Sex differences in patients with working diagnosis of myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA).

Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) constitutes 3-15% of all acute myocardial infarctions. Women are more frequently diagnosed with MINOCA, although the influence of sex on long-term outcomes is still unclear. In this study we aimed to compare sex-based differences in baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes in patients with suspected MINOCA.

Patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: A sub-analysis from the 3-year Coordinated Myocardial Infarction Care Program (KOS-MI) registry.

Background: The Coordinated Care Program after Myocardial Infarction (KOS-MI) implemented in Poland has shown significant improvement in patient prognosis, ended in nationwide success, and got international attention. A similar program and methodology may be an attractive option for patients with heart failure (HF).

Aims: This study aimed to analyze whether a similarly structured program would also be beneficial for HF patients after myocardial infarction.

Targeted therapy with a localised abluminal groove, low-dose sirolimus-eluting, biodegradable-polymer coronary stent - five-year results of the TARGET All Comers randomised clinical trial.

Background: In the prospective, multicentre, randomised TARGET All Comers study, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the FIREHAWK biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting stent (BP-SES) was non-inferior to the durable-polymer everolimus-eluting stent (DP-EES) for the primary endpoint of target lesion failure (TLF) at 12 months.

Aims: We aimed to report the final study outcomes at 5 years.

Methods: Patients referred for PCI were randomised to receive either a BP-SES or DP-EES in a 1:1 ratio in 10 European countries.

Long-term bio-functional performance of a novel, self-positioning balloon expandable transcatheter biological aortic valve system in the ovine aortic banding model.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate bio-functionality of a novel, proprietary balloon-expandable biological transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) system (InFlow, CardValve Consortium, Poland) in an ovine model of aortic banding.

Methods: Surgical ascending aorta banding was created in 21 sheep. Two weeks later, 18 biological valves were implanted within the model using 15-16 F InFlow TAVI systems and carotid cut-down approach.

Hemostatic disorders in patients with infective endocarditis undergoing urgent surgical valve replacement - Rethinking current beliefs.

Background: Although infective endocarditis (IE) represents a unique model of thrombo-inflammatory disease, the most frequent early complications of surgical valve replacement (SVR) in IE population are coagulopathy and bleeding. The hemostatic capacity and procedure-related coagulation disorders of IE patients undergoing SVR are unknown. The aims of this study were to test periprocedural hemostasis in IE patients undergoing urgent SVR, and to assess the association between disorders of hemostasis and early bleeding as well as with thromboembolic events.

Long-term outcomes of the Coordinated Care Program in Patients after Myocardial Infarction (KOS-MI).

Background: The Coordinated Care in Myocardial Infarction Program (KOS-MI) was introduced to improve prognosis for patients after myocardial infarction (MI). The program includes complete revascularization followed by unrestricted access to rehabilitation, electrotherapy, and cardiac care.

Aim: This study aimed to assess major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) of patients enrolled in the KOS-MI at 3-year follow-up.

Safety and feasibility of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery early after drug-eluting stent implantation due to acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The evidence on performing minimally invasive coronary artery surgery early after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is limited.

Aim: The study aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of this approach.

Methods: This registry included 115 (78% male) patients treated from 2013 to 2018, who underwent non-left anterior descending (LAD) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to ACS with contemporary DES implantation (39% diagnosed with myocardial infarction at baseline), followed by endoscopic atraumatic coronary artery bypass (EACAB) surgery within 180 days, after temporary P2Y12 inhibitor discontinuation.

Impact of smoking on outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Introduction: Smoking is a well‑established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, in patients with ST‑segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), smoking has been associated with better clinical outcomes; this phenomenon became known as the "smoker's paradox."

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between smoking and clinical outcomes in STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), using 3 large national registries.

Temporal, biomechanical evaluation of a novel, transcatheter polymeric aortic valve in ovine aortic banding model.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the functionality, durability, and temporal biocompatibility of a novel, balloon-expandable polymeric transcatheter heart valve (ATHV) system (InFlow, CardValve Consortium, Poland). Along with expanding TAVI indications, the demand for new transcatheter valves is increasing.

Methods: A surgical ascending aortic banding model was created in 20 sheep.

Controlled Release of Encapsuled Stromal-Derived Factor 1α Improves Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Migration.

Stem cell treatment is a promising method of therapy for the group of patients whose conventional options for treatment have been limited or rejected. Stem cells have the potential to repair, replace, restore and regenerate cells. Moreover, their proliferation level is high.

One-stage hybrid coronary revascularization for the treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease- Periprocedural and long-term results from the "HYBRID-COR" feasibility study.

Background: The constant growth of interest in hybrid coronary artery revascularization (HCR) is apparent. Yet, few studies report outcomes of the one-stage HCR. Consequently, the status of such procedures is not adequately supported in clinical guidelines.

6-Month Evaluation of a Transcatheter Aortic Valve (Myval) in a Novel Ovine, Supra-Aortic Banding Model.

The aim of the study was to evaluate a balloon expandable transcatheter heart valve (THV) system (Myval) at 6-month follow-up in ovine banding model. Eleven THV systems were implanted via carotid approach. There were 2 procedure-related deaths and 2 premature deaths.

Multivessel Intervention in Myocardial Infarction with Cardiogenic Shock: CULPRIT-SHOCK Trial Outcomes in the PL-ACS Registry.

Background: The aim of the study was a comparison of culprit-lesion-only (CL-PCI) with the multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (MV-PCI) in terms of 30-day and 12-month mortality in a national registry.

Methods: Patients from the PL-ACS registry with MI and CS were analyzed. Patients meeting the criteria of the CULPRIT-SHOCK trial were divided into two groups: CL-PCI and MV-PCI groups.

Microcrystalline paclitaxel-coated balloon for revascularization of femoropopliteal artery disease: Three-year outcomes of the randomized BIOPAC trial.

The aim of the BIOPAC trial was to determine long-term safety and efficacy of a novel microcrystalline paclitaxel-coated balloon (mcPCB) with a biocompatible polymer as an excipient in the treatment of occlusive femoropopliteal lesions. In this first-in-human prospective controlled randomized trial, 66 patients with femoropopliteal, symptomatic (Rutherford stages 2B to 5) occlusive arterial disease were randomized to either mcPCB (study group) or POBA (plain old balloon angioplasty) (control group) on a 1:1 basis. Late lumen loss (LLL) at 6 months was the primary endpoint of the study and serious adverse events (SAE: death, amputation, repeated revascularization) were considered a composite secondary endpoint.

Long‑term outcomes of transcatheter self-expanding aortic valve implantations in inoperable and high surgical-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis: a single-center single-valve registry.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is being increasingly used in patients with longer life expectancy. Data on long‑term outcomes are still limited.

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the clinical outcomes of patients treated with TAVI and identify baseline and procedure‑related factors influencing long‑term survival.

Nanospheres encapsulated everolimus delivery into arterial wall-the tissue pharmacokinetics and vascular response experimental study.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile and tissue effects of everolimus delivered into arterial wall using biodegradable nanospheres.

Background: Delivery of everolimus into the arterial wall is challenging due to its low-lipophilic profile.

Methods: A pharmacokinetic study included 28 porcine coronary arterial segments initially injured with balloon angioplasty followed by the local delivery of everolimus encapsulated in nanospheres (EEN) via injection through a microporous delivery catheter.

Clinical Characteristics, Treatments, and Outcomes of Patients with Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA): Results from a Multicenter National Registry.

Background: Diagnosis of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) requires both clinical evidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and demonstration of non-obstructive coronary arteries using angiography. We compared the clinical features, treatments, and three-year outcomes in patients with MINOCA and myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary artery disease (MI-CAD).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data for 205,606 hospitalized patients with AMI.

Influence of heart rate on FFR measurements: An experimental and clinical validation study.

Background: Functional lesion assessment in stable coronary disease is considered the gold standard. The result of fractional flow reserve (FFR) in stable coronary disease is often a decision-maker for patient qualification. Taking into account the paramount position of FFR, it is crucial to acknowledge and reduce all potential bias.

Ticagrelor monotherapy beyond one month after PCI in ACS or stable CAD in elderly patients: a pre-specified analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial.

Aims: Antiplatelet treatment in the elderly post percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) remains a complex issue. Here we report the results of the pre-specified subgroup analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial evaluating the long-term safety and cardiovascular efficacy of ticagrelor monotherapy among patients categorised according to the pre-specified cut-off value of 75 years of age.

Methods And Results: This was a pre-specified analysis of the randomised GLOBAL LEADERS trial (n=15,991), comparing 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy (after one month of DAPT) with the reference treatment (12-month DAPT followed by 12 months of aspirin).

Five-Year Outcomes after PCI or CABG for Left Main Coronary Disease.

Background: Long-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with contemporary drug-eluting stents, as compared with coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG), in patients with left main coronary artery disease are not clearly established.

Methods: We randomly assigned 1905 patients with left main coronary artery disease of low or intermediate anatomical complexity (according to assessment at the participating centers) to undergo either PCI with fluoropolymer-based cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents (PCI group, 948 patients) or CABG (CABG group, 957 patients). The primary outcome was a composite of death, stroke, or myocardial infarction.

Neointimal hyperplasia of ultra-thin stents with microcrystalline sirolimus or durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents: 6- and 24-month results of the DESSOLVE III OCT study.

Aims: The DESSOLVE III OCT substudy aimed to compare serially neointimal hyperplasia volume obstruction (%VO) between the thin-strut MiStent with early polymer elimination and nine-month sustained drug release from microcrystalline sirolimus and the durable polymer-coated everolimus-eluting XIENCE stent at six and 24 months after implantation.

Methods And Results: The efficacy endpoint was %VO, calculated as abluminal neointimal volume/stent volume. Thirty-six patients (MiStent 16 patients, 16 lesions; XIENCE 20 patients, 22 lesions) underwent serial OCT evaluation at both six and 24 months.

Local intravascular delivery of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol corresponds with increased intimal thickening in a healthy porcine coronary model. A prelude to development of a model of atherosclerosis.

Introduction: Preclinical, vascular response studies are limited due to lack of underlying disease. The available cholesterol-diet-based and genetic atherosclerotic models are not satisfactory due to long breeding, unpredictable lesion formation, low plaque volume and degree of stenosis.

Aim: To evaluate the vascular response to local, intramural delivery of human, highly atherogenic lipids into healthy domestic swine (DS) coronary arteries.