Atrial fibrillation type and renal dysfunction as important predictors of left atrial thrombus.

Objective: We aimed to identify predictors of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and to enhance the prognostic value of the CHADS-VASc score.

Methods: Derivation cohort included 1033 consecutive AF patients referred for catheter ablation or direct current cardioversion, in whom transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) was performed prior to the procedure. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of LAA thrombus on TOE.

Outcomes of a routine invasive strategy in elderly patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction from 2005 to 2014: results from the PL-ACS registry.

Background: Elderly patients (≥75 years old) with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) represent a large subgroup of all cases. They are rarely included in randomized trials because of comorbidities and concerns about complications. Furthermore, invasive treatments are used less frequently in this patient group.

Gender-related differences in men and women with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and incomplete infarct-related artery flow restoration: a multicenter national registry.

Introduction: Little is known about gender-related differences in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and incomplete infarct-related artery (IRA) reperfusion after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).

Aim: To evaluate gender-related differences in clinical characteristics and prognosis in patients with STEMI and incomplete IRA reperfusion after pPCI.

Material And Methods: From 42,752 STEMI patients hospitalized between 2009 and 2011 in Poland we analyzed a group of 984 (36%) females and 1,746 (64%) males with less than Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow following pPCI.

Impact of routine invasive strategy on outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction during 2005-2014: A report from the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS).

Background: Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) has become the most frequently encountered type of myocardial infarction. The patient clinical profile and management has evolved over the past decade. As there is still a scarcity of data on the latest trends in NSTEMI, changes herein were observed and assessed in the treatment and outcomes in Poland between 2005 and 2014.

Left atrial longitudinal strain in dilated cardiomyopathy patients: is there a discrimination threshold for atrial fibrillation?

To determine the left atrial longitudinal strain discrimination threshold of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A total of 100 DCM patients and LVEF < 25% were included. Of them, 50 had sinus rhythm (SR), and 50 had AF.

A novel minimally invasive method of successful tissue glue injection in patients with iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided tissue glue injection for the treatment of iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysm.

Methods: The study comprised of nine patients with unsuccessful ultrasound-guided thrombin injection and one patient with rapidly progressing anemia. All patients had undergone recanalization procedures at least twice, including two subjects with a very rapidly enlarging pseudoaneurysm lobe or significant anemia.

Evaluation of indications for reduced-dose non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in hospitalised patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Prevention of thromboembolic complications is a priority in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) is more common and some patients have indications for a reduced dose.

Aim: We sought to evaluate the frequency of NOACs being prescribed to AF patients and to compare the groups of AF patients receiving standard and reduced doses.

Evaluation of the recommended prevention of thrombosis in hospitalised patients with atrial fibrillation and high thromboembolism risk.

Background: According to the applicable guidelines for stroke prevention, patients with a high risk of thromboembolic com-plications should receive oral anticoagulants.

Aim: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the prevention of thrombosis in patients with diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) on discharge and a high risk of stroke.

Methods: The present study is a retrospective single-centre registry.

Cardiovascular risk factors determined via the Internet in 2 periods of time: 2004-2009 and 2010-2015 in Poland.

Objectives: Web information systems may serve as a diagnostic tool for the Internet users and they also support the epidemiological work of doctors and health care providers. As part of this study, a system has been created for detecting and calculating cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study has been the comparison of cardiovascular risk factors and calculated fatal cardiovascular risk in 2 periods of time: 2004-2009 and 2010-2015 in Poland, as determined via the Internet.

Leads dislodged into the pulmonary vascular bed in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

Introduction: Spontaneous lead dislodgement into the pulmonary circulation is a rare complication of permanent pacing with unproven harmfulness and an indication of controversial class for transvenous lead extraction (TLE).

Aim: To assess TLE safety in patients with leads dislodged into the pulmonary artery.

Material And Methods: A retrospective analysis of a 9-year-old database of transvenous lead extraction procedures comprising 1767 TLEs was carried out, including a group of 19 (1.

Adverse outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and peripheral arterial disease: a report from the EURObservational research programme pilot survey on atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is highly prevalent in general population. Data on the prevalence of symptomatic PAD in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are limited, and the impact of PAD on adverse outcomes in AF patients is controversial. Our aims were: (i) to define the prevalence of symptomatic PAD in European AF patients and describe its associated clinical risk factors and (ii) to establish the relationship of PAD to adverse events in AF, especially all-cause death.

The effect of left ventricular diastolic function on the secretion of B-type natriuretic peptide at rest and directly after exercise test in asymptomatic patients with diabetes or after myocardial infarction with preserved left ventricular systolic functi.

Background: Clinical evaluation of patients with diabetes or after myocardial infarction (MI) with preserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function is not very precise in isolating patients at particularly high risk of developing manifest cardiac failure and associated cardiovascular incident. Early diagnosis of LV diastolic dysfunction is essential because implementation of the appropriate treatment can positively affect the course of the disease.

Aim: To assess the impact of LV diastolic function on B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration at rest and immediately after exercise test, and to search for the relationship between LV diastolic function and BNP secretion, tolerance, and duration of exercise in the studied groups of patients.

Coronary thrombus composition: links with inflammation, platelet and endothelial markers.

Objectives: We investigated whether markers of platelet, neutrophil and endothelial activation, plasma fibrin clot properties and patient clinical profile may characterize coronary thrombus composition in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

Methods: A total of 40 intracoronary thrombi obtained 4.0-16.

The relationship between admission heart rate and early prognosis in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Heart rate (HR) is a basic cardiovascular parameter. The relationship between HR and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity has been indicated in clinical trials and epidemiological studies.

Aim: The evaluation of the relationship between HR upon hospital admission and the in-hospital prognosis in a group of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Variability of circadian blood pressure profile during 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in hypertensive patients.

Background: Evaluation of circadian blood pressure (BP) profile is an important element of ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Abnormal nocturnal fall in BP is more common in patients with secondary causes of hypertension and in the elderly. Cardiovascular risk is substantially increased in these patients.

Higher mortality in women after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in very young patients.

Introduction: Data on mortality in young patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when compared to older people or regarding therapeutic strategies are contradictory. We investigate the prognosis of women under 40 after STEMI in a prospective nationwide acute coronary syndrome registry.

Material And Methods: We analyzed all 527 consecutive men and women (12.

Loeffler's endomyocarditis: from cardiac arrest to complete recovery.

Hypereosinophilic syndromes are rare diseases; however, cardiac involvement is frequently seen. When diagnosed promptly, the prognosis is relatively good; however, a final diagnosis is made by ruling out many conditions leading to secondary eosinophilia. We present a case of Loeffler's endomyocarditis primarily misdiagnosed as an acute coronary syndrome, complicated by low output heart failure and cardiac arrest.