A safety radiation marker in the cardiac catheterization lab.

Objective: Nowadays, in order to deal with cardiovascular disease, coronary angiography (CRA) is the best tool and gold standard for diagnosis and assessment. CRA inevitably exposes both patient and operator to radiation. The purpose of this study was to calculate the radiation exposure in association with the radiation absorbed by interventional cardiologists, in order to estimate a safety radiation marker in the catheterization laboratory.

Abnormal endothelial function in female patients with hypothyroidism and borderline thyroid function.

Background: It has been suggested that hypothyroidism is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to assess non-invasively NO-dependent endothelial function of resistance arteries in subjects with hypothyroidism of varying severity.

Methods: Ninety-six female subjects (aged: 42+/-13 years) comprised the study population.

Arterial stiffness is increased in subjects with hypothyroidism.

Background: The association between hypothyroidism and increased vascular resistance, arterial wall thickening and endothelial dysfunction is well recognized. The aim of the present study was to examine if hypothyroid subjects have increased arterial stiffness, a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Methods: Sixty-five subjects (59 females and 6 males) with normal thyroid function or hypothyroidism of varying degree were investigated by radial artery applanation tonometry and pulse wave analysis, for evaluation of arterial stiffness.

Oral folic acid enhances endothelial function in patients with hypercholesterolaemia receiving statins.

Background: Folic acid therapy has been shown to improve endothelial function in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia via a possible antioxidant mechanism. Data on the possible role of folic acid in hypercholesterolaemic patients receiving statins are lacking. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that folic acid supplementation improves endothelial function in patients with hypercholesterolaemia and treatment with statins.

Oral L-arginine improves endothelial dysfunction in patients with essential hypertension.

Background: L-Arginine is a nitric oxide precursor, which augments endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in hypercholesterolemic humans and animals. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation is attenuated in patients with hypertension; however the effects of oral L-arginine on endothelial function of the conduit arteries in patients with essential hypertension have not previously been investigated.

Methods: In a prospective randomized double blind trial, 35 patients with essential hypertension received either 6 g L-arginine (18 subjects) or placebo (17 subjects).