Electrocardiography changes in patients with acute myocardial infarction in late hospital phase

One of possibilities to estimate size of myocardial injury during the acute myocardial infarction are electrocardiographic changes, forming of QS formation (ECG signs of scares changes). This investigation which included three groups of patients receiving thrombolytic, nitrates or beta blockers in acute phase of myocardial infarction has aim to analyze 12-chanels electrocardiogram and to establish difference between this therapeutics groups in sum of QRS score, but also to indication frequency of periinfarction heart insufficiency in this therapeutics groups, comparing with observed ECG changes. Analysis shows significant differences between groups in value of QRS score, and also significant lower value of QRS score in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with thrombolytic therapy. This difference relative to other two groups shows lower level of myocardial injury during acute myocardial infarction in patients treating with thrombolytic therapy

Abnormally high values of cardiac troponin i in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and diastolic heart failure

This paper presents a 73-year old woman who was hospitalized in the Intensive care unit because of shortness of breath and atypical chest discomfort two hours ago. Blood pressure on admission was very high (240/130 mmHg), cardiac troponin I was above the reference value (2,1 ng/ml) and initial ECG recording was suggestibile for myocardial infarction without ST elevation. Echocardiographic evaluation and coronary arteriography that followed rule out acute coronary syndrome as a cause of increased cardiac troponin

Influence of different wild-garlic (Allium ursinum) extracts on the gastrointestinal system: spasmolytic, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties

ObjectivesAs there are no previous studies of the European wild-garlic (Allium ursinum) effects on the gastrointestinal system, despite its traditional applications in gastrointestinal disorders' treatment and regular use in the human diet, we have quantified and compared spasmolytic, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of its different leaf extracts. MethodsWild-garlic extracts were tested for spasmolytic activity on isolated rat ileum, antimicrobial activity on selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi by microdilution method and antioxidant capacity by DPPH radical-scavenging assay. Key findingsWild-garlic extracts were found to decrease ileal basal tone. As the relaxation of K+-induced contractions was similar to one caused by papaverin, the observed spasmolytic effect was most likely mediated through Ca2+-channel inhibition. Ethanolic extract (with the highest phenolic and high alk(en)yl cysteine sulphoxides' levels) produced the strongest spasmolytic activity. In case of acetylcholine-induced contractions, only hydromethanolic extract showed no statistical difference in comparison with positive control. All samples exhibited certain antioxidant potential and strong antimicrobial activity against tested enteropathogenic strains (Salmonella enteritidis was the most sensitive, followed by Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Enterococcus faecalis). ConclusionBesides other already established health-promoting effects, wild garlic could be useful in treatment of mild gastrointestinal disturbances

Predictors of improved quality of life six months after coronary artery bypass surgery

Predictors of improved quality of life after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) are still incompletely known. To determine the predictors of improving the quality of life six months after coronary artery bypass surgery. We studied 208 consecutive patients, who underwent elective CABG. The Nottingham Health Profile Questionnaire part 1 was used as the model for quality of life determination. Questionnaire contains 38 subjective statements divided into six sections: physical mobility, social isolation, emotional reaction, energy, pain and sleep. We distributed the questionnaire to all patients before CABG and six months after CABG. The mean age of patients was 58,8 ± 8,2 years, 82% were males. The comparison between mean preoperative and postoperative scores showed that improvement was found in 53.7% of patients, worsening in 12.5%, quality of life before and after the intervention was normal in 26.7%, and no changes in quality of life was at 7.08%. Independent predictors of patients improvement by CABG were as follows: absence of previous myocardial infarction in the physical mobility section (p=0.03; OR=0.59; CI 0.40-0.92), higher CCS angina class in the physical mobility (p=0.006; OR=2.34; CI 1.46-3.32), energy (p=0.02; OR=1.70; CI 1.29-2.64) and pain sections (p<0.001; OR=4,64; CI 2.27-7.31), mail gender in the pain section (p=0.03; OR=0.45; CI 0.26-0.62) and younger age in the pain section (p=0.01; OR=0.69; CI 0.41-0.85). The predictive factors for quality of life improvement six months after CABG are higher CCS angina class, absence of previous myocardial infarction, mail gender and younger age