Bicuspid Aortic Valves (BAV) Registry (RE-BAV): Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with BAV according to novel classification of bicuspid aortic valves.

Background: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common congenital heart defect linked to abnormal valve structure and aortic dilatation.

Aims: To present BAV types and valvulo-aortopathy in the Polish population using the latest 2021 classification.

Methods: RE-BAV is a registry of adult ambulatory and hospitalized patients with BAV evaluated in echocardiographic laboratories at 23 tertiary centers in Poland (2021-2023).

Multi-Modality Imaging in Caseous Calcification of the Mitral Annulus: Case Series and Clinical Implications.

BACKGROUND Echogenic masses in the mitral annulus are often incidental findings during routine echocardiography examinations. Most represent the wide spectrum of underlying mitral annular calcifications and usually do not require further diagnostic workup. However, a rare variant called "caseous calcification of the mitral annulus" (CCMA) can be challenging to diagnose and often requires an extensive workup with the use of multiple imaging studies in order to accurately confirm the pathology.

Temporal changes in biomarker levels and their association with the early degeneration stage of transcatheter aortic valves in F-fluorodeoxyglucose and F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography studies.

Introduction: As transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) indications expand, understanding the valve degeneration process and potential influencing biomarkers becomes increasingly important.

Aim: To investigate temporal changes in biomarker levels and their potential association with F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) and F-sodium fluoride (F-NaF) uptake, assessed using positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) studies as markers for native aortic annulus calcifications and early-stage TAVI valve degeneration.

Material And Methods: A total of 71 TAVI patients underwent blood sampling and transthoracic echocardiography at baseline (pre-TAVI) and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the procedure.

The Prognostic Significance of Atrial Fibrillation and Left Atrium Size in Patients with Aortic Stenosis.

Aim    Aortic stenosis increases left atrial (LA) pressure and may lead to its remodeling. This can cause supraventricular arrhythmia. The aim of this study was to determine if the size of the LA and the presence of atrial fibrillation are related to the prognosis of patients with aortic stenosis.

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography imaging in assessing early stages of aortic valve degeneration after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a standard treatment for severe aortic stenosis, primarily in elderly patients. With an increasing number of procedures and younger patients, understanding the valve degeneration and its risk factors becomes crucial.

Objectives: We aimed to utilize 18F‑sodium fluoride (18F‑NaF) and 18F‑fluorodeoxyglucose (18F‑FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to evaluate early TAVI valve degeneration.

Hemodynamic parameters of aortic valve prostheses - KRAK-AS registry analysis.

Introduction: The treatment of choice for aortic stenosis is a valve replacement. Some patients have post-procedural increased pressure gradient on the implanted prosthesis because of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM), known to adversely influence prognosis. The PPM risk should be initially predicted and effort made to avoid this complication, specifically in large body size patients.

Computed tomography and transthoracic echocardiography for assessment of left ventricle geometry in patients with aortic valve stenosis.

Introduction: Standard transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) often is not sufficient to properly visualize the geometry of the left ventricle. One of the clinical imaging modalities that can be used for this purpose is contrast-enhanced, electrocardiologically gated cardiac computed tomography (CT).

Aim: To compare cardiac CT and TTE as tools for assessing geometry and function of the left ventricle in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty for severe aortic stenosis may reduce mitral regurgitation in mid-term follow-up.

Introduction: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a frequent complication in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).

Material And Methods: Echocardiographic assessment of MR was performed at baseline, at 30 days and at 6 months after balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV).

Results: Data of 271 patients were included in our final analysis, of which 21.

Safety and efficacy of repeated balloon aortic valvuloplasty in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

Background: Long-term outcomes of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) are poor, and this procedure needs to be repeated in selected cases.

Aims: We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of repeated BAV (reBAV).

Methods: We included consecutive patients who underwent reBAV in three Polish centers between 2010 and 2019.

Mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin and lactate dehydrogenase as predictors of left ventricular remodeling in patients with myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Introduction: The main impact of myocardial infarction (MI) is shifting from acute mortality to adverse remodeling, chronic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and heart failure.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess relationships between levels of circulating biomarkers and the function of LV after MI.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective study of 80 patients with MI treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty for Severe Aortic Stenosis as Rescue or Bridge Therapy.

The study aimed to assess procedural complications, patient flow and clinical outcomes after balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) as rescue or bridge therapy, based on data from our registry. A total of 382 BAVs in 374 patients was performed. The main primary indication for BAV was a bridge for TAVI ( 185, 49.

Patent Foramen Ovale Channel Morphometric Characteristics Associated with Cryptogenic Stroke: The MorPFO Score.

Background: It is still disputable whether the specific morphologic properties of patent foramen ovale (PFO) may contribute to the occurrence of stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the morphometric and functional features of the PFO channel in patients with cryptogenic stroke and those without stroke.

Methods: PFO channel morphology in 106 consecutive patients with cryptogenic stroke and 93 control patients without stroke with diagnosed PFO (by transesophageal echocardiography) was analyzed using transesophageal echocardiography.