Arterial stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease: relation with in-stent restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most important issues in modern medicine due to its high mortality and prevalence. An early detection and prevention can reduce morbidity and mortality. Arterial stiffness is a potent and independent predictor of CAD.

Multiple multilateral coronary-cameral fistulae in a patient with minor cardiac venous system.

A 40-year-old man was hospitalized in the coronary care unit with chest pain and abnormal electrocardiogram. Twenty days earlier, the patient underwent laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. Due to chest pain and ischemic ECG changes, patient was subjected to coronary angiography.

Prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy with Na/K citrate.

Aims: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a frequent complication of many radiological procedures involving the application of contrast media. It represents a significant health problem that causes the increase in mortality, morbidity, and medical costs. For the prevention of CIN, a number of methods have been proposed to be effective.

Inappropriate drug dosage adjustments in patients with renal impairment.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether appropriate dosage adjustments were made in patients with renal impairment discharged from the Department of Internal Medicine and to evaluate a possible role for family medicine physicians in reducing the number of inadequate drug dosages.

Methods: The study included all patients discharged from the Department of Internal Medicine. Data regarding serum creatinine levels, age, sex and prescribed drugs and their dosage were collected from the patients' medical records and discharge letters after discharge from hospital.

Measuring of the heparin leakage into the circulation from central venous catheters--an in vivo study.

Background: A catheter lock with a highly concentrated heparin solution is often used to maintain its patency. The result of the in vitro study shows a significant catheter leakage that occurs after locking the catheter. The goal of this study is to develop a model to measure the catheter leakage in vivo and test it on various kinds of catheters.

Endothelin-1 and nitric oxide in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Aim: To establish the role of endothelin-1 and nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of hypertension in patients on chronic hemodialysis by correlating endothelin-1 and NO plasma concentrations to the level of arterial hypertension with respect to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy.

Methods: We determined plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 and NO in patients on chronic hemodialysis (CHD) before and after hemodialysis treatment. The study included 30 CHD patients and 20 healthy participants as controls.