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Aim of this prospective study was to assess quality of life (QoL), left ventricular (LV) function and exercise performance in two groups of patients (pts) with atrial fibrillation (Af) treated with: radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) and antiarrhythmic drugs (AA). Between 1996 and 2000 - 74 patients, 28 women, with drug refractory Af were enrolled by clinical indications for two modes of therapy: RFA and AA. RFA group consisted of 38 pts, 63.7 +/- 11.5 years old: 28 pts with RF AV Node ablation and pacemaker implantation (PI) and 10 pts with AV Node modification or right atrial isthmus RF ablation due to Af conversion to atrial flutter (Aflu) during medical therapy. AA group consisted of 36 pts, aged 59.7 +/- 13.8 years. Patients from RFA group suffered significantly more serious diseases than pts from AA group. No significant (sign.) differences between two groups were found in age, gender, arrhythmia history and number of AA taken. Pts were analyzed before entry, after 3 and 12 months of follow-up (3 mo. FU, 12 mo. FU) with following indices: LV function (Echo: EF & FS), exercise performance (treadmill test), QoL questionnaires, number of hospital admissions connected to arrhythmia or procedures (RFA & PI), number of AA drugs taken in RFA group. RFA group: Two deaths occurred due to end stage respiratory insufficiency (COPD), one pt required reposition of pacemaker lead. AA group: 3 pts required RFA due to uncontrolled Af/Aflu (AV Node ablation with PI - 1 pt, right atrial isthmus ablation - 2 pts). Analysis of two patients groups: LV function: Sign. improvement (EF & FS) in both groups in 12 mo. FU; Exercise performance: no sign. changes in 3 and 12 mo. FU. QoL: Arrhythmia scale: 3 mo. FU sign. reduction in both groups; 12 mo. FU reduction in RFA group only; Anxiety scale: 3 and 12 mo. FU sign. reduction of anxiety level in RFA group; Exercise and activity scales: 3 and 12 mo. FU sign. improvement in RFA group. During 3 and 12 mo. FU sign. less pts from RFA group required hospital admission versus pts from AA group. Sign. reduction in AA was noted in RFA group. Patients with symptomatic Af treated with RFA benefit from this kind of therapy more than patients treated with AA. Quality of life improvement visible in short term observation in patients from RFA group is still present after one year observation. Improvement in LV function is observed after one year in both groups of pts with Af.

Vascular access malfunctions can be diagnosed by means of imaging and non-imaging methods. The former are: ultrasound (US), colour Doppler ultrasonography, arteriography and phlebography. Radiological imaging allows for direct assessment of the morphology and function of the hemodialysis fistula, and shows precisely the kind and location of lesions, that may lead to access failure. The aim of the study was to present the algorithm of methods employed in evaluation of hemodialysis fistulae, that had been developed by the authors. From March 1995 to July 2001, 1020 colour Doppler ultrasonography examinations were performed, followed by 250 angiographies of hemodialysis fistulae. In the studied group there were 170 well functioning hemo-dialysis fistulae. They were evaluated in order to establish normal blood flow parameters in the fistula. In 135 patients with symptoms of fistula failure US revealed the presence of pathological lesions, such as thrombosis or aneurysm of the venous branch. In 193 cases the presence of stenosis was stated. Three hundred eleven hemodialysis fistulae were sonographically evaluated before the patient was referred to surgical (81) or intravascular (230) treatment. Post-operative assessment was performed in 125 cases. In 231 cases, angiography confirmed the results of US. In 19 cases the degree of fistula stenosis was underestimated in colour Doppler sonography. Colour Doppler sonography is a method of choice in evaluation of arteriovenous hemodialysis fistulae. Abnormal results of physical examinations, dialysis parameters, as well as patients complaints associated with the fistula are indications to perform an ultrasound examination. Angiography is required in case of dubious US findings or as the first step in endovascular treatment.

A case of recurrent juvenile angiofibroma after the operation with external carotid artery ligation is described. Arteriography demonstrated significant collateral circulation to the tumour from the internal carotid and vertebral arteries.

A series of 15 patients with focal chondral lesions of the femoral condyles were treated at the Orthopaedics Department of the University of Medical Sciences of Lublin between 1998-2000. The patients' age varied from 20 to 72 years and the follow-up period from 6 months to 2.5 years. Osteochondritis dissecans was observed in 9 patients. Articular cartilage defects associated with chronic ligament instability was noted in 5 cases and 1 patient suffered from a chondral fracture of the lateral femoral condyle during a traumatic luxation of the patella. The depth of the lesions was graded according to ICRS scale. Grade IV was found in 11 cases and the remaining 4 cases had grade III lesions. The defects were treated with osteochondral autografts using OATS instrumentation set. Results were prospectively evaluated according to the HSS score. The preoperative value of HSS score ranged from 28 to 51 points (average 40.3). During follow-up the score values ranged from 76 to 91 points (average 84.7 points). All patients regained full range of motion in the knee, although in one case arthroscopic release of intraarticular adhesions was performed 6 months after chondroplasty. The lowest HSS values at follow-up were found in elderly patients with concomitant mild degenerative changes in the lateral knee compartment and in the patello-femoral joint. All patients had MRI examination early post-op, then after 6, 12 and 24 months from the procedure. MRI confirmed proper structure of the grafted cartilage but bony parts of the graft did not integrate with the surroundings.