Cor et Vasa, 2003 (vol. 44), issue 1
Original research articles
Fractional myocardial flow reserve measurement in borderline coronary stenoses to optimize coronary intervention and in muscular bridges
Vladimír Hraboš, Jan Vojáček, Martin Mates, Michal Semrád, Petr Hájek, Martin Malý, David Horák, Václav Durdil, Jiří Fiedler
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(1):15-21
Fractional flow myocardial reserve (FFRmyo) is an invasive method for assessing the hemodynamic significance of individual coronary stenoses. In coronary heart disease patients, it is suitable for deciding on coronary intervention on the stenosis. FFRmyo is based on measuring intracoronary pressure in front of and beyond stenosis during drug-induced hyperemia.The aim of the study was to determine how often intervention is indicated in association with FFRmyo assessment of borderline stenoses with arterial diameter reduction 40-70%. Further, the functional importance of muscular bridges and optimal coronary angioplasty management...
NT-proBNP determination in the diagnosis of exercise-induced ischemia or latent heart failure
David Stejskal, Bořek Lačňák, Dalimil Horalík, Renata Juráková, Jitka Prošková, Sylva Adamovská, Ivana Hrabovská, Ivo Oral, Josef Bartek
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(1):22-26
Introduction:Natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP) can be used as surrogate markers in assessing heart failure, its severity, and in the differential diagnosis of dyspnoe. There are also guidelines referring to use of monitoring the dynamics of natriuretic peptides in standardized physical exercise in estimating latent heart failure. Aim of study:Can NT-proBNP be used to diagnose exercise-induced ischemia or latent heart failure? Methods:A group of 18 probands (10 men, 8 women). They were at-risk individuals with a non-specific EKG picture, and no signs of overt heart failure. All probands had exercise testing (bicycle...
Review articles
Comparing the lipid-lowering efficacy of statins
Tomáš Janota, Richard Češka
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(1):27-32
To date, only several trials have been conducted comparing the lipid-lowering effects of several statins and their individual doses. We made an analysis of published lipid-lowering effects from different studies to obtain data based on a large number of examinations.The analysis covered data from studies conducted in the 1990-1999 period, showing changes in lipidemia after different doses of statins. Not included were results of studies with dose adjustment depending on the effect so that higher-dose statins were not used only in poor responders. The results of over 23,000 examinations in 48 different trials were analyzed. The method of weighted...
Myocardial contrast echocardiography
Petr Toušek, Marek Orban, Jiří Krupička, Pavel Gregor, Christian Firschke, Martin Riedel
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(1):33-40
Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) is a non-radioactive bedside imaging method using microbubble contrast agents and having the ability to assess microvascular perfusion of the myocardium. Formerly, the contrast agents had to be administered directly into the coronary artery. Recent developments in microbubble technology and ultrasound imaging techniques have enabled peripheral intravenous contrast agent administration, making MCE a noninvasive method.This article reviews recent advances in microbubble technology and ultrasound imaging and, also, describes the basic principles of the techniques. Further, our aim is to describe the possible...
Case reports
Cardiac manifestations of the carcinoid syndrome
Barbora Křížová, Vladimír Staněk, Marie Gebauerová, František Straka
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(1):42-45
Heart disease occurs in about 55-75% of carcinoid syndrome patients; a typical feature of the condition is endocardial fibroplasia affecting mostly the right heart and its valvular apparatus. The case report is of a patient with this condition, presenting with reddening of the upper half of the thorax, face, and acral parts of his limbs, associated with significant tricuspid regurgitation, and signs of right-heart insufficiency. The case report includes the diagnosis, course of the disease, and treatment.
Short communication
Central venous graft anastomosis to the ascending aorta using a St. Jude connector system
Aleš Mokráček, Marek Šetina
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(1):47-49
The study reports on the creation of a central anastomosis of a venous graft to the ascending aorta using a St. Jude connector system. This technique seems to be a quick, safe, and reproducible alternative to conventional central anastomosis. The advantages include the possibility to establish a central anastomosis without partial clamping (reducing the incidence of neurological complications) and shortening the duration of the procedure.
Nuclear cardiology in the Czech Republic: methods, numbers, and the pattern of examinations in 2001
Milan Kamínek, Miroslav Mysliveček, Václav Hušák, Otto Lang
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(1):50-53
The aim of the questionnaire-based study was to determine the numbers and methods used to perform nuclear cardiology procedures in the Czech Republic and to compare the data with those reported from the European Union (EU) and the USA. In 2001, a total of 15,740 of nuclear cardiology procedures were performed in the Czech Republic (i. e., 1.5 procedures/1,000 pop.). The most frequent procedures included myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (81.7% out of total), followed by radionuclide ventriculography (14.7%), first-pass cardioangiography (2.6%), and F-18-FDG glucose metabolism investigation (1%). The frequency of myocardial perfusion studies rose by...
Atorvastatin and expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules in patients with hypercholesterolemia
Tomáš Štulc, Zdislava Kasalová, Michal Vrablík, Iuri Marinov, Richard Češka
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(1):54-55
Leukocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration play an important role in atherogenesis. This process is mediated by cell adhesion molecules (CAM), which are expressed both on leukocytes and on endothelial cells. We therefore tested the hypothesis that atorvastatin decreases the surface expression of CAM on peripheral blood leukocytes in hypercholesterolemic patients.27 patients with hypercholesterolemia were treated with atorvastatin 20 mg/day. Patients were examined at baseline and at the end of a 10-week treatment period. Expression of and integrins (CD11a,b, CD18, CD49d) and of L-selectin (CD62L) on leukocyte subpopulations was quantified...
Discussion
Is the standard of care in cardiology equal across the country?
Jan Pirk, David Hačkajlo, Vladimír Vinduška, Věra Lánská
Cor Vasa 2003, 44(1):56-60
The study compares the numbers of patients undergoing surgery for heart disease in individual districts. The numbers of patients operated on and treated for these conditions are compared. The results of the study suggest considerable inter-regional differences not only in the numbers of patients receiving treatment but, also, in the numbers of patients operated on; no correlation was found between these data.