Severe obesity impairs systolic and diastolic heart function - the significance of pulsed tissue Doppler, strain, and strain rate parameters.

Background: We assessed the impact of morbid obesity on systolic and diastolic heart function in severely obese, but otherwise healthy subjects and age-matched controls.

Methods: Overall, 27 obese patients: 19 female (F) and 8 male (M) mean age 37 ± 9, mean body mass index (BMI) 46 ± 6 and 27 control subjects: mean age 36 ± 10, mean BMI 23 ± 3 were examined by transthoracic echocardiography, including tissue Doppler echocardiographic (TDE) assessment and speckle tracking echocardiography to measure left ventricular longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain (S) and strain rate (SR) during systolic and early diastolic phase.

Results: Obese patients presented with enlargement of both ventricles and the left atrium, and thicker left ventricular wall.

Influence of 825 C>T polymorphism of G protein β3 subunit gene (GNB3) on hemodynamic response during dobutamine stress echocardiography.

There is a wide interpersonal difference to dobutamine response during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). The aim of this study was to determine an association between GNB3 825C>T gene polymorphism, encoding the β3-subunit of G protein, and heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) response to dobutamine during DSE. The study involved 119 patients with clinical indications for DSE.

Toward rubella elimination in Poland: need for supplemental immunization activities, enhanced surveillance, and further integration with measles elimination efforts.

Background: All Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region have endorsed rubella elimination and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) prevention. However, Poland has continued high levels of reported rubella.

Methods: We reviewed rubella incidence in Poland since 1966 and analyzed national aggregated surveillance data from the period 2003-2008 and case-based data from 4 provinces from the period 2006-2008.

Effect of the ADRB1 1165C>G and 145A>G polymorphisms on hemodynamic response during dobutamine stress echocardiography.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine an association between the ADRB1 1165C>G and 145A>G polymorphisms and hemodynamic response [heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure] to dobutamine during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE).

Methods: The study involved 144 patients with clinical indications for DSE. The PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used to identify the ADRB1 1165C>G and 145A>G polymorphisms.

The influence of low dose atorvastatin on inflammatory marker levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome and its potential clinical value.

Background: High-dose statins are used in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) to reduce inflammation. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the influence of low-dose atorvastatin (20 mg) on selected inflammatory parameters and clinical outcomes after ACS.

Methods: Seventy eight patients (pts) with ACS were randomly divided into group A (39 pts) taking atorvastatin, and group NA (39 pts) not taking any statin for the following six weeks.