Natriuretic peptides in septic patients.

The natriuretic peptide family is comprised of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), dendroaspis natriuretic peptide - DNP and urodilatin. They play a role in the diagnosis of several diseases, especially those involving the cardiovascular system. Sepsis is a complex condition that can lead to multiorgan failure, shock and death. The number of people developing sepsis is still increasing (approximately 750,000 cases of sepsis occur annually in the USA). Both ANP and pro-ANP have attracted interest as new markers for sepsis. Reports indicate that ANP or BNP levels are elevated in septic patients. However, many mechanisms are still unexplained. This situation is complicated by the fact that contradictory results have been published. There are several reasons for this controversy including differences in the techniques used to assay natriuretic peptides. Nevertheless, natriuretic peptides might eventually prove useful for the diagnosis and/or the treatment of septic patients.

Effect of calcium lactate supplementation on cholesterol concentration in patients with hyperlipidaemia and previous viral hepatitis: a preliminary report.

The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of calcium supplementation on cholesterol concentrations in patients with hyperlipidaemia and previous viral hepatitis. The study comprised 43 patients, aged 28 to 82 years (21 with type 2 hyperlipidaemia). The control group included 22 healthy subjects. After four weeks of a hypolipaemic diet (wash-out period), the patients with type 2 hyperlipidaemia were recruited to a group administered a complex preparation containing 170 mg of calcium lactate and 60 mg of vitamin C (Calcium C, Polfa-Lodz SA, Poland) at a dose of one tablet three times a day. After four weeks of active therapy, the concentration of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) decreased by 4, 6 and 8%, respectively. Statistical significance was obtained for only TC (p = 0.03) when comparing the group of patients with hypercholesterolaemia before and after the therapy with the calcium preparation. A statistically insignificant increase of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) of 1% was observed. Within the four-week period of calcium supplementation at a dose of 510 mg/24 h, the total concentration of calcium decreased by 3%, whereas the concentration of ionised calcium increased by 7%. None of the obtained values was of statistical significance. In patients with type 2 hyperlipidaemia and previous viral hepatitis, a four-week supplementation of calcium in a calcium lactate preparation beneficially modified the lipid profile. I t statistically significantly decreased the total cholesterol concentration by 4% (p = 0.03), did not cause any significant changes in serum calcium concentration, was well tolerated and did not induce any side effects.

Effect of calcium lactate supplementation on cholesterol concentration in patients with hyperlipidaemia and previous viral hepatitis: a preliminary report

The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of calcium supplementation on cholesterol concentrations in patients with hyperlipidaemia and previous viral hepatitis. The study comprised 43 patients; aged 28 to 82 years (21 with type 2 hyperlipidaemia). The control group included 22 healthy subjects. After four weeks of a hypolipaemic diet (wash-out period); the patients with type 2 hyperlipidaemia were recruited to a group administered a complex preparation containing 170 mg of calcium lactate and 60 mg of vitamin C (Calcium C; Polfa-Lodz SA; Poland) at a dose of one tablet three times a day. After four weeks of active therapy; the concentration of total cholesterol (TC); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) decreased by 4; 6 and 8; respectively. Statistical significance was obtained for only TC (p = 0.03) when comparing the group of patients with hypercholesterolaemia before and after the therapy with the calcium preparation. A statistically insignificant increase of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) of 1was observed. Within the four-week period of calcium supplementation at a dose of 510 mg/24 h; the total concentration of calcium decreased by 3; whereas the concentration of ionised calcium increased by 7. None of the obtained values was of statistical significance. In patients with type 2 hyperlipidaemia and previous viral hepatitis; a four-week supplementation of calcium in a calcium lactate preparation beneficially modified the lipid profile. it statistically significantly decreased the total cholesterol concentration by 4(p = 0.03); did not cause any significant changes in serum calcium concentration; was well tolerated and did not induce any side effects

Risk factors for atrial fibrillation in adult patients in long-term observation following surgical closure of atrial septal defect type II.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to find the factors predictive for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) following surgical correction of atrial septal defect type II (ASD t.II). METHODS: 93 patients, who underwent isolated surgical closure of ASD t.II between 1990 and 2001 were included. Follow-up studies were performed 2 - 11 years after surgery. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of AF before and after surgery. Group AF (+) consisted of 29 and group AF (-) of 64 patients. All patients underwent echocardiography, electrocardiogram (ECG) at rest, and signal-averaged P-wave duration (PWD) in signal-averaged ECG. The following parameters were assessed in echocardiography: pulmonary artery systolic pressure, left and right atrial dimensions, right ventricular dimension, tricuspid and mitral regurgitation. RESULTS: Paroxysmal AF was observed in 27 patients before surgery and in 29 after surgery. Analyzing all potential risk factors we proved that PWD may independently predict occurrence of postoperative AF. CONCLUSION: PWD may independently predict postoperative AF in long-term follow-up after surgical correction of ASD t.II.