Independent psychometric validation of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Endometrial Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-EN24).

The endometrial cancer (EC)-specific Quality of Life module of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-EN24), was developed and validated in one study. We independently validated and assessed the psychometric properties of the instrument. Two hundred and eight women with EC before surgery, during adjuvant treatment and follow-up; in three different cancer centres completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the EN24. The questionnaire's completion rate was 100%, except sexuality items, that were answered by 35% of patients. All item-scale correlations for the multi-item scales exceeded the .4 criterion and correlated well with their own scale, while correlations with the other scales were low. The internal consistency of all multi-item scales were satisfactory (Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from .77 to .97). Discriminance for single-item scales was low. The QLQ-EN24 module discriminated well between clinically different patients, and there were no differences in quality of life questionnaire scales between patients with body mass index ≤30 when compared to those with >30. This validation study supports the reliability, as well as convergent and divergent validity of the EORTC QLQ-EN24. The module is a useful instrument for the assessment of QOL in patients with EC. However, data concerning sexuality should be interpreted with caution.

[Risk factors of late ventricular arrhythmias after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot in children]. / Czynniki ryzyka wystepowania komorowych zaburzen rytmu serca w póznym okresie po korekcji calkowitej zespolu Fallota u dzieci.

The authors present an analysis of pre-, intra- and postoperative risk factors of late ventricular arrhythmias in 100 children in 5-12 years after total correction of the tetralogy of Fallot. Complex arrhythmias (III-V class according to Lown classification) were found in 19% of patients. Risk factors were: in the pre- and intraoperative period--marked endocardial fibrosis of the right ventricular outflow tract, long bypass time (> 180 min) and aortic cross-clamp (> 90 min), in the post-operative period-left ventricular dysfunction in echocardiographic examination and age > 10 years at time of the study. Complex ventricular arrhythmias were more frequent in patients with associated supraventricular arrhythmias and with progressive bundle branch block.

[Indications for emergency surgical treatment of ectopic atrial tachycardia]. / Chirurgiczne leczenie ektopowego czestoskurczu przedsionkowego--ze wskazan pilnych.

Recurrent automatic atrial tachycardia can induce dilated cardiomyopathy. We present clinical and therapeutic problems of 16 years old male with ectopic left atrial tachycardia refractory to pharmacological therapy. In this patient long periods of atrial tachycardia 200-240/min due to lack of effective medication caused cardiac failure. Uncontrolled taking of various antiarrhythmic drugs and persistent tachycardia led to cardiogenic shock. The electrophysiologic study revealed focus of the tachycardia localized in the area of left cardiac auricle. The rate of the tachycardia was changing from 84 to 240/min, with periods of Mobitz I block in the AV node. In periods of 1:1 AV conduction the tachycardia had sometimes LBBB QRS morphology. The atrial tachycardia provoked unsustained ventricular one. The patient was operated. Resection of left auricle and mitral valvuloplasty were performed. After the operation the patient regained undisturbed sinus rhythm and symptoms of heart failure disappeared.