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M Aschermann

Publications and source records attributed to M Aschermann.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Long distance transport for primary angioplasty vs immediate thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction. Final results of the randomized national multicentre trial--PRAGUE-2.

BACKGROUND: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is shown to be the most effective reperfusion strategy in acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this multicentre national randomized mortality trial was to test whether the nationwide change in treatment guidelines (transportation of all patients to PCI centres) was warranted. METHODS: The PRAGUE-2 study randomized 850 patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction presenting within <12 h to the nearest community hospital without a catheter laboratory to either thrombolysis in this hospital (TL group, n=421) or immediate transport for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI group, n=429). The primary end-point was 30-day mortality. Secondary end-points were: death/reinfarction/stroke at 30 days (combined end-point) and 30-day mortality among patients treated within 0-3 h and 3-12 h after symptom onset. Maximum transport distance was 120 km. RESULTS: Five complications (1.2%) occurred during the transport. Randomization-balloon time in the PCI group was 97+/-27 min, and randomization-needle time in the TL group was 12+/-10 min. Mortality at 30 days was 10.0% in the TL group compared to 6.8% mortality in the PCI group (P=0.12, intention-to-treat analysis). Mortality of 380 patients who actually underwent PCI was 6.0% vs 10.4% mortality in 424 patients who finally received TL (P<0.05). Among 299 patients randomized >3 h after the onset of symptoms, the mortality of the TL group reached 15.3% compared to 6% in the PCI group (P<0.02). Patients randomized within <3 h of symptom onset (n=551) had no difference in mortality whether treated by TL (7.4%) or transferred to PCI (7.3%). A combined end-point occurred in 15.2% of the TL group vs 8.4% of the PCI group (P<0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Long distance transport from a community hospital to a tertiary PCI centre in the acute phase of AMI is safe. This strategy markedly decreases mortality in patients presenting >3 h after symptom onset. For patients presenting within <3 h of symptoms, TL results are similar results to long distance transport for PCI.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

[Effect of delaying reperfusion therapy with PTCA on long term prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarct].

BACKGROUND: The benefit of thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) strongly depends on the time from onset of symptoms to the initiation of treatment. For AMI patients treated with PTCA this time seems to be important only to a certain time level. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of time to treatment of AMI with coronary angioplasty on short term and long term prognosis. METHODS: We followed 339 consecutive AMI patients treated with coronary angioplasty from 1995 to 1999 in a cardiac care unit. Patients were divided to five groups according to time to treatment. RESULTS: Time to treatment < 90 min. was achieved in 35 (10.5%); 91-210 min. in 105 (31%); 211-330 min. in 72 (21%); 331-690 min. in 74; > 691 min. in 53 (15.5%) patients. Ischemic time (time from symptom onset to reperfusion) in the groups was < 2 h.; 2-4 h.; 4-6 h; 6-12 h; > 12 h. respectively. The ejection fraction of left ventricle 3-5 days after AMI was 50%, 51%, 45%, 40%, 46% and the 30 day mortality was 5.7%, 2.9%, 11.1%, 10.8%, 11.3% in the groups respectively, showing no significant differences between the groups. However the higher rate of TIMI 3 flow was achieved in patients with time to treatment shorter than 3.5 h. compared to patients treated later (93.6% vs. 83.9%, p = 0.007). The lower 30 day mortality (3.6% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.012), lower 3 year mortality (8.6% vs. 19.1%, p = 0.003), lover frequency of heart failure during hospitalisation (11.4% vs. 28.1%, p < 0.001) as well as lower maximal level of released kreatinkinase (32 +/- 29 vs. 44 +/- 39 mukat/l, p = 0.005) was observed in patients treated within 3.5 h. from symptoms onset compared to patients treated later. CONCLUSION: The success rate of primary PTCA to achieve normal flow in infarct related artery is high, but decreases when treatment is started later than 3.5 h. from AMI onset. The short term and long term mortality as well as incidence of heart failure during acute phase is lowest when the intervention was started within 3.5 h. from symptoms onset. Initiation of intervention after 3.5 h. resulted in significant mortality increase, but further delay of treatment had minimal impact on patients prognosis. Great effort needs to be paid to start the primary PTCA within 3.5 h. from AMI onset in as many patients as possible. From our data we can indirectly conclude: patients without a chance for reperfusion with thrombolytic therapy within 4 h. from symptoms onset should be considered candidates for PTCA regardless the time of transportation. In patients with chance to reperfuse infarct related artery within 4 h. from symptoms onset with thrombolytic treatment (thrombolysis needs to be started before 2.5-3rd h.) while having low probability to start PTCA within 3.5 h., the thrombolysis should be given first and PTCA performed later if needed.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

[Comparison of the cost effectiveness of treatment of acute myocardial infarct with primary angioplasty and thrombolysis ].

INTRODUCTION: Primary angioplasty (PTCA) or intravenous thrombolysis are the recommended treatment of acute myocardial infarction. According to results of clinical investigations however primary PTCA provides a more favourable short-term as well as long-term prognosis. As this method is much more expensive we were interested in its cost-effectiveness as compared with cheaper intravenous thrombolysis. METHODS: We constructed an decision analysis model (programme DATA 3.5, TreeAge Software) to compare the strategy of primary PTCA and intravenous thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction. Probabilities of clinical outcomes were obtained from a long-term randomized clinical trial (Zijlstra et al. NEJM, 1999). The relative risk of death in PTCA was 0.54, rehospitalization 0.52 and reinfarction 0.27. The costs of PTCA (100,000,- crowns), of streptokinase thrombolysis (4000,- crowns) and hospitalization (2820,- crowns) were estimated from costs of the catheterization laboratory and information obtained from health insurance companies. We assumed that the subsequent costs of treatment and quality of life after the first infarction were the same in both strategies. In patients with reinfarction we anticipated a reduced quality of life (coefficient of life quality 0.9). The average effect of treatment and costs of both strategies were evaluated in the course of five years. As an acceptable cost-effectiveness (ratio of difference in costs and effect) we considered costs up to 200,000,- crowns per one gained year of life. RESULTS: In the basic analysis we revealed that after 5 years the strategy of primary PTCA is more expensive (125,000,- crowns vs. 4500,- crowns) but has a greater effect, i.e. a longer life span (4.38 vs. 3.81) adjusted to quality of life). The cost-effectiveness (ratio of difference in costs and effect) expressing the costs of one gained year of life when using primary PTCA as compared with thrombolysis was despite the high cost of PTCA acceptable and amounted to 140,350,- crowns. Analysis of the sensitivity of the model confirmed the stability of favourable cost-effectiveness within a wide range of costs and therapeutic effect. CONCLUSION: Primary PTCA is in acute myocardial infarction a cost-effective strategy) providing effect for an acceptable cost) despite the markedly higher costs of the procedure.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

[Comparison of the occurrence of positive and negative vascular remodeling in patients with stable vs unstable angina pectoris].

BACKGROUND: The vascular remodelling refers to the increase or decrease in EEM (external elastica membrane) area that occurs during development of atherosclerosis. The positive remodeling, which was thought only as a compensatory factor during atheroma development, was also found as a one of the main features of unstable plaque. The intravascular ultrasound is very good tool to measure different type of arterial remodelling. These findings correlate with histologic post-mortem specimen with excellent results. AIM OF THE STUDY: To correlate the remodelling index from patients suffered from stable angina pectoris (SAP) and from patients suffered from unstable angina (UA). METHOD: We performed IVUS in 51 patients. In the group of patients with unstable angina were included patients with worsening angina symptoms in last six weeks or with angina in rest. We used IVUS--endosonics In-Vision with 30 MHz probe Awanar with mechanical pull-back. We studied the occurrence of positive remodelling, negative remodeling (an index that describes remodeling is expressed as: lesion EEM CSA/reference EEM CSA. If the lesion EEM area is greater than the reference EEM area, positive remodelling has occurred, and the index will be > 1.0. If the lesion EEM area is smaller than the reference EEM area, negative remodelling has occurred, and the index will be < 1.0). RESULTS: We performed the intravascular ultrasound in 51 patients, 22 patients (43.1%) with unstable angina (UA) and in 29 patients (56.9%) stable angina (SAP). The positive remodelling was found in 14 patients (63.6%) in UA group vs. 5 patients (17.2%) in group with SAP, p < 0.05. The negative remodelling was found in 6 patients (27.3%) in UA group vs. 23 patients (79.3%) in SAP group, p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: Positive remodelling is more often found in patients with UA vs. in patients with SAP. Positive arterial remodelling is therefore one of the features of unstable atherosclerotic plaque.

Angina Pectoris↗

[Contrast nephropathy and its prevention].

Contrast-induced nephropathy is one of the adverse events of diagnostic and therapeutic intravascular application of contrast agent. In general, the condition was defined as an increase in the serum creatinine concentration of more than 44 mmol/l or of more than 25% within 48 hours after the contrast agent administration. Other cause of creatinine increase should be excluded. Contrast-induced nephropathy has been reported to be the third leading cause of acute nephropathy in hospitalized patients, occurring at a rate of 1-6% in unselected population and of 30-50% in high-risk patients. One year mortality can be as high as 45% in high-risk patient population. The most important risk factors are chronic renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus and high volume of contrast agent. Clinical presentation is mostly asymptomatic, but in some patients acute renal failure with necessity of hemodialysis can occur. Prevention is underlying tool in reducing of contrast-induced nephropathy incidence. It is based on the identification of risk patients, stop of medication which can increase risk of contrast-induced nephropathy and proper hydratation of patients before, during and after the contrast agent administration. In high-risk patients, non-ionic and low-osmolarity contrast agent should be used. Several clinical studies testing different drugs to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy were performed, but no convincing result has been found. Promising substancies are N-acetylcysteine and fenoldopam.

Contrast Media↗

[Idiopathic aneurysm of the pulmonary artery].

Aneurysm of pulmonary artery (PAA) is relatively rare clinical finding and appears mostly in association with significant cardiovascular or pulmonary abnormalities and is frequently caused by pulmonary hypertension. Its diagnosis is not difficult. However, guidelines for the treatment were not yet established. Patients with PAA are at risk for sudden death by a rupture of aneurysm. Therefore, surgical correction (graft replacement) is the method of choice. Nevertheless, it seems that certain group of patients with asymptomatic idiopathic aneurysm of pulmonary artery without presence of any serious cardiovascular or pulmonary abnormality can profit from conservative approach. We refer a 62-years old man with idiopathic PAA, in whom we did not indicate surgical correction. However, the long-term follow-up is necessary.

Aneurysm↗

[Long-term treatment with statins in patients with ischemic heart disease after coronary angioplasty].

UNLABELLED: Long-term statin therapy is the corner-stone in management of patients with coronary artery disease. PURPOSE OF STUDY: The aim of our study was to analyze the state of the statin therapy at patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to determine predictors of long-term statin treatment. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in 520 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary angioplasty in 2nd Dept. of Internal Medicine, 1st School of Medicine, Charles University, Prague during the year 2000. Data were collected from hospital records and from a mailed questionnaire. RESULTS: The response rate was 61.9% and the average response time was 11.6 +/- 3.5 months after PCI. Long-term statin therapy was prescribed in 52.5%. In patients with hypercholesterolemia 67.1% were treated in comparison with 32.3% treated patients without this diagnosis (p < 0.0001). Patients aged 70 years and older were treated significantly less frequently then younger individuals (30.6% vs. 61.3%, p < 0.0001). Patients with a history of prior revascularization procedure were treated significantly more often then patients undergoing the first procedure (64.8% vs. 49.8%, p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to detect significant predictors of long-term statin therapy. Only hypercholesterolemia and statin prescription at discharge were identified as independent positive predictors, whereas age > or = 70 years and male gender had negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: By course of evidence-based medicine, patients who underwent PCI in our study are undertreated by statins. Statin treatment should be initiated in all patients treated by PCI with increased cardiovascular risk. Patients at defined risk for undertreatment are mainly older patients and men. The prescription of statin therapy at the time of hospital discharge appears to be a very effective tool to improve long-term statin therapy.

Aged↗

Interventional treatment of multiple vascular involvement in young male with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

We report a case of 31 year old man with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and excessive tobacco use leading to acute myocardial infarction as the first manifestation of premature atherosclerosis. The patvent was treated by primary PTCA of occluded first marginal artery and at this time an attempt of recanalisation of occluded LAD was unsuccessful. The patient was referred for mini coronary bypass graft of the LIMA to LAD. During evaluation of carotid arteries we found a significant stenosis of the left internal carotid artery and occlusion of the left subclavian artery which made the use of LIMA unsuitable. Therefore, another attempt of PTCA of the occluded LAD was performed, this time with success. Hence PTA of the occluded subclavian artery was performed with good result. The patient was treated with the standard therapy of CAD and combined lipid lowering agents with significant reduction of plasma cholesterol. However, 2 years after the first MI, he suddenly died after swimming at the age of 31. In this patient the risk of premature CAD was increased by the presence of another powerful risk factor--the excessive tobacco use. Acute physical exercise probably acted as a trigger of acute coronary events at the time of both MI. Interventional methods were very effective in the treatment of multiple atherosclerotic lesions in this patient and provided significant relief of symptoms. Treatment of heterozygous FH is briefly discussed in this article.

Adult↗

[Pharmacologic therapy of acute coronary syndromes].

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are caused by neoinclusive thrombosis of the coronary artery. Arterial atherothrombosis usually results from a cracked atheroma plate and includes platelet and plasmatic component of coagulation. The aim of pharmacological treatment is to influence activated platelets and plasma procoagulant activity. Several clinical studies have demonstrated the benefits of antithrombotic treatment by acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel and by blockers of platelet receptors IIb/IIIa. In ACS anticoagulant therapy the non-fractionated heparin are replace ed by low-molecular heparins. The new standard in ACS therapy should become a combination of the acetylsalicylic acid, enoxaparine and clopidogrel. Blockers of platelet receptors IIb/IIIa should be given namely to patients indicated for the early invasive treatment.

Acute Disease↗

[Comparison of the morphology of atherosclerotic plaques in patients with stable angina pectoris and acute coronary syndrome using intravascular ultrasonography].

The article summarises present knowledge on the differences in the structure of atherosclerotic plaques in patients with stable angina pectoris and in those with acute coronary syndrome during intravascular ultrasound examination. Authors describe differences in the pathologic anatomy and also in the clinics. The review includes pictures of the typical structural features and references of papers with similar topics.

Acute Disease↗

[Long-term prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarct and treatment with direct coronary angioplasty].

BACKGROUND: Primary coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has a beneficial effect on the immediate prognosis for patients with acute myocardial infarction. Number of information about effects of direct PTCA on the long-term prognosis are less numerous. The aim of the work was to establish the long-term prognosis for not-selected patients treated by direct PTCA. METHODS AND RESULTS: The studied group consisted of 279 patients with acute myocardial infarction treated by direct PTCA in years 1995 to 1999 for the period of 38 +/- 12 months. Part of them were out-door patients of our clinic. The necessary data of the other patients were obtained by a questionnaire and by a telephone contact. 45 (16%) patients were lost from the follow up. The mortality rate of the study group was compared with data in the central register of Czech Republic. Positive angiographic effect of the direct PTCA (residual stenosis < 50% + flow TIMI 3) was achieved in 90% of patients. 30-day mortality was 6.8%, after excluding patients with cardiogenic shock it decreased to 3.2%. 6 patients (2.2%) had non-fatal infarction within 30 days after the first attack. From 259 patients who survived the acute infarction phase 24 died during the next period of follow up, 18 (7%) patients had a relapse of non-fatal infarction. PTCA of the infarcted artery was done in 15% of patients, PTCA of another artery in 9% of patients. The aorthocoronary bypass was indicated in 6% of patients. Almost half of relapses occurred during the first year after the hospitalisation. The risk factors of the death during the follow up were the age > 70 years, ejection fraction < 35%, impairment of 3 or more coronary artery branches, i.m. in the history, duration of ischemia > 4 hours, and diabetes mellitus. The total mortality was 11.4% in the first year, 1.4% in the second and 3.3% in the third year of the follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial prognostic effect of the direct PTCA on patients with acute infarction carries through the whole period of follow up. Prognosis of the risk patients remains critical. Next revascularization of the infarcted artery was in our cohort of patients necessary in 21% of patients.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

[Fibrinolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarct].

Direct PTCA is a treatment of choice in patients with acute myocardial infarction with ST segment elevations (STEMI). Fibrinolysis remains important modality of treatment in these patients. Currently, there are more then 100 tissue plasminogen activator mutants available with different fibrin specificity. In a clinical practice, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA), tenecteplase (TNK-tPA) and lanoteplase (n-PA) are most important examples. Fibrinolytic treatment in STEMI patients should be used in patients presenting in first 4 hours after beginning of chest pain, when it is sure, that direct PTCA cannot be started within next 90 minutes. Concomittant therapy of acute STEMI patients consists of anticoagulans, antiplatelet and antiagregatory treatment.

Contraindications↗

[Cardiogenic shock--a complex therapeutic approach].

Cardiogenic shock belongs to the most severe and immediately life-threatening complications of the acute myocardial infarction. Despite development of modern diagnostic and therapeutic methods the incidence and mortality of cardiogenic shock has not significantly declined in the past decades. Early reperfusion strategy with percutaneous revascularization has become a cornerstone of therapy. The complex approach to cardiogenic shock comprises pharmacological and mechanical hemodynamic support, ventilatory support utilizing new ventilator regimens, metabolic and renal support/replacement with continuous renal replacement therapies and psychological, eventually psychopharmacological support. All these measures enable prevention of the multiple organ failure syndrome development and positively influence high mortality of patients suffering from cardiogenic shock.

Humans↗

[Subclinical hypothyroidism with emphasis on the cardiovascular system].

Subclinical hypothyroidism is comparatively frequent disorder with incidence between 3 to 7% in the general population; in females over 60 it can exceed 10%. There is no unequivocal view on the clinical significance of the syndrome; however, it may correspond with increased risk of atherosclerosis and its complications. Especially in elderly women, screening for subclinical hypothyroidism is recommended with possible hormone replacement according to given criteria. Decision about the therapy of subclinical hypothyroidism should be done together with cardiologist, psychiatrist or neurologist in order to correct possible clinical impacts and prevent further manifestations.

Arteriosclerosis↗

[Basic epidemiologic indicators of venous diseases].

Venous diseases are among the major causes of morbidity and mortality in The Czech Republic. The incidence of venous diseases increases rapidly with age, especially in those older than 65 years. Among discussed entities is the most important deep venous thrombosis and its complications--pulmonary embolism and postthrombotic syndrome. We discuss epidemiology of acute and chronic venous diseases in context of risk factors and offer a short outline of currently applied therapy. Then we focus on the new perspective possibilities of treatment of venous diseases especially in acute states (including local thrombolysis), on its influence of quality of life, on the progression of diseases into chronic states and on its socioeconomic consequences.

Aged↗

[Interventional therapy of the inferior vena cava syndrome].

Interventional procedures are becoming increasingly popular in the treatment of impaired patency of deep venous system caused most often by extensive phlebothrombosis. Restoration of patency to affected venous segments while preserving the valvular function with a high degree of success in a relatively short period of time can be achieved by combination of endovascular methods such as catheter guided thrombolysis followed by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting. This approach enables not only the resolution of acute vascular complications but also the prevention of postthrombotic syndrome. This case report of a 52-year-old man with retroperitoneal fibrosis causing chronic compression of vena cava inferior further complicated by travelling associated bilateral ileofemoral thrombosis clearly demonstrates the wide ranging applications of the endovascular techniques.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Cardiac involvement in Wilson disease.

BACKGROUND: Wilson disease is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism resulting in pathological accumulation of copper in the liver, brain and other tissues. One of the reported manifestations is cardiac involvement. METHODS: We studied 42 patients with Wilson disease (19 men and 23 women, mean age 34 +/- 10 y) and 42 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. All subjects underwent complete echocardiographic examination; 24 h ECG Holter monitoring was performed in 23 Wilson disease patients. RESULTS: In comparison to healthy subjects, patients with Wilson disease had increased thickness of the interventricular septum (9.5 +/- 1.4 vs 8.6+/-1.1 mm, p < 0.01) and left ventriclular (LV) posterior wall (9.1 +/- 1.3 vs 8.2 +/- 1.0 mm, p < 0.01). While the two groups did not differ in LV mass index, relative LV wall thickness was significantly increased in Wilson disease patients compared to control subjects (0.39 +/- 0.06 vs 0.34 +/- 0.04 p < 0.001). Concentric LV remodelling was present in 9 patients (21%) and LV hypertrophy in one patient. Systolic LV function showed a nonsignificant trend towards lower values in Wilson disease patients (EF 62 +/- 5% vs 64 +/- 50%, p = 0.06). Diastolic filling and the frequency of valvular abnormalities were comparable in both groups. The established echocardiographic abnormalities did not correlate with the type of Wilson disease manifestation, the presence of the His1069Gln mutation, laboratory parameters or the duration and type of therapy. Twenty-four-hour ECG Holter monitoring detected ECG abnormalities in 10 patients (42%), the most frequent findings being runs of supraventricular tachycardias and frequent supraventricular ectopic beats. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac involvement in Wilson disease patients was mild, characterized by LV parietal thickening with an increased prevalence of concentric LV remodelling and a relatively high frequency of benign supraventricular tachycardias and extrasystolic beats.

Adult↗

Circulating intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, endothelin-1 and von Willebrand factor-markers of endothelial dysfunction in uncomplicated essential hypertension: the effect of treatment with ACE inhibitors.

The aim of the study was to examine whether the circulating cell adhesion molecules, von Willebrand factor (vWf) and endothelin-1, are elevated in patients with essential hypertension with no other risk factors for atherosclerosis and thus may serve as a markers of endothelial dysfunction in uncomplicated hypertension. Furthermore, the effect of treatment with the ACE inhibitor, quinapril, on levels of endothelial dysfunction markers were studied. The levels of adhesion molecules (intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1], E-selectin, P-selectin), von Willebrand factor (vWf) and endothelin-1 were measured in patients with hypertension without any other risk factors of atherosclerosis before and after treatment with quinapril (n = 22) and in normotensive controls (n = 22). Compared with normotensive subjects, the hypertensive patients had significantly higher levels of ICAM-1 (238 vs 208 ng/ml, P = 0.02), vWf (119 vs 105 IU/dl, P < 0.05) and endothelin-1 (5.76 vs 5.14 fmol/ml, P < 0.05). Three-month treatment of hypertensive patients with quinapril led to a significant decrease in the levels of endothelin-1 (5.76 vs 5.28 fmol/ml, P < 0.01). We did not observe significant changes in the levels of adhesion molecules and vWf after ACE inhibitor treatment, although a trend toward a decrease was apparent with all these parameters. Patients with uncomplicated hypertension with no other risk factors of atherosclerosis had significantly elevated levels of ICAM-1, vWf, and endothelin-1. Our data suggest that these factors may serve as markers of endothelial damage even in uncomplicated hypertension. In hypertensive patients, treatment with the ACE inhibitor quinapril resulted in a significant decrease in endothelin-1 levels. These findings indicate a beneficial effect of ACE inhibitors on endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive patients.

Adult↗