IgM antibodies against phosphorylcholine measured early after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction in relation to atherosclerotic disease burden and long-term clinical outcome.

Purpose: Studies have reported an association between low levels of natural immunoglobulin M antibodies against phosphorylcholine(IgM anti-PC) and worse prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aims of the present study were, in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); 1) to compare serum levels of IgM anti-PC measured acutely and after 3 months; 2) to study an association between levels of IgM anti-PC and the severity ofCAD, and; 3) to investigate whether IgM anti-PC levels are associated with long-term clinical outcome.

Methods: A total of 213 patients without known diabetes (median age 59 years) with a PCI treated STEMI were enrolled.

Family history of hypertension and serum triglycerides predict future insulin sensitivity: a 17-year follow-up study of young men.

Objective: Low insulin sensitivity is closely related to both cardiovascular diseases and diabetes development. Still, correlates of insulin sensitivity have mainly been examined in cross-sectional studies. As far as we are aware, the longitudinal stability of insulin sensitivity in young men is largely unknown.

High screening blood pressure at young age predicts future masked hypertension: A 17 year follow-up study.

Objective: Approximately 10-20% of the general population have masked hypertension. However, how best to identify affected individuals is uncertain, and what predicts future masked hypertension is largely unknown. This study aimed to identify longitudinal predictors of masked hypertension.

Effects on plasma noradrenaline may explain some of the improved insulin sensitivity seen by AT-1 receptor blockade.

Aims: We have previously found improved insulin sensitivity in hypertensives after additional treatment with angiotensin II-receptor blocker (ARB) compared with calcium-channel blocker (CCB) alone, despite similar blood pressure lowering effects. In this study, we compare the effect of these two principal different vasodilating agents on the autonomic nervous system in the same patients, and test whether potential differences in these variables might explain the difference seen in insulin sensitivity.

Methods: In a double-blind crossover study, 21 hypertensive patients were randomized to receive either 100 mg losartan (ARB) or 5 mg amlodipine (CCB) in addition to an open-labelled treatment of amlodipine 5 mg.

Impact of new-onset diabetes mellitus on development of atrial fibrillation and heart failure in high-risk hypertension (from the VALUE Trial).

Hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) are known risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the influence of new-onset DM on developing AF in the VALUE trial population of high-risk hypertensive patients. Five thousand two hundred fifty patients of the 15,245 participants in the VALUE trial had DM at baseline and 1,298 of the initially nondiabetic patients developed DM during the average 4.

Improved insulin sensitivity by the angiotensin II-receptor blocker losartan is not explained by adipokines, inflammatory markers, or whole blood viscosity.

We have previously found improved insulin sensitivity after antihypertensive treatment with an angiotensin II-receptor blocker as compared with a calcium channel blocker in hypertensives. In this study, we compare the effect of these 2 principal different vasodilating agents on levels of adipokines, inflammatory variables, and whole blood viscosity in the same hypertensive patients with cardiovascular risk factors. We test whether potential differences in these variables might explain the difference seen in insulin sensitivity.

Complications of hypertension and the role of angiotensin receptor blockers in hypertension trials.

Hypertension is a high-prevalence disease that may affect several organs. In recent years, data have accumulated indicating that angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) may have a supplementary effect beyond lowering blood pressure. The aim of this review is to evaluate the impact of ARBs on the most important complications of hypertension--heart, cerebrovascular and renal diseases, and metabolic complications--based on the findings from large clinical hypertension trials.

Antihypertensive treatment and new-onset diabetes mellitus.

The various antihypertensive regimens have varying effects on glucose metabolism and the development of diabetes mellitus. Recent large hypertension trials have shown great differences in the development of new-onset diabetes among antihypertensive drug therapies. The incidence of diabetes is unchanged or increased by thiazide diuretics and b-adrenergic blockers, and unchanged or decreased by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-receptor blockers.

[Smuggling of illegal drugs by body suffers].

Background: Body packers are persons who smuggle illegal drugs by swallowing condoms or plastic cylinders containing such substances. Body stuffers are drug dealers or drug abusers who swallow illegal drugs in an effort to conceal evidence during an arrest or in fear of being arrested.

Material And Methods: We report four cases and discuss management.