Subclinical markers of cardiovascular disease predict adverse outcomes in chronic kidney disease patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

Emerging cardiovascular biomarkers, such as speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), have recently demonstrated the presence of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction and arterial stiffening in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and no previous cardiovascular history. However, limited information exists on the prognostic impact of these biomarkers. We aimed to investigate whether STE and aPWV predict major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in this patient population.

Left ventricular twist mechanics and its relation with aortic stiffness in chronic kidney disease patients without overt cardiovascular disease.

Background: Recent studies hypothesized left ventricular (LV) twist as a potential biomarker for evaluation of sub clinical myocardial disease, however its relationship with aortic stiffness has yet to be investigated. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been identified as a risk factor for both myocardial and arterial disease. As such we sought to explore the relationship between aortic stiffness and LV twist in CKD patients without known cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Early detection of subclinical left ventricular myocardial dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Aims: To identify subclinical left ventricular (LV) myocardial dysfunction using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and no cardiovascular history or symptoms.

Methods And Results: Cross-sectional comparisons of conventional and STE parameters were performed between controls and patients with different stages of CKD. CKD patients were followed up for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs).

Cardiovascular repercussions of the pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is a primarily ophthalmological disorder caused by deposition of whitish-gray protein on the lens, iris, and multiple other eye tissues. There is increasing evidence over the previous years that pseudoexfoliation syndrome is a systemic disorder with various extraocular manifestations and has recently been linked to several cardiovascular disorders. The present article aims to summarize the current knowledge on cardiovascular implications of this well-described clinical entity.

Pericardial effusion in a young patient with newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus and a mediastinal mass.

We present the case of a 32-year-old-woman who was admitted to the hospital for evaluation of pericardial effusion. The subsequent diagnostic workup revealed the presence of a mediastinal mass along with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patient underwent thymectomy, and histological evaluation of the resected mass revealed thymic follicular hyperplasia without evidence of malignancy.

Association of serum uric acid level with aortic stiffness and arterial wave reflections in newly diagnosed, never-treated hypertension.

Background: Serum uric acid (UA) plays a key role in the development and progression of hypertension. We investigated the association of UA levels and indices of arterial function in a cohort of newly diagnosed, never-treated hypertensive subjects.

Methods: One thousand two hundred and twenty-five patients with a new diagnosis of mild to moderate arterial hypertension for which they had never received treatment were enrolled in the study (mean age 52.

Amino-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide is associated with arterial stiffness, endothelial function and early atherosclerosis.

Objective: C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a paracrine molecule with effects on endothelial integrity, vascular tone and atherosclerotic process. Arterial stiffness, wave reflections, endothelial dysfunction and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) are predictors of cardiovascular events. We investigated whether CNP is related to arterial structure and function in men.

Association of interleukin-18 levels with global arterial function and early structural changes in men without cardiovascular disease.

Background: Increased levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) have been related to plaque progression and vulnerability and cardiovascular outcomes. Arterial functional and structural characteristics and endothelial/inflammatory activation are important determinants of cardiovascular performance and predictors of risk. We investigated whether IL-18 is a determinant of global arterial function and early structural changes in men.

Amino-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide is associated with the presence, severity, and duration of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction is a key event in the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction (ED) and generalized vascular disease. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a paracrine molecule that effects endothelial integrity and vascular tone.

Objective: To determine the role of CNP in men with vasculogenic ED.

Usefulness of dobutamine stress echocardiography with Tissue Doppler imaging for the evaluation and follow-up of patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot.

Background: The longstanding pulmonary regurgitation in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (RTOF) results in right ventricular (RV) failure. The estimation of RV function and reserve in these patients is of great importance, especially for the determination of the proper timing of pulmonary valve replacement. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the tricuspid annulus has been proved a valuable tool in the evaluation of these patients.

Relationship of fibrinogen with arterial stiffness and wave reflections.

Introduction: Increased levels of fibrinogen have been related to target organ damage and cardiovascular outcomes. Arterial elastic properties are important determinants of cardiovascular performance and predictors of the corresponding risk. This study investigated whether the fibrinogen level is associated with arterial stiffness and wave reflections.

An integrated assessment of family history on the risk of developing acute coronary syndromes (CARDIO2000 study).

Objective: In this work we assessed a risk score for developing a first event of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) based on the family history of the cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods And Results: The studied population consisted of 848 randomly selected middle-aged patients with first event of ACS and 1078 sex-age-region matched controls admitted to the same hospitals for minor operations and without any clinical suspicion of cardiovascular disease in their life. A Family History Score (FHS) was developed based on the presence of coronary heart disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes mellitus, among first-degree relatives of the participants after adjusting for the family size.