Kardiol Pol
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Comparative Study
Comparison of the effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation with standard manual chest compressions and the use of TrueCPR and PocketCPR feedback devices.
High effectiveness of chest compressions is an important element of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), improving survival and reducing neurological deficits resulting from sudden cardiac arrest. ⋯ During simulated CPR, TrueCPR device significantly increased the effectiveness of chest compressions compared to SMCC and the use of PocketCPR smartphone application. Further studies are required to confirm these findings in clinical practice.
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Prevention of thromboembolic complications is a priority in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Based on the current guidelines, the role of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in stroke prevention has decreased in favour of novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC). ⋯ A NOAC was used in one fifth of all hospitalised AF patients receiving anticoagulant treatment. The risk of thromboembolic and bleeding complications did not differ between AF patients treated with NOAC or VKA. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of NOAC prescription included a history of bleeding, age ≥ 80 years, paroxysmal arrhythmia, hospitalisation due to AF, and living in a rural area.
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Severe accidental hypothermia is a condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In the years 2009–2012 the Polish National Statistics Department reported 1836 deaths due to exposure to excessive natural cold. ⋯ It is a unit functioning within the structure of the Cardiac Surgery Clinic, established in order to improve the effectiveness of the treatment of patients in the advanced stages of severe hypothermia. Early identification of hypothermia, binding algorithm and coordination leading to extracorporeal rewarming, are the most important elements in the deep hypothermia management.
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Patients with advanced cancer after radio- and/or chemotherapy are increasingly commonly hospitalised in cardiology units due to coexisting cardiovascular diseases (CVD). A rational assessment of mortality risk is an important part of patient preparation for invasive cardiac procedures. One disadvantage of cardiac risk scores is the fact that malignancies are not taken into account. At present, accurate estimation of life expectancy is possible in up to 20% of patients with an advanced malignancy. ⋯ This is the first study that evaluated the combined effect of oncological and cardiovascular risk factors on survival of patients with CVD and coexisting cancer after radio- and/or chemotherapy treatment. When the three groups of cancer patients with different prognosis were compared, the study revealed varying effects of each factor depending on the underlying malignancy. The analysis confirmed the significance of the cumulative risk. The present study showed that malignancy-related prognostic factors are important in the context of cardiac evaluation and treatment of cancer patients. It also showed that further research is needed to clarify these issues.
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Fragmented QRS (fQRS) complexes on 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) have been reported to be predictors of cardiac events and all-cause mortality in coronary artery disease (CAD). ⋯ The number of fQRS leads on 12-lead ECG on admission is associated with the severity and complexity of CAD in patients with ACS.