Large vessel vasculitis
Publication date: June 2018Source: Cor et Vasa, Volume 60, Issue 3Author(s): Lucie Zavadilová, Ladislav GergelyAbstractVasculitis represents a heterogeneous group of immunopathological diseases, characterized by the inflammation of blood vessels leading to destruction of the vascular wall, subsequent proliferation and constriction, or even blockage of the lumen. According to their range, inflammatory changes cause various severe systemic manifestations such as loss of appetite, weight loss, fever of unknown origin, and night sweats; locally causing ischemia of areas supplied by the affected artery. The aim of our paper is...
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 10, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Heart failure and inhibition of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system
Publication date: June 2018Source: Cor et Vasa, Volume 60, Issue 3Author(s): Jiří Vítovec, Jindřich Špinar, Lenka ŠpinarováAbstractA historical survey is presented of mortality clinical trials focussed on the inhibition of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system on different levels in patients with chronic heart failure. The first study, CONSENSUS, was published in 1987 and showed that the ACE-inhibitor enalapril clearly reduced mortality in severe heart failure compared with placebo. This was followed by studies with beta blockers, angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers, blockers of mineralocorticoid receptor...
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 10, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Obstructive sleep apnea in outpatient care – What to do with?
Publication date: June 2018Source: Cor et Vasa, Volume 60, Issue 3Author(s): Monika Kamasová, Jan Václavík, Eva Kociánová, Miloš TáborskýAbstractObstructive sleep apnea is a relatively common sleep disorder, which is on the increase in the last decades. It significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality in all countries worldwide. Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common causes of daytime sleepiness. Typical risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea in the normal adult population are male gender, obesity (preferentially central obesity), and increased neck circumference, presence of manifest cardiovasc...
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 10, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Asymptomatic damage of central nervous system defined by excess level of protein S100B by patients undergoing the radiofrequency ablation of ventricular tachycardia
ConclusionThe elevation of the S100B protein after catheter ablation for ventricular arrhythmias is relatively common in our set. We did not identify any macroscopic changes on CT of CNS even by neurological examination.The level of renal insufficiency, the progression of cardiac failure, and the use of inhaled anesthesia with sevoflurane correlate with the amount of S100B as the biomarker of asymptomatic disability of CNS by patients receiving radiofrequency catheter ablation for ventricular arrhythmias. (Source: Cor et Vasa)
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 10, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Echocardiography in patients with chronic kidney diseases
Publication date: June 2018Source: Cor et Vasa, Volume 60, Issue 3Author(s): Jan Malík, Vilém Danzig, Vladimíra Bednářová, Zdenka HruškováAbstractVast majority of chronic kidney disease patients die from cardiovascular complications. Echocardiography is a fundamental method, which reveals many of them. They include especially dilatation and systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle and atrium, left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle, heart calcification, which could lead up to the development of stenotic valvular disease, right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. P...
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 10, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Sexual activity and cardiovascular disease, erectile dysfunction as a predictor of ischemic heart disease
Publication date: June 2018Source: Cor et Vasa, Volume 60, Issue 3Author(s): S. Hudec, M. Spacek, M. Hutyra, O. Moravec, M. TaborskyAbstractSexual activity affects the quality of life of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this document is to highlight the fact that sexual activity of patients with stable forms of CVD and moderate exercise tolerance is safe. Delaying resumption of sexual activity is not justified and could have a negative impact on the patient's mental status and the quality of partner life. Vasculogenic erectile dysfunction is considered an independent risk factor for coronary heart...
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 10, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Use of ultrasound guidance in vascular cannulation and effusion punctures at the cardiology department
Publication date: June 2018Source: Cor et Vasa, Volume 60, Issue 3Author(s): R. Spacek, O. Jiravsky, R. Neuwirth, B. Holek, L. Sknouril, J. Hecko, M. BrannyAbstractThe use of ultrasound in cardiology for the guidance of vessel cannulations and effusion punctures is getting more and more frequent every day. Ultrasound in this setting provides the operator with many advantages and after a certain learning curve, one is then able to cannulate vessels, that are small or normally inaccessible with the standard anatomical landmarks approach. Since many randomized studies confirmed the benefits of using ultrasound in these proced...
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 10, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Recommendations to organize care for adults with congenital heart disease in the Czech Republic
Publication date: June 2018Source: Cor et Vasa, Volume 60, Issue 3Author(s): Tomáš Zatočil, Petra Antonová, Jana Rubáčková Popelová, Daniela Žáková, Olga Pokorná, Václav Chaloupecký, Vilém Rohn, Ivo Skalský, Hana Jičínská, Miloš Táborský, Josef Kautzner, Jan JanoušekAbstractThis paper was formed by the Expert committee for congenital heart disease (CHD) in adults – a division of Czech Society of Cardiology (ČKS). It was designed as an appendix to National cardiovascular programme ČKS created in 2013 and was based on Recommendations for organization of care for adults with congenital heart disease...
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 10, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
The changes in achievement of target LDL-cholesterol levels between 2006 and 2017 in Czech patients with chronic coronary heart disease
In conclusion, although majority of CHD patients are currently being treated with statin, the usual doses and adherence to the recommended target remains unsatisfactory. Maximal statin up-titration and namely more frequent use of combination of hypolipidemic drugs may substantially improve this situation. (Source: Cor et Vasa)
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 10, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
A mobile mass on the tricuspid valve in a young female: The critical distinction between the vegetation and cardiac tumor
We report the case of a 34-year-old woman who experienced progressive dyspnea and fatigue. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a pediculated, homogenous echo-dense, and highly mobile mass attached to the tricuspid valve. The patient was diagnosed with cardiac PFE because of its size and mobility, and surgical resection was scheduled. (Source: Cor et Vasa)
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 10, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Catheter-induced coronary artery dissection: The role of exhalation during contrast medium injection
Publication date: Available online 2 July 2018Source: Cor et VasaAuthor(s): Andreas Y. AndreouAbstractCatheter-induced dissection of the coronary arteries is an uncommon but potentially dreadful complication of diagnostic and interventional coronary procedures. Several risk factors have been implicated in the development of this complication; one of them is deep vigorous inhalation inducing a change in catheter position thereby contributing to catheter-induced coronary artery dissection. The present article describes a case of catheter-induced right coronary artery dissection where a change in catheter position induced by ...
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 10, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Acute purulent pericarditis caused by Clostridium septicum
We describe the case of a 71-year-old man suffering from liver cirrhosis with an acute purulent pericarditis. The organism responsible for his pericarditis was Clostridium septicum; a Gram-positive obligatory pathogen, commonly associated with gastrointestinal tumours. Despite the prolonged, targeted antibiotic therapy, the infection resulted in endocarditis and the need for an urgent the aortic valve replacement. (Source: Cor et Vasa)
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 5, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Surgical management of idiopathic constrictive pericarditis
Publication date: Available online 31 March 2017Source: Cor et VasaAuthor(s): Serkan Burç Deşer, Semih Murat YücelAbstractConstrictive pericarditis is defined as impaired diastolic cardiac function leading to heart failure, progressive fluid overload, systemic venous congestion and reduction of cardiac output. Both ventricles affected by the constriction; however, symptoms of right heart failure dominate. The congestive heart failure and normal left ventricular systolic functions are seen in the presence constrictive pericarditis. Pericardiectomy is considered as the mainstay treatment method for constrictive pericardit...
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 5, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Anomalous left circumflex artery occlusion: A technical challenge in primary percutaneous coronary intervention?
Publication date: Available online 31 March 2017Source: Cor et VasaAuthor(s): Giuseppe Andò, Vittorio Virga, Olimpia Trio, Alessandro Di Giorgio, Francesco SaporitoAbstractAnomalies of the coronary arteries can be found in approximately 1% of patients undergoing coronary angiography. Most coronary anomalies do not result in signs, symptoms, or complications, and usually are discovered as incidental findings at the time of catheterization. Coronary anomalies may pose several challenges to the interventional cardiologist in the emergency setting, as anomalous vessels may be difficult to find or to selectively cannulate. The...
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 5, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Cardiac implantable devices and Takotsubo syndrome. A rare but potential eventuality
We report the case of a female patient who suffered from Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated to a coronary fistula after pacemaker implantation. Its occurrence should be always remembered by the implanters, avoiding it by an appropriate psychological screening and use of conscious sedation. (Source: Cor et Vasa)
Source: Cor et Vasa - July 5, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
