Antazoline with propafenone may be an alternative to electrical cardioversion (ECV) in restoring sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), including during balloon cryoablation. To compare the efficacy of antazoline with propafenone and ECV in restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm at discharge in patients with AF during cryoablation with special regard to type of AF. The study retrospectively analyzed 196 patients who underwent elective cryoablation. Eighty-nine patients who developed AF in the perioperative period were selected as the study group (32 women and 57 men). The study group was divided into two groups - 46 (51.7%) patients were given pharmacological cardioversion with 70 mg of propafenone and 100 or 200 mg of antazoline, whereas the other 43 (48.3%) patients underwent ECV. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding: left atrial area, left atrium diameter, right atrial area and right atrium diameter. In the overall population, ECV was more effective than antazoline with propafenone therapy (31 [72.1%] vs. 20 [43.5%]; p = 0.01). A similar relationship was demonstrated in patients with persistent AF (13 [59.1%] vs. 3 [12.5%]; p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in the group of patients with paroxysmal AF (18 (85.6%) vs. 17 (77.3%); p = 0.7). In AF during the cryoablation procedure ECV appears to be more effective in restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm at discharge than antazoline with propafenone in the general AF patient population, especially in patients with persistent AF.

AMA Rosati R, Morgantini A, Arrivi A, Sordi M, Di Meo F, Dominici M. A singular case of embolic inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction 40 years after surgical closure of a right coronary to right atrium fistula. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej. 2023;19(3):294-295. doi:10.5114/aic.2023.131486. APA Rosati, R., Morgantini, A., Arrivi, A., Sordi, M., Di Meo, F., & Dominici, M. (2023). A singular case of embolic inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction 40 years after surgical closure of a right coronary to right atrium fistula. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, 19(3), 294-295. https://doi.org/10.5114/aic.2023.131486 Chicago Rosati, Riccardo, Amalia Morgantini, Alessio Arrivi, Martina Sordi, Federica Di Meo, and Marcello Dominici. 2023. "A singular case of embolic inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction 40 years after surgical closure of a right coronary to right atrium fistula". Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej 19 (3): 294-295. doi:10.5114/aic.2023.131486. Harvard Rosati, R., Morgantini, A., Arrivi, A., Sordi, M., Di Meo, F., and Dominici, M. (2023). A singular case of embolic inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction 40 years after surgical closure of a right coronary to right atrium fistula. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, 19(3), pp.294-295. https://doi.org/10.5114/aic.2023.131486 MLA Rosati, Riccardo et al. "A singular case of embolic inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction 40 years after surgical closure of a right coronary to right atrium fistula." Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, vol. 19, no. 3, 2023, pp. 294-295. doi:10.5114/aic.2023.131486. Vancouver Rosati R, Morgantini A, Arrivi A, Sordi M, Di Meo F, Dominici M. A singular case of embolic inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction 40 years after surgical closure of a right coronary to right atrium fistula. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej. 2023;19(3):294-295. doi:10.5114/aic.2023.131486.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly increased mortality worldwide. However, only part of the excess mortality is related directly to the infection. Local healthcare accessibility, time to reach medical care and patients' reluctance to seek medical aid strongly affected the treatment results in many fields. The current report aims to analyze mortality and morbidity in patients who suffered from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to investigate the factors that may have a significant impact on their baseline characteristics and outcome. Multiple reports were evaluated. Most of them point to reluctance and longer time to reach medical care, longer pre-hospital delay, lower overall number of ACS admissions, greater percentage of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients and complications. Younger and less ill patients were more likely to suffer from ACS than in the pre-pandemic period. They presented with more prominent biomarker elevation. Further, the number of invasive procedures dropped significantly, which was most prominent in the field of surgical revascularization. Consequently, a higher number of adverse events and greater mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic were noted, which was valid for both patients with and without coronavirus infection. In summary, the pandemic had a great impact on overall populational mortality and morbidity, which was greatly pronounced in patients with cardiovascular disease, particularly in ACS cases. They differed in baseline characteristics, underwent different treatment and their outcome was worse as compared with the period prior to the pandemic.

AMA Lehmann M, Musialek P. MicroNET-covered stent use to seal carotid artery perforation. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej. 2023;19(3):284-288. doi:10.5114/aic.2023.131483. APA Lehmann, M., & Musialek, P. (2023). MicroNET-covered stent use to seal carotid artery perforation. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, 19(3), 284-288. https://doi.org/10.5114/aic.2023.131483 Chicago Lehmann, Márcio Francisco, and Piotr Musialek. 2023. "MicroNET-covered stent use to seal carotid artery perforation". Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej 19 (3): 284-288. doi:10.5114/aic.2023.131483. Harvard Lehmann, M., and Musialek, P. (2023). MicroNET-covered stent use to seal carotid artery perforation. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, 19(3), pp.284-288. https://doi.org/10.5114/aic.2023.131483 MLA Lehmann, Márcio Francisco et al. "MicroNET-covered stent use to seal carotid artery perforation." Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, vol. 19, no. 3, 2023, pp. 284-288. doi:10.5114/aic.2023.131483. Vancouver Lehmann M, Musialek P. MicroNET-covered stent use to seal carotid artery perforation. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej. 2023;19(3):284-288. doi:10.5114/aic.2023.131483.

IntroductionAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia, increasing the risk of stroke and all-cause mortality. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is a widely accepted approach for invasive treatment of patients with AF. CBA effectiveness is considered to be strongly dependent upon the anatomy of pulmonary veins, mainly the ovality of pulmonary veins’ ostia. However, most published results refer to the second-generation cryoballoon.AimTo investigate the impact of the ovality index (OI) of pulmonary veins (PVs) on cryokinetic parameters and acute effectiveness of PVI with the third-generation cryoballoon catheter.Material and methodsWe enrolled 54 patients with documented drug-refractory, symptomatic paroxysmal and persistent AF, who underwent CBA with the third-generation cryoballoon between March 2019 and July 2020. Prior to the procedure all patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scans to evaluate anatomy of PVs and calculate the ovality indices for each vein. Analyzed patients were divided into two equal groups depending on the mean OI for all veins.ResultsNo differences were observed in acute effectiveness, total procedure time, freeze time, need for additional applications and complications in the group with lower (OI < 1.27) and higher (OI > 1.27) OI values. Remarkably, fluoroscopy time was even slightly shorter (p = 0.046) in patients with high OI.ConclusionsIn the analyzed population, increased pulmonary vein OI had no negative effect on the CBA procedure performed with the third-generation cryoballoon catheter; therefore it can be considered as a more comprehensive single-shot PVI tool.

IntroductionRadial or brachial access may be preferred in the case of severe peripheral artery disease (PAD) or difficult aortic arch anatomy during carotid artery stenting (CAS).AimTo evaluate the clinical conditions indicating potential benefit from non-femoral access as well as feasibility and safety of transradial/transbrachial access (TRA/TBA) as an alternative approach for CAS.Material and methodsSince 2013, 67 patients (mean age: 70 years old, 44 men, 42% symptomatic) were selected for CAS with the TRA/TBA approach. The composite endpoint was stroke/death/myocardial infarction within 30 days of the procedure and compared to the propensity score matched transfemoral approach (TFA) group. Clinical (including neurological) examination and Doppler ultrasonography were performed before the procedure, at discharge and at 30 days.ResultsCAS with TRA/TBA was successful in 63/67 patients. Transfemoral access was not feasible due to PAD in 35 (52.2%) patients, bovine arch in 10 (14.9%), obesity (BMI > 35 kg/m2) in 9 (13.4%), severe degenerative disease of the spine in 7 (10.5%), arch type III in 5 (7.5%) and excessive subclavian stent protrusion in 1 (1.5%) patient. Mean NASCET carotid artery stenosis was reduced from 81% to 9% (p < 0.001). The composite endpoint occurred in 3 (4.8%) cases and it was not statistically significantly different from the matched TFA group (6.3%; p = 0.697). No access site complications requiring surgical intervention or blood transfusion developed.ConclusionsTransradial and transbrachial CAS may be an effective and safe procedure, and it may constitute a viable alternative to the femoral approach in patients with severe PAD, difficult aortic arch anatomy or obesity.

ENWEndNote BIBJabRef, Mendeley RISPapers, Reference Manager, RefWorks, Zotero AMA Piątek J, Kędziora A, Dzierwa K, et al. Hybrid one-day coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid artery stenting – cardiac surgeons’ perspective on the procedure’s safety. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej. 2018;14(1):99-102. doi:10.5114/aic.2018.74362. APA Piątek, J., Kędziora, A., Dzierwa, K., Konstanty-Kalandyk, J., Wróżek, M., & L. Bryniarski, K. et al. (2018). Hybrid one-day coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid artery stenting – cardiac surgeons’ perspective on the procedure’s safety. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, 14(1), 99-102. https://doi.org/10.5114/aic.2018.74362 Chicago Piątek, Jacek, Anna Kędziora, Karolina Dzierwa, Janusz Konstanty-Kalandyk, Marcin Wróżek, Krzysztof L. Bryniarski, and Piotr Musiałek et al. 2018. "Hybrid one-day coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid artery stenting – cardiac surgeons’ perspective on the procedure’s safety". Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej 14 (1): 99-102. doi:10.5114/aic.2018.74362. Harvard Piątek, J., Kędziora, A., Dzierwa, K., Konstanty-Kalandyk, J., Wróżek, M., L. Bryniarski, K., Musiałek, P., Bartuś, K., Kapelak, B., and Pieniążek, P. (2018). Hybrid one-day coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid artery stenting – cardiac surgeons’ perspective on the procedure’s safety. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, 14(1), pp.99-102. https://doi.org/10.5114/aic.2018.74362 MLA Piątek, Jacek et al. "Hybrid one-day coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid artery stenting – cardiac surgeons’ perspective on the procedure’s safety." Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, vol. 14, no. 1, 2018, pp. 99-102. doi:10.5114/aic.2018.74362. Vancouver Piątek J, Kędziora A, Dzierwa K, Konstanty-Kalandyk J, Wróżek M, L. Bryniarski K et al. Hybrid one-day coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid artery stenting – cardiac surgeons’ perspective on the procedure’s safety. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej. 2018;14(1):99-102. doi:10.5114/aic.2018.74362.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a drug-eluting stent (DES) is routine treatment for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, permanent metallic caging of the vessel has several shortcomings, such as side branch jailing and impossibility of late lumen enlargement. Moreover, DES PCI is affected by vasomotion impairment. In ACS a high thrombus burden and vasospasm lead to a higher risk of acute and late acquired stent malapposition than in stable patients. This increases the risk of acute, late and very late stent thrombosis. In this challenging clinical setting, the implantation of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) could represent an appealing therapeutic option. Temporary vessel scaffolding has proved to have several advantages over metallic stent delivery, such as framework reabsorption, late lumen enlargement, side branch patency, and recovery of physiological reactivity to vasoactive stimuli. In the thrombotic environment of ACS, BVS implantation has the benefit of capping the thrombus and the vulnerable plaque. Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds also seems to reduce the incidence of angina during follow-up. Acute coronary syndromes patients may therefore benefit more from temporary polymeric caging than from permanent stent platform implantation. The aim of this review is to update the available knowledge concerning the use of BVS in ACS patients, by analyzing the potential pitfalls in this challenging clinical setting and presenting tricks to overcome these limitations.

IntroductionPrevious studies have reported a relationship between serum bilirubin levels and coronary artery disease (CAD). However, data are rare up to now regarding the relation of bilirubin levels with infarct-related artery (IRA) patency in the setting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Moreover, previous studies reported that increased bilirubin was related to impaired post-intervention coronary flow. To our knowledge, the association between serum total bilirubin (TB) levels and pre-primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with patency of IRA flow in STEMI patients has not been investigated.AimTo evaluate the association of TB with pre-primary PCI, coronary flow and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with STEMI.Material and methodsA total of 360 consecutive patients with STEMI (mean age = 61.4 ±13.7 years) admitted within 12 h from the time of symptom onset were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the serum TB levels. We defined normal flow as pre-PCI TIMI 3 flow, while impaired flow was defined as pre-PCI TIMI ≤ 2 flow.ResultsPre-PCI impaired flow was higher in the TB group than pre-PCI normal flow (p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality and MACE were significantly higher in the high TB group (p = 0.002, p < 0.001 respectively). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, TB > 0.825 mg/dl predicted impaired IRA flow before p-PCI with a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 71%.ConclusionsThe TB is an inexpensive and readily available marker for STEMI patients undergoing PCI. It can be used for risk stratification in this patient population.

ENWEndNote BIBJabRef, Mendeley RISPapers, Reference Manager, RefWorks, Zotero AMA Gül İ, Küçükdurmaz Z, Kalay N, et al. Polymorphisms of some increased cardiovascular risk related genes in acute coronary syndromes and their relation to coronary artery disease severity. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej. 2012;8(1):25-30. doi:10.5114/pwki.2012.27922. APA Gül, İ., Küçükdurmaz, Z., Kalay, N., Karapinar, H., İnanç, M., & Özdoğru, İ. et al. (2012). Polymorphisms of some increased cardiovascular risk related genes in acute coronary syndromes and their relation to coronary artery disease severity. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, 8(1), 25-30. https://doi.org/10.5114/pwki.2012.27922 Chicago Gül, İbrahim, Zekeriya Küçükdurmaz, Nihat Kalay, Hekim Karapinar, Mehmet Tuğrul İnanç, İbrahim Özdoğru, and Ahmet Yilmaz et al. 2012. "Polymorphisms of some increased cardiovascular risk related genes in acute coronary syndromes and their relation to coronary artery disease severity". Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej 8 (1): 25-30. doi:10.5114/pwki.2012.27922. Harvard Gül, İ., Küçükdurmaz, Z., Kalay, N., Karapinar, H., İnanç, M., Özdoğru, İ., Yilmaz, A., and Kemal Eryol, N. (2012). Polymorphisms of some increased cardiovascular risk related genes in acute coronary syndromes and their relation to coronary artery disease severity. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, 8(1), pp.25-30. https://doi.org/10.5114/pwki.2012.27922 MLA Gül, İbrahim et al. "Polymorphisms of some increased cardiovascular risk related genes in acute coronary syndromes and their relation to coronary artery disease severity." Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, vol. 8, no. 1, 2012, pp. 25-30. doi:10.5114/pwki.2012.27922. Vancouver Gül İ, Küçükdurmaz Z, Kalay N, Karapinar H, İnanç M, Özdoğru İ et al. Polymorphisms of some increased cardiovascular risk related genes in acute coronary syndromes and their relation to coronary artery disease severity. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej. 2012;8(1):25-30. doi:10.5114/pwki.2012.27922.