Therapeutic Strategies for Retinal Artery Occlusion-A Literature Review.

Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is an emergency condition causing acute retinal ischemia and is considered an equivalent of ischemic stroke. The occurrence of an episode of RAO is associated with significant impairment of visual functions and correlates with an increased risk of future vascular events. Although RAO requires immediate diagnosis and treatment, there are currently no clear guidelines specifying optimal management.

Interplay between gender and pollution on the prognosis of resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: Differences between men and women in prognosis after sudden pre-hospital out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have been described in many studies, but the interplay between gender and pollution have not been characterized in detail. We aimed at appraising the interplay between gender and pollution on the prognosis of OHCA.

Methods: Details on patients with OHCA in whom return of spontaneous circulation was obtained and transferred to a large teaching hospital were obtained from the medical charts of the ambulance service and the Polish National Health Fund.

The Impact of a Single Haemodialysis Session on the Retinal Thickness and Optic Nerve Morphology.

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of a single haemodialysis (HD) session on the retinal and optic nerve morphology in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients.

Methods: It is a prospective study including only the right eye of 35 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients subjected to HD. Each patient underwent a full eye examination 30 min before HD (8 a.

Oral anticoagulation therapy in atrial fibrillation patients at high risk of bleeding: Clinical characteristics and treatment strategies based on data from the Polish multicenter register of atrial fibrillation (POL-AF).

Background: Despite its benefits, oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with hemorrhagic complications.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate clinical characteristics of AF patients at high risk of bleeding and the frequency of OAC use as well as identify factors that predict nonuse of OACs in these patients.

Methods: Consecutive AF patients hospitalized for urgent or planned reasons in cardiac centers were prospectively included in the registry in 2019.

The Haemodialysis Session Effect on the Choroidal Thickness and Retinal and Choroidal Microcirculation-A Literature Review.

Haemodialysis (HD) is currently the most commonly used method of renal replacement therapy. The process of dialysis involves numerous changes that affect many systems, including the eye. The changes occurring in the course of HD may affect the ocular parameters, such as intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, retinal thickness, retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, and choroidal thickness (CT).

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Remodelling for the Prognosis of Maintaining Sinus Rhythm after Electrical Cardioversion in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common atrial tachyarrhythmia. One of the methods of AF treatment is direct current cardioversion (DCCV), but in the long-term follow-up we observe quite a high percentage of AF recurrences after this procedure. In order to assess the prognosis of DCCV effectiveness, we use clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic parameters.

Long-term mortality after retinal artery occlusion - a single centre study.

Introduction And Objective: Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is an ophthalmic and systemic emergency requiring urgent diagnosis and treatment. Data regarding mortality in this group, especially in the European population, are modest. The aim of this study is to assess all-cause mortality in post-RAO patients.

Anticoagulant Treatment in Patients with AF and Very High Thromboembolic Risk in the Era before and after the Introduction of NOAC: Observation at a Polish Reference Centre.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of stroke. Therefore, patients with AF require appropriate management and anticoagulant therapy. To balance therapy risks and benefits, oral anticoagulants (OAC) treatment should be 'tailored' in patients at a high risk of stroke and bleeding.

Long-Term Outcomes after Stroke in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Single Center Study.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is known to be a significant risk factor for poor prognosis after stroke. In this study, we compared differences in long-term outcomes after ischemic stroke among patients with AF and sinus rhythm (SR). We identified patients admitted to the reference Neurology Center between 1 January 2013 and 30 April 2015, inclusive, with acute ischemic stroke.

Echocardiographic predictors of thrombus in left atrial appendage-The role of novel transthoracic parameters.

Introduction: The left atrium appendage thrombus (LAAT) formation is a complex process. A CHADS-VASc scale is an established tool for determining the thromboembolic risk and initiation of anticoagulation treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF/AFL). We aimed to identify whether any transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) parameters could have an additional impact on LAAT detection.

Left Atrial Wall Motion Velocity Assessed during Atrial Fibrillation Predicts Sinus Rhythm Maintenance after Electrical Cardioversion in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Reduced left atrial wall motion velocity measured during AF (LAWMV) indicates left atrial remodeling. The aim of this study was to investigate whether LAWMV assessed with tissue Doppler imaging during atrial fibrillation (AF) predicts sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance after direct current cardioversion (DCCV) for persistent AF. The study included 126 patients who underwent DCCV and were followed for 12 months.

Do Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and a History of Ischemic Stroke Overuse Reduced Doses of NOACs?-Results of the Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) Registry.

Background: The aim of our study was to assess if patients with AF (atrial fibrillation) and a history of ischemic stroke (IS) excessively receive reduced doses of NOACs (non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants).

Methods: The Polish AF (POL-AF) registry is a prospective, observational, multicenter study, including patients with AF from 10 cardiology hospital centers. In this study we focused on patients with IS in their past.

Nine-Year Trends in Prevention of Thromboembolic Complications in Elderly Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Treated with NOACs.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common disease in elderly patients and thromboembolic complication prophylaxis significantly improves the prognosis in these patients. The study assessed the frequency of individual non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) use among patients ≥75 years and attempted to identify factors predisposing to their prescription.

Methods: The data of patients with non-valvular AF hospitalized in the reference cardiology center between 2011 and 2019 were analyzed.

Heart failure and the risk of left atrial thrombus formation in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of left atrial thrombus (LAT) on transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (AF/AFl) with reference to the presence of heart failure (HF) and its subtypes.

Methods And Results: The research is a sub-study of the multicentre, prospective, observational Left Atrial Thrombus on Transoesophageal Echocardiography (LATTEE) registry, which comprised 3109 consecutive patients with AF/AFl undergoing TOE prior to direct current cardioversion or catheter ablation. TOE parameters, including presence of LAT, were compared between patients with and without HF and across different subtypes of HF, including HF with preserved (HFpEF), mid-range (HFmrEF), and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Retinal Artery Occlusion and Its Impact on the Incidence of Stroke, Myocardial Infarction, and All-Cause Mortality during 12-Year Follow-Up.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality in patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO). This single-center retrospective study included 139 patients diagnosed with RAO between 2009 and 2020. The control group included 139 age- and sex-matched patients without RAO who underwent cataract surgery.

Association of Hyperuricemia with Impaired Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Preserved Kidney Function: Analysis of the POL-AF Registry Cohort.

Hyperuricemia is associated with the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure. However, coexisting chronic kidney disease and certain cardiovascular drugs make it difficult to determine whether hyperuricemia is a risk factor or merely a marker of pathology. We retrieved data from the Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) registry, which included consecutive patients hospitalized with AF from January to December, 2019.

Left Atrial Thrombus in Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter Patients in Relation to Anticoagulation Strategy: LATTEE Registry.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and flutter (AFl) increase the risk of thromboembolism. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of left atrial thrombus (LAT) in AF/AFl in relation to oral anticoagulation (OAC). Methods: LATTEE (NCT03591627) was a multicenter, prospective, observational study enrolling consecutive patients with AF/AFl referred for transesophageal echocardiography before cardioversion or ablation.

Temporal Trends in Oral Anticoagulant Prescription in Atrial Fibrillation Patients between 2004 and 2019.

Background: In the recent years, antithrombotic prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has changed significantly. The main aim of this study is to assess the temporal trends of antithrombotic therapy and identify factors predisposing oral anticoagulant (OAC) use in stroke prevention in AF patients.

Methods: The present study is a retrospective, observational, single-center study, which includes consecutively hospitalized patients in the reference cardiology center from January 2004 to December 2019.

Long-term outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction and no ischemic changes on electrocardiogram.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is commonly associated with ischemic abnormalities on electrocardiography (ECG). However, a significant proportion of patients present with no ischemic changes (NIC), and their baseline characteristics and management differ considerably from those with other ECG patterns. In the era of rapid troponin assays, the exact prognostic effects of normal ECGs remain unclear.

Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection as a preferable method of treatment for iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms after invasive cardiovascular procedures - a single-center experience.

Introduction: Arterial cannulation is inherently associated with a risk of vascular complications including pseudoaneurysm (psA) that are encountered in both radial and femoral artery access. Among various methods of treatment of pseudoaneurysm the most popular are: watchful waiting for a spontaneous resolution, ultrasound-guided compression, ultrasound-guided thrombin injection (UGTI) and surgical treatment. In many previous reports nonsurgical methods appeared to be effective in most cases.

Why Did All Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and High Risk of Stroke Not Receive Oral Anticoagulants? Results of the Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) Registry.

Background: Most atrial fibrillation (AF) patients are at high risk of thromboembolic, and the use of oral anticoagulants (OACs) is advised in such cases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency at which OACs were used in patients with AF and high risk thromboembolic complications, and identify factors that result in OACs not being used in the researched group of patients.

Methods: The prospective, multicenter and non-interventional POL-AF registry is a study that includes AF patients from ten Polish cardiology centers.

Analysis of the Correlation of Galectin-3 Concentration with the Measurements of Echocardiographic Parameters Assessing Left Atrial Remodeling and Function in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Galectin-3 (gal-3) is a fibrosis marker and may play a role in fibrosis of the left atrium (LA). Left atrial wall fibrosis may influence the transition from paroxysmal to non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, we assessed the correlation of gal-3 concentration with the main echocardio-graphic parameters evaluating dimensions, volume, compliance, and left atrial contractility during AF and after successful electrical cardioversion (DCCV).