Low LXA4, RvD1 and RvE1 levels may be an indicator of the development of hypertension.

Vascular structure and integrity are at the forefront of blood pressure regulation. However, there are many factors that affect the responses of the vessels. One of these is the inflammatory processes associated with high cholesterol and its modification.

The effect of fixed-dose combination of valsartan and amlodipine on nighttime blood pressure in patients with non-dipper hypertension.

Objective: Failure to decrease blood pressure (BP) during the night is associated with higher cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. There is strong evidence that fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of antihypertensive agents are associated with significant improvement and non-significant adverse effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether FDC affected nocturnal BP favorably in patients with uncontrolled, non-dipper hypertension (HT).

Nebivolol versus Carvedilol or Metoprolol in Patients Presenting with Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nebivolol, carvedilol or metoprolol succinate on the outcome of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by left ventricular dysfunction.

Subjects And Methods: Patients (n = 172, aged 28-87 years) with AMI and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤0.45 were randomized to the nebivolol (n = 55), carvedilol (n = 60) and metoprolol succinate (n = 57) groups.

Gamma glutamyltransferase, inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors in isolated coronary artery ectasia.

Introduction And Objective: There are conflicting data on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in coronary artery ectasia (CAE). It is unclear whether CAE is associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT). We therefore investigated major cardiovascular risk factors, serum GGT and hs-CRP levels in a large population of patients with CAE.

The effects of good glycaemic control on left ventricular and coronary endothelial functions in patients with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: Diabetics are at risk for developing overt heart failure and subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Also, impaired coronary flow reserve (CFR) reflecting coronary microvascular dysfunction is common in diabetics. However, no substantial data regarding the effects of good glycaemic control on subclinical LV dysfunction and CFR are available.

Addition of N-acetyl cysteine to carvedilol decreases the incidence of acute renal injury after cardiac surgery.

Background: Oxidative stress and inflammation during cardiac surgery may be associated with acute renal injury (ARI). N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and carvedilol have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Hypothesis: A combination of carvedilol and NAC should decrease the incidence of ARI more than metoprolol or carvedilol.

Plasma lipoprotein(a) levels in patients with slow coronary flow.

Introduction: Slow coronary flow (SCF) is a microvascular disorder characterized by delayed opacification of coronary vessels with normal coronary angiogram. It may be due to endothelial dysfunction and diffuse atherosclerosis. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is related to cardiovascular events.

Oxidative status, inflammation, and postoperative atrial fibrillation with metoprolol vs carvedilol or carvedilol plus N-acetyl cysteine treatment.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.

Hypothesis: Carvedilol and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) combination decreases inflammation, oxidative stress, and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) rates more than metoprolol or carvedilol.

Methods: Preoperative and postoperative total oxidative stress (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and white blood cells (WBC) were measured in metoprolol, carvedilol, or carvedilol plus NAC groups, and association with POAF was evaluated.

Evaluation of plasma oxidative status in patients with slow coronary flow.

Background: Slow coronary flow (SCF) is a coronary microvascular disorder characterised by delayed opacification of coronary vessels in a normal coronary angiogram. Coronary endothelial dysfunction plays an important pathogenetic role in patients with SCF. Oxidative stress is associated with cardiovascular diseases.

Increased mean platelet volume in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Thromboembolic events may be seen in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We investigated the mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of platelet activation in patients with HCM. This study included 112 patients with HCM, in which 40 were patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), and 106 were control participants.

Effects of prediabetes and diabetes on left ventricular and coronary microvascular functions.

Background: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) provides independent prognostic information in diabetic patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. However, there have been no substantial data to evaluate CFR in prediabetics. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate CFR in subjects with prediabetes using second harmonic transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.

Metoprolol vs. carvedilol or carvedilol plus N-acetyl cysteine on post-operative atrial fibrillation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Aims: Carvedilol and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Aim was to evaluate the efficacy of metoprolol, carvedilol, and carvedilol plus NAC on the prevention of post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF).

Methods And Results: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery (n = 311) were randomized to metoprolol, carvedilol, or carvedilol plus NAC.

Mean platelet volume may be elevated in mitral valve prolapse and associated with the severity of prolapse.

Thromboembolic events can be seen in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP). It is unclear whether platelet activation may contribute to these events in patients with MVP. Thus, we aimed to evaluate mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with MVP and its association with the severity of MVP.

Elevated carbohydrate antigen 125 levels in patients with aortic stenosis: relation to clinical severity and echocardiographic parameters.

Objectives: Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA 125), known as a tumor marker for ovarian cancer, has been reported to increase in relation to disease severity in heart failure patients with systolic dysfunction. Aortic stenosis (AS) has a wide clinical spectrum that often includes heart failure symptoms. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the serum levels of CA 125 in patients with AS and its relation to clinical severity and echocardiographic parameters.

Plasma concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine, nitric oxide and homocysteine in patients with slow coronary flow.

Objectives: Slow coronary flow (SCF) is slow progression of contrast agent in the coronary arteries in the absence of stenosis in epicardial coronary vessels. Endothelial dysfunction and diffuse atherosclerosis have been proposed for the etiology of SCF. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, levels are associated with an increased risk of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.

Echocardiographic predictors of progression from prehypertension to hypertension.

Background: Prehypertension (PHT) was recently introduced by replacing former categories of high-normal and above-optimal blood pressure (BP). The rationale for redefining this new category was to emphasize the excess cardiovascular risk associated with BP in this range and to focus high risk for developing hypertension (HT). However, no clear definite markers to identify prehypertensive patients at high risk of progressing to HT have been established yet.

Percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty reduces mean platelet volume in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Background: Rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS) is associated with increased thromboembolic event, especially in the presence of concomitant atrial fibrillation. In addition, increased platelet activity including elevated mean platelet volume (MPV) has been demonstrated in patients with RMS. It has also been reported that percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) attenuates platelet activity.

Can comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation provide an advantage to predict anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy?

Objectives: No definite markers have been established to identify patients in whom anthracycline-containing chemotherapy may represent a high risk for the development of cardiotoxicity. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of comprehensive echocardiography in anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy.

Study Design: In a prospective design, the study included 39 patients (9 males, 30 females; mean age 53.

The effects of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on mean platelet volume in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Previous studies have reported increased platelet activation and aggregation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment has been shown to decrease platelet activation. We aimed to study the effects of nasal CPAP therapy has on MPV values in patients with severe OSA.

Increased mean platelet volume in patients with aortic stenosis.

Background: Systemic thromboembolism is a serious complication in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). Previous studies have demonstrated that platelet activation occurs in patients with AS. The aim of this study was to assess the mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of platelet activation in patients with AS.

Mean platelet volume in patients with prehypertension and hypertension.

Patients with hypertension have evidence of platelet activation. Mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of platelet activation has been shown to be elevated in patients with hypertension. Prehypertension is also associated with an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Effects of normal blood pressure, prehypertension, and hypertension on autonomic nervous system function.

Background: Autonomic nervous system plays an important role in blood pressure (BP) regulation, and large proportion of patients with hypertension have increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity. Heart rate recovery (HRR) is a simple non-invasive measurement for investigating autonomic nervous system influence on the cardiovascular system; however, this methodology has not been used to evaluate autonomic nervous system in subjects with prehypertension (PHT). Accordingly, the present study was designed to evaluate HRR in subjects with PHT.