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Over 1.5 million people in Poland suffer from heart failure (HF). The risk of hospitalization is related to environmental, socioeconomic factors and the organization of the health care system.The study aimed to assess the influence of environmental and socioeconomic factors on the prevalence of hospitalization for HF.The impact of environmental and socioeconomic factors on HF hospitalizations in Poland in 2012-2019 based on the National Institute of Public Health and Central Statistical Office in Poland data and panel data regression techniques has been estimated.There were 1,618,734 HF-related hospitalizations (51.3% male; 82.6% aged65 years). An increase in the number of physicians by 10/10000 population and healthcare expenditure of 100 PLN per capita resulted in 3.5% (-0.035; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.06-[-0.01]; P = 0.002) and 3% (-0.029; 95% CI, -0.04-[-0.013]; P0.001) decrease in hospitalizations, respectively. For each new outpatient healthcare facility per 10 000 population, there was a 3% (-0.031; 95% CI, -0.048-[-0.014]; P0.001) decrease in hospitalizations. One percentage point increase in the proportion of green areas resulted in a 2.7% (-0.027; 95% CI, -0.042-[-0.01]; P = 0.049) decrease in hospitalizations. However, an increase of cars by 1000 inhabitants and a 1 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate were associated with a 6% increase in HF hospitalizations (0.064; 95% CI, 0.008-0.121; P = 0.026).The number of HF-related hospitalizations has been increasing in the last decade. This trend is most noticeable in regions with low socioeconomic development and poor medical facilities. Our study indicates that health policy measures including environmental and socioeconomic instruments may result in positive health outcomes. Additional analyzes are needed to compare the impact of socioeconomic and environmental factors against the impact of healthcare alone.

Background: Left main stenosis (LMS) occurs in 5–7% of patients with coronary artery disease. Half of patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease die within few years after the diagnosis. Aim: To evaluate survival of patients with LMCA disease treated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or managed medically due to lack of consent for CABG or being considered unsuitable candidatesfor CABG/PCI. Methods: In 2006–2008, a significant LMS was found in 257 (5.14%) patients, and 98.44% of these patients were followed upfor on average 15.1 months. The patients were divided into 5 groups according to the treatment used. CABG was performedin 67% of patients, PCI of an unprotected LMS in 8% of patients, and 12% of patients were treated with PCI after a previous CABG (protected LMS). The remaining patients were managed medically: 4% were not considered suitable for CABG, and9% did not give their consent for CABG. Results: Total mortality in the overall study group (n = 253) was 14.6%. Multivessel disease was more frequent in the CABG group (60.9% vs. 15.8%, p < 0.001). Mortality in CABG and PCI groups was comparable (11.4% vs. 15.8%). Patients in the PCI group were more frequently hospitalised due to recurrent angina (21.1% vs. 3.0%, p < 0.001) and the need for repeated revascularisation (15.8% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001). Compared to the CABG group, patients considered not suitable for CABG hadlower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (36.55% vs. 51.04%, p < 0.001) and a higher mortality risk as estimated by the EuroScore. Mortality among patients deemed unsuitable for CABG was 54.6% (p < 0.001) and myocardial infarctions were observed more frequently in this group (18.2% vs. 2.4%, p < 0.01). In comparison to the CABG group, patients who did not consent to CABG were older (71.04 vs. 65.99 years, p = 0.027), had lower LVEF (44.05% vs. 51.04%, p = 0.004), were less frequently hospitalised due to acute coronary syndromes (17.4% vs. 40.8%, p = 0.03), and had a smaller degree of LMS (63%vs. 71%, p = 0.027). Mortality in this group was comparable to the CABG group (17.4% vs. 11.4%). The majority of patients who underwent previous CABG needed repeated revascularisation: PCI of a protected LMS was performed in 27% of patients,PCI of other native coronary arteries in 39% of patients, and PCI of a bypass graft in 7% of patients. Conclusions: PCI of unprotected LMCA may be an equally effective revascularisation method as CABG. High mortality (55%) due to concomitant diseases was observed among patients with LMS who were deemed unsuitable candidates for CABG. Prognosis among patients who declined CABG was relatively good and might have been related to the small number of patients and different patient characteristics in this group.

Obesity and overweight alone may confer a survival benefit after myocardial infarction, independent of age, medical care or therapy.To evaluate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on long-term mortality in ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated by primary angioplasty (PCI).We prospectively studied a homogenous group of 131 patients who had suffered STEMI, and subsequently exhibited a TIMI 3 flow after primary PCI. The patients (41 women, 90 men, mean age 58.3 ± 10.8 years) were analysed in two groups: Group 1 - 30 (23%) patients with BMI 〈 25 kg/m(2) and Group 2 - 101 (77%) patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2).Altogether, 19 (14.5%) patients died during the five-year follow-up period - nine out of 30 (30%) were patients with BMI 〈 25 kg/m(2), and ten out of 101 (10%) were patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) (p 〈 0.001). Individuals with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) had lower five-year mortality, and this was independent of other potentially confounding variables. Area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves for death with respect to weight on ROC analysis was significantly different than for a random model (p 〈 0.05). There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality and one-year mortality (p = 0.6517 and p = 0.3573, respectively).Patients after primary angioplasty for STEMI with BMI 〈 25 kg/m(2) and patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) have no difference in 30-day or one-year mortality, but individuals with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) have a better five year prognosis, and this is independent of other potentially confounding variables.

Stress hyperglycaemia on admission is a predictor of mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).To establish what level of hyperglycaemia on admission indicates a significantly poorer long-term prognosis in patients with MI treated invasively.Glycaemia on admission was measured in patients with both ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) and non-ST- -segment elevation MI (NSTEMI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In-hospital and late mortality were evaluated during a 679.3 ± 202 day follow-up.We enrolled 794 patients (564 men; 71%), mean age 63.8 ± 11.3 years. One per cent of the patients died during initial hospitalisation, and 10% during the two-year follow-up. The mean value of glycaemia in the whole population was 115 ± 36 mg/dL (6.32 ± 1.98 mmol/L). Admission glycaemia in patients who died in hospital was 194 ± 71 mg/dL (10.67 ± 3.91 mmol/L), while in the patients discharged home it was 114 ± 35 mg/dL (6.27 ± 1.93 mmol/L) (p 〈 0.0001). In terms of two-year mortality, the patients who died had also significantly higher glycaemia on admission (145 ± 48 mg/dL; 7.98 ± 2.64 mmol/L) vs 112 ± 31 mg/dL (6.16 ± 1.71 mmol/L, p 〈 0.0001). Apart from admission hyperglycaemia, we found the following risk factors of late mortality in univariate analysis: age, heart rate (HR), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), creatinine level, number of significantly narrowed coronary vessels other than the infarct related artery (IRA), and unsuccessful PCI. In multivariate analysis, the following parameters correlated with death in the two-year follow-up: glycaemia on admission, age, HR, LVEF, GFR, creatinine level, total cholesterol, number of significantly narrowed coronary vessels other than the IRA, and unsuccessful PCI. Hyperglycaemia on admission was an independent risk factor of death even after adjustment for confounding variables such as age, sex and LVEF. We compared the areas under ROC curve for in-hospital mortality and the areas under ROC curve for late mortality according to glycaemia on admission. Both were significantly different from those of a random model (p 〈 0.001 and p 〈 0.001, respectively). A glycaemia value of 205 mg/dL (11.28 mmol/L) calculated from ROC curve had the highest sensitivity and specificity for late mortality. Apart from these findings, we observed a linear correlation between glycaemia and mortality.The best cut-off value for stress hyperglycaemia determined by ROC curve in patients with acute MI treated invasively is 205 mg/dL (11.28 mmol/L). Patients with glucose levels 〉 205 mg/dL (11.28 mmol/L) on admission have significantly higher late mortality compared to those with glucose levels 〈 205 mg/dL (11.28 mmol/L). Our results suggest that hyperglycaemia is a reliable marker of poor outcome in acute MI patients with and without previously diagnosed diabetes mellitus. This level of glucose may be used in risk stratification in patients with acute MI.

Rotational atherectomy is a valuable technique complementary to PCI in complex calcified coronary artery stenoses. A case of a 65 year-old man with non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) treated with PCI with rotational atherectomy followed by two drug eluting stents (DES) implantation is presented.

The advantage of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) over thrombolytic therapy has been demonstrated. However, an optimal medical treatment of STEMI patients admitted to regional hospitals without catheterisation facilities has not yet been established. Delay in initiation of pPCI resulting from transportation to the catheterisation laboratory may diminish the benefits of such therapy in comparison with thrombolysis administered in a regional hospital. Early initiation of therapy with platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor, which provides protection for the transportation, may be a reasonable solution to maintain the advantage of pPCI over thrombolysis alone in STEMI patients.The studied group comprised patients with STEMI (infarct duration time12 hours, typical clinical and electrocardiographic criteria of MI) who were randomly assigned in 13 regional hospitals located 20 to 150 km from invasive centre to one of two subgroups, either to thrombolysis in the community hospital or to transport after thrombolysis initiation with platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor (tirofiban; 10 mg/kg in intravenous bolus in the emergency room of the community hospital followed by continuous intravenous infusion of 0.1 mg/kg/min during transport as well as coronary procedure) in order to receive pPCI. All patients with cardiogenic shock on admission were routinely treated with PCI and were excluded from the study.341 patients were included in the study (169 were randomised to receive thrombolytic therapy and 172--transport with intention to perform PCI). Mean time between onset of MI and randomisation was similar in the transport and thrombolysis groups, (139+/-133 min. vs 143+/-117 min., respectively, p=0.94). Mean infusion time of tirofiban to the beginning of PCI in the transport group was 121+/-36 min. Anterior MI was present in 42.6% of patients in the PCI group and in 41.5% in the thrombolytic group (p=0.085). Mean time from randomisation to pPCI was 158+/-60 min., and to thrombolysis initiation in 44+/-43 min. (p0.0001). None of the patients died during transfer. In a 30-day follow-up we noted (pPCI vs thrombolytic group, respectively): mortality 3.49% vs 8.88% (p=0.04); reinfarction 1.16% vs 5.92% (p=0.02), stroke 0.58% vs 1.18% (p=0.55). In-hospital stay was significantly shorter in the transport group (9+/-3 days vs 14+/-7 days, p0.0001). During hospitalisation, 17 (10.05%) patients initially assigned to thrombolysis alone had to be transferred to the catheterisation laboratory to undergo PCI (rescue PCI or PCI for postinfarction angina). Combined end-point (death/reinfarction/stroke) was reached more frequently in the thrombolytic group (15.98% vs 5.23%, p=0.001).A strategy of invasive therapy involving transport with GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor and pPCI in STEMI patients admitted to hospital without catheterisation facilities was found to be more effective than thrombolytic therapy alone employed in the regional hospitals.

Coronary stenting is associated with acute inflammation within the arterial wall followed by neointimal growth. Acute inflammatory response is expressed by a marked systemic elevation of the inflammatory biomarker C-reactive protein (CRP). It has been shown that the degree and extent of CRP increase may be related to clinical presentation or periprocedural treatment.To investigate whether an increase in CRP level is associated with the extent of arterial injury during stent deployment.CRP levels were measured with a high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) assay. Seventy-three patients (51 males) with normal baseline plasma CRP (3 mg/L) underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation for stable coronary disease. Blood samples for hsCRP were drawn before the intervention, and 6, 12 and 24 hours after the procedure. Both quantitative (single vs multivessel coronary intervention) and qualitative analyses (including lesion classification according to the ACC/AHA grading system) were performed in all patients. The examined angiographic parameters and procedural data obtained included reference diameter, lesion location, lesion length, total stented segment length, diameter of stent after deployment, maximal deployment pressure, total inflation number and duration.The mean hsCRP level increased in all patients between baseline and 24 hours (1.36+/-0.93 mg/L and 4.34+/-3.3 mg/L, p0.0001). Single vessel procedure was performed in 51 patients and multivessel coronary intervention in 22 patients. Mean hsCRP was similar at baseline and after 6 hours in both groups and the increase after 12 and 24 hours was higher among patients with multivessel coronary intervention compared to patients with single vessel procedure (2.69+/-2.48 vs 4.15+/-3.17; p=0.039 and 3.76+/-3.13 vs 5.69+/-3.38; p=0.021, respectively). There was no correlation between hsCRP and the degree of lesion complexity. Multiple regression analysis showed that the total stented segment length (p=0.01) contributed to the hsCRP increase after 24 hours.The inflammatory response expressed by hsCRP levels is higher in patients with multivessel coronary intervention with longer total segment stented.

The no-reflow phenomenon is an impairment of microcirculation after successful percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The no-reflow phenomenon is usually observed during acute myocardial infarction. This case-report describes no-reflow phenomenon in a patient undergoing elective PCI in the right coronary artery, occluded due to restenosis in implanted stent. After deflation of balloon during angioplasty in restenosed stent, no-reflow phenomenon occurred, followed by asystolia. The patient was successfully resuscitated. During resuscitation procedures, abciximab was administered what improved myocardial perfusion. This case demonstrates that no-reflow phenomenon can be a serious problem during elective PCI, leading even to a cardiac arrest. It shows also the necessity for administration of drugs improving tissue perfusion when no-reflow phenomenon occurs.

A case of a 61-year-old female with a history of stroke in a course of mitral stenosis with atrial fibrillation is reported. Mitral commissurotomy was conducted eight years after the diagnosis. The chest X-ray revealed large calcified mass in the left atrium. During surgical mitral valve replacement the mass has been removed and identified as calcified thrombus. Despite numerous risk factors, anticoagulation has not been introduced until a few months before the operation.

Repeated administration of t-PA and abciximab in a patient with anterior myocardial infarction - a case report. A case of a 40-year-old male with acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI) is presented. Due to the angiographic equipment failure, the patient did not undergo primary angioplasty and received heparin and 100 mg of t-PA. This treatment was associated with clinical and ECG signs of reperfusion, however, 30 minutes after completion of t-PA infusion, the patient developed clinical and ECG signs of re-occlusion. The decision was made to transfer the patient to a catheterisation laboratory for further invasive treatment, however, it was located 200 km from our centre. Because of that, the patient received another dose of 50 mg of t-PA and abciximab before transportation. Further course was uncomplicated and the patient underwent successful stent implantation in the other centre.