L Druzbacka

Publications (2)0.81 Total impact

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  Available from: bmj.sk

  Article: Obesity paradox and chronic kidney disease.

  I Valocikova, G Valocik, B Kristofova, L Druzbacka
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  ABSTRACT: In general population, obesity is associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes. However, the studies carried out in the past years have offered a new insight into obesity when associated with chronic disease states such as chronic heart disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, etc. Studies of patients with these chronic diseases suggest that the outcomes of overweight and obese patients may be paradoxically better than in lean patients. The aim of our study was to identify how BMI can influence the renal and cardiac functions. We carried out a retrospective study on 93 patients (51 males and 42 females; mean age 60.83 +/- 12.32 years) with chronic kidney disease in different stages of chronic renal failure according to K/DOQI. We found significantly higher GFR and lower creatinine levels in obese patients when compared to normal subjects (p = 0.0009, and p = 0.05, respectively). When comparing the group of obese patients (BMI >30) with normal subjects, we found significantly higher values of EF (p = 0.05) and S vel (global radial myocardial velocity of the left ventricle in systole; p = 0.04) in obese patients. There were no significant differences between these three groups of patients in other parameters such as B-type of natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen (p = 0.2, p = 0.4, and 0.9, respectively). In our group of 93 patients with chronic kidney disease in different stages of chronic renal failure, we have proved no adverse effect of obesity on cardiac or renal function (Tab. 4, Fig. 3, Ref. 27).
  Bratislavske lekarske listy 01/2011; 112(7):402-6. · 0.40 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: bmj.sk

  Article: Left atrial volume as a predictor of heart function.

  G Valocik, P Mitro, L Druzbacka, I Valocikova
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  ABSTRACT: This study was designed to identify an association between left atrial volume and systolic and diastolic functions of the left ventricle. Several studies have shown a relationship between the left atrial volume and different cardiovascular risk factors. Transthoracic echocardiographic results of 268 patients (136 women and 132 men, mean age 60.2+/-17.3 years) were studied retrospectively. Key echocardiographic variables of systolic and diastolic function were related to the left atrial volume and its indexed value. The mean indexed left atrial volume in a subgroup of patients with normal echocardiography, was 25.3+/-6.7 ml/m2. Left atrial volume significantly (p<0.0001) increased in deteriorating diastolic function (impaired relaxation, pseudonormalized pattern, and restrictive physiology): 33.6+/-11.6, 48.7+/-21.8 and 84.5+/-60.5 ml/m2, respectively. There were also significant (p=0.0001) differences in cases with normal systolic function (EF>50 %) and systolic dysfunction (EF<50%): 37.9+/-24.1 vs 54.9+/-34.7 ml/m2. There were no significant differences in the left atrial volumes (33.1+/-10.9 ml/m2 and 38.3+/-15.4 ml/m2, p=0.13) in patients with normal systolic function and impaired relaxation compared to patients with systolic dysfunction. However, in both cases these values were different from those with normal echocardiography (p<0.0001). In multiple regression analysis the best predictor of enlarged left atrial volume was the left ventricular mass. We found a strong association between left atrial volume and left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction. The strongest association appeared between increasing left atrial volume and left ventricular mass (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 26). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.
  Bratislavske lekarske listy 01/2009; 110(3):146-51. · 0.40 Impact Factor