Low Free Triiodothyronine Level as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: The DREAM Cohort.

Aim: Low T3 syndrome is characterized by low serum triiodothyronine (T3) levels without elevation of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients without apparent thyroid disease, which is known to be associated with worse clinical outcomes in various populations including those with kidney failure. In this study, we examined whether low free T3 (FT3) levels are independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

Inter-Arm Blood Pressure Difference in Diabetes Mellitus and Its Preferential Association with Peripheral Artery Disease.

Aim: Inter-arm blood pressure difference (IAD) is known to be associated with a composite of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and with CVD risk factors. However, only limited information is available regarding the contribution of diabetes mellitus to IAD and the association of IAD with individual CVDs, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, and peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods: We addressed these issues in this cross-sectional study of 2580 participants who had simultaneous blood pressure measurements in both arms using an automated device.