Cor et Vasa, 2005 (vol. 46), issue 2
Original research articles
Is right ventricular function important for the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure?
Lenka Špinarová, Jiří Toman, Jaroslav Meluzín, Petr Hude, Jan Krejčí, Hana Pavelčíková, Josef Tomandl, Jiří Vítovec
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(2)
Aim:To determine whether right ventricular (RV) function is an important factor for the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure. Group of patients:A total of 155 patients with chronic heart failure, NYHA Class II-IV. All patients had left ventricular (LV) dysfunction with an LV ejection fraction (LVEF) below 40%. Patients were on follow up for 24 to 72 months. Group A (101 patients who were alive) and Group B (54 patients who died or had transplantation), mean age 51.8 ± 8.8 years, 129 men, 26 women, 86 had coronary heart disease, 69 dilating cardiomyopathy. Method:Echocardiography to measure...
The incidence and causes of deep vein thrombosis in an unselected population of medical patients
Ondřej Auzký, Jan Piťha
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(2)
Background:A reliable diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis continues to be a challenge in everyday practice of almost all specialists in clinical medicine. In this observational study, we assessed the incidence and causes of deep vein thrombosis among unselected patients referred to an outpatient department of internal medicine responsible for a catchment area of Prague. Methods:Data of patients referred for examination at an internal outpatient department with pain, swelling or inflammation of the lower limb, were collected retrospectively. Patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis were examined using duplex ultrasound....
Determination of training intensity in myocardial infarction survivors treated by beta--blockers
Václav Chaloupka, Lubomír Elbl, Svatopluk Nehyba, Iva Tomášková, František Jedlička
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(2)
Aim:The aim of our study was to answer the following questions: is it possible to determine, in beta-blocker-treated MI patients, training intensity by their heart rate? What are suitable alternatives for determining training intensity? Method:The group included 112 men and 19 women. The mean ages of men and women were 60.2 ± 8.6 and 58.8 ± 6.1 years, respectively. Eligible were patients after a previous myocardial infarction, treated by beta-blockers. Prior to their inclusion into a rehabilitation program, patients had exercise echocardiography under a standard protocol used in our department. In the same week,...
Review articles
The role of strain and strain rate imaging in the assessment of regional myocardial function
Jaroslav Meluzín, Roman Panovský, Vladimír Kincl
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(2)
The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of the current knowledge of the role of strain and strain rate imaging in the assessment of regional myocardial function. Despite the impressive advances made by echocardiography over the last decade, the majority of echocardiographic methods utilized so far to determine regional myocardial function has had major limitations such as the absence of quantification, the impact of extracardiac factors which modify the character and velocity of cardiac motion, etc. Assessment of myocardial deformation (strain) and the rate of deformation (strain rate) represent a new approach devoid of the majority of limitations...
Case reports
Transthoracic "coronary" echocardiography - the potential for evidence of anomalous coronary artery origins using TTE.
Petr Zajíček, Jaroslav Januška, Petra Kvášová, Marian Branny, Pavel Prodělal
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(2)
The authors report the case of a patient with transthoracic echocardiography (TEE) suggesting strong suspicion of an anomalous origin of the ramus circumflexus (RCx) from the right coronary sinus; this was subsequently confirmed by coronary arteriography. The paper discusses the incidence of coronary artery anomalies and the potential benefits of TTE use to their diagnosis.
Fatal acute sinus of Valsalva rupture.
Libor Hemžský, Vít Mařatka, Vladimír Rozsíval, Jiří Kvasnička, Petr Vojtíšek, Leo Steinhart, Egon Procházka
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(2)
The authors report the case of a 26-year-old man admitted for chest pain of one hour, with rapidly developing cardiogenic shock in the presence of non-coronary sinus of Valsalva rupture. ECG recordings, aortography and ventriculography are also documented.
An aorto-rightventricular fistula with hemopericardium due to sinus of Valsalva perforation following a stab injury to the chest.
Monika Jankajová, Ján Ignác, Erik Prexta, Martin Studenčan, Viliam Fišer
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(2)
The case of a 19-year-old man with a one-month history of stab injury to the chest ago is presented. He complained of progression of dyspnea, fatigue and palpitations. He had been admitted to hospital with an auscultation finding of intensive systolic murmur. Chest X-ray showed a dilated heart in the area of the right ventricle, with transthoracic echocardiography suggesting rupture of the sinus of Valsalva. The patient was transferred to the heart center for additional diagnostic procedures and management. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography was performed revealing extensive pericardial effusion, with hemopericardium visualization,...
Short communication
Secondary hypertension in patients referred to a specialized hypertension unit.
Branislav Štrauch, Tomáš Zelinka, Ondřej Petrák, Robert Holaj, Hana Weisserová, Jiří Widimský jr.
Cor Vasa 2005, 46(2)
Today, arterial hypertension is the most frequent cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of hypertension increases with age and it is found in more than 50% of individuals aged over years. Primary (essential) and secondary forms of hypertension can be distinguished. Essential hypertension is the most common form with a partly known pathogenesis but an unknown primary cause. Secondary hypertension is defined by a known potentially curable cause.This study was undertaken to evaluate the real prevalence of secondary hypertension among hypertensives referred to our hypertension unit.A total of 402 patients (230 women and 172 men) with hypertension...