Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Using Frequency Rhythmic Electro Magnetic Neural Stimulation (FREMS); Effectiveness in Daily Practice.

Background: Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN) is common and difficult to treat with limited treatment options. We assessed the efficacy of frequency rhythmic electromagnetic neural stimulation (FREMS) in patients with PDPN.

Methods: An uncontrolled prospective survey of patients with PDPN and pain despite at least two lines of pharmacotherapy.

Achieved LDL cholesterol levels in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: A model that explores the efficacy of conventional and novel lipid-lowering therapy.

Background: A large proportion of patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH) do not reach low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels advocated by international guidelines (<70 mg/dL or <100 mg/dL).

Objective: We set out to model which proportion of patients reach targets using conventional and novel therapies.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis in a large cohort of genetically identified heFH patients and calculated the proportion reaching treatment targets in four scenarios: (1) after 50% LDL-c reduction (representing maximal dose statin); (2) after 70% LDL-c reduction (maximal dose statin + ezetimibe); (3) additional 40% LDL-c reduction representing cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor (CETPi); and (4) 60% LDL-c reduction (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors [PCSK9i]), on top of scenario 2.

High-dose statin monotherapy versus low-dose statin/ezetimibe combination on fasting and postprandial lipids and endothelial function in obese patients with the metabolic syndrome: The PANACEA study.

Background: Low-dose statin therapy in combination with ezetimibe, an inhibitor of intestinal cholesterol absorption, lowers plasma LDL-cholesterol levels to a similar degree as high-dose statin monotherapy. This study assessed whether similar LDL-cholesterol lowering with simvastatin/ezetimibe combination therapy improves fasting and postprandial arterial endothelial function compared to high-dose statin therapy alone.

Methods: Multicenter, double-blind, crossover trial in 100 abdominally obese patients with the metabolic syndrome, randomized to 6 weeks' treatment with simvastatin 80 mg or simvastatin/ezetimibe 10/10 mg.

Long-term use of aldosterone-receptor antagonists in uncontrolled hypertension: a retrospective analysis.

Background. The long-term efficacy of aldosterone-receptor antagonists (ARAs) as add-on treatment in uncontrolled hypertension has not yet been reported. Methods.

Evaluation of the Mobil-O-Graph new generation ABPM device using the ESH criteria.

We report on the validation of the new generation Mobil-O-Graph 24/48 h ambulatory blood pressure monitor according to the criteria of the European Society of Hypertension. In 15 individuals participating in phase I for systolic pressure, all 45 measures differed less than 15 mmHg, 43 and 33 out of 45 differed less than 10 and 5 mmHg. As for diastolic pressures even better scores were reached when the device passed the EHS score.

Colesevelam added to combination therapy with a statin and ezetimibe in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia: a 12-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk when untreated or when normal LDL-C concentrations are not reached. Some patients with FH do not reach LDL-C goals despite intensive combination therapy.

Objective: This study assessed the efficacy and tolerability of colesevelam added to maximally tolerated, stable-dose combination treatment with a statin + ezetimibe.

Aldosterone-receptor antagonism in hypertension.

The role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in hypertension has since long been recognized and aldosterone has been acknowledged as one of the key hormones in the pathophysiology, not only in primary aldosteronism but also in essential hypertension and drug-resistant hypertension. Aldosterone-receptor antagonists (ARAs) are increasingly used in patients with resistant hypertension, often with impressive results. However, definitive evidence for the benefit of ARAs in these patients from randomized, controlled trials is lacking.