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While an asymptomatic elevation of high sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnI) is a common finding after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), it does occur, quite surprisingly, also after coronary angiography (CAG). Concerning PCI, there are relationships with the total time of balloon dilation, the number of implanted stents and the total length of the implanted stents. An interesting finding is the significant relationship between hs-cTnI elevation and the amount of contrast agent and X-ray dose. Though mild troponin elevation has most probably no effect on left ventricular function or arrhythmogenesis to directly impact survival, it may pose a diagnostic quandary following a successful interventional procedure and even more so after uncomplicated coronary angiography.

In diabetic patients, the authors studied screening test parameters of the ankle brachial index (ABI) for detection of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) calculated using systolic blood pressure of the individual arteries at the ankle level, lower and higher than the pressures. The calculation using lower ankle pressure provided the best test parameters, especially where negative predictive value and sensitivity is concerned. However, specificity and positive predictive values were not very high, which indicates that this method is suitable rather for identification of patients who do not need any further examination than for a reliable identification of patients with PAD. Diabetic patients with any ABI abnormality (1.4 or measurement failure) should be referred for further examination.

Introduction of agents targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2, e.g. trastuzumab, has transformed the natural history of HER-2 positive breast cancer. It is, however, evident that HER-2 positive breast cancers are a rather heterogeneous group of tumors. A substantial proportion of HER-2 positive tumors that also express hormone receptors is called triple-positive breast cancer, and these tumors are characterized by a different natural history and response to therapy compared to HER-2 positive tumors not expressing hormone receptors. The biology and natural history of triple-positive breast cancer is discussed with regard to potential therapeutic exploitation, i.e. emerging combination regimens with hormonal and other targeted drugs.

The article describes novel OXA-134-like-producing Acinetobacter spp. isolated from chicken farm litter, and underscores the role of chicken environment as a reservoir for resistance determinants.

Paramyotonia congenita (PMC) is an autosomal dominant disorder with paradoxical myotonia, defined as increased stiffness on repeated activities, and cold-induced muscle stiffness. Only a few families with no genetic testing have been reported in Slovakia. The authors analyzed SCN4A genetic mutations in 3 Slovak families clinically diagnosed with paramyotonia. They identified 2 mutations in the SCN4A gene associated with PMC. The results highlight the importance of screening SCN4A in genetic studies of non-dystrophic myotonias.

Single agent daratumumab has significant activity in highly pretreated MM patients. The effect is maintained even in an unselected real world population and in patients refractory to previous treatment including proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs.

This review covers possible changes in the anterior segment of the eye after uncomplicated pars plana vitrectomy. The goal was to provide clinically-related conclusions from the studies as there are almost no comprehensive clinical reviews on this subject.

The authors report on the efficacy of a staged hybrid technique for atrial fibrillation which combines the mini-invasive thoracoscopic approach and endocardial treatment (two-stage hybrid procedure). The midterm outcomes for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation are good with a very low incidence of post-operative complications.

The prevalence of prediabetes is rapidly increasing worldwide. This disorder significantly contributes to the development of cardiovascular, oncological and other health complications. Early detection of prediabetes must not be underestimated.

The study followed a cohort of patients in the immediate days after stroke to assess the frequency of post-stroke spasticity (PSS) and to identify potential risk factors for PSS development. Better understanding of the evolution of the disorder along with identification of PSS risk factors could lead to earlier treatment and better outcomes. Knowledge of the epidemiology of PSS in Czech Stroke Centers should help with aftercare organization.

Clinical monitoring during volatile anesthesia provides adequate protection during surgery. However, during intravenous anesthesia, the observation of clinical parameters is insufficient for stable maintenance of anesthesia and does not prevent intraoperative awareness. Clinical monitoring itself does not exclude periods of too deep anesthesia. The AAI index is a useful tool in monitoring patients' level of conscience during anesthesia.

Insomnia affects a large percentage of cystic fibrosis patients and reduces the quality of life. Anxiety and depression are factors that increase the risk of insomnia. Steps should be taken to identify predictors of insomnia such as anxiety and depression and implement appropriate remedial measures.

The legalisation of medical cannabis is associated with increasing interest in its practical applications. The review covers available cannabis based products in general, both in the Czech Republic and the rest of Europe. It provides a summary of clinical experience with cannabis in the treatment of pain and multiple sclerosis. Third, it describes the pharmacokinetics of medical cannabis constituents and routes of administration. Finally, it provides information on preparing medical cannabis in a faculty pharmacy.

We propose a new approach for the determination of the baseline incidence level in epidemiology using the latest statistical methods.

A survey questionnaire study of neonates with gastroschisis gives unique feedback on their somatic growth and quality of life.

The current chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods used in therapeutic drug monitoring of major antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs in body fluids and tissues are summarized for the period 2006-2015. The article provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of sample preparation procedures, analyte stability, analytical (validation) parameters achieved by various methods as well as description and comparison of different methods.

Although intravenous and mechanical thrombectomy are currently not recommended as a standard treatment for paediatric patients with stroke, increasing evidence shows that in selected cases these therapeutic options can reduce morbidity and mortality.

Delirium and brain dysfunction, is frequent complication in critically ill patients. The primary aim of this study was to recognize and explore risk factors of the development delirium to allow prevention. The main risk factors are age, APACHE II score, admission type, alcohol abuse in anamnesis, length of ICU stay, duration of artificial ventilation, need for vasopressors, and the use of drug-induced sedation.

This is a review of the cardiovascular effects of adipokines with a focus on both the positive and negative actions of omentin, apelin, adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, resistin and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein.

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) in traumatology and orthopaedic surgery requires urgent diagnosis and treatment. Currently, it is not clear, whether functional regional anaesthesia and analgesia can lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment of ACS. In this systematic review, the authors evaluate the actual evidence-based data on regional anaesthesia/analgesia in high-risk patients with possible ACS.

The results of this study showed the sustained efficiency of ivacaftor on pulmonary function for treatment periods up to six years, with marked reduction in antibiotic use and hospital stays.

The article presents original epidemiological data on severe sepsis patients in the Czech Republic. It assesses data collected as part of the EPOSS project - the largest database of patients with severe sepsis in Central Europe. It contains information gathered over a period of almost three years. Based on retrospective data analysis, the paper identifies the combination of diagnostic/therapeutic interventions during the initial 6 hours of severe sepsis most closely related to in-hospital mortality. It identifies interventions that may be, based on statistical assessment, considered as risky or protective in relation to in-hospital mortality. In addition, the paper provides data on about the in-hospital morality of patients with severe sepsis with respect to the care procedure and course. It demonstrates the therapy/diagnosis intervention achievement level according to the Sepsis Surviving Campaign.

The authors found significantly higher levels of carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus than healthy controls. This is a first study on CML levels in connection with persisting glucose abnormality postpartum.

This study focused on the differences between patients with biopsy-proven inflammatory cardiomyopathy with and without improved left ventricular systolic function. Although a higher number of inflammatory cells at baseline and more pronounced decline to follow-up biopsy were observed in the group with improved ejection fraction of the left ventricle, supporting the hypothesis that initial more intense inflammatory changes lead to more rapid retreat of myocardial inflammation and is associated with improved left ventricular function, in the multivariate analysis only NTproBNP level at baseline was confirmed as an independent predictor of improved ejection fraction of the left ventricle.

This paper describes the results of an analysis of the molecular-genetics of the COL1A1 gene in Czech patients diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta type I-IV. Possible effects of DNA changes on phenotype are discussed.

Seventy-one patients at risk of heart failure with normal left ventricular ejection fraction underwent simultaneous exercise echocardiography and right heart catheterization. Fifty-one patients had exercise-induced pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) elevation ≥ 8 mmHg and reached peak exercise PCWP ≥ 20 mmHg. Post-exercise recovery of PCWP at 1, 2, 3, 4, and ≥ 5 min was achieved in 7 (13.7%), 11 (21.6%), 10 (19.6%), 6 (11.8%), and 17 (33.3%) patients, resp. In summary, the course of post-exercise PCWP recovery is highly variable, and a significant proportion of patients have only a brief period (≤ 2 min) of exercise-induced PCWP elevation. This fact should be taken into account when assessing exercise-induced PCWP noninvasively.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the outcomes of the anti-VEGF treatment in patients with the wet form of AMD in real clinical practise in Czech Republic. A comparison of the results with clinical trials was surprising. A sub analysis of the results identified parameters that could predict treatment success.

This study relates to the current topic of imaging methods in supporting ablation of atrial fibrillation. From the literature, no prior study has compared the clinical outcomes of ablation procedures using 3D rotational angiography as a substitute for cardiac CT. The clinical results of this study demonstrate the utility of 3D rotation angiography as an adequate alternative to a commonly performed CT scan.

A unique clinical study investigating the effects of preferential COX-2 in the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration. The results suggest a possible neuroprotective effect of COX-2