The percutaneous closure of a large pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta with an atrial septal defect Amplatzer occluder: two-year follow-up.

Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is a high-risk complication following cardiac surgery. The present report describes excellent two-year follow-up results after the percutaneous closure of a very large pseudoaneurysm with an Amplatzer atrial septal defect occluder. The original cavity in the anterior mediastinum with maximal diameter 15 cm remained as only a small scar.

Transcatheter closure of a chronic iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula between the carotid artery and the brachiocephalic vein with an Amplatzer duct occluder in combination with a carotid stent.

We report an original method of transcatheter closure of an arteriovenous fistula using the combination of an Amplatzer PDA occluder and a carotid stent. The fistula was between the left carotid artery and the brachiocephalic vein. The patient had significant left-to-right shunt and was highly symptomatic.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarctions in the East Bohemian region over the period 2002-2004.

Background: Early reperfusion by direct percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarctions (STEMI) with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) reduces hospital and longterm mortality.

Aims: Evaluating the significance of direct PCI for the short-term (discharge from acute hospitalization) and 1-year survival in patients with acute STEMI after OHCA.

Methods: In this prospective study, from April 1, 2002 up to August 31, 2004, a total of 26 hospitalized individuals (22 men, 4 women, aged 35-79 years, median 58.

Hepatic encephalopathy due to TIPS--retrospective study.

Background/aims: The main problem of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is high incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The aim of our retrospective study was to determine the incidence the risk factors of clinically significant encephalopathy.

Methodology: 430 patients with liver cirrhosis treated by TIPS in Faculty Hospital in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.

The influence of fluid and diuretic administration on the index of atrial contribution in sequentially paced patients.

Aims: To examine whether acute changes in patient hydration can change atrial contribution (AC) to circulatory function.

Methods And Results: Atrial contribution was quantified by beat-to-beat changes in the amplitude of pulse oximetry signal in 24 paced outpatients. Changes in body weight were used for assessment of changes in total body water.

Characteristics and short-term survival of individuals with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the East Bohemian region.

Aim: We describe survival after admission to hospital from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in the East Bohemian region, according to the Utstein Style guidelines and have identified the main diagnosis including in those who died and had an autopsy.

Patient Group: Over a period of 29 months we used a questionnaire supplied to 24 rescue stations, to identify 718 individuals (511 men and 207 women, aged 16-97 years) with confirmed cardiac arrest who were considered for resuscitation.

Results: Out of 560 patients in whom cardiopulmonary resuscitation for OHCA of confirmed cardiac aetiology was attempted, 350 patients (62.