The Price of Success-The Long-Term Outcomes of Children with Craniopharyngioma-Two Institutions' Experience.

An analysis of patients below 21 years old treated due to craniopharyngioma in the years 1979-2022 was performed with the aim of evaluating the long-term outcome and treatment side-effects. The standard statistical tests were used, and 56 patients with a median age of 11 years were evaluated. Surgery was the primary treatment in 55 patients; however, in only 29 it was the only neurosurgical intervention.

Cladribine tablets for highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Poland: a real-world, multi-centre, retrospective, cohort study during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Treatment with cladribine tablets is indicated in highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Cladribine tablets proved safe and effective in the pivotal CLARITY trial, but that trial included primarily treatment-naïve patients. In clinical practice however, cladribine tablets are often given to patients who have failed other treatments.

Clinical Characteristics of Atrial Flutter and Its Response to Pharmacological Cardioversion with Amiodarone in Comparison to Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Unlike atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter (AFl) is thought to be relatively refractory to pharmacological cardioversion (PC), but the evidence is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and efficacy of the PC of AFl with amiodarone in comparison to AF.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study covered 727 patients with urgent consult for AF/AFl in a high-volume emergency department between 2015 and 2018.

Assessment of the Reliability of the DoboMed Exercise Method Mastery Evaluation Scale in People with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Background: Conservative treatment of lateral idiopathic curvatures of the spine is a difficult and complex therapeutic process that is not always successful. Repeated assessments of the patient's mastery of a given exercise may significantly increase the effectiveness of conservative treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the credibility of an original scale for evaluating DoboMed exercise proficiency in a group of people with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Effect of passive ankle movement in the sitting position on the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency with long-term observation.

Background: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is the most common vascular disease. One major risk factor for its development is either long-term sitting or standing in the same position and the nature of the work performed.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of passive ankle movement in the sitting position performed using the Bella Vena robot for the symptoms of CVI with long-term observation.

Time-related factors predicting a positive response to cardiac resynchronisation therapy in patients with heart failure.

This study aimed to identify time parameters predicting favourable CRT response. A total of 38 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, qualified for CRT implantation, were enrolled in the study. A 15% reduction in indexed end-systolic volume after 6 months was a criterion for a positive response to CRT.

Left ventricular electrical potential measured by the NOGA XP electromechanical mapping method as a predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine whether left ventricular electrical potential measured by electromechanical mapping with the NOGA XP system has predictive value for response to CRT.

Background: Approximately 30% of patients who undergo cardiac resynchronization therapy do not see the expected effects.

Methods: The group of 38 patients qualified for CRT implantation were included in the study, of which 33 patients were analyzed.

Repeated Dose of Contrast Media and the Risk of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in a Broad Population of Patients Hospitalized in Cardiology Department.

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) can lead to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and impaired in-hospital and long-term outcomes among cardiac patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of repeated contrast media (CM) administration during a single hospitalization on the rate of CI-AKI. The study group ( = 138) comprised patients with different diagnoses who received CM more than once during hospitalization, while the control group ( = 153) involved CAD patients subject to a single CM dose.

Retrospective Analysis of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Use in Cardiology Ward Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography between 2012 and 2020.

We aimed to evaluate the rate and risk factors of in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing coronary angiography/angioplasty with IABP use as support. We included 214 patients (mean age: 67.5 ± 7.

Quality of life after percutaneous paravalvular leak closure - a prospective registry.

Introduction: Presence of paravalvular leaks (PVLs) can lead to heart failure, which decreases quality of life (QoL). Percutaneous closure is becoming the first-line treatment of PVLs, but whether such a procedure could improve QoL in these patients has never been examined.

Aim: To examine changes in scores of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) after percutaneous PVL closure.

Heart Failure with Improved Ejection Fraction: Insight into the Variable Nature of Left Ventricular Systolic Function.

The progress of contemporary cardiovascular therapy has led to improved survival in patients with myocardial disease. However, the development of heart failure (HF) represents a common clinical challenge, regardless of the underlying myocardial pathology, due to the severely impaired quality of life and increased mortality comparable with malignant neoplasms. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the main index of systolic function and a key predictor of mortality among HF patients, hence its improvement represents the main indicator of response to instituted therapy.

Effectiveness of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation after COVID-19 in Poland.

Introduction: Patients with a history of COVID‑19 are characterized by a deteriorated level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). The COVID‑19 rehabilitation program of the National Health Fund (NHF) was developed and financed by the public insurer in Poland to help convalescents return to full health.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR) after COVID‑19, carried out under the NHF program.

The usefulness of His bundle pacing in a heterogeneous population of patients with impaired left ventricular systolic function.

Background: His bundle pacing (HBP) maintains a physiological activation pattern of ventricular activation, and in patients with intraventricular conduction delay (IVCD) it can normalize wide QRS duration.

Methods: A total of 181 patients from the HBP registry were enrolled into a the study, which was conducted at the Department of Electrocardiology in Katowice, Poland. The patients had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% and were implanted between November 2015 and April 2019.

Cardiometabolic predictive value of anthropometric parameters, vascular ultrasound indexes, and fat depots in patients at high cardiovascular risk: an 8-year prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Adiposity has a few phenotypes associated with various levels of risk for diabetes mellitus (DM), but their exact predictive value is not well understood.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the predictive value of anthropometric parameters, vascular ultrasound indexes, and fat depots for long‑term cardiometabolic risk.

Patients And Methods: A total of 150 patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) scheduled for elective coronary angiography were enrolled and a comprehensive clinical and ultrasound assessment of adiposity was performed (2012-2013).

Proadrenomedullin in Patients with Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Introduction: A potentially new marker of cardiovascular diseases - proadrenomedullin is the precursor of adrenomedullin, which is a multifunctional peptide hormone, produced in most of the tissues in response to cellular stress, ischemia, and hypoxia.

Methods: Ninety-three people, aged 51-79 years, were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were severe or corrected valvular disease, acute coronary syndrome, age ≥ 80 years, glomerular filtration rate < 45 ml/min, active infectious diseases, and cancer.

Efficacy of Electrical Cardioversion in Relation to Occurrence and Type of Functional Mitral Regurgitation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Recent studies have changed the perception of rhythm control in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Functional mitral regurgitation (fMR) can be both a cause and a consequence of AF and may influence rhythm restoration procedures. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis included 182 consecutive patients with AF on optimal medical therapy (OMT) undergoing electrical cardioversion (CVE).

Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke-The Role of Interventional Cardiologists: A Prospective Single-Center Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) performed at a stroke center by interventional cardiologists (ICs) compared with other interventionists. The primary endpoint was functional independence of stroke survivors (modified Rankin scale score 0-2) at 3 months. The secondary endpoints included recanalization rate, reduction in stroke severity, and 3-month mortality.

Subclinical Hypothyroidism as the Most Common Thyroid Dysfunction Status in Children With Down's Syndrome.

Introduction: Thyroid dysfunctions are one of the most common abnormalities coexisting in children with Down's syndrome (DS) and have been reported in up to 54% of cases.

Aim Of The Study: The purposes of this retrospective study were to investigate the course of subclinical hypothyroidism in children with DS, to evaluate the thyroid function of these subjects in relation to the risk of developing overt thyroid disease and autoimmunity, and to identify clinical and biochemical characteristics of patients prescribed L-T4 therapy in children and adolescents with DS and SH.

Material And Methods: The records of DS patients referred to the Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic between 2010 and 2015 for screening of thyroid function were observed till the end of 2019 June and analyzed retrospectively.

Sleep-disordered breathing as a risk factor for unnecessary pacemaker implantation.

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a risk factor for bradyarrhythmia, which is reversible with positive airway pressure therapy.

Aims: The study aims to evaluate the occurrence and number of severe sinus bradycardia and advanced atrioventricular block (AVB) in patients with cardiovascular diseases and SDB risk factors.

Methods: The analysis covered 207 patients with cardiovascular diseases aged 59.