Aspirin is insufficient in inhibition of platelet aggregation and thromboxane formation early after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background: Aspirin administered early after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) improves graft patency and patients survival. However, the antiplatelet effect of aspirin seems to be variable and aspirin resistance is currently still being discussed. The aim of the study was to assess aspirin efficacy in the early postoperative period.

The influence of long-term hormonal contraception and smoking on plasma concentrations of nitrites and nitrates.

Background: Higher estrogen levels in premenopausal women have a protective effect against arteriosclerosis. In contrast, hormonal contraceptives are often connected with an increased cardiovascular risk, and opinions differ on whether or not smoking increases this risk. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of oral hormonal contraceptives and smoking on the production of nitric oxide metabolites (nitrites/nitrates).

Determination of nitrate and nitrite by high-performance liquid chromatography in human plasma.

A new, accurate, fast and simple method has been implemented by which nitrite and nitrate ions, as stable forms of nitric oxide production were studied. A study of these two ions was carried out by a sensitive and accurate HPLC method with two detectors. The most important advantages of the reported method are: short time of analysis, minimal sample pre-treatment, long life of the analytical column and stable eluent solution.