Cor et Vasa, 2004 (vol. 45), issue 12
Original research articles
Myocardial revascularization in patients with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction
Martin Florian, Josef Kautzner, Jan Pirk, Ivan Málek
Cor Vasa 2004, 45(12):575-580
Objective:Preoperative evaluation often does not allow an accurate prediction of postoperative outcome in patients with severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting. The goal of this single-center study was to retrospectively analyze clinical risk factors that may predict perioperative mortality and long-term outcome in these high-risk patients. Methods:The study population consisted of 67 consecutive patients (60 males, mean age of 59.5 ± 8.0 years) with a preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction £ 20% who underwent surgical myocardial revascularization...
Review articles
Ximelagatran (Exanta) -a novel anticoagulant in the treatment of atrial fibrillation
Otto Mayer
Cor Vasa 2004, 45(12):582-586
Ximelagatran is a novel oral thrombin inhibitor. The therapeutic range of ximelagatran-unlike the commonly used warfarin-allows to use the former without laboratory monitoring of the anticoagulant effect. The present text is an overview of results of clinical trials designed to test the efficacy and safety of ximelagatran use in preventing central and peripheral embolic complications in atrial fibrillation.SPORTIF (Stroke Prevention using an ORal Trombin Inhibitor in atrial Fibrillation) II was a "dose finding" trial demonstrating no significant difference in the effect of oral ximelagatran if administered twice a day over a range of 20-60 mg.SPORTIF...
Short communication
Antioxidants and atherosclerosis
Dagmar Bobková, Rudolf Poledne
Cor Vasa 2004, 45(12):587-594
Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease. Although the process of atherosclerosis involves mostly the entry of LDL-particles into the vessel wall, their oxidation and plaque formation, atherosclerosis-related complications characterized by stenoses, plaque rupture, thrombotization or calcifications are no less important. A major role in these partial processes may be played by antioxidant vitamins, that is, by vitamin E (alfa-tocopherol), vitamin C and beta-carotene. Current concepts seem to suggest the action of antioxidant vitamins in the process of atherosclerosis-and car-diovascular disease in particular-largely depends...
Levosimendan as a novel emerging favorite in the management of heart failure.
Stanislav Janoušek
Cor Vasa 2004, 45(12):597-600
The calcium sensitizer levosimendan is a new promising positive inotropic class drug for the treatment of heart failure with a beneficial effect on the hemodynamics, symptoms and short- as well as long-term prognosis of patients. In addition to improved contractility, its beneficial effects include vasodilatation (both in the coronary bed improving myocardial perfusion and in the peripheral circulation improving afterload) and, hence, cardiac performance. Another advantage is its good tolerability with a low incidence of undesirable effects and the simplicity of infusion administration. The expanding indications of levosimendan use in clinical practice...
Residual exercise SPECT ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease treated chronically with beta-blockers: a useful tool for selecting high-risk patients
Milan Kamínek, Jiří Ostřanský, Iva Metelková, Miroslav Mysliveček, Václav Hušák, Otto Lang
Cor Vasa 2004, 45(12):601-604
The purpose of the study was to assess the prognostic value of exercise SPECT in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) treated chronically by beta-blockers. We analyzed 145 patients (63% of men, mean age 57 years) who underwent a symptom-limited bicycle exercise 201Tl or 99mT-MIBI SPECT study without discontinuing beta-blockers. The average heart rate (HR) was 139 beats/min; 71 patients (49%) were unable to reach 85% of the maximal age-predicted HR (group A), while 74 (51%) reached this level (group B). During a mean follow-up of 25 ± 11 months, there were four deaths and six nonfatal myocardial infarctions...