Postpericardiotomy syndrome incidence, diagnostic and treatment strategies: experience AT two collaborative centers.

Postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is worsening or new formation of pericardial and/or pleural effusion mostly 1 to 6 weeks after cardiac surgery, as a result of autoimmune inflammatory reaction within pleural and pericardial space. Its incidence varies among different studies and registries (2% to 30%), as well as according to the type of cardiac surgery performed. We conducted this retrospective analysis of PPS incidence and diagnostic and treatment strategies in patients referred for cardiac surgery for revascularization, valvular and/or aortic surgery.

Embolism in retinal circulation after invasive cardiovascular procedures.

Unlabelled: To determine the occurence of embolism in retinal circulation after invasive cardiovascular procedures and the risk of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO).

Material And Methods: During a 3 month period 153 patients (303 eyes)--101 male/52 female--who had undergone coronarography or stent implantation were examined before and 24 hours after the procedure. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was taken, visual field examination was done and fundoscopy was performed.

Duke Treadmill Score in prioritizing patients for coronary angiography: retrospective study of a Croatian regional hospital.

Aim of the study was to determine the potential of Duke Treadmill Score (DTS) in prioritizing patients for coronary angiography in a transitional country clinical setting. We analyzed 114patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease who underwent exercise treadmill testing, and coronary angiography in Slavonski Brod General Hospital. DTS was calculated from treadmill test as: exercise time--(5 x ST deviation in mm)--(4 x exercise angina).