Cor et Vasa, 2003 (vol. 44), issue 12
Original research articles
Prenatal diagnosis and management of fetal supraventricular tachycardia
Jan Marek, Jan Škovránek, Hana Jičínská, Jiří Navrátil, Jan Janoušek
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(12):584-591
Aim:Analysis of the spectrum of prenatally diagnosed supraventricular fetal tachydysrhythmias and evaluation of the effect of treatment during the intrauterine period. Method:Ultrasound assessment of the fetal heart for early diagnosis of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and for assessment of signs of circulatory failure by its severity (failure and fetal hydrops). In indicated cases, drug therapy using the protocol developed by the Fetal Cardiology Working Group (FCWG) set up by the Association of European Pediatric Cardiology (AEPC) followed by evaluation of the therapeutic effect. Results:Among 60...
Review articles
Biochemical markers of collagen metabolism in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Another prognostic marker?
Radovan Jirmář, Václav Pelouch, Petr Widimský
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(12):592-595
There is little doubt that current cardiology has increasingly used biochemical markers in assessing the prognosis of patients after myocardial infarction (MI). Methods reflecting myocyte damage (troponins I and T, CK-M) have been established in clinical practice. In recent years, several studies have documented the prognostic value of inflammatory markers (CRP, interleukin 6, TNF). In this context, little is known about the role played by the extracellular matrix (ECM) and, particularly, about collagen metabolism and its alterations in MI healing and, also, about the prognostic value of these metabolic changes. The authors present a summary of current...
Case reports
Surgical treatment of neurogenic hypertension
Václav Masopust, Jaroslav Plas, Vladimír Beneš, Pavel Sedloň
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(12):596-599
The authors present the case of successful surgical treatment of pharmacologically resistant essential (neurogenic) hypertension. The decision for surgical treatment was based on exclusion of other possible causes of hypertension, MRI visualization of vascular compression of the ventrolateral medulla oblongata on the left side caused by the vertebral artery, and other predisposing anatomical factors in a patient with congenital anomaly of the cranio-cervical junction (basilar impression). The surgical approach was modified specifically for this kind of procedure. This case supports the hypothesis that the high frequency of primary hypertension in the...
Short communication
Levosimendan-a chance in acute heart failure
Jindřich Špinar, Jiří Vítovec
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(12):601-603
Acute heart failure is a very common urgent event. The syndrome includes at least four diagnostic entities: cardiogenic shock, pulmonary edema, hypertensive crisis, and acute exacerbation of heart failure. New guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute heart failure are currently being developed by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the Czech Society of Cardiology (ČKS). The guidelines include a reference to levosimendan, a new calcium sensitizer. The drug has been tested in several minor hemodynamic trials demonstrating improved quality of life, relief of symptoms, and a preventive effect on another episode of exacerbation. In addition...