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The case-history occupies of a case of acute cardiac insufficiency in a patient at early postoperative period, who underwent a small surgical operation. Apparently the banal operation became the starting mechanism of life threatening cardiopulmonary insufficiency. Transthoracic echocardiografic diagnostic process not gave us the unambiguous response about a cause of that distressed state. The primary clinical consideration of the pulmonary embolization was not ambiguously acknowledged, though nor excluded. The clinical had to decided, whether the heparinization or the thrombolysing treatment was justified.

Perioperative optimalization of haemodynamics is associated with improved post-operative development, as presented in most published studies. This study has confirmed that intra-operative correction of cardiac output back to it's physiological level is associated with improved post-operative course in the group of patients undergoing major elective intraabdominal surgery. Statistically significant decreasing of post-operative complications (4.7% vs 17.7%), decreased length of stay (LOS) in the ICU by 33% and decreased LOS in the hospital by 24% was recorded. Interpretation of the study could be limited by using non-indexed cardiac output values and higher female presentation in the group of patients (although statistically not significant).

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a very frequent condition. Its frequency increases with prolongation of median life expectancy and due to improvements in medical care. However, medical treatment does not allow adequate control of symptoms in many cases. Therefore, various nonpharmacological approaches are being developed. The so-called biventricular pacing is one of them. Its main goal is to restore impaired mechanical cardiac synchrony that is present in patients with prolonged QRS duration due to inter- or intraventricular conduction abnormality. At present, biventricular pacing can be achieved through positioning of a special pacing lead into a branch of the coronary sinus on the surface of the left ventricle and implanting the other lead into the right ventricular cavity, and the third lead into right atrial appendage. Clinical trials and experience from many centres have documented improvements in clinical status in the vast majority of patients. An improvement in functional classification (NYHA) by at least one class, prolongation of the six minute walk distance by 20-40%, increase the maximal oxygen uptake by 10-40% a beneficial effect on quality of life can be expected. Preliminary results of the COMPANION trial have suggested that cardiac resynchronization therapy is associated with prognostic effect, especially in conjunction with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Cardiac failure is a syndrome which comprises ventricular dysfunction (confirmed by echocardiography) and compensating mechanisms (immediate activation of the sympathetic nerve and functioning of Starling's mechanism, within hours or days activation of RAAS within days or weeks hypertrophy of the heart). Cardiac failure develops rapidly either in a previously healthy subject (first extensive IM, diffuse myocarditis, acute aortic or mitral regurgitation) or in a damaged heart (IHD, KMP, defect) as a result of sudden excessive burdening (ischaemia, arrythmia, infection, surgery etc.) or spontaneously (end-stage). It is manifested above all by "backward" failure (pulmonary oedema). The pulmonary pressure must be rapidly reduced: i.v. nitrovasodilators act immediately, i.v. furosemide acts within 10-15 min. (in can, however, reduce the circulating volume which has not increased during the first failure). Also O2, anodynes. In the subacute stage (without any precise time limits) which may develop in serious cases from acute failure, or develop as a result of deterioration of chronic failure, in addition to congestion, symptoms caused by "forward" failure are in the foreground. These are symptoms caused by a reduced minute output and hyperfusion of tissue. It is indicated to administer substances which improve work tolerance, i.e. positive inotropics (digitalis, beta-agonist or phosphodiesterase inhibitors). If the blood pressure drops, a combination of dopamine and dobutamine should be administered; if the respiratory volume drops, artificial pulmonary ventilation, in case of persisting oedema continuous arteriovenous haemofiltration, in severe failure intraaorrtic balloon contrapulsation etc. In an irreversible state urgent or elective orthoptic transplantation of the heart should be considered. In chronic heart failure an important component of comprehensive treatment is in addition to treatment of congestion and hypoperfusion, prevention of "cardiovascular remodelling" by means of angiotensin convertase inhibitors etc. Which improve the quality of life and survival. Arrhythmias are an independent prognostic factor.