Neopterin and beta-2 microglobulin relations to immunity and inflammatory status in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy patients.

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the relationships among serum neopterin (NPT), β2-microglobulin (β2-M) levels, clinical status, and endomyocardial biopsy results of dilated cardiomyopathy patients (DCM).

Methods: Serum NPT and β-2 M were determined in 172 nonischaemic DCM patients who underwent right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy and 30 healthy subjects (ELISA test). The cryostat biopsy specimens were assessed using histology, immunohistology, and immunochemistry methods (HLA ABC, HLA DR expression, CD3 + lymphocytes, and macrophages counts).

[Comparison of echocardiographic findings in AVS patients with and without high IgG, IgM, IgA titers against Chlamydia pneumoniae during 12 months' observation of AVS natural course].

Aim: Comparison of echocardiographic findings in AVS patients with and without high IgG, IgM, IgA titers against Chlamydia pneumoniae during 12 months' observation of AVS natural course.

Patients: 60 AVS patients who did not agree for operational treatment were divided into group A (30 patients with high IgG titer) group B (30 patients with low IgG titer), group C (22 patients with high IgA titer) group D (38 patients with low IgA titer), group E (7 patients with high IgM titer), group F (53 patients with low IgA titer) Antibodies titers and echocardiographic scans were carried out every 12 months.

Results: There were more (p < 0.

[Body mass index influence on aortic valve stenosis].

Aim: The 12 months' observation of body mass index (BMI) influence on natural course of aortic valve stenosis (AVS).

Patients: 60 AVS patients who did not agree for operational treatment were divided into group A (n = 15) with BMI 20-25, group B (n = 27) with BMI 25,01-30 and group C BMI > 30.

Methods: Plasma Lp(a), total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) as well as titers of immunoglobulin (Ig) class G, A, M against chlamydia pneumoniae were measured every 12 months.

[One year observation of natural course of aortic valve stenosis in patients with normal and abnormal lipoprotein (a) plasma level].

Aim: The observation of natural course of aortic valvae stenosis (AVS) in patients with high lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)].

Patients: 60 AVS patients who did not agree for operational treatment were divided into group A (n = 19) with high serum Lp(a) level and into group B (n = 41) with normal plasma Lp(a) level.

Methods: Plasma Lp(a), total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) as well as titers of immunoglobulin (Ig) class G, A, M against chlamydia pneumoniae were measured every 12 months.

[Natural course of aortic valve stenosis in patients with normal and abnormal lipid profile].

Aim: Comparison of echocardiographic findings in AVS patients with and without hypercholesterolemia during 12 months' observation of AVS natural course.

Patients: 60 AVS patients who did not agree for operational treatment were divided into group A (n = 47) with high serum total cholesterol and into group B (n = 13) with normal plasma cholesterol.

Methods: plasma total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, tri-glycerides and lipoprotein (a) were measured every 12 months and echocardiographic evaluation of aortic valve was also done every 12 months.

[Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy--a case report].

Genetic profile od four-generation family with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is presented. The alterations in the MYH7 gene sequences were identified. Genetic background of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is reviewed and discussed.

Adjunctive therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin in patients with chronic heart failure secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy: one-year follow-up results of the randomized trial.

Background: Defective endothelial function has been shown in dilated cardiomyopathy. Therefore, improvement in endothelial function after low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) therapy may be clinically beneficial. Consequently, the effect of adjunct enoxaparin, a LMWH, on standard treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy was investigated.

Usefulness of atorvastatin in patients with heart failure due to inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy and elevated cholesterol levels.

This study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of statin therapy in patients with heart failure secondary to inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy and moderately elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Seventy-four patients were randomized to receive atorvastatin 40 mg/day or conventional treatment for heart failure. After 6 months of therapy, the predefined primary efficacy end point (an increase of >5% in the absolute left ventricular ejection fraction and > or =2 selected criteria by echocardiography and a decrease in New York Heart Association functional class) was significant in the statin-treated patients (p = 0.

Function of heart muscle in people chronically exposed to lead.

Rhythm and conductivity disturbances in heart muscle, change in autonomic system function and raised arterial blood pressure have been described in workers exposed to lead. They may be accompanied by changes in echocardiography test and accordingly we undertook this investigation. The study population included employees of zinc and lead steelworks in the south of Poland that were divided into 2 groups: exposed to lead compounds (n=88) and the reference group - administration workers (n=55) with normal levels of lead concentration in blood (PbB) and zinc protoporphyrin in blood.

[Sildenafil reduces pressure and pulmonary resistance and increases susceptibility of pulmonary arteries to nitric oxide in primary pulmonary arterial hypertension].

Primary pulmonary arterial hypertension (PPH) is a rare disease of undetermined origin and fatal prognosis. A better prognosis is associated with at least 20% reduction of either pulmonary artery pressure or pulmonary vascular resistance ("responders") in acute vasodilatory trials. Prostacycline (PGI2) or nitric oxide (NO) administration promises valuable results.

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Insertion-deletion polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II receptor.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic-based disease. Several gene mutations leading to HCM development have been described.

Aim: Detailed examination of phenotype and genotype of a family with HCM.

Post-dilatation intravascular brachytherapy trials on hypercholesterolemic rabbits using 32P-phosphate solutions in angioplasty balloons.

Purpose: Response of peripheral arteries to post-dilatation intravascular brachytherapy (IVBT) using 32P liquid sources was studied in a rabbit model.

Methods: The applied sources were angioplasty balloons filled with aqueous solutions of Na2H32PO4, NaCl and iodinated contrast. Dose distribution was calibrated by thermoluminescence dosimetry.

32P liquid sources--comparison of the effectiveness of postangioplasty versus poststenting intravascular brachytherapy in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Adjunctly implanted titanium stent does not attenuate the effect of endovascular irradiation.

Purpose: Endovascular application of ionizing radiation is a promising but still not sufficiently studied means of restenosis prevention. To test the effects of radiation on restenosis, and especially their dependence on whether the angioplasty was followed by stent implantation or not, we performed an in-stent versus no-stent intravascular brachytherapy study in an animal model. Balloon-based, continuous and self-centering, liquid 32P sources seemed the most convenient for the purpose.

[Interventional treatment of myocardial infarction. Own experience].

Unlabelled: The aim of the study is the analysis of own results of myocardial infarction treatment using percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of twenty-four hour long hemodynamic service. Between 01.12.

[The whole blood and plasma viscosity changes in course of acute myocardial infarction].

The whole blood and plasma viscosity changes in course of acute myocardial infarction were examined. The examination were performed at the beginning of acute phase of myocardial infarction (period 1), at second to third day (period 2) and after about 10 days of infarction episode (period 3). 77 patients (mean age 56.

Lipid peroxidation and vitamin E in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions.

Background: We aimed to assess the oxidant/antioxidant status within the ex vivo human coronary endarterectomy samples.

Methods: To achieve this, we measured products of lipid oxidation (malondialdehyde, 7-ketocholesterol), lipids (cholesterol, cholesteryl esters) and vitamin E in endarterectomy samples.

Results: Content of malondialdehyde in the plaque ranged from 0.

[Effect of hyperglycemia on glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity in patients with newly diagnosed carbohydrate metabolism disturbances].

The aim of our study was to estimate the changes of superoxide dismutase (both isoenzymes: SOD-Zn, Cu and SOD-Mn in serum and total activity in erythrocytes) and gluthatione peroxidase (in erythrocytes) activities in newly diagnosed carbohydrate metabolism disturbances. 80 subjects were divided into two groups: the control with normal oral tolerance glucose test (OGTT) (n = 44) and investigated group (concentration of fasting glucose over 6.1 mmol/l and/or concentration of glucose in second hour of OGTT over 7.

Post-stenting intravascular brachytherapy trials on hypercholesterolemic rabbits using 32P liquid sources: implications for prevention of in-stent restenosis.

Purpose: Liquid sources of radiation delivered in angioplasty balloons may be a convenient self-centering device used for prevention of in-stent restenosis. To test the effectiveness of this method an intravascular brachytherapy study was performed using 32P liquid sources in an animal model.

Methods: The radial dose distribution around angioplasty balloons filled with solutions of Na 2H 32PO 4 was calibrated by thermoluminescence dosimetry.