[Importance of functional assessment in patients with heart failure].

Functional tests are included in to the assessment of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). In the patients, the indices of resting ventricular function are poor predictors of exercise capacity. Spiroergometry is a cardiopulmonary exercise test using respiratory gas exchange analysis in assessing the functional status and prognosis in patients with CHF.

[Heart transplantation in patients with coronary disease. Long-term care of patients after heart transplantation].

The authors present information on basic principles of the long term follow-up of patients after heart transplantation (HTx) and about the present state of HTx programme in Slovakia. "Unique normal" cardiac findings after HTx are described. The most important causes of mortality (infection, rejection, graft vascular disease, malignancy) and morbidity (hypertension, chronic renal insufficiency) are analysed and basic information for rational diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive measures is provided.

[Heart transplantation in patients with coronary disease. Preoperative period].

The authors report on the current heart transplantation (= HTx) frequency in international as well as domestic--Slovak conditions. The exact criteria for selection of patients who will gain maximum benefit from HTx are given. The alternative procedures namely in patients with progressive coronary artery (ischemic heart) disease, which could substitute or at least postpone HTx until the time when definitive solution of chronic and terminal congestive heart failure will be available are discussed.