[Changes in weight and diabetes compensation (HbA1c) in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 after adding exenatide (Byetta) to the current treatment in 28 diabetology departments in the Czech Republic -  BIBYII study (observations lasting 24 months)]. / Zmeny hmotnosti a kompenzace diabetu (HbA1c) u nemocných s diabetes mellitus 2. typu po pridání exenatidu (Byetta) ke stávající lécbe ve 28 diabetologických ambulancích v CR -  studie BIBYII (sledování 24 mesícu).

UNLABELLED: BIBYII STUDY OBJECTIVE: To obtain experience with longterm (24 months) exenatide treatment (Byetta) in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 from a common clinical practice of diabetology departments in the Czech Republic. TYPE OF OBSERVATION: Observational study conducted by a randomly selected group of outpatient medical practitioners from 28 diabetology departments in the Czech Republic. OBSERVED AND ASSESSED POPULATION: From the original population of 465 patients, who underwent a minimum of three months Byetta treatment, 169 patients (36.6%) remained during the second prolonged observation after 18 months, and 76 patients completed 24 months of uninterrupted Byetta treatment. The following basic information about the patients was collected: year of birth, sex, age when diabetes mellitus (DM) manifested, height, maximum weight before diabetes and when DM manifested. The study recorded the following values in three- month intervals: weight, waistline, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and DM treatment. The population of the prolonged observation comprised 50.3% women and 49.7 % men, and the average age at the time of DM2 manifestation was 48.0 (20- 73 years). RESULTS: At the beginning of Byetta treatment, the average maximum BMI in the subpopulation observed for 24 months was 38.44; after 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months the following levels were measured, respectively: 36.79, 36.22, 35.91, 35.57 and 35.58. The original HbA1c level of 7.44% at the beginning of Byetta treatment decreased after 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months to 6.33, 5.98, 5.83, 5.86 and 5.93%. CONCLUSION: Adding Byetta to the currently applied treatment of obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 over a period of 24 months has led to an improvement in HbA1c level by 1.51%, and BMI level was reduced by 2.37 after two years of Byetta treatment.

[Changes in weight and diabetes compensation (HbA(1c)) in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 after adding exenatide (Byetta) to the current treatment in 28 diabetology departments in the Czech Republic - BIBY-I study (observations lasting 3 to 12 months)]. / Zmeny hmotnosti a kompenzace diabetu (HbA(1c)) u nemocných s diabetes mellitus 2. tpu po pridání exenatidu (Byetta) ke stávající lécbe ve 28 diabetologických ambulancích v CR--studie BIBY-I (sledováni 3-12 mesícu).

UNLABELLED: BIBY STUDY OBJECTIVE: To obtain experience with exenatide treatment (Byetta) in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 in a common clinical practice ofdiabetology departments. TYPE OF OBSERVATION: Observational study conducted by a randomly selected group of outpatient medical practitioners from 28 diabetology departments in the Czech Republic. OBSERVED AND ASSESSED POPULATION: 465 patients underwent at least three months of Byetta treatment; 347 persons (74.6% ofthe research population) stayed forthe extended observation of 6-12 months. Apart from the basic identification data (year of birth, sex, age when diabetes mellitus manifested, height, maximum patient weight before diabetes and when diabetes mellitus manifested), the following information was recorded in three-month intervals: weight, waistline, glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)), and diabetes mellitus treatment The population included 50.3% women and 49.7% men, and the average age at the time of diabetes manifestation was 48 (20-73 years). The period between the diabetes manifestation and the start of exenatide treatment was 8.3 years on average. RESULTS: The average maximum BMI value before the detection of diabetes was 39.05 (+/- 6.73); at the time of the diabetes manifestation 37.88 (+/- 6.40); and at the start of Byetta treatment 39.01 (+/- 6.22). The BMI after three, six, and 12 months of treatment was as follows: 37.86 (+/- 6.12), 37.18 (+/- 6.0), and 36.60 (+/- 6.21); it decreased by > or = 0.5 in 83.3% patients who were under observation for 12 months. HbA(1c) value decreased in the first three months from 7.39% (+/- 1.57) to 6.41% (+/- 1.34), p < 0.0001. In the period of three-six months, the value decreased to 6.22% (+/- 1.34), and after 12 months, HbA(1c) was at 6.04 (+/- 1.20). An improvement in HbA(1c) value of 0.5-2.0% occurred after the first year in 49% of our research population. The waistline was measured on a regular basis in only 267 patients (58.9%). The average initial value of 120.7 cm was reduced within three months of the treatment to 118.3 cm, and within six and 12 months to 117.3 and 112.6 cm respectively. CONCLUSION: Adding Byetta to the currently applied treatment of obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 led, in 66.8% of the population, to a statistically significant reduction in HbA(1c) levels in the first three-six months of the treatment; after 12 months of treatment, 25% of the population was still showing an improvement in HbA(1c) of > 2.0%. Of observed patients, 74.4% significantly reduced their BMI (by > 0.5) during the first three months; 39.6% of patients reduced their BMI in the period of three-six months.

A review of a newly established ECMO program in a university affiliated cardiac center.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an established rescue treatment option for severe respiratory and cardiac failure in infants and neonates and has recently become widely utilised in adults. ECMO support can be initiated rapidly in an emergency setting both by percutanous implantation and surgically; it allows transportation of patients in cardio-pulmonary collapse and bridging of critically ill patients to be recovered, other support measures or transplantation. The aim of this study was to report authors' initial experience after starting an ECMO program in a university-based cardiac center. The institutionally approved ECMO team bears responsibility for adjudication regarding indication and implementation of ECMO in all patients. Since the establishment of the ECMO team in October 2007, one elective and nine urgent patients in deep cardiogenic and/or ventilatory collapse were treated by ECMO support up to December 2008. Three patients suffered severe acute right heart dysfunction, two patients suffered postcardiotomy refractory cardiogenic shock, two patients had a cardiogenic shock due to postinfarction interventricular septal rupture, two patients experienced severe respiratory failure and one had elective ECMO implantation as a back-up support during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention. Veno-arterial ECMO was used in eight cases and veno-venous in two cases of isolated respiratory failure. In nine patients, ECMO circuit was instituted by peripheral cannulation, in eight out of nine cases by percutaneous puncture. On one occasion central surgical cannulation was used. In urgent patients, immediate hemodynamic and oxygenation improvement was observed. Average support duration was 6.8 days (range 1-16 days). Five (50 %) patients were successfully weaned from ECMO and survived to hospital discharge. The illness severity in urgent patients defined by SOFA score ranged from 10 to 17, patients dying while on ECMO had higher SOFA scores (14.8±1.6 vs. 10.8±1.5; P=0.0065). Complications included mainly bleeding. ECMO support allows treatment of severely ill patients in imminent cardiovascular and/or ventilatory collapse. Therefore, establishment of an ECMO program in university affiliated cardiac center is fully justified. A multidisciplinary approach is essential. Despite adequate training and education of ECMO team members, this highly invasive therapeutic modality bears an inherent risk of complications.

The anastomosis angle is a key to improved long-term patency of proximal femoropopliteal bypass.

BACKGROUND: Femoropopliteal bypass is a common vascular reconstructive procedure. A significant proportion of bypasses become ineffective within 1 year because of occlusion due to progression of intimal hyperplasia (IH). METHODS: The clinical part of the study involved an analysis of 43 patients with proximal femoropopliteal bypass, which became occluded no later than 1 year from the procedure, who were successfully treated with thrombolysis. Morphological changes of intima in the anastomosis (evaluated angiographically) and the angle of the distal end-to-side anastomosis were evaluated. In the second part of the study, blood flow in the distal end-to-side anastomosis was modeled experimentally (by particle image velocimetry) and numerically (by computational fluid dynamics). The results were correlated with the previously identified locations of IH. RESULTS: We proved that the locations of IH correlate with the locations of disturbed blood flow, increased wall shear stress, and stagnation points as documented by experimental visualization and angiographic findings. We also confirmed that anastomoses with more acute angles are less prone to IH and occlusion of the lumen. CONCLUSION: We suggest that a better understanding of the hemodynamics and its influence on IH should lead to an optimized graft design by adopting a more acute angle of the anastomosis.

Posterior elbow dislocation combined with subadventitial rupture of the brachial artery: interposition with the use of the autologous basilic vein.

The authors describe a relatively rare avulsion injury of the brachial artery complicating elbow dislocation in a young man, together with the relevant diagnostics and treatment. In the discussion, they deal with the symptomatology of artery injuries and available examination methods, suggesting an appropriate treatment algorithm.

Particle image velocimetry measurement in the model of vascular anastomosis.

Neointimal hyperplasia is the most common complication of all forms of arterial reconstructions. This response of the vascular wall to injury is influenced by many factors, especially, but not limited to, by the hemodynamic profile in the area of vascular anastomosis and in its close proximity. To eliminate this negative influence of hemodynamics on progression of neointimal hyperplasia, we tried to develop anastomosis with optimal hemodynamic parameters. In our experimental study we used Particle Image Velocimetry measurement and 3D blood flow simulation for studying flow characteristics for different length and angles of anastomoses. Based on our experimental studies and numerical simulations we believe that anastomosis with smaller angle demonstrates better hemodynamic parameters, optimal angle being less than 30 dg. Length of anastomosis in this smaller angle anastomosis is app. 2-2.5 of native vessel diameter.

[History of the beginning and the development of the contemporary Second Surgical Clinic of the General Teaching Hospital and of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague]. / Historie vzniku a výstavby budovy soucasné II. chirurgické kliniky 1. lékarské fakulty Univerzity Karlovy a Vseobecné fakultní nemocnice v Praze.

Construction of the building of contemporary Second Surgical Clinic of the cardiovascular Surgery was finished in 1921. Since the first intention to erect a new building for the Clinics of Gynaecology to its accomplishment full 46 years had elapsed. Since 1941 the building was used first by the German and later the Czech Clinics of Dermatovenerology and since 1955 it belonged to the Second Surgical Clinic of the General Teaching Hospital. In 1966 specialization of the clinic turned to the cardiovascular surgery. In relation to that, the building was to a great extent reconstructed.

Dissection of thoracic aorta. Combined surgical and endovascular treatment.

In our case report, we would like to present combined surgical and endovascular treatment of type A aortic dissection as a modern and definite solution of this life-threatening disease.

[Chronic visceral ischemia--diagnostic and therapeutic problem]. / Chronická viscerální ischémie--diagnostický a terapeutický problém.

Chronic visceral ischemia represents about 1% of cases of the abdominal pain due to which patients are accepted to the medical centres. The diagnose and the treatment are frequently not adequate and the reliable data from the Czech Republic show mortality of subsequent intervention in tens of percent, which is more than the global level. The essential condition for the lowering of the high morbidity and mortality is namely the knowledge of symptoms, diagnose and therapy among the medical doctors of the first and second line. The other step is the centralization of patients with this rare diagnosis in specialized centre.

[Pulmonary endarterectomy--the surgical treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension]. / Endarterektomie plicních tepen--chirurgická lécba chronické tromboembolické plicní hypertenze.

BACKGROUND: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in indicated cases can be successfully treated by the endarterectomy of pulmonary arteries (PEA). Symptomatically not treated CTEPH has highly unfavourable prognosis. Five years survival of patients with mean pulmonary pressure over 50 mmHg is only 10%. PEA was not available in the Czech Republic till 2004, when PEA program was initiated it the Cardiocenter of the General teaching hospital in Prague in collaboration with leading clinics in that field (Prof. Mayer, University of Mainz, BRD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Up-to-date surgical technique, which in various modifications has been used at majority of clinics, was elaborated by Jamieson and Daily at University of California in San Diego. It is based on reverse endarterectomy performed during complete circulatory arrest with brain protection by deep hypothermia. Till September 2005 twelve patients were operated with zero mortality. In one patient a suture of atrial septum defect was necessary to perform along. Average time of the circulatory arrest was 45 minutes; duration of the extracorporal circulation was 334 minutes. Average duration of the operation was 450 minutes. Duration of the mechanical ventilation was in average 45.5 hours. After one month already haemodynamic parameters (mPA, CI, PVR) significantly improved or normalized and the average length in the test of six minutes walking increased by 132 meters. CONCLUSION: PEA represents a treatment method for patients with CTEPH and surgically accessible pulmonary artery obstruction. Centralized care of those patients is a rational necessity enabling to get maximum experience with complicated diagnostics and treatment of those patients. Multidisciplinary collaboration is the essential condition for the success of the program.

[Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation]. / Chirurgická lécba fibrilace síní.

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation becomes part of the complex therapy of this very frequent arrhythmia. It is based on the fragmentation of atria with formation of segments and channels, which prevent development of reentry phenomenon. Contemporary methods are aimed on the power of the left ventricle, namely on the pulmonary veins' orifice with the shift to less invasive techniques. At our clinic, method of linear cryoablation has been used for 26 patients (between May 2003 and October 2004). For the evaluation of results is the follow up period too short and the cohort too small, however, results are encouraging and worth of publication.

[Postcatheterization pseudoaneurysm of the radial artery]. / Postkatetrizacní pseudoaneuryzma arteria radialis.

A postcatheterization pseudoaneurysm of the radial artery remains a rare complication, considering frequencies of its punction. The radial artery is easily accessible for the punction site management after the catheter removal. We present pathogenesis of their origin, their prevention and options for surgical management of the radial artery pseudoaneurysms.

Myocardial function in early hours after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with left ventricular dysfunction: comparison of blood and crystalloid cardioplegia.

AIM: This study was done to evaluate a myocardial function in the early hours after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and to compare blood and crystalloid cardioplegia. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <35% scheduled for CABG were randomly divided into 2 groups. In the 1st group we used cold blood cardioplegia, in the 2nd group cold crystalloid cardioplegia. We measured hemodynamic data in the early hours after operation, enzyme release and we collected relevant clinical data. RESULTS: The mortality rate in the crystalloid and blood cardioplegia group was 2% and 0%, respectively. We didn't find any significant difference in the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction, arrhythmia and use of intraaortic balloon pumping between groups. Differences between groups were found in the enzymatic response. Average creatine kinase and MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), was lower in the blood cardioplegia group lower during the whole examined period. We also found some significant differences in hemodynamic data in the postoperative period. In the crystalloid cardioplegia group there was a decrease in left ventricular stroke work index immediately after operation. The preoperative value was reached in about 2 hours after operation. On the other hand, we didn't find this decrease in the blood cardioplegia group. This difference between groups was statistically significant. Other hemodynamic data didn't show any significant difference. CONCLUSION: Blood cardioplegia shows earlier improvement of myocardial function after the operation. It could be beneficial in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Multiprogrammable pacemakers: are their advantages fully employed?

Out of 1265 pacemakers implanted between 1981 and 1987 in our center, 50 (4.0 percent) were of SSI M mode. Utilization of the programming capability of these multiprogrammable single-chamber pulse generators was investigated. All devices were programmed to the "energy saving mode" ensuring the longest lifetime possible. Half of them did not have to be reprogrammed for any other reason, the other half had to be programmed for cardiological and/or technical dysfunctions. Full utilization has been made of the programmability of these sophisticated and expensive units and their wide application is justified.

Comparison between blood and crystalloid cardioplegia in patients with left ventricular dysfunction undergoing coronary surgery.

This study was done to compare the protective effect of blood and crystalloid cardioplegia in patients with left ventricular dysfunction undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Sixty consecutive patients with left ventricular ejection fraction < 35% scheduled for CABG with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass without additional procedures were randomly divided into two groups. In the first group we used cold blood cardioplegia, in the second group cold crystalloid cardioplegia, both delivered only ortogradely. We measured hemodynamic data in early hours after operation, enzyme release and we collected other clinical data which could be influenced by perioperative myocardial protection. There was no death in either group. We also didn't find any significant difference in incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction, arrhythmias and use of intraaortic balloon pumping between both groups. In an early hours after operation in the group with blood cardioplegia we found significantly better hemodynamic data (LVSWI, RVSWI) and significantly lower enzyme release. We conclude, that cold blood cardioplegia shows superior perioperative myocardial protection resulting in earlier restoration of myocardial function. This difference could be important in patients with high degree of left ventricular dysfunction.

On-pump cardiac surgery in a conscious patient using a thoracic epidural anesthesia--an ultra fast track method.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the applicability and efficacy of spontaneous ventilation during cardiac surgery. METHODS: From March 1999 through December 2002, 129 awake patients were operated on; 90 on-pump and 39 off-pump. A thoracic epidural space blockage was performed one hour prior to an incision being made at the Th 2-Th 4 level. Medial approach was used and the hanging drop method was routinely employed for epidural space detection. RESULTS: There were 82 male and 47 female patients with a mean age of 64.5 years. Forty two cases were aortic valve replacement, 32 patients underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 12 underwent mitral valve replacement, 27 patients were indicated for sternal wound reexploration, 12 for off-pump CABG, one for aortic valve replacement with aortic arch reconstruction and aortic valve replacement together with CABG was performed three times. There were ten conversions to general anesthesia and there was no death. Mean duration of the stay in the intensive care unit was 7.2 hours and in the hospital 5.1 days. We did not observe low cardiac output syndrome, stroke, renal insufficiency or pulmonary dysfunction in patients who sufficiently underwent thoracic epidural anesthesia. Less pain at assessments was demonstrated (Visual Analgetic Score=3.3). CONCLUSION: The recent interest in rapid recovery and early out-patient care of patients after cardiac surgery has prompted investigations into the use of neuraxial analgesia for these procedures. The above mentioned technique would be beneficial for patients with preoperative pulmonary dysfunction and may be particularly useful in endoscopic cardiac surgery. (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 18.)

[One-stage surgery in concomitant heart and lung disease]. / Jednodobé operace u sdruzených onemocnení srdce a plic.

The authors evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of one-stage operations in concomitant cardiac and pulmonary diseases and define the optimal indications for this procedure. The justification of one-stage operations in selected patients is confirmed by the authors' own experience assembled in two patients. One suffered from lung cancer and ischaemic heart disease and the other one from a tuberculoma and ischaemic heart disease. The one-stage operation in both patients was without complications.

[A mobile thrombus simulating a myxoma of the right atrium]. / Mobilní trombus napodobující myxom pravé síne.

Two-dimensional echocardiography is due to the detailed visualization of the right atrium and adjacent structures an indispensible non-invasive method for the detection pathological masses. In the differential diagnosis of these masses most frequently a mobile thrombus and myxoma are involved. The authors are presenting the case-history of a 71-year-old female patient where during hospitalization on account of a suspect non-Q-wave myocardial infarction in an anteroseptal position echocardiography revealed a pathological mass in the right atrium. From the case-history and results of examinations it was not possible to evaluate unequivocally the nature of the revealed mass. In view of the considerable risk of embolization into the pulmonary artery and coinciding ischaemic heart disease the patient was indicated for surgery and a mobile thrombus was removed. The described case draws attention to the differential diagnosis of right atrial masses and the optimal therapeutic approach.

[An unusual finding of annular sclerosis of the mitral valve during heart surgery]. / Neobvyklý nález anulární sklerózy mitrální chlopne u srdecních operací.

The authors present an uncommon finding of annular sclerosis of the mitral valve in four patients. On operation in three instances severe and in one instance a mild degree of annular sclerosis of the mitral valve was revealed. Two men were 55 and 67 years old and two women were 40 and 67 years old. In two instances the operation was indicated by a myxoma in the left atrium and in two instances by advanced insufficiency of the mitral valve.

[Mycotic aneurysm of the coronary artery]. / Mykotické aneuryzma koronární arterie.

Mycotic aneurysm of the coronary artery occurs in less than 1% of patients with infective endocarditis and only few cases of successful treatment has been described in the literature. The paper presents a case of 64 years old man with infective endocarditis of the mitral valve, complicated with a development of mycotic aneurysm of the right coronary artery, who was successfully surgically treated.