Cardiology Journal 2013, tom 20, nr 3

In 1980, Mirowski et al. [1] reported the first 3 patients treated with an automatic implantable defibrillator (AID). At that time, the AID was implanted with electrodes attached to the epicardium through a surgical thoracotomy with the battery portion of the unit placed undeer the skin in the abdominal wall. The AID detected the onset of ventricular fibrillation through a unique algorithm and the device was considered a “shock box” since shock was the only therapy delivered...

We read the article “Lack of significant association between Helicobacter pylori infection and homocysteine levels in patients with cardiac syndrome X” written by Rasmi et al. [1] with a great interest. The authors pointed to the possible relation between H.pylori infection and homocysteine (Hcy) levels in cardiac syndrome X (CSX). They reported that plasma Hcy concentration in CSX patients is higher than the healthy subjects...

Infective endocarditis is a life-threatening serious condition, despite of the major advances made in diagnosis, treatment and management [1, 2]. Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) remains a diagnostic challenge, with non-specific and variable clinical symptoms and cardiac conditions. Treatment options include prolonged antibiotic therapy, repair of prosthetic valve and repeat valve replacement in complicated cases [3–6]...

Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is defined by echocardiography as thickening and calcification of the normal trileaflet aortic valve without obstruction to the left ventricular outflow. The prevalence of AVS has been estimated at the level of 25–30% in patients ≥ 65 years and up to 40% in those ≥ 75 years [1, 2]. Several reports have demonstrated a significant association between AVS and atherosclerosis risk factors or clinical atherosclerosis [3–5]...

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preferred reperfusion strategy for patients who suffered an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) [1]. Despite optimal coronary artery recanalization, distal embolization of atherothrombotic material has important clinical consequences...

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has become an accepted method for treating refractory heart failure (HF) in patients with idiopathic or ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy associated with electromechanical asynchrony. In the current American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, CRT is a class I (level of evidence A) therapy for patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than or equal to 35% and a QRS duration greater than or equal to 120 ms, who are New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional Class III or IV despite optimal recommended medical therapy [1, 2]...

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. The treatment approach for AF includes either restoration and mainteinance of sinus rhythm or ensuring adequate ventricular rate control. Maintainance of sinus rhythm may be provided by anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs) or catheter ablation...

Current smoking, dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, overweight and obesity remain as major causes of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, stroke, kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus throughout the world [1, 2]. Insulin resistance is associated with obesity, glucose intolerance or diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Constellation of these risk factors is called metabolic syndrome (MetS) [1–3]...

Heart failure remains one of the major public health problems in developed countries [1, 2]. During the development of congestive heart failure in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DC), the left ventricle (LV) undergoes complex changes in geometry, accompanied by alteration of the LV chamber and myocardial systolic and/or diastolic function. LV ejection fraction (EF) is the most commonly used parameter for the severity of LV systolic dysfunction in patients with congestive heart failure and has been used as a prognostic marker [3, 4]...

Degenerative aortic valve stenosis is a very common cardiovascular disorder worldwide [1]. Despite significant advances in diagnosis and management, pathological processes underlying stenotic valve disease are still poorly understood [2]. Previous studies have identified several unique pathomechanisms that are believed to contribute to the progression of the aortic valve degeneration...