Cor et Vasa, 2003 (vol. 44), issue 2
Original research articles
A comparison of the risk profiles of CHD patients and a random Czech population sample
Markéta Plášková, Jaroslav Šimon, Renata Cífková, Otto Mayer jr., Zdena Škodová, Věra Lánská
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(2):73-79
Introduction:The EUROASPIRE II study is an international project designed to monitor the standard of secondary CHD prevention and the implications of the joint guidelines of European and international professional societies for CHD prevention. The aim of our analysis was to compare the prevalence of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients enrolled into EUROASPIRE II and in a random Czech population sample. Methods:Screening was performed in two Czech centers (Pilsen University Hospital and the Prague-based Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, IKEM) in 1999-2000. A total of 525 probands were selected...
Catheter-based management of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
Josef Veselka, David Tesař, Jana Páleníčková, Ingrid Bolomová, Radka Duchoňová, Šárka Procházková, Lenka Fedorová, Peter Telekes, Jiří Neuwirth, Tomáš Honěk
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(2):80-84
Introduction:Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) is the method of choice in the treatment of symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). The paper reports on the authors' mid-term experience with the method. Group of patients:PTSMA was performed in 32 patients (13 males, age 54 ± 14 years) with symptomatic HOCM resistant to drug therapy. Patients underwent clinical examination and echocardiography prior to the procedure and at 6, 12, or 24 months thereafter. The follow-up period was 13 ± 9 months (median 12 months). Results:Two patients died...
Review articles
Cytokine system activation in chronic heart failure
Miloš Kubánek, Ivan Málek
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(2):85-90
Cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of a variety of cardiovascular diseases. The importance of cytokines has first been demonstrated in acute myocarditis, cardiac dysfunction in septic shock, and in cardiac allotransplant rejection. In recent years, the contribution of cytokines to the development of conditions where immune system activation seemed to be unlikely has also been documented. These include the process of atherogenesis, acute coronary syndromes, and chronic heart failure (CHF). The article includes a review of the literature addressing concepts on complete cytokine system activation in CHF patients, and the general effects...
Criteria for heart donors and graft acceptance
Eva Goncalvesová, Juraj Fabián
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(2):91-94
The frequency of heart transplant procedures is stagnating or even slightly decreasing worldwide. The European mean is 4 and, in countries with well organized donor programs, up to 10-12 procedures per million population. This trend is in dire contrast with the increasing number of patients on waiting lists and growing incidence of heart failure. The main cause for this is lack of suitable donors, but low rates of donor acceptance may also be responsible on some occasions. The authors analyzed the current status of donor acceptance with an emphasis on age and donor/recipient weight mismatch.
Case reports
Iatrogenic femoral vein thrombosis with subsequent pulmonary embolism as a complication of percutaneous coronary intervention
František Holm, Josef Kořínek, Vít Řezníček, Michael Aschermann
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(2):95-98
Femoral vein thrombosis with subsequent pulmonary embolism is a rare iatrogenic complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We report the case of a 62-year-old man who, after a successful PCI with coronary stent implantation into the right coronary artery, developed iatrogenic right femoral vein thrombosis as a result of groin compression following the withdrawal of an arterial introducer. The patient's status became complicated by a clinically significant pulmonary embolism. Following successful treatment of the pulmonary embolism, the patient developed-10 days later-subacute coronary stent thrombosis; he was treated by warfarin only,...
Short communication
Homocysteine and lipid peroxidation
Marica Krajčovičová-Kudláčková, Pavel Blažíček, Jana Klvanová
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(2):100-103
Homocysteine may cause atherosclerosis by damaging the endothelium either directly or by altering oxidative status. In hyperhomocysteinemia, hydroxyl radical production through homocysteine autooxidation and thiolactone formation is promoted. Antioxidant vitamins may have an adjunctive role in preventing oxidative vascular injury by hyperhomocysteinemia. Levels of total plasma homocysteine, conjugated dienes of fatty acids, vitamins C and E as well as their relationships were assessed in a group of 105 adult vegetarians. The correlation between the levels of homocysteine and conjugated dienes (first lipid peroxidation product) was shown to be a significantly...
Long-term results of myocardial arterial revascularization using the right gastroepiploic artery
Jan Vojáček, Tomáš Hájek, Jan Burkert, Josef Veselka, David Tesař, Milan Horn, Adrian Kolesár, Jaroslav Hlubocký, Michal Horáček, Valter Zenkner, Tomáš Honěk
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(2):105-107
Our study was designed to determine the long-term results of myocardial arterial revascularization using the gastroepiploic artery (GEA). We retrospectively evaluated a total of 66 patients undergoing surgery, in our department from 1994 through 1996, with the use of the GEA as part of multiple arterial revascularization. All procedures were performed with the use of extracorporeal circulation in cardioplegic heart arrest. Clinical results were determined by means of a questionnaire-based study; 92% of patients has been on long-term follow-up. The patency of the GEA and other bypasses was assessed in 13 patients (20%) based on coronary arteriography...
"Fast track" anesthesia-standard for valve disease surgery
Zbyněk Straka, Petr Brůček, Tomáš Vaněk, Michaela Zenáhlíková, Petr Widimský
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(2):108-110
"Fast track" anesthesia using an ultrashort-acting opiate without epidural catheter introduction was used in 73 patients undergoing heart valve disease surgery including combined procedures. The patients could be extubated within 15 minutes of the end of the procedure in 60 cases (82%). In one case, hemodynamic instability at the end of surgery required conversion to conventional anesthesia. There was one death within 30 postoperative days; and a low rate of serious postoperative complications was documented. No pulmonary complications were seen. Based on these results, the authors consider "fast track" anesthesia a safe and prospective technique of...