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Biomedical subjects

V Stvrtinová

Publications and source records attributed to V Stvrtinová.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Efficacy of a 6-month treatment with Daflon 500 mg in patients with venous leg ulcers associated with chronic venous insufficiency.

AIM: Epidemiological data show that standard compression therapy for leg ulceration in chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) often fails to effectively improve patients' condition. This study assesses the contribution of Daflon 500 mg added to conventional therapy in the healing of hypostatic ulcers of CVI patients. METHODS: Patients of about 65 years were included, with ulcers > or = 2 and > or = 10 cm diameter on 1 or 2 limbs, Doppler ankle/arm pressure index > 0.9, and no recent history of skin graft. Controls (n=68) remained on compression alone while the tested group (n=82) also received Daflon 500 mg 2 tablets/day during 6 months. Treatment could be stopped as soon as the reference ulcer appeared fully healed. Primary endpoints were the rate of healed ulcers and the time to complete healing assessed by planimetry/photography and clinical examination. Variations of the ulcer surface, appearance of the skin, and clinical symptoms of CVI were the secondary criteria. RESULTS: Only 7% of Daflon 500 mg patients necessitated the full 6 month therapy. Whatever the lesion size, from W8 significantly more healed ulcers were observed under Daflon 500 mg (p=0.004), and the ulcer surface was more reduced (p=0.012). For large ulcers, the rate of healing was approximately 2-fold higher with Daflon 500 mg, and the percentage of ulcers healed before W24 was significantly higher (p=0.008). Heavy leg sensation was significantly improved by Daflon 500 mg from W4 (p < 0.05). No treatment-related side effects were reported and the acceptability was considered excellent by 85% of Daflon 500 mg patients. CONCLUSION: Six months of Daflon 500 mg in addition to compression significantly improve some clinical symptoms and accelerate the healing process in patients with ulcerous complications of CVI, with a good acceptability.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

The determination of the collagen and elastin amount in the human varicose vein by the computer morphometric method.

The results of the works dealing with alterations of the connective tissue in varicose vein wall are not ambiguous, so the exact cause of the vein dilatation has still not been established. We were determining the collagen and elastin amounts in human varicose vein wall in comparison with non-dilated long saphenous vein by the light microscopy and computer morphometric method. We have found the lesser amount of collagen in varicose veins than in non-dilated veins, the amounts of the elastin in both the varicose and non-varicose veins were without the statistical significance.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1998

[Vascular endothelium as a factor in information transfer between the cardiovascular and immune systems].

In health, the vascular endothelium forms a multifunctional interface between the circulating blood and various tissues and organs of the body. It constitutes a selectively permeable barrier for macromolecules, as well as a nonthrombogenic and nonadhesive container that actively maintains the fluidity of blood. It is a metabolically active endocrine organ, serving as the source of multiple factors and mediators that are critical for normal homeostasis. These include vasodilators (nitric oxide, prostacyclin, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor), vasoconstrictors (endothelin-1, thromboxane A2, prostaglandin H2 and components of the renin angiotensin system), various pro- and antithrombotic factors (e.g. tissue factor, platelet activating factor--PAF, von Willebrand factor), fibrinolytic activators and inhibitors (e.g. tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1), potent arachidonate metabolites (prostanoids), leukocyte adhesion molecules (e.g. E-selectin, P-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1--ICAM-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1--VCAM-1), and multiple cytokines with activities of growth stimulators and inhibitors, transforming growth factors, proinflammatory and antiinflammatory mediators, tumour necrosis factors and chemotactic factors (chemokines). Besides these essential activities controlling the cardiovascular system, the endothelial cells represent an important part of the immune system as well. They have a pivotal role in the initiation and development of defensive and damaging inflammatory responses. Therefore endothelium can be considered as being the central equipment for the mutual exchange of life important information between the cardiovascular and immune systems. This in turn is leading to rapid advances in understanding the pathogenesis of some of the most serious and most common diseases, including inflammation, atherosclerosis and hypertension. (Tab. 7, Ref. 89.)

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Compressive sclerotherapy monitored by ultrasound].

Echosclerotherapy and sonographic control of aimed sclerotherapy resp. is a major advance in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. It facilitates not only aimed administration of highly active substances but ensures above all prevention of serious complications. Functional examination of the venous system helps to locate relatively accurately the sites of pathological reflux which are in the first place responsible for the development of the whole symptomatology and it prevents the administration of excessive amounts of sclerotizing substances into intact portions of the venous system. Similarly as Baccaglini et al. (1995) the authors achieved by compressive sclerotherapy with monitoring by ultrasound occlusion of up to 90% important reflux sites such as the saphenofemoral and saphenopopliteal orifice which are to a great extent responsible for serious clinical symptoms.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1997

[Is the immune system our sixth sense? Relation between the immune and neuroendocrine systems].

There is an overwhelming evidence that cytokines, peptide hormones and neurotransmitters, as well as their receptors, are present in the brain, endocrine and immune systems. The structure and pattern of synthesis of these peptides by leukocytes appear similar to those synthesized in the neuroendocrine system, although some differences exist. Once secreted, these peptide hormones may function as endogenous regulators inside of the each system and also in bidirectional communication between the immune and neuroendocrine systems. Such communication suggest an immunoregulatory role for the brain and a sensory function for the immune system which may sense stimuli that are not recognized by the central and peripheral nervous systems (noncognitive stimuli). The plasma hormone concentrations contributed by lymphocytes usually do not reach the levels required when the pituitary gland is the source, but because immune cells are mobile, they have the potential to deposit the hormone locally at the target site. Several immunoregulatory cytokines, including IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IFN-gama and TNF are produced not only in the immune system but in the neuroendocrine system as well. They have profound effects on neuroendocrine functions especially on hypothalamic pituitary axes. Neuroendocrine influences that modulate the immune function mainly include mental and physical stress. It can reduce the resistance of organism to infectious diseases and malignancies by compromising the immune system directly or indirectly. The brain is not an immunologically privileged site and therefore may become the target of immunologic attacks resulting in neuroimmunological diseases with an autoimmune component. The impact of psychological and psychosocial factors on the immune system is studied by psychoneuroimmunology whereas neuroendocrine immunology is generally interested in the interactions between the immune and neuroendocrine systems under physiological and pathological conditions. The recognition of the identity of ligands and receptors in the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems suggest a radically altered view of the immune systems impact on other tissues and organ systems, and vice versa. This will undoubtedly change our understanding of physiology, and consequently should profoundly impact the practice of medicine. (Tab. 5, Fig. 4, Ref. 85.)

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Endogenous control and modulation of inflammation.

Inflammation is the body's reaction to invasion by an infectious agent, antigen challenge or even just physical, chemical or traumatic damage. To avoid damage of the surrounding tissue, inflammatory responses must be well ordered and controlled. The development of inflammatory reactions is mainly controlled by vasoactive substances, cytokines, products of the plasma enzyme systems, bioactive lipids, and adhesive reactions between individual inflammatory cells or between them and molecules of extracellular matrix. The mediators of inflammation controlling different types of inflammatory reactions differ. This review briefly describes the role of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, including chemoattractant cytokines (chemokines), acute phase reactants, and the molecular mechanism of leucocyte emigration from the postcapillary venules.

Cell Movement↗
PubMed1995

[Vasculitides of the coronary arteries].

It is generally accepted that myocardial ischemia, and its extreme consequence, acute myocardial infarction, can result from transient or permanent disproportion between myocardial oxygen demand and coronary artery blood supply. Insufficient coronary artery blood supply may have many reasons. The aim of the study is to point to the clinical features of the coronary vasculitides as well as to the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. Coronary artery involvement in infectious angiitis, in Takayasu's arteritis, in granulomatous giant cell arteritis, in thromboangiitis obliterans, in polyarteritis nodosa, in Wegener's granulomatosis and in Churg--Strauss syndrome is discussed. The diagnosis of coronary vasculitis must be supposed in every patient with primary or secondary vasculitis in whom chest pain or cardiac failure appear. In young patients with clinical, electrocardiographic or laboratory signs of coronary artery disease, especially in absence of risk factors for atherosclerosis, the diagnosis of coronary vasculitis must be considered in differential diagnosis. (Fig. 4, Tab. 1, Ref. 32.).

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1992

Lysosomal enzymes and superoxide production in polymorphonuclear leukocytes of patients with primary varicose veins.

In order to clarify the role of reactive oxygen species and lysosomal enzymes in the etiopathogenesis of varicose veins, the investigation of their activities in serum and peripheral neutrophils of 17 patients with primary varicose veins was done. The mean activities of acid phosphatase, beta-D-glucuronidase (BDG) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase were higher in serum of patients with varicose veins than in serum of normal subjects. However, the mean BDG activity was lower in the patients' neutrophils and the activities of elastase and myeloperoxidase were higher than in clinically healthy persons. No changes have been observed in the lysozyme activity. The neutrophils of patients with varicose veins had a greater ability to increase superoxide production after their stimulation with opsonized zymosan or phorbol myristate acetate than the neutrophils of normal subjects, while no differences were found in the total reduction of iodonitrotetrazolium (INT) incubated with these leukocytes. The results may represent another piece of evidence suggesting the activation and involvement of neutrophils in pathogenesis of chronic venous insufficiency of lower limbs.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Wilson's disease and pregnancy].

The authors describe the case of a 27-year-old female patient with Wilson's disease who during penicillinamine treatment became pregnant and was delivered of a healthy infant. The diagnosis of Wilson's disease was confirmed by the finding of a Kayser-Fleischer ring in the cornea and a concurrent serum ceruloplasmin concentration lower than 0.20 g/l. Unrecognized and untreated, the disease is associated with the development of organ complications which in the end prove fatal. On the other hand, early diagnosis and effective treatment throughout life can prevent liver and brain damage and thus enable the patient to live a normal life and women can have a healthy child.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Beta-aescin in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency].

In 15 patients with primary or secondary chronic venous insufficiency (CHVI) the authors evaluated the action of three weeks' treatment with beta-aescin (Yellon caps). The regression of clinical symptoms of CHVI (sensation of "heavy" and "tired" legs, swollen ankles, nocturnal cramps was complete in five patients, partial or slight in seven patients, and none in three patients (with secondary venous insufficiency associated with thrombosis of the deep venous system). Undesirable effects of the agent were not revealed by common screening tests. No change of the basic parameters of haemostasis occurred. The haemodynamic action on the venous and capillary circulation of the lower extremities was evaluated by the method of venous occlusion plethysmography. Already after the first week of treatment a significant drop of capillary filtration to 74% of the original mean value before treatment occurred (0.265 +/- 0.084 ml/100 ml tissue). After the second and third week of treatment the values of capillary filtration decreased on average to 66% of the original mean value. The venous capacity (before treatment on average 3.5 +/- 0.9 ml/100 ml tissue) and venous drainage (before treatment on average 24.5 +/- 13.5 ml min/100 ml) did not change significantly during treatment.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis--first results of a year-long study].

INTRODUCTION: Due to ageing of population, gerontorheumatology becomes more and more important. Both polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) typically develop in later life and they have many other common features. The aim of our study was to explore diagnostic and prognostic markers and, prospectively, establish diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for patients with PMR and GCA. SAMPLE AND METHODS: We examined 27 patients with suspected PMR or OBA. The diagnosis was verified in 22 patients. Three of them were in a long-term clinical remission. Besides examination for basic clinical and laboratory parameters, all other patients were subjected to ultrasonography of temporal artery and peripheral joints to detect any exudates. Also, they were examined for T-cell subpopulations in peripheral blood and HLA antigens. RESULTS: Exudate was confirmed in 7 patients; some of them had exudate in multiple joints. Puncture of synovial fluid was done in 4 patients. Increased resistance index of temporal artery was found in 2 patients with GCA and 4 patients with PMR. GCA patients showed lower level of T-cells and increased activation of CD8-cells. Decreased count of CD8+ T-cells was observed in 56 % of PMR patients. Analysis of HLA antigens indicates that GCA, rheumatoid arthritis and, probably, PMR are associated with HLA-DR4 antigen in Slovak population. CONCLUSION: The importance of assessment of disease activity and its prognosis in PMR or GCA patients via ultrasonographic evaluation of exudate in peripheral joints and resistance index of temporal artery as well as the analysis of T-cell distribution in peripheral blood and incidence of HLA-antigens has not been proved yet. Practical significance of monitoring the above-mentioned parameters can be verified only by further prospective study performed with a larger sample of patients.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of varicose veins of the lower limbs in the women working at a department store.

The prevalence of varicose veins of the lower limbs and their risk factors were investigated in the group of 696 women working at a large department store. It was found that 421 of them suffered from varicose veins with the following prevalence of individual clinical types: trunk varices--14.4%, reticular varices--15.4%, and hyphenwebs--30.7%. In our study women with VV of all types compared to women without VV were older (p less than 0.05), more often obese (p less than 0.05), had the positive family history for VV (p less than 0.01), higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure and lower levels of physical activity (not significantly). Women with at least one pregnancy had significantly higher prevalence of VV (p less than 0.001) and women standing at their work had a higher prevalence of trunk varices than those who were sitting at the work (p less than 0.05).

Adult↗