Effect of static handgrip on plasma adrenomedullin concentration in patients with heart failure and in healthy subjects.

Adrenomedullin (ADM) release is enhanced in pheochromocytoma, chronic heart failure (HF), hypertension and renal diseases. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that ADM secretion increases also in response to acute stimuli, such as static effort and to compare plasma ADM response to this stimulus in patients with chronic HF and healthy persons. Eight male HF patients (II/III class NYHA) and eight healthy subjects (C) performed two 3-min bouts of static handgrip at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction, alternately with each hand without any break between the bouts. At the end of both exercise bouts and in 5 min of the recovery period, plasma ADM and catecholamines were determined. In addition, heart rate, blood pressure, and stroke volume (SV) were measured. The baseline plasma ADM and noradrenaline levels were higher, whilst plasma adrenaline and SV were lower in HF patients than in C group. The 1st exercise bout caused an increase in plasma ADM from 3.32 +/- 0.57 to 4.98 +/- 0.59 pmol l(-1) (p<0.01) in C and from 6.88 +/- 0.58 to 7.80 +/- 0.43 pmol x l(-1) (p<0.02) in HF patients. The 2nd exercise bout did not produce further elevation in plasma ADM and during recovery the hormone concentration declined to pre-exercise or lower values. There were no differences between groups in exercise-induced increases in plasma ADM. Plasma ADM correlated with SV (r = -0.419) and with noradrenaline concentrations (r = 0.427). It is concluded that static exercise causes the short-lasting increase in plasma ADM concentration which is similar in healthy subjects and in patients with mild heart failure.

[Usefulness of ultrasonographic tests for localizing changes in peri-thyroid nodes in patients with malignant lymphomas]. / Przydatnosc badan ultrasonograficznych w lokalizacji zmian wezlowych polozonych okolotarczycowo u chorych z chloniakami zlosliwymi.

9 cases initially suspected of toxic nodular disease were proved to be Hodgkin disease in 8 and lymphoma in one. Sonographic exams of the neck revealed enlarged peri-thyroid nodes in all cases. Biopsy of these nodes and histopathological examinations of the nodes confirmed the diagnosis.

[The role of growth factors in the pathogenesis of recurrent goiter]. / Udzial czynników wzrostowych w patogenezie wola nawrotowego.

Growing factors influenced on proliferation of follicular cekks of thyroid and probability influence upon a rising of recurrent goitre were presented. Effect of growing factors depending on TSH, specially IGF-1, EGF, FGF and thyroid growth immunoglobulins (TGI) are analysed.

[Thoracic sympathectomy using thoracoscopy]. / Sympatektomia piersiowa przez torakoskopie.

In the years 1996-1997 9 dorsal sympathectomies (DS) were performed in the authors Department using VATS technique. There were 6 right dorsal sympathectomies and 3 left DS in the group of 7 patients. Indication for dorsal sympathectomies was idiopathic hyperhidrosis in 4 cases and vascular disorders in 3 cases. Operating time for the single procedure was 30'. Chest drain was never used. There were no major complications (Horner's syndrome-one patient, intercostal neuralgia, which disappeared in a few days-2 patients). Patients left hospital the day after operation (only those with fingers ulceration stayed longer). The results of dorsal sympathectomies in patients with hyperhydorsis were excellent, less impressive in those suffered from vasospastic and vascular disorders.