Do growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 affect prognosis in patients with killip I and II class acute myocardial infarction?

We investigated concentrations and roles of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and its binding protein (IGF1BP-3), growth hormone (GH), insulin, and markers of insulin resistance and inflammation in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We aimed to assess any possible association between serum GH/IGF-1 axis following AMI and short-term survival rates. A follow up study was performed in 2010. Study group consisted of 75 patients with Killip I and II class AMI. There were 30 control subjects. Blood samples were obtained within 24 hours of admission and analyzed for the aforementioned hormones. Patients were followed-up during 6 months for new cardiac events. Median GH was higher in AMI (0.96; range 0.6-2.4) than in controls (0.26; p<0.001). IGF-1 was significantly lower in AMI (123 vs. 132; p<0.05), and so was the IGF-1/GH ratio (p<0.001) and IGF1BP-3. Insulin was higher in study group, but without statistical significance. However, we found significant between-group differences in other markers of insulin resistance (HbA1c, glycemia, HOMA-IR) and inflammation. Simple linear correlation showed positive correlation between GH and C-reactive protein. All patients with new cardiac events had IGF-1 below median and lower left ventricular ejection fraction. In conclusion, IGF-1 may affect outcome of AMI. GH resistance might be a result of inflammatory/immune response and therefore it could be a useful prognostic marker.

Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic Imaging of the Heart of Athletes and Patients with Hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: "Athlete's heart syndrome" is a condition characterized by structural, electrophysiologic and functional adaptation of the myocardium to physical activity (training), depending on the activity intensity, duration and type. In athletes left ventricular hypertrophy often resembles comorbid conditions (hypertension or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) so the differential diagnosis of the disease is very important and crucial, especially in people who are in active training. In fact, if an athlete has finding which indicate thickening of the left ventricle walls, should be distinguished hypertrophy which occurred as a result of many years of training from accidental existence of hypertension or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the same person. Therefore, it is important to make a diagnostic difference between healthy and sick heart. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved male persons aged 20-45 which have increased muscle mass of the left ventricle due to different etiology. Definite sample included 80 respondents divided into two groups. All respondent underwent interview, clinical examination, ECG and echocardiography. RESULTS: Average systolic blood pressure (SBP) for the athletes were 115.8±7.2 mmHg, and in patients, with hypertension 154.4±3.5 mmHg, average values of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for the athletes were 74.2±8.1 mmHg in patients, hypertensive 96.2 ± 3.9 mmHg. Values of SBP and DBP were significantly lower in the group of athletes compared to patients with hypertension (p=0.001). The value of the SFO/min was significantly lower in the group of athletes compared to patients with hypertension (p <0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the sum of SV2 RV5 and between groups of athletes and groups of patients with hypertension (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the echocardiography parameters between two groups. There was a statistically significant difference in the sum of SV2 and RV5 between groups of athletes and groups of patients with hypertension (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: ECG parameters, PQ, QRS, QT did not prove to be useful in the differentiation between the groups because no statistically significant differences in their values were found. Echocardiography is a reliable diagnostic tool in differentiating physiologic hypertrophy of athletes compared to hypertrophy in patients with hypertension.

Echocardiography Differences Between Athlete's Heart Hearth and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Among long term athletes there is always present hypertrophy of the left ventricle walls as well as increased cardiac mass. These changes are the result of the heart muscle adaptation to load during the years of training, which should not be considered as pathology. In people suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), there is also present hypertrophy of the left ventricle walls and increased mass of the heart, but these changes are the result of pathological changes in the heart caused by a genetic predisposition for the development HCM of. Differences between myocardial hypertrophy in athletes and HCM are not clearly differentiated and there are always dilemmas between pathological and physiological hypertrophy. The goal of the study is to determine and compare the echocardiographic cardiac parameters of longtime athletes to patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 60 subjects divided into two groups: active athletes and people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. RESULTS: Mean values of IVSd recorded in GB is IVSd=17.5 mm (n=20, 95% CI, 16.00-19.00 mm), while a significantly smaller mean value is recorded in GA, IVSd=10.0 mm (n=40, 95% CI, 9.00-11.00 mm). The mean value of the left ventricle in diastole (LVDd) recorded in the GA is LVDd=51 mm (n=40; 95% CI, 48.00 to 52.00 mm), while in the group with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (GB) mean LVDd value is 42 mm (n=20; 95% CI, 40.00 to 48.00 mm). The mean value of the rear wall of the left ventricle (LVPWd) recorded in the GA is LVDd=10 mm (n=40; 95% CI, 9.00-10.00 mm) while in the group with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (GB) mean LVDd is 14 mm (n=20; 95% CI, 12.00 to 16.00 mm). The mean of the left ventricle during systole (LVSD) observed in GA is LVSD=34 mm (n=40; 95% CI, 32.00 to 36.00 mm), while in the group with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (GB) mean LVSD is 28 mm (n=20; 95% CI, 24.00 to 28.83 mm). The mean ejection fraction (EF%) observed in GA is EF=60% (n=40; 95% CI, 56.41 to 63.00%), while in the group with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (GB) mean EF value is 69% (n=20; 95% CI, 62.00 to 70.83 mm). Somewhat higher mean diastolic left ventricular function (E/A) was observed in GA, E/A=1.76±0.15, and lower average values in the group with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: (GB) E/A=0.78±0.02. CONCLUSION: Mean values of parameters intraventricular septum thickness in diastole (IVSd), the thickness of the rear wall of the left ventricle (LVPWd), the diameter of the left ventricle during systole (LVSD) were statistically different between groups of athletes (GA) compared to the group of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (GB).

Effect of combination therapy on cardiovascular risk in the pit miners with hypertension, metabolic syndrome and depression.

BACKGROUND: Higher cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in depressed patient has demonstrated repeatedly. AIM: Determine the degree of occurrence of hypertension, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and depression in the pit miners and the impact of the six-month holistic treatment of all CV risk factors and depression in the overall CV risk in miners with hypertension, MetS and depression. METHODS: From 492 pit miners was taken smoking status, measured blood pressure, waist circumference and body mass index. Analysis was done using the concentration of sugar in blood, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL cholesterol and determined total CV risk. All respondents filled self-assessment Beck's depression scale. Prevalence MetS hypertension and depression were determined. Group of 67 patients with joint hypertension, MetS and depression that is treated six months with psychotropic and somatotropin medication, was singled out. After six months, the effect of therapy on the risk factors and total CV was assessed. RESULTS: Among 492 miners 67 (13,61%) of them had hypertension, MetS and depression. After six months treatment, it showed statistically significant reduction in blood pressure (p=0,0001), waist circumference (p=0,0001) ,total (p=0,002), HDL (p=0,007) and LDL cholesterol (p=0,003), smoking (p=0,002), Beck's scale results (p=0,007) and reduction in total CV risk. CONCLUSION: After six month of combine therapy in respondents has led to reduced CV risk and level of all factors, except BMI and triglycerides.

[Quality of life in patients with heart failure]. / Kvaliteta zivota pacijenata sa srcanom insuficijencijom.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to determine the quality of life in patients with heart failure using the SF-36 and Minnesota questionnaire and to determine the importance of applying Framingham criteria as predictors of the value of these questionnaires. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed the quality of life in 120 subjects of both sexes and all age groups suffering from heart failure, according to the severity of clinical presentation. Subjects were divided into 4 equal groups according to NYHA classification of heart failure. Selection of subjects was made using the Framingham criteria for confirming already diagnosed heart failure. Control group included 30 patients not suffering from heart failure. Quality of life was assessed by use of the SF-36 and Minnesota questionnaire. RESULTS: In the study population of 150 subjects, there were 76 (51%) male and 74 (49%) female subjects divided into 4 NYHA groups of 30 subjects (20.0%) and control group of 30 subjects (20.0%). The analysis of within-group sex representation yielded no statistically significant difference (chi2 = 1.70, df = 4; p = 0.79). There was no statistically significant between-group age difference either (ANOVA, F = 0.74; p = 0.57). The values of SF-36 and Minnesota score expressed as median in the control and 4 NYHA groups were 98.6, 90.76, 70.14, 36.45 and 25.41 (Ht = 116.84; p < 0.0001) and 0.0, 0.47, 1.64, 2.99 and 3.42 (Ht = 113.42; p < 0.0001), respectively. The correlation coefficient r between heart failure NYHA classes expressed in the values of SF-36 and Minnesota score was r = -0950; p < 0.0001 and r = 0.931; p < 0.0001, respectively. The correlation coefficient r between the number of major and minor Framingham criteria and the values of SF-36 and Minnesota score was r = -0.790, -0.660; p < 0.0001 and r = 0.774, 0.671; p < 0.0001, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that the quality of life in patients with heart failure was impaired and associated with the severity of clinical presentation, and that Framingham criteria could serve as significant predictors of the value of SF-36 and Minnesota scores and quality of life in patients with heart failure.

The role of exercise test in stratifying the risk of asymptomatic patients with moderate/severe aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: The role of exercise test in risk stratifying of asymptomatic patients with moderate and severe aortic stenosis (AS) in recent literature is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of exercise test in stratifying the risk of patients with moderate to severe aortic stenosis. METHODS: At the Internal Medicine Clinic, Department of Cardiology in Tuzla, in the period from January 2008 until January 2010 was followed 33 patients with clinical and echocardiographic parameters of moderate to severe asymptomatic aortic stenosis (mean effective orifice area EOA 0.9 +/- 0.34 cm2). In statistical analysis we used descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier life table for predictive values, sensitivity and specificity. A significance level of 0.05 was used. RESULTS: Two patients were excluded due to exclusion criteria, so 31 patient was followed up during 12 months period. Eighteen patients (58%) with EOA pounds sterling 0.8 cm2 had limiting symptoms during the test. During follow-up period, 11 patients developed serious spontaneous symptoms, and out of them 8 patients underwent surgical valve replacement, one patient died (sudden cardiac death), and 2 patients had serious complications (ischemic cerebral stroke). Twenty patients remained asymptomatic. The highest positive predictive accuracy had EOA pounds sterling 0.8 cm2 with limiting symptoms and it was 85%. The highest negative predictive accuracy had ST depression. CONCLUSION: only limiting symptoms along with EOA pounds sterling 0.8 cm2 had positive predictive accuracy.

Mortality at the Clinic of Internal Medicine of University Clinical Center in Tuzla during 2008.

INTRODUCTION: Accurate information about the cause of death is given by expert teams based on pathological or forensic expertise. Reliable information can be obtained from doctors from clinical-hospital institutions if the deceased person was treated in such an institution and with previously diagnosed disease (hospital mortality). Analysis of hospital mortality provides a lot of data that can be used in planning the hospital beds capacities, the amount of drug procurement, purchasing equipment, organization and creation of highly specialized medical teams (medical team for resuscitation), the number of reanimation techniques, the number of pathologists who are required for autopsy procedures, etc. GOAL was to determine the total number of deaths, the most common causes of death and the 10 leading diagnoses of deceased patients at the Clinic for Internal Medicine of Clinical Center in Tuzla during 2008. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used the material from the archive (medical records and reports on deceased patients, delivered by physicians working at the Clinic for Internal Medicine of Clinical Center in Tuzla). RESULTS: During 2008 at the Clinic for Internal Medicine 368 patients died. According to the analyzed data leading cause of death and leading diagnosis as cause of death at the Clinic for Internal Medicine in 2008 were as follows: cardiogenic shock in 73 (19.84%), cerebrovascular stroke in 46 (12.50%), coma due to stroke in 32 (8.70%), coma not classified as cerebral in 25 (6.79%) (metabolic 13 (3.53%) and hepatic 12 (3.26%), cardiomyopathy in 22 (5.98%), malignant neoplasm of the abdomen in 17 (4.62%), respiratory insufficiency in 17 (4.62%), acute myocardial infarction and myocardial infarction with rupture in 17 (4.62%), pulmonary edema in 16 (4.35%), and cardiorespiratory arrest in 13 (3.53%) deaths. CONCLUSION: During 2008 at the Clinic for Internal Medicine of Clinical Center in Tuzla died a total of 368 patients. The most common cause of death of patients at the Clinic for Internal Medicine of Clinical Center in Tuzla are cardiovascular disease (n = 175; 47.55% of deaths), in second place was cerebrovascular disease (n = 76; 20.65% of deaths) for a total of 251 (68.20%) of deaths from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.

Direct coronary stenting in reducing radiation and radiocontrast consumption.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary stenting is the primary means of coronary revascularization. There are two basic techniques of stent implantation: stenting with balloon predilatation of stenosis and stenting without predilatation (direct stenting). Limiting the time that a fluoroscope is activated and by appropriately managing the intensity of the applied radiation, the operator limits radiation in the environment, and this saves the exposure to the patient and all personnel in the room. Nephrotoxicity is one of the most important properties of radiocontrast. The smaller amount of radiocontrast used also provides multiple positive effects, primarily regarding the periprocedural risk for the patients with the reduced renal function. The goal of the study was to compare fluoroscopy time, the amount of radiocontrast, and expenses of material used in direct stenting and in stenting with predilatation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, 70 patients with coronary disease were randomized to direct stenting, or stenting with predilatation. RESULTS: Fluoroscopy time and radiocontrast use were significantly reduced in the directly stented patients in comparison to the patients stented with balloon-predilatation. The study showed a significant reduction of expenses when using a direct stenting method in comparison to stenting with predilatation. CONCLUSIONS: If the operator predicts that the procedure can be performed using direct stenting, he is encouraged to do so. Direct stenting is recommended for all percutaneous coronary interventions when appropriate conditions have been met. If direct stenting has been unsuccessful, the procedure can be converted to predilatation.

Correlation between interleukin 6 and interleukin 10 in acute myocardial infarction.

The aim of this study was to analyze (i) ratios between pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 (IL-1), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stable angina pectoris (ii) as well as correlation between IL-6 and IL-10 in AMI and (iii) correlation between IL-6 and lipoproteins in AMI.The total of 71 patients were enrolled in this study, 41 of them with AMI (study group) and 30 with stable angina pectoris (control group). The concentrations of cytokines and lipoproteins were measured from blood samples. Pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokine ratios were calculated by dividing concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines with IL-10. In statistical analyses we used descriptive statistics, normality tests and analysis of correlation.IL-6: IL-10 ratio is significantly higher in AMI than in stable angina (P < 0,001), TNF-alpha: IL-10 is also higher in study group but the difference is not significant. We found positive linear correlation between IL-6 and IL-10 (r =0,43; p = 0,015) and negative linear correlation between IL-6 and high density lipoprotein HDL (r = -0,47; p= 0,008) in AMI.IL-6: IL-10 ratio is higher in AMI than in stable angina. There is linear correlation between IL-6 and IL-10 and IL-6 and HDL in AMI.

Hypertension and donor age in living-related kidney transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Post-transplantational hypertension is one of the most important factors which has negative influence on survival of a graft and a patient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of donor's age on hypertension and the outcome in living-related transplantation of the kidney. METHODS: The research included 52 recipients of the graft, 30 women and 22 men who received living-related kidney graft in 5 years period. In experimental group there were recipients of grafts who's donors were 55 and older, and in control group recipients of graft who's donors were younger than 55. Age and sex of the donor, glomerular filtration rate of the donated kidney, previous dialysis treatment, kidney disease and number of months after transplantation were monitored. Blood pressure was measured once a day and average monthly value was assessed. Creatinine clearance was valuated once in six months. Functional kidney graft after 60 months was considered the one with serum creatinine < or = 150 micromol/l. Statistical analysis included t-test, Fisher's exact test, chi-square test, Kaplan- Meier curve and multivariant logistic regresion. RESULTS: Experimental group included 23 examinees who received grafts from donors 55 years old and above (18 men and 5 women, average age 34.86 +/- 6.54, who have been treated for 35.33 +/- 37.59 months), and control group of 29 examinees from donors younger than 55 (16 men and 13 women, average age 31.69 +/- 10.5, who have been treated for 21.03 +/- 25.59 months). Average age of the donors in experimental group was 62.43 +/- 4.10 and 45.31 +/- 5.24 in control group. Mean creatinine clearance of the donated kidneys was 47.87+/- 10.5 ml/min in experimental group and 51.19 +/- 10.1 ml/min in the control (p = 0.005). Sixty months after transplantation graft was functional in 32.69% recipients of the experimental group and in 82.75% recipients of the control group. The average systolic blood pressure in experimental group was 146 +/- 20.00 mmHg, and in the control group 129 +/- 16.00 mmHg (p < 0.001). Average diastolic blood pressure was 90 +/- 11.00 mmHg in experimental group, and 83 +/- 10.00 mmHg in the control (p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Donor age has significant influence on long-term survival of the kidney graft in the living-related transplantation. Survival of the graft in examinees without hypertension is significantly longer. Treatment of post-transplatational hypertension is one of the most important tasks in the treatment of patients with transplanted kidney.

Atherosclerotic changes on head and neck blood vessels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of atherosclerotic plaque of head and neck blood vessels and to determine the dynamics of circulation through the brain blood vessels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In 35 patients with SLE aged 37.67+/-9.96 and whose disease lasted 3.8+/-4.51 years, Doppler carotid ultrasonography was used to identify the presence of intima-media thickness or atherosclerotic plaque. Brain perfusion scintigraphy was done in 15 out of 35 patients in order to evaluate the dynamics in circulation through carotid and cerebral media arteries. Measured by Doppler ultrasound, 2/35 of examined lupus patients had a plaque and the 2/35 had an intimal-medial thickness. The results of perfusion scintigraphy in 15 examined patients out 35 with SLE showed that 5/15 had mild circulatory changes in carotidogram. 4/15 patients had mild changes in cerebra media arteries circulation, 1/15 had severe changes in carotid circulation and 5/15 patients had normal brain scintigraphy finding. Some of the patients with SLE have atherosclerotic changes and only the early detection of atherosclerosis may provide an opportunity for therapeutic intervention.

Effects of fixed combination of lisinopril plus hydrochlorothiazide on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with essential hypertension: an opened, multi-centre, prospective clinical trial.

The aim of this trial was to examine the effects of antihypertensive fixed combination of lisinopril plus hydrochlorothiazide (Lopril H, Bosnalijek dd, Bosnia and Herzegovina) on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with essential arterial hypertension. We included 297 patients in our trial, aged 54.65+/-9.6 years, with treated or untreated hypertension and with high risk of cardiac events, in an opened trial of therapy based on lisinopril plus hydrochlorothiazide. Patients from five European countries were followed up for a period of 12 weeks. Duration of treatment was 12 weeks. We adjusted daily doses of lisinopril plus hydrochlorothiazide after every clinical examination and recorded adverse effects of drugs. In the beginning and after 12 weeks of treatment, 277 patients (93.2%) underwent 2-dimensional echocardiography and there were 186 patients evaluated for efficacy of treatment on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We recorded a regression of index mass LVH (168.56 vs 161.51 g/m2, P<0.0001), and regression was something more in women vs men. We recorded average reduction of left ventricular mass index for patients with LVH (N=186) by 7.05 g/m2 (4.18%) in all patients, by 6.73 g/m2 (3.93%) in men and 7.27 g/m2 (4,37%) in women. The proportion of patients who attained a regression of left ventricular mass tended to be greater in men (54.55% vs 53.21%). This research has proved regression of LVH in more than 53% patients after using fixed combination of lisinopril plus hydrochlorothiazide.

Amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptid in prediction of left ventricular ejection fraction.

We aimed to evaluate levels of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptid (NT-proBNP) in prediction of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in heart failure patients. Prospective study on 60 consecutive patients with symptoms and signs of heart failure was performed. Blood samples for NT-proBNP analysis was taken from all test subjects and echocardiography was also done in all of them. According to LVEF value, patients were divided into four groups; those with or=50%. NT-proBNP values correlated with LVEF value. Regression analysis was used to evaluate how well NT-proBNP values predict LVEF. We used Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve calculation to evaluate diagnostic performance of NT-proBNP in estimation of LVEF. Average value of NT-proBNP in test group was 3191.69+/-642.89 pg/ml (p<0.001). Average value of NT-proBNP decreased with higher LVEF categories with significant (p<0.001) and high negative correlation (r= -0,75). Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis showed that logarithmic value of NT-proBNP was excellent predictor of LVEF value (p<0.05). Model equation based on regression analysis was LVEF=88.645-15.311 x log (NT-proBNP). Predictive model for LVEF yielded from regression analysis had sensitivities of 98% and 81%, specificities of 20% and 90%, positive predictive values of 86% and 78% and negative predictive values of 67% and 92% for predicting patients with LVEF<50% and LVEF<40%, respectively. There was negative linear correlation between NT-proBNP and LVEF. NT-proBNP was excellent predictor of LVEF value (p<0.05).

[Mutations genes in primarly cardiomyopathies]. / Mutacije gena u primarnim kardiomiopatijama.

Diagnosis of primarly cardiomypathies refers to genes discorders in chromosomes. Aim of this paper is to show genetics and molecular knowledges published so far. Familiar form hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is hereditable autosomatically dominantly in any of 10 genes that regulate contractile, structural and regulative function with predomination of mutation in gene for heavy chaire of myocardiac beta myosin localized at 14 chromosome (more than 200 mutation). Sporadic forms appears autosomatically recessively as the result of new mutation or as non-genetic form. Familiar dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with mutation more than 10 genes with frequent mutation of genes (beta myosin of heavy chain, cardiac T throponin, phospholamban and cardiospecific free methavinculin genes) and with clinical features that are mainly uknown (associated with peripheral myopathies). Restrictive cardiomyopathy is considered that the idiopathic restrictice cardiomyopathies has, also, hereditable atiology. A lot of the ries explain genes of this cardiomyopathy with predomination of heredithy with autosomatically dominant type (desmoplacin mutation) with variable expression of genes at 14, 1, 2, 3, 17 and 18 chromosome with programmed myocit death-apoptosis.

[The examination space of time from the beginning symptoms of the acute coronary syndrome to the time of the urgent treatment]. / Utvrdivanje vremenskog perioda od pojave simptoma akutnog koronarnog sindroma do urgentnog medicinskog zbrinjavanja.

UNLABELLED: Aim of this study is to examinate time period from the beginning of symptoms in acute coronary syndrome to the arrival time in Department of emergency medical service Zivinice where electrocardiogram is only one exact method for diagnosis of the myocardial ischemia. In retrospectively-prospectively study during one year, every patient with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome were taken beside and performed physical survay. We recorded ECG, performed ECG monitoring and/or serial ECG records. We investigated reasons for the lete arrival, sex and age and risk factors. In 167 patients with diagnostic acute coronary syndromes, average time period from beginning symptoms to the arrival time was 8.12 (+/-5,87) hours, significant longer from optimal 2 hours (p=0,001). Average age of these patients was 60,4 years. Male subjects were ill for about 9,2 years earlier than women and 1,6 times higher incidence than female subjects in all age groups. Most important risk and precipitating factors were hypertension, smoking, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity. Leading factors for late arrival was unadequate attributing for importance of the acute chest pain and nonexistance of emergency medical service "on call". CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to informe citizens about risiko factors of acute coronary syndrome development, its symptoms, characteristic and consequences . Necessity is to organize emergency medical service "on call" and establish modern emergency centers. It is necessery to adequately equip stationary emergency medical services and train doctors and other medical staff to point out and adopt the usage of algoritms and protocols for acute coronary syndromes management. To educate members of public services about basic principles of cardiopulmonary reanimation.

Effects of nebivolol on artery hypertension--multicentre study Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases; drugs that reduce blood pressure and simultaneously improve or reverse endothelian dysfunction, as nebivolol, may be advantageous in terms of cardiovascular protection. The objective of this study is to show the anti-hypertensive efficacy and safety of nebivolol (5 mg once a day) given to patients with arterial hypertension for 3 months. It should also provide information about drug's influence on laboratory tests--fasting blood glucose and serum cholesterol, triglyceride and creatinine concentrations. Six centers--Tuzla, Sarajevo, Mostar, Bihac, Zenica and Banja Luka participated in this prospective study with follow-up period of 3 months that included 3 visits. The study group consisted of 328 hypertensic patients. Results showed a significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate at the end of the study. Fasting blood glucose level and serum cholesterol, triglyceride and creatinine changed significantly during the study, with lower levels of all the tests. Nebivolol seems to be free from some of the problems that generally accompany not only the classical beta- blockers but sometimes also newer classes of antihypertensive drugs. With its high anti-hypertensive efficiency and safety, and presence of statically significant difference in laboratory tests and beneficial effects, absence of adverse interaction with glucose and lipid metabolism, patients treated with Nebivolol may show an optimal adherence to therapy.

[Dysfunction of the left chamber after myocardial infarct]. / Disfunkcija lijeve komore poslije infarkta miokarda.

Dysfunction of the left chamber of the heart happens when the function is not sufficient to supply all organs with needed quantity of blood, oxygen and nourishing materials. Consequence is an exhaustion of the heart compensatory and peripheral mechanisms. The research is based on the results of the analysis of residual changes that remained since acute myocardium infarct got over (scar, contracture changes, conductivity) and analysis of the remained functional part of the left chamber myocardium. Electrocardiogram, echocardiography and exercise test were used. 60 patients were examined. 6 varieties of chronic myocardium infarcts were found: anteroseptal, inferior, anterolateral and anterior-broaden, high-lateral and posterior localisation. Wagner's method QRS-scoring system and scores for wall motion by the American of ehocardiography were found the damage size of the myocardium mass. Correlative coefficient is full (r = 1.0). In chi2-test there is no significant difference (Wagner, echocardiography) in dimensions of old infarct (p < 0.05). Dyastolic dysfunction was set by echocardiographic method for 75%, systolic 41.11% examinees, remodelling in 80%, extended isovolumetric relaxation time and time of deceleration in 100% cases, speed ratio E-wave and A-wave below 1.0 in 82.66% cases. Exercise test was made for 85% examinees. Dysfunction was registered in 84.37%, diastolic in 80.39%, systolic in 43.17% cases. On the base of coronarographie results (23.33% examinees) the sensitivity was set for: exercise test in systolic dysfunction is 42.86%, in dyastolic is 71.43% and echocardiography in systolic disfunction is 57.14%, in dyastolic 100%. According to echocardiographic analysis of parameters the greatest influence has reduction of ejection fraction with 36.67% in systolic and extension of the period of deceleration with 38.79% in diastolic dysfunction. There is a good complement of the tested methods (p < 0.05). There is possibility, with these methods to appraise dysfunction of the left chamber in old myocardium infarct with conclusion that echocardiography is more sensitive since gives more data and direct visualization of changes.

[Pericarditis and exudative pleuritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus before and after therapy]. / Perikarditis i eksudativni pleuritis u bolesnika sa sistemskim eritemskim lupusom prije i poslije terapije.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To establish the presence of pericarditis and exudative pleuritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) prior to and after glicocorticoid and cytotoxic therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 43 patients, 39 women and 4 men, with SLE (disease was diagnosed according to revised American College of Rheumatology ACR criterias, 1997), aged between 20 and 61 and averaged disease duration of 5.54 +/- 5.74 years, heart/lung radiology and heart echosonography were performed in order to discover possible serositis (pericarditis and exudative pleuritis) prior to and after cytotoxic and glucocorticoid therapy. RESULTS: The presence of pericarditis and exudative pleuritis was established in 20 patients (47%) before the therapy. After the therapy pericarditis was present in 2 patients, average volume of 150 ml, and exudative pleuritis was also present in phrenicocostal sinus, but its volume was minimal. This table is showing the results of our study on patients with SLE and serositis. The results were compared with the results of European and Belgrade group in year 2000. [table: see text] CONCLUSION: Higher frequency of serositis (pericarditis and exudative pleuritis) in our study is probably a result of more active disease, and the effects of cytotoxic and glucocorticoid therapy were satisfing exept in two patients who were resistant on therapy. That is the reason why we had to consider plasmapheresis.

[The U-wave in ischemia and left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarct]. / U-val u ishemiji i disfukciji miokarda lijeve komore poslije infarkta miokarda.

INTRODUCTION: The occurrence of U-wave in electrocardiogram appears after T-wave. It is period of the greatest excitability of the myocardium in heart electrical activity usually of the some direction as its own T-wave. AIM OF THE WORK ANALYSE: U-wave with ischaemia and dysfunction of the myocardium in exercise test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prospective study has been done for 51 patients. Electrocardiogram, exercise test vas made for all patients and immediately after test, echocardiography with Doppler and colour-Doppler. In the analysis of dysfunction of the left chamber these important parameters were followed: METS; decrease of blood pressure, devaluation of ST-segment, U-wave, heart rate, dyspnea, sweating and paleness. RESULTS: Positive U-wave was noticed in 51%, negative in 24% examinees. Sensitivity of U-wave on the base of the breakdown of segmental vall motion in echocardiography (ischaemia) is 66.67% with false negative resists of 33.33%. Systolic dysfunction with influential parameters correlates in the best way with decrease of blood pressure and regressive coefficient is 66.93, but the weabest correlation is with U-wave (0.53). Correlative coefficient for U-wave in systolic function is 0.263. Regressive coefficient with influential parameters in diastolic dysfunction is 3.34, correlative coefficient is 0.108. CONCLUSIONS: U-wave in registered at rest after exercise test when heart rate is equal or below 95 in a minute. Registration of U-wave is an additional parameter in diagnostics of ischaemia and dysfunction of the myocardium of the left chamber (small influence).

[Statins in dyslipidemia associated with acute myocardial infarct]. / Statini kod dislipidemije u akutnom infarktu miokarda.

Long time ago lipids increased in blood have been known as risk factor for atherosclerosis that causes coronary heart disease among which myocardial infarction is the most complicated. Aim were to present the lipids status structure in patients with acute myocardial infarction and on the basis of that to suggest corresponding statin in treatment. Our research involved 202 patients with acute myocardial infarction, patients were both gender and from 37 to 89 year. Out of total number of patients, 100 of them were with anterior myocardial infarction (group I) and 102 with inferior myocardial infarction (group II). Whole cholesterol, low density lipoproteins, high density lipoproteins and triglycerides were followed. Hi square test and variance analysis were used to prove statistically significant difference. In the sample of group I increased LDL was found in 92 patients and increased TGL in 46 patients while decreased HDL was found in 61 patients. In the sample of group II increased LDL was found in 64 patients, increased TGL in 44 patients, while decreased HDL was found in 51 patients. We analysed the next combinations in both groups: LDL > with HDL <; LDL > with TGL >; HDL < with TGL >; LDL >, TGL > with HDL <. Combination decreased HDL with increased TGL was found in group I in 5 patients, and in group II in 12 patients. Other combinations in both groups were similarly values. On the basis of the obtained results we found statistically significant difference between the two groups of patients. Patients in group I have more frequently increased values of LDL in comparison to patients in group II (p < 0.00005). In patients in group II who had decreased HDL and increased TGL statistically significant difference was found in comparison to the patients in group I (p < 0.02). On the basis of the obtained results and up to now studies on statins effects we suggest Atorvastatin for treatment the patients with anterior myocardial infarction, increased LDL with normal values of HDL and Simvastatin for treatment the patients with inferior myocardial infarction, decreased HDL.