Trends in caesarean section rates in Europe from 2015 to 2019 using Robson's Ten Group Classification System: A Euro-Peristat study.

Objective: To assess changes in caesarean section (CS) rates in Europe from 2015 to 2019 and utilise the Robson Ten Group Classification System (TGCS) to evaluate the contribution of different obstetric populations to overall CS rates and trends.

Design: Observational study utilising routine birth registry data.

Setting: A total of 28 European countries.

Ultrashort Door-to-Needle Time for Intravenous Thrombolysis Is Safer and Improves Outcome in the Czech Republic: Nationwide Study 2004 to 2019.

Background The benefit of intravenous thrombolysis is time dependent. It remains unclear, however, whether dramatic shortening of door-to-needle time (DNT) among different types of hospitals nationwide does not compromise safety and still improves outcome. Methods and Results Multifaceted intervention to shorten DNT was introduced at a national level, and prospectively collected data from a registry between 2004 and 2019 were analyzed.

Stroke 20 20: Implementation goals for intravenous thrombolysis.

Introduction: Knowledge of the implementation gap would facilitate the use of intravenous thrombolysis in stroke, which is still low in many countries. The study was conducted to identify national implementation targets for the utilisation and logistics of intravenous thrombolysis.

Material And Method: Multicomponent interventions by stakeholders in health care to optimise prehospital and hospital management with the goal of fast and accessible intravenous thrombolysis for every candidate.

Locally advanced laryngeal cancer: Total laryngectomy or primary non-surgical treatment?

Between January 1997 and December 2013, the Charles University 3rd Medical School and Royal Vinohrady Teaching Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat oncology team treated 185 patients with advanced laryngeal cancer, which, from a surgical perspective, required a total laryngectomy. Overall, ~70% of these patients (n=129) underwent conventional treatment (i.e.

Double-gap-in-roof reentrant tachycardia following surgical thoracoscopic atrial fibrillation ablation.

A case of macro-reentrant tachycardia associated with a box lesion after thoracoscopis left atrial surgical atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation yet to be described. The goal was to clarify the mechanisms and electrophysiological characteristics of this type of tachycardia. A patient was admitted for an EP study following surgical thoracoscopic AF ablation (box lexion formation by right-sided Cobra thoracoscopic ablation).

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: the prediction of outcome following surgical intervention in 93 patients using T1- and T2-weighted MRI scans.

Introduction: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) can lead to significant disability through a spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from dexterity loss to more profound weakness, incontinence and paralysis.

Aim: To determine the outcome of surgical decompression for CSM and investigate pre-operative predictors of outcome.

Methods: Prospectively collected data on all patients who underwent decompressive surgery for CSM and completed 12-month follow-up were reviewed.

Study investigating the role of skeletal muscle mass estimation in metastatic spinal cord compression.

Background: Age-related loss of functional muscle mass is associated with reduced functional ability and life expectancy. In disseminated cancer, age-related muscle loss may be exacerbated by cachexia and poor nutritional intake, increasing functional decline, morbidity and accelerate death. Patients with spinal metastases frequently present for decompressive surgery with decision to operate based upon functional assessment.

The TREC/KREC assay for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with DiGeorge syndrome.

Unlabelled: DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) presents with a wide spectrum of thymic pathologies. Nationwide neonatal screening programs of lymphocyte production using T-cell recombination excision circles (TREC) have repeatedly identified patients with DGS. We tested what proportion of DGS patients could be identified at birth by combined TREC and kappa-deleting element recombination circle (KREC) screening.

Close Proximity of Left Anterior Descending Artery to the Right Ventricular Lead Apparently Implanted into the Mid-septum.

Right ventricular (RV) mid-septal pacing should have fewer negative effects on left ventricular function compared to apical pacing. However, targeting the mid-septum may be technically challenging since it is usually done with two-dimensional fluoroscopy. The rotation of the heart and various shapes of the RV make it difficult to assess, whether the lead is really anchored in the septum.

The insufficiency of left anterior oblique and the usefulness of right anterior oblique projection for correct localization of a computed tomography-verified right ventricular lead into the midseptum.

Background: The aim of the study was to verify the correct anchoring location for the tip of the right ventricular lead using cardiac computed tomography and to assess the best fluoroscopic and ECG criteria associated with the correct location of the electrode into the midseptum.

Methods And Results: Patients indicated to pacemaker implantation were prospectively enrolled. The right ventricular lead was implanted into the midseptum according to standard criteria in left anterior oblique 40 view.

Deactivation of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: results of patient surveys.

Aims: The indications for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have been expanding, especially for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator saves lives; however, in near end-of-life situations linked to incurable diseases, the question arises as to whether or not to turn off the ICD to avoid excessive numbers of shocks as the heart begins to fail. This study examined the wishes of a cohort of ICD recipients.

Lack of association between clopidogrel responsiveness tested using point-of-care assay and prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease.

Dual antiplatelet therapy is important treatment modality across the spectrum of coronary artery disease manifestations. However, a significant number of patients do not have a completely effective response to clopidogrel. This study assessed the impact of response after clopidogrel with Verify Now device on prognosis on patients undergoing coronary interventions.

Evaluation of aspirin's effect on platelet function early after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: Aspirin therapy decreases mortality and ischemic complication rates after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, platelet inhibition after oral aspirin seems to be insufficient in the early postoperative period. There are incomplete data reporting aspirin efficacy early after CABG.

High leukocyte count and interleukin-10 predict high on-treatment-platelet-reactivity in patients treated with clopidogrel.

According to recent trials, a significant number of patients do not have a completely effective response to clopidogrel. The aim of the study was to evaluate the rate of clopidogrel resistance in the context of important clinical characteristics and to specifically determine the relation between clopidogrel efficacy and biomarkers of inflammation. Consecutive non-selected patients following PCI were enrolled into the study.

Early results after vertebral body stenting for fractures of the anterior column of the thoracolumbar spine.

Introduction: Vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty have shown to improve pain and functional outcome in cases with symptomatic vertebral fractures. Although restoration of the vertebral body height and kyphosis seemed to be easier with balloon kyphoplasty, it became clear that some of the correction achieved by the balloon is lost once it was deflated. Vertebral body stent was developed to eliminate this phenomenon.

Changes in cytokine concentrations following successful ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation is associated with the activation of inflammatory processes [e.g. higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP)], as well as a pro-thrombotic state [e.

Decreased apoptosis following successful ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: Increased apoptotic processes in tissue samples from hearts in atrial fibrillation (AF) have been previously documented in animals. Whether the restoration of sinus rhythm is associated with decreased apoptosis is not known. The aim of the present study was to establish whether successful epicardial ablation of AF leads to changes in the concentration of serum markers of apoptosis.

A comparison of the VASP index between patients with hemodynamically complicated and uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Critically-ill patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) often present with insufficient gastroduodenal motility, liver hypoperfusion, and higher levels of circulating catecholamines. All of these factors can lead to reduced efficacy of clopidogrel, which is only available as a p.o.

Immunophenotypic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid cell populations with the Cell-Dyn Sapphire haematology analyser: method feasibility and preliminary observations.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples (n=50) from patients with neurological disease (bacterial infection, viral infection, neuroborreliosis and multiple sclerosis) were analysed to characterize cell populations by fluorescent immunocytometry with the CD-Sapphire haematology analyser. Reagent combinations applied to all CSF samples comprised CD3/CD19/HLA-DR and CD4/CD8, with some being further analysed using CD3/CD4, CD3/CD16 and CD3/CD25 protocols. Of the 50 samples, 11 were excluded because of high proportions of nonviable cells (n=2) or insufficient cell numbers (n=9).

Platelet activity and aspirin efficacy after off-pump compared with on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: results from the prospective randomized trial PRAGUE 11-Coronary Artery Bypass and REactivity of Thrombocytes (CABARET).

Objectives: Changes in hemostasis after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting are still being discussed. There is a lack of information about platelet activity and aspirin efficacy after coronary artery bypass grafting. The aim of this study was to assess and compare platelet activity and aspirin efficacy early and late after off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Transrectal stent in endoscopic palliative therapy of malignant stenosis of the rectum.

Background/aims: To check the feasibility and safety of endoscopic stent introduction in colorectal cancer therapy.

Methodology: A total of 62 patients with inoperable tumors of the rectum and rectosigmoid were treated by introducing stents. Stents were also introduced in 3 patients with advanced prostate tumors obturating (narrowing) the rectum.