[Age-related peculiarities and determinating factors of atrial fibrillation].

The principal aim of the study was to investigate the causes and clinical features of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients of two age groups--(1) 40-59 years and (2) 60 and elder. 454 male and female patients of the cardiology department were studied. This article discusses recent concepts of the mutual influence of AF and associated clinical cardiovascular conditions and their complications. The duration and degree of correction of cardiovascular pathology and its correlation with the incidence of AF are evaluated.

[Endobronchial laser therapy in complex preoperative preparation of patients with lung diseases]. / Endobronkhial'naia lazernaia terapiia v predoperatsionnoi podgotovke bol'nykh s zabolevaniiami legkikh.

The method of endobronchial laser therapy with the use of photosensitiser-photosense (phthalocyanine aluminum)--was used since 1998 for the first time in faculty surgical clinic, as preoperative preparation in 36 patients with surgical diseases of the lungs (malignant and benign tumors and chronic inflammatory diseases). The method aimed at elimination of postoperative pyogenous complications and improvement of the respiratory system functional. The method consists in introduction into the organism by various ways the photosensitizing preparation photosence, followed by irradiation of the right and left parts of bronchial tree by low intensity laser light, (wave length 675 mm) through dispersing light guide, introduced through the flexible bronchoscope to the areas of the ostia of the lobar bronchi. 3 ways of introduction of the photosensitizer were used: endobronchial (9 patients); aerosol (22 patients); combination of the endobronchial lavage and intravenous injection (5 patients). The duration of the procedure of irradiation made up 5 min. at each side of the bronchial tree, the power density being 85 mV/cm2. The procedure was repeated twice for 2 days. The following results were obtained: antibacterial effect; reduction of endoscopic and morphological features of inflammation of the bronchial mucosa; stimulation of local immunity; decrease of the tumor aggression (according to histological examination); the appearance of the tumor destruction areas; lavering of Ki-67 and bcl-2, increase of c-bax; the improvement of the respiratory system functional; positive dynamics of clinical status (a decrease of cough, dispnea, quantity of mucus discharge and haemoptysis). The perspectiveness of the method is stressed as a preoperative preparation in patients with surgical diseases of the lungs.