[Video capsule endoscopy--preliminary experience in university hospital setting].

Introduction: The use of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) started in late 2001 when it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since then, we are able to visualize small bowel mucosa with a minimally invasive technique, very comfortable for patients, with very few complications and without the need of hospitalization. At Dubrava University Hospital, we have been using VCE since October 2006, and by February 2008 we examined 30 patients.

The association between upper gastrointestinal lesions and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in coronary artery disease patients.

Background: Although high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) testing is not specific for coronary atherosclerosis, elevated hs-CRP is recently accepted as an independent predictor of future cardiovascular events. Also, a connection between upper gastrointestinal lesions (UGILs) and coronary artery disease (CAD) has been observed. The authors hypothesized that UGILs increase hs-CRP in CAD patients.

[Biochemical markers in assessment of severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis].

The authors reveal and discuss the role of novel biochemical parameters in early diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and assessment of the severity of the disease. These biochemical parameters, beside routinely used amilase and lipase, might enable us to early identify those patients who are at risk of developing severe form of pancreatitis or complications. These parameters include trypsinogen activation peptide (TAP), C-reactive protein (CRP, tripsinogen-2, procalcitonin, phospholipase-A2 (PLA2), carboxypeptidase activation peptide (CAPAP) and interleukin-6 and 8 (IL-6, IL-8).

[Gastroduodenal mucosal lesions and coronary atherosclerosis severity in patients with coronary artery disease].

Aim: Due to high metabolic activity and oxygen demands, ischemia of gastroduodenal (GD) mucosa is an important factor in the pathogenesis of its impairment. Comparing the degree of coronary atherosclerosis, for evaluation of severity of atherosclerosis, with the prevalence and severity of GD mucosal lesions, we wanted to investigate the possible ischemia of GD mucosa could contribute to its impairment.

Patients And Methods: This prospective study included 150 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, 109 (72.