Úvod: Měření nitroočního tlaku (NOT) u pacientů s endokrinní orbitopatií (EO) může být obtížné a zavádějící zejména u pacientů s diplopií a deviací oka nasálně či do hypotropie. I pacientům bez diplopie v primárním pohledovém směru a na první pohled bez patrné poruchy motility je však nutno věnovat při měření NOT dostatečnou pozornost. Cíl studie: Porovnat shodu měření NOT u pacientů s EO v inaktivní fázi pomocí tří rozdílných typů tonometrů: iCARE rebound tonometeru, Goldmannova aplanačního tonometru (AT) and bezkontaktního tonometru (BT). Materiál a metodika: Do studie bylo zařazeno celkem 98 očí 49 dospělých pacientů v inaktivní fázi EO (36 žen, 13 mužů) ve věku 19 až 70 let (medián 55,0). Všichni pacienti měli potvrzenou tyreopatii, anamnézu proběhlé lehké až středně těžké EO, nevykazovali žádné známky aktivního onemocnění a neměli diplopii při pohledu vpřed. Kromě komplexního oftalmologického vyšetření byl změřen NOT pomocí BT, iCARE a AT. Výsledky měření byly porovnány a statisticky zpracovány. Výsledky: Průměrný NOT měřený pomocí AT byl 18,1 ±2,4 mmHg (13–25 mmHg), pomocí BT 22,3 ±5,0 mmHg (13–35 mmHg) a pomocí iCARE 18,0 ±2,4 mmHg (13,3–26 mmHg). Pomocí Blant-Altmanovy analýzy jsme zjistili, že střední rozdíl mezi AT a iCARE byl -0,1 ±1,16 mmHg (limit shody -2,4 až 2,1), mezi AT a BT 4,2 ±3,6 mmHg (limit shody -2,8 až 11,2) a mezi iCARE a BT -4,3 ±3,7 mmHg (limit shody -11,6 až 2,9). Mezi AT a iCARE nebyl zjištěn statisticky významný rozdíl (p = 1,000). Na druhé straně jsme potvrdili statisticky významný rozdíl mezi AT and BT (p < 0,0001) i mezi iCARE a BT (p < 0,0001). Závěr: Dle našich výsledků u pacientů s EO v inaktivní fázi může BT výrazně nadhodnocovat hodnoty NOT ve srovnání s AT a iCARE. Hodnoty získané pomocí iCARE tonometru u těchto pacientů ale byly srovnatelné se zlatým standardem AT.

Introduction: Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) can be difficult and misleading, particularly in patients with diplopia and eye deviation (esotropia or hypotropia). However, when measuring IOP, it is also necessary to pay sufficient attention to TAO patients without diplopia in primary gaze direction and without motility disorder that might not be readily apparent. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) using three different types of tonometers: the rebound tonometer (iCARE), the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and the non-contact airpuff tonometer (NCT) in patients with inactive TAO. Materials and Methods: A total of 98 eyes of 49 adult patients with TAO were examined. The study group included 36 females and 13 males, with an age range of 19–70 years and a median age of 55.0. All the patients had evidence of thyroid disease, a history of mild to moderate TAO, no clinical signs or symptoms of active disease, and no diplopia in direct gaze direction. In addition to a comprehensive eye examination, all the patients underwent measurement of intraocular pressure with three tonometers: NCT, iCARE, and GAT. The measurements with these three devices were compared. Results: The mean IOP was 18.1 ± 2.4 mmHg (range 13–25 mmHg) with GAT, 22.3 ±5.0 mmHg (range 13–35 mmHg) with NCT, and 18.0 ±2.4 mmHg (range 13.3–26 mmHg) with iCARE. The mean difference between the GAT and iCARE measurements (using the Bland-Altman analysis) was -0.1 ±1.16 mmHg (limits of agreement -2.4 to 2.1). The mean difference between the GAT and NCT measurements was 4.2 ±3.6 mmHg (limits of agreement -2.8 to 11.2). The mean difference between the iCARE and NCT measurements was -4.3 ±3.7 mmHg (limits of agreement -11.6 to 2.9). No significant difference was found between GAT and iCARE (p = 1.000). However, there was a significant difference between GAT and NCT (p < 0.0001), as well as between iCARE and NCT (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: In patients with TAO, NCT significantly overestimates IOP values compared to the GAT and ICare. By contrast, the iCARE rebound tonometer provides IOP measurements comparable to the gold standard GAT in these patients.

• MeSH
• Diplopia MeSH
• Glaucoma etiology   MeSH
• Graves Ophthalmopathy * diagnosis   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Intraocular Pressure MeSH
• Ocular Hypertension MeSH
• Tonometry, Ocular methods   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Clinical Study MeSH

Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) have some strong advantages over more traditional types of contraception, including their consistently high contraceptive effect as well as multiple additional positive side effects. OCPs went through decades of intense pharmaceutical development and current formulas are well optimized - however, a handful of their negative side effects remain, including some that affect cardiovascular system, for example higher risk of hypertension, venous thromboembolism and increased arterial stiffness. The gold standard for arterial stiffness assessment is currently applanation tonometry, a method that relies on arterial pulse wave velocity measurement (PWV). Another possible method for arterial stiffness measurement is the use of the VaSera device, which measures cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). The aim of this study was to discover the effect of OCPs use on selected cardiovascular parameters related to arterial stiffness. We measured these cardiovascular parameters in the OCPs using group (OCP) and in the control group (CTRL) using applanation tonometer Sphygmocor and the VaSera device. Comparison of the data from both groups showed us significantly increased diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (crPWV) as well as significantly lower subendocardial viability index (SVI) in the OCP. These results imply a negative effect of hormonal contraceptives on the cardiovascular system with most of the negative changes affecting the peripheral arteries. Despite this evidence supporting the hypothesis of OCPs having a negative effect on cardiovascular health, further research is necessary.

• MeSH
• Pulse Wave Analysis * MeSH
• Carotid Arteries MeSH
• Arterial Pressure MeSH
• Hormonal Contraception * adverse effects   MeSH
• Blood Pressure physiology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Pilot Projects MeSH
• Vascular Stiffness * physiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Nutritional status, its assessment and its influence on numerous diseases is currently still being discussed. The aim of this study was to determine the current state of nutrition by various research methods in school children. Also, to verify the accuracy of body mass index (BMI) determination in school environment and to compare the nutritional status in two different types of school. We used a quantitative questionnaire method in 64 children from schools in the South Moravian Region. We have verified the weight and height measurement in the same group by sophisticated instruments. We have determined the basic parameters of the cardiovascular system (non-invasive continuously blood pressure recording; mutual spectral analysis for estimation of baroreflex sensitivity; applanation tonometry and cardiac polygraphy for arterial stiffness evaluation). The indicative questionnaire method encountered a problem with the weight of almost 40 % of the population approached - both obesity (14.3 %) and malnutrition (25.2 %). Cardiovascular parameters were in physiological range for the given age categories. We found increased values in BMI, % of body fat and heart rate in children from countryside type of school, respectively. We concluded that obesity/malnutrition are both common phenomena in the children population in the Czech Republic.

• MeSH
• Cardio Ankle Vascular Index MeSH
• Blood Pressure * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Urban Population statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Nutritional Status * MeSH
• Obesity epidemiology   physiopathology   MeSH
• Pilot Projects MeSH
• Malnutrition epidemiology   physiopathology   MeSH
• Vascular Stiffness * MeSH
• Rural Population statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Cíl: Porovnat nitrooční tlak (IOP) měřený pomocí tonometrů ICARE PRO a ORA G3 a zhodnotit vliv rohovkové hystereze (CH), centrální rohovkové tloušťky (CCT), průměrného centrálního poloměru zakřivení rohovky, velikosti rohovkového astigmatismu a věku na naměřené hodnoty. Dále porovnat opakovatelnost měření oběma přístroji. Metodika: Do studie bylo zahrnuto 40 probandů ve věku 41 až 86 let s diagnostikovaným glaukomem nebo s podezřením na glaukom, měřeny byly obě oči. Celkem bylo zahnuto 74 očí, v případě opakovatelnosti ORA jen 70 očí. Ostatní byly vyřazeny z důvodu rohovkových abnormalit, neúplného nebo nekvalitního měření. V případě tonometru ORA byla sledována jak hodnota IOPG korespondující s Goldmannovým tonometrem, tak hodnota IOPCC se započtenou korekcí na hysterezi rohovky. Hodnoty CH byly měřeny pomocí ORA, CCT ultrazvukovým pachymetrem, poloměr zakřivení a astigmatismus autokeratometrem. Vliv rohovkových parametrů a věku na IOP, popř. na rozdíly mezi přístroji byl sledován pomocí vícerozměrné lineární regrese. Pro porovnání údajů z obou přístrojů a analýzu opakovatelnosti měření metodou testu-retestu byl využit párový t-test a Bland-Altmanova metoda. Všechny statistické testy probíhaly na hladině významnosti 0,05. Výsledky: Hodnoty IOP z obou přístrojů pozitivně korelovaly s CCT a negativně s CH, u ostatních parametrů nebyl zjištěn významný vliv. Průměrné hodnoty z ICARE PRO se významně nelišily od IOPG, ale byly signifikantně nižší než IOPCC. Vzájemné rozdíly ale vykazovaly vysokou variabilitu a byly ovlivněny IOP a CH (ICARE PRO měřil s klesajícím IOP a rostoucí hysterezí vyšší tlak). Nejmenší koeficient opakovatelnosti vykazoval ICARE PRO (3,0 mmHg), následoval IOPG (3,8 mmHg) a IOPCC (4,8 mmHg). Závěr: Při měření nitroočního tlaku tonometry ICARE PRO i ORA jsou výsledky výrazně ovlivněny především rohovkovou hysterezí a centrální tloušťkou rohovky. Přitom zaznamenaný efekt CCT může nepřímo poukazovat na vliv tuhosti rohovky. Výsledky z obou přístrojů není možné vzhledem k vysoké variabilitě rozdílů navzájem zaměňovat. ICARE PRO vykazuje za daných podmínek opakovatelnost srovnatelnou s Goldmannovým aplanačním tonometrem, opakovatelnost u ORA byla horší.

Aim: To compare intraocular pressure readings (IOP) measured by ICARE PRO and ORA G3 and analyse the influence of the corneal hysteresis (CH), central corneal thickness (CCT), average central corneal radius, corneal astigmatism and age on the readings. In addition, to compare the repeatability of measurement by both tonometers. Methods: The data was collected by IOP measurements in both eyes in 40 individuals between ages of 41 and 86 years. The number of 74 eyes (70 eyes in the case of ORA repeatability) were included to the study, remaining eyes were excluded due to incomplete data, abnormal cornea or low quality of measurement. The subjects were all diagnosed for glaucoma or were suspected of having glaucoma. In the case of ORA tonometer, the Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPG) and corneal compensated IOP (IOPCC) were monitored. The CH was measured by ORA, CCT by ultrasound pachymeter and corneal curvature and astigmatism by autokeratometer. The effect of corneal parameters and age on IOP or on differences between tonometers were analysed by multiple linear regression. The comparison of readings from both tonometers and repeatability analysis (based on test-retest) were realised using a paired t-test and a Bland-Altman method. The level of statistical significance was set to 0.05. Results: The IOP readings from both tonometers were positively correlated with CCT and negatively with CH. The effects of other monitored parameters were insignificant. The mean ICARE PRO reading did not differ significantly from IOPG but were significantly lower than IOPCC. The variability of differences was, however, high in both cases and differences were influenced by IOP and CH (ICARE PRO shown higher readings with decreasing IOP and increasing hysteresis). The lowest repeatability coefficient shown ICARE PRO, the worst IOPCC (3.0 mmHg for ICARE PRO, 3.8 mmHg for IOPG and 4.8 mmHg for IOPCC). Conclusion: The IOP values measured by both considered tonometers are significantly influenced by corneal hysteresis and central thickness. The effect of CCT can arise from an effect of a corneal stiffness. Regarding the high variability of mutual differences, the data from ICARE PRO and ORA are not interchangeable. The repeatability of ICARE PRO was comparable with Goldmann applanation tonometer measurement under given conditions, and better than ORA.

• Keywords
• centrální tloušťka rohovky, hysterese, ORA, ICARE PRO,
• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Glaucoma * MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Corneal Diseases * MeSH
• Intraocular Pressure MeSH
• Cornea * physiology   MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Tonometry, Ocular MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the results of the fluctuations of intraocular pressure (IOP) and calculated mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP) during the usual steps of standard phacoemulsification. METHODS: Nine human eyes were evaluated. The IOP was measured indirectly by electronic applanation tonometer. The MOPP was calculated using the systolic blood pressure (SBP), the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and the IOP: MOPP = 2/3x[DBP + 1/3x(SBP - DBP)] - IOP. The operations were performed with the INFINITI® Vision System: main incision 2.2 mm, coaxial handpiece, 2 paracenteses 1.1 mm, bimanual irrigation/aspiration, bottle height 100 cm. As ocular viscoelastic device (OVD) Hypromel 2.5% (UNIMED) was used. RESULTS: The initial and final IOPs were 17-30 Torr (median 18) and 6-16 Torr (median 8), respectively. The IOP values oscillated between 4 and 63 Torr during the procedure. The highest values of the IOP were achieved at the beginning of phacoemulsification (from 42 to 63 Torr). The maximum pressure higher than 50 mmHg and 60 mmHg was found in 89% and 30% of cases, respectively. The mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP) at the beginning of the procedure was 46.4-67.0 (median 53.3) and 0.4-42.0 (median 19.3) during the maximum intraocular pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Measured IOP as well as MOPP varied in all normal steps of real phacoemulsification. High values of intraoperative IOL induced by irrigation may compromise the intraocular perfusion. These fluctuations may induce impairment of the optic nerve perfusion, as well as retina, or choroid.

• MeSH
• Phacoemulsification adverse effects   methods   MeSH
• Glaucoma surgery   MeSH
• Blood Pressure physiology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Intraocular Pressure physiology   MeSH
• Reproducibility of Results MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Tonometry, Ocular methods   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of tear production (Schirmer's tear test, STT) and measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) were performed in a population of captive wild ungulates in a Slovenian ZOO during routine annual health check. ANIMALS STUDIED: In total, 10 fallow deer (Dama dama), 25 mouflons (Ovis aries musimon), 20 alpine ibexes (Capra ibex), and three alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) were included in the study. METHODS: Tear production was performed by Schirmer's tear test, IOP was measured with an applanation tonometer, and ophthalmological examination was conducted with slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Conjunctival swabs were taken and submitted for aerobic bacteriology and for detection of Chlamydia spp. and Mycoplasma spp. tested by PCR. RESULTS: Average tear production (in mm/min) was 17.8 ± 3.16 for fallow deer, 17.9 ± 3.87 for mouflons, and 11.7 ± 3.87 for ibexes. Mean intraocular pressure (IOP, in mm Hg) was 14.1 ± 2.48 for fallow deer, 14.9 ± 2.20 for mouflons, and 13.1 ± 2.43 for ibexes. For chamois, average tear production and IOP were 14.5 ± 3.0 and 10.2 ± 2.5, respectively; this is the first record of STT I and IOP in chamois. Bacteriological swabs were positive for bacteria in 100% of the fallow deer, 56% of mouflons, 35% of ibexes, and 100% of chamois. Gram-positive bacteria were predominant. Moraxella spp., Chlamydia spp., and Mycoplasma spp. were not detected. CONCLUSION: The reported values were obtained in animals under manual restraint only to be applicative in similar conditions.

• MeSH
• Animals, Wild MeSH
• Gram-Negative Bacteria genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Gram-Positive Bacteria genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Conjunctiva microbiology   MeSH
• Goats MeSH
• Intraocular Pressure MeSH
• Ocular Physiological Phenomena * MeSH
• Sheep, Domestic MeSH
• Ruminants physiology   MeSH
• Rupicapra MeSH
• Tears physiology   MeSH
• Tonometry, Ocular veterinary   MeSH
• Deer MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Slovenia MeSH

Cíl: Studovat tuhost cévní stěny pacientů s ischemickou chorobou srdeční na základě prevalence aterosklerotických změn. Materiál a metody: Do studie bylo zařazeno 90 pacientů s diagnózou nestabilní anginy pectoris třídy II B, kontrolní skupinu tvořilo 27 zdravých osob. Ukazatele tuhosti tepen jako rychlost pulsní vlny (pulse wave velocity, PWV) a index augmentace (augmentation index, AIx) byly hodnoceny metodou aplanační tonometrie s použitím přístroje SphygmoCor (AtCor Medical, Austrálie). Koronarografi cké vyšetření se provádělo přístrojem Allura CV-20 (Philips, Nizozemsko); stav karotid se posuzoval duplexní sonografi í a postižení femorálních tepen se hodnotilo pomocí indexu kotník–paže < 0,9. V případě pochybností absolvoval pacient duplexní ultrazvukové vyšetření. Pacienti v hlavní skupině byli dále rozděleni do tří podskupin: podskupinu A tvořili pacienti s izolovanou koronární lézí; do podskupiny B byli zařazeni pacienti s bifokální aterosklerózou (kombinace změn na koronárních a karotických tepnách, nebo na koronárních a femorálních tepnách); podskupinu C zastupovali pacienti s multifokální aterosklerózou, která byla prokázána v třech cévních řečištích: karotickém, koronárním a femorálním. Výsledky: Hodnoty PWV (11,2 ± 1,5 m/s) a AIx (19,8 ± 5,0 %) u pacientů s ischemickou chorobou srdeční byly 1,5× (p < 0,001), resp. 2,4× (p < 0,001) vyšší než u zdravých osob. Při analýze údajů jednotlivých podskupin bylo zaznamenáno zrychlení PWV ve všech třech podskupinách, přičemž maximálních hodnot bylo dosaženo v podskupině C (13,3 ± 1,5 m/s), což dostatečně spolehlivě překračuje hodnoty tohoto parametru v podskupině A (10,1 ± 0,6; p < 0,01) i B (11,0 ± 0,9; p < 0,05). I hodnota AIx byla byla vyšší v podskupině C (26,8 ± 6,4 %) než v podskupinách A (13,7 ± 2,9 %; p < 0,001) a B (18,9 ± 4,3 %; p < 0,01). Závěr: U pacientů s ischemickou chorobou srdeční byla prokázána zvýšená tuhost cévních stěn projevující se vyšší rychlostí pulsové vlny (p < 0,001) a vyšším augmentačním indexem (p < 0,001) ve srovnání se zdravými jedinci, zatímco u pacientů s multifokální aterosklerózou (koronární, karotické a periferní tepny) byly nalezeny vyšší hodnoty AA (p < 0,05), AIx (p < 0,001), PWV (p < 0,01) a vyšší věk pacienta (p < 0,01). Na základě tohoto zjištění lze hodnocené parametry tuhosti cév považovat za zástupné (náh

Objective: To study the vascular wall stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease based on the prevalence of atherosclerotic lesion. Materials and methods: The study involved 90 patients diagnosed with unstable angina class II B, the control group consisted of 27 healthy individuals. By using the SphygmoCor (AtCor Medical, Australia) apparatus, stiffness indicators, like pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) were studied by means of the applanation tonometry method. Coronary angiography was performed on the Allura CV-20 (Philips, The Netherlands) unit, the state of the carotid arteries was studied by duplex ultrasonography, involvement of femoral arteries was evaluated based on ankle-brachial index < 0.9. In case of doubt, the patients underwent ultrasound duplex scanning. In the main group, patients were divided into 3 subgroups: subgroup A covered patients with isolated coronary lesion; subgroup B covered patients with bifocal atherosclerosis (combined lesion of coronary and carotid arteries or coronary and femoral arteries); subgroup C was represented by multifocal atherosclerosis patients who had atherosclerosis lesion in three vascular basins: carotid, coronary and femoral arteries. Results: Values of PWV (11.2 ± 1.5 m/s) and AIx (19.8 ± 5.0%) in patients with coronary heart disease were 1.5 (p < 0.001) and 2.4 (p < 0.001) times higher than in those in healthy individuals. During the analysis carried out within the groups, the PWV in all three subgroups was accelerated with maximal values in the subgroup C (13.3 ± 1.5 m/s), which with sufficient level of confidence exceeds the value of this index in the subgroups A (10.1 ± 0.6, p < 0.01) and B (11.0 ± 0.9, p < 0.05). The value of AIx was also highest in the subgroup C (26.8 ± 6.4%), relative to the subgroups A (13.7 ± 2.9%, p < 0.001) and B (18.9 ± 4.3%, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Patients with coronary heart disease, have demonstrated growing vascular wall stiffness, which is manifested in higher pulse wave velocity (p < 0.001) and augmentation index (p < 0.001) compared with healthy individuals. Whereas in the multifocal atherosclerosis (coronary, carotid and peripheral arteries) were higher AA (p < 0.05), AIx (p < 0.001), PWV (p < 0.01) and the age of patients (p < 0.01). That allows to consider the studied parameters of vascular stiffness as surrogate markers to assess prevalence and progression of atherosclerosis, as well as the effectiveness of pharmacological interventions.

• MeSH
• Pulse Wave Analysis MeSH
• Atherosclerosis * physiopathology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Myocardial Ischemia * physiopathology   MeSH
• Clinical Studies as Topic MeSH
• Coronary Angiography methods   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Vascular Stiffness * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH

Blood pressure (BP) is one of the most important variables evaluated during almost every medical examination. Most national anesthesiology societies recommend BP monitoring at least once every 5 min in anesthetized subjects undergoing surgical procedures. In most cases, BP is monitored non-invasively using oscillometric cuffs. Although the risk of arterial cannulation is not very high, the invasive BP monitoring is usually indicated only in the case of high-risk patients or in complex surgical procedures. However, recent evidence points out that when using intermittent BP monitoring short periods of hypotension may be overlooked. In addition, large datasets have demonstrated that even short periods of low BP (or their cumulative duration) may have a detrimental impact on the development of postoperative outcome including increased risk of acute kidney or myocardial injury development. Recently marketed continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring tools may help us to recognize the BP fluctuation without the associated burden of arterial cannulation filling the gap between intermittent non-invasive cuff and continuous invasive arterial pressure. Among others, several novel devices based either on volume clamp/vascular unloading method or on applanation tonometry are nowadays available. Moreover, several near-future smart technologies may lead to better hypotension recognition or even prediction potentially improving our ability to maintain BP stability throughout the anesthesia or surgical procedure. In this review, novel or emerging technologies of non-invasive continuous blood pressure assessment and their potential to improve postoperative outcome are discussed.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading cause of disability and one of the major causes of death worldwide. The short-term prognosis in individual patients is highly variable and cannot be explained solely by stroke severity. We investigated the association of left ventricular ejection fraction with early neurological outcome in acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: In total, 216 patients enrolled in a prospective study, underwent echocardiography and applanation tonometry performed within 1 week after stroke onset. At day 10, favorable outcome was defined as a 4 or more point improvement from baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale or final National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of 0-1. RESULTS: In patients with favorable outcome, the ejection fraction was significantly higher comparing with patients with poorer prognosis (54.3 ± 7.9 vs. 49.9 ± 9.8%, P = 0.005). Favorable neurological outcome at day 10 was also associated with lower heart rate and lower pulse wave velocity at baseline. Univariate analyses showed that left ventricle ejection fraction and arterial stiffness were the strongest predictors of the poststroke improvement. In multivariate analysis, ejection fraction at least 50% remained significantly associated with favorable outcome after full adjustment for potential confounders (odds ratio 3.81, [95% confidence interval, 1.18-12.35]; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence that in ischemic stroke, preserved ejection fraction and lower pulse wave velocity are associated with early favorable outcome, independently of other known prognostic factors, including blood pressure.

• MeSH
• Pulse Wave Analysis MeSH
• Stroke complications   physiopathology   MeSH
• Echocardiography MeSH
• Ventricular Function, Left * MeSH
• Brain Ischemia complications   physiopathology   MeSH
• Blood Pressure physiology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Nervous System Diseases etiology   MeSH
• Odds Ratio MeSH
• Prognosis MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Heart Rate MeSH
• Severity of Illness Index MeSH
• Stroke Volume * MeSH
• Vascular Stiffness * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Nitric oxide plays an important role in vascular biology. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the endothelial nitric oxide gene (NOS3) have been previously associated with arterial hypertension. We investigated whether these SNPs might be associated with arterial phenotypes in the Czech general population. METHODS: We genotyped three NOS3 SNPs in 426 subjects not treated for arterial hypertension (mean age, 49.1 years; 55.9% women). Arterial properties were measured using applanation tonometry. In multivariate-adjusted analyses, we assessed the gene effects of rs3918226 (-665 C>T), rs1799983 (glu298asp G>T) and rs2070744 (786 T>C) on augmentation index (AIx), central augmentation pressure (AP) and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV). RESULTS: Carriers of rs3918226 mutated T allele had marginally higher AIx (145.3 ± 2.5 vs. 140.2 ± 1.1%; P = 0.064) and significantly higher AP (12.7 ± 0.7 vs. 11.1 ± 0.3 mm Hg; P = 0.033). These associations were independent of potential confounding factors. Aortic PWV was not different in the two rs39182226 genotypes groups (P = 0.35). In single gene analyses, we did not observe any association between measured phenotypes and rs1799983 or rs2070744 (P ≥ 0.11). In haplotype analysis, we observed trend for higher PWV in haplotypes containing rs3918226 mutated T allele compared with other allelic combination (P ≤ 0.079). CONCLUSION: Mutated T allele of rs3918226 polymorphism in NOS3 gene was associated with parameters reflecting central arterial stiffness and wave reflection. We hypothesize that genetic modulation of intermediate arterial phenotypes might lead to higher blood pressure.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Genetic Association Studies MeSH
• Haplotypes MeSH
• Blood Pressure MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Polymorphism, Genetic genetics   MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III genetics   MeSH
• Vascular Stiffness genetics   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czechoslovakia MeSH