Background - The aim of this study was to compare ischemic stroke subtypes with the effects of risk factors, the relationship between grades of kidney disease and the severity of stroke subtypes. Methods - The current study was designed retrospectively and performed with data of patients who were hospitalised due to ischemic stroke. We included 198 subjects who were diagnosed with ischemic stroke of Grade 3 and above with chronic kidney disease. Results - In our study were reported advanced age, coronary artery disease, moderate kidney disease as the most frequent risk factors for cardioembolic etiology. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking and alcohol consumption were the most frequent risk factors for large-artery disease. Female sex and anaemia were the most frequent risk factors for small-vessel disease. Dialysis and severe kidney disease were the most frequent risk factors in unknown etiologies, while male sex, diabetes mellitus, prior stroke and mild kidney disease were the most frequent risk factors for other etiologies. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were lower for small-vessel disease compared with other etiologies. This relation was statistically significant (p=0.002). Conclusion - In order to improve the prognosis in ischemic stroke with chronic kidney disease, the risk factors have to be recognised and the treatment options must be modified according to those risk factors.

[Assessment of early atherosclerosis and decreased arterial elasticity to recognise the cardiovascular dysfunction in high-risk patients has gained importance in the past decade. Since 1990, more than 630 papers have been published in the adult and pediatric literature. Methods of early risk assessment in adults are well determined in international recommendations. The aim of the present work is to review the suggestions of the American Heart Association helping us to find the most appropriate method for the non invasive methods of cardiovascular assessment of young adults and children. Furthermore, multicentric studies should be conducted to create a Framingham like score system for pediatric patients, to render cardiovascular risk assessment much easier for the every day routine.]

[INTRODUCTION - An association of Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) with coronary heart disease has been found with seroepidemiological methods. This organism was demonstrated in atheromatous plaques by electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS - To better understand the significance of the presence of C. pneumoniae in atheromatous plaques, we examined coronary artery segments from young adults (15-34 years) with and without atherosclerosis. 74 samples of left anterior descending artery were examined immunohistochemically for the presence of C. pneumoniae by the monoclonal antibody RR402. RESULTS - C. pneumoniae was identified in the atheroma in 11 of 17 cases (65%) and in preatheroma in 6 of 15 cases (40%), in fatty streak in 7 of 23 cases (30%) and in intimal thickening in 1 of 14 cases (7%). C. pneumoniae was not found in the intimal and medial layer of the normal-appearing coronary arteries. C. pneumoniae was detected in the adventitia in 51 cases (67%) of the coronary arteries: in the normal arteries and initial lesions in 27 of 42 cases (63%), and in the advanced lesions in 24 of 32 cases (75%). Correlation was observed between the C. pneumoniae positive cases and cigarette smoking. CONCLUSION - Our results suggest that C. pneumoniae may relate to the severity of atherosclerosis in the youth, thus may initiate atherosclerotic injury or facilitate its progression along with other risk factors.]

[In the fight against atherosclerosis, statin therapy is one of the most important elements. On the basis of data from the past few years the clinical introduction of a more effective statin is not expected, however, in order to improve cardiovascular prevention further development of agents that reduce LDL-cholesterol levels more effectively than currently used statins is warranted. The need for the development of new cholesterol-lowering therapeutic options is also supported by the existence of statin intolerance. The currently available combination therapies do not provide additional mortality benefits compared with statin monotherapy. The new solutions include fourth-generation statin molecules that primarily aim to enhance the NO-donor capacity of statins, and to reduce their muscle toxicity. Certain compounds that affect cholesterol synthesis (squalene synthase inhibitors, MTP inhibitors, ACAT inhibitors) need to be further analysed because of the risk of side effects. The use of an antisense oligonucleotid that blocks the mRNA of apoB, the main protein on the LDL-particle and antibodies that inhibit the protein PCSK9 that promotes the intracellular breakdown of the LDL-receptor seems to be much more promising. Besides the lowering of LDLcholesterol level, studies have focused on the benefits of increasing HDL-cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, recently completed analyses show that new forms of the strong HDL-C increasing nicotinic acid have not provided any additional benefit when added to statin therapy. Similarly, the adverse effects associated with the promising CETP inhibitors and the lack of additional benefit when combined with statins question the significance of this drug class. The necessity for an absolute increase of HDL-cholesterol levels needs to be revised on the basis of new data, in other words, the exact role of the HDL particle in atherosclerosis needs to be further investigated.]

[Cardiovascular diseases, primarily the organic manifestations of atherosclerosis, such as coronary artery disease, ischaemic stroke, and peripheral arterial diseases, represent the largest healthcare problem in the developed countries, since the mortality, disability, and need for hospitalisation caused by them constitute a bigger burden than that caused by all other diseases combined. A modern, holistic approach to cardiovascular prevention should consider the complete cardiovascular continuum, including genetic predisposition, social-economicalcultural background, environmental factors, the integrated effect of atherosclerotic risk factors, the inhibition of progression of functional and morphologic damages that have already developed, and, if possible, the promotion of regression. Besides targeting the individual, prevention at the public and social level is also important.]