Czech Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy Immunosuppression Trial (CZECH-ICIT): Randomized, multicentric study comparing the effect of two regimens of combined immunosuppressive therapy in the treatment of inflammatory cardiomyopathy: The aims and design of the trial

Tomáš Paleček, Jan Krejčí, Ladislav Pecen, Hana Kostková, Petr Kuchynka, Hana Poloczková, Adam Svobodník, za kolektiv řešitelů studie CZECH-ICIT

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):e475-e478 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2013.08.001  

The intent of this article is to inform cardiology community with the aims and design of the open, randomized multicentric study comparing the effect of two regimens of combined immunosuppressive therapy with prednisone and azathioprine in the treatment of patients suffering from inflammatory cardiomyopathy with biopsy proven presence of myocardial inflammation and negative PCR findings for infectious cardiotropic agents. The authors of this study encourage cardiologists to active participation in this research project whose results may significantly contribute to improvement of the therapy of patients with inflammatory cardiomyopathy.

Aortic valve repair in patients with aortic regurgitation: Experience with the first 100 cases

Tomáš Holubec, Pavel Žáček, Martin Tuna, Jan Dominik, Jan Harrer, Petr Telekeš, Pavel Nedbal, Jan Vojáček

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):e479-e486 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2013.09.002

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze short- and mid-term results of aortic valve repair.Material and methods: One hundred consecutive patients (24 females; mean age 50.3 years, range 23-77 years) with aortic regurgitation underwent aortic valve repair between November 2007 and October 2012. Sixty patients had bicuspid aortic valve, and 82 patients demonstrated aortic regurgitation greater than mild (> grade 2). The ascending aorta/aortic root was replaced in 67 patients. Aortic cusp repair was necessary in 74 patients and additional aortic annulus stabilization was required in 48 cases. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 59 months (cumulative...

The relationship between eosinophil and nondipper hypertension

Mustafa Kuzeytemiz, Mehmet Demir, Muhammed Şentürk

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):e487-e491 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2013.07.005  

Aims: Nondipper hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is known that eosinophils play an important role in vasoconstriction and thrombosis. We aimed to compare the numbers of eosinophil counts of the patients with nondipper versus dipper hypertension.Materials and method: This study included 70 hypertensive patients. Hypertensive patients were divided into two groups: 35 dipper patients (15 males, mean age 50.94 ± 11.13 years) and 35 nondipper patients (10 males, mean age 56.11 ± 11.05 years). Concurrent routine biochemical tests and eosinophil count on whole blood count were performed...

Lung tissue density measured by low-dose CT during pulmonary perfusion SPECT/CT as a tool for differentiation pulmonary embolism from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - A pilot study

Otto Lang, Helena R. Balon, Renata Píchová, Hana Křížová, Ivana Kuníková

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):e492-e496 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2013.10.002  

Objective: Interpretation of lung perfusion scintigraphy in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) is difficult, especially in the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and most often has to be combined with pulmonary ventilation scintigraphy. We investigated the data from the CT portion of pulmonary perfusion SPECT/CT for possible resolution of this problem.Methods: We assessed data from 12 patients (4 male, 8 female, mean age 68 y) with perfusion defects, 6 with PE, 6 with COPD. Final interpretation was based on ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy (mismatch or match). Lung tissue density was measured from the...

Diagnosis and treatment of acute pulmonary embolism

Jiří Widimský

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):e497-e509 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2013.10.001  

Novelties include the introduction of sPESI, a simplified index of pulmonary embolism severity, and hs-cTnT as a new biomarker, already in use in clinical practice.Another novelty is the term unstable pulmonary embolism characterized by either the presence of cardiogenic shock or the need for ventilatory support.The main new information is the evidence of a large US study of treatment of unstable pulmonary embolism reporting a 67% reduction in overall mortality of unstable patients when treated with thrombolytic treatment when compared with the anticoagulation in the same unstable patients.The reduction was obtained across all age groups...

Utility of plasma D-dimer levels in the diagnosis of acute aortic dissection

Marian Levčík, Jiří Kettner, Antonín Jabor, Josef Kautzner

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):e510-e514 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2013.04.009  

Aim: To test the utility of plasma D-dimer determination in the diagnosis of acute aortic dissection (AAD), in particular with respect to its high negative predictive value reported in the relevant literature.Method: We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 76 patients admitted for acute chest pain of unclear etiology (of this number, 41 AAD patients and 35 controls with undocumented AAD) who had their plasma D-dimer levels determined on admission. Using imaging techniques, AAD was documented in the 41 AAD patients by computer tomography (80%), esophageal echocardiography (18%), aortography or based on pathological anatomical...

Percutaneous coronary interventions via the radial approach - Mandatory or elective in the current circumstances-A Polish perspective

Grzegorz Kubiak, Magdalena Traczewska

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):e515-e519 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2013.05.007  

A crucial progress in reduction of mortality and improvement of quality of life in patients with either stable angina (SA) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been made by introduction of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in daily treatment. Possibly we are witnessing another giant leap in invasive cardiology by the use of radial instead of traditional femoral approach. Radial route which was firstly introduced in diagnostic of coronary heart disease (CHD) by Dr. Campeau in 1989 reduces the risk of bleedings and subsequently overall mortality in patients with AMI, especially when used by experienced and skilled operators. We present a critical...

What's new in the prevention of infective endocarditis?

Pavel Gregor

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):e520-e524 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2013.05.006  

The concept of prophylaxis of infective endocarditis has changed substantially in recent years; currently, prophylaxis is recommended only in patients at highest risk of developing infective endocarditis who are scheduled for dental procedures involving the gingiva. The risk is also increased in individuals with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Other high-risk populations include polymorbid patients (diabetes mellitus or chronic hemodialysis), the elderly (particularly those aged 75-79 years), and males. In indicated cases, the drugs used in prevention include amoxycillin or ampicillin.

What is new in Brugada syndrome?

Ondřej Bolek, Dan Marek, Miloš Táborský

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):e525-e532 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2013.09.003  

The Brugada syndrome (BrS) and the long QT syndrome are the most frequently diagnosed genetically-conditioned arrhythmogenic syndromes. It is a primary disorder of electric cardiac activity which is demonstrated by elevation of the ST segment in the right precordial leads connected to an increased risk of sudden death in patients without a structural damage of the heart. In this article, an overview of genetic heterogeneity, pathophysiology, ECG diagnostics and therapy possibilities are discussed, including the innovations of the recent years. A brief case report of a patient presenting with syncope and ST segment elevation is described.

Ventricular septal rupture with hemodynamically important left-to-right shunt, right ventricular myocardial infarction, transient type III atrioventricular block and the development of left ventricular aneurysm as a complication of sub-acute myocardial infarction of the bottom wall accompanied by post-infarction unstable angina pectoris

Ondřej Bolek, Martin Hutyra, Markéta Kaletová, Jiří Ostřanský, Marcela Škvařilová, František Kováčik, Jan Přeček, Marie Černá, Martin Köcher, Zbyněk Tűdös, Vladimír Lonský, Petr Šantavý, Miloš Táborský

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):e536-e540 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2013.05.004  

Ventricular septal rupture is a serious mechanical complication of myocardial infarction with important hemodynamic consequences. Without a rapid diagnosis and correction by surgical intervention, the short--term mortality of these patients is higher than 90%. We report the case of a patient with acute inferior myocardial infarction and a ventricular septal rupture with early diagnosis based on clinical examination and transthoracic echocardiography and postponed successful surgical correction.

Therapeutic percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with a stenting procedure of a stenosed great cardiac vein in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy submitted to biventricular pacemaker implantation

Wojciech Jacheć, Celina Wojciechowska, Andrzej Tomasik, Anna Gała, Grzegorz Kubiak, Damian Kawecki, Krystyna Krzemień-Wolska, Ewa Nowalany-Kozielska

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):e541-e544 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2013.05.005  

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is recommended for select patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Here, we describe the case of a 62-year-old patient with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, of functional class NYHA III, with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and 90% stenosis of the great cardiac vein (GCV), which was revealed as a result of coronary sinus venography during a CRT-P implantation procedure. A left-ventricular electrode was introduced to the posterolateral vein. Following CRT-P implantation a partial improvement was observed. In view of the patient's remaining apical segment contractility disorder and the coexistence of great...

Re-expansion pulmonary oedema-fatal complication of mediastinal tumour removal

Enikő Havránková, Emőke Šteňová, Ingrid Olejárová

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):e533-e535 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2013.05.001  

We report a case of re-expansion pulmonary oedema (RPE) occurring after a mediastinal tumour removal procedure. RPE is a rare complication associated with the treatment of a collapsed lung caused by pneumothorax, pleural effusion or tumour. The risk factors are a longer period (more than three days) of collapsed lungs, the volume of intrathoracic lesion, loss of surfactant and the patient's age. Treatment of RPE is difficult due to there being no clear pathophysiology, and is associated with high mortality. Careful management and clinical guidelines are needed to render the therapy more effective.

Zpráva ze symposia společnosti Actelion na kongresu Evropské kardiologické společnosti (ESC), Amsterdam, 2. 9. 2013.

Redakce

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):701-702  

Komentář ke Zprávě ze symposia společnosti Actelion na kongresu ESC 2013

Doc. MUDr. Pavel Jansa, Ph.D.

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):703  

Fibrilace síní a arteriální hypertenze: maligní kombinace s vysokým kardiovaskulárním rizikem - význam antikoagulační léčby

Jiří Widimský jr.

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):704-406  

Zpráva z kongresu European Society for Vascular Surgery 2013 v Budapešti

MUDr. Slavomír Rokošný

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):690 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2013.051  

Zpráva z 27. kongresu European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Vídeň, Rakousko)

MUDr. Vojtěch Kurfirst

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):690 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2013.052  

Preventivní kardiologie v praxi

Martina Vitásková, Pavel Suchánek, Jaroslava Štochlová, Irena Houšková, Alena Karbanová, Irena Masáková, Martin Kleissner, Martin Bláha, Jan Beneš, Renata Langová, Veronika Hošková, Olga Řeháková, Věra Adámková

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):692-697 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2013.053  

Zápis ze schůze výboru ČKS konané dne 10. 9. 2013 v Praze

P. Widimský, P. Riebauerová

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):707-708  

Kvalita života mladších nemocných po prodělaném infarktu myokardu

Petra Fujanová, Milan Hromádka, Richard Rokyta, Pavlína Mokrejšová, Ladislava Vodičková

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):698-700 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2013.054  

Editorial Board

Editorial board

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):i | DOI: 10.1016/S0010-8650(13)00132-X  

Announcement

Editorial board

Cor Vasa 2013, 55(6):e545 | DOI: 10.1016/S0010-8650(13)00137-9