Association of serum IGF1 with endothelial function: results from the population-based study of health in Pomerania.

Objective: IGF1 mediates multiple physiological and pathophysiological responses in the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between serum IGF1 as well as IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) levels and endothelial function measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD).

Design: Cross-sectional population-based observational study.

Are serum thyrotropin levels within the reference range associated with endothelial function?

Aims: High serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels within the reference range might be associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. In the present study, we investigated the association between serum TSH levels and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) as a measure of endothelial dysfunction.

Methods And Results: The study population comprised 1364 subjects (670 women) aged 25-85 years with serum TSH levels between 0.

Percutaneous treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysm with a polytetrafluoroethylene-covered nitinol stent-graft via a 10-F introducer sheath.

Two patients with dissecting (n = 1) and saccular (n = 1) aneurysms of the infrarenal abdominal aorta with very narrow proximal and distal aortic necks underwent treatment with percutaneous implantation of self-expandable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered nitinol stent-grafts on an off-label basis. The stent-grafts had maximum diameters of 13.5 mm and were deployed via 10-F introducer sheaths.

The association of thyroid function with carotid artery plaque burden and strokes in a population-based sample from a previously iodine-deficient area.

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is associated with detrimental cardiovascular effects. We analyzed whether thyroid status is related to carotid artery plaques and prevalent strokes.

Design, Patients And Measurements: Data from 2128 subjects (1157 men and 971 women) aged > or =45 years without thyroid diseases participating in the Study of Health in Pomerania were analyzed.

The relation of exposure to shift work with atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction in a general population.

Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that working shifts is related to atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction.

Background: The number of shift workers is continuously increasing. Shift work is discussed to be related with cardiovascular heart disease.

The relation of thyroid function and ventricular repolarization: decreased serum thyrotropin levels are associated with short rate-adjusted QT intervals.

Context: The linkage of thyroid dysfunction with ventricular repolarization properties has not been investigated extensively, although alterations might be associated with an increased ventricular vulnerability.

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate whether there is an association between functional thyroid status and rate-adjusted QT intervals (QTc).

Design, Setting, And Participants: The population-based Study of Health in Pomerania included 4310 subjects aged 20-79 yr.

Excimer laser thrombus elimination for prevention of distal embolization and no-reflow in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction: results from the randomized LaserAMI study.

Background: Results for standard revascularization therapies in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have been limited in part by distal embolization, a process which might be reduced by the application of ultraviolet laser light. The aim was to assess feasibility and safety of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) in a randomized study in AMI.

Methods: Twenty-seven consecutive patients with ST-segment elevation AMI (aged 57.

Outcome after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, coronary angioplasty and stenting.

Aims: We undertook this prospective observational study to investigate the long-term prognosis after balloon angioplasty (PTCA), coronary stenting (CS) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods And Results: A total number of 1038 patients with PTCA (n=499), CS (n=294) or CABG (n=245) were followed-up over a mean time of 6.4+/-1.

Tele-electrocardiography in the epidemiological 'Study of Health in Pomerania' (SHIP).

We have evaluated a portable electrocardiogram (ECG) card in the large population-based epidemiological 'Study of Health in Pomerania' (SHIP). In all, 7008 men and women (20-79 years) were randomly selected from population registries and 4310 subjects participated. Participants used an ECG card for four weeks and recorded two ECGs daily.

Tooth loss is independently associated with the risk of acquired aortic valve sclerosis.

Background: Several studies have shown that periodontal disease and atherosclerosis are associated. Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) represents the sum of processes that are similar to the development of atherosclerosis. The present analysis was performed to investigate associations between periodontal disease, tooth loss, and AVS.

Low serum thyrotropin is associated with high plasma fibrinogen.

Background: Elevated plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Decreased serum TSH predicts vascular mortality, which hypothetically could be explained in part by alterations in the blood coagulation system.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between thyroid function and plasma fibrinogen levels in a general population.

Association between thyroid function and gallstone disease.

Aim: To investigate those associations using data of the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania.

Methods: A study population of 3 749 residents aged 20-79 years without previously diagnosed thyroid disease was available for analyses. Serum TSH was used to assess thyroid function.

Interaction between factor V Leiden and serum LDL cholesterol increases the risk of atherosclerosis.

Objectives: We investigated the association between the factor V Leiden gene variant and carotid atherosclerosis in a cross-sectional study and explored possible associations between this gene variant and coronary artery disease (CAD) in a case-control study.

Methods: The presence (n=1696) or absence (n=703) of carotid atherosclerosis were sonographically assessed among participants of the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). The case-control study included 1021 patients with severe CAD and 2791 healthy SHIP participants.

Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation is associated with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Context: The thyroid gland is a potential target organ for radiation-related damage.

Objective: The aim of the analysis was to investigate the association between occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD).

Design: Our design was the cross-sectional Study of Health in Pomerania.

Hepatic steatosis is associated with an increased risk of carotid atherosclerosis.

Aim: Although an association between hepatic steatosis and vascular risk factors has been described, direct relationships between fatty liver and atherosclerosis have not yet been investigated. The aim of the present study has been to investigate those relationships.

Methods: The Study of Health in Pomerania examined a random population sample aged between 20 and 79 years.

Renin-angiotensin system and haemostasis gene polymorphisms and outcome after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is associated with a considerable 2-year mortality rate. Gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system may be associated with the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The angiotensin I-converting enzyme DD genotype has recently been identified as independent predictor of the outcome after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

The association of thyroid function with cardiac mass and left ventricular hypertrophy.

Decreased serum TSH levels predict cardiovascular mortality, which could be explained by left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The aim of this analysis was to investigate the association between thyroid function and LVH. The population-based Study of Health in Pomerania was conducted in a previously iodine-deficient area.

Identification of less-irradiating tube angulations in invasive cardiology.

Objectives: We sought to identify tube angulations in invasive cardiology, which promise minimal radiation exposure to patients and operators.

Background: Radiation exposure in invasive cardiology is high.

Methods: We mapped the fluoroscopic dose-area product per second (DAP/s), applied to an anthropomorphic Alderson-Rando phantom and, in absence of radiation protection devices, the mean personal dose in the operator's position in 10 degrees steps from the 100 degrees right anterior oblique (RAO) to the 100 degrees left anterior oblique (LAO) projection, as well as for all geometrically feasible craniocaudal tube angulations.

Plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with a strong family history of myocardial infarction.

Family history of myocardial infarction (MI) is a known risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there is a specific risk factor profile for CAD in individuals with a strong family history of MI occurring at any age. The Study of Health in Pomerania is a cross-sectional, population-based study in the north-east of Germany.

Periodontal disease, but not edentulism, is independently associated with increased plasma fibrinogen levels. Results from a population-based study.

The systemic response to periodontal disease was analyzed in the cross-sectional Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). The completed data of 2,738 subjects aged 20 to 59 years were used for logistic regression analysis with an increased plasma fibrinogen level (> or =3.25 g/L according to Clauss) as the dependent variable.

Hepatitis B and C virus infection and the risk of atherosclerosis in a general population.

Background: The development of atherosclerosis has an inflammatory component. Currently it is not clear, whether hepatitis B and C virus infections are associated with the risk of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present analysis was to investigate those relationships in a population sample.

Thyroid function and carotid wall thickness.

Decreased serum TSH levels predict vascular mortality in older people. There is a need to investigate mechanisms that could explain this association. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between thyroid function and the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT).

The prevalence of undiagnosed thyroid disorders in a previously iodine-deficient area.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the current status of morphologic and functional thyroid abnormalities in a previously iodine-deficient area.

Methods: The population based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) comprised 4310 participants, aged 20-79 years. Thyroid function (thyrotropin [TSH] free triiodothyronine [FT(3)], and free thyroxine [FT(4)]) and serum autoantibodies to thyroperoxidase (TPOAb) were evaluated from blood samples.

Factor V Leiden and the risk of stillbirth in a German population.

An association between the factor V Leiden variant and an increased risk of pregnancy loss has been reported. Most previous studies were performed with clinically recruited patients and controls. This approach may cause selection bias.