Mitral and aortic annular calcifications and cerebrovascular ischemic episodes in patients with coronary artery disease.

Introduction:  Atherosclerosis is a systemic pathological process involving the whole arterial bed. Valvular calcifications are associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Significant carotid stenosis accounts for approximately 20% of cerebrovascular ischemic episodes.

Serum biomarkers and clinical outcomes in heart failure patients treated de novo with carvedilol.

Background: The role of inflammatory and hemodynamic stress biomarkers in heart failure (HF) patients treated de novo with beta-blockers has been poorly studied.

Methods: A total of 86 patients (age 56 ± 9 years, 81 men) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40% and previously not treated with beta-blockers were initiated on carvedilol. At baseline and 12 months later we performed echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and determined serum levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), endothelin-1 (ET-1), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF -a).

Active tissue factor and activated factor XI in circulating blood of patients with systolic heart failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: Elevated clotting factors and thrombin generation have been reported to occur in patients with heart failure (HF). Circulating activated factor XI (FXIa) and active tissue factor (TF) can be detected in acute coronary syndromes and stable angina.

Objectives: We investigated circulating FXIa and active TF and their associations in patients with systolic HF due to ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Altered fibrin clot properties in patients with chronic heart failure and sinus rhythm: a novel prothrombotic mechanism.

Background: Thromboembolic complications occur more frequently in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) than in the general population. Formation of a compact fibrin clot resistant to lysis has been shown in arterial and venous thrombosis.

Objective: To investigate fibrin clot properties in patients with CHF.

Comparison of aortic pulse wave velocity measured by three techniques: Complior, SphygmoCor and Arteriograph.

Background: New 2007 European Society of Hypertension guidelines recommend measuring arterial stiffness in patients with arterial hypertension, suggesting a carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity over 12 m/s as an estimate of subclinical organ damage. Considering this cutoff point, it is worth exploring whether or not there are significant differences in results obtained using various techniques for measuring aortic pulse wave velocity. The aim of the study was to compare aortic pulse wave velocity measurements using Complior, SphygmoCor, and Arteriograph devices, and to assess the effect of pulse wave transit time and traveled distance on pulse wave velocity values.