Cor et Vasa, 2005 (vol. 46), issue 10
Original research articles
N-terminal proBNP in patients with advanced heart failure: its value for non-in-vasive hemodynamic status estimate
Petr Lupínek, Ivan Málek, Miloą Kubánek, Vladimír Pořízka, Josef Kautzner
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(10):371-374
Introduction:Changes in the plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been shown to correlate closely with left ventricular filling pressure in the treatment of acute heart failure. However, it is not known whether or not this peptide, and/or its N-terminal fragment, can be used to estimate the hemodynamic status in relatively stable patients with advanced heart failure. Method:A total of 119 patients with advanced chronic heart failure had their plasma N-terminal fragment proBNP (N-BNP) determined and right-heart catheterization performed in the morning of the same day; in 40 patients, the procedure was repeated...
Myocardial ischemia detection using albumin cobalt binding
Martin Gřiva, Ivo Oral, Svatava Vaňková
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(10):375-378
Aims of study:To monitor the dynamics of albumin cobalt binding (ACB) prior to a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and at predefined time points after PCI. To determine whether development of myocardial necrosis in PCI, as documented by troponin I (TnI) positivity, will have an effect on ACB. Method and patient group:A group of 61 patients was divided into two subgroups: (1) patients after diagnostic coronary angiography; (2) patients undergoing PCI. Using spectrophotometry, ACB was determined in either subgroup at time 0(placement on the catheterization table) and at times 30, 60, 120, and 360 minutes. All measured...
Review articles
The presence and future of antiplatelet therapy with GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists
Petr Widimský
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(10):379-383
This review article summarizes the currently available information about the use of GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists in clin-ical cardiology. Clinical trials with abciximab, tirofiban and eptifibatide are discussed. Their role in acute coronary syndromes and in interventional cardiology is analyzed.
Psychosocial risk factors of cardiovascular disease
Alexandra Pilipčincová
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(10):385-390
The paper presents an overview of psychosocial factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as type A behavior pattern, depression, anxiety, vital exhaustion, social support and pessimism/optimism. Long-term observation of the above predictors of CVD among healthy participants and patients with overt disease has clearly confirmed these individual are at risk of morbidity, mortality, CVD prognosis and decreased quality of life. Intensive investigation of the type A behavior pattern (TABP), commenced in the 1950s and providing many controversial results, resulted in the development of more accurate diagnostic methods in the late 1980s, methods which...
Short communication
IQOLAN II (International Quality Of Life assessment of patients with Angina pectoris on Nitrate therapy) in the Czech Republic
Hana Skalická
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(10):391-394
The three-month IQOLAN II survey included patients with different degrees of severity of chronic coronary heart disease on long-term nitrate therapy in two divided daily doses. This technique of nitrate administration was replaced by therapy with Cardiket 120, a retard isosorbide dinitrate formula containing 120 mg of active the substance (SchwarzPharma) used once daily.IQOLAN II documented the expected beneficial effect on clinical manifestations of coronary heart disease. The quality of life aspect will no doubt give us a more global perception of patients with chronic coronary heart disease. The wellbeing of the patient is dependent on many...
Setting reference values for BNP and NT-proBNP
Jindřich ©pinar, Jiří Vítovec
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(10):395-398
The authors present the ever first reference values for BNP and NT-proBNP as diagnostic and prognostic tools in patients with heart failure. Different reference values have been proposed for acute heart failure and for chronic heart failure. BNP > 100 pg/ml and NT-proBNP > 125 pg/ml are diagnostic for chronic heart failure. BNP > 500 pg/ml and NT-proBNP > 1 800 pg/ml are indicative of acute heart failure, NT-proBNP > 450 pg/ml in younger patients could signal acute heart failure. Neither BNP nor NT-proBNP are suitable for the diagnosis of asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction or left ventricular hypertrophy, but they are most valuable in...