The prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the aortic wall and in peripheral blood of patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting.

Some reports confirm a potential role of Chlamydia pneumoniae (ChP) in atherogenesis. In order to explore possible association between ChP and atherosclerosis, investigations were carried out in which the frequency of ChP in the arterial wall and peripheral blood was assessed in a group of patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD). Fifty-seven patients were enrolled in the study, 13 women and 44 men aged 61.8±6.5 (47-74), with previously diagnosed CAD, scheduled for planned coronary artery bypass grafting due to clinical indications. Vessel specimens retrieved from the ascending aorta (as a part of routine proximal venous graft development procedure) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from venous blood were evaluated for the presence of ChP DNA. Genomic DNA was extracted from PBMCs and vessel specimens. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to detect ChP DNA. A statistically more frequent occurrence of ChP was observed in aortic tissues compared to blood samples (70.2% vs 56.1%, respectively). Similarly, the number of ChP DNA genomic copies [n/1µg genomic DNA] was significantly higher in tissue specimens compared to blood samples (89±91 vs 41±77, respectively; p=0.0046). In patients without ChP in blood specimens, we observed significantly higher amounts of ChP in tissue specimens compared to patients with ChP in blood specimens (156±71 vs 107±88, respectively; p=0.0453). No correlation was found between the number of ChP DNA copies [n/1µg genomic DNA] in blood and in aortic specimens. The infection of ChP in the aortic wall was connected with hypercholesterolemia (p=0.029) and diabetes (p=0.03). We conclude that Chlamydia pneumoniae is a pathogen frequently occurring in the aortic wall of patients with CAD. The occurrence of ChP DNA in the aortic tissue is related to classic CAD risk factors such as diabetes and dyslipidemia.

[The effect of bronchofiberoscopy on selected markers of circulatory system function]. / Wplyw bronchofiberoskopii na wybrane wskazniki czynnosci ukladu krazenia.

Bronchofiberoscopy is one of the basic diagnostic tools in pulmonary care. It is therefore of interest to assess the effects of this procedure on circulatory system as well as the risk of possible cardiovascular complications. The study included 56 patients for whom bronchoscopy was a planned diagnostic procedure (9 patients had additionally BAL). Each patient's examination protocol included, among others, ECG by Holter method, the measurement of arterial pressure and 12-lead ECG performed before and after the examination. The patients were divided into two groups: those with ventricular arrhythmia diagnosed by ECG at rest and those without arrhythmia signs in ECG done prior to bronchofiberoscopy. The analysis of data revealed that bronchofiberoscopy was associated with considerable increase of arterial pressure in both groups of patients as well as with increased ventricular arrhythmia, particularly in patients with previous history of arrhythmia. Additional load upon the respiratory system exerted by BAL did not have a significant effect on the circulatory system.

[Viscosity of blood and plasma in patients with single- and multi-vascular coronary heart disease]. / Lepkosc krwi i osocza u chorych z jedno- i wielonaczyniowa choroba wiencowa.

The aim of this study was to establish a connection between rheological disturbances and extensiveness of atherosclerotic changes in coronary angiogram. Patients were classified into two groups: group I--with multivascular atherosclerotic lesions (45 subjects at age of 58 +/- 11 years), group II--with univascular atherosclerotic lesions (18 subjects at age of 55 +/- 9 years). Blood samples were drawn from the cubital vein prior to the angiogram. Blood viscosity measurements were performed using low-shear Contraves viscometer-100 at 0.116; 1.0; 4.59 s-1 shear rates and Brokfield Cone/Plate Viscometer at 150 s-1. The plasma viscosity was measured by means of Ubbelohde's capilary viscometer. Besides the viscometric examinations the total cholesterol. LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and fibrinogen as well as blood morphology and ESR were determined. All rheological measurements were carried out at the temperature of 37 degrees C immediately after blood drawing. The results of studies indicate that in patients with multivascular coronary disease whole blood viscosity at all examined shear rates was significantly greater then in univascular patients. It was found that the LDL-lipoproteins concentration was significantly elevated in the I group. Other examined parameters did not differ significantly. The examinations indicate that there exists the connection between hemorheological disturbances and the extensiveness of coronary heart disease.

[Results of promoting fibrinolytic therapy for myocardial infarction in the Katowice Province from 1996-1998]. / Wyniki akcji promujacej leczenie fibrynolityczne zawalu serca na terenie województwa katowickiego w latach 1996-1998.

The action promoting fibrinolytic treatment of myocardial infarction and questionnaire-based follow up of the results was carried out over a four million people area. 5262 questionnaires, in which physicians answered a number of questions, were received. The poll revealed that 79% of patients received fibrinolytic treatment. The authors estimate the overall percent of patients, treated in hospital wards, at about 27.7%. The mortality rate in the group of patients, who received streptokinase, was 8.61% and in the group of patients, who did not receive the treatment, was 16.28%. The signs of reperfusion were present in 60.38% of patients. The authors conclude that the increase in the number of patients administered fibrinolytic treatment should be aimed, and the results obtained in this group of patients come close to published data. Exercise tests are performed in too small number of myocardial infarction patients and only little proportion of them undergoes further coronary angiography.