Neutrophil extracellular traps-related markers in chronic limb threatening ischemia - a relation with progression and prognosis.

Background: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation is involved in atherothrombosis, though little is known about this phenomenon in peripheral artery disease (PAD). We investigated whether NETs-associated markers are related with the PAD severity and long-term outcomes after endovascular treatment and if they affect fibrin properties and thrombin generation.

Patients And Methods: We studied 85 patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) and restenosis within one year after endovascular treatment and 47 age-sex-matched PAD controls without restenosis.

Closing the sex gap in time delays and mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: insights from the National Registry of Invasive Cardiology Procedures (ORPKI).

Introduction: Despite improvements in cardiovascular care, sex disparities persist in the outcomes of patients presenting with ST‑segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the change in sex‑based differences in treatment delays, procedural complications, and outcomes among patients admitted for STEMI over the years.

Patients And Methods: Data from the National Registry of Invasive Cardiology Procedures recorded between 2014 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, focusing on patients without cardiogenic shock who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

The clinical assessment of studies on orphan drugs in relation to the EMA's authorization marketing decisions in Europe.

Introduction: The main objective of this study was to assess the correlation between the methodological characteristics of clinical trials on orphan drugs and the special statuses granted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Material And Methods: Data were collected for all medicines with orphan designation assigned by 2020. From August 2019 to June 2020, special statuses (authorization statuses and registration requirements) and general information on orphan drugs were obtained from the EMA's web-based registry.

Time-Dependent Autonomic Dysregulation and Co-Activation Induced by Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep.

Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are characterised by repetitive, involuntary limb movements that occur during sleep and are often associated with autonomic nervous system dysregulation. While it is known that PLMS influence cardiovascular parameters, the exact role of heart rate variability (HRV) and the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity remains unclear. Previous studies have suggested that longer PLMS events may trigger more pronounced autonomic responses, but the relationship between the duration of PLMS and autonomic dynamics has yet to be fully explored.

Left ventricular remodeling in atrial fibrillation is associated with elevated NAP-2 and 3-nitrotyrosine.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) coexists with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and remodeling. Neutrophil infiltration of cardiac muscle tissue and oxidative stress are associated with cardiac remodeling.

Materials And Methods: In 221 AF patients aged 70 (62-76) years, LV remodeling was assessed using echocardiography.

Sex Influence on Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation and Breath-Hold Diving Performance: Examination of the Autonomic Regulation of Cardiovascular Responses to Facial Cooling and Apnoea Across Sex and Varied Factors.

This review emphasises the importance of the cardiovascular response to facial cooling (FC) and breath holding in both sexes. The trigemino-cardiac reflex, triggered by FC, reduces heart rate (HR) and constricts blood vessels. When combined with breath holding, this effect intensifies, enhancing the cardiodepressive impact.

Effectiveness of a nurse-led program of frequent educational meetings in achieving weight loss in patients with coronary artery disease: A prospective study from Poland.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) reduction in secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases requires a multidimensional intervention.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the effect of regular 1-year nursing supervision on weight reduction in secondary prevention in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Methods: The study was conducted from 2018 to 2022.

Allergic reactions during coronary angiography or PCI in Poland: Occurrence, trends, and long-term perspective based on the Polish ORPKI registry.

Background: Allergic reactions during coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndromes can affect their outcomes.

Aims: We aimed to investigate the incidence of allergic reactions and predictors of their occurrence in the catheterization laboratory.

Material And Methods: The study included 1 812 994 treatment cases available in the ORPKI Polish National Registry, of which 659 372 were for women and 1 144 689 for men.

Exercise Stress Testing Enhances Plasma Protein Carbonyl Levels in Patients With Asymptomatic Moderate-to-Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Exercise stress test-induced hypofibrinolysis and changes in circulating levels of several interleukins have been observed in aortic stenosis (AS). However, it is unknown whether the pattern of exercise-induced changes in oxidative stress differs between AS patients and controls and if the differences are associated with changes in fibrinolysis and inflammation. We studied 32 asymptomatic patients with moderate-to-severe AS and 32 controls of similar age, sex, and body mass index.

TransCatheter aortic valve implantation and fractional flow reserve-guided percutaneous coronary intervention versus conventional surgical aortic valve replacement and coronary bypass grafting for treatment of patients with aortic valve stenosis and complex or multivessel coronary disease (TCW): an international, multicentre, prospective, open-label, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Patients with severe aortic stenosis present frequently (∼50%) with concomitant obstructive coronary artery disease. Current guidelines recommend combined surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as the preferred treatment. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) represent a valid treatment alternative.

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.

Heart Rate Variability and Interoception in Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep: Interference with Psychiatric Disorders?

Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are a prevalent disorder characterized by rhythmic, involuntary movements of the lower limbs, such as dorsiflexion of the ankle and extension of the big toe, occurring in periodic intervals during sleep. These movements are often linked to disrupted autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity and altered interoception. Interoception involves perceiving internal bodily states, like heartbeat, breathing, hunger, and temperature, and plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and the mind-body connection.

Comparison of four aortic bioprostheses: Hancock II St Jude Trifecta Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna Magna Ease-mid-term results (COMPARE SAVR study).

Background: In the era of percutaneous aortic valve implantation, biological valves are the preferred prostheses implanted in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (sAVR). The aim was to present a real-life analysis of mid-term sAVR outcomes for the four aortic bioprostheses: the Hancock II, the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna, the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna Ease and the Trifecta valve.

Methods: This is a retrospective study based on data from the Polish National Cardiac Surgery Database.

Risk factors of cardiac arrest during a percutaneous coronary intervention performed with rotational atherectomy - analysis based on a Large National Registry.

Background: Rotational atherectomy (RA) is traditionally administered for patients with heavily calcified lesions and is thereby characterized by a high risk of the performed intervention. However, the prevalence characteristics of cardiac arrest are poorly studied in this group of patients. We aimed to evaluate the frequency and risk factors of cardiac arrest during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) performed with RA and preceding coronary angiography (CA).

Medically Treated Nonischemic Thin-Cap Fibroatheroma Lesions Versus Fractional Flow Reserve-Guided Complete Revascularization in Diabetic Patients.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is an established method to guide decisions on revascularization; however, in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), FFR-negative lesions carrying an optical coherence tomography-detected thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) remain at high risk for adverse cardiac events.

Methods: In this prespecified subanalysis of the COMBINE OCT-FFR trial, DM patients with ≥1 FFR-negative, TCFA-positive medically treated target lesions referred to as vulnerable plaque (VP group), were compared to patients with exclusively FFR-positive target lesions who underwent complete revascularization (CR group). The primary endpoint was first and recurrent event analysis for target lesion failure and the secondary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, or hospitalization due to unstable angina.

Sex Differences in Fractional Flow Reserve Utilization.

: The literature review shows that female patients are more frequently underdiagnosed or suffer from delayed diagnosis. Recognition of sex-related differences is crucial for implementing strategies to improve cardiovascular outcomes. We aimed to assess sex-related disparities in the frequency of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided procedures in patients who underwent angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).