Why selective screening for asymptomatic carotid stenosis is currently appropriate: a special report.

Introduction: Two of the main reasons recent guidelines do not recommend routine population-wide screening programs for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (AsxCS) is that screening could lead to an increase of carotid revascularization procedures and that such mass screening programs may not be cost-effective. Nevertheless, selective screening for AsxCS could have several benefits. This article presents the rationale for such a program.

[Short Term Simvastatin Use in Patients With Systolic Heart Failure of Ischemic Origin Did Not Preclude Elevation of N-Terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Level.].

Effect of statins on N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with heart failure has not been well elucidated. Purpose. To assess changes of NT-proBNP during short term use of simvastatin in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and chronic systolic heart failure.

Autoimmune nature of influenza atherogenicity.

It has been observed during influenza epidemics and in a number of population and clinical trials that this prevalent viral infection was associated with increased death rates from cardiovascular diseases. The clinical and experimental data that may explain accelerated coronary atherosclerosis in influenza infection with implications involving autoimmune mechanisms are analyzed in this article. Both cellular and humoral autoimmune modes could be proposed to participate in the onset or progression of atheromatous lesions due to influenza infection.

Statins and autoimmune diseases.

Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3methylglytaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase or statins are effective lipid lowering drugs widely used in cardiovascular disease. In the recent years, pleotropic effects of statins have been reported, which include anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. This review discusses the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory roles of statins and their possible use for the treatment of other inflammatory diseases or conditions with the involvement of the immune system.

Influenza, autoimmunity and atherogenesis.

It has been observed during influenza epidemics and in a number of population and clinical trials that this prevalent viral infection was associated with increased death rates from cardiovascular diseases. The clinical and experimental data that may explain accelerated coronary atherosclerosis in influenza infection with implications involving autoimmune mechanisms are reviewed in this article. Both cellular and humoral autoimmune mode could be proposed to participate in the onset or progression of atheromatous lesions due to influenza infection.

[Comparison of various methods of assessment of heart rate variability including simple cardiovascular reflex tests as predictors of sudden cardiac death after myocardial infarction.].

Unlabelled: Long term heart rate variability is used for prediction of sudden cardiac death (SD). There are simpler methods of assessment of autonomic cardiac control - registration of heart rate response to reflex tests and determination of heart rate variability (HRV) on short ECG recordins. Comparative value for prognosis of SD after myocardial infarction (MI) of these 3 techniques has not been studied yet.

[Relationship Between Lipid Lowering and Changes of Hemostasis and Inflammation During Use of Statins in Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome].

Aim: To analyze relationship between changes of lipid levels and parameters of hemostasis and inflammation in a previously reported comparative study of some biological effects of pravastatin and atorvastatin in patients with non ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS).

Methods: Ninety aspirin and heparin treated patients with NSTEACS were randomized to open pravastatin 40 mg/day (n=31) and atorvastatin 10 (n=30) or 40 mg/day (n=29). At baseline, on days 7 and 14 we measured levels of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), prothrombin fragments 1+2 (F1+2), D-dimer, von Willebrand factor (vWF) and C-reactive protein (CRP) and assessed platelet aggregation.

[Relationship between heart rate changes during reflex tests and heart rate variability in patients with recent myocardial infarction].

Background: Low heart rate variability (HRV) reflecting predominance of sympathetic tone is an independent predictor of sudden cardiac death after myocardial infarction (MI). We have previously shown that decreased heart rate (HR) response during reflex tests (breathing 6 per minute and Valsalva maneuver at the end of the first week after MI is also associated with elevated risk of sudden death during subsequent 2 years.

Aim: To elucidate relationship between HR response to breathing 6 per minute and Valsalva maneuver, and HRV as standard non-invasive method of assessment of autonomic regulation of the heart.

[Register of acute coronary syndromes in Russia: treatment and in hospital outcomes in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome].

Data from about 50 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndromes aged > or =18 years admitted to 59 hospitals in different Russian cities were collected between November 2000 and July 2001. In addition to presumably ischemic symptoms within previous 24 hours they were to have ischemic ECG changes, documented coronary heart disease or positive markers of myocardial necrosis. Of 2806 patients included into registry 1394 (49.

[Non ST elevation acute coronary syndrome. Some characteristics of coagulation and von Willebrand factor during short term use of ticlopidine or clopidogrel].

Unlabelled: Levels of some markers of coagulation and platelet activation such as prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2) thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) and von Willebrand factor (vWF), are related to outcome in non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS). Effects of thienopyridines ticlopidine and clopidogrel on acute changes of these parameters in patients with NSTEACS are not well investigated.

Aim: To study changes of markers of coagulation and platelet activation during short term use of ticlopidine and clopidogrel in NSTEACS patients treated with aspirin and antithrombin.

The "Brisighella Terme" Project: effectiveness of preventive medicine in thermal ambient. Hematochemical parameters.

Background: The main aims of the Brisighella Terme Project are: 1. evaluation of feasibility and effectiveness of preventive medicine intervention in thermal ambient; 2. identification of subjects with cardiovascular risk factors; 3.