Kardiol Pol
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Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is one of few interventions that improve survival after a cardiac arrest with good neurological outcome. Current guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation recommend TH in comatose adult patients after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) regardless of cardiac arrest location and cardiac rhythm during the event. ⋯ The number of ICUs using TH in Poland increased threefold in the 5 year period of 2005-2010. However, the proportion of ICUs using TH is still low (21.7%) compared to other European countries. Further efforts should be undertaken to reduce barriers to implementation of current resuscitation guidelines.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of levosimendan on right ventricular functions by using novel tissue Doppler derived indices in patients with ischaemic left ventricular failure.
Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction complicates advanced left ventricular (LV) heart failure (HF) and contributes to a poor prognosis. Levosimendan is a positive inotropic agent improving cardiac contractility without increasing myocardial oxygen consumption in HF. ⋯ Levosimendan improves RV systolic function as expressed by TDI-derived parameters in patients with acutedecompensated HF.