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Maciej Banach

Publications and source records attributed to Maciej Banach.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Gut Dysbiosis in Selected Gynecological Diseases Associated with Female Infertility: A Scoping Review.

Background/Objectives: Female infertility represents a significant public health issue. Available evidence supports the hypothesis that the gut microbiota may play an essential role in women's reproductive health and may serve as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in specific gynecological disorders. A substantial part of current research concerns disturbed communication between the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and the gut microbiota, providing the basis for analyzing this phenomenon as the gut-ovary axis or the gut-vagina-ovary axis. The primary aim of this scoping review was to map the available evidence on the relationship between gut microbiota composition and female infertility, with particular emphasis on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, currently polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, PMOS) endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. Methods: The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using terms related to gut microbiota, female infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, and uterine leiomyomas. Peer-reviewed publications in English published between 2015 and 2025 were considered. The included studies were descriptively synthesized to identify recurring microbiota patterns and research gaps. Results: The reviewed evidence indicates that gut dysbiosis may be associated with selected gynecological disorders affecting fertility, including PCOS, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. The gut microbiome may have potential value as a biomarker supporting diagnosis, treatment selection, and prognosis. Conclusions: The gut microbiome represents a promising but still insufficiently validated area in the management of gynecological diseases associated with female infertility. Further high-quality clinical studies are needed to verify the effectiveness of microbiome-based therapies and to develop evidence-based guidelines for managing infertility associated with gut dysbiosis.

dysbiosis↗

N-terminal brain natriuretic propeptide levels correlate with procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels in septic patients.

The aim of this study was to find the relationship between N-terminal brain natriuretic propeptide (NT-proBNP), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma concentrations in septic patients. This was a prospective study, performed at Medical University Hospital No. 5 in łódź. Twenty patients with sepsis and severe sepsis were included in the study. N-terminal brain natriuretic propeptide, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein concentrations, and survival were evaluated. In the whole studied group (128 measurements), the mean NT-proBNP, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein concentrations were, respectively: 140.80+/-84.65 pg/ml, 22.32+/-97.41 ng/ml, 128.51+/-79.05 mg/l. The correlations for the NT-proBNP level and procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels were 0.3273 (p<0.001) and 0.4134 (p<0.001), respectively. NT-proBNP levels correlate with PCT and CRP levels in septic patients. In the survivor subgroup, the mean NT-proBNP plasma concentrations were significantly lower than in the non-survivor subgroup.

Adult↗

Increased whole blood chemiluminescence in patients with chronic renal failure independent of hemodialysis treatment.

INTRODUCTION: The luminol-enhanced whole blood chemiluminescence (LBCL) assay is a rapid assay for the measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by circulating phagocytes. This study's aim was to determine if patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and non-dialyzed patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) have altered LBCL and if dialysis itself affects ROS production in the blood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six HD patients, 11 non-dialyzed patients with CRF, and 20 gender- and age-matched healthy controls were studied. Resting (rCl) and 2 x 10(-5) M n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-stimulated LBCL (peak chemiluminescence: pCl, total light emission after agonist addition: tCl) calculated per 10(4) phagocytes present in the 3-mul blood samples were measured with a Bio-Orbit 1251 luminometer at 37 degrees C for 11 min. RESULTS: Prior to the HD session, median rCL, pCL, and tCL were 1.5, 3.0, and 2.8 times higher in HD patients than in healthy controls (p<0.01) and tended to increase at the end of the session. Significant increases in tCl were observed at 30 min and 240 min (end) of HD (1023.5 vs. 1810.6 vs. 2006.8 arbitrary units x s/10(4) phagocytes, n=9, p<0.05). Median pCl and tCl were 5.0 and 4.3 times higher in non-dialyzed patients with CRF than in healthy controls (p<0.001). However, no significant differences were found between pre- and post-HD LBCL of HD patients and the LBCL of non-dialyzed patients with renal failure. CONCLUSIONS: Blood from patients with renal failure generates elevated amounts of oxidants independently of HD treatment. This may add to the understanding of the nature of oxidative stress and suggests the need of anti-oxidant treatment in these patients.

Adult↗

Increased levels of soluble TNF-alpha receptors and cellular adhesion molecules in patients undergoing bioincompatible hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to differentiate the effects of hemodialysis (HD) and chronic renal failure (CRF) on the levels of circulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and TNF-alpha receptors p55 and p75, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (sE-selectin) and sP-selectin in 18 patients on regular HD treatment with cuprophane membrane in relation to 15 non-dialyzed CRF patients and 15 healthy controls. METHODS: The serum concentrations were determined with standard ELISA assays. RESULTS: Blood serum p75 and p55 were approximately tenfold increased in CRF (36.7 +/- 6.2 and 27.1 +/- 5.6 ng/ml) and HD patients (45.6 +/- 18.4 and 28.7 +/- 5.9 ng/ml) before the HD session (HD 0), during (HD 20) the session (45.7 +/- 18.4 and 28.5 +/- 7.3 ng/ml) and after (HD 240) the HD session (52.1 +/- 17.4 and 30.9 +/- 8.2 ng/ml) in comparison to control values (5.6 +/- 1.3 and 2.4 +/- 0.8 ng/ml, respectively) (p < 0.01). The highest increment of p75 at the end of HD session (HD 240) was also significantly higher than at preceding time points (HD 0 and 20) (p < 0.05). However, the remaining study parameters did not change during an HD session. Also, there were no relevant changes in TNF-alpha levels if (HD 0) 22.7 +/- 21.5 ng/ml and (HD 240) 21.1 +/- 18.9 ng/ml were compared. Chronic HD status was related to the increase of sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels. Prior to HD, T0 sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 concentrations were 2,180.4 +/- 761.8 and 567.3 +/- 218.8 ng/ml, during HD (T20): 2,172.7 +/- 759.2 and 602.3 +/- 379.9 ng/ml, and after HD (T240): 2,401.6 +/- 756.4 and 648.3 +/- 183.5 ng/ml, respectively (p < 0.05 vs. controls and CRF patients). sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 serum levels (1,262.2 +/- 472.9 and 165.6 +/- 50.4 ng/ml) were similar in CRF patients and healthy controls (854.4 +/- 241.5 and 217.6 +/- 74.2 ng/ml, respectively). Even though serum sE- and sP-selectin in CRF patients did not differ from the control (39.8 +/- 21.3 vs. 42.1 +/- 18.9 ng/ml and 187.9 +/- 66.9 vs. 198.8 +/- 62.2 ng/ml, respectively), their levels were increased in HD patients up to 111.9 +/- 54.6 and 453.2 +/- 231.1 ng/ml in patients prior to HD, 118.7 +/- 66.2 and 350.8 +/- 114.8 ng/ml during the HD session and then 132.3 +/- 61.1 and 368.3 +/- 126.6 ng/ml, respectively, after its completion (p < 0.05 in comparison with CRF patients and controls). CONCLUSIONS: The increased circulating TNF-alpha receptors appear more associated with the uremic milieu than HD-related systemic inflammation, whereas increased soluble cellular adhesion molecules in patients undergoing bioincompatible HD may be related to the enhanced systemic inflammation specifically due to maintenance HD.

Adult↗

TNF-alpha priming effect on polymorphonuclear leukocyte reactive oxygen species generation and adhesion molecule expression in hemodialyzed patients.

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to assess reactive oxygen species generation and the expressions of some surface antigens on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in patients on regular hemodialysis (HD) treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The respiratory burst of PMNs was determined with luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) in resting cells and following N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), or opsonized zymosan (OZ) stimulation and expressed in arbitrary CL units times assay-time (aU x min). The expressions of CD11b/CD18, CD10, and CD13 receptors were determined with flow cytometry. RESULTS: Basal PMN CL was increased in HD patients to up to 1285 +/- 129 aU x min compared with 895 +/- 88 aU x min in healthy controls (p < 0.05). The CL of unprimed PMNs increased after fMLP stimulation from 3085 +/- 746 to 4529 +/- 808 aU x min, and after OZ stimulation from 12945 +/- 1296 to 14678 +/- 1355 aU x min. PMA-stimulated CL of PMNs was similar to control values. The oxidative burst in PMNs from HD patients and healthy controls was similar in response to TNF-alpha alone. The CL of TNF-alpha-primed PMNs in HD patients was significantly lower than CL measured in healthy controls (p < 0.05). The expressions of CD10 and CD13 metalloproteinase receptors were also increased (p < 0.05). Although CD11b expression was significantly increased at rest and after fMLP stimulation, the expression of another beta-integrin heterodimer compound, CD18, was not increased. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that TNF-alpha priming of PMNs is down-regulated in HD patients despite constitutive up-regulation of resting cytotoxicity and enhanced expression of adhesion and metalloproteinase receptors.

Adult↗

Neutrophil superoxide anion generation during atorvastatin and fluvastatin therapy used in coronary heart disease primary prevention.

Neutrophil superoxide anion generation was measured during atorvastatin and fluvastatin therapy in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. The patients were randomly allotted into three groups. The atorvastatin group comprised 17 patients who were administered the drug orally 10 mg a day at bed time. The fluvastatin group consisted of 18 patients on an oral dose of 40 mg once daily at bed time. The control group comprised 12 healthy subjects with no drug administration. Blood samples were collected from cubital vein before and after 6-week therapy with these drugs and once in the control group. Neutrophil superoxide anion generation in whole blood without and with opsonized zymosan (OZ) stimulation was determined using superoxide dismutase from bovine erythrocytes. In the atorvastatin group, statistically significant (P < 0.05) decrease in superoxide anion generation by nonstimulated and OZ-stimulated neutrophils was observed after 6 weeks of therapy. In fluvastatin group, no changes in neutrophil superoxide anion generation were observed after the 6-week treatment period. Our study has shown an additional nonlipid mechanism of atorvastatin used in CHD primary prevention.

Adult↗

Risk factors of atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass grafting: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the risks factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve hundred patients subjected to CABG were included. Postoperative AF developed in 278 patients (23.2%). Statistical analysis identified 5 independent predictors of AF: advanced age, history of supraventricular arrhythmias, preoperative heart failure, operation with standard CABG technique and repeated revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative AF caused a significant increase in mortality and hospitalization length. There were 4 independent risk factors of postoperative AF. Administration of beta-blockers and the OPCAB (off-pump CABG) operating technique were identified as protective factors.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Blood serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Cytokines are essential mediators of immune response and inflammatory reactions. Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) commonly present with abnormalities of immune function related with impaired kidney function and the accumulation of uremic toxins in addition to bioincompatibility of dialyzer membranes. During a hemodialysis (HD) session, cytokines are released mainly by monocytes activated by endotoxin-type compounds in dialyzer fluid, complement factors and direct contact with dialyzer membrane. The study included 15 CRF patients, aged 36.4 +/- 2.9 years, on regular HD maintenance therapy for mean 68 +/- 10 months and 15 healthy controls. It was designed to assess serum levels of a panel of inflammatory cytokines: IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha in CRF patients on regular maintenance HD before, 20, 60 and 240 minutes of a single HD session in parallel with C-reactive protein (CRP) as an additional parameter. CRP concentration was increased in HD patients when compared with healthy controls. The concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha were increased, whereas the serum level of IL-2 was not altered during a single HD session.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of surgical treatment of mitral valve defect in patients with chronic renal failure].

UNLABELLED: Renal failure of patients qualified for open-heart surgical treatment seems to be very important problem since years. The operation with extracorporeal circulation is large burden for kidneys and there is huge risk of intensifying of existing failure. The aim of the study was the evaluation of renal parameters, complications occurrence and mortality of patients with chronic renal failure (ChRF) (grade II--mild ChRF) subjected to mitral valve replacement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To retro- and prospective analysis were subjected 34 patients with severe mitral valve defect, subjected to operation between 1998 and 2002 in Department of Cardiac Surgery in Lodz. All patients included to study had increased level of creatinine--1, 5-3, 0 mg/dl (at least in three measurements). All examined patients were subjected to artificial mitral valve replacement and 13 patients to simultaneous tricuspid valve plastic surgery. Postoperative evaluation of clinical condition and renal parameters was performed twice: early (till 30 day after operation) and long-term (after meanly 14 months). RESULTS: In seven patients, in early postoperative period, it was necessary to implement extracorporeal dialysis with artificial kidney dialysis machine. Among these patients we ascertained three deaths (intrahospital mortality was 8.8%). During long-term observation we noted two cases of infective endocarditis requiring reoperation and re-implantation of mitral valve. During this time of observation only one death was noted (post-hospital mortality was 3.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Dysfunction of kidneys, even in mild degree, causes significant increase of risk of early death (about 2.5 times). In most research population in long-term observation we ascertained the large improvement of kidney functions (significant decrease of creatinine level; p < 0.001). Concomitant tricuspid valve regurgitation, requiring plastic surgery is an additional factor incriminating long-term results of surgical treatment.

Aged↗

[Aortic valve replacement in patients with heart failure].

UNLABELLED: Severe aortic regurgitation and stenosis are urgent indication for aortic valve replacement in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, however the effect of cardiac surgery may differ in both groups. The aim of the study was to evaluate the early changes of haemodynamic parameters of heart: ejection fraction, endsystolic and enddiastolic left ventricle diameters, endsystolic and enddiastolic left ventricular wall thickness and left atrium diameter, depending on ejection fraction value (EF), in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement due to isolated aortic stenosis or regurgitation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 250 patients engaged to the study were subjected to the mechanical aortic valve replacement in Cardiac Surgery Department in Lodz. All patients were divided into two groups--patients operated due to aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis. Then each group, depending on EF volume before operation, was divided into two subgroups (A - EF between 35 and 50%; B - EF below 35%). RESULTS: Comparing the pre- and early postoperative period, ejection fraction rose markedly in both subgroups of patients with aortic stenosis and the highest increase was ascertained in subgroups A. Analyzing endsystolic and enddiastolic left ventricle diameters we observed the reduction of left ventricle diameters in all groups. Evaluating endsystolic left ventricular wall thickness we observed the increase of wall thickness in both subgroups B. Analogically enddiastolic left ventricular wall thickness increased in all analyzing groups, whereas in groups with lowest fraction the rise was essential. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve replacement both due to aortic stenosis and regurgitation is associated with improved haemodynamic status in early postoperative period.

Aortic Valve Stenosis↗

L-arginine improves hemodynamic function and coronary flow in an experimental model of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia and reperfusion injury decrease the release of nitric oxide by vessels endothelial cells, which influences postischaemic coronary flow and return of left ventricle haemodynamic function. The study was conducted to answer the question how addition of L-arginine in cardioplegic and reperfusion fluids influences nitric oxide release, inducing the coronary flow and postischaemic haemodynamic heart function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was conducted on 56 rats, divided randomly into seven groups: control (C) and six experimental groups (E), where L-arginine was administrated in increasing doses of 0.3, 3.0 and 30.0 mM/L to cardioplegic (E1, E2 and E3 group) or reperfusion solution (E4, E5 and E6 group). To simulate a course of cardiac surgery the following stages of experiment were carried out: initial perfusion on the nonworking and working heart, cardioplegia, cold cardioplegic arrest and reperfusion of the non-working and working heart. RESULTS: Level of nitric oxide during cardioplegic perfusion decreased in all groups. During reperfusion on non-working and working heart model we noticed the significant increase of nitric oxide for all groups. Along with nitric oxide increase, coronary flow increases, whereas with the decrease of level of nitric oxide, the coronary flow also diminished. During cardioplegic perfusion coronary flow constantly decreased in all groups and during reperfusion we observed the new increase of coronary flow. In groups E1, E2 and E3 the increase of coronary flow was significant. CONCLUSIONS: Obtained data suggest that administration of L-arginine in the preischaemic and in the initial phase of reperfusion stimulates increase in nitric oxide release what is positively correlated with the increase of coronary flow.

Animals↗

NT-proBNP levels correlate with organ failure in septic patients: a preliminary report.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between N-terminal brain natriuretic propeptide (NT-proBNP) plasma concentrations and the severity of organ dysfunction assessed by the Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score in septic patients MATERIAL/METHODS: NT-proBNP, SOFA score, and survival were evaluated in 20 consecutive septic patients. They were prospectively included in the study when the sepsis criteria according to the ACCP/SCCM definitions (modified by the Polish Working Group for Sepsis) were fulfilled. Blood serum NT-proBNP concentrations were determined in each patient at given time intervals and the severity of organ dysfunction was estimated according to the SOFA score. The first measurement was performed within 12 h after the patient's inclusion into the study, the second, third, and fourth at 12, 24, and 48 hours after the first, and then every 48 hours thereafter RESULTS: The mean NT-proBNP concentration and the mean SOFA score were 140.80+/-84.65 pg/ml and 6.31+/-3.75 points, respectively. The correlation coefficient between NT-proBNP level and SOFA score was R=0.5164 (p<0.05). The mortality in the studied group was 30%. CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP levels correlate with the severity of organ dysfunction as assessed by the SOFA score in septic patients.

Adult↗

[Heart condition before and after surgical treatment of atrial septal defect type II in adults].

UNLABELLED: ASD t. II is one of the common congenital heart abnormalities in adults. Early surgical or percutaneous correction in childhood is recommended, but in adults indications to surgical treatment are still controversial. With age physical functional class (NYHA) deteriorating is observed. In the natural course of the defect some patients could be asymptomatic up to third or fourth decade of life and in the middle aged we can observe clinical symptoms. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess a condition of the heart and analyse some dependences between a value of PASP and degree of NYHA class and other echocardiographic parameters in patients before and after surgical repair of ASD t.ll. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 93 patients were involved in research (24.7% male, mean age 43.8+/-11 years ) with history of isolated ASD t.II. All patients were observed in follow-up (mean range--6.6+/-3.1 years). In all pts. before and after surgery the history of the specific symptoms of dyspnea on exertion, level of fatigue, physical examination with assessment a degree of heart failure (NYHA class), a value of PASP (mmHg), the pulmonary to systemic ratio (Qp/Qs) were performed. The patients were divided into two groups according to their age at the time of surgical correction: I group < 40 years and II group > 40 years. In statistic analysis Chp test, Fisher test, t-Student test and logistic regression model were performed. RESULTS: In our study we observe a significant improvement of NYHA class in both groups. A marked recovery from class III or IV to class I or II after operation was documented in 24 pts. (47%) in I group (p<0.00001) and 14 pts. (33%) in group II. (p<0.0001). The pulmonary artery pressure decreased significantly after surgery in both groups (33.1+/-7.7 vs 21.9+/-5.1 mmHg; (p<0.0001--I group) and 41.3+/-11.5 vs 23.4+/-6.2 mmHg; (p<0.0001--II group). We did not observe any significant correlations between NYHA class and PASP and also between PASP and Qp/Qs ratio before surgery in studied groups. (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 1. Surgical repair of ASD t.II is an useful treatment in adult pts. because it improves hemodynamic status and normalise PASP independently of age at the time of repair. 2. More intensive symptoms of dyspnea or fatigue assessed by NYHA class do not correspondence with value of PASP in any age before repair. 3. With advanced age a higher degree of NYHA class correlates with increased value of Qp/Qs ratio. 4. Age over 40 years is not a contraindication to surgical treatment.

Adult↗

Immunological aspects of the statins' function in patients with heart failure: a report from the Annual Conference of ESC - Heart Failure 2005.

The annual meeting of the Heart Failure Association of ESC in Lisbon, in June 2005, was exceptionally successful. There were many very interesting presentations and workshops with the unique title: Statins in heart failure- Cholesterol-lowering is not the only goal. Heart failure (HF) is a progressive disease with coronary artery disease (CAD) as the most often underlying etiology. Treatment to prevent progression of heart failure has been targeted to reverse the consequences of HF and to a less extent the cause - the atherosclerotic plaque itself. On the average 50% of patients with heart failure are treated with lipid intervention. Lipid-lowering treatment with statins clearly reduces morbidity and mortality of patients with documented CAD. Since the prevalent etiology of heart failure is CAD, its prevention may reduce heart failure progression. However, recent studies suggest that pleiotropic effects of statins are more important than the influence related to their cholesterol lowering mechanism. Furthermore it is suggested that low levels of circulating lipoproteins and cholesterol may be independent predictors of impaired outcome in patients with heart failure. There are some possible explanations for this finding. High levels of cholesterol can be beneficial to heart failure patients; cholesterol-rich serum lipoproteins are able to modulate inflammatory immune function because they bind and detoxify bacterial lipopolysaccharide, a very strong stimulator of the release of proinflammatory cytokines that promote heart failure progression and death. So current recommendations strongly emphasize that the aim of treatment of HF is not to lower cholesterol.

Disease Progression↗

[Blood serum and neutrophil amino acid concentrations during hemodialysis].

The abnormal amino acid profile and altered distribution of some amino acids between the extra- and intracellular compartments is currently recognized as a part of metabolism abnormalities in hemodialyzed uremic patients associated with prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of HD influence on the extra- and intracellular amino acid concentrations in neutrophil homogenates and in blood serum. Before HD, the concentrations of arginine (64 vs 33 micromol/l) and cysteine (70 vs 40 micromol/l) were significantly higher in the uremic blood serum, but the concentrations of five amino acids, i.e. serine, threonine, alanine, proline, and valine, were significantly decreased in the uremic serum. The concentrations of arginine (7.95 vs 5.2 micromol/l), tyrosine (14.3 vs 12.5 micromol/l) and phenylalanine (10.7 vs 9.5 micromol/l) were significantly elevated in neutrophil homogenate from uremic patients before HD and after HD for arginine (8.73 micromol/l). We found a substantial increase of blood serum arginine concentration at all evaluated time points of HD from 64 to 191 micromol/l. The concentration of 8 amino acids were found to be significantly decreased in blood serum during HD. We may assume amino acid concentration changes in chronic uremia partly attributed to malnutrition, may be actually associated with inflammatory pathomechanisms, the hypothesis worth verifying in further studies.

Adult↗

[Prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery].

Atrial fibrillation is the most common complications after cardiac surgery, occurring in 20-60% of patients depending on definition and diagnostic methods. Usually appears between 2 and 4 day after operation and often turns back during first 30 days in postoperative time. Treatment of this complication is often protracted, requiring increased monitoring and hospital resources, and extending hospital length of stay Clinical consequences can be significant and include hemodynamic instability and stroke. Recently we can see the increase of atrial fibrillation's frequency occurrence. It is related both with enlargement of patients qualified to cardiac operations and with more and more severe conditions of patients subjected to surgery. Despite of existence unique guidelines there are still many doubts, regarding to choice of antiarrhythmic agent, optimal time of therapy initiation or performing invasive treatment. Atrial fibrillation influences the worsening of patient's postoperative condition (e.g. significantly increasing postoperative mortality) and considerably increases the costs of hospitalization. Therefore competent prevention and suitable treatment of postoperative atrial fibrillation is one of the most important tasks for cardiac surgeons or clinicians who manage the patients after cardiosurgical operations.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗