Effect of sex on sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 antagonists and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists in heart failure.

Background: Recent evidence suggests that medications not primarily targeting the cardiovascular (CV) system may have cardioprotective effects in patients with heart failure (HF), in particular the anti-diabetic therapies sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) antagonists and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. We conducted a systematic review to assess the pooled evidence for the use of SGLT-2 antagonists and GLP-1 agonists in patients with HF and the effect of biological sex on the results.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and clinical trial databases were searched until February 2023.

Recall of Autobiographical Memories Following Odor vs Verbal Cues Among Adults With Major Depressive Disorder.

Importance: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with deficits in autobiographical memory (AM) recall, which is thought to stem from disruptions in effortful recall. Understanding whether these deficits are mitigated when recall is stimulated more directly, such as by odor cues, could inform therapeutic interventions for MDD.

Objective: To evaluate whether deficits in specific AM recall in MDD are mitigated when odor cues vs word cues are used to prompt memory.

Medical management of anginal symptoms in women with stable angina pectoris: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Background: Medical therapies are used to improve stable anginal symptoms and quality of life in clinical practice however the evidence for the use of antianginal medication in women is largely unknown. We conducted a systematic review to investigate the extent of the evidence-base for the medical management of anginal symptoms in women with stable angina.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and ClinicalTrials.

Thromboprophylaxis with rivaroxaban in patients with malignancy and central venous lines (TRIM-Line): A two-center open-label pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Central venous catheter (CVC) insertion is an important risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE) among patients with cancer. Routine use of primary thromboprophylaxis in this patient population is not currently recommended. We sought to assess the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban (10 mg daily) to prevent VTE complications in this patient population.

Association of Radial Artery Graft vs Saphenous Vein Graft With Long-term Cardiovascular Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Observational studies have suggested that the use of radial artery grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting may improve clinical outcomes compared with the use of saphenous vein grafts, but this has not been confirmed in randomized trials.

Objective: To compare clinical outcomes between patients receiving radial artery vs saphenous vein grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting after long-term follow-up.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Patient-level pooled analysis comparing radial artery vs saphenous vein graft in adult patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting from 5 countries (Australia, Italy, Serbia, South Korea, and the United Kingdom), with enrollment from 1997 to 2009 and follow-up completed in 2019.

The RADial artery International ALliance (RADIAL) extended follow-up study: rationale and study protocol.

It is generally accepted that radial artery (RA) grafts have better mid-term patency rate compared to saphenous vein grafts. However, the clinical correlates of the improved patency rate are still debated. Observational studies have suggested increased survival and event-free survival for patients who receive an RA rather than a saphenous vein, but they are open to bias and confounders.

Angiographic Outcome of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts: The Radial Artery Database International Alliance.

Background: We used a large patient-level data set including 6 angiographic randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on coronary artery bypass conduits to explore incidence and determinants of coronary graft failure.

Methods: Patient-level angiographic data of 6 RCTs comparing long-term outcomes of the radial artery and other conduits were joined. Primary outcome was graft occlusion at maximum follow-up.

Long-term performance of an external stent for saphenous vein grafts: the VEST IV trial.

Background: Externally stenting saphenous vein grafts reduces intimal hyperplasia, improves lumen uniformity and reduces oscillatory shear stress 1 year following surgery. The present study is the first to present the longer-term (4.5 years) performance and biomechanical effects of externally stented saphenous vein grafts.

OCT imaging of aorto-coronary vein graft pathology modified by external stenting: 1-year post-surgery.

Aims: The Venous External Support Trial (VEST) evaluated whether a novel external stent attenuated saphenous vein graft (SVG) disease assessed with intravascular ultrasound 1 year following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This sub-study assessed SVGs with and without external stenting using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The aim of this study was to accurately compare quantitative and qualitative features of SVGs with and without a novel external stent using OCT.

Flow patterns in externally stented saphenous vein grafts and development of intimal hyperplasia.

Background: Low and oscillatory wall shear stress promotes endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of an external stent on hemodynamic flow parameters in saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) and their correlation with the development of intimal hyperplasia.

Methods: We performed post hoc computational fluid dynamics analysis of the randomized Venous External Support Trial, in which angiography and intravascular ultrasound data were available for 29 patients, 1 year after coronary artery bypass grafting.

A Randomized Trial of External Stenting for Saphenous Vein Grafts in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background: External stents inhibit saphenous vein graft (SVG) intimal hyperplasia in animal studies. We investigated whether external stenting inhibits SVG diffuse intimal hyperplasia 1 year after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Methods: Thirty patients with multivessel disease undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery were enrolled.

Cardiac rehabilitation to improve physical functioning in refractory angina: a pilot study.

Objectives: Refractory angina patients suffer debilitating chest pain despite optimal medical therapy and previous cardiovascular intervention. Cardiac rehabilitation is often not prescribed due to a lack of evidence regarding potential efficacy and patient suitability. A randomised controlled study was undertaken to explore the impact of cardiac rehabilitation on cardiovascular risk factors, physical ability, quality of life and psychological morbidity among refractory angina sufferers.

Vascular reactivity and flow characteristics of radial artery and long saphenous vein coronary bypass grafts: a 5-year follow-up.

Background: Radial artery (RA) aortocoronary bypass grafts anastomosed to a branch of the circumflex coronary artery have significantly better patency rates than saphenous vein (SV) grafts at 5 years, but the physiological characteristics and mechanisms involved are not clearly defined. We compared RA and SV graft vasomotor and flow responses to endothelium-dependent and -independent stimuli 5 years after surgery in a subgroup of patients enrolled in the Radial artery versus Saphenous Vein Patency (RSVP) trial.

Methods And Results: Twenty-seven patients were included in the study (RA, n=15; SV, n=12).

Testosterone and coronary artery disease in men.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cardiovascular cause of death, and in men, endogenous testosterone concentrations are inversely related to the extent and severity of CAD. Testosterone is known to affect a number of risk factors for CAD and has effects on vascular tone, vasoreactivity and blood flow of blood vessels beyond the reproductive system, indicating that testosterone may be involved in the pathogenesis of CAD. In this review we will present and discuss the actions of endogenous testosterone and testosterone treatment on risk factors for CAD, on the blood vessel wall and blood flow, and on atheroma development and progression, and discuss the potential for testosterone use in men with CAD.

Radial artery versus saphenous vein patency randomized trial: five-year angiographic follow-up.

Background: Graft patency is a fundamental predictor of long-term survival after coronary artery bypass surgery. Left and right internal thoracic artery (arterial) graft patency has been shown to be superior to that of saphenous vein grafts. More recently, the radial artery has been used as an aortocoronary graft, but little is known about the midterm and long-term patency of this conduit.

Coronary vasomotor and blood flow responses to isoflavone-intact soya protein in subjects with coronary heart disease or risk factors for coronary heart disease.

Results in animals suggest favourable coronary vasomotor actions of isoflavones; however, the effects of isoflavones on the human coronary circulation have not been determined. In the present study, we therefore investigated the effects of short-term isoflavone-intact soya protein ingestion on basal coronary arterial tone and stimulated vasoreactivity and blood flow in patients with CHD (coronary heart disease) or risk factors for CHD. Seventy-one subjects were randomized, double-blind, to isoflavone-intact soya protein [active; n=33, aged 58+/-8 years (mean+/-S.

Effects of oral testosterone treatment on myocardial perfusion and vascular function in men with low plasma testosterone and coronary heart disease.

Intracoronary testosterone infusions induce coronary vasodilatation and increase coronary blood flow. Longer term testosterone supplementation favorably affected signs of myocardial ischemia in men with low plasma testosterone and coronary heart disease. However, the effects on myocardial perfusion are unknown.

Comparison of flow characteristics and vascular reactivity of radial artery and long saphenous vein grafts [NCT00139399].

Background: The morphological and functional differences between arteries and veins may have implications on coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) survival. Although subjective differences have been observed between radial artery (RA) and long saphenous venous (LSV) grafts, these have not been quantified. This study assessed and compared the flow characteristics and in-vivo graft flow responses of RA and LSV aorto-coronary grafts.

Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of catheter-related thrombosis in adult patients with cancer.

Purpose: Thrombosis of long-term central venous catheters (CVC) is a serious complication that causes morbidity and interrupts the infusion of chemotherapy, intravenous medication, and blood products. We performed a prospective study to examine the incidence, risk factors, and long-term complications of symptomatic catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) in adults with cancer.

Patients And Methods: Consecutive patients with cancer, undergoing insertion of a CVC, were enrolled and prospectively followed while their catheter remained in place plus 4 subsequent weeks or a maximum of 52 weeks, whichever came first.

Normal coronary physiology assessed by intracoronary Doppler ultrasound.

There is a natural need to measure flow in normal as well as diseased coronary arteries since the reestablishment of normal flow is the aim of most coronary interventions. Miniaturization has enabled positioning both proximal and distal within the coronary anatomy and improved accuracy of Doppler velocity measurements. Measurement of coronary flow reserve adds functional data to coronary angiographic anatomic description, and quantitation of flow, achieved by combining Doppler velocity.

Long-term use of contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate in young women impairs arterial endothelial function assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Background: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) inhibits proliferation of ovarian follicles, resulting in anovulation and a decrease in circulating estrogen; the latter action is potentially disadvantageous to cardiovascular health. We therefore investigated the vascular effects of long-term contraceptive DMPA in young women.

Methods And Results: Endothelium-dependent (hyperemia-induced flow-mediated dilatation [FMD]) and -independent (glyceryl trinitrate [GTN]) changes in brachial artery area were measured using cardiovascular magnetic resonance in 13 amenorrheic DMPA users (>1 year use; mean age 29+/-4 years) and in 10 controls (mean age 30+/-4 years, P=0.

A comparison of brachial artery reactivity measured by external and intravascular ultrasound.

External ultrasound (US), EXUS, is widely used to measure brachial artery (BA) diameter changes in the assessment of vascular function; however, it has not been compared with other imaging modalities. We simultaneously measured BA diameter responses to hyperaemic flow and nitrate using EXUS and intravascular ultrasound (US), IVUS, in 10 patients. Mean diameters measured across all time periods correlated closely (r = 0.

Assessment of endothelial function using peripheral waveform analysis: a clinical application.

Objectives: The study was done to determine whether radial artery applanation tonometry can be used as a noninvasive method of assessing global endothelial function. BACKGROUND; It is known that beta(2)-receptor stimulation results in endothelial release of nitric oxide. Furthermore, for over a century glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) has been known to markedly affect the arterial pressure waveform, even in the absence of significant blood pressure (BP) changes.