[Recurrent thrombosis of a mitral mechanical heart valve prosthesis during puerperium--a case report].

A case of a 27-year-old female with prosthetic mitral valve is presented. Prolonged anticoagulation therapy was continued during pregnancy without complications. During puerperium, the dose of subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin was reduced due to subcutaneous blood effusions.

[Severe heart failure due to toxic cardiomyopathy in a young patient--a case report].

A case of a 26-year-old male with a two-week history of increased dyspnea, weakness and depressed physical tolerance, is presented. Dilated cardiomyopathy due to cardiotoxic effects of toluene was diagnosed. Echocardiography showed left ventricular ejection fraction of 15%.

Homocysteine and progression of coronary artery disease.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is one of the newly recognised risk factors of coronary artery disease (CAD). The role of hyperhomocysteinemia in the development of atherosclerosis has been controversial.

Aim: To assess homocysteine (Hcy) plasma concentration in patients with CAD and to correlate Hcy level with some cardiovascular risk factors.

[Left atrial tumour in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy: myxoma or thrombus? A case report].

A case of a 51-year-old male with dilated cardiomyopathy and left atrial mass detected by echocardiography is described. Differential diagnosis between thrombus and myoxoma was difficult. Anticoagulation therapy was initiated and no intra-atrial mass was detected during the control echocardiographic examination.