Cor et Vasa, 2002 (vol. 43), issue 9
Original research articles
The risk for atherosclerosis in a group of the ethnic Romany minority of southern Slovakia
Marica Krajčovičová-Kudláčková, Emil Ginter, Pavol Blažíček, Viera Spustová, Martina Valachovičová, Vladimír Kovačic, Ondrej Kačala
Cor Vasa 2002, 43(9):370-374
Introduction:The Romany population (gypsies) has a shorter life expectancy. The premature mortality rates of gypsies are three times those of the total population of the Slovak Republic. Methods, material:The values of total and LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, homocysteine, blood pressure, body mass index, smoking and nutrition were estimated in an ethnic Romany group of southern Slovakia(n = 119) and compared with those in the majority population in that region (n = 146). Results:In the Romany group, the average values of atherogenic index and triglycerides are significantly...
Video-assisted thoracoscopic drainage of pericardial effusion
Michal Semrád, Vladimír Vondráček, Martin Stříteský, Jaroslav Lindner, Miroslav Pytlík, Miloš Dobiáš, Karel Novotný, Ivan Vaněk
Cor Vasa 2002, 43(9):375-379
Objective:The aim of this study is to assess the validity of video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS), which enabled visual control and targeted pericardial biopsy in the treatment of chronic pericardial effusions, and to compare this approach with subxiphoid pericardiotomy. Methods:From September 1995 through January 2002, two types of surgical evacuation of pericardial fluid under pressure were studied in our institution. Subxiphoid pericardiotomy was performed in 23 patients (group A) and 11 patients (group B) underwent VATS under echocardiographic guidance. In the latter case, the thoracic cavity was inspected, the pericardial...
Case reports
Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy as an alternative to pericardial fenestration
Josef Veselka, David Tesař, Tomáš Honěk, Jiří Neuwirth, Jaromír Schee
Cor Vasa 2002, 43(9):381-383
Patients with recurrent pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade can be treated either by repeat pericardiocentesis, possibly with pericardial sclerotization, or by surgery. An alternative to surgery is percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy. The authors report the case of a 56-year-old man with recurrent pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade as part the post-pericardiotomy syndrome, who underwent, as the definitive treatment, percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy with pericardial sac draining into the pleural cavity.