Combined aerobic/resistance/inspiratory muscle training as the 'optimum' exercise programme for patients with chronic heart failure: ARISTOS-HF randomized clinical trial.

Aims: An 'optimum' universally agreed exercise programme for heart failure (HF) patients has not been found. ARISTOS-HF randomized clinical trial evaluates whether combined aerobic training (AT)/resistance training (RT)/inspiratory muscle training (IMT) (ARIS) is superior to AT/RT, AT/IMT or AT in improving aerobic capacity, left ventricular dimensions, and secondary functional outcomes.

Methods And Results: Eighty-eight patients of New York Heart Association II-III, left ventricular ejection fraction  ≤ 35% were randomized to an ARIS, AT/RT, AT/IMT, or AT group, exercising 3 times/week, 180 min/week for 12 weeks.

[Case Report] Stress induced (Takotsubo) cardiomyopathy triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stress induced (Takotsubo) cardiomyopathy (TC) represents an acute heart failure syndrome triggered by physical or emotional stressors. COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented health crisis resulting in fear, distress and anxiety, with emerging cardiovascular implications. COVID-19 related stress can act as potential trigger for TC.

The effect of Mid-Day Sleep on blood pressure levels in patients with arterial hypertension.

Study Objectives: Lifestyle changes decrease blood pressure (BP) levels by 3-5 mmHg in hypertensive patients. We assessed the effect of mid-day sleep on BP levels in hypertensive patients.

Methods: We prospectively studied two hundred and twelve hypertensive patients.

Recent advances in understanding and managing resistant/refractory hypertension.

The management of resistant hypertension presents several challenges in everyday clinical practice. During the past few years, several studies have been performed to identify efficient and safe pharmacological and non-pharmacological options for the management of such patients. The Spironolactone versus placebo, bisoprolol, and doxazosin to determine the optimal treatment for drug-resistant hypertension (PATHWAY-2) trial demonstrated significant benefits with the use of spinorolactone as a fourth-line drug for the treatment of resistant hypertension over doxazosin and bisoprolol.

Adverse Effects of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Administration.

Background: Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists consist of a class of drugs with pleiotropic beneficial effects in several cardiovascular diseases. However, physicians frequently overlook their use due to the adverse effects of such agents.

Objectives: To determine the adverse effects of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and to suggest clinically meaningful options.

Effectiveness and Adherence to Treatment with Perindopril/Indapamide/Amlodipine Single-Pill Combination in a Greek Population with Hypertension.

Background: Despite the overwhelming evidence and the established benefits of antihypertensive treatment, adherence to treatment remains low.

Objective: To assess the adherence to treatment with a perindopril/indapamide/amlodipine single-pill combination (SPC), its effectiveness on blood pressure (BP) reduction, as well as the safety and tolerability of this SPC over a 4-month treatment period.

Methods: This multicenter, non-interventional study prospectively included 2285 hypertensive patients on perindopril/indapamide/amlodipine SPC.

Trimetazidine in the Prevention of Tissue Ischemic Conditions.

Trimetazidine (TMZ) is a metabolic agent with significant anti-ischemic properties. By inhibiting the terminal enzyme in the β-oxidation pathway, it shifts the energy substrate metabolism, enhancing glucose metabolism. Thus, it maintains the required energy production with less oxygen consumption, an effect necessary in cases of myocardi.

Arterial Hypertension and Health-Related Quality of Life.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of awareness of arterial hypertension on quality of life in hypertensive patients in Greece.

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective observational study that included 189 aware hypertensive patients on treatment with antihypertensive therapy. Patients were ambulatory men or women ≥18 years old, with diagnosed essential hypertension.

The Role of Statins in Prevention of Preeclampsia: A Promise for the Future?

Preeclampsia has been linked to high morbidity and mortality during pregnancy. However, no efficient pharmacological options for the prevention of this condition are currently available. Preeclampsia is thought to share several pathophysiologic mechanisms with cardiovascular disease, which has led to investigations for the potential role of statins (HMG CoA reductase inhibitors) in its prevention and early management.

Pulse Wave Velocity: Retrospective Analysis in a Balkan Normotensive and Hypertensive Population: A Study of 9923 Patients.

We compared pulse wave velocity (PWV) between hypertensive patients and control patients to identify demographics and patient characteristics related to PWV. We retrospectively analyzed 9923 participants (3105 controls and 6818 hypertensive patients) from 5 outpatient hypertensive clinics (in Serbia and Greece). Pulse wave velocity had different distribution between controls and hypertensive patients ( P < .

Adenosine as an Adjunct Therapy in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients: Myth or Truth?

Early reperfusion represents the key strategy in ST elevation myocardial infarction. However, reperfusion may induce myocardial damage due to the reperfusion myocardial injury, compromising the full potential of reperfusion therapy and accounting for unfavourable results in high risk patients. Adenosine seems to attenuate ischemia reperfusion injury, and thus represents a promising therapeutic option for treating such patients.

The Mystery of High-density Lipoprotein: Quantity or Quality? Update on Therapeutic Strategies.

This review summarizes the data challenging the concept that cardiovascular protection through high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is only associated with its serum concentration. This conventional impression about its protective role now appears obsolete. New aspects of its mechanisms are revealed and novel therapeutic strategies are based on them.

Recent advances in the management of resistant hypertension.

And suddenly, following the preliminary results of renal denervation and carotid baroreceptor stimulation, a big interest in resistant hypertension rose, and all interventionists, many of them with no previous experience with hypertension, fell in love with hypertension and especially resistant hypertension. In the European Society of Hypertension/International Society of Hypertension (ESH/ISH) 2014 Joint Hypertension meeting in Athens, there were no more than four to five sessions related to resistant hypertension and renal denervation, while in the 2014 EuroPCR meeting there were more than 60 renal denervation sessions! In light of the growing scientific interest in the treatment of this patient group, an update on the treatment available and some concerns regarding the definition and treatment of resistant hypertension is presented.