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Julija Brazdzionyte

Publications and source records attributed to Julija Brazdzionyte.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

QT dispersion and heart rate variability in sudden death risk stratification in patients with ischemic heart disease.

The aim of the article is to review the literature data about the significance and problems of the QT dispersion and heart rate variability in sudden death risk stratification in patients with coronary heart disease. QT dispersion is defined as the difference between the longest and the shortest QT intervals as measured in the 12-lead electrocardiogram. A direct relationship between the prolongation of QT dispersion and myocardial ischemia has been reported by several authors. Our previous study showed that QT dispersion assessed immediately after bicycle exercise test was significantly higher in patients with coronary stenoses of > 50% as compared to the patients without coronary artery disease. Despite some controversial data, several studies showed that QT dispersion is a significant predictor of cardiovascular mortality. Heart rate variability representing a relationship between the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular mortality, including sudden cardiac death, is one of the most promising markers. The predictive value of heart rate variability is independent of other factors established for postinfarction risk stratification, such as depressed left ventricular ejection fraction, increased ventricular ectopic activity, and presence of late potentials. For prediction of all-cause mortality, the value of heart rate variability is similar to that of left ventricular ejection fraction, but heart rate variability is superior to left ventricular ejection fraction in predicting arrhythmic events (sudden cardiac death and ventricular tachycardia).

Cardiotonic Agents↗
PubMed2006

[Acute heart failure].

There are still many discussions among physicians how heart failure should be defined. Despite many suggested traditional classifications, majority of definitions circulating in clinical practice and their appropriate usage remain unclear. A new approach of acute heart failure classification suggested by European Society of Cardiology is presented in the article. Diagnostic strategy of acute heart failure as well as recommendations for prehospital and inpatient treatment of its forms (pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock) are presented in the article. Application of new medications, recently introduced to the clinical practice for treatment of acute heart failure, is discussed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

[Traditions of university studies at Kaunas University of Medicine].

The aim of this article is to highlight the dimensions of the traditions of the idea of the university that are relevant in our today's world--the autonomy of the university, education of a free and creative personality, and belonging to the unified space of studies--and to review the experience of Kaunas University of Medicine in the development of the traditions of university studies. The research object was university studies, and the methods applied in this research were analysis of literature and analysis of documents. The article consists of the introduction, two parts, and generalization. The first part discusses the autonomy of the university, the importance of liberal studies, and the influence of the European higher education and provides a generalized survey of the historical tradition of university studies in Lithuania. The second part of the article reviews the predominant factors that condition the development of university studies at Kaunas University of Medicine: organization of studies and implementation of liberal studies realized through general university education subjects into the modern content of university studies. The generalization of the results of the performed analysis allows for stating that the contents and the organization of curricula and the ongoing reforms at Kaunas University of Medicine expand the continuity of the traditions of the European university education, highlight the idea of the university, and realize university studies that reflect modern global tendencies.

History, 16th Century↗
PubMed2006

Impedance cardiography for aortic balloon counterpulsation impact assessment on patients hemodynamics during acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of hemodynamics in patients with acute myocardial infarction is crucial. Intra-aortic balloon pumping or counterpulsation in patients with cardiogenic shock is supposed to be monitored exceptionally by invasive methods for assessment of hemodynamics. However, noninvasive methods might have place in monitoring these patients. The objective of the study was to evaluate the possibility of applying noninvasive methods for evaluation of hemodynamics during acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock and managed by intra-aortic balloon pumping. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 16 patients were investigated according to the study protocol. Anterior acute myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 11 (68.75%) patients, inferior--in 4 (25%), circular--in 1 (6.25%). Primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was successfully performed in 7 (43.75%) patients, unsuccessfully--in 1 (6.25%) patient, who died within the first 18 hours. Half of patients (50%) underwent cardiac surgery within the first two weeks. Mortality rate was 68.75% (11 patients). A prospective controlled study was carried out to compare two different methods--intermittent thermodilution (ITD) and impedance cardiography (ICG)--for simultaneous cardiac output measurements in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock and managed by intraaortic balloon counterpulsation. Statistical analysis was performed with Bland-Altman and linear regression. RESULTS: Correlation coefficient was calculated comparing cardiac output values derived from ICG and ITD; it ranged from 0.24 to 0.98 in separate patients. It was observed a weak correlation of ICG and ITD measurements before initiation of intra-aortic balloon pumping--0.24-0.27 in separate cases. The correlation improved during intra-aortic balloon pumping--0.58-0.98 and at the termination of intra-aortic balloon pumping--0.67-0.97. The observed correlation was more pronounced in patients not receiving high doses of inotropes and ranged 0.58-0.98 while for patients receiving high doses of inotropes correlation was less pronounced 0.29-0.5. CONCLUSIONS: Significant correlation of cardiac output values was observed between the impedance cardiography and intermittent thermodilution techniques during intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. Noninvasive evaluation of hemodynamic indices by continuous monitoring of impedance cardiography during acute myocardial infarction, complicated by cardiogenic shock and managed by intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation is a reliable method for further application.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

Anterior-posterior versus anterior-lateral electrode position for biphasic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess if the anterior-posterior electrode position for the conversion of atrial fibrillation using biphasic waveform shocks is more effective and needs less energy compared with the anterior-lateral position. BACKGROUND: In several studies, anterior-posterior electrode position has been demonstrated to be superior to anterior-lateral position for the termination of atrial fibrillation using monophasic waveform shocks, but data regarding biphasic shocks are still emerging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our prospective, randomized study enrolled 103 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation who were referred for elective cardioversion. The electrode position was randomly selected to be anterior-lateral (n=55) and anterior-posterior (n=48). A step-up protocol of 100, 150, 200, and 300 J biphasic truncated exponential waveform shocks was used. RESULTS. Two groups with different paddle position were compared. There was no difference in age, gender, body mass index, ejection fraction, or left atrial size between the groups. Sinus rhythm restoration failed only in one patient in each group. Energy of 100 J was sufficiently effective in most patients in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The anterior-posterior electrode position during transthoracic cardioversion using biphasic waveform shocks has no advantages compared with more comfortable and common anterior-lateral position.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Effects of amlodipine and lacidipine on heart rate variability in hypertensive patients with stable angina pectoris and isolated left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the influence of therapy with amlodipine (A) or lacidipine (L) on heart rate variability (HRV) time and frequency domain parameters in hypertensive patients with stable angina pectoris and isolated left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. METHODS: After a 1-week washout period, the patients were randomized to receive amlodipine 10 mg (30 patients) or lacidipine 6 mg (30 patients) once-daily for 4 weeks. HRV parameters were determined over a period of 24 h, echocardiography and exercise test were performed before and after treatment. RESULTS: All HRV time domain parameters after applying amlodipine did not change significantly. A reliable decrease only of the root mean square of differences between adjacent normal-to-normal intervals (RMSSD)-32.9 +/- 13 vs. 27.5 +/- 9-was noticed after treatment with lacidipine. In the lacidipine group, the change of RMSSD negatively correlated with the extent of ST segment depression during exercise testing (R = -0.43; P < 0.05). Both drugs reduced total power (A, 2234 +/- 1270 vs. 1813 +/- 889; L, 2205 +/- 1151 vs. 1825 +/- 896; P < 0.01), very low (A, 1451 +/- 733 vs. 1143 +/- 534; L, 1413 +/- 759 vs. 1213 +/- 616; P < 0.05), and low frequency power (A, 610 +/- 459 vs. 447 +/- 321; L, 569 +/- 323 vs. 442 +/- 241; P < 0.01). After amlodipine, high frequency power remained unchanged, whereas low-high frequency ratio decreased (4.54 +/- 1.72 vs. 3.77+/-1.73; P < 0.05). After lacidipine, high frequency power decreased (178.8 +/- 153.2 vs. 132.1 +/- 79.3; P < 0.05), whereas the ratio of low frequency to high frequency did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Amlodipine and lacidipine reduce the influence of humoral control and sympathetic autonomic nervous system activity. The autonomic balance becomes shifted toward the increased vagal activity only by amlodipine.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Effect of amlodipine and lacidipine on left ventricular diastolic and long axis functions in arterial hypertension and stable angina pectoris.

OBJECTIVE: Impaired left ventricular (LV) diastolic and long axis functions are common in arterial hypertension and stable angina pectoris patients despite normal LV ejection fraction. Data concerning the effect of calcium channel blockers (CCB) on the LV long axis function in this context are lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-nine hypertensive patients with associated coronary artery disease (stable angina pectoris) and isolated diastolic dysfunction were randomized to receive amlodipine (30 patients) or lacidipine (29 patients) for 4 weeks. Clinical investigation, exercise testing, echocardiography were performed before and after the active treatment period. LV diastolic function was analysed from transmitral flow using Doppler echocardiography. Mitral annulus motion was investigated for LV long axis function analysis using 2-D guided M-mode echocardiography (amplitudes of motion) and pulsed wave tissue Doppler (velocities). Amlodipine and lacidipine affected LV diastolic and long axis functions differently: during treatment with amlodipine isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and deceleration time of LV early filling (DT) decreased (IVRT--from 93 +/- 19 ms to 79 +/- 15 ms, DT--from 206 +/- 36 ms to 188 +/- 27 ms; p < 0.05), early diastolic velocity of mitral annulus motion (E') increased (from 10.0 +/- 1.9 cm/s to 10.8 +/- 1.8 cm/s after treatment; p < 0.05). Lacidipine did not significantly change these parameters (IVRT-- 88 +/- 15 ms before, 87 +/- 13 ms after treatment, DT--214 +/- 34 ms and 218 +/- 42 ms, E'-- 10.4 +/- 1.5 cm/s and 10.6 +/- 1.5 cm/s, respectively). More favourable effects of CCB on LV long axis function was found in patients with post-systolic shortening. CONCLUSIONS: Amlodipine can improve diastolic and long axis functions of the left ventricle in patients with arterial hypertension and stable angina pectoris.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

[Electrical defibrillation and cardioversion].

Defibrillation and cardioversion are techniques in which a short electric impulse is administered to the heart in order to restore its normal rhythm. During cardioversion electric impulse is synchronized to the QRS on electrocardiogram. During defibrillation electric current passes through the heart in any phase of electric heart cycle. This mode of treatment is rather new - Lown et al. started to use it in a clinical practice in 1962. During defibrillation or cardioversion electric current goes from negative to positive electrode of defibrillator and passes the heart on its way. This induces transmembrane potential in myocardium cells and results in synchronic depolarization of all myocardium. The pathophysiology of defibrillation is explained by critical mass hypothesis as well as the upper limit of vulnerability hypothesis. The success of defibrillation depends on many factors, such as the location and size of electrodes, the type of defibrillator, the morphology of electric impulse, transthoracic impedance, the type and duration of arrhythmia. This procedure can be performed only on unconscious patient. The possible complications of the procedure can be disturbances in heart rhythm and conduction, the changes in arterial blood pressure, the damage to the myocardium, embolia, pulmonary edema and others. This article describes the mechanism of action of defibrillation and cardioversion, indications for this procedure, the technique and methods of defibrillation and cardioversion, the factors, responsible for the efficacy of the procedure and possible complications of defibrillation.

Defibrillators↗
PubMed2004

[Ischemic heart disease in women: prognostic value of ventricular repolarization variables].

The aim of the study was to evaluate changes of ventricular repolarization variables during the exercise test in women with coronary heart disease, to determine variables, which can best predict significant coronary artery stenoses, and to improve noninvasive diagnostics of coronary heart disease. Ninety women with unstable angina pectoris undergone coronary artery angiography and exercise test on 4th-6th day of hospitalization at Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital. There was no difference in ventricular repolarization variables (JT interval, JT dispersion, JT and ST product) in women without coronary artery stenoses and those with one or two coronary artery stenoses. Sensitivity (87%), specificity (60%), positive predictive (43%), negative predictive (93%) and diagnostic value (67%) of stress test variable, which had no correlation with heart rate -ST and JT product- was greater comparing with ST depression greater than 0.1 mV (values respectively 61%, 49%, 29%, 79%, 52%). JT dispersion at the peak of exercise greater than 33 ms had the best diagnostic value (77%). The most accurate predictors of three-vessel disease are JT dispersion, ST and JT product at the peak of exercise and the fact of previous MI: JT dispersion at the peak of exercise more than 33 ms significantly increases three-vessel disease odds ratio 7.95 times. ST and JT product greater than 22,38 mV x ms significantly increases three-vessel disease odds ratio 13.9 times. The fact of previous MI significantly increases three-vessel disease odds ratio 6.85 times.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Risk assessment in acute myocardial infarction].

Despite the appearance in clinical practice of modern treatment modes as thrombolysis and percutaneous coronary intervention, in-hospital mortality from acute myocardial infarction remains an important problem. In this paper we review recently published data concerning risk stratification in the acute phase of myocardial infarction, different factors affecting the prognosis, their dynamics in the course of the disease, and inter-factor relations. We emphasize the prognostic value of three factors: heart rate variability, left ventricular dysfunction and arrhythmias. Changes in heart rate variability are discussed in association to location of myocardial infarction, patency of infarct-related artery, the chosen treatment mode and its timing. Left ventricular diastolic function and right ventricular function are shown to be predictors of morbidity and mortality after myocardial infarction besides left ventricular systolic function. We also present the latest data concerning the prognostic implication of arrhythmias, their relation to left ventricular function and autonomic nervous system balance. Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter appear to be important factors in predicting mortality after myocardial infarction, especially in the elderly, as well as ventricular arrhythmias - sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Treatment of patients with ischemic heart disease and diabetes].

Around one third of patients with myocardial infarction are diabetic. More vigorous control of hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension is likely to be of crucial importance for risk reduction. Although the effect of intensive glycemic control appears to be only minor in terms of prevention of cardiac events in diabetic patients, it has a major beneficial impact during acute myocardial infarction and after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Lipid-lowering treatment is as effective in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease as in nondiabetic patients. In patients with coronary artery disease, there is strong evidence in favor of the use of b-blockers soon after myocardial infarction as well as in the long term. The metabolic treatment may also be considered as a rational approach for patients with stable angina. The long-term angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor trials in patients with left ventricle dysfunction soon after myocardial infarction demonstrated a substantial benefit in the subgroup of diabetic patients. Current evidence leads us to recommend revascularization surgery as the first choice in diabetic patients. The management of risk factors should be more intensive in diabetic patients. In diabetic patients with coronary artery disease, most of the medical strategies are as effective as in nondiabetic patients.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2002

[Application of methods for hemodynamic monitoring in critical cardiac pathology (an experimental model for assessment of hemodynamics)].

Hemodynamic assessment of critically compromised patients with cardiac pathology is one of the goals of recent diagnostics and treatment strategies. Different methods for assessment of hemodynamics are applied in clinical practice. However, applied methods (invasive and noninvasive) have specific advantages and disadvantages. These are discussed in the article. First experience of experimental model for assessment of hemodynamics in laboratory conditions is analyzed in the article. In the year 2002 it was explored a possibility to use standard procedure to evaluate hemodynamics for laboratory animals in Kaunas University of Medicine. It were selected 6 laboratory animals of different weight and sex. 7 measurements of hemodynamics were performed. Standard methodics was successfully applied in the experimental model. Results, method limitations and recommendations for further studies are presented in the article.

Animals↗