Off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery surgery in octogenarians (from the KROK Registry).

Background: According to the medical literature, both on-pump and off-pump coronary artery surgery is safe and effective in octogenarians.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to examine the epidemiology, in-hospital outcomes and long-term follow-up results in octogenarians undergoing off-pump and on-pump coronary artery surgery utilizing nationwide registry data.

Methods: All octogenarians (≥ 80 years) enrolled in the Polish National Registry of Cardiac Surgical Procedures (KROK Registry), who underwent isolated coronary surgery between January 2006 and September 2017 were identified.

Relationship between the CHA2DS2-VASc score and atrial fibrillation in patients hospitalised due to heart failure.

Background: Heart failure (HF) has become an epidemic. A similar situation is also observed for atrial fibrillation (AF). The CHA2DS2-VASc score is one of the most useful tools for thromboembolic risk assessment.

Predictors of post-operative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia occurring after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Arrhythmia leads to prolonged hospitalisation and may have an impact on both short-term and long-term prognoses.

Aim: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the incidence of POAF in patients after CABG as well as to identify its predictors.

Comparison of Inhospital and 12- and 36-Month Outcomes After Acute Coronary Syndrome in Men Versus Women <40 Years (from the PL-ACS Registry).

The study was aimed to compare the characteristics and inhospital and 12- and 36-month outcomes of men and women <40 years with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The analysis involved 932 patients <40 years with ACS in the Silesia region enrolled into the ongoing, prospective Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes from January 2006 to December 2014. The composite end point involved death, recurrence of ACS, a need for percutaneous coronary intervention, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery within 12 and 36 months after ACS.

Simultaneous removal of a tumour of the right atrium and inferior vena cava and coronary bypass-grafting in a patient with recurrent clear renal cell carcinoma.

Metastatic cardiac tumours are the most common malignant cardiac tumours. In the early stages they are usually asymptomatic, but their consequences can be very serious, and the prognosis is poor. We present a patient with recurrent renal cell carcinoma as a tumour of the right atrium and the vena cava inferior in whom cancerous masses were removed with simultaneously coronary artery bypass-grafting.

Clinical and angiographic characteristics of coronary artery disease in young adults: a single centre study.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) in young adults under 40 years of age is a growing medical, social, psychological and economical problem, related to the prevalence of civilization-related diseases and unhealthy lifestyle. The problem of CAD in young people has not been characterised as well as in older individuals, as the available data mostly come from case reports and small series, often related to genetic aspects and familial occurrence of the disease.

Aim: To assess clinical and angiographic characteristics of young adults with CAD and to evaluate in-hospital and long-term mortality in this patient group.

New oral anticoagulants for the prevention of thromboembolic complications in atrial fibrillation: a single centre experience.

Background: Prevention of thromboembolic complications is a priority in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Based on the current guidelines, the role of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in stroke prevention has decreased in favour of novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC).

Aim: To evaluate the proportion of AF patients who were prescribed a NOAC, compare populations of patients treated with VKA and NOAC, and identify factors predisposing to NOAC prescription at hospital discharge of AF patients.

New oral anticoagulants - will they be used with antiplatelet drugs in patients with atrial fibrillation after acute coronary syndrome?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent indication for oral anticoagulation. Dual antiplatelet treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel is an antithrombotic treatment recommended after acute coronary syndrome and/or coronary artery stenting. The evidence for optimal antiplatelet therapy for patients who underwent a long-term treatment based on oral anticoagulation is strong.

Prevalence and predisposing conditions for atrial fibrillation in hospitalised patients with hypertension.

Background: Hypertension, due to its prevalence, is a common and independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). High blood pressure causes structural and functional changes in the myocardium, leading to an increased risk of arrhythmia. This risk is higher when hypertension is accompanied by concomitant diseases that contribute to the development of AF.

Population of Polish patients participating in the Heart Failure Pilot Survey (ESC-HF Pilot).

Background: Heart failure (HF) is currently one of the main causes of cardiovascular mortality. In order to collect current epidemiological data on patients with HF, the Heart Failure Pilot Survey (ESC-HF Pilot) registry was initiated.

Aim: Primary objective of the study was to compare clinical epidemiology of outpatients and inpatients with HF and investigate currently used diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in Poland and 11 other European countries.

Gender-related differences in clinical course, therapeutic approach and prognosis in patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: There is accumulated evidence that clinical course and prognosis after myocardial infarction (MI) may differ between genders.

Aim: To compare epidemiology, the clinical course, therapeutic approach and prognosis in men and women with non-ST segment elevation MI (NSTEMI).

Methods: We analysed a total of 1219 consecutive patients with NSTEMI (43% women) treated between June 01, 2005 and May 31, 2006 in a hospital covering in a district with 1,300,000 inhabitants.

Propafenone overdose: cardiac arrest and full recovery.

Intoxication caused by propafenone is very rare, and there are no known detailed epidemiological studies. We present the clinical manifestation of severe propafenone intoxication,successfully treated in a 17 year-old male. He was brought to the Intensive Care Unit after he had taken 3.

Persistent atrial fibrillation is not associated with thrombomodulin level increase in efficiently anticoagulated patients.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and leads to a five-fold increased risk of stroke compared to persons with sinus rhythm. A soluble form of thrombomodulin (sTM) is a recognized marker of endothelial dysfunction and may contribute to the hypercoagulable state in AF. The aim of the study was to evaluate plasma concentration of sTM in persistent AF patients before and after sinus rhythm recovery following direct current cardioversion (CV).

Does atrial fibrillation affect plasma endothelin level?

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) may result in endocardial endothelium dysfunction. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the plasma concentration of endothelin-1 (ET-1) during persistent AF and after sinus rhythm recovery following direct-current cardioversion and to assess the predictive value of ET-1 in AF patients.

Methods: The study group consisted of 43 patients with persistent AF and normal left ventricle systolic function who had undergone successful cardioversion.

B-type natriuretic peptide level after sinus rhythm restoration in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation - clinical significance.

Background: Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) leads to electrical, structural and neurohormonal remodelling of the atria, including increased plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level.

Aim: To assess the clinical value of plasma BNP or NT-proBNP concentrations in patients with persistent AF measured before and after sinus rhythm restoration following direct-current cardioversion.

Methods: The study group consisted of 43 patients with persistent AF who underwent successful electrical cardioversion.

Exercise-induced natriuretic peptide secretion predicts cardioversion outcome in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: discordant ANP and B-type natriuretic peptide response to exercise testing.

Background: Measurement of natriuretic peptide's (NP) release in response to hemodynamic stress may be complementary to its baseline assessment in individuals. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) increase in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and decrease after successful cardioversion, suggesting that AF may stimulate secretion of NPs. However, there are conflicting data on the predictive value of NPs on the cardioversion outcome.

A decrease in serum aldosterone level is associated with maintenance of sinus rhythm after successful cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

Background: The activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has been implicated in the progression of atrial structural remodeling during atrial fibrillation (AF). However, consequences of the changes of aldosterone in AF have not been evaluated.

Objectives: This study's aim was to evaluate changes of serum aldosterone concentration after successful cardioversion of persistent AF and to determine the prognostic value of these changes.

Clinical manifestations of slow coronary flow from acute coronary syndrome to serious arrhythmias.

Slow coronary flow is an angiographic phenomenon characterized by delayed opacification of vessels in the absence of any evidence of obstructive epicardial coronary disease. In this article, we present serious clinical manifestations of extremely slow coronary flow in two hypertensive patients with preserved ejection fraction in echocardiographical examination: a 57 year-old woman with acute coronary syndrome and temporary ST elevation; and a 65 year-old man with atrial tachycardia which was leading to sudden arrest of circulation. The woman was admitted to hospital due to recurrent syncope and chest pain.