[Cardiorenal syndrome by heart failure]. / Kardiorenální syndrom u srdecního selhání

Cardiorenal (CR) syndrome is defined for the purposes of the following text mainly as primary cardiac dysfunction with a consequent failure of renal haemodynamics. Heart failure leads to a decrease in cardiac output and to the activation of vasoconstrictors; this gradually precipitates a decrease in the level of renal perfusion, the vasoconstriction of renal vessels and a decrease in glomerular filtration with a gradual development of renal failure. The following paper analyses the pathophysiological mechanisms, the characteristics of the patients, the role of medication during CR syndrome, the relationship between proteinuria and anaemia during CR syndrome and the application of bio-markers and pulmonary hypertension in the prognosis of patients with CR syndrome.

[Renal denervation 2013]. / Renální denervace 2013.

Arterial hypertension is a worldwide serious clinical problem. It affects 30- 40% of the adult population. Resistant hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure that remains 140mmHg while in the doctors surgery and/ or as average systolic blood pressure during a 24- hour monitoring of an outpatient 130mmHg after a combination of three antihypertensive agents (including a diuretic) has been administered in the maximum tolerated dose amounts. Renal denervation is an invasive method of catheter radio frequency ablation of sympathetic nerves located in the walls of renal arteries. The results of the Symplicity HTN 1 and HTN 2 trials proved that renal denervation can safely decrease blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension. Further research is necessary in order to verify these data, to clarify the questions which remained unanswered and to evaluate future applications of renal denervation. Current experience and recommendations are included, as well as an overview of existing denervation devices and devices which are in development.

[Diuretics in monotherapy and in combination with other diuretics and nondiuretics in the treatment of hypertension]. / Diuretika v monoterapii a v kombinaci s diuretiky a nediuretiky v lécbe hypertenze.

Diuretics belong to the basic group of medicines for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. In the case of hypertension treatment, their main indication is higher age and isolated systolic hypertension. In the case of heart failure they are used for the treatment of swellings and shortness of breath. The most frequently prescribed group of diuretics is thiazides and similar products. In patients with renal insufficiency, loop diuretics are administered. In the case of hypertension, diuretics are mainly used in the combination treatment. The most frequently used diuretic in combination is again hydrochlorothiazide, which is combined with reninangiotensin system blockers. It is mainly the combination of an ACE inhibitor + indapamide that seems to be modern and promising, and it is, on the basis of large clinical trials, recommended also for diabetics (ADVANCE) or for secondary prevention following a cerebrovascular accident (PROGRESS) or for the elderly (HYVET). Also a combination of two diuretics is popular -  mainly hydrochlorothiazide + amiloride. A combination of a betablocker and diuretic is less suitable.

[A fixed dose combination of telmisartan, and a thiazide diuretic in the treatment of hypertension]. / Fixní kombinace telmisartanu a thiazidového diuretika v lécbe hypertenze.

The article gives an overview of the risk factors for hypertension and the appropriate indication for using a fixed combination of telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide. It cites large, multicentre clinical trials that demonstrate the efficacy and safety of telmisartan in patients with hypertension and also a metaanalysis of treatment with either telmisartan alone (TELMI) or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) which shows that it is a very well tolerated and safe treatment for patients across a wide age range.

[AII antagonists in the treatment of hypertension and prevention of CVA]. / All antagonisté v lécbe hypertenze a preventi CMP.

All antagonists (sartans) are considered to be a group of pharmaceuticals with comparable indications and comparable effects as ACE inhibitors, while almost lacking the side effect ofa dry cough. Large clinical trials showed that All antagonists had a comparable (statistically insignificantly smaller) effect on so called "hard targets", i.e. mortality and morbidity, in patients with ischemic heart diseases and/or heart failure. The study of their effect in the treatment of hypertension was first limited to diabetics and patients with microalbuminuria and showed that they had a significant renoprotective effect in said cases. Large clinical trials followed, focusing on hypertension in primary as well as secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Five large clinical trials focusing on All antagonists addressed cerebrovascular accidents and cognitive functions: LIFE, SCOPE, OSCAR, MOSES and POWER. The LIFE study (Losartan Intervention For Endpoint) confirmed that in 9,193 patients with proven left ventricular hypertrophy, losartan led to a lower incidence of cerebrovascular accidents or new development of diabetes mellitus than atenolol, which in turn led to statistically significant lower primary endpoint (fatality, myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident) (p = 0.021), while blood pressure dropped at the same rate. The SCOPE study (Study on COgnition and Prognosis in Elderly hypertensives) compared candesartan with another antihypertensive treatment in 4,937 hypertonic patients older than 70. The primary endpoint was a decrease in massive cardiovascular accidents (fatality, MI, CVA). The decrease rate reached 10.9%, which was not considered statistically significant (p = 0.19). However, statistically significant was the decrease in cerebrovascular accidents (p = 0.04). The MOSES study (Morbidity and mortality after stroke) compared eprosartan and nitrendipine in secondary prevention of cerebrovascular diseases in 1,405 patients. Blood pressure was reduced to a comparable extent without showing significant differences between the two groups. During the study period, a total of 461 primary accidents occurred: 206 in patients with eprosartan and 255 in patients with nitrendipine (p = 0.014). Cardiovascular accidents were: 77 with eprosartan and 101 with nitrendipine (p = 0.06); cerebrovascular accidents were: 102 with eprosartan and 134 with nitrendipine (p = 0.03). OSCAR study was an open study with the objective to assess the impact of eprosartan treatment on cognitive functions. Use of eprosartan was associated with a significant reduction in blood pressure from 161.9/93.1 mm Hg to 136.1/80.8 mm Hg after 6 months (p < 0.0001). The total average score of the MMSE test after the completion of the follow-up period was 27.9 - 2.9 compared to 27.1 + 3.4 at the beginning (p < 0.0001). The results of the OSCAR study support the statement that antihypertensive treatment based on drugs that target the reninangiotensin system is associated with the preservation of cognitive functions. The POWER study proved in a large unselected population the suitability and practical aspect ofa reduction in the total cardiovascular risk by means of systematic treatment of high blood pressure.

[AII antagonists (candesartan and irbesartan) in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases]. / AII antagonisté (candesartan a irbesartan) v lécbe kardiovaskulárních onemocnení

Treatment of hypertension with angiotensin II receptor antagonists (AIIA) was first limited to diabetics and patients with microalbuminuria. So far, results of several large clinical trials with AIIAs were published, confirming significant renoprotective effect of these agents compared to placebo (RENAAL and IRMA), amlodipin (MARVAL and IDNT) and a combination of ACEI and AIIA (CALM). In 2002, results of 2 large comparator studies in hypertension were published: LIFE - Losartan Intervention For Endpoints and SCOPE - the Study on COgnition and Prognosis in Elderly hypertensives. In 2003, a series of the CHARM studies involving patients with heart failure were published and, from than, AIIA have been used as an alternative to ACEI or in a combination with ACEI. MOSES study - Morbidity and mortality after stroke, eprosartan compared with nitrendipine for secondary prevention - results were published in 2005 and ONTARGET study, focusing on secondary prevention of ischemic heart disease, was published in 2008. The CORD study - Comparison of recommended doses - and the ACTIVE I study (AF Clopidogrel Trial with Irbesartan for prevention of Vascular Events) were published in 2009. Candesartan was used in the CALM, SCOPE, RESOLVED and CHARM studies, irbesartan in the IRMA, IDNT and ACTIVE I.

[Fixed combinations in the treatment of hypertension]. / Fixní kombinace v lécbe hypertenze.

We present an overview of current opinions on combination therapy and the role of fixed combinations in the treatment of hypertension as per the ESH/ESC and CSH guidelines of 2007 and the revised European guidelines of 2009. A renin-angiotensin system blocker (ACE-I or sartan) combined with a calcium channel blocker is the most frequently recommended combination, followed by renin-angiotensin system blocker and a diuretic and a calcium channel blocker and a diuretic. A fixed combination of a calcium channel blocker and a beta-blocker has now been also recommended. Higher patient compliance and thus better control of hypertension is the main advantage of fixed combinations. We present an overview of fixed combinations registered in the Czech Republic until May 2012.

[Farmacotherapy of hypertension after heart transplantation]. / Farmakoterapie hypertenze po transplantaci srdce.

Heart transplantation is now used for the treatment of severe heart failure. In a long-term patient follow-up, hypertension has been identified as a complication. Incidence of hypertension in patients treated with cyclosporine and prednisone is between 70-90%. Besides the traditional mechanisms (renin-angiotensin system, fluid volume and peripheral resistance), aetiology of hypertension includes negative effect of cardiac denervation, cyclosporine immunosuppression, administration of corticosteroids and nephropathy. There is no night drop in the blood pressure and heart rate. Treatment aims to maintain cyclosporine level as low as possible and, if feasible, to discontinue steroids during the first year. Hypertension is usually treated with a combination therapy. Our own observations suggest that the majority of post-transplantation patients have a dual therapy. Calcium channel blockers should be the treatment of choice as they also have an effect on graft vasculopathy. Angiotenzin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), beta-blockers and diuretics are also recommended. Long-acting products should be preferred.

[Effects of selective heart rate reduction with ivabradine on left ventricular remodelling and health related quality of life: results from the SHIFT substudies]. / Snízení srdecní frekvence u srdecního selhání: zmeny funkce levé komory a kvalita zivota v podstudiích SHIFT.

The SHIFT study showed a positive effect of ivabradine in patients with chronic heart failure, sinus rhythm and heart rate at rest above 70 beats per minute. The aim of the first sub-study was to ascertain the effect of ivabradine on changes to the left ventricle function using echocardiography; ivabradine significantly increased ejection fraction of the left ventricle and reduced terminal left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes. The second sub-study explored changes to the quality of life in patients treated with ivabradine or placebo. This study also showed statistically significantly improved quality of life after treatment with ivabradine. Both sub-studies confirmed the positive effect of ivabradine on patients with optimal treatment of heart failure, including maximum tolerated dose of beta-blockers and sinus heart rate above 70/min.

[Pharmacotherapy of chronic heart failure after the first decade of 21st century]. / Farmakoterapie chronického srdecního selhání po prvních 10 letech 21. století.

We provide an overview of the main principles of pharmacological treatment of chronic heart failure. Chronic heart failure is considered to be an epidemic of the 21th century; in the Czech Republic, around 200,000 persons suffer from this condition. Over the last decade, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of heart failure has undergone significant progress and new knowledge arises every year. Generally accepted pharmacological treatment steps include administration of ACE inhibitors, All antagonists (ARB) or beta-blockers, discussions exists on an indication for digoxin, diuretics and lipid-lowering drugs as well as on the importance of ACE-I and ARB. The role of antiarrhythmics is unclear and 2009-2011 have brought about some completely new drug groups-If, channel blockers, factor Xa blockers, thrombin blockers and other agents.

[Pharmacotherapy following myocardial infarction]. / Farmakoterapie po srdecním infarktu.

Early reperfusion is the treatment of choice for acute coronary syndrome. In the Czech Republic, reperfusion therapy is well accessible thanks to the network of 22 catheterization centres. Every year, 28,000 patients are treated using this technique. Successful reperfusion should be followed by life style changes--smoking cessation, maintenance of appropriate body weight etc. These steps than has to be accompanied by effective pharmacotherapy to prevent remodelling of the left ventricle, re-stenosis of the coronary artery, re-thrombosis and arrhythmias. Four drug groups provide the desired effects--renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers, beta-blockers, antiplatelet agents and statins.

[Combined exercise training in men with metabolic syndrome after acute coronary event]. / Kombinovaný trénink u muzu s metabolickým syndromem po akutní koronární príhode.

INTRODUCTION: Favourable effect of exercise training on cardiovascular prognosis in patients with metabolic syndrome have been documented in lot of studies. Less information exist about results of cardiovascular rehabilitation in patients with different forms of coronary heart disease and associated diseases and abnormalities within metabolic syndrome. METHODS: The present article evaluates a benefit of combined, aerobic-resistance training in two groups of patients after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome: with [group MS(+), n = 42] and without [group MS(-), n = 53] metabolic syndrome. The changes in aerobic capacity (VO2 peak, VO2 peak . kg(-1)), physical performance (W peak, W peak . kg(-1)), blood pressure, BMI and waist circumference after 12 weeks of cardiovascular rehabilitation are evaluated. RESULTS: Significant improvement in aerobic capacity and physical performance were found out both in group MS(+) and MS(-) (p < 0.01, resp. p < 0.001). Decrease of systolic blood pressure was significant in MS(+), whereas in MS(-) together with decrease of diastolic BP in both groups were not significant. The increase in aerobic capacity and physical performance in patients of MS(+) is comparable with those in MS(-); the decrease in systolic BP was more intensive in MS(+) compared to MS(-). The changes in waist circumference and BMI were not significant in both groups. CONCLUSION: The results show, that in patients with high number of risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome was demonstrated at least comparable benefit from cardiovascular rehabilitation compared with those without metabolic syndrome.

[FARIM - FARmakoterapie po Infarktu Myokardu (Post-Myocardial Infarction Pharmacotherapy Study)]. / FARIM - FARmakoterapie po Infarktu Myokardu.

A total of 2,500 patients with an anamnesis of myocardial infarction at least 1 month prior to inclusion in the study who visited a general practitioner or an internal medicine or cardiology specialist were examined. Through an internet-based portal, physicians entered patient data, their complaints, treatment, blood pressure, heart rate and main biochemical parameters. There were more men (1 787 vs. 713) and patients under 70 years of age (1 491 vs. 1 009) in the cohort. Eighteen percent of patients had more than one MI. Mean age at the first infarction was 59.2 years in men and 64.9 in women (p < 0.001). NYHA breathlessness category higher than II was reported by 13.0% of patients only, 57.2% of patients reported they never had chest pain following an MI. Hypertension was the most frequent co-morbidity (84%). The mean blood pressure was 132/79 mmHg with no difference between men and women, the mean heart rate was 68/min, the mean cholesterol level was 4.55 mmol/l. 66% of patients had been prescribed all recommended pharmacotherapeutic groups according to guidelines (RAAS blockers, beta-blockers, statins, antiaggregation agents) and each group individually was used in > 90% of patients. There were no differences between men and women and older and younger patients. ACE inhibitors and statins were not always prescribed in recommended (high) doses. Ramipril and perindopril were the most frequently prescribed ACE inhibitors and atorvastatin the most frequently prescribed statin. There was a high level of compliance when it came to achieving the target blood pressure and heart rate values as well as to prescribing of the recommended drug groups. However, renin-angiotensin system-blocking agents and statins are not being prescribed in sufficiently high doses and this should be improved.

[Is there circadian variation of big endothelin and NT-proBNP in patients with severe congestive heart failure?]. / Existuje diurnální variabilita big endotelinu a NT-proBNP u nemorných s tezkým chronickým srdecním selháním?

INTRODUCTION: Circadian rhytmus have long been recognized to occur in many biologic phenomena, including secretion of hormones as well as autonomic nervous system. There is increasing evidence that circadian rhythms have been also found in cardiovascular events, for example, myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death as well as stroke have shown a circadian pattern of the distribution. The pathophysiology and the mechanism underlying these variations are the focus of much investigation, while i tis not full understood up to date. Heart rate, blood pressure, neurohumoral vasoactive factors, such as plasma norepinephrine levels and renin activity, and probably also contractility are increased in the morning hours. THE AIM OF OUR STUDY: To evaluate the circadian variability of plasma big endothelin and NT-proBNP level in patients with severe heart failure. PATIENTS: 13 patients with severe heart failure, stable for at least one month, male/female--8/5, NYHA III/IV--11/2, mean left ventricle ejection fraction 23 +/- 5%, mean cardiothoracic ratio 59 +/- 7%, all treated with RAAS blocade (11 x ACE-I, 2x ARB), all treated with diuretics, 12 patients treated with beta-blockers, 7 with digoxin. The cause of heart failure was ischemic heart disease (9) or dilated cardiomyopathy (4). METHODS: Blood samples for big endothelin and NT-proBNP were taken every two hours during a standartised daily regime. RESULTS: Mean plasma level of big endothelin (ranging from 1.25 to 1.71 pmol/l) had significant diurnal variability (upper limit of normal values 0.7 pmol/l). Mean plasma level of NT-proBNP (ranging from 782 to 934 pmol/l) had no diurnal variability (upper limit of normal values of 350 pmo/l). SUMMARY: Plasma level of NT-proBNP is stable during 24 hours and shows no circadian variability. Plasma big endothelin showed a morning peak after a systematic increase during bed rest. NT-proBNP could be evaluated any time during the day, big endothelin sample should be taken during standartised condition.

CORD: COmparison of Recommended Doses of ace inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers.

The CORD trials tested ramipril and losartan in patients with hypertension. CORD A randomised 4016 patients with blood pressure (BP) <160/100 mm Hg, who had been treated with an ACEI for >3 months. The patients discontinued ACEI and switched to losartan. After 1 month the BP decreased to 7.7/4.7 mm Hg (p<0.001) and after 1 year to 13.8/8.7 mm Hg (p<0.001). CORD B compared ramipril and losartan in 3813 patients with hypertension who were not being treated with an ACEI or ARB. The patients were randomised to ramipril (n=1926) or losartan (n=1887). After 1 year the BP decreased in the ramipril group to 21.8/13.7 mm Hg (p<0.001) and in the losartan group to 22.0/13.3 mm Hg (p<0.001). No significant differences were found between the groups. No differences were in serious adverse events. Dry cough was more frequently after ramipril (33 vs 4, p<0.001).

[Myocarditis]. / Myokarditidy.

Myocarditis is a disorder with a wide range of symptoms spanning from light breathlessness or chest pain, ceasing without specific treatment, through cardiogenic shock, requiring left ventricular assistance, to sudden death. Dilated cardiomyopathy with chronic cardiac failure might be the very consequence of the precedent myocarditis. Myocarditis is the most frequently caused by viral infections, less frequently by specific infections, toxic or hypersensitivity reactions to medicines, giant cell myocarditis or sarcoidosis. Prognosis and treatment differ according to the cause, clinical or haemodynamic signs inform decision-making on care provided by cardiology centres, including decisions on execution and interpretation of myocardial biopsy. The present overview aims to provide practical guidance on diagnosis and treatment of myocardial inflammation.

[Heart transplantation]. / Transplantace srdce.

The first heart transplantation (SHT) was performed by Professor Ch. Barnard in 1967 but it was not until 1980s that this method became an established approach to treatment of patients with end-stage heart failure. Considering the limited number of donor organs and the number of potential post-transplantation complications, the decision to perform heart transplantation at the right time in an indicated patient is difficult and complex. Subsequent pharmacological management with immunosuppressive agents and other medication becomes everyday life reality. Knowledge of drug interactions and collaboration with cardiologists are necessary in order to maintain long-term treatment success. Despite the current developments in surgical methods, examination methods and immunosuppressant therapy, a range of complications has to be dealt with. The future of care for patients with transplants will rely on the development of new immunosuppressive drugs with a minimum of adverse effects and discovery of a non-invasive technique for graft rejection diagnosis.

[Cholesterol levels according to age]. / Hladiny cholesterolu v závislosti na veku.

Cholesterol levels were measured at public places (mostly department stores) from 2005 to 2008. Sampling was conducted at random, from volunteers, without any prior dietary restrictions. In total, 14,539 persons were assessed. We did not find any significant differences between sexes in cholesterol levels (overall median was 5 mmol/l; 4.9 mmol/l in men and 5.1 mmol/l in women). Smaller proportion of women than men had cholesterol levels lower than 5.0 mmol/l (53.0% of men and 45.2% of women). Cholesterol levels raise with age in both sexes, stagnate at a certain point and subsequently decline; we identified a significant difference in this between men and women--the levels start to stagnate at the age of 50 in men and beyond the age of 65-70 years in women. The levels fall with increasing age in both sexes after the age 65 years. Cholesterol levels rise with age in both sexes before the age of 50 years; this trend is the same in both sexes (i.e. there is no significant difference between sexes, p = 0.687). Nevertheless, cholesterol levels are statistically significantly higher in women than in men in the over 55 years age group (the difference in the cholesterol level values median is up to 0.8-0.9 mmol/l). This difference is retained to advanced age of > 75 years.

[Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease]. / Metabolický syndrom a kardiovaskulární onemocnení.

We provide an overview of the current views on the association between metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance, frequently onsetting from obesity and associated hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, is the common denominator. We also highlight another risk factor - heart rate, closely related to the prognosis of healthy individuals, patients with hypertension and patients following myocardial infarction. Finally, we present the results of the CRUSADE study that has clearly described the association between obesity and age and the first manifestation of the ischemic heart disease.