Sustained-release isosorbide mononitrate as adjuvant treatment in isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly.

Hypertension is one of the main cardiovascular risk factors. In the elderly, the most common form is isolated systolic hypertension, a consequence of the increase in arterial stiffness. None of the antihypertensives currently used affects arterial stiffness, whereas nitrates seem to have an effect.

Familial hypercholesterolemia: A single-nucleotide variant (SNV) in mosaic at the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR).

Background And Aims: Familial hypercholesterolemia is most frequently caused by genetic variants in the LDLR gene. Most of LDLR pathogenic variants are missense, followed by splicing and deletion/insertions variants. Mosaicism is a genetic condition in which an individual shows more than one clone of cells with different genotypes.

Functional analysis of new variants at the low-density lipoprotein receptor associated with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is an autosomal dominant disease of lipid metabolism caused by defects in the genes LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9. The prevalence of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is estimated between 1/200 and 1/250. Early detection of patients with FH allows initiation of treatment, thus reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.

Type and doses of oral anticoagulants and adherence to anticoagulant treatment in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: the ESPARTA study.

Aim: To analyze the use of oral anticoagulants in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation in clinical practice.

Patients & Methods: Cross-sectional and multicenter study performed in atrial fibrillation patients ≥75 years treated with oral anticoagulants ≥3 months.

Results: 837 patients (83.

Effect of oral nitrates on pulse pressure and arterial elasticity in patients aged over 65 years with refractory isolated systolic hypertension: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Isolated systolic hypertension is a highly prevalent disease among the elderly. The little available evidence on the efficacy of nitrates for treating the disease is based on small experimental studies.

Methods/design: We performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, phase III, placebo-controlled trial in 154 patients aged over 65 years with refractory isolated systolic hypertension.

A Study on the Relationship between Serum Beta 2-Microglobulin Levels, Underlying Chronic Kidney Disease, and Peripheral Arterial Disease in High-Vascular-Risk Patients.

Background: Serum beta 2-microglobulin (B2M) levels have been found to be increased in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), yet it is still unknown whether B2M correlates with PAD intensity.

Objectives: We aim to evaluate the correlation between B2M and the ankle-brachial index (ABI) values in high-vascular-risk patients.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 63 high-vascular-risk patients admitted to the Cardiology Department or evaluated as outpatients in the Internal Medicine Department of our institution.

A cluster-randomised clinical trial comparing two cardiovascular health education strategies in a child population: the Savinghearts project.

Background: This paper describes a methodology for comparing the effects of an eduentertainment strategy involving a music concert, and a participatory class experience involving the description and making of a healthy breakfast, as educational vehicles for delivering obesity-preventing/cardiovascular health messages to children aged 7-8 years.

Methods/design: This study will involve a cluster-randomised trial with blinded assessment. The study subjects will be children aged 7-8 years of both sexes attending public primary schools in the Madrid Region.

Influence of multiple blood pressure measurements on the estimation of the ankle-brachial index and the consequent diagnosis of peripheral artery disease.

Objective: The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is the most useful and efficient tool for assessing the presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of multiple sequential blood pressure (BP) measurements on the estimation of the ABI and the consequent diagnosis of PAD in a high vascular risk population.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 71 patients admitted to the Cardiology Department or evaluated as outpatients in the Internal Medicine Department at our institution.

[Multidisciplinary approach to atherothrombotic disease].

Atherothrombosis is a systemic disease that can manifest as involvement of distinct vascular territories; those most frequently leading to diagnosis being coronary, cerebrovascular and peripheral arterial vascular territories. Atheromatosis of the aorta or its branches can be asymptomatic or manifest clinically in the form of mesenteric ischemia or ischemic nephropathy. Atherothrombosis therefore involves distinct medical specialities and healthcare levels such as cardiology, neurology, nephrology, endocrinology, vascular surgery, internal medicine, and primary care.

[One-year data from the REACH registry in Spain].

Atherothrombosis is one of the main causes of death worldwide. In Spain, as in other countries, this disease is a major public health problem, constituting a healthcare priority. The aim of the REduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) registry is to analyze the long-term risk of atherothrombotic episodes in the at-risk population, evaluate the importance of cross risk, and define the prognostic factors of atherothrombotic episodes.

Thyroid hormone resistance and pituitary enlargement after thyroid ablation in a woman on levothyroxine treatment.

We report a patient with inappropriate secretion of thyrotropin (TSH) and a pituitary mass. Although she had been treated for biochemical hyperthyroidism with thyroid surgery and radioiodine ablation, she had never complained of specific symptoms or demonstrated signs of overt thyroid dysfunction. On evaluation, she had increased free thyroxine and TSH levels, normal serum glycoprotein alpha-subunit levels, and a significant TSH over-response to exogenous thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: is the daytime period enough for making clinical decisions?

Aim: To assess the agreement between the clinical information provided by the ambulatory daytime average and 24 h average blood pressure value for diagnosing hypertension and assessing the effects of antihypertensive treatment.

Methods: We analysed 261 24 h ambulatory monitoring records (SpaceLabs 90207, SpaceLabs, Redmond, Washington, USA) obtained from hypertensives over 18 years of age (mean age 55.8 years) in order to make a diagnosis of hypertension or assess its control in response to treatment.