MedWorm: Cardiology Top 20

Targeting angiogenesis as treatment for obesity.

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:09:18 +0100

Authors: Bruemmer D PMID: 22258895 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology)

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Hypertension risk elevated with increased BMI, waist circumference

MedWire News - Hypertension — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:06:53 +0100

Researchers have found that there is an elevated relative risk for hypertension with increased body mass index and waist circumference among White, Aboriginal, and Asian individuals. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)

Aliskiren: A Potential Antiarrhythmic Drug?

The Journal of Clinical Hypertension — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:20:46 +0100

(Source: The Journal of Clinical Hypertension)

Parte 3: III Diretrizes Brasileiras de Monitorização Residencial da Pressão Arterial (MRPA)

Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:10:15 +0100

(Source: Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia)

Intima-media thickness and other markers of atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes and periodontal disease.

Kardiologia Polska — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:54:02 +0100

Conclusions: Periodontal inflammation in patients with DM2 seems to be associated with increased IMT and BP, but not with greater arterial stiffness. These results support the hypothesis that periodontal disease may be associated with a vascular pathology. Kardiol Pol 2012; 70, 1: 7-13. PMID: 22267416 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Kardiologia Polska)

Sexual activity ‘safe’ for most heart disease patients

MedWire News - Cardiology — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:08:28 +0100

Patients with stable cardiovascular disease can safely engage in sexual activity, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement. (Source: MedWire News - Cardiology)

Eliminating untimely deaths of women from heart disease: Highlights from the Minnesota Women's Heart Summit

American Heart Journal — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:35:17 +0100

This report summarizes strategies identified during the conference to serve as springboards for more substantive future initiatives. These include, for example, standardized data collection and use of existing data sets to inform perspectives on sex-related cardiovascular issues, mandatory reporting of sex-specific data, and increased attention to underserved/high-risk women. Participants acknowledged that implementing these ideas would be challenging and recommended key priorities/next action steps such as providing services close to “point-of-life” rather than “point-of-care” and creation of policies and regulations so that resources and environmental modifications encouraging healthier lifestyle choices are promoted. Additional research is needed to improve identification, treat...

Primary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction with right bundle branch block: should new onset right bundle branch block be added to future guidelines as an indication for reperfusion therapy?

European Heart Journal — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Acute myocardial infarction with RBBB is frequently caused by the complete occlusion of the infarct-related artery and is more frequently treated with primary PCI when compared with AMI + LBBB. In-hospital mortality of patients with AMI and RBBB is highest from all ECG presentations of AMI. Restoration of coronary flow by primary PCI may lead to resolution of the conduction delay on the discharge ECG. Right bundle branch block should strongly be considered for listing in future guidelines as a standard indication for reperfusion therapy, in the same way as LBBB. (Source: European Heart Journal)

Six-monthly repeat BP measurement ideal in white-coat resistant hypertension

MedWire News - Hypertension — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:04:51 +0100

Researchers say the appropriate time interval to repeat ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in patients with white-coat resistant hypertension is at 3 months after the first diagnosis and every 6 months to 1 year thereafter. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)

Recent studies of the human chromosome 9p21 locus, which is associated with atherosclerosis in human populations.

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:07:53 +0100

Authors: Holdt LM, Teupser D Abstract The chromosome 9p21 (Chr9p21) locus was discovered in 2007 by independent genome-wide association studies for coronary artery disease. Since then, the locus has been replicated numerous times and can be considered the most robust genetic marker of coronary artery disease today. Subsequent work has shown associations of Chr9p21 with a number of additional cardiovascular disease traits, such as carotid artery plaque, stroke, aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, and cardiovascular mortality, suggesting a more general role in vascular pathology. Importantly, Chr9p21 lacks associations with common cardiovascular risk factors, such as lipids and hypertension, indicating that the locus exerts its effect through a completely novel mecha...

Melatonin - a somniferous option which does not aggravate sleep-disordered breathing in cardiac risk patients: a Holter ECG based study.

Kardiologia Polska — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:54:02 +0100

Conclusions: Hypnagogic treatment with melatonin did not worsen the eAHI in patients with CAD. Kardiol Pol 2012; 70, 1: 24-29. PMID: 22267420 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Kardiologia Polska)

Indicators of the atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype measured with density gradient ultracentrifugation predict changes in carotid intima-media thickness in men and women.

Atherosclerosis — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:18:07 +0100

CONCLUSION: These data indicate that DGU-derived indicators of the "atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype," including increased TG-rich lipoprotein cholesterol, lower HDL-C and HDL-C subfractions, and a greater proportion of LDL-C carried by more dense LDL particles, are associated with CIMT progression in men and women at moderate risk for coronary heart disease. PMID: 22272073 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Atherosclerosis)

BP difference between arms points to peripheral vascular disease

MedWire News - Hypertension — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:07:02 +0100

A difference of 10 to 15 mmHg in systolic blood pressure between the left and right arm is associated with an increased risk for peripheral vascular disease and mortality, results of a systematic review and meta-analysis show. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)

Simvastatin and atorvastatin attenuate VCAM-1 and uPAR expression on human endothelial cells and platelet surface expression of CD40 ligand.

Cardiology Journal — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:36:02 +0100

Conclusions: These effects may explain the ability of statins to reduce the progression of atherosclerosis in addition to their cholesterol-lowering properties. (Cardiol J 2012; 19, 1: 20-28). PMID: 22298164 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cardiology Journal)

Comparison of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase levels between patients with cardiac syndrome X and healthy asymptomatic individuals.

Kardiologia Polska — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:54:02 +0100

Conclusions: GGT activity in patients with cardiac syndrome X was higher than in healthy controls. Moreover, GGT activity was further increased in those patients with cardiac syndrome X who had also MS. Kardiol Pol 2012; 70, 1: 31-37. PMID: 22267422 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Kardiologia Polska)

Atrial Electrical and Structural Remodeling Associated with Longstanding Pulmonary Hypertension and Right Ventricular Hypertrophy in Humans

Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Idiopathic PH is associated with RA remodeling characterized by: generalized conduction slowing with marked regional abnormalities; reduced tissue voltage; and regions of electrical silence. These changes provide important insights into the isolated effects of PH fundamental to a range of clinical conditions associated with AF. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. pp. 1–7) (Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology)

Interleukin-17A Contributes to Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Regulating Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis and Neutrophil Infiltration

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:57:13 +0100

Conclusions: IL-17A mainly produced by γδT cells plays a pathogenic role in myocardial I/R injury by inducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis and neutrophil infiltration. (Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

Stroke Score May Predict if Clot Busters Will Work (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Cardiovascular — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:13:00 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- NEW ORLEANS — A tool used to predict outcomes in patients with acute ischemic strokes also may help predict the clinical response to IV thrombolytic therapy, researchers found. (Source: MedPage Today Cardiovascular)

Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in Congenital Heart Disease

Echocardiography — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:01:22 +0100

Complex intracardiac anatomy and spatial relationships are inherent to congenital heart defects (CHDs). Recognition of the limitations of two‐dimensional echocardiography has stimulated clinical interest in three‐dimensional imaging. The current review examines contemporary studies in the following areas where three‐dimensional echocardiography has provided additive value in CHD: (1) visualization of morphology, (2) quantitation of chamber sizes and ventricular function, and (3) image‐guided interventions. (Echocardiography 2012;29:242‐247) (Source: Echocardiography)

Increased Proximal Arterial Stiffness and Cardiac Response With Moderate Exercise in Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:57:11 +0100

Conclusions: In HFpEF patients, moderate exercise leads to a steep increase in proximal afterload that is underestimated at rest and is associated with unfavorable ventriculoarterial coupling and exercise intolerance. (Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology)