Acta clinica Croatica
-
Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2015
EFFECT OF THREE-WEEK ZINC AND MELATONIN SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE OXIDANT-ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM IN EXPERIMENTAL RENAL ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION IN RATS.
Renal ischemia-reperfusion directly affects glomerular and tubular epithelium. Oxygen free radicals have a significant part in the pathophysiology of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. The present study aimed to identify the effects of 3-week zinc, melatonin, and zinc + melato- nin supplementation on malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in tissue and plasma and glutathione levels (GSH) in erythrocytes and tissue of rats with experimentally induced renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. ⋯ GSH values in kidney tissues and erythrocytes were found to be elevated in the groups supplemented with zinc and melatonin (p < 0.005). When MDA values in renal tissue and plasma were examined, it was seen that ischemia significantly elevated this parameter, while zinc and melatonin supplementation signifi- cantly inhibited MDA values (p < 0.002). The results of the study indicated that oxidative injury of the blood and renal tissues of rats increased in association with ischemia-reperfusion, but zinc and melatonin supplementation before ischemia-reperfusion markedly reduced this oxidative damage.
-
Acta clinica Croatica · Dec 2015
CROATIAN UROLOGISTS' CLINICAL PRACTICE AND COMPLIANCE WITH GUIDELINES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NON-NEUROGENIC MALE LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS.
The aim of this study was to assess the Croatian urologists' management of non-neurogenic male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their compliance with the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines. A cross-sectional survey included 51/179 Croatian urologists. We developed a questionnaire with questions addressing compliance with EAU guidelines. ⋯ Our results indicated that 97% of urologists preferred alpha blockers as the first choice of treatment; 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARI) were mostly prescribed (84%) in combination with an alpha-blocker, preferably as a continuous treatment, whilst 29% of urologists used to discontinue 5ARI after 1-2 years. Half of the Croatian urologists used antimuscarinics in the treatment of BPH/LUTS and recommended phytotherapeutic drugs in their practice. In conclusion, Croatian urologists do not completely comply with the guidelines available.
-
Acta clinica Croatica · Sep 2015
SIGNIFICANCE OF FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR 23 IN ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY.
Acute kidney injury is a clinical syndrome associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality, as well as serious short-term and long-term consequences, especially in the perioperative period. Yet, patients having suffering from temporary acute kidney injury and achieving full recovery of kidney function usually complain of poor quality of life associated with loss of energy and limited physical activity. Therefore, there is a necessity for a novel biomarker of acute kidney injury with better features than currently used serum creatinine and urine output. ⋯ It cannot only detect kidney dysfunction at the time but also before the injury process begins. Moreover, serum levels of the fibroblast growth factor 23 can predict adverse progression of the kidney injury. However, the role of the fibroblast growth factor 23 in the acute but also in chronic kidney dysfunction is still a riddle that requires additional research to clarify it.
-
Acta clinica Croatica · Sep 2015
SEVEN-YEAR TRENDS IN THE CROATIAN PRIMARY PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION NETWORK.
The authors investigated trends in the Croatian primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (pPCI) Network results among three consecutive time intervals (2005-2007, first phase; 2008-2009, second phase; and 2010-2011, third phase). Data on 5650 patients with acute myocardial infarction with ST-elevation (STEMI) transferred or directly admitted and treated with pPCI in 11 Croatian PCI centers during the study period were collected and analyzed. The number of patients with acute STEMI treated with pPCI per year rose continuously during the study period (581 vs. 1272 vs. 1949 patients/year). ⋯ In conclusion, the Croatian pPCI Network continuously ensures very good results of STEMI treatment in this economically less developed European country despite worsening of the risk profile in treated patients and opening of new, less experienced PCI centers. The higher percentage of MACE over time could be explained by changes in the pPCI strategy introduced over time (the culprit lesion only) and higher availability of PCI centers for additional PCI after acute STEMI. However, there is room for improvement, especially in reducing prehospital delay.
-
Acta clinica Croatica · Sep 2015
Observational StudyGENDER-ASSOCIATED DIFFERENCES IN ACUTE HEART FAILURE PATIENTS PRESENTING TO EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
Little is known about gender-associated differences in characteristics and survival of acute heart failure patients. The increasing incidence calls for investigating the possibilities of improved management. The purpose of the study was to determine gender-associated differences among emergency department acute heart failure patients in order to improve treatment quality and survival. ⋯ Males were more frequently smokers with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The importance of treating hypertension and atrial fibrillation in women and acute coronary syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in men should be emphasized. Aggressive identification and management of all possible heart failure etiologies should be recommended in the emergency department.