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Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is the method of treatment in patients (PTS) with chronic heart failure. Using electrocardiographic criteria for the procedure some PTS dont present clinical improvement.The aim of the study was to compare ultrasonographic methods of qualifications to CTR (intravetricular asynchrony – in tissue doppler, interventricular asynchrony - Echo) and analysis of importance of left ventricular pacing site.Method oxygen consumption test (VO2max) and 6-minutes walikng test (6MWT) was performed in 24 patients before and 3 month after resynchronization. We analysed two group of patients: 1. PTS with LV pacing through lateral vein, 2. with LV pacing from posterior region. Results In Group 1 improvement of interventricular resynchronization in Echo was greater (improvement 30,0ms vs 8,9ms), but intraventricular resynchronization and clinical condition was similar in both groups. Optimal interventricular resynchronization (in 3 PTS 0-5ms in Echo) didn't reveal major improvement in VO2max and 6MWT. In 3 PTS with optimal intraventricular resynchronization (0-5ms in tissue doppler) clinical improvement was singnificantly higher comparing with other PTS (VO2max 5,6 vs 3,6, 6MWT 81,6m vs 63,3m). Conclusions Improvement of clinical condition of PTS with both localisations of LV pacing was similar. Intraventricular asynchrony analysed in tissue doppler is the best parameter for qualification to CRT and for programming of pacemaker. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Hypertension is a significant global health issue, disproportionately affecting the elderly population. In Poland, the rapid aging of the population underscores the need for updating data on the epidemiology of hypertension in the elderly., Aims: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among individuals aged 65 and older in Poland., Methods: The NOMED-AF study, a cross-sectional survey conducted from March 2017 to March 2018, enrolled a representative sample of 3014 participants aged 65 and over, using a multistage, stratified, and clustered sampling method. Data collection included standardized questionnaires and physical measurements carried out by trained nurses. Hypertension was diagnosed per the 2018 European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology guidelines., Results: The study showed a hypertension prevalence of 82.5% in females and 78.3% in males aged 65 and older. Awareness of hypertension was high across all age and sex groups, with 86.2% of women and 83.4% of men being aware of their condition. Treatment rates were 84.8% in women and 80.5% in men. Optimal control of blood pressure among those treated was achieved in 40.3% of women and 45.6% of men. Women over 80 achieved optimal blood pressure control less frequently than men., Conclusions: The results highlight the high prevalence and suboptimal control of hypertension in Poland's elderly population, pointing to a significant public health challenge. Despite high rates of treatment, management of hypertension remains inadequate, which emphasizes the need for enhanced strategies in hypertension care, particularly for elderly women.

Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors have provided declaration of interest information for all relationships that might be perceived as real or potential sources of conflicts of interest. The full disclosures can be viewed in the supplementary material for this article, available online at https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euac144.

Background: The use of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICD) has been growing in Poland since 2014. The Polish Registry of S-ICD Implantations was run by the Heart Rhythm Section of the Polish Cardiac Society between May 2020 and September 2022 to monitor the implementation of that therapy in Poland., Aims: To investigate and present the state-of-the-art of S-ICD implantation in Poland., Methods: Implanting centers reported clinical data of patients undergoing S-ICD implantations and replacements, including age, sex, height, weight, underlying disease, history of pacemaker and defibrillator implantations, indications for S-ICD, electrocardiographical parameters, procedural techniques, and complications., Results: Four hundred and forty patients undergoing S-ICD implantation (411) or replacement (29) were reported by 16 centers. Most patients were in New York Heart Association class II (218 patients, 53%) or I (150 patients, 36.5%). Left ventricular ejection fraction was 10%-80%, median (IQR) was 33% (25%-55%). Primary prevention indications were present in 273 patients (66.4%). Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy was reported in 194 patients (47.2%). The main reason for the choice of S-ICD were: young age (309, 75.2%), risk of infectious complications (46, 11.2%), prior infective endocarditis (36, 8.8%), hemodialysis (23, 5.6%), and immunosuppressive therapy (7, 1.7%). Electrocardiographic screening was performed in 90% of patients. The rate of adverse events was low (1.7%). No surgical complications were observed.

Aims: To assess and compare long-term mortality and predictors thereof in de novo cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D) vs. upgrade from an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to CRT-D., Methods and Results: Study population consisted of 595 consecutive patients with CRT-D implanted between 2002 and 2015 in a tertiary care, university hospital, in a densely inhabited, urban region of Poland [480 subjects (84.3%) with CRT-D de novo implantation; 115 patients (15.7%) upgraded from ICD to CRT-D]. In a median observation of 1692 days (range 457-3067), all-cause mortality for de novo CRT-D vs. CRT-D upgrade was 35.5% vs. 43.5%, respectively (P = 0.045). On multivariable regression analysis including all CRT recipients, the previously implanted ICD was an independent predictor for death [hazard ratio (HR) 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-2.29, P = 0.02]. For those, who were upgraded from ICD to CRT-D, the independent predictors for all-cause death were as follows: creatinine level (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02, P = 0.01), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.11, P = 0.002), New York Heart Association (NYHA) IV class at baseline (HR 2.36, 95% CI 1.00-5.53, P = 0.049) and cardiac device-related infective endocarditis during follow-up (HR 2.42, 95% CI 1.02-5.75, P = 0.046). A new CRT scale (Creatinine ≥150 μmol/L; Remodelling, left ventricular end-systolic ≥59 mm; Threshold for NYHA, NYHA = IV) showed high prediction for mortality in CRT-D upgrades (AUC 0.70, 95% CI 0.59-0.80, P = 0.0007)., Conclusion: All-cause mortality in patients upgraded from ICD is significantly higher compared with de novo CRT-D implantations and reaches almost 45% within 4.5 years. A new CRT scale (Creatinine; Remodelling; Threshold for NYHA) has been proposed to help survival prediction following CRT upgrade., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author(s) 2020. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Aims: The number of patients with heart failure (HF) and implantable cardiac electronic devices has been growing steadily. Remote monitoring care (RC) of cardiac implantable electronic devices can facilitate patient-healthcare clinical interactions and prompt preventive activities to improve HF outcomes. However, studies that have investigated the efficacy of remote monitoring have shown mixed findings, with better results for the system including daily verification of transmission. The purpose of the RESULT study was to analyse the impact of remote monitoring on clinical outcomes in HF patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator [ICD/cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D)] in real-life conditions., Methods and Results: The RESULT is a prospective, single-centre, randomized trial. Patients with HF and de novo ICD or CRT-D implantation were randomized to undergo RC vs. in-office follow-ups (SC, standard care). The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death and hospitalization due to cardiovascular reasons within 12 months after randomization. We randomly assigned 600 eligible patients (299 in RC vs. 301 in SC). Baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were well-balanced and similar in both arms. The incidence of the primary endpoint differed significantly between RC and SC and involved 39.5% and 48.5% of patients, respectively, (P = 0.048) within the 12-month follow-up. The rate of all-cause mortality was similar between the studied groups (6% vs. 6%, P = 0.9), whereas hospitalization rate due to cardiovascular reasons was higher in SC (37.1% vs. 45.5%, P = 0.045)., Conclusion: Remote monitoring of HF patients with implanted ICD or CRT-D significantly reduced the primary endpoint rate, mostly as a result of a lower hospitalization rate in the RC arm (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02409225)., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author(s) 2020. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Introduction: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) have a strong position in the prevention of sudden death. Nowadays, the most commonly used high-energy cardiac devices are transvenous ICDs. A new technology of totally subcutaneous ICDs (S-ICD) was invented and recently introduced into clinical practice in order to reduce lead-related complications of conventional ICDs. The aim of this paper is to present early experience with this new technology implemented in a few centres in Poland., Material and Methods: Medical records of patients who had S-ICD-related interventions in Poland were retrospectively analysed., Results: During the first year of S-ICD introduction into the Polish health system 18 patients underwent surgery connected with S-ICDs. Majority of them (17 patients) were implanted de novo. In one patient surgical revision of a device implanted abroad was performed. Most of patients (78%) had S-ICDs implanted for secondary prevention. Inability of transvenous system implantation due to venous access obstruction or high risk of infection related with transvenous leads accounted for 83% of indications for S-ICD. Only in three patients were S-ICDs implanted due to young age and active mode of life. The implantations of S-ICDs were performed without important early or late complications. During follow-up one patient had episodes of ventricular arrhythmia successfully terminated with high-energy shocks. One patient died due to progression of heart failure., Conclusions: S-ICD implantation procedure has been successfully and safely introduced in Polish clinical routine. Nevertheless, despite clear indications in recent ESC guidelines, this therapy is not directly reimbursed in Poland and needs individual application for refund., Competing Interests: Krzysztof Kaczmarek, Maciej Kempa, Marcin Grabowski, Oskar Kowalski, Adam Sokal and Paweł Ptaszyński received consultation fee from Boston Scientific Company. Other authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Termedia & Banach.)

Introduction: Heart transplant is an accepted treatment modality in end-stage heart failure. The graft coronary artery vasculopathy is a main concern to explain the heterogeneity of the rejection process according to the gender of the donor and recipient., Aim: To assess the severity and type of mechanisms leading to failure of the graft., Material and Methods: Experimental allogenic heart transplantation in the abdomen was performed on Wistar rats depending on the gender of the donor and recipient (F - female; M - male) in four groups (FF, FM, MM MF). The donor heart was implanted in the abdominal cavity of the recipient. Complete time of observation was 10 weeks. Bromodeoxyuridine was administered intraperitoneally to detect proliferating cells., Results: There was 42.5% graft survival in all experiments. The mean time of graft survival was 60 ±18, 54 ±29, 58 ±23 and 64 ±18 days (FF, FM, MM and MF) and no significant difference was found in graft survival time among the four experimental groups ( p = 0.73). None of the heart weight changes reached statistical significance., Conclusions: The use of an animal experimental model helps to understand the mechanisms leading to graft failure and to compare the changes that occur in rats to human hearts. The gender matching affects the survival of the transplanted heart and severity of the graft vasculopathy.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to analyse microbiological characteristics and clinical manifestations of cardiac device-related infective endocarditis (CDRIE) in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients, and to compare the diagnostic value of modified Duke (MDC) versus modified Duke lead criteria (MDLC; including to MDC local infection and pulmonary infection or embolism as major criteria)., Material and Methods: The study population comprised 765 consecutive CRT patients from a high-volume, tertiary care centre from 2002 to 2015. All patients were screened for CDRIE., Results: During a median follow-up of 1692 days (range: 457-3067) 5.36% of patients ( n = 41) developed CDRIE, which was accompanied by CRT pocket infection in 17.1% ( n = 7) and recurrent pulmonary infection or pulmonary embolism in 29.3% ( n = 12). Fever was present in 95.1% of patients ( n = 39), whereas blood cultures were positive in 65.9% ( n = 27). Staphylococcus was the most prevalent pathogen in 59.3% ( n = 16), Gram-negative bacteria in 25.9% ( n = 7). Transoesophageal echocardiography showed intracardiac vegetations in 73.2% of patients ( n = 30). Non-different pathogen types with the most common methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus were observed for early versus late CDRIE (endocarditis ≤ 6 vs. > 6 months from CRT or other device-related procedure). All 3 inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, white blood cells, procalcitonin) were normal in 4.9% of patients ( n = 2). MDC versus MDLC indicated definite CDRIE in 48.8% versus 80.5%, respectively ( p = 0.003)., Conclusions: Fever is the most common symptom of CRT-related CDRIE, and transoesophageal echocardiography allows vegetations to be visualised in nearly 3/4 of patients with CDRIE. Although the most common pathogens were Staphylococci , Gram-negative bacteria accounted for a quarter of CDRIE. Modified Duke lead criteria proved superior to MDC., Competing Interests: Ewa Jędrzejczyk-Patej, Michał Mazurek, Oskar Kowalski, Agnieszka Liberska - consultant fees from Biotronik, Medtronic, St Jude Medical and Boston Scientific; Adam Sokal - travels reimbursement and consultant fees from Biotronik, Medtronic, St Jude Medical and Boston Scientific; lecturers from Medtronic, Boston Scientific and Impulse Dynamics; Radosław Lenarczyk –consultant fees and lecturers for Biotronik, Medtronic, St Jude Medical and Boston Scientific; Cordis Webster, Boeingher Ingelheim; Tomasz Podolecki – consultant fees from St Jude, Adamed, Abbott; Zbigniew Kalarus – received company sponsored speaker’s bureau from Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Abbott, Bayer; travel expenses to cardiology congresses from St. Jude Medical and Adamed; advisory committee: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Amgen, Astra Zeneca; Other authors – no conflict of interests reported., (Copyright: © 2018 Termedia & Banach.)

Aims: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical correlates of DM, including management and outcomes, in the EURObservational Research Programme (EORP)-Atrial Fibrillation (AF) General Pilot (EORP-AF) Registry of the European Society of Cardiology., Methods and Results: We studied consecutive patients (N = 3101) enrolled in 70 centres of nine European countries between February 2012 and March 2013, and compared diabetics with non-diabetics during a 1-year follow-up. In the overall cohort, the prevalence of DM was 20.6%. Diabetics were older (71 ± 9 vs. 68 ± 12 years, P < 0.0001) and had more comorbidities, higher CHA2DS2-VASc score (4.6 ± 1.6 vs. 2.9 ± 1.7, P < 0.0001) and higher prevalence of permanent AF (21.5 vs. 16.0%, P = 0.0022). Quality of life amongst DM patients was significantly worse [atrial fibrillation quality of life questionnaire (AF-QoL) score 45.2 ± 19.2 vs. 49.3 ± 20.1, P < 0.0001]. Amongst diabetics, the use of electrical cardioversion (16.2 vs. 24.6%, P < 0.0001) and catheter ablation (3.3 vs. 8.6%, P < 0.0001) was lower, whilst oral anticoagulants were more often prescribed (84.3 vs. 78.9%, P = 0.0027). After one year, diabetic patients had significantly higher all-cause (11.9 vs. 4.9%, P < 0.0001), cardiovascular (6.2 vs. 1.9%, P < 0.0001), and non-cardiovascular mortality (2.3 vs. 1.1%, P = 0.0356)., Conclusion: In AF patients, DM is associated with a higher prevalence of comorbidities and a worse quality of life. After one year, all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular mortality were significantly higher in diabetic subjects.

Introduction: Despite continued efforts of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) to unify management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) across Europe, interregional differences in guideline adherence are likely., Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare treatment strategies depending on baseline characteristics of AF patients between Poland and other members of the European Union (EU)., Patients and Methods: We analyzed the baseline data and treatment strategies in participants of the ESC registry: the EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation General Registry Pilot Phase. A total of 3119 consecutive patients with AF diagnosed within the last year were included in 67 centers from 9 countries, including 419 patients enrolled in 15 Polish centers., Results: A rhythm control strategy was more frequent in Poland than in other EU countries (20.8% vs 11.9%; P <0.0001). Catheter ablation for AF was also used more frequently in Polish cardiology wards (13.9% vs 8.3%; P = 0.0017), while amiodarone at discharge was used less frequently (12.0% vs 22.7%; P <0.0001). In-hospital use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and non-VKA anticoagulants was less frequent in Polish patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 2 or higher than in patients from other EU countries (61.1% vs 79.0%; P <0.0001), but overall anticoagulation rates at discharge were similar to those in other countries (83.3% vs 82.6%)., Conclusions: A rhythm control-oriented strategy in patients with AF with the use of ablation in cardiology wards is more frequent in Poland than in other EU countries. Similar to other EU countries, compliance with the ESC guidelines regarding anticoagulation in AF patients is suboptimal in Poland. Undertreatment was observed in a significant proportion of patients at high risk of stroke, while a large group of low-risk patients are overtreated. Differences between the types of recruiting centers in Poland and other EU countries might have influenced the results.

Background: Ischaemic stroke is a common complication of atrial fibrillation (AF). Cardiology societies recommend assessing the risk of ischaemic stroke and using adequate prevention in patients with AF. Currently, oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs are the most commonly used methods of stroke prevention. Left atrial appendage (LAA) is thought to be the main source of thrombi in patients with AF. LAA closure procedures that have been recently introduced into the clinical practice are an alternative method of stroke prevention in patients with contraindications to oral anticoagulants or with a high risk of bleeding. Two systems of percutaneous LAA closure are currently available, the Watchman plug and the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug, but experience with these procedures is still very limited., Aim: To provide early results regarding safety and feasibility of percutaneous LAA closure with the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug in patients with AF and multiple comorbidities resulting in a high risk of stroke and bleeding complications., Methods: Twenty one patients with AF, at least 2 points in the CHADS2/CHA2DS2VASc score and a high risk of bleeding as assessed by the HAS-BLED score (at least 3 points) underwent percutaneous Amplatzer Cardiac Plug implantation. Patients with less than 3 points in the HAS-BLED score were also included in the study if they had contraindications to oral anticoagulants (e.g. previous haemorrhage, recurrent bleeding, epidermolysis) or suffered from recurrent ischaemic stroke despite anticoagulant treatment. The Amplatzer Cardiac Plug was implanted using the standard technique under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic guidance., Results: Percutaneous LAA closure with the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug was performed in a group of patients with many comorbidities who had a high risk of ischaemic stroke (CHA2DS2VASc score 4.43 ± 1.4 points) as well as a high risk of bleeding (HAS-BLED score 3.0 ± 0.7 points). LAA occlusion was successfully performed in 20 (95.2%) patients. A serious periprocedural complication (cardiac tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis) occurred in 1 (4.76%) patient., Conclusions: Successful LAA occlusion is feasible in a vast majority of patients undergoing this procedure. The rate of serious periprocedural complications is relatively low. LAA occlusion is justified in a group of patients with a high risk of ischaemic stroke and a high risk of bleeding or contraindications to oral anticoagulants.

Background: The concept of a hybrid approach, combining the most effective techniques of surgical and endocardial catheter ablation has resulted in the creation of the convergent ablation procedure. This novel, pericardioscopic, hybrid approach can be an effective option for highly symptomatic patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PSAF) and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) for whom standalone surgical or endocardial ablation procedures offer sometimes unsatisfactory outcomes., Aim: To assess the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of a hybrid epicardial and endocardial radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of PSAF and LSPAF., Methods: Single-centre, prospective, non-randomised clinical study. Between August 2009 and December 2011, 27 patients with PSAF (n = 5) and LSPAF (n = 22) underwent hybrid ablation (HABL). Mean age was 52.52 ± 11.27 years, and the mean EHRA class was 2.5; 14 (51.8%) patients had a history of electrical cardioversion (n = 6) or catheter ablation (n = 8). Five patients had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 35%. Mean AF duration for all patients was 3.46 ± 2.5 years. All patients were on antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) and oral anticoagulation. Patients were scheduled for three, six and 12 month follow-up with seven day Holters, REVEAL® XT and ECHO measurements., Results: The HABL procedure was feasible in all patients. At six months post procedure, 72.2% (13/18) of patients were in SR, and 66.5% (12/18) were off class I/III AADs. Four patients were in AF and one patient developed right atrial flutter. At one year post procedure, 80% (8/10) of patients were in SR and off class I/III AADs. At two year post procedure, 100% (6/6) of patients were in SR and off class I/III AADs. Rapid change in left ventricular function was noted in patients with low LVEF (≤ 35%) prior to the procedure. Patients with LVEF +40% had less apparent improvement., Conclusions: Hybrid, epicardial and endocardial, radiofrequency ablation is feasible and safe, effectively restoring sinus rhythm in the vast majority of patients with PSAF and LSPAF.

Background: Radiofrequency current ablation (RFCA) is a safe and efficient method of treatment in adult patients with symptomatic arrhythmias. Recently RFCA is being also used in the treatment of children with cardiac arrhythmias, however its value in this set of patients is poorly documented. Aims of our study were to assess the feasibility and safety of RFCA procedures in children with symptomatic supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, and to identify the parameters which influence the probability of acute success and RFCA course., Methods: Consecutive 110 patients aged less than 18, who underwent RFCA due to the symptomatic arrhythmias at our center were included into a retrospective analysis. The patients presented mainly with the preexcitation syndrome (57%), 13.6% had ectopic ventricular arrhythmias, in 17.3% nodal reentrant tachycardia, in 8.2% intraatrial reentry tachycardia (IART), whereas in 5.4% ectopic atrial tachycardia (EAT) was diagnosed. Three patients had multiple arrhythmias. In ten subjects congenital heart defect was diagnosed in the past, which was treated surgically in 8. Analyzed parameters included: RFCA success-rate, procedure duration, fluoroscopy-time, perioperative complications and arrhythmia recurrence-rate during 6 months follow-up., Results: Ablation was successful in 101 (91.8%) patients and abolished 104 out of 113 (92%) treated arrhythmias. Out of 9 patients with unsuccessful RFCA, three had congenital heart defect. Two complications occurred intra-operatively in two patients: in one patient pneumothorax was observed following jugular vein puncture, which resolved spontaneously without the need of drainage, in the second patient transient atrioventricular conduction block occurred during radiofrequency current application. Mean procedure duration in the studied population was 118.9 +/- 46 min, fluoroscopy exposure equaled 22.3 +/- 17min. In twelve patients (10.9%) arrhythmia recurred during the follow-up period. The longest procedure duration was observed in patients with EAT and IART, the longest fluoroscopy-time in subjects with IART, whereas the shortest fluoroscopy was observed in patients with the ventricular ectopic arrhythmias. Success-rates, complications, and recurrence-rates did not differ irrespectively from arrhythmia treated. The only independent predictor of unsuccessful RFCA was the presence of congenital cardiac defect (adjusted OR 0.15, p<0.05). The presence of cardiac defect, procedure performed without electroanatomic mapping system and less experienced operators were the parameters associated with longer fluoroscopic exposure., Conclusions: Radiofrequency current ablation is a safe and efficient method of treatment in children with arrhythmias. The presence of congenital heart defect was a factor influencing unfavorably the probability of successful RFCA. Procedural course was related to the experience of electrophysiology team, the use of advanced mapping systems and presence of cardiac defect.

This study was performed to evaluate the protective effects of pyrroline and pyrrolidine nitroxides Pirolin, PL, and Pirolid, PD, on the plasma membranes of rat cardiomyocytes treated in vitro with anthracycline drugs aclarubicin (ACL) and doxorubicin (DOX). The influence of two concentrations of drugs (10 and 20 microM) and nitroxides (0.1 and 1 mM) as well as their combinations (a drug and a nitroxide) on membrane fluidity was investigated. The plasma membranes of cardiomyocytes were labelled with a hydrophobic fluorescence probe 12-AS and membrane fluidity was estimated on the basis of the fluorescence anisotropy of the probe. We found that aclarubicin and doxorubicin induced a significant dose-dependent decrease in membrane fluidity, whereas the nitroxides (PL and PD) caused its increase. Preincubation of cardiomyocytes with Pirolin entirely protected plasma membranes of these cells against damage caused by DOX. In the same conditions no protective effect of Pirolid was observed. What is more, Pirolid in combination with DOX caused fluidisation of the plasma membranes of cardiomyocytes. Both nitroxides at low concentration (0.1 mM) protected plasma membranes against rigidification induced by aclarubicin, while high concentration (1 mM) was ineffective and caused fluidisation of the plasma membranes of cardiomyocytes.