Obesity, elevated levels of fasting plasma glucose and type 2 diabetes are associated with aortic stiffness.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with structural and functional vascular abnormalities. MetS and its components may increase arterial stiffness and the risk of cardiovascular events. However, the relationship of MetS and its components, including obesity, with arterial stiffness is still not fully understood. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a group of 116 patients undergoing treatment for hypertension, we searched for the relationships between parameters of MetS and aortic stiffness expressed by pulse wave velocity (PWVAo). PWVAo was measured using an arteriograph working on the oscillometric principle, and pulse wave analysis (PWA) for noninvasive assessment of the parameters of central hemodynamics. RESULTS: From the cluster of parameters of MetS we found a significant association between body mass index (BMI) and aortic stiffness, and between fasting plasma glucose/type 2 diabetes (FPG/T2DM) and aortic stiffness. We did not find significant relationships between other components of MetS (HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) and aortic stiffness, based on the influence of hypolipidemic therapy. Arterial stiffness increased with age and was higher in females. CONCLUSION: Arterial stiffness was associated with age, sex, and MetS components (BMI and FPG/T2DM). Surprisingly, the parameters of dyslipidemia do not influence stiffness parameters, which can be explained by hypolipidemic therapy. The influence of hypolipidemic therapy should therefore be borne in mind when evaluating arterial tree function (Tab. 15, Ref. 62). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: obesity, fasting plasma glucose, type 2 diabetes, aortic stiffness, metabolic syndrome, arterial hypertension, cardiovascular risk.

Effect of Once-Weekly Exenatide in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus With and Without Heart Failure and Heart Failure-Related Outcomes: Insights From the EXSCEL Trial.

BACKGROUND: Once-weekly exenatide (EQW) had a neutral effect on hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) in the EXSCEL study (Exenatide Study of Cardiovascular Event Lowering), with no differential treatment effect on major adverse cardiac events by baseline heart failure (HF) status. EQW's effects on secondary end points based on HHF status have not been reported. The objective was to explore the effects of EQW on secondary end points in patients with and without baseline HF and test the effects of EQW on recurrent HHF events. METHODS: The prespecified analysis of the randomized controlled EXSCEL trial, which enrolled patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without additional cardiovascular disease, analyzed EQW effects on all-cause death, each major adverse cardiac event component, first HHF, and repeat HHF, by baseline HF status (regardless of ejection fraction). A subgroup analysis of the population stratified by preserved or reduced baseline ejection fraction was performed. RESULTS: Of 14 752 EXSCEL participants, 2389 (16.2%) had HF at baseline. Compared with those without HF at baseline, patients with preexisting HF were older, and more likely to be male and white, with a higher burden of other cardiovascular diseases. Overall, those assigned to EQW had a lower incidence of all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.86 [95% CI, 0.77-0.97]) and the composite outcome of all-cause death or HHF (HR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.80-0.99]). When stratified by presence or absence of baseline HF, there was no observed reduction in all-cause death with EQW with baseline HF (HR, 1.05 [95% CI, 0.85-1.29]), while the risk of mortality was reduced with EQW in the no-HF group (HR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.68-0.92]) with an interaction P value of 0.031. The reduction in all-cause death or HHF seen with EQW in patients without baseline HF (HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.71-0.93]) was not seen in patients with baseline HF (HR, 1.07 [95% CI, 0.89-1.29]; interaction P=0.015). First, plus recurrent, HHF was reduced in the exenatide group versus placebo (HR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.68-0.99]; P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: In EXSCEL, the use of EQW in patients with or without HF was well tolerated, but benefits of EQW on reduction in all-cause death and first hospitalization for HF were attenuated in patients with baseline HF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01144338.

Cardiovascular Efficacy and Safety of Bococizumab in High-Risk Patients.

BACKGROUND: Bococizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and reduces levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of bococizumab in patients at high cardiovascular risk. METHODS: In two parallel, multinational trials with different entry criteria for LDL cholesterol levels, we randomly assigned the 27,438 patients in the combined trials to receive bococizumab (at a dose of 150 mg) subcutaneously every 2 weeks or placebo. The primary end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina requiring urgent revascularization, or cardiovascular death; 93% of the patients were receiving statin therapy at baseline. The trials were stopped early after the sponsor elected to discontinue the development of bococizumab owing in part to the development of high rates of antidrug antibodies, as seen in data from other studies in the program. The median follow-up was 10 months. RESULTS: At 14 weeks, patients in the combined trials had a mean change from baseline in LDL cholesterol levels of -56.0% in the bococizumab group and +2.9% in the placebo group, for a between-group difference of -59.0 percentage points (P<0.001) and a median reduction from baseline of 64.2% (P<0.001). In the lower-risk, shorter-duration trial (in which the patients had a baseline LDL cholesterol level of ≥70 mg per deciliter [1.8 mmol per liter] and the median follow-up was 7 months), major cardiovascular events occurred in 173 patients each in the bococizumab group and the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.22; P=0.94). In the higher-risk, longer-duration trial (in which the patients had a baseline LDL cholesterol level of ≥100 mg per deciliter [2.6 mmol per liter] and the median follow-up was 12 months), major cardiovascular events occurred in 179 and 224 patients, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65 to 0.97; P=0.02). The hazard ratio for the primary end point in the combined trials was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.76 to 1.02; P=0.08). Injection-site reactions were more common in the bococizumab group than in the placebo group (10.4% vs. 1.3%, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In two randomized trials comparing the PCSK9 inhibitor bococizumab with placebo, bococizumab had no benefit with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events in the trial involving lower-risk patients but did have a significant benefit in the trial involving higher-risk patients. (Funded by Pfizer; SPIRE-1 and SPIRE-2 ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01975376 and NCT01975389 .).

Secondary prevention after acute coronary syndrome.

Patients suffering acute coronary syndrome have a very high risk for a repeated syndrome. After stabilization of acute coronary syndrome and discharge of a patient it is important to educate the patient how to prevent it in the future (dietary and life style changes), but treatment of all cardiovascular risk factors/diseases, as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes but stabilization of all cardiovascular diseases is also important. Important is also antithrombotic treatment (mostly double antiplatelet treatment when percutaneous coronary intervention was used with a coronary stents), RAAS blockers, betablockers and statins (strong as atorvastatin and rosuvastatin in the highest possible dose). There are also new risk factors, and vascular inflammation belongs here. We have nowadays also some successful clinical studies how to block inflammation and how to use this treatment. A good secondary cardiovascular prevention is able to improve enourmously prognosis of these patients.

Patient-related characteristics associated with non-persistence with statin therapy in elderly patients following an ischemic stroke.

PURPOSE: This study was aimed at evaluating the extent of non-persistence with statin therapy in elderly patients after an ischemic stroke and identifying patient-related characteristics that are risk factors for non-persistence. METHODS: The evaluable study cohort (n = 2748) was derived from the database of the largest health insurance provider in the Slovak Republic. Patients aged ≥65 years who were initiated on statin therapy following the diagnosis of an ischemic stroke during one full year (1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010) constituted this cohort. Each patient was followed for a period of 3 years from the date of the first statin prescription. Patients with a continuous treatment gap of 6 months without statin prescription were designated as non-persistent. The Cox proportional hazard model was applied to determine patient-associated characteristics that influenced the likelihood of non-persistence. RESULTS: During the 3-year follow-up period, 39.7% of patients in the study cohort became non-persistent. Factors associated with decreased probability of a patient becoming non-persistent were age ≥75 years (hazard ratio (HR) 0.75), polypharmacy (concurrent use of ≥6 drugs) (HR 0.79), diabetes mellitus (HR 0.80), dementia (HR 0.81) and hypercholesterolemia (HR 0.50). On the other hand, the presence of anxiety disorders (HR 1.33) predicted an increased likelihood of a patient being non-persistent. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that patients aged ≥75 years or those with the presence of diabetes mellitus, dementia, hypercholesterolemia or polypharmacy were likely to be persistent with statin therapy, whereas those with anxiety disorders may need greater assistance with persistence of statin therapy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Non-persistence with antiplatelet therapy in elderly patients after a transient ischemic attack.

BACKGROUND: Antiplatelet therapy following a transient ischemic attack (TIA) constitutes an important secondary prevention measure. AIMS: The study was aimed at evaluating the development of non-persistence with antiplatelet therapy in elderly patients after a TIA and identifying patient-related characteristics associated with the probability of non-persistence during the follow-up period. METHODS: The study cohort (n = 854) was selected from the database of the largest health insurance provider of the Slovak Republic. It included patients aged ≥65 years, in whom antiplatelet medication was initiated following a TIA diagnosis during the period between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2010. Each patient was followed for a period of 3 years from the date of the first antiplatelet medication prescription associated with TIA diagnosis. Patients in whom there was a treatment gap of at least 6 months without antiplatelet medication prescription were defined as "non-persistent". The factors predicting non-persistence were identified in the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up period, 345 (40.4%) patients were non-persistent with antiplatelet medication. Protective factors decreasing a patient´s likelihood of becoming non-persistent were age ≥75 years [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.75], polypharmacy (concurrent use of ≥6 drugs) (HR = 0.79), arterial hypertension (HR = 0.68), diabetes mellitus (HR = 0.74), hypercholesterolemia (HR = 0.75), and antiplatelet medication switching during the follow-up period (HR = 0.73). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that following a TIA, elderly patients aged <75 years or those with normal serum cholesterol levels, without certain comorbid conditions and polypharmacy may benefit from special counselling to encourage persistence with secondary preventive medication.

Intestinal congestion and right ventricular dysfunction: a link with appetite loss, inflammation, and cachexia in chronic heart failure.

AIMS: Mechanisms leading to cachexia in heart failure (HF) are not fully understood. We evaluated signs of intestinal congestion in patients with chronic HF and their relationship with cachexia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of the 165 prospectively enrolled outpatients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%, 29 (18%) were cachectic. Among echocardiographic parameters, the combination of right ventricular dysfunction and elevated right atrial pressure (RAP) provided the best discrimination between cachectic and non-cachectic patients [area under the curve 0.892, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.832-0.936]. Cachectic patients, compared with non-cachectic, had higher prevalence of postprandial fullness, appetite loss, and abdominal discomfort. Abdominal ultrasound showed a larger bowel wall thickness (BWT) in the entire colon and terminal ileum in cachectic than in non-cachectic patients. Bowel wall thickness correlated positively with gastrointestinal symptoms, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, RAP, and truncal fat-free mass, the latter serving as a marker of the fluid content. Logistic regression analysis showed that BWT was associated with cachexia, even after adjusting for cardiac function, inflammation, and stages of HF (odds ratio 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-1.8; P-value = 0.03). Among the cardiac parameters, only RAP remained significantly associated with cachexia after multivariable adjustment. CONCLUSION: Cardiac cachexia was associated with intestinal congestion irrespective of HF stage and cardiac function. Gastrointestinal discomfort, appetite loss, and pro-inflammatory activation provide probable mechanisms, by which intestinal congestion may trigger cardiac cachexia. However, our results are preliminary and larger studies are needed to clarify the intrinsic nature of this relationship.

[Clinical study FOURIER]. / Klinická stúdia FOURIER.

A new group of hypolipidemic substances, i.e. PCSK9 protein inhibitors, is now coming into use in clinical practice, to what extent a high residual cardiovascular risk remains also in patients treated with statins. The FOURIER study (Further cardiovascular OUtcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition subjects with Elevated Risk) is the first "event" study which has shown that evolocumab (PCSK9 antibody) further significantly reduces serum LDL cholesterol and subsequently also cardiovascular morbidity and mortality: (a) composite primary goal (cardiovascular mortality, incidence of heart attacks, strokes, hospitalizations for unstable angina, coronary revascularization) by 15 % (p < 0.001), (b) secondary goal (cardiovascular mortality, incidence of heart attacks, strokes) by 20 % (p < 0.001), (c) the treatment effect increased with length of treatment, and (d) the treatment was safe. The study has therefore confirmed that further reduction of serum LDL cholesterol by means of evolocumab significantly reduces incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with elevated risk. This treatment is primarily needed for individuals with elevated cardiovascular risk.Key words: atherosclerosis - evolocumab - cardiovascular diseases - LDL cholesterol - PCSK9 inhibitors.

[What has the GLAGOV clinical study shown?] / Co nám hovorí klinická stúdia GLAGOV?

If we want to favorably influence the cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease, it is necessary to significantly lower LDL-C blood levels. PCSK9 inhibitors can significantly reduce LDL-cholesterol levels, being administered together with statins. However we focus on establishing whether this plays a role in influencing coronary atherosclerosis. The GLAGOV study is a multicentric, double-blinded and placebo-controlled study which during a 76-week period followed an impact of the treatment with evolocumab (PCSK9i) together with statin on the status of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with ischemic heart disease, and in comparison with the statin treatment. 968 patients at an average age of 60 have reached a significant decline in the levels of serum LDL-cholesterol (from 2.39 to 0.95 mmol/l) in the branch of the combined therapy, which led to a considerable reduction of percent atheroma volume in the coronary artery by 0.95% (in the branch of the statin-only therapy, the percent atheroma volume increased by 0.05%). The therapy was safe. As shown by the results, evolocumab can through additional reduction of blood levels of LDL-C favorably influence (reduce) coronary atherosclerosis.Key words: evolocumab - regression of coronary atherosclerosis - LDL-C blood levels.

[Are some antidiabetic drugs also drugs useful for heart failure treatment?]. / Sú niektoré antidiabetiká aj liekmi na srdcové zlyhávanie?

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 is rapidly growing. It is the cardiovascular mortality and morbidity why these patients suffer. Also heart failure becomes very frequent in diabetics, as it is a strong risk factor for development of heart failure and for its progression. Recently published data of EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial with empagliflozin hint to the possibility of heart failure treatment with this drug. The author presents data about the influence of antidiabetic drugs on cardiovascular risk factors, specifically on heart failure. This can be a way how to prevent heart failure in diabetic patients. Later he presents data about the influence of antidiabetics on symptoms and signs of heart failure. Some of these drugs are neutral, some are risky for patients and in the case of empagliflozin there is a beneficial influence. As heart failure is a great problem of clinical practice and diabetes is a strong risk factor of heart failure, we are looking also for prevention of heart failure and for its treatment also by using antidiabetic drug.

[Treatment of dyslipidemia - is here still place for CETP-inhibitors?] / Prístup k liecbe dyslipidémií - je tu este miesto pre CETP-inhibítory?

In the treatment of dyslipidemias about 5-6 years back a new class of drugs emerged, CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein)-inhibitors. Their benefit was due to an increase of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) serum levels. This treatment mode was supported by epidemiological and clinical studies, as people with high serum HDL-C levels suffered less from cardiovascular (CV) events. Three studies with CETP inhibitors (ILLUMINATE with torcetrapib, dal-OUTCOMES with dalcetrapib and ACCELERATE with evacetrapib) were unfortunately negative, and torcetrapib was even harmful to patients due to an increase of aldosterone serum levels. Treatment with dalcetrapib was safe, but without benefit. Similar it was with evacetrapib. There is still running also a study with anacetrapib (REVEAL), but a benefit is here not expected. Evacetrapib and anacetrapib in comparison to dalcetrapib can reduce serum LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) much more, and similar results were found also in another CETP-inhibitor TA-8995 (TULIP study). Authors try to explain why there is no benefit with CETP-inhibitors (dysfunctional HDL particle, another effective mechanism than reverse cholesterol transport). A genetic analysis in dalcetrapib studies (dal-OUTCOMES and dal-PLAQUE-2) showed, that a cardiovascular benefit from this treatment is concentrated only to a subgroup of patients with a genotype AA in the gene ADCY9 on 16th chromosome. In the population there are about 20% of people with this AA genotype. A clinical study DAL-301 will test this data in a near future. Framingham Offspring study showed that the association of" HDL-C serum level - CV risk in the future" is greatly influenced by serum levels of LDL-C and triglycerides (if these are increased, than the CV future prediction with HDL-C levels is lost). HDL particles are complex and we do not know which subtype of HDL particles is for cardiovascular prognosis important. The research here continues.Key words: acute coronary syndrome - CETP-inhibitors - dalcetrapib - dysfunctional HDL particles - dyslipidemia - HDL-cholesterol - pharmacogenomics of ADCY9 gene.

[Is iron important in heart failure?]. / Je zelezo dôlezité u srdcového zlyhávania?

UNLABELLED: Iron deficiency is a frequent comorbidity in a patient with chronic heart failure, and it associates with a worse pro-gnosis of that patient. Mainly worse quality of life and more rehospitalizations are in these iron deficient patients. Iron metabolism is rather complex and there is some new information concerning this complexity in heart failure. We distinquish an absolute and a functional iron deficiency in heart failure. It is this deficit which is important and not as much is anemia important here. Prevalence of anaemia in heart failure is about 30-50 %, higher it is in patients suffering more frequently heart failure decompensations. Treatment of iron deficiency is important and it improves prognosis of these patients. Most experiences there are with i.v. iron treatment (FERRIC HF, FAIR HF and CONFIRM HF studies), less so with per oral treatment. There are no clinical trials which analysed mortality influences. KEY WORDS: heart failure - iron metabolism in heart failure - prevalence of iron deficit - treatment of iron deficiency in heart failure.

[Is iron important in heart failure?]. / Je zelezo dôlezité u srdcového zlyhávania?

Iron deficiency is a frequent comorbidity in a patient with chronic heart failure, and it associates with a worse prognosis of that patient. Mainly worse quality of life and more rehospitalizations are in these iron deficient patients. Iron metabolism is rather complex and there is some new information concerning this complexity in heart failure. We distinquish an absolute and a functional iron deficiency in heart failure. It is this deficit which is important and not as much is anemia important here. Prevalence of anaemia in heart failure is about 30-50%, higher it is in patients suffering more frequently heart failure decompensations. Treatment of iron deficiency is important and it improves prognosis of these patients. Most experiences there are with i.v. iron treatment (FERRIC HF, FAIR HF and CONFIRM HF studies), less so with per oral treatment. There are no clinical trials which analysed mortality influences.

[What may cause diabetes]. / Co môze zaprícinit diabetes.

UNLABELLED: The case study describes a case of 49-year-old man with morbid obesity since childhood (BMI 40 kg/m2), arterial hypertension (approx. since aged 15, treated since 2004), dyslipidemia (since 2006), type 2 diabetes mellitus (since 2006, on insulin therapy since 2008) and smoking (until 2011, 20 cigarettes a day). TREATMENT: 16 types of medication, 8 for hypertension, statin, therapy for diabetes, aspirin, allopurinol. In 2010 (when aged 45) hospitalized in our clinic with dyspnoea and chest pain with a high pressure reading of 180/110 mm Hg (identified symptoms of heart failure with LV ejection fraction of 33 %, in NYHA II functional class, echocardiographically: left atrium: 46 mm, left ventricular chamber size in diastole: 70 mm, interventricular septum: 12 mm, septal hypokinesis, Doppler ultrasonography of lower limb arteries (calcification, diffuse atherosclerotic changes, absent stenosis), CT coronary angiography (significant stenosis of the left coronary artery). Treatment started with 40 mg oral dose of furosemide daily. In May 2011 he was hospitalized with an acute coronary syndrome: acute NSTEMI of the inferior wall (coronarography: 2-vascular problems, implemented PKI, implanted DES - ramus circumflexus, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, NYHA III functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction: 30 %, pulmonary hypertension). In 2012 renal denervation for resistant hypertension was carried out, carotid stent implanted for stenosis of the carotid artery, presence of diabetic nephropathy (KDOQI stage 3, GF 40 ml/min). In August 2014 admitted to our clinic with pulmonary oedema, cardiogenic shock, acute ischemia of the right calf with peripheral embolisation, presence of atrial flutter, impairment of renal parameters, echocardiographically: left atrium: 55 mm, left ventricle size: 75 mm, akinesis of the septum and posterior wall, occlusion of the right leg arteries (given the patients serious state angio-surgical intervention was contraindicated, vitally indicated leg amputation considered), the patient died after 4 days of hospitalization in an intensive care unit after unsuccessful treatment. A combination of diabetes, hypertension and ischemic heart disease is frequent and prognostically serious. Diabetes increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and therefore we should check for diabetes in all cardiovascular patients.

Dronedarone in high-risk permanent atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Dronedarone restores sinus rhythm and reduces hospitalization or death in intermittent atrial fibrillation. It also lowers heart rate and blood pressure and has antiadrenergic and potential ventricular antiarrhythmic effects. We hypothesized that dronedarone would reduce major vascular events in high-risk permanent atrial fibrillation. METHODS: We assigned patients who were at least 65 years of age with at least a 6-month history of permanent atrial fibrillation and risk factors for major vascular events to receive dronedarone or placebo. The first coprimary outcome was stroke, myocardial infarction, systemic embolism, or death from cardiovascular causes. The second coprimary outcome was unplanned hospitalization for a cardiovascular cause or death. RESULTS: After the enrollment of 3236 patients, the study was stopped for safety reasons. The first coprimary outcome occurred in 43 patients receiving dronedarone and 19 receiving placebo (hazard ratio, 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34 to 3.94; P=0.002). There were 21 deaths from cardiovascular causes in the dronedarone group and 10 in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.00 to 4.49; P=0.046), including death from arrhythmia in 13 patients and 4 patients, respectively (hazard ratio, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.06 to 10.00; P=0.03). Stroke occurred in 23 patients in the dronedarone group and 10 in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.11 to 4.88; P=0.02). Hospitalization for heart failure occurred in 43 patients in the dronedarone group and 24 in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.99; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Dronedarone increased rates of heart failure, stroke, and death from cardiovascular causes in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation who were at risk for major vascular events. Our data show that this drug should not be used in such patients. (Funded by Sanofi-Aventis; PALLAS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01151137.).

Influence of hospitalisation on the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in elderly hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The underutilization of beneficial cardiovascular medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) in the elderly patients continues to be a matter of concern. The aim of the presented study was to compare the prescription of ACEI and ARB in elderly hypertensive patients at the time of hospital admission and discharge and to identify patient-related factors which determine the prescription of ACEI/ARB. METHODS: The study sample (n = 1111) was selected from 2,157 patients hospitalised at long-term care departments of three municipal hospitals during the period between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 and included hypertensive patients aged ≥65 years suffering from myocardial infarction, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus or nephropathy. RESULTS: In hypertensive patients with myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus and nephropathy, a significant increase was found in the use of ACEI/ARB during hospitalisation. However, there was no similar change in the use of such medications during hospitalisation in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Age ≥85 years (OR = 0.59 and OR = 0.50 at hospital admission and discharge, respectively), depression (OR = 0.63 at hospital discharge) and the systolic blood pressure ≤115 mmHg (OR = 0.45 at hospital discharge) decreased the probability of ACEI/ARB prescription. On the other hand, increasing the number of evaluated co-morbid conditions increased the patient's likelihood of being an "ACEI/ARB user" (OR = 1.20 at hospital discharge). CONCLUSIONS: Our study has identified a subset of elderly hypertensive patients (with heart failure, atrial fibrillation) in whom the use of ACEI/ARB could be improved.

[Heart failure - can be treated by affecting cardiac metabolism?]. / Srdcové zlyhávanie - dá sa liecit ovplyvnením kardiálneho metabolizmu?

Chronic heart failure is a disease of epidemic extent and has a high mortality and morbidity. Etiology is multifactorial, but the issue is that heart does not have "enough fuel" to produce energy for its work or available fuel can´t be properly utilized. Components of cardiac energy metabolism are substrate utilization, oxidative phosphorylation and ATP (adenosine triphosphate) transfer and utilization. The aim of article is to present the function of heart metabolism and how "metabolic dysfunction" contributes to heart failure. Perhaps, drug effect on heart metabolism is an approach to treatment of chronic heart failure.

[Preclinical cardiovascular diseases and aortic stiffness]. / Predklinické kardiovaskulárne ochorenia a tuhost aorty.

AIM: To compare aortic stiffness (represented by aortic pulse wave velocity - PWVao) as a marker of cardiovascular risk with cardiovascular risk estimated by standard scoring systems in treated hypertensive patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a group of 41 hypertensive patients without clinical manifestation of cardiovascular disease (18 men/23 women, mean age 59 years) we investigated the presence of risk factors and preclinical cardiovascular diseases. To estimate cardiovascular risk we have used SCORE-HDL model and categorical risk stratification recommended by ESC/ESH. Linear regression was used for evaluation of relation between risk estimation scores and PWVao values. RESULTS: We have found out statistically significant relationship between PWVao and cardiovascular risk assessment systems in our group of patients. The correlation between PWVao and ESC/ESH risk stratification (r = 0.414, P < 0.01) was the most relevant, the correlation between PWVao and SCORE-HDL values was also significant (r = 0.315; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased aortic stiffness as one of the preclinical cardiovascular diseases can be an integrative marker of cardiovascular risk in patients with arterial hypertension.

Reinitiation and Subsequent Discontinuation of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers among New and Prevalent Users Aged 65 Years or More with Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) are recommended in the treatment of arterial hypertension in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The aims of our study were: (a) to analyse the extent of reinitiation and subsequent discontinuation in older hypertensive PAD patients non-persistent with ACEIs/ARBs; (b) to determine patient and medication factors associated with reinitiation and subsequent discontinuation; and (c) to compare these factors between prevalent and new users. The analysis of reinitiation was performed on a sample of 1642 non-persistent patients aged ≥65 years with PAD newly diagnosed in 2012. Patients reinitiating ACEIs/ARBs were used for the analysis of subsequent discontinuation identified according to the treatment gap period of at least 6 months without any prescription of ACEI/ARB. In the group of non-persistent patients, 875 (53.3%) patients reinitiated ACEIs/ARBs during a follow-up (24.8 months on average). Within this group, subsequent discontinuation was identified in 414 (47.3%) patients. Being a new user was associated with subsequent discontinuation, but not with reinitiation. Myocardial infarction during non-persistence and after reinitiation was associated with reinitiation and lower likelihood of subsequent discontinuation, respectively. Being a prevalent or a new user is associated with the use of medication also after initial discontinuation.

Factors associated with non-adherence to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in older patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Introduction: As in other chronic conditions, medication adherence is important in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Our study aimed at a) analysing non-adherence to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in groups of older ACEI and ARB users with PAD, and b) identifying characteristics associated with non-adherence. Methods: We focused on the implementation phase of adherence (i.e., after treatment initiation and before possible discontinuation of treatment). The study cohort included ACEI/ARB users aged ≥65 years in whom PAD was newly diagnosed during 2012. Non-adherence was defined as Proportion of Days Covered (PDC) < 80%. Results: Among 7,080 ACEI/ARB users (6,578 ACEI and 502 ARB users), there was no significant difference in the overall proportion of non-adherent patients between ACEI and ARB users (13.9% and 15.3%, respectively). There were differences in factors associated with non-adherence between the groups of persistent and non-persistent (i.e., discontinued treatment at some point during follow-up) ACEI and ARB users. Increasing age, dementia and bronchial asthma were associated with non-adherence in persistent ACEI users. General practitioner as index prescriber was associated with adherence in the groups of non-persistent ACEI users and persistent ARB users. Conclusion: Identified factors associated with non-adherence may help in determining the groups of patients who require increased attention.