Exercise capacity, arrhythmic risk profile, and pulmonary function is not influenced by intracoronary injection of bone marrow stem cells in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate influence of Bone Marrow Stem Cells (BMSC) intracoronary infusion on exercise capacity, pulmonary function, heart rate recovery and SAECG in patients with AMI of anterior wall, compared to control group--from baseline in the acute phase during 12 months follow up. METHODS: Forty five patients were randomized 2:1 to BMSC group (n = 31 pts) or to control group (n = 14 pts). BMSC were administered into infarct related artery (IRA) at 4-6 day after primary PCI. Patients were followed up with cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The QRS duration, QT and QTc interval were measured and signal averaged ECGs (SAECG) were performed to evaluate late potentials. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between both groups neither at peak VO(2) (190.7 ± 7.4 at baseline; 24.2 ± 5.2 at 6 months; 22.2 ± 7.4 ml/kg/min at 12 months vs 18.4 ± 8.2 at baseline; 22.0 ± 7.2 at 6 months; 21.8 ± 6.2 ml/kg/min at 12 months; BMSC vs control group respectively; p = ns), nor VO(2) at anaerobic threshold, nor in VE/VCO(2) slope, RER, and systolic blood pressure at peak exercise at baseline and any time point of follow-up. There were no significant differences between groups concerning HR peak, HRR1 and HRR2 at any time point and also QRS, QT parameters, and SAEKG. There were no significant differences between both groups at any time point (baseline, 6 and 12 months) concerning FVC, FEV(1) and FVC/FEV(1) and % of their normal values. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find that BMSC therapy in patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction influences exercise capacity. We did not confirm it's potential proarrhythmogenic influence as assessed with SAECG and standard ECG analysis.

Evaluation of exercise capacity with cardiopulmonary exercise testing and BNP levels in adult patients with single or systemic right ventricles.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate exercise capacity using cardiopulmonary exercise test (CpET) and serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with single or systemic right ventricles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group included 40 patients (16 males) - 17 with transposition of the great arteries after Senning operation, 13 with corrected transposition of the great arteries and 10 with single ventricle after Fontan operation, aged 19-55 years (mean 28.8 ±9.5 years). The control group included 22 healthy individuals (10 males) aged 23-49 years (mean 30.6 ±6.1 years). RESULTS: The majority of patients reported good exercise tolerance - accordingly 27 were classified in NYHA class I (67.5%), 12 (30%) in class II, and only 1 (0.5%) in class III. Cardiopulmonary exercise test revealed significantly lower exercise capacity in study patients than in control subjects. In the study vs. control group VO(2max) was 21.7 ±5.9 vs. 34.2 ±7.4 ml/kg/min (p = 0.00001), maximum heart rate at peak exercise (HRmax) 152.5 ±32.3 vs. 187.2 ±15.6 bpm (p = 0.00001), VE/VCO(2) slope 34.8 ±7.1 vs. 25.7 ±3.2 (p = 0.00001), forced vital capacity (FVC) 3.7 ±0.9l vs. 4.6 ±0.3 (p = 0.03), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) 3.0 ±0.7 vs. 3.7 ±0.9l (p = 0.0002) respectively. Serum BNP concentrations were higher in study patients than in control subjects; 71.8 ±74.4 vs. 10.7 ±8.1 (pg/ml) respectively (p = 0.00001). No significant correlations between BNP levels and CpET parameters were found. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a morphological right ventricle serving the systemic circulation and those with common ventricle physiology after Fontan operation show markedly reduced exercise capacity. They are also characterized by higher serum BNP concentrations, which do not however correlate with CpET parameters.

Influence of bone marrow stem cells on left ventricle perfusion and ejection fraction in patients with acute myocardial infarction of anterior wall: randomized clinical trial: Impact of bone marrow stem cell intracoronary infusion on improvement of microcirculation.

AIMS: Randomized trial to assess change in left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and myocardial perfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) of anterior wall treated with bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs), compared with control group-from baseline in the acute phase up to 12 months of follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-five patients were randomized 2:1 to BMSC group (n= 31) or to control group (n = 14). Bone marrow stem cells were administered into infarct-related artery (IRA) at 4-6 day after primary PCI. Groups were followed up with Tc-99m-MIBI SPECT, radionuclide ventriculography (EF-RNV), echocardiography (ECHO), and spiroergometric stress test. Coronary angiography was repeated after 6 months. EF-RNV did not differ significantly in both groups, but trend towards increase in EF at 6 months and its maintenance after 12 months was noticed in the BMSC group. At rest study, perfusion index (PI) of region supplied with blood by IRA distal to its previous occlusion (PI-IRA) improved significantly in the BMSC group at 6 months: PI-IRA at 4-6 days vs. PI-IRA at 6 months (3.00 +/- 0.97 vs. 2.65 +/- 0.64; P = 0.017). At 12 months, PI-IRA at rest was 2.66 +/- 0.55; P = 0.07. The difference between BMSC and control groups at rest study in PI-IRA was not observed. At dipyridamole study (PI-dip), perfusion in the BMSC group was better compared with controls at 6 months (2.26 +/- 0.44 vs. 2.47 +/- 0.40; P = 0.033) and at 12 months (2.34 +/- 0.55 vs. 2.52 +/- 0.42; P = 0.014), also for region supplied with blood by IRA (PI-IRA-dip; at 6 months 2.63 +/- 0.77 vs. 3.06 +/- 0.46; P = 0.021 and at 12 months 2.71 +/- 0.63 vs. 3.15 +/- 0.51; P = 0.001). Results of LVEF, LVEDV, LVESV in ECHO and results of spiroergometric stress test did not differ significantly between groups. Major adverse cardiac events occurred more often in the control group (P = 0.027). CONCLUSION: In our study, BMSC intracoronary transplantation in patients with anterior AMI did not result in increase in EF. Slight improvement of myocardial perfusion was noticed in the BMSC group. This finding may indicate better microcirculation enhanced by BMSCs, but small number of patients allow for hypothesis rather than final statement.

Intracoronary infusion of bone marrow-derived selected CD34+CXCR4+ cells and non-selected mononuclear cells in patients with acute STEMI and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction: results of randomized, multicentre Myocardial Regeneration by Intracoronary Infusion of Selected Population of Stem Cells in Acute Myocardial Infarction (REGENT) Trial.

AIMS: Comparison of intracoronary infusion of bone marrow (BM)-derived unselected mononuclear cells (UNSEL) and selected CD34(+)CXCR4(+) cells (SEL) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and reduced <40% left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred patients were randomized to intracoronary infusion of UNSEL (n = 80) or SEL (n = 80) BM cells or to the control (CTRL) group without BM cell treatment. Primary endpoint: change of LVEF and volumes measured by magnetic resonance imaging before and 6 months after the procedure. After 6 months, LVEF increased by 3% (P = 0.01) in patients treated with UNSEL, 3% in patients receiving SEL (P = 0.04) and remained unchanged in CTRL group (P = 0.73). There were no significant differences in absolute changes of LVEF between the groups. Absolute changes of left ventricular end-systolic volume and left ventricular end-diastolic volume were not significantly different in all groups. Significant increase of LVEF was observed only in patients treated with BM cells who had baseline LVEF < median (37%). Baseline LVEF < median and time from the onset of symptoms to primary percutaneous coronary intervention > or = median were predictors of LVEF improvement in patients receiving BM cells. There were no differences in major cardiovascular event (death, re-infarction, stroke, target vessel revascularization) between groups. CONCLUSION: In patients with AMI and impaired LVEF, treatment with BM cells does not lead to a significant improvement of LVEF or volumes. There was however a trend in favour of cell therapy in patients with most severely impaired LVEF and longer delay between the symptoms and revascularization.

Indications, results of therapy and factors which influence survival in patients treated with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: During nearly 40 years of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) application in advanced medical therapy more and more indications for this treatment have been proposed. Despite increasing experience with IABP, the clinical effects of IABP use are still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine results of IABP use and factors which influence survival in cardiogenic shock (CS) caused by different clinical disorders when treated with IABP. METHODS: 73 patients (mean age 58.3+/-12.6 years, 54 males) undergoing IABP were included in the study. Data were collected retrospectively. After analysis of the whole population a subgroup of patients admitted due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was evaluated. The in-hospital and overall mortality rates were assessed. RESULTS: In-hospital death occurred in 31 (42.5%) patients. Over half of these patients (n=17; 54.8%) died during first 7 days from admission. The main reason for IABP introduction was CS due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) at admission in 62 (84.9%) patients. The in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI complicated by CS was 40.7%. The features which significantly influenced survival in patients with AMI were age--patients who died were older (64+/-8.9 vs. 58.6+/-9,1; p=0.0285), and ST segment changes--there was lower mortality rate in a subgroup with ST elevation AMI (18 vs. 6 patients, p=0.003). We also observed slightly higher incidence of anterior wall AMI in survivors than in non-survivors (p=0.06). CONCLUSION: Our study presents several disorders which may be treated with IABP. Acute MI still remains the most frequent indication for IABP insertion. In the present study, AMI survivors and non-survivors, differed mainly in age, ST segment changes and infarction site. Non ST segment elevation AMI was associated with worse prognosis.

Short- and long-term mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with different therapeutic strategies. Results from WIelkopolska REgional 2002 Registry (WIRE Registry).

BACKGROUND: Although primary coronary angioplasty seems to be the best treatment in acute myocardial infarction (MI), thrombolytic therapy still remains the most common reperfusion strategy particularly in smaller centers. Nowadays, different regional networks are developed to improve the treatment of patients with MI. AIM: To analyse the effects of different therapeutic strategies on 30-day and long-term mortality (median time 18.3 months) after ST-elevation MI (STEMI) in a population of 3 350 000 people from the Wielkopolska Region. METHODS: In 2002, 3780 patients with STEMI entered the registry. Complete data were available for 3564 (94.3%) patients. Depending on therapeutic strategies, patients were divided into five groups: the PCI group--direct percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCI) in small cathlab, 'selected patients', n=381 (10.7%); the PA group--aged <70, treated with tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) up to 4 hours from the onset of chest pain, n=479 (13.4%); the IS group - invasive strategy in every patient, 24-hour duty, setting of unselected patients with STEMI, n=989 (27.7%); the SK group--patients receiving standard streptokinase treatment up to 12 hours from the onset of chest pain, n=584 (16.4%); the NR group--no reperfusion therapy, n=1131 (31.7%). RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate in the groups above was: 3.15, 4.38, 4.54, 9.25, and 12.5% respectively (p <0.001). Long-term mortality rate was: 4.2, 9.4, 9.4, 14.4, and 18.50% respectively (p <0.001). The rate of urgent PCI in the PA group was 25% and in the SK group--11% (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with rt-PA in patients under 70 years of age and up to 4 hours from pain onset may be an alternative to an invasive strategy. However, a quarter of those patients require urgent PCI. In long-term observation the mortality benefit can be clearly seen only in patients with early PCI.

[The influence of HRT on exercise performance in women with coronary artery disease]. / Wplyw hormonalnej terapii zastepczej na parametry wysilkowe u kobiet po menopauzie z choroba niedokrwienna serca.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on exercise tolerance and ischemia during treadmill exercise test. DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six postmenopausal women with proven coronary artery disease (CAD) were enrolled into the study (31 were assigned to HRT and 25 were matched as a control group). Clinically both groups were comparable. All patients underwent treadmill exercise test at the beginning and after 12 months of follow up. RESULTS: After 12-months of follow-up exercise tolerance increased significantly and similarly in both groups: duration time (sec): HRT 347 +/- 142 to 401 +/- 113; control 328 +/- 112 to 368 +/- 120; workload (MET): 6.6 +/- 2.1 to 6.8 +/- 2.0 and 6.1 +/- 1.9 to 6.8 +/- 1.7; time to onset of ischemia (sec): 256 +/- 116 to 293 +/- 120 and 238 +/- 87 to 299 +/- 133. Number of leads with ST changes and total sum (mm) of ST depression in all leads did not change significantly. All above parameters were comparable at baseline and after 12 months follow-up between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Short term, combined, transdermal HRT does not improve exercise tolerance nor coronary ischemia during exercise test in women with CAD.

[Surgery for massive pulmonary embolism following coronary angioplasty--a case report]. / Masywna zatorowosc tetnicy plucnej leczona operacyjnie u chorej po angioplastyce wiencowej.

A case of a 49-year-old female with acute coronary syndrome is presented. The patient underwent coronary angioplasty with stent implantation. Due to the recurrence of pain and dyspnea a repeated coronary angiography was performed 3 hours later which confirmed good result of angioplasty. For the next 48 hours a local compression on both femoral arteries was maintained and the patient received full anticoagulant and antiplatelet treatment. However, clinical condition of the patient continued to deteriorate. Echocardiography and spiral computerised tomography revealed the presence of a massive pulmonary embolism. The patient underwent surgery and fully recovered.

[Seven hospitalisations - diagnostic difficulties in a male patient with a 20-year history of chest pain]. / Siedem hospitalizacji, czyli historia trudnosci diagnostycznych u chorego z ponad 20-letnim wywiadem bólów w klatce piersiowej.

A case of a 45-year-old male patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is presented. The patient suffered from chest pain since his childhood. He was hospitalised several times but accurate diagnosis was not established for nearly 20 years. The ECG changes were interpreted as myocardial ischaemia. The proper diagnosis was based on echocardiographic and catheterisation data. Nowadays, echocardiography is the method of choice in the detection of HCM. HCM is an important cause of chest pain, especially in young patients.