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Over the last few years, a significant increase in the production, sales, and consumption of painkillers available without prescription has been observed in Poland. The amounts spent annually by pharmaceutical companies on the promotion and advertising of this type of preparations place Poland among the top European countries. The aim of this work is to indicate the level of awareness and knowledge of the society about the safety of using painkillers available without prescription. The material analyzed was obtained based on the interpretation of the answers from the questionnaire created by means of an application that allows to indicate questions and archive the answers of the respondents using the Internet.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and oncological disease are more frequently observed in the general population as discussed in the part I of this article. Treatment of myocardial infarction in oncological patients becomes a real struggle for clinicians, especially that the data from clinical trials including cancer patients with ACS are very limited. The choice of treatment modality should consider many existing factors considering the type of ACS – non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction vs ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, patient’s condition, type of cancer and oncological treatment applied. Taking into consideration above mentioned factors, clinicians have to face three therapeutic options: invasive, conservative or combination of both in order to choose the best and most beneficial treatment. This article summarizes the current therapeutic approach to the management of ACS in cancer patients.

Aim of the study: To assess the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias caused by high doses of levothyroxine in patients with thyroid cancer with subclinical hyperthyroidism. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 98 women divided into three groups according to plasma thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration

The risk of ischemic events gradually decreases after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), reaching a stable level after 1 month, while the risk of bleeding remains steady during the whole period of dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT). Several de-escalation strategies of antiplatelet treatment aiming to enhance safety of DAPT without depriving it of its efficacy have been evaluated so far. We hypothesized that reduction of the ticagrelor maintenance dose 1 month after ACS and its continuation until 12 months after ACS may improve adherence to antiplatelet treatment due to better tolerability compared with the standard dose of ticagrelor. Moreover, improved safety of treatment and preserved anti-ischemic benefit may also be expected with additional acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) withdrawal. To evaluate these hypotheses, we designed the Evaluating Safety and Efficacy of Two Ticagrelor-based De-escalation Antiplatelet Strategies in Acute Coronary Syndrome - a randomized clinical trial (ELECTRA-SIRIO 2), to assess the influence of ticagrelor dose reduction with or without continuation of ASA versus DAPT with standard dose ticagrelor in reducing clinically relevant bleeding and maintaining anti-ischemic efficacy in ACS patients. The study was designed as a phase III, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, investigator-initiated clinical study with a 12-month follow-up (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04718025; EudraCT number: 2020-005130-15).

IntroductionTrastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the HER-2 receptor that has led, in an adjuvant setting, to higher disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in HER-2 positive breast cancer (BC) compared with chemotherapy alone. Cardiotoxicity often results in early discontinuation of trastuzumab, which may elevate the risk of cancer recurrence or mortality. Our study aimed to assess how early interruption or early permanent termination of adjuvant trastuzumab treatment influences DFS and OS of patients with HER-2 positive BC.Material and methodsThis is a prospective observation of 253 women (55 ±10 years of age) with HER-2 positive unilateral, non-metastatic BC treated with trastuzumab in an adjuvant setting. To monitor the safety of the treatment echocardiography was performed at baseline and every 3 months up to 12 months after the end of therapy. If cardiotoxicity developed, trastuzumab was stopped early. Overall survival and DFS were assessed.ResultsTrastuzumab-associated cardiac complications resulting in treatment discontinuation developed in 52 (20.55%) patients. Median DFS time was 21.1 months in the group with interruption compared with 25.7 months in the group with full trastuzumab treatment, being significantly shorter (HR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.15–4.71, p = 0.0106). Two year OS in the interruption and no-interruption groups were 80.8% and 88.5%, respectively, which were not statistically significantly different (p = 0.268). In a multivariate regression analysis the cumulative dose of anthracycline (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00–1.01, p = 0.002) and LVEF at baseline (OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.70–0.99, p = 0.0344) were independent predictors of a cardiotoxic effect.ConclusionsTrastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity resulting in early treatment discontinuation negatively influences DFS, but does not seem to influence OS.

Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. In 40% of cases etiology of stroke is unclear. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is present in more than half, while atrial septum aneurysm (ASA) appears in 25% of patients with cryptogenic stroke. However, available data on the correlation between a cryptogenic stroke and the coexistence of PFO and ASA are limited. A lack of knowledge and recommendations in this field makes clinicians unsure in terms of their approach to a patient with a stroke and PFO with concomitant ASA. The authors describe the case of a 72-year-old patient with ischemic stroke and PFO with concomitant ASA. The diagnostic process and treatment methods are presented. The approach is discussed in detail.

To evaluate the prognostic potential of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels after breast cancer radiation therapy (RT) for incipient cardiac dysfunction.In this single-centered study, we prospectively enrolled female patients treated for left breast cancer. Healthy age- and sex-matched participants were recruited as controls. LBP levels, cardiac troponin T, N-terminal propeptide of the brain natriuretic peptide, fatty acid binding protein, and C-reactive protein were assessed at three timepoints-before RT, after the last RT fraction, and 1 month after the last fraction. Echocardiographic evaluation was done 3 to 3.75 years after RT.We recruited 51 patients and 78 controls. Baseline LBP concentrations in the study group were significantly higher than in controls at baseline (P .001), at 24 hours, and at 1 month after RT (P = .003 and P .001, respectively). Other biomarkers (cardiac troponin T, N-terminal propeptide of the brain natriuretic peptide, fatty acid binding protein, and C-reactive protein) did not differ in any of the timepoints. Posttreatment LBP concentrations were significantly and positively correlated with heart- and lung-associated dose-volume histogram variables. Posttreatment and follow-up LBP levels correlated positively with the E/E' echocardiographic index reflective of the diastolic function. After adjustment for left anterior descending artery mean dose, left ventricle mean dose, mean heart dose, and type of surgery, LBP remained significantly correlated with E/E' when measured 24 hours after RT (beta = 0.41, P = .032) and 1 month after RT (beta = 0.43, P = .028).Serum LBP concentrations correlate with diastolic function evaluated 3 years after the completion of RT, making LBP a potentially useful prognostic parameter.

An enlarged left atrium is associated with increased risk for stroke. However, there are controversies regarding how left atrial size should be measured.Echocardiography and carotid artery ultrasound were performed in 120 patients with essential hypertension (HT group) and in 64 hypertensive patients admitted with a first-ever ischemic stroke (HT-stroke group). Left atrial size was measured as antero-posterior diameter (LAD) and as left atrial volume (LAV) and indexed to body surface area (LADi/LAVi). All patients were in sinus rhythm and without mitral valve disease.In the HT-stroke group, LAVi and LADi were significantly larger as compared with the HT group (P ≤ 0.03 for all). In bivariate correlations, larger left atrial size was associated with higher SBPs and DBPs and significant carotid artery stenosis both in HT and HT-stroke groups (all P 0.05). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, stroke was associated significantly with larger LAVi [odds ratio (OR) 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-2.65]; left ventricular mass index (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.21); significant carotid artery stenosis (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.24); and any carotid artery stenosis (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.14). Analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that LAVi was the best left atrial measurement for prediction of stroke (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.70-0.84).In hypertensive patients, a first-ever ischemic stroke was associated with larger left atrial size, left ventricular mass index and internal carotid artery stenosis. LAVi was the left atrial measurement most closely associated with ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to assess left atrium (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) function in patients with atrial septum aneurysm (ASA) and to relate it to thromboembolic complications. METHODS: The study group comprised 25 patients with isolated ASA (group I) and 17 clinically healthy subjects (control group = group II). Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography were performed in all investigated patients. RESULTS: In group I, the following parameters were significantly higher than in the controls: LA minimal dimension (LA min ) was 2.13 vs. 1.7 cm; LA presystolic dimension (LA a ) was 2.66 vs. 2.29 cm and LA pre-ejection period/LA ejection time index (PEP/ETLA) was 1.26 vs. 0.41 ( P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between groups as to P wave and PR-interval duration, which were 69 vs. 72 ms and 167 vs. 173 ms, respectively. All LAA parameters were investigated, but LAA minimal areas (LAA area min ) were higher in the study group than in controls: LAA transversal dimension (LAA trans ) was 1.89 vs. 1.32 cm; LAA longitudinal dimension (LAA long ) was 4.24 vs. 3.11 cm; LAA maximal area (LAA area max ) was 4.35 vs. 3.1 cm 2 ; LAA ejection fraction (EFLAA) was 56 vs. 33 %; LAA peak emptying (LAAE) was 0.64 vs. 0.41 m/s, and filling velocities (LAAF) was 0.55 vs. 0.42 m/s ( P < 0.05). The results indicate a depression of LA systolic and an enhancement of LAA function in patients with ASA compared with clinically healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: (1) Atrial septum aneurysm impairs left atrium systolic function. (2) In patients with atrial septum aneurysm, left atrium appendage function changes; its systolic as well as a reservoir function improve. (3) The enhancement of LAA function in ASA may be a compensatory mechanism for LA systolic function deterioration. (4) As LAA systolic function is enhanced, it is rather unlikely that LAA is the place of origin of thrombi, which occur relatively frequently (according to the literature) in patients with ASA. The thrombi seem to be formed in the bulging sack of ASA, i.e., in the part of the LA whose systolic function is depressed.

Recent oncology development results in significant reduction of morbidity and mortality of several kinds of cancer. Such great achievements are at the cost of frequent cardiotoxicity, which predominantly is manifested as cardiomyopathy, cardiac dysfunction and heart failure (HF). Cardiotoxicity may manifest early — during treatment or late — after treatment completion. There are type 1 — anthracycline-related and type 2 — trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity. Early detection of cardiotoxicity is crucial for preventing late heart dysfunction and HF. Baseline echocardiographic assessment should be performed in every patient before initiation of cancer treatment and serial monitoring of cardiac safety by means of echocardiography is recommended. The most widely used for this purpose is left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) calculated by Simpson’s method with 2 dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. LVEF has numerous limitations, among which significant inter- and intraobserver variability, late decrease of LVEF with its often irreversibility are the most important. Noncontrast 3 dimesional echocardiography is the most reproducible technique for LVEF measurement. Newer echocardiographic technique — myocardial strain imaging has the potential to detect early subclinical cardiac dysfunction due to cardiotoxicity and may be used for the prediction of LV dysfunction. The role of other echocardiographic parameters, particularly of LV diastolic function has not been exactly defined in literature. The decision on discontinuation or modification of cancer therapy should be based on 2 improper, separate measurements of particular echocardiographic parameter or better more than 1 improper parameter should be taken into account. After completion of cancer treatment, echocardiography follow-up is recommended to detect late cardiotoxicity.

We aimed to investigate the cardiac changes in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer treated with trastuzumab in an adjuvant setting. Two hundred and fifty-three women with HER2-positive breast cancer were included. The assessment of cardiovascular system and echocardiography were performed and compared at baseline, at the termination of trastuzumab therapy and 6 months latter. Left heart remodeling was defined arbitrary as the change in at least one of the analyzed echocardiographic parameters of ≥standard deviation (SD) (in model I) or ≥2×SD (in model II) after 6-month follow-up. After 6-month follow-up 39 (31.7%), 27 (22%), 14 (11.4%), 10 (8.1%), 5 (4.1%) and 1 (0.8%), women had at least one parameter with a change exceeding mean difference ≥SD, respectively; and 30 (24.4%), 9 (7.5%), 3 (2.4%), 2 (1.6%) 1 (0.8%) exceeding mean difference ≥2SD. In stepwise multivariate regression analysis sedentary life style (OR16.7, p = 0.003), positive cardiovascular family history (OR 6,9; p = 0.013) and left ventricular ejection fraction change after 3 months (OR 1.2; p = 0.007) were independent predictors of left heart remodeling in model I, whereas hypertension (OR 5.6; p = 0.06) and positive cardiovascular family history (OR 3.9; p = 0.032) were independent predictors of heart remodeling in model II. In conclusion, trastuzumab induces LV and left atrial cavity dilatation together with LV systolic function impairment.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for about 50% of deaths in Poland. The clinical picture of coronary heart disease has been changing over recent years. Aim: To assess the changes of the clinical characteristics of myocardial infarction (MI) in the population of Radomszczanski District in 2007–2009. Methods: The retrospective analysis included 756 patients aged between 29 and 93 years (306 women), who were hospitalised due to MI in the Department of Cardiology, District Hospital in Radomsko from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2009. The following parameters were analysed: frequency of ST elevation MI (STEMI) and non ST elevation MI (NSTEMI) hospitalisations in subsequent years, age, gender, traditional risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, smoking), comorbidities (atrial fibrillation, previous stroke and MI, chronic renal insufficiency) and all-cause in-hospital mortality. Results: Observations have shown that during 2007–2009 the number of hospitalised STEMI increased (p = 0.011) while the number of hospitalised NSTEMI decreased (p = 0.011). The incidence of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidaemia did not change over the three years analysed (p > 0.05). In Radomszczanski District, compared to the Polish population, hypertension, obesity and previous MI occurred less frequently, especially in patients with NSTEMI. The incidence of smokingand diabetes was comparable to that in the Polish population with MI. Frequency of risk factors did not change over three years. Conclusions: Despite the increase of the hospitalised STEMI/NSTEMI ratio, the incidence of risk factors did not change in the population of Radomszczanski District over the analysed period.

Introduction Trastuzumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody, is targeted against the external domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2). It improves efficacy of HER2-positive breast cancer treatment. The authors present their experience with patients (pts) treated with trastuzumab in the aspects of cardiac complications. Material and methods We observed prospectively 253 women with early positive HER2 breast cancer treated with trastuzumab. Assessment of cardiovascular status, ECG and echocardiography was performed initially and every 3 months until 6th month during follow-up. Results Cardiac complications developed in 52 pts (20.55%) and included: asymptomatic left ventricle dysfunction (43), symptomatic heart failure (6), new asymptomatic LBBB (1); new negative T-waves in ECG (2). There was a progressive decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during treatment. It was more enhanced in pts with cardiac complications. Following trastuzumab termination/discontinuation LVEF increased but at month 18 still remained significantly lower than initially in both groups (61.07 ±4.84 vs. 59.97 ±5.23 – no cardiac complications; p < 0.05; 58.14 ±4.08% vs. 53.08 ±5.74% – cardiac complications; p < 0.05). During 6-month follow-up 33 out of 46 pts experienced an improvement in left ventricular status. In 13 pts in whom trastuzumab was discontinued, it was restarted; 6 of them successfully completed total therapy. Univariate analysis revealed no association between any cardiovascular risk factor and the development of cardiotoxicity. Conclusions One out of five treated patients discontinues trastuzumab in an adjuvant setting due to cardiac complications. LV dysfunction is the most frequent. Routine cardiac monitoring should be obligatory.

Introduction: The study aimed to evaluate function of the left atrium (LA) and of the left atrial appendage (LAA) after myocardial infarction (MI) complicated by intracardiac conduction disturbances. Material and methods: The study comprised 59 patients with persistent post- myocardial distal blocks, who were allocated to one of the three following subgroups: study group I - 20 patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB); study group II - 20 patients with right bundle branch block (RBBB), and study group III -19 pts with left anterior hemiblock (LAHB). The control groups included patients with MI in their history and no BBBs (19 pts - group IV) and clinically healthy people (16 patients - group V). The parameters of LA and LAA systolic function were determined by means of transthoracic (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE). Results: We showed that patients who experienced myocardial infarction not complicated with conduction disturbances expressed compensatory LA systolic function enhancement. In patients with post-myocardial RBBB and LAHB significant enhancement of LA systolic function was observed as well but it was expressed to a lesser degree. There was also a tendency towards deterioration of LA systolic function in patients with post-myocardial LBBB. LBBB did not affect LAA systolic function negatively. Conclusions: Parameters of LAA systolic function showed its enhancement in all patients after myocardial infarction irrespective of whether it was complicated by conduction disturbances.

Introduction Nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is a potent vasodilator. Several polymorphisms in the eNOS gene have been described, some of them being linked with the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease (CHD), and coronary spasm. Methods and Results We studied 3 polymorphisms within the gene of eNOS (-786T/C, G10T, and 894 G/T) in patients with their first myocardial infarction (MI) younger than 45 years and in healthy volunteers. We found the relation between the occurrence of eNOS 894G allele and the Gensini score, which describes the severity of CHD ( P = .020). Conclusions The fact that first clinical manifestation of MI occurred in G carriers when the atherosclerotic plaque was much more advanced than in T carriers may suggest that wild-type genotype provided a better compensatory mechanisms due to NO synthesis and/or release. The polymorphisms within eNOS gene G10T, 894G/T, and −786T/C were not associated with the increased risk of MI.