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A case of a 61-year-old man with previous stroke, treated with stent implantation due to carotid artery stenosis, is presented. During the elective procedure we observed acute thrombosis in the carotid artery due to heparin resistance unknown before. Embolectomy with open filter of the distal neuroprotection system was successfully performed. The second procedure, after a few months with a direct thrombin inhibitor, was fully successful.

A case of a ninety year old female with recurrent acute coronary syndrome is presented. Coronary angiography revealed critical left main coronary artery stenosis which was successfully treated with angioplasty and stent implantation. Data from literature on the left main stenting in the elderly are discussed.

Our purpose was to investigate the amniotic fluid lamellar body count and interleukin-6 levels in women with preterm labor. The study was carried out on 50 amniotic fluid collections obtained by amniocentesis or during cesarean delivery. Concentration of lamellar body (CL) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were performed. We found significantly lower lamellar body count values in women at risk of preterm delivery before 34 weeks' gestation and elevated amniotic fluid IL-6 concentration (CL--20.81 +/- 6.73 x 103/ul, IL-6--318.3 +/- 18.7 pg/ml) when compared with pregnancies at term (CL--77.1 +/- 28 x 103/ul, IL-6--142 +/- 15.3 pg/ml).

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was the evaluation of number and morphologic parameters of blood platelets and sodium-proton platelet exchangers in pregnant women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, healthy (155) and with preeclampsia (40)., Results: Blood platelet number was significantly lower in patients with preeclampsia than in healthy subjects (195,000 vs 222,000). Mean platelet volume was significantly higher in patients with preeclampsia (9.5 fl vs 8.6 fl). The activity of Na+/H+ was slightly higher in pregnants with preeclampsia.

Background: Cerebro-vascular accidents are the third most common cause of death. The most frequent localisation of lesions responsible for stroke are bifurcation of the common carotid artery or the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA). Surgical carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) are the non-pharmacological methods used to treat carotid artery stenosis., Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of CAS of ICA., Methods: CAS was performed in 75 patients (49 males, 26 females) with a mean age of 65.2+/-9.1 years. Twenty (26.7%) patients underwent CAS with the use of the central nervous system (CNS) protective devices. The immediate, mid-term, and long-term results were analysed., Results: In total, 84 stents were implanted to 80 ICA in 73 patients. In two patients stent implantation was not possible. In 7 (9%) patients with a stenosis of both ICA, a bilateral procedure was performed. In two patients concomitant dilatations of the vertebral artery, and in the other two - of subclavian artery, were performed. In 38 patients coronary angiography was performed directly before CAS; one patient underwent coronary angioplasty. In 20 patients protective CNS devices were used. During the procedure four patients developed ischaemic stroke on the side of CAS. In one patient neurological symptoms completely disappeared within 48 hours. The type of technique used during CAS did not influence the frequency of ischaemic complications. Four patients developed hyperperfusion syndrome which disappeared after a few days. There were fire deaths during follow-up: three due to myocardial infarction (MI), one - after urgent CABG, and one due to pulmonary embolism. There were no deaths due to stroke. No new ischaemic changes in CNS nor significant changes in the neurological status, using the UNSS or Barthel scales, were observed. Asymptomatic restenosis was documented in six patients whereas one patient developed symptomatic restenosis due to stent deformation., Conclusions: Percutaneous angioplasty of an internal carotid artery carries a risk not exceeding that of surgical endarterectomy. In our study, a one-year follow-up revealed a minor risk of ischaemic stroke. Percutaneous angioplasty with the use of protective devices should be tested in larger groups of patients in order to establish the real clinical usefulness and improved safety of this technique.

Synthesis of nitric oxide proceeds in the human myometrium. Decrease of its concentrations can play an essential part in the initiation of uterine contractions in term. Authors suppose, that inhibition of the synthesis of nitric oxide plays a role in premature labour. Concentrations of nitric oxide in women with threatening premature labour were marked. Group I consisted of women with premature departure of amniotic fluid, group II--woman with retained amniotic fluid and with idiopathic contractile activity, group III--woman with departure of amniotic fluid and with idiopathic contractile activity. Concentration of nitric oxide was lower in the group of women with a premature contractile activity in comparison with healthy pregnant women in the same period of pregnancy. Higher concentrations of nitric oxide were observed in the group of patients without contractile activity after departure of amniotic fluid.

The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of TGF-beta, PDGF and VEGF growth factors in peripheral blood. The examinations were carried out in the group of pregnant women with preeclampsia. The results were compared to those obtained in a control group of healthy pregnant women. The statistically significant increase in all examined growth factors was observed in women with preeclampsia in comparison to healthy women. The results suggest that growth factors may play an important role in etiology and pathophysiology of preeclampsia.