OBJECTIVE To determine the reliability of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in predicting the size of an atrial septal defect (ASD). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 16 patients who underwent the catheter-based procedures to close an atrial septal defect between February 2008 and December 2011 at the Paediatrics Clinic, CCU Sarajevo, after clinical and TTE and TEE evaluation. In order to determine the assumed diameter of the balloon (A-SBD), we used the formula of quantification A-SBD=TTE defect diameter×1:09 + 3.9 mm and A-SBD=1.1× transesophageal diameter of ASD+2.0 mm. The ASD was examined using the long-axis view, the basal short-axis view, the apical four-chamber view and the subcostal view to observe its position, diameter and relation to neighbouring structures. The largest diameter was selected as the reference diameter. RESULTS Of the total number of treated patients, 11 were female. Treatment was conducted by a foreign and local team of invasive cardiologists. The average age of the patients was 8.43 years (2 -17 years). Apart from a transient disturbance of rhythm in the youngest patients, there were no other intra and postprocedural complications. The obtained formulas represent "our" default size of the SBD, based on measurements of TTE and TEE: A-SBD (TTE)=6.02+0.86×TTE and A-SBD (TEE)=3.93+0.86×TEE. CONCLUSION ASD diameter determined by TTE and TEE can reliably determine the appropriate size needed Amplatzer Septal Occluder device.

Introduction: Depressive disorder, as a major problem of public health, takes high fourth place in its prevalence in general population, and is considered to be the second most frequent health problem of femalepopulation. Depression is the most frequent mental problem of persons in their third age of life. The aim of this study is to evaluate prevalence of depression and establish the ratio between the current number ofdiagnosed and of unrecognised depression among the residents of Gerontology Centre in Sarajevo.Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study undertaken throughout May and June 2011 on the sample of 150 residents of “The Gerontology Centre“ in Sarajevo that were above 65 years of age. The following instruments were used for the research: the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), modified questionnaire consisting of two parts (general data and data related to health state), and the medical records of the residents. For statistic analysis of data was used the SPSS program for Windows.Results: According to GDS, prevalence of depression was 65.3%, out of which mild depression occurred in 46.7% cases and severe depression in 18.7%. The prevalence of verified (diagnosed) depression was 11.3per cents.Conclusions: According to the GD scale, unrecognised depressions seem to be almost six times more frequent (65.3:11%) than is the case with depressions diagnosed in medical records of the protegees of theGerontology Centre in Sarajevo. Timely recognition of depression and its treating in institutions for protection of health of persons in third age of life can substantially improve the quality of life of these patients.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases by its frequency, epidemic expenditure, socio-medical consequences and with high mortality are becoming the biggest problem of modern medicine. Mortality from cardiovascular diseases declines due to prevention measures in developed countries, in developing countries and countries in transition it increases. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of harmful habits and connection as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in economically active population in the Canton of Sarajevo.Methods: The study was conducted among the active population of Sarajevo Canton. Randomly selected 443 respondents from different groups of workers aged 18-65 years, who voluntarily joined the study. Weperformed a study intersection descriptive method of research. Instrument for conducting research was a set of questionnaires, designed for research purposes.Results: The results study showed that the study group, current smokers occupy 45%, 1.8% occasional smokers who smoke and the rest of nonsmokers. It was shown that subjects who consume alcohol in biggestpercentage 73.4% consumed the same day, while the smallest percentage 2.7% comprise the same subjects who consumed annually.Conclusions: The prevalence of harmful habits as risk factors for cardiovascular disease among subjects in the Sarajevo Canton is evident represented. It is a significant development of the country, because it affects the health promotion strategy, which consequently changes the behavior based on individual needs. Health education and promotion of health can be reduced or completely prevented by a number of risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

SUMMARY CONFLICT OF INTEREST: none declared. Introduction Staphylococcal bacteremia/sepsis is one of the most serious bacterial infections around the world. In individuals with pre-existing diseases, there is always an increased risk of infections occurring due to impaired immune system, a variety of drug therapy, exposure to a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure and frequent hospitalizations. Objectives To analyze the prevalence of comorbidity in a patient with the staphylococcal bacteremia/sepsis according to the diagnosis, the site of infection and according to the isolated agent. Patients and methods We analyzed the patients affected by the staphylococcal bacteremia/sepsis and treated in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases during a ten-year period. Results 87 patients were included, out of whom 20 (23%) with clinical signs of the bacteremia and 67 (77%) of sepsis. In the analyzed sample, in 36 (41.4%) were not registered comorbidity. Hospital infections are represented by the previous antibiotic, corticosteroid and chemo therapy, pressure ulcers, and different implants. In all comorbidity, the most common isolated bacteria was S. aureus primarily strain MSSA followed by MRSA strain which is more frequent in patients who were surgically treated (comorbidity–various implants). Conclusion The results suggest the importance of being mindful of the staphylococcal etiology of the bacteremia/sepsis in patients with comorbidities due to the selection of an adequate initial empirical therapy and reducing the risks of the septic shock.