Genetic architecture of dilated cardiomyopathy in Poland: variant distribution, clinical characteristics and prognosis.

Introduction:  Genetic variants are the leading cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Data on genetic testing in DCM from Central European populations are scarce.

Objectives:  We sought to determine the genetic architecture of DCM in Poland and assess its influence on clinical characteristics and prognosis.

Recurrences of the infective endocarditis: clinical features and outcomes. Results from the Polish infective endocarditis registry (POL-ENDO).

Background: Patients with prior infective endocarditis are associated with an increased risk of recurrence.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the clinical profile and treatment results of recurrent IE patients in Poland and compare them to European recurrent IE profile.

Methods: A prospective multicenter observational cohort study of recurrent IE and first-episode IE patients from 160 medical centers in Poland registered between August 2022 and August 2024 was conducted.

Multiparametric Approach to Arrhythmic Mitral Valve Prolapse: Novel and Recognized Markers of Increased Sudden Cardiac Arrest Risk.

Background: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in some cases may predispose to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. The aims of this study were to evaluate determinants of arrhythmic MVP (AMVP) in a large population and to identify variables associated with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or sudden cardiac death.

Methods: This ambispective cohort study included patients 18 to 70 years of age with MVP with preserved ejection fraction and no coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, or channelopathies.

Clinical Efficacy of Canrenone in Restoring Sinus Rhythm in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation-A Pilot, Randomized, Double-Blind Study.

Background and aimsRenin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibition is an upstream therapy for managing atrial fibrillation (AF). Of all RAAS-inhibiting agents, only canrenone in the form of potassium canrenoate, a specific inhibitor of mineralocorticoid receptors, is administered intravenously. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of intravenous potassium canrenoate in restoring sinus rhythm in patients with paroxysmal AF episodes.

The effect of short term amiodarone treatment on the effectiveness of catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation refractory to cardioversion.

Background: Little is known about the effect of amiodarone therapy in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation refractory to electrical cardioversion (AF-REC) scheduled for catheter ablation (CA).

Aims: This study aimed to determine whether postulated atrial reverse remodelling achieved through short-term pre- and post-ablation amiodarone therapy with sinus rhythm restoration prior to CA affects the long-term effectiveness of the rhythm control strategy in AF-REC patients.

Material And Methods: AF-REC patients scheduled for CA were included in this retrospective study.

Early Changes in the Plasma Lipidome of People at Very High Cardiovascular Risk: A New Approach to Assessing the Risk of Cardiovascular Changes.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide and requires a deeper understanding of its pathogenesis for effective prevention and treatment. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), characterized by high levels of LDL cholesterol, is a significant risk factor for CVD. FH background remains unexplained despite advances in genetic testing.

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).

Atrial fibrillation in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients - worse clinical presentation and adverse long term prognosis.

Objective: . Aim: The aim of this ambispective, two-center, observational study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and 3-years prognosis of patients with non-STelevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and AF.

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: Patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of NSTEMI were included.

Mitral valve prolapse in sudden cardiac arrest survivors: Coincidence or causal relationship?

Background: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) risk stratification in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) may be complicated by other potential causes of arrhythmia.

Objective: We aimed to characterize SCA survivors with isolated MVP (iMVP) and non-isolated MVP (non-iMVP) and to assess their long-term follow-up.

Methods: This ambispective study included 75 patients with MVP who experienced SCA and were treated in our center between 2009 and 2024.

Association between ablation-induced baroreceptor reflex modification and procedure efficacy in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a significant role in atrial fibrillation (AF). Catheter ablation (CA) is a well-established treatment method for AF and significantly affects the ANS, including baroreceptor (BR) function. However, little is known about the changes in BR function caused by radiofrequency (RF) or cryoballoon energy (CB) and its impact on future AF recurrences.

Late gadolinium enhancement in aortic stenosis: Is it an indication for surgical treatment in asymptomatic patients?

Background: It remains a challenge to determine the best time to refer asymptomatic patients for aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Aims: We aimed to determine whether late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) has an independent prognostic significance for adverse postoperative cardiovascular events and changes in left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods: Consecutive patients with severe asymptomatic AS were prospectively enrolled in the study.

Evaluating the effect of coronary atherosclerosis on the occurrence of atrial fibrillation through coronary computed tomography angiography.

Background: The direct impact of atherosclerotic lesions in coronary vessels on the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients without a history of acute myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, or revascularization procedures remains largely unknown.

Aims: We aimed to assess the risk and predictors of new-onset AF in patients with coronary atherosclerosis confirmed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods: We included consecutive patients referred for CCTA who had been observed and diagnosed with new-onset AF over 10 years.

Large Field-of-View Intravascular Ultrasound for Mitral and Tricuspid Valve-in-Valve Guidance: A Pilot Study.

Background: Actual expansion of a transcatheter heart valve (THV) might differ from nominal, particularly during nonaortic valve-in-valve for a degenerated bioprosthetic surgical heart valve (SHV). This pilot study compared THV expansion measured using large-field-of-view intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) vs. multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and assessed the correlation between THV dimensions and transvalvular gradients.

Troponin T Assessment Allows for Identification of Mutation Carriers among Young Relatives of Patients with -Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

-related dilated cardiomyopathy (-DCM) caused by mutations in the lamin A/C gene () is one of the most common forms of hereditary DCM. Due to the high risk of mutation transmission to offspring and the high incidence of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death even before the onset of heart failure symptoms, it is very important to identify -mutation carriers. However, many relatives of -DCM patients do not report to specialized centers for clinical or genetic screening.

Preliminary results from the Polish Infective Endocarditis Registry (POL-ENDO): Time to change clinical practice?

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe valvular disease associated with high morbidity and mortality.

Aims: This preliminary study aimed to evaluate patient profiles and treatment outcomes of IE in Poland and compare them with European IE characteristics.

Methods: We conducted a prospective multicenter observational cohort study - the POL-ENDO registry - in IE patients from 134 hospitals in Poland recruited between August 2022 and August 2023.

Effects of exercise training after acute coronary syndromes in octogenarians - prospective 12-month evaluation.

Objective: Aim: To demonstrate the impact of individual exercise training on the course of the disease, exercise tolerance and quality of life (QoL) in patients over 75 years after acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: Study included octogenarians after ACS randomly assigned into two groups: a training group (ExT) subjected to individualized physical training and a control group (CG) with standard recommendations for activity. Patients underwent exercise tolerance test (ETT), 6-minute walk test (6-MWT), NHP and QoL questionnaires evaluation, lab tests, ECG, echocardiographic examination at the beginning and after 2, 6 and 12 months.

Risk factors for thrombosis and spontaneous echocardiographic contrast with sludge in atrial fibrillation patients treated with oral anticoagulants before electrical cardioversion.

Background: Knowledge of thrombosis (T) risk predictors and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are important tools in appropriate qualification of patients for safe electrical cardioversion.

Aims: We aimed to investigate predictors of T and spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) with sludge in the left atrium (LA) and appendage (LAA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients on oral anticoagulation.

Methods: The study included 300 patients with AF lasting >48 hours.

Clinical and genetic yield of familial screening after a sudden unexplained death at a young age.

Background: In a population under 45 years of age, the predominant causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) are inherited cardiac diseases. Determining the underlying cause may help identify relatives at risk and prevent further events but is more difficult if an autopsy has not been performed.

Aims: We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of clinical and genetic screening in relatives of young non-autopsied sudden unexplained death (SUD) victims.

Analysis of complications in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a single-center study.

Introduction: Transfemoral access is a prevailing approach for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in contemporary practice, with a shift from surgical arteriotomy to a percutaneous arterial approach.

Objectives: This study assessed long- and short‑term mortality, along with Valve Academic Research Consortium-2-defined complications in percutaneous transfemoral approach (PTA) TAVI. Furthermore, it explored the impact of a learning curve on procedural outcomes.