Radiofrequency catheter ablation and nerve growth factor concentration in humans.

Background: In animal models, expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) is increased after necrotic myocardial injury. Whether radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation increases NGF expression in humans is unclear.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine NGF concentrations in the aorta, coronary sinus, and peripheral veins before and after RF ablation in patients.

Genome-wide linkage analysis for loci affecting pulse pressure: the Family Blood Pressure Program.

Pulse pressure, the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Increased pulse pressure reflects reduced compliance of arteries and is a marker of atherosclerosis. To locate genes that affect pulse pressure, a genome-wide linkage scan for quantitative trait loci influencing pulse pressure was performed using variance components methods as implemented in sequential oligogenic linkage analysis routines.

Clustering and heritability of insulin resistance in Chinese and Japanese hypertensive families: a Stanford-Asian Pacific Program in Hypertension and Insulin Resistance sibling study.

The clustering between hypertension and other metabolic abnormalities related to insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) has been investigated in cross-sectional and prospective studies. Offspring studies have revealed that the clustering characteristics of IRS have familial components. However, it is not known whether the clustering also occurs in siblings (sibs) with different levels of blood pressure (BP).