[Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and cardiovascular disease].

Increased arterial stiffness is closely associated with the progression of cardiovascular disease. A novel blood-pressure independent arterial stiffness parameter, the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), has been developed and is used worldwide. Arterial stiffness derived using CAVI in healthy subjects increases linearly with aging, and is higher in men than in women.

Effect of pimobendan on cardiopulmonary baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve activity in healthy young men.

In order to determine the effect of pimobendan on sympathetic nerve activity and cardiopulmonary baroreflex (CPB), electrocardiogram, direct arterial pressure, central venous pressure (CVP) and cardiac output were recorded along with muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in 8 healthy young men. CPB function was evaluated before and 60 min after oral administration of 5 mg pimobendan using the response of MSNA to lower body negative pressure (LBNP) of -5 and -10 mm Hg. The same protocol also was performed during handgrip exercise.

Improvement of cardiac function after treatment with octreotide followed by trans-sphenoidal surgery in an acromegalic patient who presented with congestive heart failure.

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with acromegaly. We describe the case of a 43-year-old man with acromegaly who presented with severe congestive heart failure. Treatment with the somatostatin analog octreotide improved cardiac function with an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from 11% to 27%.