[The system of hemostasis in patients with atrial fibrillation: markers of left auricular thrombosis].

Thrombosis of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is considered to be main cause of thromboembolic complications of atrial fibrillation (AF). Aim of this work was to study parameters of the hemostasis system in patients with AF in dependence on the presence of thrombus in the LAA. We examined 92 patients (58 men and 34 women) who at hospital admission had AF attack which lasted more than 48 hours.

[Detection of left atrial auricular thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation and risk factors of thromboembolic complications: the role of transesophageal echocardiography and multispiral computer tomography].

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is routinely used for visualization of left auricular thrombi in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Multispiral computed tomography (MSCT) with the use of contrast preparations is a novel method of visualization of intracardiac structures. Forty three patients (27 men, 16 women aged 46-81 years) with duration of atrial fibrillation > 48 hours and scheduled for sinus rhythm restoration were included in this study.

[Brain natriuretic peptide as marker and factor of prognosis in chronic heart failure].

The role of natriuretic peptides in pathogenesis of chronic heart failure (CHF) is reviewed. Main attention is given to significance of measurement of brain natriuretic peptide in the following clinical situations related to CHF: diagnosis of CHF, screening of patients with symptomless left ventricular dysfunction, differential diagnosis of edematous syndrome, indications to therapy and monitoring of its effectiveness, assessment of long term prognosis of patients with CHF. Possibilities of curative use of natriuretic peptides and inhibitors of vasopeptidases are also discussed.