15 research outputs found
Circulating Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase-4 (TIMP-4) in Systemic Sclerosis Patients with Elevated Pulmonary Arterial Pressure
Decreased levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) or excess levels of their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) may contribute to dysregulation of extracellular matrix turnover in systemic sclerosis (SSc). In a cross-sectional study of 106 SSc patients, we measured serum levels of TIMP-4 which is preferentially expressed in cardiovascular structures and searched for correlations with simultaneously performed echocardiography measurements of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), myocardial performance, and pulmonary function tests. TIMP-4, but not MMP-9, levels were significantly raised in patients with SSc than controls. However, in the subgroup of patients with PASP measurements lower to 40 mmHg (n = 69), TIMP-4 levels were comparable to controls irrespective of the presence of diffuse or limited skin involvement, or lung fibrosis. Individual PASP measurements suggestive of pulmonary hypertension were associated with increased TIMP-4 serum levels (P = .03), independently of age, extent of skin sclerosis, or lung fibrosis, suggesting a cardiopulmonary vasculature-specific role of TIMP-4 activation in SSc
Association of the 894G>T polymorphism in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene with risk of acute myocardial infarction
Background: This study was designed to investigate the association of the 894G>T polymorphism in the eNOS gene with risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) on coronary angiography, and in-hospital mortality after AMI.
Methods: We studied 1602 consecutive patients who were enrolled in the GEMIG study. The control group was comprised by 727 individuals, who were randomly selected from the general adult population.
Results: The prevalence of the Asp298 variant of eNOS was not found to be significantly and independently associated with risk of AMI (RR = 1.08, 95%CI = 0.77–1.51, P = 0.663), extent of CAD on angiography (OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 0.63–2.23, P = 0.605) and in-hospital mortality (RR = 1.08, 95%CI = 0.29–4.04, P = 0.908).
Conclusion: In contrast to previous reports, homozygosity for the Asp298 variant of the 894G>T polymorphism in the eNOS gene was not found to be associated with risk of AMI, extent of CAD and in-hospital mortality after AM
and of Hemoglobin Filter Cigarettes on Autonomic Cardiac Control
T he adverse effects of smoking onthe cardiovascular system have beenstudied both in extensive epidemio-logical studies and on a basic research le-vel. The conclusions of these studies are in such close agreement that smoking has been identified by the American Heart Association (AHA) as the most signifi-cant modifiable risk factor of coronary artery disease in the USA1. One of the mechanisms by which smoking impairs the cardiovascular fun-ction is its effect on Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) control2-4. Out of all the biologically active substances detected in cigarettes and tobacco products, nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide have been most widely studied. Nicotine acts as an ago-nist of nicotine receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system exerting a ganglioplegic effect and causing suppres-sion of vagal (predominantly) and sympa-thetic control. However in the latter the-re seems to be a direct enhancing effect at the central nuclei level resulting in an overall increase of sympathetic tone. In addition, nicotine affects the chemore-ceptors of the aorta and the carotid thu
Pattern and distribution of myocardial fibrosis in systemic sclerosis - A delayed enhanced magnetic resonance imaging study
Objective. To assess the prevalence and pattern of myocardial fibrosis
as detected by delayed enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) in
patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and to evaluate a possible
association between myocardial fibrosis and cardiac arrhythmias.
Methods. Forty-one patients with SSc underwent 24-hour Holter
monitoring, Doppler echocardiography, and DE-MRI following gadolinium
administration.
Results. Technically acceptable DE-MRIs were obtained in 36 patients
with SSc. Enhancement on DE-MRI, consistent with myocardial fibrosis,
was observed in 24 of these patients (66%), and it was invariably
midwall with a linear pattern, mostly involving basal and midcavity
segments of the left ventricle. The volume of enhancement (total volume
percentage index [TVPI]) did not differ between patients with diffuse
SSc and those with limited SSc- (mean +/- SD 1.46 +/- 1.73% versus 1.44
+/- 1.77%; P = 0.98). Patients with a long duration ( >= 15 years) of
Raynaud’s phenomenon had a greater number of enhancing segments (mean
+/- SD 6.55 +/- 4.93 versus 2.96 +/- 3.46; P = 0.017) and a greater TVPI
(mean +/- SD 2.44 +/- 1.97% versus 1.02 +/- 1.43%; P = 0.02) than
those with a duration of Raynaud’s phenomenon <15 years. Nineteen
patients with SSc (53%) had abnormal Holler study results. Compared
with patients with normal Holter study results, those with abnormal
results had a greater number of enhancing segments (mean SD 5.4 +/- 4.8
versus 2.5 +/- 2.9; P < 0.05) and a greater TVPI (mean +/- SD 2.1 +/-
1.9% versus 0.8 +/- 1.2%; P < 0.05).
Conclusion. DE-MRI can identify myocardial fibrosis in a significant
percentage of patients with SSc and may be a useful noninvasive tool for
determining cardiac involvement
Blood pressure deviation from the golden ratio phi and all-cause mortality: A pythagorean view of the arterial pulse
Introduction: There is one mathematical element with strong historical
and philosophical background that exhibits remarkable properties and
applications; the golden ratio (phi). Mathematically, the golden ratio
equals approximately 1.61803. A rather provocative geometrical analysis
of the arterial pulse according to the golden ratio was recently
described, and herein, we aim to set out the hypothesis that individuals
with blood pressure (BP) values that follow the golden ratio may have
different prognosis than those whose BPs deviate from the divine
proportions. Materials and Methods: We used published data from the
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 1999-2010.
Results: We found that the deviation of the BP values from the golden
ratio is independently associated with all-cause mortality. Conclusions:
This observation stimulates further research of the potential utility of
the golden ratio of BP values on the diagnosis and prediction of
BP-related abnormalities and risk