[Complement system proteins in the acute phase of myocardial infarction].

Content of C3 and C4 fractions was decreased in blood of patients with acute primary myocardial infarction within the first day of the disease as compared with the level of these fractions observed just after the hospitalization of the patients. These data suggest the activation of the complement system during this first period of the disease. The activation occurred mainly in the usual way as evidenced by single-directed alterations in content of C3 and C4 fractions.

[Use of the method of counterpulsation by means of an intra-aortic balloon in the treatment of myocardial infarct].

The results of applying counterpulsation with an intraaortic balloon in the treatment of 17 patients suffering from myocardial infarction are discussed. Counterpulsation was indicated in 15 patients because of cardiogenic shock and in 2 (with concomitant arterial hypertension) because of expansion of the zone of myocarial infarction against the background of unstable arterial pressure. Nine patients died, counterpulsation in these cases was begun 5 hours after the appearance of the shock symptoms or later.

[Operative and postoperative neurological complications in heart surgery].

Intraoperative and postoperative neurologic complications in cardiosurgical patients refer to grave cerebral affections which aggravate markedly the operative issue and prognosis for patients' life. In 525 operations on the heart and major vessels neurologic complications were noted in 47 patients. In 21 of them death was directly caused by these complications.