Prediction of Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality With Erectile Dysfunction A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

Background-Erectile dysfunction (ED) carries an independent risk for cardiovascular (CV) events. We conducted a meta-analysis of all longitudinal studies for determining the ability of ED to predict risk of clinical events and to dissect factors influencing this ability. Methods and Results-We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases through July 2012. Longitudinal studies that reported relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were included. Of the 14 studies included (92 757 participants; mean follow-up, 6.1 years; 16 articles), 13 (14 articles) reported results on total CV events (91 831 individuals), 4 on CV mortality (34 761 individuals), 4 on myocardial infarction (35 523 individuals), 6 on cerebrovascular events (27 689 individuals), and 5 on all-cause mortality (17 869 individuals). The pooled RRs for the above-mentioned end points were 1.44 (95% CI, 1.27-1.63), 1.19 (95% CI, 0.97-1.46), 1.62 (95% CI, 1.34-1.96), 1.39 (95% CI, 1.23-1.57), and 1.25 (95% CI, 1.12-1.39), respectively, for men with versus without ED. The RR was higher in intermediate-compared with high-or low-CV-risk populations and with younger age. The RR for studies that diagnosed ED with the use of a questionnaire compared with a single question was higher (RR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.38-1.86 versus RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.18-1.37, respectively; P=0.006). Conclusions-ED is associated with increased risk of CV events and all-cause mortality. RR is higher at younger ages, in intermediate-risk groups, and when a questionnaire is used instead of a single question. (Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2013; 6: 99-109.

Association between pneumococcal vaccination and cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Aims Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and CAP-related mortality in adults. Pneumococcal vaccination (PV) could protect subjects from cardiovascular events by reducing pneumonia severity or even preventing it. We sought to determine the ability of PV to protect from the risk of cardiovascular events. Methods and results A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted up to March 2014. Cohort studies that reported relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were included. Eleven studies were included (332,267 participants, mean follow-up 20.1 months). The pooled RRs for cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality were 0.86 (95% CI: 0.76-0.97) and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.86-0.98; fixed-effects), respectively, for subjects with PV versus without PV. Protective ability was more prominent in high cardiovascular risk populations and with older age. The protective role of PV was attenuated after 1 year (RR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.59-0.88 vs RR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.93-1.14; p=0.002, for follow-up >1 year vs 1 year, respectively). It also increased as the presence of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease increased. Regarding myocardial infarction (MI) and cerebrovascular events, the protective role of PV was statistically significant only in the elderly (RR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.817-0.999; fixed-effects and RR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75-0.99, respectively). Conclusion PV is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. This protective effect increases at older age and in high cardiovascular risk subjects and decreases as the time elapses from PV. PV decreases the risk of MI and cerebrovascular events in the elderly

Left ventricular (LV) geometry and dipping state are determinants of LV mass reduction with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor antihypertensive treatment

Objectives Left ventricular hypertrophy is a major risk predictor in hypertensive patients and its regression is beneficial in terms of prognosis. The aim of this observational, open-labeled study was to investigate the effect of left ventricular geometry and dipping pattern on left ventricular mass reduction after chronic treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, in a large population of hypertensive patients. Methods We evaluated untreated patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension, before and 6 months after treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor monotherapy or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-low-dose thiazide combination. Left ventricular mass index, relative wall thickness and geometry pattern were derived from echocardiography. Dipping state was determined with 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring at enrollment. Results Overall, left ventricular mass index decrease in the 1400 patients (mean age 52.5 years) who completed the study was 12.9% of baseline value (P < 0.00001). After adjusting for pretreatment value, left ventricular mass index reduction was similar with all angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors used [P= NS (not significant)], but it was higher in nondippers than dippers (14.1 vs. 12.3%, P < 0.0001) and in patients with than without baseline left ventricular hypertrophy (14.6 vs. 11.3%, P < 0.0001). We observed a stepwise augmentation of left ventricular mass index decrease with worsening left ventricular geometry (P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, impaired left ventricular geometry and blunted nocturnal blood pressure fall before treatment were independent predictors of a high left ventricular mass index reduction after treatment, independent of blood pressure fall, pretreatment left ventricular mass index, and other potential confounders. Conclusion In essential hypertension, left ventricular geometry and dipping state are independent determinants of left ventricular mass reduction with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor treatment. All angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are efficient in decreasing left ventricular mass

Relation of habitual cocoa consumption to aortic stiffness and wave reflections, and to central hemodynamics in healthy individuals

The effect of habitual cocoa consumption on arterial stiffness and wave reflection indexes, as well as on peripheral and central blood pressure, was assessed in 198 healthy subjects. In conclusion, higher cocoa intake was an independent determinant of low arterial stiffness and wave reflection indexes and was also independently associated with significantly lower central (aortic) pulse pressure. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved