Low-Intensity Exercise Training Increases Heart Rate Variability in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease.

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), consistent with others with atherosclerotic occlusive disorders, have autonomic dysfunction (as measured by low heart rate variability [HRV]) that predisposes them to sympathetically mediated cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. Exercise therapy has been shown to increase HRV in patients with coronary artery disease by increasing parasympathetic modulation of heart rate. This study quantified the circulatory and autonomic effects of a progressive, 12-week home-based, low-intensity (pain-free walking) exercise program in PAD and intermittent claudication.

Prostaglandin receptor EP4 in abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathogenesis is distinguished by vessel wall inflammation. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1, key components of the most well-characterized inflammatory prostaglandin pathway, contribute to AAA development in the 28-day angiotensin II infusion model in mice. In this study, we used this model to examine the role of the prostaglandin E receptor subtype 4 (EP4) and genetic knockdown of COX-2 expression (70% to 90%) in AAA pathogenesis.

Selective management of abdominal aortic aneurysms smaller than 5.0 cm in a prospective sizing program with gender-specific analysis.

Purpose: We present extended follow-up findings of the Kingston prospective sizing program for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) smaller than 5.0 cm in diameter, with gender-specific analysis.

Methods: From 1976 to 2001, 895 patients (688 men, 207 women) with AAA smaller than 5.

The risk of rupture in untreated aneurysms: the impact of size, gender, and expansion rate.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish the risk of rupture as related to size of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), gender, and expansion of the aneurysm.

Methods: Between 1976 and 2001, 476 patients with conditions considered unfit for surgery with AAA 5.0 cm or more were followed with computed tomographic scans every 6 months until rupture, surgery, death, or deletion from follow-up.