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Biomedical subjects

Robert Irzmański

Publications and source records attributed to Robert Irzmański.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

N-terminal brain natriuretic propeptide levels correlate with procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels in septic patients.

The aim of this study was to find the relationship between N-terminal brain natriuretic propeptide (NT-proBNP), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma concentrations in septic patients. This was a prospective study, performed at Medical University Hospital No. 5 in łódź. Twenty patients with sepsis and severe sepsis were included in the study. N-terminal brain natriuretic propeptide, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein concentrations, and survival were evaluated. In the whole studied group (128 measurements), the mean NT-proBNP, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein concentrations were, respectively: 140.80+/-84.65 pg/ml, 22.32+/-97.41 ng/ml, 128.51+/-79.05 mg/l. The correlations for the NT-proBNP level and procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels were 0.3273 (p<0.001) and 0.4134 (p<0.001), respectively. NT-proBNP levels correlate with PCT and CRP levels in septic patients. In the survivor subgroup, the mean NT-proBNP plasma concentrations were significantly lower than in the non-survivor subgroup.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Neutrophil superoxide anion generation during atorvastatin and fluvastatin therapy used in coronary heart disease primary prevention.

Neutrophil superoxide anion generation was measured during atorvastatin and fluvastatin therapy in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. The patients were randomly allotted into three groups. The atorvastatin group comprised 17 patients who were administered the drug orally 10 mg a day at bed time. The fluvastatin group consisted of 18 patients on an oral dose of 40 mg once daily at bed time. The control group comprised 12 healthy subjects with no drug administration. Blood samples were collected from cubital vein before and after 6-week therapy with these drugs and once in the control group. Neutrophil superoxide anion generation in whole blood without and with opsonized zymosan (OZ) stimulation was determined using superoxide dismutase from bovine erythrocytes. In the atorvastatin group, statistically significant (P < 0.05) decrease in superoxide anion generation by nonstimulated and OZ-stimulated neutrophils was observed after 6 weeks of therapy. In fluvastatin group, no changes in neutrophil superoxide anion generation were observed after the 6-week treatment period. Our study has shown an additional nonlipid mechanism of atorvastatin used in CHD primary prevention.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Aortic valve replacement in patients with heart failure].

UNLABELLED: Severe aortic regurgitation and stenosis are urgent indication for aortic valve replacement in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, however the effect of cardiac surgery may differ in both groups. The aim of the study was to evaluate the early changes of haemodynamic parameters of heart: ejection fraction, endsystolic and enddiastolic left ventricle diameters, endsystolic and enddiastolic left ventricular wall thickness and left atrium diameter, depending on ejection fraction value (EF), in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement due to isolated aortic stenosis or regurgitation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 250 patients engaged to the study were subjected to the mechanical aortic valve replacement in Cardiac Surgery Department in Lodz. All patients were divided into two groups--patients operated due to aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis. Then each group, depending on EF volume before operation, was divided into two subgroups (A - EF between 35 and 50%; B - EF below 35%). RESULTS: Comparing the pre- and early postoperative period, ejection fraction rose markedly in both subgroups of patients with aortic stenosis and the highest increase was ascertained in subgroups A. Analyzing endsystolic and enddiastolic left ventricle diameters we observed the reduction of left ventricle diameters in all groups. Evaluating endsystolic left ventricular wall thickness we observed the increase of wall thickness in both subgroups B. Analogically enddiastolic left ventricular wall thickness increased in all analyzing groups, whereas in groups with lowest fraction the rise was essential. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve replacement both due to aortic stenosis and regurgitation is associated with improved haemodynamic status in early postoperative period.

Aortic Valve Stenosis↗
PubMed2006

L-arginine improves hemodynamic function and coronary flow in an experimental model of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia and reperfusion injury decrease the release of nitric oxide by vessels endothelial cells, which influences postischaemic coronary flow and return of left ventricle haemodynamic function. The study was conducted to answer the question how addition of L-arginine in cardioplegic and reperfusion fluids influences nitric oxide release, inducing the coronary flow and postischaemic haemodynamic heart function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was conducted on 56 rats, divided randomly into seven groups: control (C) and six experimental groups (E), where L-arginine was administrated in increasing doses of 0.3, 3.0 and 30.0 mM/L to cardioplegic (E1, E2 and E3 group) or reperfusion solution (E4, E5 and E6 group). To simulate a course of cardiac surgery the following stages of experiment were carried out: initial perfusion on the nonworking and working heart, cardioplegia, cold cardioplegic arrest and reperfusion of the non-working and working heart. RESULTS: Level of nitric oxide during cardioplegic perfusion decreased in all groups. During reperfusion on non-working and working heart model we noticed the significant increase of nitric oxide for all groups. Along with nitric oxide increase, coronary flow increases, whereas with the decrease of level of nitric oxide, the coronary flow also diminished. During cardioplegic perfusion coronary flow constantly decreased in all groups and during reperfusion we observed the new increase of coronary flow. In groups E1, E2 and E3 the increase of coronary flow was significant. CONCLUSIONS: Obtained data suggest that administration of L-arginine in the preischaemic and in the initial phase of reperfusion stimulates increase in nitric oxide release what is positively correlated with the increase of coronary flow.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

NT-proBNP levels correlate with organ failure in septic patients: a preliminary report.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between N-terminal brain natriuretic propeptide (NT-proBNP) plasma concentrations and the severity of organ dysfunction assessed by the Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score in septic patients MATERIAL/METHODS: NT-proBNP, SOFA score, and survival were evaluated in 20 consecutive septic patients. They were prospectively included in the study when the sepsis criteria according to the ACCP/SCCM definitions (modified by the Polish Working Group for Sepsis) were fulfilled. Blood serum NT-proBNP concentrations were determined in each patient at given time intervals and the severity of organ dysfunction was estimated according to the SOFA score. The first measurement was performed within 12 h after the patient's inclusion into the study, the second, third, and fourth at 12, 24, and 48 hours after the first, and then every 48 hours thereafter RESULTS: The mean NT-proBNP concentration and the mean SOFA score were 140.80+/-84.65 pg/ml and 6.31+/-3.75 points, respectively. The correlation coefficient between NT-proBNP level and SOFA score was R=0.5164 (p<0.05). The mortality in the studied group was 30%. CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP levels correlate with the severity of organ dysfunction as assessed by the SOFA score in septic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Neutrophils superoxide anion generation during carvedilol therapy in patients with stable angina.

Neutrophil superoxide anion (O(2)(*-)) generation was measured during carvedilol therapy in patients with stable angina. The carvedilol group comprised 27 patients (18 men and 9 women), aged 38-51 years (mean 47.6 years) with stable angina. Carvedilol was administered in increased every 4-week doses: 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/24 h, respectively. The control group included 12 healthy subjects, aged 39-49 years (mean 45.7 years) with no drug administered. Blood samples were collected from cubital vein before and 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the therapy and once in the control group. Neutrophil O(2)(*-) generation was determined in whole blood without and with opsonized zymosan (OZ) stimulation according to Bellavite et al. method using superoxide dismutase from bovine erythrocytes. O(2)(*-) generation by nonstimulated and OZ-stimulated neutrophils was significantly higher (p<0.05) in patients with stable angina than in the control group. In carvedilol group, statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in superoxide anion generation by nonstimulated and OZ-stimulated neutrophils was observed 8 and 12 weeks after the therapy and it did not differ from that in healthy subjects. Carvedilol has been shown to inhibit neutrophil O(2)(*-) generation in patients with stable angina.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Estimation of antioxidative effect of atorvastatin and fluvastatin used in primary prevention of coronary heart disease--effect on lipid peroxidation].

The study comprised 35 patients with mixed hyperlipidaemia and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors (overweight or obesity, low physical activity, family history). Seventeen patients were administered atorvastatin in a dose of 10 mg and 18 -fluvastatin in a dose of 40 mg once daily at bed time for 6 weeks. The control group consisted of 12 clinically healthy subjects with no CHD risk factors. Blood samples for testing were collected from cubital vein of patients after hypolipaemic diet prior to and 6 weeks after drugs application and once in control group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in erythrocytes and plasma were determined by the method of Placer et al. MDA concentrations in erythrocytes and plasma were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in patients than in healthy subjects. After 6-week atorvastatin therapy MDA concentrations in erythrocytes and plasma decreased to the values observed in healthy subjects. In fluvastatin group erythrocyte and plasma MDA concentrations were unchanged and still significantly higher in comparison to the healthy subjects. Atorvastatin, contrary to fluvastatin, decreases lipid peroxidation in CHD risk patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery].

Atrial fibrillation is the most common complications after cardiac surgery, occurring in 20-60% of patients depending on definition and diagnostic methods. Usually appears between 2 and 4 day after operation and often turns back during first 30 days in postoperative time. Treatment of this complication is often protracted, requiring increased monitoring and hospital resources, and extending hospital length of stay Clinical consequences can be significant and include hemodynamic instability and stroke. Recently we can see the increase of atrial fibrillation's frequency occurrence. It is related both with enlargement of patients qualified to cardiac operations and with more and more severe conditions of patients subjected to surgery. Despite of existence unique guidelines there are still many doubts, regarding to choice of antiarrhythmic agent, optimal time of therapy initiation or performing invasive treatment. Atrial fibrillation influences the worsening of patient's postoperative condition (e.g. significantly increasing postoperative mortality) and considerably increases the costs of hospitalization. Therefore competent prevention and suitable treatment of postoperative atrial fibrillation is one of the most important tasks for cardiac surgeons or clinicians who manage the patients after cardiosurgical operations.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗
PubMed2004

Plasma antioxidative activity during atorvastatin and fluvastatin therapy used in coronary heart disease primary prevention.

We estimated the effect of atorvastatin and fluvastatin on plasma antioxidative activity used in coronary heart disease (CHD) primary prevention. Anti-oxidative activity of blood plasma was determined by Bartosz et al. method [Curr. Top. Biophys. (1998)22:11-13], based on reduction of preformed cation radical of 2,2,azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) by blood plasma. The study comprised 35 patients with CHD risk who were randomly divided into two groups. The atorvastatin group comprised 17 patients who were administered the drug orally in a daily dose of 10 mg and the fluvastatin group consisted of 18 patients on an oral dose of 40 mg once daily. The control group comprised 12 healthy subjects with no drug administration. Blood samples were collected from cubital vein before and after 6-week therapy. Significantly (P < 0.05) increased--in comparison with the initial values--antioxidative activity of blood plasma was found in atorvastatin and fluvastatin groups after 6-week therapy. Moreover, the increase in antioxidative plasma activity in atorvastatin group was significantly higher in comparison with the fluvastatin group. The results of our study have demonstrated that atorvastatin and fluvastatin have an additional mechanism independent of the effect on cholesterol concentration. Thus, we presume that administration of these statins in CHD risk patients may have a beneficial effect.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Plasma antioxidative activity in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis].

Plasma antioxidative activity was determined by spectrophotometric method by estimation of plasma volume resulting in inhibition of free radical reaction rate by 50%. The study comprised 40 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (25 men, 15 women) aged 19-77 years (mean 48.5). Every patient had infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosed. After 1-month therapy with tuberculostatic drugs vitamins C and E were added in 15 patients in a daily dose of 1.0 g and 600 mg respectively. The control group consisted of 16 clinically healthy subjects (12 men, 4 women) aged 28-57 years (mean 42.5). Decrease in plasma antioxidative activity was found in patients as compared to the controls before as well as after therapy with tuberculostatic drugs. However, in patients with added vitamins (after 1-month tuberculostatic therapy) increase in plasma antioxidant activity was observed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Transthoracic fine-needle lung biopsy with linear transducer and bioptic channel monitored ultrasonographically].

From 1999 to 2002 81 transthoracic fine-needle lung biopsies (TFNB) were performed with use of linear transducer (3.5 MHz) and bioptic channel, monitored ultrasonographically. The procedure was applied in 70 patients with peripheral lesions on chest X-ray or CT, which needed histopathological examination. Our study showed that linear transducer with bioptic channel is useful in monitoring needle path and material aspiration during transthoracic fine-needle biopsy. Application of this equipment makes the procedure safe for patients and the percentage of observed complications is low. Specificity and sensitivity of the procedure is comparable to other imaging techniques.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

[LDL-receptors expression on peripheral blood monocytes in various clinical types of atherosclerosis, depending on LDL concentration in serum].

In our studies an attempt was undertaken to establish whether there is a relationship between total cholesterol and LDL fraction concentrations and LDL receptors expression on monocytes in various clinical types of atherosclerosis and in subjects without clinical manifestations of this disease before and after 40 years of age. The study included 77 subjects divided into 4 groups: I--after myocardial infarction, II--after cerebral ischaemic stroke, III--with obliterative atheromatosis of the lower limbs, and control group IV without clinical symptoms of atheromatosis: a) subjects below 40 years of age b) over 40 years of age. Receptor expression on monocytes was tested with LDL Receptor Test (Orpegen Pharma, Heidelberg, Germany) using flow fluorometry method (FAC Scan, Backton Dickinson, San Jose, USA). The value of LDL receptors expression was calculated based on the difference of mean fluorescence intensity of monocytes incubated in low-lipid (LPDS) and autologous sera. It has been demonstrated that particular types of atheromatosis vary in the value of total cholesterol and LDL fraction concentrations. The highest concentrations of these lipid fractions were observes in ischaemic heart disease and only in this group they correlated with the value of LDL receptors expression on monocytes. This observation suggests that various clinical types of atheromathosis may differ pathogenically and lesions in the vessels may be the consequence of cholesterol transport defect or of lipid molecule modification; they not necessarily depend on the value of absolute lipid concentration in blood.

Adult↗