Left ventricular structural and functional changes evaluated by echocardiography and two-dimensional strain in patients with sickle cell disease.

Introduction: Patients with sickle cell disease have increased left ventricular size, which is not usually accompanied by changes in systolic function indexes. We assessed echocardiographic abnormalities present in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and compared echocardiographic parameters to other sickle cell diseases (OSCD).

Material And Methods: A blind cross-sectional study with 60 patients with SCA and 16 patients with OSCD who underwent transthoracic echocardiography was performed.

Interleukin 6 Inhibition and Coronary Artery Disease in a High-Risk Population: A Prospective Community-Based Clinical Study.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, with interleukin 6 (IL-6) as a major player in inflammation cascade. IL-6 blockade may reduce cardiovascular risk, but current treatments to block IL-6 also induce dyslipidemia, a finding with an uncertain prognosis.

Methods And Results: We aimed to determine the endothelial function responses to the IL-6-blocking agent tocilizumab, anti-tumor necrosis factor α, and synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a 16-week prospective study.

Correlation between Diastolic Function and Endothelial Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction may be involved in the pathophysiology of cardiac abnormalities in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). A correlation between endothelial dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction in patients with type 1 DM has been demonstrated, but this relationship has not been well investigated in type 2 DM.

Objective: Compare groups of patients with type 2 DM and hypertension with and without diastolic dysfunction using endothelial function indexes, and to assess whether correlations exist between the diastolic function and the endothelial function indexes.

Predictive models of six-minute walking distance in adults with sickle cell anemia: Implications for rehabilitation.

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is characterized by a broad spectrum of abnormalities that affect most body organs and systems. To date, there is few data on the influence of these patients' clinical characteristics on the functional exercise capacity.

Aim: To investigate the effect of the clinical complications on the functional exercise capacity of adult SCA patients.

Relationship between pulmonary and cardiac abnormalities in sickle cell disease: implications for the management of patients.

Objective: To evaluate the association between clinical, pulmonary, and cardiovascular findings in patients with sickle cell disease and, secondarily, to compare these findings between sickle cell anemia patients and those with other sickle cell diseases.

Methods: Fifty-nine adults were included in this cross-sectional study; 47 had sickle cell anemia, and 12 had other sickle cell diseases. All patients underwent pulmonary function tests, chest computed tomography, and echocardiography.

Renin-Angiotensin System Blockade Associated with Statin Improves Endothelial Function in Diabetics.

Background: Studies suggest that statins have pleiotropic effects, such as reduction in blood pressure, and improvement in endothelial function and vascular stiffness.

Objective: To analyze if prior statin use influences the effect of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors on blood pressure, endothelial function, and vascular stiffness.

Methods: Patients with diabetes and hypertension with office systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80 mmHg had their antihypertensive medications replaced by amlodipine during 6 weeks.

Comparison of benazepril and losartan on endothelial function and vascular stiffness in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of benazepril and losartan on endothelial function and vascular stiffness, in patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Materials And Methods: We included hypertensive diabetic patients with an office systolic blood pressure (BP) ⩾ 130 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ⩾ 80 mmHg. Patients were rolled over to amlodipine for 6 weeks, then we performed C-reactive protein assays, BP measurement and vascular tests; next, patients were randomized to benazepril or losartan.

Functional vascular study in hypertensive subjects with type 2 diabetes using losartan or amlodipine.

Background: Antihypertensive drugs are used to control blood pressure (BP) and reduce macro- and microvascular complications in hypertensive patients with diabetes.

Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the functional vascular changes in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after 6 weeks of treatment with amlodipine or losartan.

Methods: Patients with a previous diagnosis of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly divided into 2 groups and evaluated after 6 weeks of treatment with amlodipine (5 mg/day) or losartan (100 mg/day).

[Assessing autonomic function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

Objective: Assess the autonomic function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) through heart rate variability (HRV) and to correlate it to echocardiographic data.

Methods: Two groups were studied, and compared for gender, age and HR: A) Ten (10) patients reporting septal HCM (70% non-obstructive); B) Ten (10) healthy volunteers. HRV was analyzed along four successive stages: at rest, under controlled breathing, while bending, and controlled breathing associated to bending.