Publications (9) View all
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Article: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Due to the Mitochondrial DNA Mutation m.3303C>T Diagnosed in an Adult Male.
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ABSTRACT: Mitochondrial disorders comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases with multisystem involvement including myocardium. Most cases of mitochondrial cardiomyopathy are associated with myopathy and encephalopathy and are generally present in infancy or childhood. The disease often exhibits a rapid downward course with death frequently occuring within the first year of life. We describe a unique case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to mitochondrial DNA mutation m.3303C >T in the MT-TL1 gene, diagnosed accidentally in a 35-year-old male. The patient initially presented with stroke of assumed cardioembolic origin due to the presence of two interatrial communications associated with mobile aneurysm of the interatrial septum. No other extracardiac manifestations of mitochondrial disorder were observed.International Heart Journal 01/2012; 53(6):383-7. · 1.16 Impact Factor -
Article: Herpes simplex virus-induced cardiomyopathy successfully treated with acyclovir.
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ABSTRACT: Inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMi) represents an acquired form of dilated cardiomyopathy. Viral infection is the most common cause of DCMi. In contrast with other cardiotropic viruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a very rare finding in endomyocardial biopsies of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. We report a case of HSV-induced cardiomyopathy successfully treated with acyclovir.Wiener klinische Wochenschrift 10/2010; 122(19-20):592-5. · 0.81 Impact Factor -
Article: Presence of Borrelia burgdorferi in endomyocardial biopsies in patients with new-onset unexplained dilated cardiomyopathy.
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ABSTRACT: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) represents the third most common cause of heart failure and the most frequent cause of heart transplantation. Infectious, mostly viral, and autoimmune mechanisms, together with genetic abnormalities, have been reported as three major causes of DCM. We hypothesized that Lyme disease (LD), caused by spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), might be an important cause of new-onset unexplained DCM in patients living in a highly endemic area for LD such as the Czech Republic. We performed endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) in 39 consecutive patients presenting with symptomatic unexplained left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction lasting no more than 12 months. In eight subjects (21%), Bb was detected in the EMB sample by polymerase chain reaction or by electron microscopy. None of these patients exhibited any form of atrioventricular block or other extracardiac manifestation of Bb infection. Serological testing identified IgG antibodies against Bb in only two cases and IgM antibodies in none. All affected patients were treated with intravenous ceftriaxone for 3 weeks. At 6 months follow-up, LV morphology and function as well as functional status of these patients significantly improved. In conclusion, Bb infection may represent an important cause of new-onset unexplained DCM in patients living in endemic regions such as the Czech Republic. Because the antibiotic treatment appears to be markedly effective and serological examination does not provide a tool for diagnosing the disease, EMB focused on the detection of Bb should be performed in all patients from endemic areas with new-onset unexplained DCM not responding to conventional therapy.Medical Microbiology and Immunology 05/2010; 199(2):139-43. · 3.83 Impact Factor -
Article: Treatment of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
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ABSTRACT: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a condition most prevalent in postmenopausal women, characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction following acute emotional or physical stress. Direct catecholamine-mediated myocyte injury and microvascular dysfunction leading to myocardial stunning are believed to play a major role in its pathogenesis. The treatment of TC remains empirical. In the acute phase, therapy must be individualized depending on hemodynamic situation. In stable conditions, it appears advantageous to prevent excessive sympathetic activation by combining alpha and beta blockade. Beta blockers are used to treat dynamic left ventricular obstruction. Phenylephrine may represent an alternative approach in patients presenting with outflow tract obstruction and severe hypotension. In hemodynamically unstable patients, early administration of intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation should be considered. As no consensus currently exists with respect to the chronic management of TC, randomized clinical trials are urgently needed with focus on treatment strategies.Current pharmaceutical design 01/2010; 16(26):2905-9. · 4.41 Impact Factor -
Article: Cardiac structural and functional changes in competitive amateur cyclists.
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ABSTRACT: To assess cardiac structural and functional changes induced by competitive amateur cycling. Fifty-one young competitive amateur male cyclists and 47 age- and gender-matched control subjects underwent complex transthoracic echocardiographic examination focused on the detailed assessment of cardiac size and function, especially of the left ventricle (LV). Subsequently, spiroergometry was performed in all study participants and its results were compared to echocardiographic data. Higher left ventricular mass indexes due to the greater LV wall thickness and LV end-diastolic diameter were found in amateur cyclists as compared to control subjects. There were no differences with regard to the LV systolic function parameters. However, significantly better indices of LV diastolic function were present in cyclists. A significant correlation between maximal oxygen pulse and LV mass index/height(2.7), LV diastolic parameters and right ventricular size was noted. Amateur competitive cycling leads to considerable LV structural and functional changes. The increases in LV wall thickness and cavity size together with supranormal diastolic properties are key characteristics of this LV remodeling. As well, LV mass, diastolic function, and RV size are predictors of exercise capacity, indicating an important involvement of these elements in improving cardiac function with endurance training.Echocardiography 09/2009; 27(1):11-6. · 1.24 Impact Factor
