Progress in non-invasive diagnostic techniques such as ultrasonography, computerised tomography o... more Progress in non-invasive diagnostic techniques such as ultrasonography, computerised tomography or magnetic resonance caused a significant decrease in the use of diagnostic myocardial biopsy (DMB). However, recent advances in molecular biology and widening knowledge about the role of new biochemical markers gives hope for more detailed assessment of cardiomyocyte pathophysiology, based on the proper examination of myocardial biopsy specimen. To assess current usefulness of DMB in the diagnosis of various myocardial disorders and monitoring after heart transplantation. DMB was performed in 104 patients (84.6% males) with a clinical diagnosis of idiopathicdilated cardiomyopathy (35.6%), post-inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (22.1%), restrictive cardiomyopathy (2.9%), post-infarction myocardial injury (17.3%), ventricular arrhythmias resistant to treatment (2.9%), cardiac tumour (0.96%), suspected arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (0.96%) and with transplanted heart (17.3%)...
This study explores predictors of side branch (SB) compromise in the main vessel only stenting gr... more This study explores predictors of side branch (SB) compromise in the main vessel only stenting group and its influence on long-term follow-up of the patients. We hypothesised that the geometric factors determining plaque distribution in branching regions influence SB compromise. Angiographic analysis of bifurcation lesions (all Medina types) was performed before, immediately after, and 9-12 months after the procedure. Control angiography was performed when clinically indicated. Specific attention was given to the influence of angle alpha - the angle between main vessel and SB axes. Fifty-five patients (62 lesions) formed the study group. The LAD lesions were dominant (73%). Drug-eluting stents were used in 48% and kissing balloon inflation in 31%. The value of angle alpha was associated with significant SB stenosis. There was significant worsening of ostial SB stenosis (from 48% to 69%) after main vessel stenting, with the only independent predictor angle alpha. For SB ostial MLD independent predictors were angle alpha, SB vessel diameter and MB reference diameter. Predictors of SB occlusion (6.5%) were angle alpha <30 degrees and age >82 years. At follow-up (mean 11 months) SB restenosis rate was 52%, but was associated with symptoms only if the main vessel was affected (8/55, 15%). Angle alpha and main vessel reference diameter, main branch minimal diameter after stenting and stent type were predictors of target vessel revascularisation rate (25%). Angle alpha predicts SB compromise after main vessel stenting and is the main predictor of restenosis in the main vessel.
This study explores predictors of side branch (SB) compromise in the main vessel only stenting gr... more This study explores predictors of side branch (SB) compromise in the main vessel only stenting group and its influence on long-term follow-up of the patients. We hypothesised that the geometric factors determining plaque distribution in branching regions influence SB compromise. Angiographic analysis of bifurcation lesions (all Medina types) was performed before, immediately after, and 9-12 months after the procedure. Control angiography was performed when clinically indicated. Specific attention was given to the influence of angle alpha - the angle between main vessel and SB axes. Fifty-five patients (62 lesions) formed the study group. The LAD lesions were dominant (73%). Drug-eluting stents were used in 48% and kissing balloon inflation in 31%. The value of angle alpha was associated with significant SB stenosis. There was significant worsening of ostial SB stenosis (from 48% to 69%) after main vessel stenting, with the only independent predictor angle alpha. For SB ostial MLD independent predictors were angle alpha, SB vessel diameter and MB reference diameter. Predictors of SB occlusion (6.5%) were angle alpha <30 degrees and age >82 years. At follow-up (mean 11 months) SB restenosis rate was 52%, but was associated with symptoms only if the main vessel was affected (8/55, 15%). Angle alpha and main vessel reference diameter, main branch minimal diameter after stenting and stent type were predictors of target vessel revascularisation rate (25%). Angle alpha predicts SB compromise after main vessel stenting and is the main predictor of restenosis in the main vessel.
Among patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) referred for urgent coronary angiogr... more Among patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) referred for urgent coronary angiography there are some with normal angiograms. To compare, with respect to angiographic findings, one-year clinical outcomes in patients hospitalised for suspected ACS. Between January 2001 and December 2003 emergency angiography was performed in 1169 patients. It revealed no significant coronary lesions in 97 (8.3%) cases, of these 40 being women and 57 men with a mean age of 55+/-15 yrs (Group 1). Sixty consecutive patients with ACS (20 women and 40 men with a mean age of 54+/-9 yrs) and significant coronary artery disease (CAD) confirmed by angiography were the study controls (Group 2). Demographic data, CAD risk factors, angiographic findings, ECG and echocardiographic data as well as laboratory test results were analysed. In a long-term follow-up, the prevalence of recurrent angina and all-cause mortality were assessed. There were no significant differences in patients' demographics between the two groups with the exception of arterial hypertension, which was more frequent in group 1. In group 1 the diagnosis of ACS was established in 14.5% cases, X syndrome in 14.4%, Prinzmetal angina in 4.1%, myocarditis in 6.1% and pulmonary thromboembolization in 5.1%. A definite diagnosis was not related to the cardiovascular disease in 36%. No complications were observed in the late follow-up of group 1 patients. Apparently normal angiograms are relatively common in patients referred for emergency coronary angiography. In patients without significant CAD on their angiograms the clinical outcome is favourable, without major adverse cardiovascular events in the long-term follow-up.
This study explores predictors of side branch (SB) compromise in the main vessel only stenting gr... more This study explores predictors of side branch (SB) compromise in the main vessel only stenting group and its influence on long-term follow-up of the patients. We hypothesised that the geometric factors determining plaque distribution in branching regions influence SB compromise. Angiographic analysis of bifurcation lesions (all Medina types) was performed before, immediately after, and 9-12 months after the procedure. Control angiography was performed when clinically indicated. Specific attention was given to the influence of angle alpha - the angle between main vessel and SB axes. Fifty-five patients (62 lesions) formed the study group. The LAD lesions were dominant (73%). Drug-eluting stents were used in 48% and kissing balloon inflation in 31%. The value of angle alpha was associated with significant SB stenosis. There was significant worsening of ostial SB stenosis (from 48% to 69%) after main vessel stenting, with the only independent predictor angle alpha. For SB ostial MLD in...
Progress in non-invasive diagnostic techniques such as ultrasonography, computerised tomography o... more Progress in non-invasive diagnostic techniques such as ultrasonography, computerised tomography or magnetic resonance caused a significant decrease in the use of diagnostic myocardial biopsy (DMB). However, recent advances in molecular biology and widening knowledge about the role of new biochemical markers gives hope for more detailed assessment of cardiomyocyte pathophysiology, based on the proper examination of myocardial biopsy specimen. To assess current usefulness of DMB in the diagnosis of various myocardial disorders and monitoring after heart transplantation. DMB was performed in 104 patients (84.6% males) with a clinical diagnosis of idiopathicdilated cardiomyopathy (35.6%), post-inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (22.1%), restrictive cardiomyopathy (2.9%), post-infarction myocardial injury (17.3%), ventricular arrhythmias resistant to treatment (2.9%), cardiac tumour (0.96%), suspected arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (0.96%) and with transplanted heart (17.3%)...
This study explores predictors of side branch (SB) compromise in the main vessel only stenting gr... more This study explores predictors of side branch (SB) compromise in the main vessel only stenting group and its influence on long-term follow-up of the patients. We hypothesised that the geometric factors determining plaque distribution in branching regions influence SB compromise. Angiographic analysis of bifurcation lesions (all Medina types) was performed before, immediately after, and 9-12 months after the procedure. Control angiography was performed when clinically indicated. Specific attention was given to the influence of angle alpha - the angle between main vessel and SB axes. Fifty-five patients (62 lesions) formed the study group. The LAD lesions were dominant (73%). Drug-eluting stents were used in 48% and kissing balloon inflation in 31%. The value of angle alpha was associated with significant SB stenosis. There was significant worsening of ostial SB stenosis (from 48% to 69%) after main vessel stenting, with the only independent predictor angle alpha. For SB ostial MLD independent predictors were angle alpha, SB vessel diameter and MB reference diameter. Predictors of SB occlusion (6.5%) were angle alpha <30 degrees and age >82 years. At follow-up (mean 11 months) SB restenosis rate was 52%, but was associated with symptoms only if the main vessel was affected (8/55, 15%). Angle alpha and main vessel reference diameter, main branch minimal diameter after stenting and stent type were predictors of target vessel revascularisation rate (25%). Angle alpha predicts SB compromise after main vessel stenting and is the main predictor of restenosis in the main vessel.
This study explores predictors of side branch (SB) compromise in the main vessel only stenting gr... more This study explores predictors of side branch (SB) compromise in the main vessel only stenting group and its influence on long-term follow-up of the patients. We hypothesised that the geometric factors determining plaque distribution in branching regions influence SB compromise. Angiographic analysis of bifurcation lesions (all Medina types) was performed before, immediately after, and 9-12 months after the procedure. Control angiography was performed when clinically indicated. Specific attention was given to the influence of angle alpha - the angle between main vessel and SB axes. Fifty-five patients (62 lesions) formed the study group. The LAD lesions were dominant (73%). Drug-eluting stents were used in 48% and kissing balloon inflation in 31%. The value of angle alpha was associated with significant SB stenosis. There was significant worsening of ostial SB stenosis (from 48% to 69%) after main vessel stenting, with the only independent predictor angle alpha. For SB ostial MLD independent predictors were angle alpha, SB vessel diameter and MB reference diameter. Predictors of SB occlusion (6.5%) were angle alpha <30 degrees and age >82 years. At follow-up (mean 11 months) SB restenosis rate was 52%, but was associated with symptoms only if the main vessel was affected (8/55, 15%). Angle alpha and main vessel reference diameter, main branch minimal diameter after stenting and stent type were predictors of target vessel revascularisation rate (25%). Angle alpha predicts SB compromise after main vessel stenting and is the main predictor of restenosis in the main vessel.
Among patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) referred for urgent coronary angiogr... more Among patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) referred for urgent coronary angiography there are some with normal angiograms. To compare, with respect to angiographic findings, one-year clinical outcomes in patients hospitalised for suspected ACS. Between January 2001 and December 2003 emergency angiography was performed in 1169 patients. It revealed no significant coronary lesions in 97 (8.3%) cases, of these 40 being women and 57 men with a mean age of 55+/-15 yrs (Group 1). Sixty consecutive patients with ACS (20 women and 40 men with a mean age of 54+/-9 yrs) and significant coronary artery disease (CAD) confirmed by angiography were the study controls (Group 2). Demographic data, CAD risk factors, angiographic findings, ECG and echocardiographic data as well as laboratory test results were analysed. In a long-term follow-up, the prevalence of recurrent angina and all-cause mortality were assessed. There were no significant differences in patients' demographics between the two groups with the exception of arterial hypertension, which was more frequent in group 1. In group 1 the diagnosis of ACS was established in 14.5% cases, X syndrome in 14.4%, Prinzmetal angina in 4.1%, myocarditis in 6.1% and pulmonary thromboembolization in 5.1%. A definite diagnosis was not related to the cardiovascular disease in 36%. No complications were observed in the late follow-up of group 1 patients. Apparently normal angiograms are relatively common in patients referred for emergency coronary angiography. In patients without significant CAD on their angiograms the clinical outcome is favourable, without major adverse cardiovascular events in the long-term follow-up.
This study explores predictors of side branch (SB) compromise in the main vessel only stenting gr... more This study explores predictors of side branch (SB) compromise in the main vessel only stenting group and its influence on long-term follow-up of the patients. We hypothesised that the geometric factors determining plaque distribution in branching regions influence SB compromise. Angiographic analysis of bifurcation lesions (all Medina types) was performed before, immediately after, and 9-12 months after the procedure. Control angiography was performed when clinically indicated. Specific attention was given to the influence of angle alpha - the angle between main vessel and SB axes. Fifty-five patients (62 lesions) formed the study group. The LAD lesions were dominant (73%). Drug-eluting stents were used in 48% and kissing balloon inflation in 31%. The value of angle alpha was associated with significant SB stenosis. There was significant worsening of ostial SB stenosis (from 48% to 69%) after main vessel stenting, with the only independent predictor angle alpha. For SB ostial MLD in...
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Papers by Jarosław Rzezak