Arterial Stiffness: Its Relation with Prediabetes and Metabolic Syndrome and Possible Pathogenesis.

Aims: To evaluate arterial stiffness indicators in people with prediabetes (PreD) and its possible pathogenesis.

Materials And Methods: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured in 208 people with FINDRISC ≥ 13 (57 ± 8 years old, 68.7% women) and thereafter divided into those having either normal glucose tolerance (NGT) or PreD.

Evaluation of ventricular-arterial coupling by impedance cardiography in healthy volunteers.

Background: The interplay between cardiac function and the arterial system is currently defined as ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) and it is an expression of global cardiovascular efficiency. VAC involves a variety of complex interactions between the heart and the vasculature. A basic index of VAC is the ratio of effective arterial elastance (Ea)/ end-systolic elastance (Ees).

Office blood pressure values and the necessity of out-of-office measurements in high-risk pregnancies.

Objectives: To determine if there is an office blood pressure (BP) value below which out-of-office measurements are unnecessary in high-risk pregnant women.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in women in the second half of high-risk pregnancies. Office BP measurements and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed.

Nocturnal hypertension in high-risk mid-pregnancies predict the development of preeclampsia/eclampsia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to test if hypertension detected by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) performed at mid-pregnancy, is a useful predictor for preeclampsia/eclampsia (PEEC).

Methods: The study was performed in women coursing high-risk mid-pregnancies. Office blood pressure (BP) was estimated as the mean of three values, taken by a specialized nurse after a 15-min interview, and office hypertension defined as at least 140/90 mmHg.