THE EYE — MIRROR OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS. EVOLUTION OF PERCEPTION ABOUT HYPERTENSIVE RETINOPATHY

Published data often contain conflicting views on the relationship of retina changes in arterial hypertension (HT) with cardiovascular disorders and target organs lesions. Along with the classification and pathophysiology of hypertensive retinopathy, evidence for its association with the HT course, target organ lesions and prognosis is presented. Functional disorders of the eyes point at the involvement of retina into the pathological process even in HT early stages and are able to reflect the severity of hypertension. This supports a close relationship of HT with eye disease as a target organ. Available data support also possibility to assess changes on the eye fundus in patients with uncomplicated HT, indicating that it was premature decision to exclude eyes from the list of target organs in HT

Cardiopulmonary factors associated with atrial fibrillation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Aim. To study the relationships between clinical and functional features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and status of cardiovascular system with focus on identifying factors associated with the atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with COPD.Material and methods. Patients (n=94) with COPD out of exacerbation and airways obstruction of 2-4 degree (GOLD 2013) were examined. The spirometry, daily pulse oximetry, 24-hour ECG and blood pressure monitoring with vascular wall stiffness estimation, echocardiography were performed. Levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) werealso assessed.Results. AF paroxysms were found in 46 patients, including newly diagnosed ones in 22 patients. According to the results of multiple correlation analysis, the frequency of AF paroxysms correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) (R=-0.348; p=0.013), minimum oxygen saturation of the blood (min%SpO2) (R=-0.356; p=0.011), CRP level (R=0.442; p=0.001), the sizes of both atria (p<0.001), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) of left ventricle (LV) (R=0.350; p=0.022), the right ventricle (RV) size (R=0.478; p<0.001), systolic blood pressure level in the pulmonary artery (PASP) (р<0.001), vascular stiffness - pulse wave velocity in aorta (PWao) (p=0.001). The influence of FEV1 on the left atrium volume index (χ2=7.0; p=0.008) and IVRT LV (χ2=7.9; p=0.005) was revealed. Correlations between min%SpO2 and IVRT and PWao were observed.Conclusion. Severe bronchial obstruction, hypoxemia, systemic inflammation with increase in vascular stiffness (PWao) and myocardium remodeling (increase in the sizes of both atria, PASP, RV size and diastolic dysfunction of LV) are the factors that associated with the occurrence of AF in patients with COPD

Клинико-функциональный статус пациентов с хронической обструктивной болезнью легких и фибрилляцией предсердий

The aim of this study was to investigate functional status and typical symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods. Stable patients with moderate to very severe COPD (n = 94) with or without AF were involved in the study. Spirometry, 24-h monitoring of electrocardiogram and arterial pressure were done in all patients. COPD symptoms were assessed using Modified Medical Research Council Scale (mMRC) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT). We analyzed a rate of moderate and severe acute exacerbations of COPD during the previous year; parameters of 6-minute walk test (distance, pulse oximetry and dyspnea using Borg’s scale) and BODE index. Results. AF paroxysms were registered in 46 patients; AF was asymptomatic in 22 patients. Thereafter, COPD patients were divided into two clusters, with and without AF. Comparison of the two clusters showed that patients with COPD and AF had more severe bronchial obstruction (p < 0.001), more frequent acute exacerbations of COPD (р = 0.038), more severe COPD symptoms (CAT, р < 0.001; mMRC, р = 0.007) and higher BODE index (р < 0.001). Also, patients with COPD and AF had more severe hypoxemia (р = 0.012), more severe dyspnea evaluated with Borg’s scale (р < 0.001) and shorter distance in 6-minute walk test (р ˂ 0.001) compared to COPD patient without AF. Conclusion. Higher rate of acute exacerbations of COPD, prominent decrease both in FEV1 and in physical tolerance, higher BODE index and higher mMRC and CAT scores were typical for COPD patients with AF paroxysms.В связи с высокой распространенностью и частой встречаемостью сочетания хронической обструктивной болезни легких (ХОБЛ) и фибрилляции предсердий (ФП) представляется актуальной разработка характерных для таких больных критериев своевременной диагностики и лечения данной аритмии, влияющей на прогноз заболевания. Целью исследования явилось изучение функционального статуса и выраженности симптомов, характерных для больных ХОБЛ с ФП, а также разработка критериев развития данной аритмии. Материалы и методы. Обследованы больные ХОБЛ (n = 94) II–IV степени (GOLD, 2017) вне обострения ХОБЛ как с ФП, так и без таковой. У всех пациентов выполнялась спирометрия, проводилось суточное мониторирование по Холтеру показателей электрокардиографии и данных артериального давления, а также оценка симптомов ХОБЛ с использованием модифицированной шкалы одышки (Modified Medical Research Council – mMRC) и оценочного теста по ХОБЛ (COPD Assessment Test – САТ); учитывались количество перенесенных среднетяжелых и тяжелых обострений ХОБЛ за предшествующий год, показатели пройденной дистанции при проведении 6-минутного шагового теста (6-МШТ) с оценкой параметров пульсоксиметрии, индекса BODE, одышки по шкале Борга. Результаты. Пароксизмы ФП выявлены у 46 больных, в 22 случаях отмечено бессимптомное течение ФП. В результате кластерного анализа выделены 2 кластера – больные ХОБЛ с ФП и ХОБЛ без ФП. В результате сравнительного анализа кластеров для больных ХОБЛ с ФП были характерны более высокие степень бронхообструкции (объем форсированного выдоха за 1-ю секунду (ОФВ1); p < 0,001), количество обострений ХОБЛ (р = 0,038), выраженность симптомов ХОБЛ (CAT; р < 0,001; mMRC; р = 0,007) и индекса BODE (р < 0,001). Также у больных ХОБЛ с аритмией отмечались выраженная гипоксемия (р = 0,012), б#ольшая степень одышки по шкале Борга (р < 0,001) и уменьшение пройденной дистанции (р ˂ 0,001) при проведении 6-МШТ в сравнении с кластером без ФП. Заключение. Для развития пароксизмов ФП характерны высокая частота обострений ХОБЛ, выраженное снижение ОФВ1, толерантности к физической нагрузке, а также повышение индекса BODE и баллов по вопросникам mMRC и CAT

Влияние бронходилататоров на легочную гипертензию у больных хронической обструктивной болезнью легких

Pulmonary hypertension and chronic cor pulmonale are the most important consequences of bronchial obstruction in COPD. Effects of typical bronchodilating therapy on the pulmonary artery haemodynamics are quite uncertain.The aim of this study was to search effects of long-term inhaled bronchodilating therapy on the pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) in patient with COPD. The study involved 60 patients with 2 to 3 stage COPD and pulmonary artery pressure (PA P) higher than 20 mm Hg treated with Berodual 2 doses 4 times daily for 24 weeks. When having FEV1 less that 50 % of predicted values, patients received the drug via a nebulizer. The main COPD symptoms (cough, sputum, dyspnoea, wheesing) were scored. We also used spirometry, chest X- ray, ECG and Doppler echocardiography.On the 24-week therapy the main symptoms reduced from 7.6 ± 0.4 до 1.6 ± 0.2 numbers (p < 0.05), the PAH dropped from 32.3 ± 0.8 до 23.2 ± 1.2 mm Hg (p < 0.05). The ECG and the chest X-ray examination appeared to be not quite valuable to detect PAH. Therefore, the Doppler echocardiography is thought to be used to diagnose PAH in COPD. As far as the long-term bronchodilating therapy resulted in the PAP decrease, it should be included to an algorithm of managing COPD patients with PAH.Одним из важнейших следствий бронхиальной обструкции при хронической обструктивной болезни легких (ХОБЛ) является формирование легочной гипертензии (ЛГ) и хронического легочного сердца. Недостаточно изученным остается вопрос о влиянии классической бронходилатирующей терапии на гемодинамику в бассейне легочной артерии.Целью настоящего исследования явилось изучение влияния длительного применения ингаляционных бронхорасширяющих средств на ЛГ у больных ХОБЛ. Исследованы 60 больных ХОБЛ 2-3-й стадий с ЛГ (более 20 мм рт. ст.) на фоне постоянной терапии Беродуалом по 2 дозы 4 раза в день в течение 24 нед. Больные с ОФВ1 менее 50 % от должных величин ингалировали препарат через небулайзер. Оценивали клиническое состояние пациентов с использованием балльной оценки выраженности кашля, мокроты, одышки, аускультативных изменений в легких, проводили спирометрию, рентгенографию легких, ЭКГ, допплеровскую эхокардиографию. На фоне терапии в течение 24 нед. произошло уменьшение основных симптомов заболевания с 7,6 ± 0,4 до 1,6 ± 0,2 баллов (р < 0,05), снижение среднего давления в легочной артерии (Рла) с 32,3 ± 0,8 до 23,2 ± 1,2 мм рт. ст. (р < 0,05). Показана недостаточная диагностическая значимость Э К Г и рентгенографии легких в выявлении ЛГ у больных ХОБЛ.Таким образом, для диагностики ЛГ у больных ХОБЛ должна применяться допплеровская эхокардиография. Длительная бронходилатационная терапия приводит к снижению Рла, вследствие чего она может быть включена в алгоритм лечения ЛГ у больных ХОБЛ

Ожирение и метаболические нарушения у больных хронической обструктивной болезнью легких: возможности фенотипирования

The aim of the study was to compare clinical and functional features and healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) regarding to comorbid obesity as a phenotypic sign. Methods. Patient classification was performed using Kmeans clustering analysis (MacQueen). It resulted in the classification of subjects into four clinical groups with marked differences in COPD symptoms.Results. Subjects with obesity had severe airflow limitation and dyspnoea, frequent exacerbations, severely impaired HRQoL, poor survival, decreased physical activity, insulin resistance and increased systemic inflammation.Conclusion. Thus, COPD with comorbid obesity could be considered as a distinct phenotype of COPD with severe symptoms.Целью исследования явилось изучение клиникофункциональных параметров и качества жизни (КЖ) больных хронической обструктивной болезнью легких (ХОБЛ) c сопутствующим ожирением и метаболическими нарушениями с оценкой возможности их фенотипирования. На основании кластерного анализа, проведенного по методу kсредних МакКуина, выделены 4 группы пациентов с отличительными особенностями течения ХОБЛ. Установлено, что наличие сопутствующего ожирения у больных ХОБЛ ассоциировано со значительным снижением легочной функции, переносимости физической нагрузки, показателей КЖ и выживаемости, частыми обострениями, развитием инсулинорезистентности и активацией системных воспалительных реакций. Предполагается, что клинический вариант ХОБЛ с сопутствующим ожирением целесообразно рассматривать в качестве отдельного фенотипа заболевания, характеризующегося тяжелым течением

Improved functionalization of oleic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can providemultiple benefits for biomedical applications in aqueous environments such asmagnetic separation or magnetic resonance imaging. To increase the colloidal stability and allow subsequent reactions, the introduction of hydrophilic functional groups onto the particles’ surface is essential. During this process, the original coating is exchanged by preferably covalently bonded ligands such as trialkoxysilanes. The duration of the silane exchange reaction, which commonly takes more than 24 h, is an important drawback for this approach. In this paper, we present a novel method, which introduces ultrasonication as an energy source to dramatically accelerate this process, resulting in high-quality waterdispersible nanoparticles around 10 nmin size. To prove the generic character, different functional groups were introduced on the surface including polyethylene glycol chains, carboxylic acid, amine, and thiol groups. Their colloidal stability in various aqueous buffer solutions as well as human plasma and serum was investigated to allow implementation in biomedical and sensing applications.status: publishe

Cause of Death and Predictors of All-Cause Mortality in Anticoagulated Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation : Data From ROCKET AF

M. Kaste on työryhmän ROCKET AF Steering Comm jäsen.Background-Atrial fibrillation is associated with higher mortality. Identification of causes of death and contemporary risk factors for all-cause mortality may guide interventions. Methods and Results-In the Rivaroxaban Once Daily Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared with Vitamin K Antagonism for Prevention of Stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation (ROCKET AF) study, patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were randomized to rivaroxaban or dose-adjusted warfarin. Cox proportional hazards regression with backward elimination identified factors at randomization that were independently associated with all-cause mortality in the 14 171 participants in the intention-to-treat population. The median age was 73 years, and the mean CHADS(2) score was 3.5. Over 1.9 years of median follow-up, 1214 (8.6%) patients died. Kaplan-Meier mortality rates were 4.2% at 1 year and 8.9% at 2 years. The majority of classified deaths (1081) were cardiovascular (72%), whereas only 6% were nonhemorrhagic stroke or systemic embolism. No significant difference in all-cause mortality was observed between the rivaroxaban and warfarin arms (P=0.15). Heart failure (hazard ratio 1.51, 95% CI 1.33-1.70, P= 75 years (hazard ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.51-1.90, P Conclusions-In a large population of patients anticoagulated for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, approximate to 7 in 10 deaths were cardiovascular, whereasPeer reviewe

Baseline characteristics of patients in the reduction of events with darbepoetin alfa in heart failure trial (RED-HF)

<p>Aims: This report describes the baseline characteristics of patients in the Reduction of Events with Darbepoetin alfa in Heart Failure trial (RED-HF) which is testing the hypothesis that anaemia correction with darbepoetin alfa will reduce the composite endpoint of death from any cause or hospital admission for worsening heart failure, and improve other outcomes.</p> <p>Methods and results: Key demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings, along with baseline treatment, are reported and compared with those of patients in other recent clinical trials in heart failure. Compared with other recent trials, RED-HF enrolled more elderly [mean age 70 (SD 11.4) years], female (41%), and black (9%) patients. RED-HF patients more often had diabetes (46%) and renal impairment (72% had an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Patients in RED-HF had heart failure of longer duration [5.3 (5.4) years], worse NYHA class (35% II, 63% III, and 2% IV), and more signs of congestion. Mean EF was 30% (6.8%). RED-HF patients were well treated at randomization, and pharmacological therapy at baseline was broadly similar to that of other recent trials, taking account of study-specific inclusion/exclusion criteria. Median (interquartile range) haemoglobin at baseline was 112 (106–117) g/L.</p> <p>Conclusion: The anaemic patients enrolled in RED-HF were older, moderately to markedly symptomatic, and had extensive co-morbidity.</p&gt

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

Effect of sitagliptin on cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Data are lacking on the long-term effect on cardiovascular events of adding sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, to usual care in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind study, we assigned 14,671 patients to add either sitagliptin or placebo to their existing therapy. Open-label use of antihyperglycemic therapy was encouraged as required, aimed at reaching individually appropriate glycemic targets in all patients. To determine whether sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo, we used a relative risk of 1.3 as the marginal upper boundary. The primary cardiovascular outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for unstable angina. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3.0 years, there was a small difference in glycated hemoglobin levels (least-squares mean difference for sitagliptin vs. placebo, -0.29 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.32 to -0.27). Overall, the primary outcome occurred in 839 patients in the sitagliptin group (11.4%; 4.06 per 100 person-years) and 851 patients in the placebo group (11.6%; 4.17 per 100 person-years). Sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo for the primary composite cardiovascular outcome (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.09; P<0.001). Rates of hospitalization for heart failure did not differ between the two groups (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.20; P = 0.98). There were no significant between-group differences in rates of acute pancreatitis (P = 0.07) or pancreatic cancer (P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, adding sitagliptin to usual care did not appear to increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, hospitalization for heart failure, or other adverse events