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Background: Based on the clinical outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI), this study intended to assess mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) rates according to duration of pain-to-balloon (PTB) time and type of MI., Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study based on the prospectively collected ORPKI registry which covers PCIs performed in Poland chosen between January 2014 and December 2017. Under assessment were 1,994 STEMI and 923 NSTEMI patients. Study endpoints included mortality and MACCE rates (in-hospital, 30-day, 12- and 36-month). Predictors of all-cause mortality in the overall group, STEMI and NSTEMI were assessed by multivariable analysis., Results: Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis did not reveal significant differences between the STEMI and NSTEMI group for all-cause mortality or MACCE at the 36-month follow-up. While in the long PTB time group, MACCE rate was significantly greater in STEMI patients when compared to NSTEMI (p = 0.004). Among STEMI patients, the short, medium and long PTB time groups differed significantly in the rate of all-cause mortality (p = 0.006) and MACCE (p = 0.04) at 1,095 days of follow-up, which were the greatest in the long PTB time group., Conclusions: Before considering the length of PTB time, there were no statistically significant differences in mortality or MACCE frequency between the STEMI and NSTEMI group at 36-month follow-up. Longer PTB times are related to significantly greater mortality at the 36-month follow-up in the STEMI, but not in the NSTEMI group.

Background: The number of dental patients requiring periodic or lifelong antiplatelet or anticoagulanttherapy is constantly growing., Aims: We aimed to determine the level of knowledge on antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy among Polish dentists., Methods: self‑designed online questionnaire was distributed among dentists to evaluate their knowledge on the use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs in clinical dental practice., Results: The study included 352 dentists. Patients requiring vitamin K antagonists were referred for a cardiac consultation by 64.52%, 57.29%, and 58.55% of dentists with <5, 5-15, and >15 years of experience,respectively (P = 0.003). A similar trend was observed for non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants among nonsurgical dentists. However, an equal percentage of surgical dentists (39.7%) performedextraction with and without consultation, and they were more likely to perform extraction withoutconsultation than nonsurgical dentists (39.7% vs 27.8%; P = 0.01). Most surgical and nonsurgical dentistspreferred to consult a cardiologist about dual antiplatelet therapy before an invasive procedure (56.9%and 73.81%, respectively; P = 0.03). Extractions in patients on aspirin were accepted by 75.81%, 70.83%, and 49.34% of dentists with <5, 5-15, and >15 years of experience, respectively (P = 0.004), and by 79.31%of surgical and 57.14% of nonsurgical dentists (P = 0.003)., Conclusions: Knowledge on antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in patients undergoing dental procedures is unsatisfactory among Polish dentists. Both therapies were discontinued before extractionsmore frequently than recommended in the guidelines, while extractions in patients on aspirin were common.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that low operator and institutional volume may be associated with an increased risk of adverse events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between operator volume and procedure- -related mortality in the emergent and elective settings., Methods: Data were obtained from a national registry of PCIs, maintained in cooperation with the Association of Cardiovascular Interventions of the Polish Cardiac Society. Registry data for the period from January 2014 to December 2017 were collected. During the study, there were 162 active catheterization laboratories, in which a total of 456 732 PCIs were performed., Results: The median number of PCIs performed in a single laboratory was 2643.5 (interquartile range [IQR], 1875-3598.5) over 4 years. The median number of PCIs performed by a single operator was 557 (IQR, 276.25-860.5) per year. We did not confirm a significant relationship between the operator volume and mortality in the overall group of patients treated with emergency and elective PCI. However, we noted a lower mortality rate for high-‑volume operators (odds ratio [OR], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63-0.99; P = 0.04). When the operator volume was assessed as a continuous variable, there was a trend toward significance (OR, 0.94; 95% CI; 0.88-1.0007; P = 0.052) in patients treated with emergency PCI., Conclusions: High operator volume was associated with a lower periprocedural mortality rate than low operator volume in patients undergoing PCI due to acute coronary syndromes.

The aim of this review is to highlight the technical details and the scientific data on percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in chronic total occlusion (CTO) performed by transradial approach (TRA). Transfemoral approach (TFA) is commonly regarded as the standard for CTO PCI, but there is a growing number of CTO recanalization procedures performed by TRA. We discuss the relevant technical details to approach a CTO by transradial access, especially the compatibility of various CTO recanalization techniques with specific guiding catheter sizes. Randomized prospective trials in this field are lacking and only data from observational studies are available. We can conclude that transradial access for CTO PCI is feasible and could be very useful in selected patients. In our opinion, transradial access in CTO PCIs should be limited to operators and centers highly experienced in CTO recanaliza¬tion and in TRA.

Background: Chronic total occlusions (CTO) are diagnosed in about 20% of patients with significant coronary artery disease. A disproportion between the high prevalence of CTOs and low rate of invasive treatment still exists. Technical difficulties, clinical uncertainties whether patients benefit from recanalisation, and a lack of knowledge of CTO may be responsible for this fact., Aim: To assess the knowledge of coronary arteries CTO among Polish interventional cardiologists., Methods: A self-designed questionnaire was used during two major Polish invasive cardiology workshops held in 2014., Results: The study included 113 physicians, mostly cardiologists certified as independent operators. Average self-declared efficacy of CTO recanalisation was 63.5%. Most of the respondents agreed that the operator involved in the CTO recanalisation program should perform at least 30-50 procedures per year. Only 67% stated that before CTO revascularisation the evaluation of myocardial viability should be performed with dobutamine stress echocardiography as a preferred test. One third of the physicians agreed that CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) should not be performed directly after diagnostic angiography, and 51.5% believed that in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease PCI of CTO should be performed first. Multi-slice spiral computed tomography during the qualification and planning of the CTO revascularisation, in the opinion of 91% of the responders, should not be used before each procedure but could be useful in selected cases., Conclusions: Polish interventional cardiologists remains in compliance with current opinions about recanalisation of chronic coronary artery occlusions and the consensus of the EuroCTO Club, but there is still an unceasing need for further education and promotion of knowledge about CTOs.

We present the cases of two patients with hypothermia, with a detailed description of electrocardiographic changes associated with hypothermia. In both cases, J wave was initially misdiagnosed as left bundle branch block (LBBB). We discuss the differentiation of J wave from LBBB.

Background: Antiplatelet drugs currently constitute the basic treatment of coronary artery disease (acute coronary syndrome [ACS], stable angina and patients treated with percutaneous coronary interventions [PCI]). The number of patients with indication for dual antiplatelet therapy with comorbidities with high thrombo-embolic risk (such as atrial fibrillation [AF], venous thrombotic disease, valvular diseases) is increasing. That is why the need for simultaneous administration of dual antiplatelet and oral anticoagulant therapy (triple therapy) has become more common recently. The AF is the most common indication for chronic anticoagulation. Because of the lack of large randomised trials regarding triple therapy, characteristics of this group has not been well established., Aim: To assess the presence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and concomitant diseases in patients with ACS requiring triple therapy., Methods: Retrospective analysis included 2279 patients diagnosed with ACS who were admitted to the Departments of Cardiology in Cracow in 2008. In this group, 365 (16%) patients had indications for chronic anticoagulation. Demographic and clinical characteristics of these patients were compared with those of patients included in other published registries., Results: Patients requiring triple therapy were aged 73.2 ± 9.5 years. Hypertension was diagnosed in 80%, hyperlipidaemia in 63%, smoking in 36%, prior myocardial infarction in 33%, prior stroke in 15%, previous treatment with PCI in 13%, coronary artery bypass grafting in 7%, diabetes in 36%, heart failure in 46%, anaemia in 33% and chronic ulcer disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease in 9%. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 46 ± 15%. Compared with other registries of patients without indications for triple therapy, our patients had significantly more frequently hypertension, diabetes and were older., Conclusions: Patients after an ACS requiring triple therapy have more often a history of comorbidities and CV risk factors when compared with the group of patients with ACS without indication for triple therapy.

A 14-year follow-up of a 69 year-old male with left ventricular aneurysm and thrombus after antero-septal myocardial infarction is presented. We describe problems with thromboembolic and bleeding complications in the context of changes in the guidelines over the period of treatment.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy for 12 months is currently recommended for all patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), both for those treated pharmacologically or with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Recently, the need for simultaneous administration of dual antiplatelet and oral anticoagulant therapy (triple therapy) has become more common. However, in addition to intensifying antiplatelet treatment, the risk of haemorrhagic complications is also significantly increased with triple therapy., Aim: To assess the in-hospital use of triple therapy in patients with ACS, who have indications for long-term anticoagulation, and to define the reasons for not administering such a therapy., Methods: The analysis included 298 patients diagnosed with ACS who were admitted to our department. Analysis of recommended treatment was conducted upon discharge from hospital after ACS and during hospitalisation. The reason for discontinuation or non-compliance with oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy was also assessed., Results: Out of 298 patients diagnosed with ACS, 53 (17.8%) had indications for long-term anticoagulation. The largest group consisted of patients with unstable angina who were treated pharmacologically (51.7%). The most common indication for chronic anticoagulation was paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) (62%). At discharge from hospital, only 15.1% of patients received triple therapy. There was no significant association between the mode of treatment (triple therapy vs. lack of it) and indication for antiplatelet treatment (p = 0.18) or anticoagulation (p = 0.27). Among risk factors for bleeding, only prior episode of bleeding [p = 0.0002; odds ratio (OR) 4.17] and treatment with PCI (p = 0.02; OR impossible to assess because of too small group) were significantly associated with withdrawal of triple therapy., Conclusions: The use of triple therapy in patients presenting with ACS and indications for long-term anticoagulation is insufficient. The reasons for not prescribing triple therapy are not clear. One explanation could be excessive concerns about haemorrhagic complications. There is a lack of equivocal guidelines and large randomised trials which would clearly define the optimal management strategy for patients presenting with ACS and indications for long-term anticoagulation therapy.

Background: Recanalisation for coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) is associated with high rates of restenosis and reocclusion. The use of intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS) may improve immediate and long-term outcomes following recanalisation. To our knowledge, no study has examined the use of ICUS-guided balloon angioplasty in CTO., Aim: To compare the results of ICUS-guided balloon angioplasty and ICUS-guided angioplasty with stent implantation in patients with CTO., Methods: The study involved 51 CTO patients in whom optimal balloon angioplasty results were achieved according to quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). These patients then underwent ICUS-guided balloon angioplasty with the goal of achieving a minimal luminal cross-sectional area (MLCSA) of > 6.0 mm2 and a residual plaque burden (RPB) of < 65%. Of the 51 patients, the ICUS criteria defining optimal balloon angioplasty were achieved in 23 patients and 7 patients did not undergo stent implantation due to calcification and/or small vessel diameters (group A--30 patients). In 21 patients, the failure to achieve optimal ICUS parameters resulted in stent implantation with the goal of achieving in stent MLCSA > 9 mm2 and > 55% of average total cross-sectional area of the vessel according to distal and proximal reference segments (group B). The two groups were similar in terms of clinical and angiographic characteristics., Results: Balloon angioplasty which was regarded as optimal by QCA, was shown to be non-optimal by ICUS in 41 patients (80.4%). The MLCSA was smaller in group A than group B (6.5 +/- 1.5 vs. 8.9 +/- 2.0 mm2; p < 0.001). Restenosis was found in 8 (26.6%) group A patients and 4 group B patients (19%) (p > 0.05). The restenosis rate in 23 group A patients with optimal ICUS parameters was 8.6% (2 patients). Consecutive ICUS measurements showed a gradual increase in the total vessel area during the PCI procedure and at the 6-month follow-up (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: (1) Achieving an optimal balloon angioplasty result in CTO patients requires confirmation using ICUS. (2) In some patients immediate and long-term outcomes following ICUS-guided optimised balloon angioplasty are comparable to those of ICUS-guided stent implantation. (3) Direct measurement of a chronically occluded coronary artery at pre-intervention, during the intervention and at long-term follow-up may argue in favour of using ICUS in recanalisation of CTO. (4) ICUS-guided balloon angioplasty for CTO could be a method of choice in patients in whom long-term dual antiplatelet therapy is associated with a high probability of bleeding complications.

Dual antiplatelet therapy is currently recommended for all patients with acute coronary syndromes, independent of whether they receive pharmacological treatment or undergo percutaneous coronary intervention. Antiplatelet agents are the cornerstone of pharmacological treatment in interventional cardiology. However, there is a clear need for randomized trials to assess the treatment strategy of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients who also need long-term antithrombotic treatment (such as those with atrial fibrillation, prosthetic heart valve, mitral valve regurgitation or stenosis, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or pulmonary hypertension). In this paper we discuss trials and analyses on the use of dual antiplatelet treatment in combination with antithrombotic therapy in particular diseases, with a focus on the risk of hemorrhagic events connected with this treatment, as well as recent guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association.

Background: Over 1/3 of all patients treated for acute myocardial infarction are elderly (over 70 years of age). Blood flow restoration in the infarct-related artery is a fundamental therapeutic strategy, however reperfusion therapy is rarely used in the elderly as compared with younger groups. Mortality and complication rates are much higher in the elderly than in younger patients irrespective of the type of reperfusion therapy. Elderly patients are modestly represented in studies undertaken to analyze the efficacy of various types of reperfusion therapy. For this reason the choice of an optimal therapy in acute myocardial infarction in the elderly remains an open question., Methods: In the I Department of Cardiology PCI has been the strategy of choice in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. This is a retrospective analysis of early and late outcomes of primary coronary angioplasty in elderly patients with myocardial infarction. Between June 2001 and December 2003 four hundred and five (405) consecutive patients were admitted to our centre due to acute myocardial infarction. A group of 352 patients treated by primary coronary angioplasty was analyzed. Patients were divided into two subgroups one subgroup--over 70 years of age (84 patients) and the second one--below 70 years of age (268 patients) serving as controls. Early (in-hospital) and late (at 30 days, 6 and 12 months) outcomes were assessed., Results: The most important observation was that elderly patients with myocardial infarction may be safely and effectively treated with primary coronary angioplasty. In-hospital mortality (5.9% vs. 2.2%, p < 0.05) and the number of bleeding complications (9.5% vs. 4.1%, p < 0.05) were higher in the elderly than in younger patients, but still lower than in the studies where fibrinolysis was used as a reperfusion strategy. Another important fact was the relatively frequent use of a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (abciximab) in the elderly group (46.4% patients)., Conclusions: Our results prove that these agents may also be safely administered in elderly patients with myocardial infarction. It is probable that the relatively frequent use of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in our elderly patients was one of the reasons for lower early mortality as compared with the findings of other investigators.