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In twenty patients with unstable angina, the effects of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on superoxide anion generation by neutrophils (PMNs) obtained from ulnar vein (UV) and coronary sinus (CS) were investigated. Blood samples for the investigations were taken from CS just before the procedure, within the first minute after the last balloon inflation and 20 minutes after PTCA; from BV--just before the procedure and 20 minutes following it. The results were compared with those obtained from 12 patients with unstable angina, (in whom coronary angiography was performed, but for various reasons angioplasty was desisted from) and with those obtained from 20 clinically healthy persons. In patients with unstable angina, the significantly increased O2.- generation by PMNs from CS and BV was found at rest as well as following opsonized-zymosan stimulation, compared with healthy persons. Within the first minute after PTCA, the significantly decreased O2.- generation by PMNs from CS was observed, compared with the results before the procedure (rest.--11.29 +/- 0.73 and 10.15 +/- 0.65 nmol/cell/min., p < 0.05; stimulation--27.62 +/- 6.25 and 18.54 +/- 3.37 nmol/cell/min., p < 0.05). Twenty minutes after PTCA O2.- generation by PMNs from CS still decreased (rest--9.23 +/- 1.08 nmol/cell/min., stimulation--15.71 +/- 5.98 nmol/cell/min.). In blood samples taken from BV before and after PTCA, no statistically significant differences in O2.- generation were observed (rest--11.32 +/- 0.79 nmol/cell/min. and 10.77 +/- 1.43 nmol/cell/min.; stimulation--25.96 +/- 6.12 nmol/cell/min. and 21.15 +/- 5.47 nmol/cell/min.).

In twenty patients with unstable angina, the effects of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on aggregation of neutrophils (PMNs) obtained from coronary sinus (CS) and basilic vein (BV) were investigated. Blood samples for the investigations were taken from CS just before the procedure, within the first minute after the last balloon inflation and 20 minutes after PTCA; from BV--just before and 20 minutes after the procedure. The results were compared with those obtained from 12 patients with unstable angina (in whom coronary angiography was performed, but for various reasons angioplasty was desisted from) and with those obtained from 20 clinically healthy persons. In patients with unstable angina the significantly higher percent of aggregated PMNs from CS as well as from BV was found, compared with healthy persons. Within the first minute after the procedure, the significantly increased percentage of aggregated PMNs from CS compared with the results before the procedure, was observed (10.50 +/- 4.06% and 18.36 +/- 7.69%, p < 0.05), but 20 minutes after, the value of the investigated parameter decreased to 5.88 +/- 2.86% and was similar to that in healthy persons. One minute after the procedure, in patients in whom PTCA was performed, the significantly decreased PMNs number in the blood obtained from CS was found, compared with the results before PTCA (4295 +/- 840 and 3850 +/- 825; p < 0.05). Twenty minutes after the procedure no further decrease of PMNs number was observed. In patients with or without PTCA no changes in the number and aggregation of PMNs obtained from BV were observed.

We examined the influence of transient myocardial ischemia on the number and function of neutrophils in patients with effort angina (EA). We tested fluorometrically the expression of neutrophil membrane molecules (CD11b, CD11c, CD18) and neutrophil oxidative burst using a chemiluminescence (CL) generation system. The estimations were conducted before, 1 min after and 20 min after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in 15 patients qualified for the treatment because of single-vessel disease. Eight EA patients subjected to coronary arteriography (CA) comprised a control group. We did not observe any marked changes in leucocytosis or lymphocyte number in peripheral blood (PB) or in coronary sinus blood (CSB) after the procedure. The percentage of granulocytes in coronary blood decreased significantly 20 min after reperfusion. No significant changes in white blood cell count were noted in peripheral blood of PTCA patients or in control CA subjects. Oxidative burst of nonstimulated and fMLP, PMA and zymosan stimulated sinus blood neutrophils was significantly depressed 1 min after inflation, and enhanced 20 min after reperfusion. We found a significant increase in the percentage of the CD11c+ neutrophils from 56.7 +/- 7.4% to 64 +/- 6.5% 20 min after inflation and postischemic decrease in the CD11c molecule expression on CSB neutrophils. Significant positive linear correlation (Rval = 0.71) between inflation time and the CD11c molecule expression on CSB immediately after reperfusion was also noted. The results may reflect local activation of neutrophils in ischemic myocardium as a response to ischemia induced increase of activating stimuli.

This study aimed at evaluating predictive value of exercise tests in case of left coronary artery stenosis. The study involved 57 patients with left coronary artery stenosis, including 10 patients with isolated left main stenosis (group X), and 47 patients with left coronary artery stenosis and multivessel involvement (group Y). Unstable angina was staged according to Booth et al. classification as type I or II. Exercise tests were performed according to Bruce's protocol. Unstable angina of type I was diagnosed in 51 (89%) patients, and type II in 6 (11%) patients. Electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial ischemia both et rest and anginal pain was seen in 46 (80%) patients. Electrocardiographic recording was within normal limits in 11 (20%) patients at rest. Clinical and ECG improvement was seen in 38 (66%) patients. Exercise tests in all of these patients were positive at low load work--mean 50 W. The obtained results suggest that patients with left coronary stenosis constitute heterogenous group. Therefore, prediction of the left main stenosis on the clinical ground alone is impossible. Exercise tests producing positive results at low load indicate with high probability critical multivessel lesions and/or left main stenosis in such patients.

The study was undertaken to assess the usefulness of TEE for evaluation of morphology and flow in coronary arteries. TEE (2D, spectral and color Doppler imaging) and coronary angiography were performed in 75 patients (pts)-41 with valvular heart disease and 34 with ischemic heart disease. Proximal coronary artery stenosis was detected by coronarography in 11 pts (9--left main coronary artery, 2--right coronary artery). TEE visualization of proximal coronary arteries was possible in all pts. Echocardiographic features of artery stenosis were: the narrowing of the vessel in 2D image (9 pts), high flow velocity spectral Doppler (4 pts, mean 135 cm/s vs 55 cm/s in normal arteries) and mosaic, turbulent flow in color Doppler (10 pts). Sensitivity and specificity of TEE for coronary artery stenosis detection was respectively 81%/98% for 2D imaging and 90%/100% for color Doppler. TEE is a new, noninvasive and safe method for the evaluation of proximal coronary arteries. Detection of LMCA stenosis prior to catheterization may enhance the safety of coronary angiography.

Distant treatment results of premature central origin puberty with chlormadinone (Polfa) were described. Premature central origin puberty was diagnosed at 19% (38/202) of patients examined with premature puberty as a initial diagnosis. Annual medium height intake 5.5 cm +/- 1.2 cm and puberty inhibition testify to proper drug doses. Hormonal treatment should be employed till patients height is 150 cm, what is usually obtained at the age 9 at half. It makes possible to obtain final height of 162 cm +/- 4.2 cm. The average menarche age of treated girls was 10- and 11 months, and the first menstruation approximately 15 months after hormonal treatment.

The investigations which have proceeded for some years in clothing plants of the Western Pomeranian region with the aim of finding out pathological changes involving female machine operators' genital organs, have revealed a number of unfavourable phenomena, mainly, psychoneurotic changes in the initial phase and pelvic congestion syndrome (pcs), as described by Taylor, in a later phase. The paper is aimed at evaluation of one factor possibly affecting workers' health, i.e. work systems. The data collected from the plant managers, female chargehands and machine operators themselves, as well as from our own observations and investigations, revealed that the test groups of women were performing a piece-job, direct-line and belt-system production. For eight hours a day they performed strictly defined labour requiring great precision in course of repeated tasks in predetermined time limits. A more relaxed system, so called "direct line-synchro nests", arranged temporarily on experimental basis, appeared less efficient and was finally given up for economical reasons. Altogether, 575 machine operators have been examined. The control group consisted of 100 women working in the so called work-gang system offering a greater freedom of movements (cleaners, cutters, store- keepers). The obtained results are presented in two tables. The rate of pcs was found to be statistically significantly higher in machine operators, as compared to controls.

Hypokinesis is known to exert a negative effect on human systems, the circulatory, osseo-articular, muscular and many other systems. Ergonomic investigations, performed during five years and covering 1350 women employed at clothing and knitting plants as seamstresses carrying out their work at piece-rate, direct line as well as beltsystem, under the conditions of restricted motorial activity, i.e. under hypokinetic conditions, revealed the occurrence of pelviccongestion syndrome (pcs). Relying on the obtained results of the investigations, the evaluation involved the condition of women's reproductive organ in the context of the integrated state of health of female workers employed as seamstresses at clothing and knitting plants, viewed against the background of professional and sociological problems. Moreover, recommendations were issued as to the treatment of genital organ disorders in women employed under the conditions of restricted motorial activity, and also prophylaxis concerning these disturbances, particularly with regard, to the pelvic congestion syndrome. Elements of reorganization of the health service at the clothing and knitting industry plants have been worked out and described.