Kardiol Pol
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Many researchers have studied age- and sex-related differences in the management of patients with coronary artery disease. However, the results are inconsistent. ⋯ We found no major sex-related difference in the frequency of achieving recommended goals in secondary prevention, whereas age was related to a lower prevalence of smoking and a higher probability of having high blood pressure in subjects after hospitalisation for coronary artery disease.
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Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) often coexist. In some patients, AF remission is seen after successful percutaneous radiofrequency current ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI). ⋯ Based on the results of our study, we were unable to identify factors determining remission of AF coexisting with AFL in patients after percutaneous CTI ablation. These findings may indicate the need for complex ablation procedure (involving both CTI and pulmonary venous ostia ablation) in patients in whom these two arrhythmias coexist.
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Case Reports
Osborn waves during therapeutic hypothermia in a young ST-ACS patient after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
A 37 year-old male patient was admitted to the intensive care unit after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation in a course of ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. On admission, the patient was unconscious with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 5. ⋯ During HT on ECG, we observed Osborn waves, which resolved spontaneously after re-warming. After five days of recovery, the patient scored 15 on GCS and did not show any neurological deficits.
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Platelets play a key role in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. The degree of platelet activation may be assessed by platelet indices such as platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW). ⋯ PDW and MPV may not be related to the clinical features or presentation and extent of CAD. Our study findings add to the conflicting results of previous studies in this area. Prospective trials with longer follow-up periods and larger samples are warranted to conclusively define the role of platelet indices in CAD.
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Retrospective evaluation of stroke risk in all patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) admitted to cardiology, internal medicine, and neurology wards in a single Polish district hospital in 2006 and 2010 using two risk stratification schemes, CHADS₂ vs. CHA₂DS₂VASc risk scores and identification of independent predictors of guideline-compliant oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatment. ⋯ Despite a high stroke risk as determined by both scores, only 39% of patients received OAC. In the studied population, independent predictors for prescribing OAC at discharge included arterial hypertension (in accordance with the guidelines) and younger patient age, no history of stroke/TIA, and AF other than paroxysmal. The practice of OAC and/or antiplatelet therapy use in AF patients discharged from a Polish district hospital was not compliant with the current ESC guidelines either in 2006 or in 2010.