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.

[Based on in vitro and animal research, it has been found that calcium antagonist drugs are capable of inhibiting directly the atherosclerotic process. In spite of their advantegous antiatherosclerotic effect, the fast-release, first-generation dihydropyridines had an unfortunate effect on the number of newly developed myocardial infarctions and on cardiovascular mortality. New, controlled clinical studies have found long acting calcium antagonists to decrease significantly the progression of the atherosclerosis in the carotid artery - verified with B-mode ultrasound scans - and the appearance of cardiovascular clinical events, when either proven coronary sclerosis (PREVENT, CAPARES studies) or hypertension (INSIGHT, ELSA, VHAS) was present. If further clinical trials (CAMELOT, NORMALISE - now under way) justify these promising clinical data, then long-acting calcium channel blockers may become new and significant tools in the prevention of the progression and clinical complications of atherosclerotic disease.]

[Stroke is the third most frequent cause of death and the most important cause of disability and dependency worldwide. There are marked differences in the incidence, prevalence and mortality between the populations of Eastern and Western Europe. In Hungary, between 1998-2003, the incidence of stroke was 1,5-2 times higher than in the Western part of the continent. The early recognition of signs and symptoms of TIA and stroke and the urgent transportation of the patient to neurology, preferably to the nearest stroke-center are the key points of successful treatment, reduction of consequences and increased survival. The “time is brain” concept means that the management of TIA/stroke patients should be considered as emergency. This review briefly summarizes the epidemiology, key elements of the etiology, risk factors, up-to-dated diagnosis, primary and secondary prevention and treatment of TIA/stroke to provide information regarding the development of this field targeting the optimal management of TIA/stroke patients.]

[The microvascular bed is an anatomical entity, which constitutes of blood vessels smaller than 50 μm (i.e. arterioles, capillaries and venules), and its major function is the nutritive perfusion of organs and tissues. In search of cardiovascular diseases, there are growing evidences that impaired microcirculation plays an important role in the patophysiology of arterial diseases. Beside the well known consequence of diabetic microangiopathy in the development of diabetic complications, new data support the role of microcirculation in the pathogenesis of hypertension and atherosclerosis, as well. There are different non-invasive methods for the investigation of the microcirculation. Capillarmicroscopy, laser doppler flowmetry and transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurement are used not only in the scientific research, but also in the clinical practice. Laser doppler flowmetry gives us the possibility to assess microvascular endothelial function and other early microcirculatory disturbances. Capillarmicroscopy is particularly useful in the diagnosis of different autoimmune diseases. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurement is mostly used in the diagnosis of critical limb ischemia, because it has proven prognostic relevance. Vascular specialist should prescribe all investigations. General practitioners play key role in the early diagnosis of vascular diseases that can be achieved through the screening of patients at risk for vascular disease. In case of suspected vascular disease, the patient should refer to angiology outpatient clinic, to decide further investigations and prescribe therapy. The conservative treatment includes the complex cardiovascular risk management supplemented with medication, acting on the microcirculation.]

[Guidelines of diagnosing and treating hypertension play pre-eminent role in maintaining health in our World. Based on reliable estimates we have to take in ac­count more than 1.6 billion individuals suffering from hypertension by 2025. Ad­he­rence to the guidelines is a vital issue for all high blood pressure patients, however, also the economically developed countries have a disappointing share of well-controlled hypertension. Unfortunately, on the 5 continents of the world, the guidelines provide different or very different recommendations for measuring blood pressure, making diagnosis, estimating cardiovascular risk, and setting a target value, although an attempt has been made in the recent years for developing “consensus” in specific issues. This study presents the different opinions and resolutions by analysing the ACC/AHA, ESC/ESH, NICE, Canadian and Australian guidelines. WHO and ISH resolutions were also concerned. We describe the mutual ad­justment in theoretical and practical terms of the guidelines and the consensus that have already been estab­lished.]