One-wave laser irradiation at a dose of 8 J per point and two-wave laser irradiation with doses of 12.4 J and 6.6 J per point significantly improved knee joint function and relieved knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis.

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Introduction: Ozone therapy is a frequently applied physiotherapy method. There are reports that ozone has a wide spectrum of possible effects. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine a possible influence of the water baths with ozone on lower limbs muscles perfusion in patients with gonarthrosis. Materials and methods: 30 patients (mean age 62,3±11,0 years) with gonarthrosis (II-III degree according to Seyfried's scale) were included in the study. The patients were assigned to three groups: • Group A (10pts)-water massages with ozone + exercises (kinesitherapy) were applied in this group • Group B (9pts)-water massages without ozone + exercises (kinesitherapy) were applied • Group C (11pts)-kinesitherapy alone was applied. All the patients realized the same kinesitherapy program. Radioisotopic examinations of the lower limbs muscles perfusion in rest were performed before and after the treatment. Results: the study revealed a significant lower limbs muscles perfusion increase in the group A (water massages with ozone were applied in this group). A slight perfusion increase was also observed in other groups (B and C) but the differences were not statistically significant. No patient had any adverse reaction after the applied treatment. Conclusions: The study revealed a significant lower limbs muscles perfusion increase after hydrotherapy with ozone procedures. The results confirm that ozone has a positive influence on microcirculation. Ozonetherapy can be recognized as a safe method as no adverse reactions during and after the treatment were observed in the study.

IntroductIon Permanent cardiac stimulation is a method commonly used in modern cardiology. The available data show that approximately 18,000 of pacing devices are implanted each year in Poland (a mean of 471 per 1 million of inhabitants). 1 Patients who require permanent heart stimulation are at high risk of subsequent cardiovascular events. It is usually related to their advanced age, coexistence of atrial fibrillation or heart failure, to prior myocardial infarction, and to the stimulation itself. Identification of patients who are at risk for developing cardiovascular complications would certainly allow for intensifying pharmaco logical treatment and optimizing the para meters of heart stimulation. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the N-terminal fragment of BNP prohormone (NT-proBNP) have been established as predictors