[Syncope as first and only sign of left atrial myxoma]. / Synkopa ako prvý a jediný príznak myxómu lavej predsiene.

Myxoma is the most frequent primary heart tumor. It is localised in the left atrium in majority of cases, but each of heart chambers may be affected. Left atrial myxoma becomes symptomatic in case it leads into mitral valve obstruction, systemic embolisation or it manifests with unspecific systemic symptoms. Echocardiography is a golden standard of myxoma diagnostics. We present a case of 61-years old woman patient in whom exercise induced syncope was the first and only sign of far gone left atrial myxoma with left ventricle inflow tract obstruction, leading to mitral pseudostenosis.

[Elevated levels of plasma von Willebrand factor: a new risk factor for atherosclerosis?]. / Zvýsená hladina von Willebrandovho faktora v plazme: nový rizikový faktor aterosklerózy?

The authors assessed the plasma level of von Willebrand's factor in a total of 104 patients aged 32-60 years. Of these 10 patients are free from confirmed ischaemic heart disease with no history of acute myocardial infarction and 94 patients after acute myocardial infarction. Samplings for von Willebrand's factor in patients after acute myocardial infarction were made at least two months after the infarction. The patients were subjected to: A) ergometric examination, b) to ergometric and coronarographic examination. The patients after acute myocardial infarction with minimal atherosclerotic changes or without atherosclerotic changes on the coronaries had a normal or slightly elevated plasma level of von Willebrand's factor. With the number of coronary arteries affected with atherosclerosis the plasma level of von Willebrand's factor increased. In patients after infarction with evidence of atherosclerotic changes on the coronary arteries without other risk factors the plasma level of von Willebrand's factor was also high. The results stimulate the hypothesis that high plasma levels of von Willebrand's factor could be a risk factor of atherosclerosis.

[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.

[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.