Prevalence and Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in 7704 Individuals: An Analysis from the Greek Registry for the Prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (GRegistry-FH).

The intention of this study was to profile the cohort from the Greek Registry for the prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (GRegistry-FH) by estimating the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), pre-DM, smoking, abnormal thyroid function (ATF), and lipid values. The GRegistry-FH is a prospective study involving door-to-door interviews conducted by trained interviewers. Overall, 7704 individuals aged ≥18 years, randomly selected from all the regions of Greece, participated.

Anatomic and Flow Characteristics of Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Angiographic Stenoses Predisposing to Myocardial Infarction.

The impact of the anatomic characteristics of coronary stenoses on the development of future coronary thrombosis has been controversial. This study aimed at identifying the anatomic and flow characteristics of left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery stenoses that predispose to myocardial infarction, by examining angiograms obtained before the index event. We identified 90 patients with anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) for whom coronary angiograms and their reconstruction in the three-dimensional space were available at 6 to 12 months before the STEMI, and at the revascularization procedure.

Epidemiological characteristics, management and early outcomes of acute coronary syndromes in Greece: The PHAETHON study.

Introduction: In view of recent therapeutic breakthroughs in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and essential demographic and socioeconomic changes in Greece, we conducted the prospective, multi-center, nationwide PHAETHON study (An Epidemiological Cohort Study of Acute Coronary Syndromes in the Greek Population) that aimed to recruit a representative cohort of ACS patients and examine current management practices and patient prognosis.

Methods: The PHAETHON study was conducted from May 2012 to February 2014. We enrolled 800 consecutive ACS patients from 37 hospitals with a proportional representation of all types of hospitals and geographical areas.

Incidence and predictors of new-onset atrial fibrillation in noncardiac intensive care unit patients.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is thought to be a relatively common arrhythmia in the setting of noncardiac intensive care unit (ICU). However, data concerning AF deriving from such populations are scarce. In addition, it is unclear which of the wide spectrum of AF predictors are relevant to the ICU setting.

Effect of statin pretreatment on the outcome of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in patients without prior history of coronary artery disease.

Introduction: Early statin treatment has beneficial effects on the prognosis after acute coronary syndromes. We investigated the impact of prior statin treatment on the outcome of patients without a prior history of coronary artery disease (CAD) who presented with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and were treated with thrombolysis.

Methods: The study enrolled 1032 consecutive patients who satisfied the above criteria.

Arterial stiffness predicts risk for long-term recurrence in patients with type 2 diabetes admitted for acute coronary event.

Objectives: to investigate the predictive value of arterial stiffness (AS) estimation for long-term recurrences in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) following acute coronary event.

Patients And Methods: prospective observational study involving 119 DM2 patients without history of coronary heart disease admitted with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Medical history, anthropometrics, smoking, HbA1c, lipid profile, troponine-I levels, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were recorded.

Impact of ADMA, endothelial progenitor cells and traditional cardiovascular risk factors on pulse wave velocity among prediabetic individuals.

Background: Central arterial stiffness represents a well-established predictor of cardiovascular disease. Decreased circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), increased asymmetric dimethyl-arginine (ADMA) levels, traditional cardiovascular risk factors and insulin resistance have all been associated with increased arterial stiffness. The correlations of novel and traditional cardiovascular risk factors with central arterial stiffness in prediabetic individuals were investigated in the present study.

Prognostic usefulness of serial C-reactive protein measurements in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction.

It has been reported that increased levels of C-reactive protein are related to adverse long-term prognosis in the setting of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (MI). In previous studies, the timing of C-reactive protein determination has varied widely. In the present study, serial high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) measurements were performed to investigate if any of the measurements is superior regarding long-term prognosis.

Inadequate heart rate control is associated with worse quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The RYTHMOS study.

Introduction: Significant evidence shows that elevated heart rate (HR) is an independent risk factor in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and influences their prognosis. In addition, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have more frequent episodes of angina and their compliance with heart rate agents, such as beta blockers, is poor. The purpose of the multicenter observational RYTHMOS study was to evaluate the role of heart rate management in the prognosis and quality of life in patients with CAD and COPD.

Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine and mortality in patients with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure.

Objectives: To investigate the prognostic value of circulating levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in patients with acute decompensation of (New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV) chronic heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Design: Single-centre prospective observational study.

Setting: Tertiary referral centre.

Toll/interleukin-1 receptor member ST2 exhibits higher soluble levels in type 2 diabetes, especially when accompanied with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Background: Soluble ST2, a member of the of the Toll/IL-1 superfamily, is a novel biomarker with exceptional predictive value in heart failure and myocardial infarction- related mortality as well as in acute dyspneic states. Soluble ST2 is considered a decoy receptor of IL 33 that blocks the protective effects of the cytokine in atherosclerosis and cardiac remodeling. In the present study we investigated the differences in the levels of soluble ST2, BNP and hs-CRP between healthy controls and patients with type 2 diabetes with and without left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.