Ambulatory hypertensive patients treated by cardiologists in France.

Background: While general practitioners treat most hypertensive patients in France, hypertension is the most frequent pathology treated by cardiologists, raising questions about the differing profiles of such patients. Poor control of hypertension is commonly reported, and yet has not improved over time. Better understanding of the determinants of control, at both patient and physician levels, is necessary to implement improvements in practice.

Gender-related differences in the management of hypertension by cardiologists: the PARITE study.

Background: Several studies have shown gender differences in the management of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. Whether the management of hypertension by cardiologists in France differs according to patient gender has not been fully investigated.

Aims: The main objective of this cross-sectional, multicentre study was to examine the management according to gender of hypertensive patients by office-based cardiologists in France.

Serum levels of ischemia modified albumin in overweight/obese postmenopausal women: a potential biomarker of atherosclerotic burden associated with oxidative stress.

Objective: Menopause is associated with weight gain and an increase of cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was to estimate serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in postmenopausal women and evaluate their association with body mass index (BMI) and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: The study included 130 non-smoker postmenopausal women aged 43-80: 40 with BMI 26-32 kg/m(2) (Group A), 60 with BMI 21-25 kg/m(2) (Group B), and 30 with documented CAD and BMI 23-29 kg/m(2) (Group C).

Ischemia modified albumin, high-sensitivity c-reactive protein and natriuretic peptide in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

Background: Ischemia modified albumin (IMA), is a new biomarker of oxidative processes involved with coronary artery disease (CAD). We determined serum IMA, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and evaluated their correlation with severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients undergoing coronary angiography (CA). Cardiac troponin T (cTnT), CK-MB mass, albumin and Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) were also evaluated.

A randomised trial of three counselling strategies for lifestyle changes in patients with hypercholesterolemia treated with ezetimibe on top of statin therapy (TWICE).

Aims: To compare the impact of three patient counselling strategies for lifestyle changes and to assess the safety and efficacy of ezetimibe on top of statin therapy in hypercholesterolemic high risk patients.

Methods: Open, cluster randomized 3-parallel group trial. Physicians were randomized between patient motivation on: diet or physical exercise or both.

Serum S-100B protein monitoring in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Objective: S-100B protein is a promising marker of injury severity and outcome after head injury. We examined the relationship between serum S-100B concentrations and injury severity, clinical course, survival, and treatment efficacy after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Design And Setting: Prospective observational study in a neurosurgical intensive care unit.

Increased levels of serum S100B protein in critically ill patients without brain injury.

There is increasing evidence that the release of S100B protein, which is an acknowledged marker of brain injury, is also induced by other causes including hemorrhagic shock. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum concentration of S100B in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients with various degrees of organ dysfunction but without evidence of brain injury or any other neurological disorder and its possible association with tissue perfusion indices. Forty-six critically ill mechanically ventilated patients were studied on intensive care unit admission and until 6 days later.

Antithrombotic management after an ischemic stroke in French primary care practice: results from three pooled cross-sectional studies.

Background And Purpose: We aimed at quantifying and explaining the underuse of antithrombotic treatments after an ischemic stroke in patients seen in French primary care.

Methods: We pooled all ischemic stroke patients included in 3 observational primary care-based observational studies. French general practitioners and cardiologists recruited 14,544 patients with atherothrombotic disease including 4,322 with an ischemic stroke.

Comparison of hypertension management after stroke and myocardial infarction: results from ECLAT1--a French nationwide study.

Background And Purpose: Hypertension control is a cornerstone of preventive treatment in patients at risk for cerebral attack. The aim of this study was to analyze hypertension management in secondary prevention of stroke as compared with patients in secondary prevention of myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: The ECLAT1 study was a cross-sectional study conducted in all French regions in a random sample of 3009 practitioners.