Effects of α-lipoic acid therapy on sympathetic heart innervation in patients with previous experience of transient takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Background: Takotsubo syndrome is a stress cardiomyopathy, characterized by reversible left ventricle (LV) apical ballooning in the absence of significant angiographic coronary artery stenosis. The frequent association with emotional stress suggests in this disease an autonomic nervous system involvement. We could think that a therapeutic treatment targeting heart sympathetic dysfunction could be of crucial importance.

Lipoprotein(a) concentration does not differ between sexes in healthy offspring of patients with premature myocardial infarction.

Aims: Although a family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) is an established factor influencing lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels, the effect of sex on Lp(a) concentration remains unclear. A potential cause of the conflicting findings regarding the effect of sex on this novel CAD risk factor is the limited ability of the studies, to date, to adequately control for the potential confounding effect of CAD familial predisposition. Our purpose was to evaluate the influence of sex on Lp(a) concentration in healthy young individuals by controlling for family history of CAD.

Subclinical atherosclerosis and genetic risk markers in healthy offspring of patients with premature myocardial infarction.

Aim: Healthy young subjects with parental history of premature myocardial infarction (PHPMI) might constitute a privileged population for the study of genetic risk markers (GRM) for atherosclerosis. Aim of this study was to evaluate which, if any, GRM atherosclerosis-associated in previous studies has increased prevalence in a selected population.

Methods: Twenty-four healthy young subjects (12 males and 12 females; mean age 18.

Sex hormones and lipoprotein(a) concentration.

Introduction: increased level of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) constitutes an emerging, independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. Recently, it has been recommended to lower increased (> 50 mg/dl) Lp(a) concentration. Most lipid lowering agents - except niacin - have little or no effect whereas sex hormones significantly reduce Lp(a) level.

Sumatriptan therapy for headache and acute myocardial infarction.

Importance Of The Field: Migraine is a common, debilitating, chronic neurovascular disorder. Triptans are considered the drugs of choice to treat migraine attacks; however, their use is limited owing to concerns about cardiovascular safety.

Areas Covered In This Review: The aim of this review is to describe: the mechanisms of action of triptans; the case-reports of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) associated with sumatriptan use; and the results of studies evaluating its tolerability and safety.