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Introduction. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is one of the most common cardiovascular risk factors in patients under- going haemodialysis (HD). Although standard ECG can help to identify patients at greater risk of LVH, its prognostic value in haemodialysed patients is uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate currently used ECG criteria for LVH in patients on renal replacement therapy. Material and methods. A group of 90 patients, who were undergoing qualification to renal transplantation, were included in the study. Every patient underwent 12-lead ECG and transthoracic echocardiography. Patients with any conduction disorders were excluded from the study. Finally, the study group consisted of 76 patients (21 women, mean age 53.1 ± 14.4 years). Results. LVH was diagnosed by echocardiography in 39 patients (51%, 27 men and 12 women). Only three out of six tested criteria showed satisfactory performance for LVH diagnosis in HD patients: the sum of S V3 and R aVL > 28 mm in men, and > 20 mm in women (area under curve [AUC] 68%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 56–80); the sum of S V1 and R V5 or V6 > 35 mm (AUC 63%, 95%CI 50–76); and the sum of SV2 and RV5 or V6 > 45 mm (AUC 63%; 95%CI 50–75). Conclusions. The present ECG diagnostic criteria for LVH are of very limited value in patients undergoing HD. Further studies should be performed to establish new ECG criteria for this group of patients. In the meantime, echocardiography should be recommended as the most precise diagnostic routine test to evaluate HD patients for LVH.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) occurs in 25–35% of the general population and it is the most common cause of intracardiac shunt. In patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and right ventricular overload, PFO is a risk factor of paradoxical embolism leading to ischaemic stroke or peripheral embolism. PFO in APE was reported to be a risk factor for the complicated course and increased in-hospital mortality.

Zatorowośc paradoksalna ośrodkowego ukladu nerwowego u pacjentow z ostrą zatorowością plucną zdarza sie stosunkowo czesto, jednak w wiekszości przypadkow udar niedokrwienny jest bezobjawowy, wykrywany jedynie na podstawie badan obrazowych. Objawy neurologicznie wystepują tylko u okolo 1/4 pacjentow, ale mogą byc przyczyną trwalego inwalidztwa. W pracy opisano przypadek pacjenta z ostrą zatorowością plucną, ktory przebyl jednocześnie rozlegly udar niedokrwienny mozgu.