[The role of surgical embolectomy and extracorporeal membrane oxygen therapy in the treatment of massive pulmonary embolism - a review]. / Role chirurgické embolektomie arteria pulmonalis a membránové mimotelní oxygenoterapie v lécbe masivní plicní embolie - prehled.

Acute massive pulmonary embolism remains potentially lethal with mortality varying between 2553%. In the thrombolytic era, surgical pulmonary embolectomy is deemed as a rescue approach for patients with absolute contraindication of thrombolysis or its failure. However, close interdisciplinary cooperation, meticulous choice of optimal reperfusion strategy, standardization of surgical approach, and mainly the inclusion of mechanical circulatory support into the treatment algorithm have led to a drop in in-hospital mortality below 10% in the last 10 years. Nevertheless, cardiac arrest and refractory cardiogenic shock still remain independent risk factors of death with mortality exceeding 70%. Extracorporeal membrane oxygen therapy provides rapid circulatory support, end-organ perfusion and oxygenation which are essential for right-sided obstruction haemodynamic. Subsequently, optimal reperfusion strategy can be chosen or patients may be transported for it. The review highlights the contemporary role of surgical pulmonary embolectomy and extracorporeal membrane oxygen therapy in the treatment algorithm for acute massive pulmonary embolism, summarising current perspectives on the indications and contraindications for these treatment strategies and their results.Key words: massive pulmonary embolism - surgical pulmonary embolectomy - extracorporeal membrane oxygen therapy.

Detection of clopidogrel resistance using ADP induced aggregometry with specific inhibitor PGE1.

BACKROUND: Antiaggregation therapy is still the most frequently used approach to prevent thrombotic events in cardiovascular diseases. It has a good clinical effect but increasing evidence shows high residual platelet aggregation activity in a number of patients. Laboratory methods only allow us to detect clopidogrel "non-responders" or "low responders". Recent methods are based on monitoring residual platelet aggregation activity (aggregation methods) or detecting the number of free epitopes for binding a specific monoclonal antibody such as vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation (VASP). METHODS: The aims of our study were comparison light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and multiple electrode platelet aggregometry (MEA) with induction by ADP in concentrations of 20 micromol/L with or without prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) for monitoring clopidogrel resistance. RESULTS: In the group of 84 patients with cardiovascular disease (CAD) studied, an impaired individual response to clopidogrel therapy was found 11.9% and 10.7% of the patients using MEA and LTA, respectively, induced by ADP with PGE1. The LTA and MEA methods with induction by ADP with PGE1 and without PGE1 were statistically compared using Spearman's nonparametric correlation analysis. Both methods with using PGE, showed a positive significant correlation (p = 0.003) in contrast with the results without PGE1 with a no significant correlation (p = 0.732). CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity for detecting clopidogrel resistance correlates well with other data in the literature suggesting that there are 5%-30% clopidogrel low-responders depending on the type of platelet function assay used and the criteria for defining a low-responder [16-18]. These results favor implementation of the ADP test with PGE1 by MEA specifically for identification of low-responders to clopidogrel.

The assessment of aspirin resistance by using light transmission and multiple electrode aggregometry.

INTRODUCTION: The issues related to aspirin [acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)] resistance are still under debate. Depending on the method of assessment and studied patients, the prevalence of ASA resistance is rather heterogeneous, ranging from 5% to 45%. The method most commonly used for assessing platelet function is their aggregation. ASA irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) by acetylation. METHODS: This study aimed to compare light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) for the measurement of ASA resistance, using arachidonic acid as an inducer of the reaction. RESULTS: The study comprised 101 patients with stable ischemic heart disease taking a daily dose of 100 mg of ASA. The rates of ASA resistance were 22.22% and 21.21% as detected by LTA and MEA, respectively. The two methods were statistically compared using Spearman's nonparametric correlation analysis, with a positive significant correlation (P=0.01) and medium positive dependence between the methods (r=0.0539). CONCLUSION: If ASA resistance is detected by laboratory tests, replacement of ASA or its combination with other antiplatelet drugs as well as increased dosage may be considered.

[Risk stratification by cardiac gated SPECT combined with coronary artery calcium score in patients with diabetes mellitus and/or renal failure]. / Stratifikace rizika pomocí zátezového SPECT zobrazení myokardu v kombinaci se stanovenim koronárního kalciového skóre u rizikových pacientu s diabetem a/nebo ledvinným selháním.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate added value of coronary artery calcium score (CAC) measurement as an adjunct to cardiac gated SPECT for risk stratification in population of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or chronic renal failure on hemodialysis (CHRF-HD). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 67 patients, who were referred for stress gated myocardial perfusion SPECT and CAC. Characteristics of study population: 40 men, mean age 59 +/- 12 years, DM (n = 28), CHRF-HD (n = 22), DM and CHRF-HD simultaneously (n = 17). Perfusion summed stress and different scores (SSS, SDS), the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and enddiastolic/endsystolic volumes (EDV/ESV) were automatically calculated using 4D-MSPECT software. The hard cardiac event was defined as sudden cardiac death or myocardial infarction (MI); angina or other symptoms requiring coronary revascularization were also calculated. RESULTS: During the average period of 18 +/- 10 months, we registered 8 cardiac deaths, 4 nonfatal MI and 7 patients underwent revascularization. In the subgroup of 19 patients with cardiac events, the observed parameters were significantly worse concerning perfusion (SSS 9 +/- 11 vs 2 +/- 3 and SDS 6 +/- 9 vs 1 +/- 2, P < 0.05), the left ventricle function (stress LVEF 53% +/- 13% vs 59% +/- 13%, rest LVEF 55% +/- 14% vs 59% +/- 12%, stress EDV/ESV 144 ml/71 ml vs 128 ml/59 ml, P < 0.05), and CAC score (1 965 +/- 1 772 vs 387 +/- 740, P < 0.05) in comparison with patients without cardiac event. In patients without a reversible perfusion abnormality (SDS < 2), we observed lower annual hard event rate (8% vs 19.6%, P < 0.05) and revascularization procedures (4% vs 19.6%, P < 0.05) in comparison with patients with SDS > or = 2. In patients with or without reversible defects, we registered significantly higher annual hard event rate in the setting of post-stress worsening of the LVEF > 5% and/or severe CAC score > or = 709 (23.8% vs 1.9% in patients with SDS < 2, and 26.7% vs 9.5% in patients with SDS > or = 2, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of highly elevated CAC score as well as the post-stress left ventricle stunning enable further risk stratification in patients with or without reversible perfusion abnormalities.

[Myocardial viability findings interpretation using SPECT and PET imaging]. / Zobrazovací metody v diagnostice viability myokardu. Cást 1. Interpretace nálezu pri zobrazování viability myokardu pomocí SPECT a PET.

Myocardial perfusion and function imaging using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) plays the important role in coronary artery disease diagnostics and risk stratification, however, there is nowadays growing significance of the myocardial viability detection. A glucose metabolism assessment using positron emission tomography (PET) becomes accessible also. A brief review is given about the interpretation principle in the viable myocardium diagnosis and current progress in perfusion and metabolism defect severity quantification in patients with the left ventricular dysfunction.

[The importance of determining the viability of the myocardium prior to revascularisation in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular systolic dysfunction]. / Význam stanovení viability myokardu pred revaskularizací u pacientu s ischemickou kardiomyopatií a systolickou dysfunkcí levé komory srdecní.

Chronic heart failure is a worldwide clinical syndrome with substantial socio-economical impact. The aim of this overview is the summary of contemporary knowledge in epidemiology, elementary pathophysiological implications and some possibilities of treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy, which represents the most frequent cause of heart failure in developed countries. Emphasis is on the right indication for myocardial revascularization as a causal option of therapy of ischemic cardiomyopathy, timing and risk of revascularization and especially on importance of assessment of viability of myocardium using presently available imaging methods.

[Malignant arrhythmia in a patient with variant (Prinzmetal's) angina pectoris]. / Maligní arytmie u pacienta s variantní (Prinzmetalovou) anginou pectoris.

Malignant arrhythmia is a frequent complication of myocardial ischemia due to the occurrence of coronary artery spasm. The paper describes a patient with variant angina pectoris with an ICD implant who was repeatedly resuscitated for circulatory arrest in malignant arrhythmia. During myocardial ischemia the ECG showed elevations in the ST segments in the region of the ventral cardiac wall, with the formation of permanent polymorphous chamber tachycardia. External defibrillation was necessary due to recurrent tachyarrhythmias. A spasm developed when the RIA (radio immuno assay) was introduced during coronarography. The spasm started in the periphery of the artery and extended as far as the area of bifurcation with RD, with transitory closure of the artery and the development of chamber tachycardia. The patient fully recovered after the addition of Ca-blocker, nitrate depot and the withdrawal of the beta-blocker.

[Occurrence of an exceptional complication in an attempt to apply temporary pacemaking]. / Ojedinelá komplikace pri pokusu o zavedení docasné kardiostimulace.

The case study reports the case of a female patient who, during an admission exam in an area medical centre, presented with severe symptomatic bradyarrhythmia and the need for temporary external pacemaking. The first attempt to perform temporary transvenous pacemaking failed and was accompanied by a rare but serious iatrogenic complication which necessitated heart surgery. The case study is completed with illustrative figures.

[Long term results of cardiac resynchronisation therapy for patients with severe heart failure]. / Dlouhodobé výsledky srdecní resynchronizacní lécby u pacientu s tezkým srdecním selhaním.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) has been shown to be a highly effective treatment strategy for patients with severe chronic heart failure (ChHF). OBJECTIVE OF STUDY: To determine the clinical response of patients to CRT, to measure morbidity and mortality for this population of patients, to determine causes and predictors of death. To test whether the parameters of tissue Doppler echocardiography are able to predict response to CRT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Before and after implantation of the CRT and 12 months later, echocardiograph tests were carried out and relevant clinical data was recorded during the monitoring of patients. RESULTS: 102 patients (71 men, 31 women) with an average age of 71 +/- 9 years took part in the study. 68% patients had cardiac ischemia, 29% had idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. 75% patients were in functional class NYHA III, 25% NYHA IV. After a monitoring period of 711 +/- 329 days, 26 patients had died and 35 patients had been hospitalised. 34% of all hospitalisations were for acute exacerbation of ChHF. Patients with initial functional classification NYHA IV had a higher mortality rate in years one and two than patients in class NYHA III. The proportion of clinical responders was 64% after 12 months of CRT. In 58% of patients, a year of CRT produced a relative increase in the ejection fraction of the left ventricle (EF LV) of > or = 30%. 1/3 of patients had EF LV ? 45% with minimal symptoms of ChHF. The following were found to predict reverse remodelling of the left ventricle: less advanced state of the basic illness (EFLV > 23%, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter < 65 mm, left ventricular end-diastolic volume < 160 ml and left ventricular end-systolic volume < 120 ml) and interventricular mechanical delay > 45 ms. CONCLUSION: CRT is a safe method with a high success rate. There continues to be a problem with identifying responders. Symptoms of less advanced heart disease and interventricular delay were identified as sensitive predictors of the response to treatment.

Detection of early atherosclerosis using the ultrasound parameter of the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in families with familial combined hyperlipidemia.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to quantify intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) in clinically asymptomatic members of familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) families and to evaluate its association with lipids, apoproteins, blood pressure, surrogate markers of insulin resistance, fibrinogen and hs-CRP. METHODS: The group under study consisted of 82 individuals from 29 FCHL families (47 hyperlipidemic [HL] and 35 normolipidemic [NL]). They were compared with the age and sex adjusted control groups of healthy subjects (HL-c, n=20 and NL-c, n=20). IMT was measured by ultrasound at a far wall of both common carotid arteries. RESULTS: Hyperlipidemic subjects had increased IMT compared with healthy controls (0.695+/-0.118 vs 0.599+/-0.074 mm), with an age and sex corrected difference of 86 mm (p<0.001). No difference in IMT was recorded in NL FCHL members in comparison with their healthy controls. In HL subjects, significantly positive univariate correlations were observed between IMT and age, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, SBP, DBP, BMI, waist, fasting glycemia, C-peptide and proinsulin, whereas in NL subjects IMT correlated only with age. Multivariate regression analysis in FCHL subjects (HL+NL) revealed that age (p<0.001), sex (p<0.001), non-HDL-cholesterol (p<0.01) and BMI (p<0.05) were significant and independent predictors of IMT. CONCLUSIONS: The increase of IMT CCA in hyperlipidemic still clinically asymptomatic FCHL subjects corresponds to acceleration of the clinically ''silent'' atherosclerosis by about 8-14 years and is in agreement with their increased risk of atherosclerosis.

[Endothelial dysfunction in a family with familial combined hyperlipidemia]. / Endoteliální dysfunkce u clenu rodin s familiární kombinovanou hyperlipidémií.

Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia is the most frequent familial hyperlipidemia with a high risk a early manifestation of arteriosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is the first step in the development of arteriosclerosis. The aim of our investigation was to examine selected markers of endothelial dysfunction in hyperlipidemic members of families with familial combined hyperlipidemia and their normolipidemia first-line relatives and to compare them with healthy individuals. The study includes non-smoking members of the affected families (probands and first-line relatives), who have not suffered from clinical manifestations of arteriosclerosis and/or hypertension during the start of the study. The cohort was divided into hyperlipidemic individuals (N = 25) and normolipidemic individuals (N = 21). Both groups were compared with control groups of healthy individuals (two groups, N = 17 each), who were adjusted by age and sex. The following markers of endothelial dysfunction were examined: 1. ultrasound--flow mediated dilatation of brachial artery and 2. humoral--serum levels of von Willebrand factor, inhibitor of activator of plasminogen-1 and vasoadhesive molecules (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1). The members of families with familial combined hyperlipidemia displayed symptoms of endothelial dysfunction. In comparison with healthy controls the endothelial dysfunction was more expressed in hyperlipidemic individuals. They displayed a significantly lower flow-mediated dilatation of brachial artery (3.6 +/- 3.3% versus 6.6 +/- 2.8%, P < 0.01), higher levels of von Willebrand factor (152.8% +/- 79.1% versus 110.4% +/- 24.8%, P < 0.05), inhibitor of activator of plasminogen-1 (94.6 +/- 30.8 ng/ml versus 60.4 +/- 38.0 ng/ml, P < 0.01) and vasoadhesive molecules: vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (927.0 +/- 167.7 ng/ml versus 814.7 +/- 171.1 ng/ml, P < 0.05), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (601.7 +/- 89.5 ng/ml versus 544.8 +/- 59.8 ng/ml, P < 0.05). The normolipidemic individuals displayed only a significantly lower flow-mediated dilatation of brachial artery (5.6 +/- 2.6% versus 7.5 +/- 2.8%, P < 0.05) and higher levels of von Willebrand factor (136.8 +/- 40.32% versus 104.1 +/- 24.9%, P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the levels of inhibitor of activator of plasminogen-1 and vasoadhesive molecules. The results indicated that members of families with familial combined hyperlipidemia represent a high-risk group from the standpoint of early manifestation of arteriosclerosis.