Thrombomodulin and von Willebrand factor in smokers and during smoking.

Circulating thrombomodulin (TM) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were determined in smokers before and after smoking of two filter cigarettes and in control subjects. The basal levels of TM and vWF were significantly increased in smokers relative to controls (p < 0.001). However, levels of these two factors remained unchanged immediately after smoking of two filter cigarettes, while a statistically significant correlation was observed only between plasma TM and number of years of smoking (p < 0.05).

[Infectious endocarditis--new aspects of a well-known disease]. / Infekcná endokarditída--nové pohl'ady na známe ochorenie.

The authors discuss the incidence, etiology and pathogenesis of infectious endocarditis. They mention the incidence and therapeutic results in patients with infectious endocarditis hospitalized at the First Medical Clinic in Martin in 1988-1993. In the conclusion they present general principles of the treatment of infectious endocarditis.

[Large blood platelets--risk factors in myocardial infarction]. / Vel'ké dosticky--rizikový faktor infarktu myokardu.

Thrombocytes participate in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction. Larger platelets are more active than small ones. In patients after an acute coronary a larger number of platelets was found, a medium volume of puatelets and a similar thrombocytocrite as compared with the healthy population of comparable structure and age. The MPV in patients of advanced age is statistically significantly larger. There are no significant correlations between MPV and the risk factors investigated by the authors.

[Lyme disease in internal medicine]. / Lymeská choroba vo vnútornom lekárstve.

The authors present a review on the aetiology, clinical aspects, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. They describe three patients who were treated in their department for Lyme disease. Although this disease has been followed up in Bohemia and Slovakia only for nine years, it is probable that it is more frequent than diagnosed. Lyme disease is a disease which affects different organs. Therefore it is important that specialists in internal medicine should more frequently consider the possible presence of this disease when making differential diagnoses.

[Immunologic indicators in ascites]. / Imunologické ukazovatele v ascitoch.

The authors investigated specific and non-specific immunological parameters in malignant, cirrhotic, cardial and nephrogenic ascites. At the same time bacteriological and cytological examinations of ascites were made. In the submitted paper the authors compare, using statistical methods, immunological parameters of ascites in different patient groups and pay attention to their relationship with positive bacteriological and cytological findings in ascites. The authors recorded the largest number of positive bacteriological cultivation in cirrhotic and malignant ascites which correlates with lower values of some non-specific immunological parameters in ascites.

[Renin and aldosterone in the first 24 hours after acute myocardial infarct]. / Renin a aldosteron v prvých 24 hodinách cerstvého infarktu myokardu.

The authors investigated the levels of plasma renin activity and aldosterone in patients with a fresh myocardial infarction during the first 24 hours of hospitalization. The values of plasma renin activity and aldosterone were correlated with values of the control group. At the time of admission to the clinic both hormones were significantly elevated, as compared with the control group, in plasma renin activity p less than 0.001 and in aldosterone p less than 0.01. During the subsequent time intervals, i.e. after 3, 6 and 24 hours, the values of plasma renin activity did not change substantially, while the aldosterone values declined during the 6th and 24th hour (significance p less than 0.05). No significant relationship was found between plasma renin activity an aldosterone. With regard to persisting elevated values of plasma renin activity the authors discuss the possible use of blockers of the angiotensin converting enzyme in order to inhibit in the initial stage of a new infarction the formation of endogenous pressor substances.

[Validity of biochemical examinations in ascites in clinical practice]. / Validita biochemických vysetrení ascitu v klinickej praxi.

The authors examined, using biochemical, cultivation and cytological methods, ascites in 94 patients. They divided the patients into four groups: group 1 (36 patients)--malignant ascites, group 2 (35 patients)--cirrhotic ascites, group 3 (11 patients)--cardial ascites, group 4 (12 patients)--nephrogenic ascites. The authors tried to differentiate malignant ascites from non-malignant, based on biochemical parameters. As the composition of ascites is influenced by some factors (diuretics, dialysis) the authors recommend the use of biochemical analyses of ascites in clinical practice.

[The effect of quinidine on digoxin plasma levels after discontinuation of digoxin therapy]. / Vplyv chinidínu na plazmaticku hladinu digoxínu po vynechaní digoxínovej liecby.

The authors submit a report on the effect of quinidine on plasma digoxin. The investigation was made in 20 patients wit supraventricular dysrhythmia. After initial digoxin treatment they proceeded with quinidine six hours after the last digoxin dose. Although they did not administer digoxin, the digoxin level increased during quinidine treatment in the course of 12 hours from 2.4 +/- 1.6 ng/ml to 3.8 +/- 12.4 ng/ml. The authors draw attention to the importance of following up digoxin levels in the mentioned drug combination which is supposed to prevent serious complication caused by possible digoxin intoxication.

Isradipine in monotherapy and in combination with bopindolol: results of a 3-month multicentre study in hypertensives.

The antihypertensive effect and safety of treatment of hypertension with isradipine, a Ca antagonist of dihydropyridine group in monotherapy and in combination with the betablocker bopindolol was assessed in a multicentre study joined by six Czechoslovak centres. When administered alone to 102 patients with essential hypertension stages I and II, isradipine was effective in 59%. Forty-one per cent of patients required combined therapy. The treatment led to a marked decrease in diastolic BP in smokers and non-smokers alike. A significant rise in ALP was observed during therapy in both therapeutic regimens. A significant decrease in cholesterolaemia was found in patients treated with the isradipine-bopindolol combination. No serious adverse effects were seen during three-month follow-up.