Psychometric properties of a short self-reported measure of medication adherence among patients with hypertension treated in a busy clinical setting in Korea.

Background: We examined the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) among adults with hypertension.

Methods: A total of 373 adults with hypertension were given face-to-face interviews in 2 cardiology clinics at 2 large teaching hospitals in Seoul, South Korea. Blood pressure was measured twice, and medical records were reviewed.

Relationship between coronary artery plaque composition by virtual histology intravascular ultrasound analysis and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objective: Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is an indicator of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risks. To identify patients with coronary atherosclerosis before the onset of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction will be desirable.

Methods: We measured the ankle-brachial index and baPWV in 150 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Effects of ezetimibe added to ongoing statin therapy on C-reactive protein levels in hypercholesterolemic patients.

Background And Objectives: Ezetimibe alone does not decrease C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in hypercholesterolemic patients. However, several reports have suggested that ezetimibe might potentiate the effect of statin not only on cholesterol but also on CRP when administered together. We investigated the effect of ezetimibe on CRP levels in patients taking statins.

Effects of the transition from premenopause to postmenopause on lipids and lipoproteins: quantification and related parameters.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to quantitatively measure changes in lipids and lipoproteins during perimenopause and to identify variables related to these changes.

Methods: Among women who had three regular health evaluations over a span of 2-4 years, 34 women remained in the premenopausal state, 34 premenopausal women transitioned to the postmenopausal state, and 36 postmenopausal women were enrolled. The menopausal state was determined not only by a history of amenorrhea but also by levels of female sex hormones.

The impact of mitral annular calcification on left ventricular function in nonagenarians.

Background And Objectives: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is known to be associated with degenerative processes of the cardiac fibrous skeleton and cardiovascular disease mortality. However, MAC has not been evaluated in an extreme age group (patients >/=90 years of age). In this study, the clinical significance of MAC associated with aging was examined in this age group and compared with MAC associated with aging in a younger (20 to 50 years of age) group of patients.

Progression and observational frequency of atheromatous plaques in autopsied coronary arteries.

Background And Objectives: Virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) studies on early-stage fibroatheroma, the probable precursor lesion of progression to thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA), have only rarely been done in man. We investigated the progression and observational frequency of fibroatheromas, and compared plaque components between early-stage and advance-staged fibroatheromas in the general population.

Subjects And Methods: We assessed coronary fibroatheromas using VH-IVUS and histopathologic analysis of 109 coronary lesions from 40 autopsied cases that were not due to sudden cardiac death (NSCD cases).

Atherosclerotic progression attenuates the expression of Nogo-B in autopsied coronary artery: pathology and virtual histology intravascular ultrasound analysis.

The relation of Nogo-B to atherosclerotic plaque progression is not well understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the expression of Nogo-B in fibroatheromas (FA) of different stages, classified using virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) analysis in 19 autopsied cases of non-sudden cardiac death. VH-IVUS imaging analysis was performed 30 mm from the ostium of each coronary artery.

Acute embolic occlusion of the left common iliac artery treated with intra-arterial thrombolysis and percutaneous thrombectomy.

Acute embolic occlusion of the common iliac artery is a rare medical emergency that is not only limb-threatening, but also potentially life-threatening. Several treatment options exist for acute limb ischemia, although no treatment is clearly best. We report a case of acute embolic occlusion of the left common iliac artery in a patient with atrial fibrillation who was treated successfully using mechanical thrombectomy following intra-arterial thrombolysis.

Effect of fenofibrate on lipoprotein(a) in hypertriglyceridemic patients: impact of change in triglyceride level and liver function.

We investigated the effect of fenofibrate on lipoprotein(a)levels in hypertriglyceridemic patients and the parameters relating to its effect. Patients with a triglyceride level >/=300 mg/dL or with a triglyceride level >/=200 mg/dL and a high density lipoprotein cholesterol level View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Overweight and effect of hormone replacement therapy on lipid profiles in postmenopausal women.

Background: Many experimental and observational studies have suggested that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women is cardioprotective. However, the results of randomized controlled trials have been discouraging. We attempted to evaluate the influence of overweight, a frequent risk factor for coronary artery disease, on the lipid-modifying effects of HRT.

New parameters for left ventricular function in atrial fibrillation: based on the relationship between RR interval and performance.

This study was designed to obtain new parameters representing left ventricular (LV) function independent of irregular RR intervals in atrial fibrillation (AF). AF patients were divided into Normal (n=9) and LV Dysfunction (n=9) groups. The relations between LV outflow peak ejection velocity (Vpe) and preceding (RR-1) or prepreceding RR intervals (RR-2) were obtained using logarithmic equations, from which the squared correlation coefficient (r2), slope, Vpe at RR-1 or RR-2=1 sec (Vpe-1), and the ratio of slope to Vpe-1 (Slope/Vpe-1) were calculated.

Characterization of binding and phagocytosis of oxidatively damaged erythrocyte to macrophage.

Background: Scavenger receptors are thought to be involved in the recognition of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and oxidized erythrocyte (oxRBC). However, there are controversies about the kind of receptors and ligands related to the binding. Macrophages lacking class A scavenger receptor show identical binding of oxRBC with wild-type ones.

Prediction of left ventricular peak ejection velocity by preceding and prepreceding RR intervals in atrial fibrillation: a new method to adjust the influence between two intervals.

In atrial fibrillation, cardiac performance is dependent on both preceding RR (RR-1) and prepreceding RR (RR-2) intervals. However, relative contributions were not well defined. Left ventricular outflow peak ejection velocity (Vpe) was measured by echocardiography from 21 patients.