[Recombinant interferon alfa in the treatment of essential thrombocythemia].

E Tóthová, M Fricová, B Mudronová, N Stecová, E Svorcová, A Kafková, T Guman

Vnitr Lek 1996, 42(7):451-453

Essential thrombocythaemia, a clonal myeloproliferative disease characterized by a persisting increase of the number of thrombocytes, their abnormal morphology and function, is a special clinical and therapeutic problem which calls for a comprehensive approach. Based on a group of their own patients and on data from the literature, the authors discuss the asset of interferon alpha in the treatment of essential thrombocythaemia.

[Immunophenotyping with flow cytometry in patients with acute leukemia].

H Mociková, K Mociková, B Wildová, M Kohútová, E Bubanská

Vnitr Lek 1996, 42(7):454-457

The authors evaluate their own results of examinations using a flow cytometer in 72 patients (22 children and 50 adults) with acute leukaemia, incl. 34 acute lymphatic leukaemias and 38 acute myeloid leukaemias during the period between January 1994 and October 1995. At the same time the authors draw attention to the clinical importance in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis as well as to different findings in children and adults.

[The bromodeoxyuridine index in multiple myeloma. I. Relation with selected laboratory indicators of the disease].

V Scudla, M Ordeltová, J Bacovský, A Spidlová, M Budíková, D Kubalová, J Zivná

Vnitr Lek 1996, 42(7):458-462

In a group of 70 patients with multiple myeloma (MM), formed by 25 patients examined while establishing the diagnosis and 45 patients examined in different stages of the disease, the authors evaluated the relationship of the bromodeoxyuridine "labelling index" (BrdUrd-LI) of myeloma plasma cells assessed by the method of double immunofluorescence (using antibody BU-1) and selected laboratory indicators of the disease. In the whole group the median and mean values of BrdUrd-LI of myeloma plasma cells were 2.0 (0.6-4.4%) and 2.1 +/- 0.9%, in the group of 25 patients examined during diagnosis it was 1.8 (0.6-4.1%) and 1.9 +/- 0.9%, in the group of 45...

[An unusual course in hairy-cell leukemia with marked abdominal lymphadenopathy, leukemic infiltration of the cornea and skin changes].

P Zák, L Chrobák, K Podzimek, D Hejcmanová, J Voglová, P Dulícek, S Mirová

Vnitr Lek 1996, 42(7):463-466

The authors describe a female patient suffering from hairy-cell leukaemia. Already at the onset of the disease, apart from marked splenomegaly, sonography revealed marked retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. During the subsequent course skin changes developed such as vasculitis and leukaemic infiltrates of the cornea on both eyes. The patient was successfully treated with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA, Leustatin).

[Etiology and pathogenesis of septic shock].

V Krcméry

Vnitr Lek 1996, 42(7):467-469

A brief review of some aspects of the etiology and pathogenesis of septic (endotoxin) shock provides information on changes of the etiological spectrum of causal agents and their part in the cascade of cytokines which cause septic shock. The author draws attention to therapeutic and economic difficulties associated with the treatment of shock caused by atypical bacterial and mycotic pathogenic organisms.

[Clinical aspects of acute heart failure].

K Horký

Vnitr Lek 1996, 42(7):470-476

A review summarizing recent findings on the causes of the development, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of acute cardiac failure. It is a condition when the heart is unable to pump blood in amounts needed for the metabolic activity of tissues. It may be the first manifestation of disease or acute deterioration of chronic heart failure. The most frequent causes of acute left-sided failure include acute myocardial infarction, arterial hypertension, valvular defects, myocarditis, toxic damage or metabolic myocardial disorders. In right-sided failure pulmonary embolism, extensive affections of the lungs and pleura, right ventricular infarction and...

[Therapeutic approach in patients in hypertensive crisis].

I Balazovjech, P Hnilica

Vnitr Lek 1996, 42(7):477-481

The clinical picture of a hypertensive crisis is not determined only by the blood pressure reading but mainly by the associated symptoms of acute organ damage: neurological, cardiovascular and renal symptoms. The approach to the patient depends on the fact whether an emergency or urgent condition is involved. The authors review at first general principles of treatment of hypertensive crises. The analyze the therapeutic approach to different clinical conditions.

[The heart and the brain. Aspects of their interrelations].

D Bartko, A Dukát, S Janco, V Porubec, P Traubner

Vnitr Lek 1996, 42(7):482-489

The objective of the investigation was an attempt to analyze some aspects of the heart-brain relationship. The group was formed by 626 patients with the diagnosis of focal cerebral ischaemia (CI) and 191 patients with the diagnosis of subarachnoidal haemorrhage (SAH). It was revealed that the CI group comprised 77.3% patients with a pathological finding on the heart. Analysis revealed moreover that in the group of patients with "congestive heart failure" there was a significantly higher percentage of patients with a severe neurological deficit as compared to the group with a "normal" ECG (p < 0.001). Atrial fibrillation causes a fivefold increase...

[Imaging methods in the diagnosis of acute cerebrovascular stroke].

J Mihale, P Traubner

Vnitr Lek 1996, 42(7):490-492

The authors emphasize the possibilities of some new imaging methods in the diagnosis of acute cerebrovascular attacks, i.e. methods used under local conditions: differentiation of intracranial haemorrhage in case of a haematoma in the area of a ruptured aneurysm, blood in the subarachnoidal space in subarachnoid haemorrhage. To differentiate a tumour decompensated by the vascular route. It is known that imaging by computed tomography. Imaging on the basis of magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of acute, subacute and chronic infarction has some specific features. It was revealed that also magnetic resonance angiography can be an asset, in particular...

[Topical diagnosis of comatose states].

Z Sabaka, J Stofko, V Vestenická

Vnitr Lek 1996, 42(7):493-496

Topical diagnosis of comatose states is based on the concept of cranio-caudal development of cerebral dysfunction. Neurological examination of comatose patients is focused on assessment of the pathophysiological cause of impaired consciousness, localization of the functional or structural cerebral disorder and on evaluation of the progression or regression of the lesion. It is based on findings from the semiology of comatose states whereby the depth of unconsciousness, evaluation of diencephalic and stem reflexes, ocular symptoms, motorics and vegetative symptoms are emphasized.

[Cerebral hemorrhage--pathogenesis, clinical aspects, diagnosis and therapy].

V Porubec

Vnitr Lek 1996, 42(7):497-499

[Ultrasonic diagnosis in the area of the carotid and vertebrobasilar circulation].

J Pancák, P Traubner

Vnitr Lek 1996, 42(7):500-502

At present the duplex ultrasonic method is the best non-invasive examination method of the carotid and vertebrobasilar circulation. It was developed by a combination of the Doppler method with two-dimensional imaging in real time. It makes it possible to evaluate all stages of the stenotic process, the size and surface of plaques, the lumen of the vessels, occlusions. It provides a comprehensive picture of the morphology and function of vessels. The introduction of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography by R. Aaslid in 1982 made it possible to examine also basal intracranial arteries. Examination by ultrasound makes it possible to diagnose vascular changes...

[Chronic renal insufficiency].

A Kovác, M Demes, E Gonzalvesová, R Kohn, M Pavlovic

Vnitr Lek 1996, 42(7):503-506

The authors submit a review on the etiopathogenesis, clinical picture and treatment of chronic renal insufficiency. They emphasize the fact that based on pathogenetic ideas it proved possible to influence the majority of pathological processes: retention and deficiency of substances as well as impaired regulation. After introduction of treatment, using erythropoietin, calcitriol as well as due to advances in the technique and quality of dialysis treatment, the patients' quality of life improved substantially. The authors draw attention also to the danger of accumulation of some drugs in renal insufficiency and its development.