6-Month Outcomes in Patients With Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators Undergoing Renal Sympathetic Denervation for the Treatment of Refractory Ventricular Arrhythmias.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess 6-month outcomes in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) undergoing renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) for refractory ventricular arrhythmias (VAs).

Background: ICDs are generally indicated for patients at high risk of malignant VAs. Sympathetic hyperactivity plays a critical role in the development, maintenance, and aggravation of VAs.

Renal denervation using an irrigated catheter in patients with resistant hypertension: a promising strategy?

Background: Systemic hypertension is an important public health problem and a significant cause of cardiovascular mortality. Its high prevalence and the low rates of blood pressure control have resulted in the search for alternative therapeutic strategies. Percutaneous renal sympathetic denervation emerged as a perspective in the treatment of patients with resistant hypertension.

Leptin receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with adiposity and metabolic alterations in Brazilian individuals.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate whether adiposity and metabolic markers, such as leptin, glucose, and lipids, are influenced by leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR) gene polymorphisms in a sample of our population.

Subjects And Methods: A group of 326 individuals of Caucasian-European descent, aged 30 to 80 years, 87 men and 239 women, 148 obese and 178 non-obese, was randomly selected at two clinical hospitals in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. All individuals declared their ethnic group as white during the initial interview.

Novel genes detected by transcriptional profiling from whole-blood cells in patients with early onset of acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Genome-wide expression analysis using microarrays has been used as a research strategy to discovery new biomarkers and candidate genes for a number of diseases. We aim to find new biomarkers for the prediction of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with a differentially expressed mRNA profiling approach using whole genomic expression analysis in a peripheral blood cell model from patients with early ACS.

Methods And Results: This study was carried out in two phases.

CD14 and IL6 polymorphisms are associated with a pro-atherogenic profile in young adults with acute myocardial infarction.

This study investigated the relationship of polymorphisms in genes encoding CD14, IL-6 and TLR4 with metabolic, inflammatory and endothelial markers in young adults with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Glucose, lipids, nitrate and inflammatory markers, flow mediated vasodilatation (FMV) and flow mediated by nitrate (FMN) were evaluated in 102 AMI and 108 non-AMI (control group) young individuals (<45 years). CD14 -260C>T (rs2569190), IL6 -174G>C (rs1800795) and TLR4 c.

Relationship of short tandem repeats flanking leptin-melanocortin pathway genes with anthropometric profile and leptinemia in Brazilian individuals.

Objective: To investigate the relationship of short tandem repeats (STR) near genes involved in the leptin-melanocortin pathway with body mass index (BMI) and leptinemia.

Subjects And Methods: Anthropometric variables and leptinemia were measured in 100 obese and 110 nonobese individuals. D1S200, D2S1788, DS11912, and D18S858 loci were analyzed by PCR and high-resolution electrophoresis.

Time course proteomic profiling of human myocardial infarction plasma samples: an approach to new biomarker discovery.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify novel candidate biomarker proteins differentially expressed in the plasma of patients with early stage acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using SELDI-TOF-MS as a high throughput screening technology.

Methods: Ten individuals with recent acute ischemic-type chest pain (<12 h duration) and ST-segment elevation AMI (1STEMI) and after a second AMI (2STEMI) were selected. Blood samples were drawn at six times after STEMI diagnosis.

Relationship between variants of the leptin gene and obesity and metabolic biomarkers in Brazilian individuals.

Objective: The relationship between variants of the leptin gene (LEP) and obesity and metabolic biomarkers was investigated in Brazilian individuals.

Subjects And Methods: One-hundred-ten obese (BMI > 30 kg/m(2)) and 100 non-obese individuals (145 women and 65 men, aged 49 +/- 14 years) were randomly selected. Plasma leptin, glycemia, serum lipid measurements and LEP -2548G>A and 3'HVR polymorphisms were analyzed.

Detection of the TLR4 1196C>T polymorphism by mismatched-polymerase chain reaction using plasmid DNA as internal control in restriction fragment length polymorphism assays.

Background: Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) is a common molecular assay used for genotyping, and it requires validated quality control procedures to prevent mistyping caused by impaired endonuclease activity. We have evaluated the usefulness of a plasmid-based internal control in RFLP assays.

Results: Blood samples were collected from 102 individuals with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 108 non-AMI individuals (controls) for DNA extraction and laboratory analyses.

Leptin G-2548A promoter polymorphism is associated with increased plasma leptin and BMI in Brazilian women.

Variants in leptin gene (LEP) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity. The relationship between LEP G-2548A polymorphism and obesity-related traits was evaluated in a sample of Brazilian women (n = 228) who were randomly selected from two clinical centers in Sao Paulo city. Blood samples were collected for DNA extraction, plasma leptin and serum lipids measurements.

Trimetazidine to reverse ischemia in patients with class I or II angina: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography study.

Aims: We sought to evaluate the effects of trimetazidine on ischemia induced by dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography in patients with class I or class II angina.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 66 patients with proved coronary disease were subjected to dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography. Ischemia was proved in 56 patients who were included in the study and who had been on standard maintenance medications (propranolol, aspirin and statin).

AMI is associated with polymorphisms in the NOS3 and FGB but not in PAI-1 genes in young adults.

Background: We investigated the relationship between NOS3, FGB and PAI-1 polymorphisms and endothelial dysfunction and risk factors for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in young adults.

Methods: Endothelial function was measured by response to flow mediated vasodilation (FMV) and induced by nitrate (FMN). Biochemical parameters were measured by standard enzymatic methods and plasma total nitrate was analyzed by the NOA system.

LEP 3'HVR is associated with obesity and leptin levels in Brazilian individuals.

Leptin plays an important role in satiety signaling and is related to obesity. Variants of leptin gene (LEP) have been associated to differences in plasma leptin levels and obesity-related phenotypes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of LEP 3'HVR and leptin concentrations and obesity-related traits in our population.

National alert campaign about increased cholesterol: determination of cholesterol levels in 81,262 Brazilians.

Objective: To determine the levels of total cholesterol in a significant sample of the Brazilian population.

Methods: Blood cholesterol was determined in 81.262 individuals > 18 years old (51% male, 44.

Serum ferritin levels and other indicators of organic iron as risk factors or markers in coronary artery disease.

Background: Several international studies have discussed whether serum ferritin is a risk marker in coronary heart disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the importance of serum ferritin levels and other indicators of organic iron as possible risk factors or markers in coronary artery disease. Secondly, the classical factors were studied in order to identify possible associations with organic iron markers.

Consequences of the prolonged waiting time for patient candidates for heart surgery.

Objective: To assess mortality and the psychological repercussions of the prolonged waiting time for candidates for heart surgery.

Methods: From July 1999 to May 2000, using a standardized questionnaire, we carried out standardized interviews and semi-structured psychological interviews with 484 patients with coronary heart disease, 121 patients with valvular heart diseases, and 100 patients with congenital heart diseases.

Results: The coefficients of mortality (deaths per 100 patients/year) were as follows: patients with coronary heart disease, 5.

Valsartan alone and as part of combination therapy in general practice in Brazil.

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of valsartan (Diovan) when given alone or as part of a combination regimen in normal clinical practice, in general practice patients in Brazil. In an open, multicentre post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study, 7256 hypertensive patients were evaluated. Therapy with valsartan either as monotherapy or in combination with 12.

[Multicenter comparative study of felodipine-ER and nifedipine-OROS in the treatment of mild-to-moderate arterial hypertension].

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and tolerance of felodipine-ER and nifedipine OROS, both once daily, in the treatment of mild-to-moderate uncomplicated arterial hypertension (AH).

Methods: This was a multicentric, opened, randomized, paralled trial, that selected 121 patients with uncomplicated, mild to moderate essential AH (diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > or = 95 and < or = 110 mmHg; not under anti-hypertensive medication. All patients received placebo for two weeks.

[Treatment of mild and moderate cardiac failure with captopril. A multicenter study].

Purpose: Evaluation of the clinical effects of captopril addition to the conventional therapy of functional class II and III (NYHA) congestive heart failure (CHF).

Methods: One hundred and fifteen patients with CHF, 46 (40%) class II and 69 (60%) class III, on conventional treatment (digitalis and diuretic) were the subject of this study. The age ranged from 22 to 75 years (mean 56.

Clinical efficacy and tolerability of isradipine in the treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension in young and elderly patients.

The clinical efficacy and tolerability of isradipine was evaluated in 63 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension [supine systolic blood pressure (SBP) greater than or equal to 160 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than or equal to 95 mm Hg]. Patients were divided into two groups according to age: group A (n = 41), aged 37-69 years (mean age of 54 +/- 7 years); group B (n = 22), aged 70-80 years (mean age of 72.8 +/- 2.

[Effects of enalapril on left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with mild or moderate essential hypertension].

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of enalapril maleate on the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) associated to hypertension.

Patients And Methods: Fifteen male, age between 45 and 65 years (mean age = 56 y) with diagnosis of mild-to-moderate essential hypertension (greater than diastolic blood pressure [DBP] less than between 90 and 114 mmHg) and LHV at the echocardiogram. The administration of enalapril maleate was initiated with a 20 mg daily dosage and titrated up to a maximum of 40 mg daily, whenever DBP was maintained above 90 mmHg and no adverse experience occurred.