The Effect of Intracoronary Infusion of Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Lineage-Negative Stem/Progenitor Cells on Remodeling of Post-Infarcted Heart in Patient with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Introduction: Regenerative capacity of the heart is limited, and the post-infarct left ventricle (LV) dysfunction is associated with poor prognosis. Administration of stem/progenitor cells (SPCs) is a promising approach for cardiac regeneration. Objectives: In the study, we assessed LV function and post-infarcted remodeling in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarct (STEMI) who received autologous lineage-negative (LIN-) SPCs. Patients and methods: Patients with STEMI and one-vessel coronary artery disease treated with percutaneous revascularisation were divided into study group (LIN- group, 15 patients) that received standard therapy and autologous BM-derived LIN- SPCs and control group (standard therapy group, 19 patients). The cells were administered intracoronary 24 hours after STEMI. The follow-up was 12 months with subsequent non-invasive tests and laboratory parameter evaluation on days 1st, 3rd, and 7th as well as at 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th month after STEMI. Results: All procedures related to SPCs administration were well tolerated by the patients. In 12-month follow-up, there were no major adverse cardiac events connected with LIN- SPCs administration. During 12-month follow-up, 9 patients from LIN- group (Responders) achieved an improvement in LV ejection fraction (>10% after 12 months) with no signs of unfavorable LV remodeling. Laboratory parameters analysis showed that Troponin T levels were significantly lower until day 7th in the Responders group, while brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level remained significantly lower from day 3rd to 12th month respectively. Conclusions: Intracoronary infusion of autologous BM-derived LIN- stem/progenitor cells is feasible and safe for patient. Improvement in LV function and prevention of unfavorable remodeling in the 60% of study group seems relatively promising. Stem cell-based therapy for cardiac regeneration still needs more accurate and extensive investigations to estimate and improve their efficacy.

Novel Evidence of the Increase in Angiogenic Factor Plasma Levels after Lineage-Negative Stem/Progenitor Cell Intracoronary Infusion in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Cell therapy raises hope to reduce the harmful effects of acute myocardial ischemia. Stem and progenitor cells (SPCs) may be a valuable source of trophic factors. In this study, we assessed the plasma levels of selected trophic factors in patients undergoing application of autologous bone marrow (BM)-derived, lineage-negative (Lin-) stem/progenitor cells into the coronary artery in the acute phase of myocardial infarction. The study group consisted of 15 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who underwent percutaneous revascularization and, afterwards, Lin- stem/progenitor cell administration into the infarct-related artery. The control group consisted of 19 patients. BM Lin- cells were isolated using immunomagnetic methods. Peripheral blood was collected on day 0, 2, 4, and 7 and after the first and third month to assess the concentration of selected trophic factors using multiplex fluorescent bead-based immunoassays. We found in the Lin- group that several angiogenic trophic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor, Angiopoietin-1, basic fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor-aa) plasma level significantly increased to the 4th day after myocardial infarction. In parallel, we noticed a tendency where the plasma levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor were increased in the Lin- group. The obtained results suggest that the administered SPCs may be a valuable source of angiogenic trophic factors for damaged myocardium, although this observation requires further in-depth studies.

Angiographic severity of coronary artery disease and cardiovascular risk in acute coronary syndrome in patients with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The extent of angiographic lesions, size of infarct, and in-hospital and long-term prognosis in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) have not been clearly determined. AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of MS on the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and cardio-vascular risk evaluated using the GRACE 2.0 risk score and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with first acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with coronary angioplasty. METHODS: The study was conducted in a group of 160 consecutive patients hospitalised for their first ACS. Coronary angiogra-phy was assessed and an echocardiographic evaluation of LVEF was performed. MS was diagnosed according to the National Cholesterol Education Programme-Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Cardiovascular risk was evaluated using the GRACE 2.0 score. Statistical analysis was performed using the STATISTICA software version 12.0. RESULTS: Diagnostic criteria for MS were met by 53.5% of the patients. Patients with and without MS did not differ in angio-graphic severity of CAD and cardiovascular risk as evaluated with the GRACE 2.0 score. LVEF was significantly elevated in patients with MS. In the examined group the angiographic severity of CAD correlated positively with age, body mass index (BMI) and the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. The cardiovascular risk correlated positively with age, BMI, fasting insulin levels, and HOMA-IR, and inversely with blood pressure and triglyceride levels. The multivariable regression model for predicting the LVEF value indicated that the strongest prognostic factor was the type of ACS. CONCLUSIONS: The associations between the angiographic severity of CAD and age, BMI, and insulin resistance (IR) confirm the involvement of these parameters in coronary atherosclerosis. The correlations between the estimated cardiovascular risk and IR indicate the prognostic value of metabolic parameters in patients after first ACS. The type of ACS is the strongest predictor of LVEF at discharge in this population.

Microvolt T-wave alternans for the risk stratification of dangerous ventricular arrhythmias in patients with previously implanted automatic cardioverter-defibrillator.

BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the main cause of death in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Implantation of an automatic cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) significantly reduces mortality of these patients. T-wave alternans (TWA) analysis is a relatively new method of SCD risk stratification. However, it's prognostic role in patients with ICD has not yet been fully established. AIM: To assess the predictive value of TWA in patients with previously implanted ICD. METHODS: The study included 67 patients with properly functioning ICD (54 men and 13 women, aged 62.2 ± 8.4 years). All patients underwent TWA analysis on the treadmill using the Cambridge Heart 2000 system. Results were considered as positive, negative or indeterminate. Each patient had at least 1 clinical control visit with ICD interrogation during the 12 ± ± 6 months of follow-up. The recurrence of sustained ventricular arrhythmias: ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) was analysed. RESULTS: No significant relationship was found between previous infarction (p = 0.810), aetiology (p = 0.768), LVEF (p = 0.413) or age (p = 0.562) and the incidence of arrhythmia during follow-up. The results of TWA were not significantly different between patients with or without VT or VF. The TWA analysis identified patients with arrhythmia recurrences with a sensitivity of 62%, specificity of 49%, negative predictive value of 81%, and positive predictive value of 28%. The TWA performance was better in patients with non-ischaemic than ischaemic cardiomyopathy (negative predictive value: 100%, positive predictive value: 75%). CONCLUSIONS: The TWA alternans was moderately effective for identification of patients with ICD and ventricular arrhythmia recurrences. The test was most useful for identification of patients with non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy who are of low arrhythmic risk.

[Stem cells in cardiological clinical trials]. / Komórki macierzyste w klinicznych badaniach kardiologicznych.

Stem cell-based therapy is a novel therapeutic strategy introduced into cardiology, although there are not any established standards within the stem/progenitor cell type employed, their preparation, rout of administration as well as methods controlling the pathophysiological and clinical parameters after the cell application. The aim of the present work was a complex meta-analysis of the clinical trials carried out in this field. Over 1000 patients with myocardial infarction as well as circulatory failure have been treated with stem cell-based therapy so far, but the obtained results are not concordant. Progress within cell biology and biotechnology give hopes for development of more effective therapeutic approaches. Identification and isolation of cardiac- -specific stem/progenitor cells may deliver new perspectives for such therapy in the nearest future.

[Study of depressiveness with Beck Depression Inventory in patients with cardiac arrhythmias]. / Badanie depresyjnosci skala depresji Becka u pacjentów z zaburzeniami rytmu serca.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation belongs to the group of supraventricular arrhythmias. The episode begins with anxiety about the loss of health or life. Anxiety is accompanied by depressive disorders. The aim of this work was to study the intensity of depression in patients with atrial fibrillation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used Beck Depression Inventory in 52 patients with atrial fibrillation hospitalized at the Department of Internal Medicine of the Poviat Hospital in Bialogard. Correlations between the intensity of depression and age, gender, and education level were determined. RESULTS: The intensity of depression depended on age, gender, and education level. Mild depression was more common in women, moderate in men, and was very severe in 2 women. Patients between the age of 61 and 80 years and with incomplete primary and vocational education presented with all forms of depression. CONCLUSIONS: The intensity of depression correlates with episodes of atrial fibrillation and depends on such factors as age, gender, and education level (p < 0.05). Effective therapy of atrial fibrillation may help reduce the intensity of depression.

[Measurement of anxiety with C.D. Spielberger's test in patients with cardiac arrhythmias]. / Badanie nasilenia leku testem C.D. Spielbergera u pacjentów z zaburzeniami rytmu serca.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation is a common supraventrical arrhythmia. The onset of fibrillation is marked by fear of loss of health or life. Symptoms of depression occur concurrently. This study was undertaken to measure anxiety in patients with atrial fibrillation grouped according to gender, age, and education. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The test anxiety inventory of C.D. Spielberger was administered to 52 patients aged 41 to 80 years, treated for atrial fibrillation at the Internal Ward of the District Hospital in Bialogard. RESULTS: Anxiety as a state was observed more frequently in males and in patients with vocational and secondary education. Anxiety was not a trait of atrial fibrillation. Psychotherapeutic interventions used in cardiac rehabilitation are not recommended in atrial fibrillation. However, relaxation techniques could be of benefit in reducing the intensity of anxiety as a state.

Usefulness of early dobutamine stress echocardiography for the assessment of risk of restenosis after percutaneous coronary interventions.

BACKGROUND: The increasing role of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in the treatment of coronary artery disease and relatively high restenosis rate following PCI require the introduction of available, easy to perform and cost-effective tests that would enable detection of restenosis after PTCA and identification of patients at particularly high risk of restenosis. AIM: To estimate the predictive value of early dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) for the assessment of risk of coronary restenosis. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with a single coronary vessel disease after PCI were enrolled in this study. DSE was performed twice--2 to 3 days after the procedure and repeated after 8 to 12 months. All patients underwent coronary angiography after one-year follow-up. RESULTS: Data analysis of direct pre- and postprocedural echocardiography showed that the wall motion score index decreased significantly (p <0.0001), whereas ejection fraction increased significantly after the intervention when compared with baseline (p <0.0001). Restenosis was detected in 8 out of 10 subjects with positive DSE test and in 3 out of 29 subjects with negative DSE test. In a group of 11 patients with restenosis confirmed in the coronary angiography, one-year follow-up DSE was found positive in 9 patients (80% test sensitivity) but in two cases results were false negative. Negative test was observed in 27 out of 28 individuals without restenosis (90% test specificity). CONCLUSIONS: DSE is highly sensitive and specific in prediction and detection of restenosis after PCI. DSE performed early after PCI is safe.

Treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in West Pomerania province of Poland. Comparison between primary coronary intervention and thrombolytic therapy.

INTRODUCTION: The majority of randomised studies on reperfusion in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) show the advantage of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) over thrombolysis. However, the real world registers' data are not so unequivocal. AIM: To evaluate the way acute STEMI is treated in West Pomerania province with emphasis on comparison of two reperfusion strategies, primary PCI vs thrombolytic therapy, in early and long-term perspective. METHODS: Medical records of 961 STEMI patients treated between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2003 were analysed. Data were collected from 3 centres with emergency cath lab availability and 15 regional sites. Long-term mortality was assessed based on regional provincial office database data. RESULTS: 69.9% of the study group received reperfusion (44.6% primary PCI, 25.3% thrombolysis). Mean age of patients was 62 (21 to 91) years. Patients referred for PCI were younger compared to the thrombolysis group. The percentage of females was similar in both groups. The majority of patients treated with PCI or thrombolysis were admitted to the hospital between 2 and 6 hours after symptoms--268 patients (46.4%). Seventy-nine patients (8.3%) died in the early (30-day) period. Mean age at time of death was 73 +/-8 years, whereas survivors' age was 61.5 (+/-12) years (p <0.001). Significantly higher mortality was observed in the conservative treatment group (12.7%) compared to patients treated with reperfusion. Forty-two out of 662 patients treated with PCI and thrombolysis died. The group of thrombolytic therapy tended to have higher mortality (7.9%) than PCI patients (5.5%); the difference however was not significant. Early mortality was influenced by older age (73.4 vs 59.5), female gender, low ejection fraction, and previous myocardial infarction. Current smoking has a positive effect on survival (mortality rate in smokers was 2.6%, in non-smokers 8.2%; p=0.0001). In long-term follow-up overall mortality in the entire group of 961 patients was 15.7% (12.1% in the reperfusion group). Long-term prognosis was worsened by older age, low ejection fraction, diabetes mellitus and non-smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of STEMI in West Pomerania province is similar to that used in Europe and the USA. No significant difference in 30-day and long-term mortality between the two types of reperfusion were seen.