Common Cardiovascular Risk Factors Research Articles

Cardiovascular Disorders during HIV-AIDS in the Point G University, Hospital Internal Medical Service

The number of HIV-infected patients in the world is estimated at 34 million, including 30.1 million adults with 2.7 million new infections and 1.8 million deaths from HIV according to the 2011 UN AIDS report [1]. The prevalence of HIV infection in the general population of Mali is estimated at 1.1% according to DHSM-V [2]. Cardiovascular manifestations are increasingly encountered during our consultations with patients living with HIV. Thus we initiated this work with the aim of studying the cardiovascular lesions during the HIV-AIDS in the department of internal medicine of the point G. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted in the Internal Medicine department of the University Hospital Center (CHU) of the Point G from January 2008 to December 2012. Having included all HIV + patients hospitalized in the service with cardiovascular manifestations and who had performed a chest X-ray, cardiac and vascular ultrasound, electrocardiogram and/or cerebral computed tomography. Results: At the end of this work, 20 patients with cardiovascular lesions were identified in 273 hospitalized patients during the study period, i.e. a frequency of 7.3%. The 40 to 50 age group accounted for 45.0% with an average age of 42.4 ± 8.73 years. The most common cardiovascular risk factors were hypertension and active smoking with 31.58% each. Pericarditis accounted for 32% of cases, followed by cardiomyopathies with 23%. Conclusion: In our study, cardiovascular lesions are common in PHAs and etiologies are dominated by pericarditis.

Correlation of cardiovascular risk factors with brain iron deposition: A magnetic resonance imaging study

To study the correlation of common cardiovascular risk factors with brain iron deposition. Eighty-four elderly subjects without neurological diseases or brain trauma were included in the study. The cardiovascular risk factors were comprehensively assessed. MRI examination was performed to obtain high-resolution T1-weighted images and enhanced susceptibility weighted angiography (ESWAN) images, and R2* figure was obtained by post-processing the ESWAN sequence. High definition T1 images were segmented using computer segmentation technique. After registration to the ESWAN image, R2* values of each region of interest were extracted. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship of R2* values in each area of interest with gender, age and vascular risk factors. Smoking was associated with increased R2* values in the hippocampus, white matter and cortex (β=0.244, 0.317, 0.277, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Hypertension was correlated with the increase of R2* in the putamen (β=0.241, P=0.027). Hyperglycemia was associated with the increase of R2* in the thalamus (β=0.234, P<0.05). In the thalamus, the R2* value of males was higher than that of females (β=0.320, P<0.05). Age was correlated with the R2* values of thalamus, caudate nucleus, pallidus, white matter and cortex (β=-0.218、-0.254、0.216、-0.280 and -0.238, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Common cardiovascular risk factors may lead to iron deposition in the brain, and the deposition patterns vary with the gender, age and different risk factors.

Cardiovascular (CV)-Related Hospitalizations and Associated Costs Among US Patients in Simplicity: An Observational Study of Patients with Chronic-Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CP-CML) in Routine Clinical Practice

Cardiovascular (CV)-Related Hospitalizations and Associated Costs Among US Patients in Simplicity: An Observational Study of Patients with Chronic-Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CP-CML) in Routine Clinical Practice

The landscape of cardiovascular care in pediatric cancer patients and survivors: a survey by the ACC Pediatric Cardio-Oncology Work Group

ObjectiveTo enhance the understanding of cardiovascular care delivery in childhood cancer patients and survivors.Study designA 20-question survey was created by the Pediatric Cardio-oncology Work Group of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Cardio-oncology Section to assess the care, management, and surveillance tools utilized to manage pediatric/young adult cardio-oncology patients. The survey distribution was a collaborative effort between Cardio-oncology Section and membership of the Adult Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology Section (ACPC) of the ACC.ResultsSixty-five individuals, all self-identified as physicians, responded to the survey. Most respondents (n = 58,89%) indicated childhood cancer patients are regularly screened prior to and during cancer therapy at their centers, predominantly by electrocardiogram (75%), standard echocardiogram (58%) and advanced echocardiogram (50%) (i.e. strain, stress echo). Evaluation by a cardiologist prior to/during therapy was reported by only 8(12%) respondents, as compared to post-therapy which was reported by 28 (43%, p < 0.01). The most common indications for referral to cardiology at pediatric centers were abnormal test results (n = 31,48%) and history of chemotherapy exposure (n = 27,42%). Of note, during post-treatment counseling, common cardiovascular risk-factors like blood pressure (31,48%), lipid control (22,34%), obesity & smoking (30,46%) and diet/exercise/weight loss (30,46%) were addressed by fewer respondents than was LV function (72%).ConclusionsThe survey data demonstrates that pediatric cancer patients are being screened by EKG and/or imaging prior to/during therapy at most centers. Our data, however, highlight the potential for greater involvement of a cardiovascular specialist for pre-treatment evaluation process, and for more systematic cardiac risk factor counseling in posttreatment cancer survivors.

483Blood pressure and white matter lesions in patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most common cardiovascular risk factors in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). As a potential risk factor for cerebral white matter lesions (WML), HTN might explain the increased risk of cognitive dysfunction in AF patients. Methods In a multicenter cohort study of patients with documented AF in Switzerland, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) was measured up to three times in a supine position and the mean was calculated. HTN was defined as controlled, when SBP was &lt;140 and DBP &lt;90 mmHg with treatment, and uncontrolled when SBP was ≥140 or DBP ≥90 mmHg with treatment. All patients underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging. Volumes of WML were assessed and graded using the Fazekas scale. A Fazekas score of ≥2 was defined as moderate or severe WML. Multivariable adjusted regression models were used to assess the association between BP and WML. Results Overall, 1738 patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional analysis (mean age 73 years, 73% males). Mean BP was 135/79 mmHg, 69% had a history of HTN. Any WMLs were found in 99% of the patients and 54% had at least moderate WMLs. The prevalence of Fazekas ≥2 was 47%, 50% and 61% among AF patients with SBP &lt;120, 120–140 and ≥140mmHg (p&lt;0.001), respectively. Volumes of WMLs significantly increased across the same SBP categories (2943, 3512 and 4988 mm3, p&lt;0.001). Among patients with normotension, controlled and uncontrolled HTN, moderate or severe WMLs were present in 173 (42.5%), 345 (55%) and 307 (61%), respectively. SBP was associated with Fazekas ≥2 and WML volume after multivariable adjustment (Table). Compared to normotension, both controlled and uncontrolled HTN were significantly associated with higher WML volume (Table). Association between blood pressure and white matter lesions Blood pressure Fazekas ≥2 OR (95% CI) Volume WML β-coefficient (95% CI) &lt;120 mmHg Ref Ref 120–140 mmHg 1.17 (0.88; 1.55) 0.14 (−0.01; 0.30) ≥140 mmHg 1.49 (1.11; 2.00) 0.28 (0.12; 0.43) Continuous, per SD 1.20 (1.09; 1.36), p&lt;0.001 0.12 (0.06; 0.18), p&lt;0.001 Normotension Ref Ref Treated hypertension 1.26 (0.94; 1.68), p=0.12 0.22 (0.07; 0.38), p=0.005 Treated, uncontrolled hypertension 1.52 (1.13; 2.05), p=0.005 0.38 (0.21; 0.54), p&lt;0.001 Regression analyses were adjusted for age, sex, BMI, smoking status, stroke, diabetes, coronary heart disease, AF type, and antihypertensive treatment. One standard Deviation (SD) of SBP = 18 mmHg. Volume of WML was log-transformed. Conclusion Moderate or severe cerebral WMLs are highly prevalent in AF patients and strongly associated with SBP. Our data suggests that optimal treatment of HTN might play an essential role in preventing WMLs. Acknowledgement/Funding Swiss National Science Foundation

P3820Differential associations of common risk factors and biomarkers with atrial fibrillation and heart failure and their ability to predict sequential disease onset and mortality

Abstract Background Although atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) have a similar cardiovascular risk profile, the differential associations of the risk factors with both disease are incompletely understood. Aim The aim of this study was to understand whether common clinical risk factors and cardiovascular biomarkers show different associations with incident AF and HF, and to investigate predictors of sequential disease onset and mortality. Methods In 58693 individuals free of AF and HF from European population-based cohorts, pooled multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to find predictors for AF, HF and all-cause mortality. P-values for differences between Hazard Ratios (HR) of risk factors for AF and HF were estimated using bootstrapping with 5,000 replications. When AF and/or HF were used in Cox regressions as explanatory variables, they were included as time-dependent variables. Results Median age was 50.5 years, 49.3% were men. Median follow-up time was 13.8 years with an all-cause mortality rate of 15.7%. Incident AF and HF was present in 5.0% and 5.4% of the participants, with 1.8% showing a sequential disease onset. In multivariable-adjusted models we observed stronger associations of body mass index (HR of 1.32 (95% CI 1.25–1.39) vs. 1.42 (95% CI 1.36–1.49), p=0.02), smoking (HR of 1.21 (95% CI 1.08–1.33) vs. 2.11 (95% CI 1.90–2.32), p&lt;0.01) and antihypertensive medication (HR of 1.21 (95% CI 1.10–1.35) vs. 1.43 (95% CI 1.27–1.59), p&lt;0.01) with incident HF than with incident AF. Total serum cholesterol (HR of 1.10 (95% CI 1.06–1.15), prevalent diabetes (HR of 3.46 (95% CI 2.60–4.32), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (HR of 1.12 (95% CI 1.08–1.16)) and glomerular filtration rate (HR of 0.92 (95% CI 0.85–1.00) were significantly related to incident HF but not AF. Age (HR of 1.54 (95% CI 1.47–1.61) vs. 1.54 (95% CI 1.47–1.62), p=0.95), male sex (HR of 2.87 (95% CI 2.42–3.33), p=0.13), prevalent myocardial infarction (HR of 1.65 (95% CI 1.26–2.04) vs. 1.75 (95% CI 1.36–2.11), p=0.73) and NT-proBNP (HR of 1.59 (95% CI 1.50–1.68) vs. 1.60 (95% CI 1.51–1.69), p=0.86) showed comparable associations with both diseases. Age, male sex, body mass index, total serum cholesterol, prevalent diabetes and NT-proBNP were all predictors of sequential disease onset after multivariable adjustment. In models including cardiovascular risk factors and NT-proBNP, the time-varying covariates incident AF and HF showed a strong association with all-cause mortality, with HR of 2.2 (95% CI 1.9–2.5) and 10.7 (95% CI 9.1–12.6), respectively. Sequential disease onset further increased the hazard ratio to 15.1 (95% CI 11.6–19.5). Conclusion In our pooled analysis of population-based cohorts, new-onset AF and HF showed different associations with common cardiovascular risk factors and biomarkers. Although both diseases significantly increased mortality, the highest risk was observed in individuals with sequential disease onset.

P3624Prevalence and severity of coronary artery disease linked to prognosis in psoriasis patients referred for coronary computed tomography angiography: A multicentre cohort study

Abstract Background Psoriasis (Pso) is a disease characterized by systemic inflammation and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the degree of coronary artery calcification in Pso and its relation to prognosis is largely unknown. Purpose The aim of this study was 1) to estimate the prevalence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in this patient group and 2) to asses the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including revascularization and all-cause mortality after initial diagnosis and treatment in a large-scale cohort of patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) due to angina symptoms. Methods This study consists of two parts using data from the Western Denmark Heart Registry; a cross-sectional study included 40,125 patients and a follow-up study included 42,861 patients. Pso patients were identified by the National Patient Registry and verified by nationwide prescription and treatment code registers. Primary outcome in the cross-sectional study was a coronary artery calcium score (CACS) &gt;0, with a secondary outcome defined as a CACS ≥400. In the follow-up study, the primary outcome was a combined outcome including myocardial infarction, revascularization, ischemic or unspecified stroke and all-cause mortality. Events within the first 90 days after CCTA were attributed to initial treatment and consequently excluded. All outcomes were adjusted for common cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. Results In the cross-sectional study 1,407 (3.5%) Pso patients were identified. OR was 1.31 (95% CI; 1.15–1.49) for CACS &gt;0 and 1.33 (95% CI; 1.10–1.62) for CACS ≥400 in Pso patients compared to non-Pso patients. In the follow-up study 1,591 (3.7%) Pso patients were identified. The mean duration of follow-up after CCTA was 4.0 years (min/max 0.0/10.2). Crude HR for the combined outcome was 1.52 (95% CI; 1.24–1.87), while adjusted HR was 1.16 (95% CI; 0.95–1.43). Conclusion In this clinically relevant cohort of patients referred to CCTA for CAD rule out, coronary artery calcification was more frequent and more severe in Pso patients even compared to the control patients with several risk factors and angina symptoms, but without inflammatory diseases. An increased risk of the combined outcome of MACE including revascularization and all-cause mortality after initial treatment in Pso patients was found in the crude analysis. The increased risk seemed predominantly carried by an increase in traditional risk factors.

P3642Predictive value of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor for cardiovascular death and non-fatal myocardial infarction in patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract Introduction Stratification for subsequent coronary events among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is of considerable interest due to the potential to guide secondary preventive therapies. Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is expressed on various cells involved in atherogenesis and plaque instability, and has been associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with various conditions. Purpose In this study we investigated the potential role of suPAR as a prognostic biomarker for adverse outcome in patients with CAD, and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in particular. Methods Plasma levels of suPAR were measured in a cohort of 1,703 patients (AtheroGene Study) with documented coronary artery disease –including 626 patients with ACS and 1077 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP). The main outcome measures were defined as cardiovascular death and non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI). Survival curves for the endpoints considered were computed according to thirds of the suPAR distribution. The equality of survival curves was tested using the log-rank test. Multivariable models adjusted for common cardiovascular risk factors and the biomarkers CRP, NT-proBNP and high-sensitivity troponin I (hs-TnI) in particular were also computed. Results The prognostic utility of suPAR was evidenced by survival curves stratified for tertiles of circulating suPAR levels –both, in the overall cohort (p=0.00062), and in the ACS cohort (p=0.00099) with a median follow-up of 3,5 years. In multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analyses the hazard ratio (HR) for the prediction of cardiovascular death was 3.60 for log-transformed suPAR levels (p&lt;0.001) in the overall CAD cohort, whereas it was 3.34 (p=0.003) in the ACS cohort. The HR regarding prediction of the combined outcome cardiovascular death and/or non-fatal MI during follow-up was 2.19 (p&lt;0.001) in the overall cohort, and 2.56 (p&lt;0.001) in the ACS cohort. After multivariate adjustment, including conventional cardiovascular risk factors and hs-TnI, suPAR, after log transformation, still enabled a reliable and strong prediction of future cardiovascular death with a HR of 3.17 (p&lt;0.001) in the overall CAD cohort, and a HR of 2.85 (p=0.014) in the ACS cohort. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that suPAR has a strong prognostic value independent of hs-TnI in secondary prevention settings, and thereby might represent a valuable biomarker for risk estimation in CAD. Acknowledgement/Funding Stiftung Rheinland-Pfalz für Innovation, European Union 7th Framework Programme, DZHK e.V., ERA-Net, Abbott Diagnostics

Standaryzowana kompozycja polifenoli z bergamoty – czy może być opcją terapeutyczną u wybranych pacjentów z zaburzeniami lipidowymi? – analiza przypadków klinicznych

Lipid metabolic disorders are one of the most common cardiovascular risk factors. The basis for the treatment of dyslipidemia is lifestyle modification and, in selected patients – pharmacotherapy with the use of statins. In some patients, non-pharmacological treatment is not effective enough and their overall cardiovascular risk is relatively low. In such patients, there is no indication for statin therapy and functional food and dietary supplements could be the therapeutic option. One of the new and relatively well-tested dietary supplements is bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF). The article analyzes the results of the use of BPF in 3 patients with various stages of lipid disorders.

Preparat złożony atorwastatyna/perindopril — nowoczesna prewencja zdarzeń sercowo-naczyniowych

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Poland. The most common cardiovascular risk factors are dyslipidemia and hypertension. Unfortunately, the percentage of patients with well-controlled dyslipidemia and hypertension remains very low. This is mainly due to insufficient statin therapy. Perindopril and atorvastatin are substances with a documented efficacy in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular events. The use of these drugs in one capsule can cause a significant increase in the percentage of patients properly treated and reaching the target values of blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol.

Inflammation and Vascular Ageing: From Telomeres to Novel Emerging Mechanisms.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbility and mortality worldwide. The identification of common cardiovascular risk factors has led to the development of effective treatments that enabled a significant reduction of the global cardiovascular disease burden. However, a significant proportion of cardiovascular risk remains unexplained by these risk factors leaving many individuals at risk of cardiovascular events despite good control of the risk factors. Recent randomized clinical trials and Mendelian randomization studies have suggested that inflammation explains a significant proportion of the residual cardiovascular risk in subjects with good control of risk factors. An accelerated process of vascular ageing is increasingly recognized as a potential mechanism by which inflammation might increase the risk of CVD. In turn, cellular ageing represents an important source of inflammation within the vascular wall, potentially creating a vicious cycle that might promote progression of atherosclerosis, independently from the individual cardiovascular risk factor burden. In this review, we summarise current evidence suggesting a role for biological ageing in CVD and how inflammation might act as a key mediator of this association.

Favorable impact of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on the cerebral white matter hyperintensity in a neurologically healthy population.

Although non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) shares common cardiovascular risk factors with cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH), few studies have reported the association between NAFLD and WMH. The association between the presence of NAFLD with its severity and the volume of WMH was investigated. This cross-sectional study was conducted for 2460 subjects who voluntarily participated in health screening check-ups including brain magnetic resonance imaging and liver ultrasonography at the Health Promotion Center at Seoul National University Hospital from 2009 to 2013. Ultrasonography was used to detect the presence and severity of NAFLD combined with the NAFLD fibrosis score and the FIB-4 index. The volume of WMH was measured using a semi-automated quantification method by a trained neurologist. The prevalence of NAFLD was 36.5%, and the median volume of WMH in all the subjects was 1.1ml (interquartile range 0.2-2.7ml). The presence of NAFLD was associated with a smaller volume of WMH [β (standard error, SE) -0.051 (0.046); P=0.012]. Moderate to severe NAFLD was associated with a smaller volume of WMH than was non-NAFLD [β (SE) -0.067 (0.061); P=0.002]. The negative correlation observed between NAFLD severity and WMH volume was persistent only in those with low FIB-4 index and low NAFLD fibrosis scores, whereas there was a positive association in those with high FIB-4 index and NAFLD fibrosis scores. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and its severity, showed a favorable association with WMH volume. However, its causality and mechanism should be evaluated in further relevantly designed studies.

Anthropometric indices for predicting cardiovascular risk factors: Ellisras longitudinal study.

The aim of the study was to determine which anthropometric indices can best predict the presence of common cardiovascular risk factors among young adults in the rural village of Ellisras in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 624 young adults (306 males and 318 females) aged 18 to 29 years took part in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometrics were measured according to the standard procedures. Blood pressure and blood parameters were collected and measured. The stepwise logistic regression was used to determine anthropometric indices that can predict the presence of common cardiovascular risk factors and a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to assess discrimination abilities of anthropometric indices for cardiovascular risk factors. The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in multivariable adjusted models was not found to be associated with cardiovascular risk factors compared to body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). The area below the ROC curve for the abovementioned indices was above 0.62. The central obesity indices, WC and WHtR, are better predictors of dyslipedemia and hypercholesterolemia, whereas BMI was a better predictor of hypertension among young adults living in rural South Africa between the ages of 18 and 29 years.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Increased Prevalence of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Hospitalized Patients

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and its individual phenotypes of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and cerebrovascular disease by age and sex in a large US cohort of hospitalized patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). MethodsA nested case-control study of adults with and without SLE was conducted from the January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2014, National Inpatient Sample. Hospitalized patients with SLE were matched (1:3) by age, sex, race, and calendar year to hospitalized patients without SLE. The prevalences of CAD, PAD, and cerebrovascular disease were evaluated, and associations with SLE were determined after adjustment for common cardiovascular risk factors. ResultsAmong the 252,676 patients with SLE and 758,034 matched patients without SLE, the mean age was 51 years, 89% were women, and 49% were white. Patients with SLE had a higher prevalence of ASCVD vs those without SLE (25.6% vs 19.2%; OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.44-1.47; P<.001). After multivariable adjustment, SLE was associated with a greater odds of ASCVD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.46; 95% CI, 1.41-1.51). The association between SLE and ASCVD was observed in women and men and was attenuated with increasing age. Also, SLE was associated with increased odds of CAD (aOR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.40-1.44), PAD (aOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.22-1.28), and cerebrovascular disease (aOR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.65-1.71). ConclusionIn hospitalized US patients, SLE was associated with increased ASCVD prevalence, which was observed in both sexes and was greatest in younger patients.

What is the most important determinant of cardiometabolic risk in 60–65-year-old subjects: physical activity-related behaviours, overall energy expenditure or occupational status? A cross-sectional study in three populations with different employment status in Poland

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to determine whether cardiovascular risk factors may differ according to occupational status and whether physical activity related to total energy expenditure (PA-EE) and related...

Exercise-induced ST depression in an asymptomatic population without coronary artery disease

Objectives. Exercise electrocardiogram (ExECG) in low risk populations frequently generates false positive ST depression. We aimed to characterize factors that are associated with exercise-induced ST depression in asymptomatic men without coronary artery disease. Design. Cycle ergometer exercise tests from 509 male firefighters without imaging proof of significant coronary artery disease were analysed. Analysed test data included heart rate at rest before exercise, and workload, blood pressure, heart rate, ST depression and ST segment slope at peak exercise. ST depression of >0.1 mV was considered significant (STdep). With a mean follow-up of 6.1 ± 1.7 years, medical records were reviewed for cardiovascular diagnoses, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Logistic regression analysis was used for risk assessment. Results. In total, 22% had STdep in ≥1 lead. Subjects with STdep were older than those with normal ExECG (p < .001). Downsloping STdep was more common in extremity leads (9%) than in precordial leads (2%). STdep was categorized according to location (precordial/extremity) and slope direction into eight categories. Larger age-adjusted heart rate increase predicted STdep in seven categories (p < .05). Age-adjusted peak heart rate correlated with STdep in five categories, predominantly where the ST slope was positive. Peak blood pressure and exercise capacity were both associated with STdep in few categories. We found no association between STdep and hypertension, hyperlipidemia or diabetes (all p > .05). Conclusions. In asymptomatic men with a physically demanding occupation and no coronary artery disease, both age and heart rate response were associated with ST depression, whereas common cardiovascular risk factors, blood pressure response and exercise capacity were not.

Elektrokardiografia w diagnostyce przerostu mięśnia lewej komory u pacjentów ze schyłkową niewydolnością nerek leczonych powtarzanymi zabiegami hemodializ

Introduction. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is one of the most common cardiovascular risk factors in patients under- going haemodialysis (HD). Although standard ECG can help to identify patients at greater risk of LVH, its prognostic value in haemodialysed patients is uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate currently used ECG criteria for LVH in patients on renal replacement therapy. Material and methods. A group of 90 patients, who were undergoing qualification to renal transplantation, were included in the study. Every patient underwent 12-lead ECG and transthoracic echocardiography. Patients with any conduction disorders were excluded from the study. Finally, the study group consisted of 76 patients (21 women, mean age 53.1 ± 14.4 years). Results. LVH was diagnosed by echocardiography in 39 patients (51%, 27 men and 12 women). Only three out of six tested criteria showed satisfactory performance for LVH diagnosis in HD patients: the sum of S V3 and R aVL > 28 mm in men, and > 20 mm in women (area under curve [AUC] 68%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 56–80); the sum of S V1 and R V5 or V6 > 35 mm (AUC 63%, 95%CI 50–76); and the sum of SV2 and RV5 or V6 > 45 mm (AUC 63%; 95%CI 50–75). Conclusions. The present ECG diagnostic criteria for LVH are of very limited value in patients undergoing HD. Further studies should be performed to establish new ECG criteria for this group of patients. In the meantime, echocardiography should be recommended as the most precise diagnostic routine test to evaluate HD patients for LVH.

The importance of endothelial dysfunction in resistance artery remodelling and cardiovascular risk.

The relationship between resistance artery remodelling and endothelial function remains unknown. In this study, we assessed (i) the capacity of endothelial function and nitric oxide (NO) availability to provide more information on the severity of resistance artery remodelling than common cardiovascular risk factors in subjects at low or high cardiovascular risk; and (ii) differences between patterns of resistance artery remodelling associated with deficit of NO availability and with exposure to cardiovascular risk factors. All analyses were conducted on the microvascular data set of the Italian Society for Arterial Hypertension (SIIA) that includes 356 patients with measures of small resistance arteries remodelling acquired with pressure or wire myography. Information on endothelial function and NO availability were also available in 116 patients. The European Heart Score (HS) was used to define the total cardiovascular risk of each patient. Endothelial function was inversely related with the severity of the resistance artery remodelling, and this association remained significant after adjustment for the HS. By contrast, the HS lost its significant association with the media-to-lumen (M/L) ratio and the media cross-sectional area after adjustment for endothelial function. The strength of these associations was similar in subjects at high and low cardiovascular risk. The addition of endothelial function and NO availability to the HS significantly improved the identification of subjects at more and less severe resistance artery remodelling. A severe deficit of NO availability was associated with hypertrophic remodelling, while a higher HS was more clearly associated with eutrophic remodelling. Resistance artery endothelial function and NO availability might represent important factors involved in resistance artery remodelling, independently from cardiovascular risk factor exposure.

Nonfatal and fatal cardiovascular disease events in CPAP compliant obstructive sleep apnea patients

PurposeObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is suggested to predispose to cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. It is uncertain whether compliance to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment could attenuate the risk. We explored this issue in long-term CPAP users and untreated controls.MethodsRetrospective observational cohort of CPAP-treated and control patients were pairwise matched for gender, age, and apnea–hypopnea index (AHI). The study end point was a composite of nonfatal and fatal CVD events. Cox regression model was used to determine the association between CPAP treatment and event-free survival.ResultsA total of 2060 patients (75.8% male, mean age 56.0 ± 10.5 years), of which 76.4% had moderate–severe OSA, were included. In the CPAP-treated group (N = 1030), the median use of CPAP was 6.4 h/day during a median follow-up of 8.7 years. The control group (N = 1030) was followed for a median of 6.2 years after the CPAP treatment had ended. The study end point occurred in 14.4% (N = 148) of the CPAP-treated and in 18.8% (N = 194) of the control patients (p = 0.006). Using the Cox regression model adjusted for gender, age, AHI, body mass index, and history of CVD, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at baseline, a beneficial association between CPAP treatment and CVD risk was observed (hazard ratio 0.64, confidence interval 95% 0.5–0.8, p < 0.001).ConclusionsCPAP treatment was associated with a decreased risk of nonfatal and fatal CVD events. Majority of the patients were compliant to CPAP. The association was demonstrated independent from common cardiovascular risk factors and AHI.

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes Associated With In-Hospital Acute Myocardial Infarction

Studies of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) occurring outside the hospital have informed approaches to addressing risk, treatment, and patient outcomes. Similar insights for in-hospital AMI are lacking. To determine the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with in-hospital AMI. Cohort, nested case-control, and matched cohort study of patients hospitalized in US Veterans Health Administration facilities between July 2007 and September 2009. The incidence of in-hospital AMI was determined from a complete cohort of in-hospital AMI relative to the total number of inpatient admissions. From the in-hospital AMI cohort, detailed medical record review was performed on 687 cases and 687 individually matched controls. Risk factors and outcomes associated with in-hospital AMI were determined from matched comparison of in-hospital AMI cases to hospitalized controls. Candidate risk factors for in-hospital AMI included characteristics at the time of admission and in-hospital variables prior to the index date. In the determination of the incidence and risk factors associated with in-hospital AMI, the outcome of interest was in-hospital AMI. All-cause mortality was the main outcome of interest following in-hospital AMI. A total of 5556 patients with in-hospital AMI (mean [SD] age, 73 [10] years; 5456 [98.2%] male) were identified among 1.3 million admissions, with an incidence of 4.27 in-hospital AMI events per 1000 admissions. Independent risk factors associated with in-hospital AMI included intensive care unit setting, history of coronary artery disease, heart rate greater than 100 beats/min, hemoglobin level less than 8 g/dL, and white blood cell count 14 000/μL or greater. Compared with the matched control group, mortality was significantly higher for patients with in-hospital AMI (in-hospital mortality, 26.4% vs 4.2%; 30-day mortality, 33.0% vs 10.0%; 1-year mortality, 59.2% vs 34.4%). In-hospital AMI was common and associated with common cardiovascular risk factors and markers of acute illness. Patient outcomes following in-hospital AMI were poor, with 1-year mortality approaching 60%. Further study of in-hospital AMI may yield opportunities to reduce in-hospital AMI risk and improve patient outcomes.