Cutoff Values of Aldosterone and the Aldosterone-Renin Ratio for Predicting Primary Aldosteronism in Patients with Resistant Hypertension: A Real-Life Study.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is commonly associated with resistant hypertension. Biochemical tests can be clinically useful in the screening and diagnosis of primary aldosteronism. This study aimed to identify the cutoff values of aldosterone levels (A) and the aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR) for an accurate prediction of PA in patients with apparent resistant hypertension in a real-life scenario.

Is hepatojugular reflux a good predictor of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction?

Hypertension may occur with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction, and the consequence may be symptoms and signs of heart failure (HF). Hepatojugular reflux (HJR), described as a sign of regurgitation of the tricuspid valve, may reflect structural and functional changes of the LV in the hypertensive patient. The signal may be present in the presence of HF.

Dysregulation of insulin levels in Chagas heart disease is associated with altered adipocytokine levels.

Metabolic, inflammatory, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction are present in patients with heart failure. However, whether these changes are due to left ventricular dysfunction or heart failure etiology is unknown. We evaluated metabolism and inflammatory activity in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) and Chagas cardiomyopathy (CHG) and their correlation with the ANS.

Metabolic Syndrome-Related Features in Controlled and Resistant Hypertensive Subjects.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is widespread among hypertensive patients. Clinical features and potential biomarkers of MetS in the presence of hypertension and resistant hypertension (RHTN) represent a great area of interest for investigation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of MetS and the clinical features associated with it in resistant and mild to moderate hypertensives.

Dysregulation of Autonomic Nervous System in Chagas' Heart Disease Is Associated with Altered Adipocytokines Levels.

Background: Chagas disease (CD) induces autonomic dysfunction and inflammatory activity, which may promote metabolic abnormalities. We studied metabolism and his correlation with Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and inflammation in CD.

Methods And Results: Sixty subjects were divided into 4 groups: control group (CG), IF (indeterminate form) group; ECG group (ECG abnormalities and normal left ventricular systolic function), and LVD group (left ventricular sistolic dysfunction).

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among truck drivers in the South of Brazil.

Background: Truck drivers work under conditions that predispose them to a high prevalence of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, these factors have not been fully evaluated and are not usually considered to be within the scope of health or labor services.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 long-distance truck drivers; the drivers were all male and were aged 18-60 years. The clinical evaluation consisted of an assessment of social habits and demographic data and an evaluation of risk factors for CVD at 3 time points separated by a one-week interval.

Monosodium glutamate neonatal treatment induces cardiovascular autonomic function changes in rodents.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular autonomic function in a rodent obesity model induced by monosodium glutamate injections during the first seven days of life.

Method: The animals were assigned to control (control, n = 10) and monosodium glutamate (monosodium glutamate, n = 13) groups. Thirty-three weeks after birth, arterial and venous catheters were implanted for arterial pressure measurements, drug administration, and blood sampling.

Blood pressure, metabolic and autonomic responses to insulin and intralipid® infusion in chagasic patients.

Background: Intralipid(®) and heparin infusion results in increased blood pressure and autonomic abnormalities in normal and hypertensive individuals.

Objective: To evaluate insulin sensitivity and the impact of Intralipid(®) and heparin (ILH) infusion on hemodynamic, metabolic, and autonomic response in patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas' disease.

Methods: Twelve patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas' disease and 12 healthy volunteers were evaluated.

Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is associated to increased cardiac output, normal heart rate (HR), abnormal QT dispersion and lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The mechanisms are still unknown. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that there is cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (CAD) in SCA.

Body mass index has a good correlation with proatherosclerotic profile in children and adolescents.

Background: More recently, the association of different risk factors has been described as the metabolic syndrome. Different definitions are being used for the same syndrome. Regardless of the name or classification, it has been well established that a cardiovascular cluster including overweight/obesity, increased blood pressure, and lipid and glucose abnormalities are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis in adults.

Frequent nurse visits decrease white coat effect in stage III hypertension.

Arterial hypertension is a public health problem and patient adherence to treatment is challenging. This study tested whether frequent nurse visits provide additional benefits to antihypertensive treatment. Every 30 days, a pharmacist visited these patients to deliver antihypertensive drugs and perform a pill count.

Hypercholesterolemia blunts forearm vasorelaxation and enhances the pressor response during acute systemic hypoxia.

Objective: During hypoxia, active substances released by the endothelium play a key role in the cardiovascular and respiratory responses elicited to optimize oxygen delivery. As hypercholesterolemia is a major cause of endothelial dysfunction, it may interfere with these responses.

Methods And Results: We studied cardiovascular and ventilatory responses to acute systemic hypoxia in 14 patients with hypercholesterolemia (HC) and 13 control (CO) subjects.