Transient supraventricular arrhythmias may occur in patients following persistent foramen ovale (PFO) closure. Therefore, the aim of the study was to prospectively perform 24-hour ECG monitoring to assess the electrocardiographic effects of transcatheter closure of PFO depending on the type of implanted devices. Material and methods 351 consecutive adult subjects (196 F, 155M; mean age: 40.9±15.3) were enrolled into the study to undergo PFO closure with an Amplatzer Septal Occluder - ASO (157 pts: 117 occluders – size 25; 40 pts – size 30), and Cardia device (194 pts: 163 occluders – size 25; 31 – size 30). Holter monitoring was performed on all patients before, at 1 and 12 months after the procedure. Results The success rate of PFO closure was 97.8% (351 cases from 359 qualified in TEE), in 8 cases the PFO tunnels were too small to be forced by a catheter, in one case the PFO device caused an injury of the septum and an ASD Amplatzer device was implanted. During the procedure in 3 (0.85%) cases transient supraventricular arrhythmia and in 1 (0.28%) case bradycardia to 27 bpm occurred. At 1 month: in 7 (2%) pts changes in AV conduction occurred: 1 pt (0.28%) had complete AV dissociation, 6 (1.7%) pts intermittent first degree AV block; paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (pAF) occurred in 6 (1.7%) pts, 2 of whom had pAF prior to closure. A significant increase in the number of SVE premature beats/24h was noted at 1 month after the procedure: 1167.9±409 (27–9976) compared to baseline data 60.2±44 (0–601) (p<0.0001), at 12 months the SVE number decreased to 57.2±51 (7–752) and did not differ significantly from the baseline data. There was no change in the mean number of ventricular arrhythmias/24h after the procedure. There was a significant correlation between SVE premature beats/24h at 1 month after the procedure and device size (p<0.001 r=97211). Pts with ASO device had a significantly higher number of SVE ectopy at 1 month after PFO closure (19123.9±70) compared to pts with Cardia device (811.9±324), p<0.0001. Conclusions 1. Transcatheter closure of PFO is associated with a transient increase in supraventricular premature beats and a small risk of AV conduction abnormalities and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in the early follow-up. There is regression of periprocedural arrhythmias after 12 months of PFO closure. 2. Transcatheter closure of PFO with Cardia device is related to a lower risk of supraventricular arrhythmias in the early follow-up. 3. The smaller device is implanted the lower risk of periprocedural arrhythmias is expected.

Cena prenumeraty dwunastu kolejnych numerów: 240 zł/rok (w tym VAT) Cena prenumeraty zagranicznej: 120 euro/rok. Cena pojedynczego numeru -30 zł (w tym VAT) + koszt przesyłki.Przed dokonaniem wpłaty prosimy o złożenie zamówienia.

Introduction: The work presents a research project carried out in John Paul II Hospital in Cracow in Clinical Department of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases with the Intensive Cardiac Supervision Subdivision, with participation of 100 (50 F, 50 M) patients with congenital heart defects. The purpose of the work is to resolve the issue of personality specifics, and thus the different characteristics of people who suffer from congenital heart defects. Therefore, the following questions should be answered: Is there a relationship between personality traits and the occurrence of a congenital heart defect? What personality traits are characteristic for patients with congenital heart defects? The aim: We aimed to assess personality traits of clients suffering from PFO and ASD. The article also talks about how coronavirus pandemic affects patients with congenital heart disease Materials and methods: The research was conducted by psychologist Adrianna Skoczek. We performed a psychological clinical assessment and conducted the psychological tests like Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Short Version [EPQ-R(S)] and Eysenck’s Impulsivity Inventory [IVE] by Hans J. Eysenck and Sybil G. Eysenck, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI] by C. D. Spielberger, R. L. Gorsuch, R. E. Lushene describing personality traits of patients. Patients (F=50, M=50), with ASD (n=70) and with PFO (n=30). Results: In people suffering from ASD, the level of declared empathy was statistically significantly higher than the levels of impulsiveness and tendency to risk-taking. In people suffering from PFO, a statistically significant difference was observed only between the level of psychoticism and other variables. The level of declared empathy was statistically significantly higher than the levels of impulsiveness and tendency to risk-taking, a statistically significant difference was found between the analyzed variables - anxiety as a trait and anxiety as a condition. Conclusions: The results of the study allowed us to isolate the specific personality traits of patients suffering from congenital heart defects.

Introduction: Numerous risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) are modifiable, therefore understanding their effects has a significant impact on lowering the incidence and mortality. The “Małopolska Cardiovascular Preventive Intervention Study (M-CARPI)” aims to educate the inhabitants of the voivodeship regarding preventative measures for developing CVD. The aim: To examine the effectiveness of the seminars regarding preventative measures for developing CVD according to the M-CAPRI among the inhabitants of Lesser Poland. Material and methods: The seminars were carried out by a doctor with a specialization in cardiology, in the form of presentations, based on materials prepared by experts in accordance with European and Polish guidelines. Both initially and after the course, participants completed questionnaires regarding the subjects discussed. Results: The study covered 558 people (137 men, 411 women). The analysis was based on the sub-populations of retirees and non-retirees. The knowledge of risk factors was checked, the respondents most often indicated incorrect judgment of nutrition, physical activity and smoking (45.9%, 39%, 44.2% for non-retirees and 22.8%, 27.6%, 16.5% for retirees, respectively). A significant increase in the number of people who indicated individual risk factors after the training was found (p=0,047 for HDL level and for others). Conclusions: Educating and creating awareness towards the prevention of CVD according to the M-CAPRI survey protocol is an effective tool for prevention. Due to the limited knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors, it is necessary to carry out activities to raise awareness of the importance of cardiological disease prevention. Preventive interventions are equally effective regardless of age or profession.