Cor et Vasa, 2002 (vol. 43), issue 11
Original research articles
Transradial PTCA in the routine operation of a catheterization lab-the first 100 patients
Ivo Varvařovský, Jindřich Černý, Marian Branny, Igor Nykl
Cor Vasa 2002, 43(11):451-454
Aim of study:Inclusion of the transradial approach into the routine operation of a catheterization laboratory. Comparison of the transradial and femoral approaches to elective angioplasty (PTCA). Method:Prospective follow-up of patients treated in the catheterization laboratory of our center from January through September 2001. Results:The transradial approach was comparable with the femoral approach in terms of the success rate of PTCA (100 vs. 97%, NS); comparable fluoroscopy times were also required to perform the procedure (10.7 vs. 10.9 min, NS). The radial approach is associated with short hospitalization...
Our experience with left ventricular aneurysm surgery at IKEM
Vilém Rohn, Jan Pirk, Petr Pavel, Ivo Skalský
Cor Vasa 2002, 43(11):456-460
Aim:To summarize and evaluate the outcome of surgery for left ventricular aneurysm. Method:To analyze preoperative, intra-operative, and postoperative data of patients with left ventricular aneurysm resection and reconstruction in the period from 3 May 1993 through 21 May 2001 as related to therapeutic outcome, and to compare the data with those obtained from a group of patients undergoing simple coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) over the same period. Results:A total of 93 patients had surgery for left ventricular aneurysm in the above period. In-hospital and 30-day mortality was 7.5%, and was comparable...
Review articles
Late cardiotoxicity following anthracycline therapy for malignancies in pediatric age
Lubomír Elbl, Hana Hrstková
Cor Vasa 2002, 43(11):461-465
Late cardiotoxicity is a serious complication of anthracycline-based chemotherapy in pediatric age. It is a relatively frequent complication, often with a subclinical course and, in many cases, with a fatal outcome. Clinically, late cardiotoxicity manifests itself by the development of chronic heart failure. Its incidence, in the first decade following chemotherapy, has been reported to be 5-10%.Based on echocardiographic findings, subclinical cardiotoxicity occurs in 20-65%, most often taking the form of increased systolic left ventricular wall stress, wall thickening and decreased wall excursions, impaired diastolic function, and an asymptomatic...
C-reactive protein and acute phase reaction. Part 1: CRP and bacterial reaction
Pavel Kuneš, Jan Krejsek
Cor Vasa 2002, 43(11):467-475
Acute phase reactions allow the survival of a body at risk of infection or injury. In man, the most important acute phase reactant is C-reactive protein (CRP). The binding partners of CRP are choline phosphate on the surface of prokaryotic cells, and lysophosphatidylcholine on the surface of eukaryotic cells. CRP binds to cells of the body's own tissue developing a change in the spatial orientation of membrane lipids. These cells have been affected by metabolic deficiency, which may be reversible possibly resulting in complete recovery of cellular functions. Under less favorable circumstances, this energy deficiency may become deeper and result in...
The role of spiroergometry in assessing the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure
Petr Lupínek
Cor Vasa 2002, 43(11):477-480
Over the last decade, spiroergometry has become an essential method for assessing the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure, especially those considered for heart transplantation. The article provides a basic review of exercise pathophysiology in heart failure, parameters measured by spiroergometry, pitfalls of the method and, most importantly, interpretation of results and their use in the prognostic stratification of heart failure patients.
Drug interactions of cyclosporine A
Lenka Hošková, Ivan Málek, Josef Šedivý, Mariana Podzimková, Josef Kautzner, Jan Pirk
Cor Vasa 2002, 43(11):481-486
Heart transplantation (HTx) is an established method for the treatment of patients with end-stage heart failure. Management of these patients is characterized by some specific features, most importantly, as regards the management of immunosuppression. The immune response is suppressed by a combination of drugs including cyclosporine A. The association between the dose of cyclosporine A and its plasma levels is affected by a variety of factors and numerous drugs. The present paper addresses the issue of drug interactions observed in our patients. In clinical practice, it is critical to consider carefully any change in medication in the transplant recipient....
Short communication
The quality of life (QOL) of patients with the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. A comparison of QOL of patients in two implantation centers
Eliška Sovová, Jitka Vlašínová, Alena Kmoníčková, Jan Lukl, Vlastimil Doupal, Bořivoj Semrád
Cor Vasa 2002, 43(11):489-491
The aim of the study was to compare the data derived from a questionnaire regarding the quality of life (QOL) in patients with the implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) in two centers in the Czech Republic. ICD patients in two centers (A and B) received a 32-item questionnaire (patient identification data, psychological aspects of cardioverter/defibrillator implantation, information on the ICD, and quality of life /employment, hobbies, physical activity, sexual activity/). Statistical analysis was performed using contingency tables.Responses to the questionnaire were obtained from 77 (61 males, 16 females) center A patients, with a mean...
Statins "the year after". A review of statin therapy after the "cerivastatin" scandal. Are all statins equal?
Richard Češka
Cor Vasa 2002, 43(11):493-496
The occurrence of side effects, and myopathy in particular, including fatalities, resulted in the withdrawal of cerivastatin from the international market a year ago. The reports also sparkled debate on the approprieteness of statin use as well as whether all statins are equal in terms of their efficacy and, in particular, their safety.First, it should be noted that the benefits offered by statins to millions of patients worldwide clearly outweigh the potential risks associated with this therapy. The effects of statins have been tested in interventional studies involving dozens of thousands of individuals. Interestingly, no case of severe rhabdomyolysis...