Advances in medical sciences
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We aimed to describe the clinical and laboratory features as well as diagnostic difficulties in the case series of spondylodiscitis. ⋯ Diagnosis of spondylodiscitis is frequently delayed. This disease should be taken into consideration in differential diagnosis in patients with root syndromes accompanied by back pain and usually fever as well as increased values of CRP and ESR.
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We assessed the value of left atrium speckle tracking imaging (STI) indices, and clinical and other echocardiographic parameters in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients to predict the efficacy of electrical cardioversion (EC) and sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance at 6 months. ⋯ High EC efficacy and frequent AF recurrences were observed. The dispersion of time to the maximal longitudinal strain (LS) of left atrial segments facilitated prediction of SR maintenance. The value of 7-day ECG monitoring for detection of arrhythmia after 6 months was limited.
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Assessment of kidney injury early detection in diabetic patients has great importance for therapy and prognosis. The aim of this study was to assess whether neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), cystatin C, and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) could represent sensitive markers of kidney function/injury in patients with coronary heart disease and diabetes. ⋯ NGAL, cystatin C and KIM-1 are not more useful than eGFR in the assessment of kidney function in diabetic patients with coronary heart disease.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Renal function after percutaneous coronary interventions depending on the type of hydration.
The aim of our study was to evaluate renal function assessed by serum creatinine as well as novel biomarkers in 142 patients with stable coronary heart disease and normal serum creatinine undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) depending on the type of hydration: physiological saline vs. sodium bicarbonate (1:1 randomization). ⋯ We suggest to rather use sodium bicarbonate in a hydration protocol in patients undergoing PCI. However, the value of NGAL in this setting remains to be elucidated and volume expansion remain the unquestionable prevention methods of CI-AKI.
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Comparative Study
Effect of on-pump versus off-pump coronary bypass surgery on cardiac function assessed by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography.
To compare cardiac function assessed by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in patients undergoing cardiac revascularization with or without cardiopulmonary bypass. ⋯ In elective patients scheduled for cardiac revascularization there were no difference in cardiac performance assessed by intraoperative echocardiography regardless of surgical method used.