Frequency of Cardiac Valvulopathies in Patients With Marfan Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a progressive connective tissue disease with a broad range of clinical manifestations. We sought to establish the spectrum of structural valvular abnormalities as cardiovascular involvement has been identified as the most life-threatening aspect of the syndrome. This was a systematic review with a meta-analysis of studies indexed in Medline from the inception of the database to November 7, 2022.

Non-calcified plaque in asymptomatic patients with zero coronary artery calcium score: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is growing interest in understanding the coronary atherosclerotic burden in asymptomatic patients with zero coronary artery calcium score (CACS). In this population, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and severity of non-calcified coronary plaques (NCP) as detected by coronary CT angiography (CCTA), and to analyze the associated clinical predictors.

Methods: This was a systematic review with meta-analysis of studies indexed in PubMed/Medline and Web of Science from inception of the database to March 31st, 2023.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence, incidence, and predictors of atrial fibrillation in cardiac sarcoidosis.

Background: The occurrence of atrial arrhythmias, in particular, atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) are of growing interest in the field of infiltrative cardiomyopathies. Via a systematic review with meta-analysis, we sought to synthesize data on the prevalence, incidence, and predictors of atrial arrhythmias as well as outcomes in patients with CS.

Methods: PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically queried from inception until April 26th, 2023.

Near-Fatal Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Young Patient With Occlusive Coronary Artery Disease.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to obstructive coronary artery disease in young patients is an unusual event. Its clinical pattern somewhat differs from that of elderly patients, thus placing them at an increased risk of misdiagnosis, as this young population typically does not demonstrate the traditional risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. We report the case of a 35-year-old man who presented with new-onset chest pain leading to cardiac arrest and was found to have 100% occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, which was successfully managed with the placement of a drug-eluting stent.

The role of ARBs alone or with HCTZ in the treatment of hypertension and prevention of cardiovascular and renal complications.

Background: Hypertension (HTN) management guidelines stress the importance of effective blood pressure (BP) control to prevent progression to adverse cardiovascular (CV) and renal outcomes.

Objective: To review the efficacy of different angiotensin II receptor blocking agents (ARBs) as monotherapy or in combination therapy as antihypertensive agents and their effects on renal and CV outcomes beyond BP control.

Methods: The emerging use of ARBs was reviewed from the current literature (1997-2010).

Efficacy and tolerability of nebivolol in stage I-II hypertension: a pooled analysis of data from three randomized, placebo-controlled monotherapy trials.

Background: Nebivolol is a β(1)-selective β-blocker with NO-mediated vasodilatory properties, approved in the United States for the treatment of stage I-II hypertension.

Objective: The purpose of this pooled analysis was to summarize efficacy and provide a brief overview of the tolerability associated with the use of nebivolol.

Methods: PubMed was searched for randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trials of monotherapy with nebivolol for stage I-II hypertension of at least 12 weeks' duration.

Nebivolol efficacy and safety in patients with stage I-II hypertension.

Background: Nebivolol is a novel, beta(1)-adrenergic receptor blocker with vasodilatory properties mediated through activation of the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway.

Hypothesis: This multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study investigated the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of nebivolol in patients with stage I through stage II hypertension (sitting diastolic blood pressure [SiDBP] > or = 95 mm Hg and < or = 109 mm Hg).

Methods: A total of 811 patients were randomized to placebo or nebivolol 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg once daily for 12 weeks.

Olmesartan medoxomil-based therapy for the management of hypertension.

Contemporary practice guidelines for hypertension recommend a goal systolic/diastolic blood pressure (BP) of less than 140/90 mmHg for patients with hypertension and less than 130/80 mmHg for patients with diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease. Current guidelines recognize that most patients will require combination therapy to achieve these BP goals and recommend that the agents used in such therapy should have complementary mechanisms of action. Olmesartan medoxomil is an angiotensin receptor blocker approved for the treatment of hypertension as monotherapy or in combination with antihypertensive agents.

Olmesartan medoxomil combined with hydrochlorothiazide for the treatment of hypertension.

In most patients with hypertension, especially Stage 2 hypertension, adequate control of blood pressure (BP) is only achieved with combination drug therapy. When using combination therapy, antihypertensive agents with complementary mechanisms of action are recommended, for example, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a beta-blocker + HCTZ, an ACE inhibitor + HCTZ, or a calcium channel blocker + an ACE inhibitor. One such combination is olmesartan medoxomil + HCTZ, which is available as fixed-dose, single-tablet combinations for once-daily administration.

A review of olmesartan medoxomil monotherapy: antihypertensive efficacy similar to that of other angiotensin II receptor blocker/hydrochlorothiazide combinations?

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) have been available in the United States since 1995. These agents have demonstrated antihypertensive efficacy at least similar to that of agents from other antihypertensive classes. Recent large-scale, randomized, controlled clinical trials have demonstrated that ARBs offer cardiovascular and renal protective benefits independent of their effects on systemic blood pressure (BP), which make them valuable as first-line antihypertensive agents, especially in high-risk patients.