Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, far ahead of cancer. Epidemiological data emphasize the participation of many risk factors that increase the incidence of CVDs, including genetic factors, age, and sex, but also lifestyle, mainly nutritional irregularities and, connected with them, overweight and obesity, as well as metabolic diseases. Despite the importance of cardiovascular problems in the whole society, the principles of prevention of CVDs are not widely disseminated, especially among the youngest. As a result, nutritional neglect, growing from childhood and adolescence, translates into the occurrence of numerous disease entities, including CVDs, in adult life. This review aimed to draw attention to the role of selected minerals and vitamins in health and the development and progression of CVDs in adults and children. Particular attention was paid to the effects of deficiency and toxicity of the analyzed compounds in the context of the cardiovascular system and to the role of intestinal microorganisms, which by interacting with nutrients, may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disorders. We hope this article will draw the attention of society and the medical community to emphasize promoting healthy eating and proper eating habits in children and adults, translating into increased awareness and a reduced risk of CVD.

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A 66 – year – old woman, never treated because of any cardiac illnesses in the past, suffering from the chest pain evoked by physical activity, came to the outpatient clinic on January, 12 th 2019 for the diagnostics. Clinical examination, apart from an elevated blood pressure – 180/100 mmHg, showed no changes. In the ECG – SR 55 bpm. Performed TTE revealed an abnormal structure, having the dimensions 41x29 mm. Heart chamber dimensions, except for moderately enlarged LA, were in the normal range; ejection fraction was preserved. The patient was referred to the Department of Cardiology aiming at further diagnostics. In the course of hospitalization CT of the heart was done, during which the presence of hipodensic, mobile tissue change, having irregular borders, coming out of left ventricle wall was confirmed. PET examination excluded the existence of other remote changes. TEE corroborated the diagnosis of a tumor, originating from the inferior wall of left ventricle. Performed angiography ruled out significant changes in coronary arteries. Subsequently, the patient underwent the removal of the left ventricle tumor on February, 2 nd 2019 in the Department of Cardiosurgery. Histopathological examination result after the surgery wasn’t unequivocal – differential diagnosis should have included melanoma, myoepithelial cancer and MPNST ‘high – grade’ sarcoma. Immunohistochemical examination was continued. In the meantime, a control TTE was performed, which detected a tumor 14x10 mm. After the immunohistochemical examination results a woman was qualified to immunotherapy with the usage of pembrolizumab, initiated on March In TTE done on March, 30th 2109 the dimensions of tumor 30x20 mm suggested the disease progression. Therapy was continued. Next echocardiography didn’t visualise the presence of tumor. The patient was after the second cycle of chemotherapy. Abstract 1116 Figure.

Przewlekłe leczenie przeciwkrzepliwe znajduje zastosowanie w leczeniu i zapobieganiu powikłaniom zakrzepowo--zatorowym. Przez wiele lat standardem w doustnej antykoagulacji były leki z grupy antagonistów witaminy K (VKA). Ich stosowanie wiąże się ze zwiększonym ryzykiem powikłań krwotocznych i interakcji z wieloma lekami oraz koniecznością stałego monitorowania parametrów układu krzepnięcia.

Background: Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) are two echocardiographic parameters with prognostic value in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). When analyzed concurrently as TRV/TAPSE ratio, they allow the ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling (RVPAC) to be assessed. This could better predict the disease severity in patients with PH. Objective: Our study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the TRV/TAPSE ratio echocardiographic parameter in adults with precapillary PH. Methods: The study included 39 patients (74% women; average age, 63 years) with precapillary PH: pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and chronic thromboembolic PH (CTEPH). The mean follow-up period was 16,6 ±13,3 months. Twelve patients (31%) died during observation time. We measured TAPSE as a surrogate of RV contractility and TRV reflecting RV afterload, while ventricular–arterial coupling was evaluated by the ratio between these two parameters (TRV/TAPSE). To assess disease progression and the patient's functional capacity, World Health Organization functional class (WHO FC) was determined. Patient physical capacity was also evaluated using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). The analysis included values of N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), which were taken routinely during the follow-up visit. Results: The mean calculated TRV/TAPSE ratio was 0.26 ± 0.08 m/s/mm. On comparison of the TRV/TAPSE ratio to the disease prognostic indicators, we observed statistically significant correlation between TRV/TAPSE and the results of WHO FC, 6MWT and NT-proBNP. TRV/TAPSE ratio is thus a good predictor of mortality in PH patients (AUC, 0.781). Patients with a TRV/TAPSE ratio > 0.30 m/s/mm had a shorter survival time with log-rank test p< 0.0001. Additionally, ROC analysis revealed higher AUC for TRV/TAPSE than for TAPSE and TRV alone. Conclusions: TRV/TAPSE is a promising practicable echocardiographic parameter reflecting RVPAC. Moreover, TRV/TAPSE could be viable risk stratification parameter and could have prognostic value in patients with PH.

The subject was a 66-year-old woman, suffering from the chest pain evoked by physical activity. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed an abnormal structure, 41 × 29 mm. In MSCT, a hypodensic mobile tissue lesion that was infiltrating the whole thickness of left ventricle was confirmed. PET excluded the existence of other remote lesions. After surgical tumor removal, histopathological differential diagnosis revealed melanoma, myoepithelial cancer, and MPNST “high–grade” sarcoma. A control TTE detected a tumor that was 14 × 10 mm. After immunohistochemical results, immunotherapy with pembrolizumab was used, which resulted in complete tumor resolution. Presently, surgical resection and neoadjuvant targeted immunochemotherapy remain the treatment of choice for clinical stage III/IV melanoma.