patients (n = 42) underwent ablation on an arrested heart concomitant with mitral valve surgery.