Human In Vitro Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (oxLDL) Increases Urinary Albumin Excretion in Rats.

Hypercholesterolemia-associated oxidative stress increases the formation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), which can affect endothelial cell function and potentially contribute to renal dysfunction, as reflected by changes in urinary protein excretion. This study aimed to investigate the impact of exogenous oxLDL on urinary excretion of albumin and nephrin. LDL was isolated from a patient with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) undergoing lipoprotein apheresis (LA) and was oxidized in vitro with Cu (II) ions. Biochemical markers of LDL oxidation, such as TBARS, conjugated dienes, and free ε-amino groups, were measured. Wistar rats were treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of PBS, LDL, or oxLDL (4 mg of protein/kg b.w.). Urine was collected one day before and two days after the injection. We measured blood lipid profiles, urinary protein excretion (specifically albumin and nephrin), and markers of systemic oxidative stress (8-OHdG and 8-iso-PGF2α). The results showed that injection of oxLDL increased urinary albumin excretion by approximately 28% (310 ± 27 µg/24 h vs. 396 ± 26 µg/24 h, p = 0.0003) but had no effect on nephrin excretion. Neither PBS nor LDL had any effect on urinary albumin or nephrin excretion. Additionally, oxLDL did not affect systemic oxidative stress. In conclusion, hypercholesterolemia may adversely affect renal function through oxidatively modified LDL, which interferes with the renal handling of albumin and leads to the development of albuminuria.

Non-HDL-C/TG ratio indicates significant underestimation of calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) better than TG level: a study on the reliability of mathematical formulas used for LDL-C estimation.

OBJECTIVES: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the main laboratory parameter used for the management of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to compare measured LDL-C with LDL-C as calculated by the Friedewald, Martin/Hopkins, Vujovic, and Sampson formulas with regard to triglyceride (TG), LDL-C and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C)/TG ratio. METHODS: The 1,209 calculated LDL-C results were compared with LDL-C measured using ultracentrifugation-precipitation (first study) and direct (second study) methods. The Passing-Bablok regression was applied to compare the methods. The percentage difference between calculated and measured LDL-C (total error) and the number of results exceeding the total error goal of 12% were established. RESULTS: There was good correlation between the measurement and calculation methods (r 0.962-0.985). The median total error ranged from -2.7%/+1.4% (first/second study) for Vujovic formula to -6.7%/-4.3% for Friedewald formula. The numbers of underestimated results exceeding the total error goal of 12% were 67 (Vujovic), 134 (Martin/Hopkins), 157 (Samspon), and 239 (Friedewald). Less than 7% of those results were obtained for samples with TG >4.5 mmol/L. From 57% (Martin/Hopkins) to 81% (Vujovic) of underestimated results were obtained for samples with a non-HDL-C/TG ratio of <2.4. CONCLUSIONS: The Martin/Hopkins, Vujovic and Sampson formulas appear to be more accurate than the Friedewald formula. To minimize the number of significantly underestimated LDL-C results, we propose the implementation of risk categories according to non-HDL-C/TG ratio and suggest that for samples with a non-HDL-C/TG ratio of <1.2, the LDL-C level should not be calculated but measured independently from TG level.

Cardiovascular events in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipoproteinaemia (a): Indications for lipoprotein apheresis in Poland.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is a safe method of reducing atherogenic lipoproteins and improving cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. We aimed to assess the reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels in patients undergoing regular LA therapy and to evaluate its influence on the incidence rate of adverse cardiac and vascular events (ACVE) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). METHODS: A longitudinal study in Poland evaluated the prospective and retrospective observational data of 23 patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia (a) [hyper-Lp(a)] and familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), undergoing 1014 LA sessions between 2013 and 2020. Their pre- and post-apheresis LDL-C and Lp(a) levels were assessed to calculate the acute percent reductions. The time period used to evaluate annual rates of ACVE and MACE before and after initiation of LA was matched in each patient. RESULTS: The pre-apheresis LDL-C and Lp(a) concentrations were 155 (107-228) (mg/dL) (median and interquartile range) and 0.56 (0.14-1.37) (g/L), respectively. LA therapy resulted in a reduction of LDL-C to 50 (30-73.5) (mg/dL) and of Lp(a) to 0.13 (0.05-0.34) (g/L), representing a percent reduction of 70.0% and 72.7% for LDL-C and Lp(a), respectively. We found a significant reduction in the annual rate of ACVE (0.365[0.0-0.585] vs (0.0[0.0-0.265]; P = .047) and MACE (0.365[0.0-0.585] vs 0.0[0.0-0.265]; P = .031). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study indicate that LA treatment in patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia (a) and FH on maximally tolerated lipid lowering therapies leads to a substantial reduction in LDL-C and Lp(a) concentrations and lowers CV event rates in Polish patients.

Aortic stiffness is not only associated with structural but also functional parameters of retinal microcirculation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that alterations in large arteries are associated with microvascular remodelling and decreased retinal capillary blood flow. METHODS: The study group comprised of 88 patients with essential hypertension and 32 healthy controls. Retinal microcirculation was evaluated by scanning laser Doppler flowmetry. Macrovascular changes were assessed on the basis of arterial stiffness measurement (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity), its hemodynamic consequences (central pulse pressure, augmentation pressure, augmentation index) and intima media thickness of common carotid artery. RESULTS: Pulse wave velocity was inversely correlated to mean retinal capillary blood flow in hypertensive patients (R = -0.32, p < 0.01). This relationship remained significant in multivariate regression analysis after adjustment for age, sex, central systolic blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (ß = -31.27, p < 0.001). Lumen diameter (LD) of retinal arterioles was significantly smaller in hypertensive then normotensive subjects (79.4 vs. 83.8, p = 0.03). Central and brachial systolic, diastolic and mean BPs were significantly correlated with LD and outer diameter of retinal arterioles. The relationship between LD and central BPs remained significant in multivariate analysis (ß = -0.15, p = 0.03 for cSBP; ß = -0.22, p = 0.04 for cDBP; ß = -0.21, p = 0.03 for cMBP). Moreover, in a subgroup with cardiac damage central and brachial pulse pressure were positively associated with retinal wall thickness, wall cross sectional area, and wall to lumen ratio. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the study provides a strong evidence that microcirculation is coupled with macrocirculation not only in terms of structural but also functional parameters.

Exertional heat stroke in an amateur runner - Challenges in diagnostics and the role of unhealthy competition.

Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a potentially life-threatening condition with a variety of symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings. Nevertheless, data evaluating the course of making an EHS diagnosis in real-life practice, as well as the role of predisposing psychological components are limited. Thus, the aim of our study was to present a multi-faceted differentiation process and show the role of unhealthy competition in the development of EHS. We describe a case of a young amateur runner, admitted to the hospital due to loss of consciousness, further mental confusion, and increased body temperature above 40°C. Head scans excluded brain haemorrhage and stroke. Elevated troponin I levels suggested an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or myocarditis. An increase of procalcitonin levels, signs of rhabdomyolysis and severe liver injury resulted in evaluation for infection and acute hepatic damage. Subsequently, the patient's negative results pointed us to a diagnosis of EHS. In-depth anamnesis revealed that the patient's excessive effort during the race was linked to the male-female competition. EHS can present diagnostic challenges, as it mimics various diseases, such as stroke, myocarditis, ACS, infection, or liver dysfunction. In addition, the role of psychological components, such as unhealthy competition, in the development of EHS should be considered.

Cardiovascular risk factor profiles in familial hypercholesterolemia patients with and without genetic mutation compared to a nationally representative sample of adults in a high-risk European country.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) as compared to the general population. The aim of the study was to compare cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of FH patients to the representative sample of adults in Poland who represent a high-cardiovascular risk European region. METHODS: We compared the distribution of risk factors in 1,382 individuals with FH phenotype referred for genetic testing between 2006 and 2014 to the National Centre of Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Gdansk, Poland. The cohort was comprised of 637 positive FH(+) and 745 negative FH(-) patients who were compared to a nationally representative sample of 2,413 adults age 18-79, standardized by age and sex, from the NATPOL 2011 study (NATPOL). We analyzed patients' distribution of history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and standard risk factors including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), body mass index, smoking, and diabetes. RESULTS: FH(+) patients (mean age 45.6 years) had the highest LDL-C of 241.7 mg/dL (95% CI 234.8-248.5) compared to 206.1 mg/dL (200.5-211.7) in FH(-) patients (mean age 48.2) and 126.2 mg/dL (124.8-127.6) in NATPOL. Mean SBP was the lowest in FH(+) patients at 128.7 mm Hg (126.7-130.7) compared to 133.4 mm Hg (132.6-134.3) in NATPOL and 134.4 mm Hg (132.3-136.5) in FH(-). No differences were found in the prevalence of diabetes and body mass index. Smoking was less common in FH(+) at 12.4% (9.4-15.4) compared to both FH(-) and NATPOL: 20.4% (16.6-24.1) and 28.4% (26.6-30.2), respectively. The prevalence of individuals with a history of ASCVD in both FH(+) and FH(-) was nearly 3-fold higher compared to NATPOL: 26% (21.8-30.1) and 26.6% (22.2-30.9) versus 9.5% (8.3-10.7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The FH(+) patients had significantly higher mean LDL-C, but the levels of nonlipid factors were lower or similar compared to the other groups. Both FH(+) and FH(-) were characterized by a heavy burden of ASCVD. This suggests that cholesterol, and no other risk factors, is a key contributor to cardiovascular risk in patients with FH, especially those with genetic mutation.

Safety and efficacy of self-apposing Stentys drug-eluting stent in left main coronary artery PCI: Multicentre LM-STENTYS registry.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on left main (LM) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) therapy with dedicated DES platforms. The LM-STENTYS is a multicenter registry aimed at evaluating clinical outcome after PCI of LM performed with a self-apposing Stentys DES implantation. METHODS: The registry consists of 175 consecutive patients treated with Stentys DES implanted to LM. The primary endpoint was the composite of major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), and stroke assessed after 1 year. The secondary endpoint was stent thrombosis (ST) at 1 year. RESULTS: The median age was 69 years (IQR, 62-78 years). Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was the presenting diagnosis in 117 (66.9%) patients [74 (63.2%) unstable angina, 31 (26.5%) NSTEMI, 12 (10.3%) STEMI] and stable angina (SA) was present in 58 (33.1%) patients. The median SYNTAX score was 23.0 (IQR, 18.7-32.2) in the SA group and 25.0 (IQR, 20.0-30.7) in the ACS group. During 1-year follow-up in the SA group two (3.4%) MACCE occurred, both of them were cardiac deaths. In ACS patients there were 19 (16.2%) MACCE [9 (7.7%) cardiac deaths, 11 (9.4%) MIs, 11(9.4%) TLR, 1(0.9%) stroke]. Altogether, three (1.7%) cases of acute ST were noted, all of them in ACS subset. CONCLUSION: LM PCI using self-apposing Stentys DES showed favorable clinical outcomes at 1-year in patients with SA. Events of ST in the ACS group warrant further research.

Lumen narrowing and increased wall to lumen ratio of retinal microcirculation are valuable biomarkers of hypertension-mediated cardiac damage.

Purpose: In the course of hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction develop very often and may progress toward heart failure. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between abnormalities of retinal microcirculation and cardiac damage defined as left ventricular hypertrophy and/or diastolic dysfunction.Materials and methods: The study comprised 88 patients with essential hypertension. The group was divided into two subgroups: hypertensives without cardiac damage (n = 55) and with cardiac damage (n = 33). Control group comprised 32 normotensive subjects. Scanning laser Doppler flowmetry was used to evaluate retinal microcirculation. Echocardiography was used to assess cardiac damage.Results: Lumen diameter of retinal arterioles was significantly smaller in patients with cardiac damage vs. controls (77 vs. 84 µm, p = 0.02). Additionally, there was an evident trend with respect to lumen diameter (LD) across all three studied subgroups; i.e.: the smallest dimeters were present in cardiac damage patients, moderate size in hypertensives' without cardiac damage, and the largest diameters in healthy controls (pfor trend < 0.01). Lumen diameter was inversely correlated with cardiac intraventricular septum diameter (R = -0.25, p = 0.02), left ventricular mass (R = -0.24, p = 0.02), and left atrial volume (R = -0.22, p = 0.04). Wall to lumen ratio was associated with intraventricular septum diameter (R = 0.21, p = 0.044) and left atrial volume (R = 0.21, p = 0.045). In multivariable regression analysis, lumen diameter was independently associated with intraventricular septum diameter (ß = -0.05, p = 0.03), left ventricular mass (ß = -1.15, p = 0.04), and left atrial volume (ß = -0.42, p = 0.047); wall to lumen ratio was independently associated with intraventricular septum diameter (ß = 3.67, p = 0.02) and left atrial volume (ß = 30.0, p = 0.04).Conclusions: In conclusion, retinal arterioles lumen diameter and wall to lumen ratio were independent biomarkers of cardiac damage. Retinal examination performed by means of scanning laser Doppler flowmetry might be a valuable tool to improve cardiovascular risk stratification of hypertensive patients.

Can two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography be useful for left ventricular assessment in the early stages of hereditary haemochromatosis?

BACKGROUND: Hereditary haemochromatosis (HH) is a common inherited disease. Abnormally increased intestinal iron absorption and accelerated recycling of iron by macrophages lead to progressive body iron accumulation and the generation of oxidative stress. In the late stages, iron overload can lead to dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV). It is believed that two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) can evaluate LV dysfunction more accurately than conventional echocardiography. This accurate evaluation seems to be clinically important in the early stages of HH before substantial damage of the LV. Evaluation of this assessment was the purpose of this paper. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 24 patients with early diagnosed HH and without any history of cardiovascular diseases; 23 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers constituted the control group. Standard echocardiographic parameters and LV rotation and strain parameters were assessed and compared between the groups. RESULTS: All echocardiographic parameters were within normal ranges, and there were no differences between the groups. 2D STE revealed significantly worse basal and apical rotation, twist and torsion values in HH patients. The peak systolic longitudinal strain was decreased in HH patients, even though the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was normal. There were weak correlations between the iron turnover and 2D STE parameters. CONCLUSIONS: 2D STE seems to be more sensitive than traditional echocardiography for detecting LV abnormalities in HH patients who are diagnosed early. The results of this study may be clinically useful, but their relevance and therapeutic implications remain to be confirmed by further studies.

Cardiopoietic cell therapy for advanced ischaemic heart failure: results at 39 weeks of the prospective, randomized, double blind, sham-controlled CHART-1 clinical trial.

AIMS: Cardiopoietic cells, produced through cardiogenic conditioning of patients' mesenchymal stem cells, have shown preliminary efficacy. The Congestive Heart Failure Cardiopoietic Regenerative Therapy (CHART-1) trial aimed to validate cardiopoiesis-based biotherapy in a larger heart failure cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: This multinational, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study was conducted in 39 hospitals. Patients with symptomatic ischaemic heart failure on guideline-directed therapy (n = 484) were screened; n = 348 underwent bone marrow harvest and mesenchymal stem cell expansion. Those achieving > 24 million mesenchymal stem cells (n = 315) were randomized to cardiopoietic cells delivered endomyocardially with a retention-enhanced catheter (n = 157) or sham procedure (n = 158). Procedures were performed as randomized in 271 patients (n = 120 cardiopoietic cells, n = 151 sham). The primary efficacy endpoint was a Finkelstein-Schoenfeld hierarchical composite (all-cause mortality, worsening heart failure, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score, 6-min walk distance, left ventricular end-systolic volume, and ejection fraction) at 39 weeks. The primary outcome was neutral (Mann-Whitney estimator 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47-0.61 [value > 0.5 favours cell treatment], P = 0.27). Exploratory analyses suggested a benefit of cell treatment on the primary composite in patients with baseline left ventricular end-diastolic volume 200-370 mL (60% of patients) (Mann-Whitney estimator 0.61, 95% CI 0.52-0.70, P = 0.015). No difference was observed in serious adverse events. One (0.9%) cardiopoietic cell patient and 9 (5.4%) sham patients experienced aborted or sudden cardiac death. CONCLUSION: The primary endpoint was neutral, with safety demonstrated across the cohort. Further evaluation of cardiopoietic cell therapy in patients with elevated end-diastolic volume is warranted.

Cerebral thrombolysis in patients with ischemic stroke and heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is common among patients with ischemic stroke (IS), however its impact on outcome after iv-thrombolysis has not been fully determined. Moreover, definition of HF has been recently modified, but majority of stroke studies classified patients regarding an old HF criteria. Thus, the aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between both, newly and formerly defined HF and the long-term outcome, mortality and the presence of hemorrhagic complications in patients with acute IS treated with iv-thrombolysis. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data from 328 Caucasian patients with IS consecutively treated with iv-thrombolysis. HF was defined according to old and new definition; long-term outcome was assessed with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score and mortality rate on 90th days after IS. RESULTS: The incidence of HF did not differ between patients with favorable (mRS 0-2) and unfavorable (mRS 3-6) functional outcome respectively for the old and for the new definition (10.4% vs. 15.5, p = 0.17; 17.4% vs. 18.1%, p = 0.88) and between those who survived and died within 90 days after IS (11.7% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.27; 17.2% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.38, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed no impact of HF diagnosis on outcome (p = 0.94) or mortality (p = 0.64). CONCLUSION: The presence of systolic HF, defined according to an old and a new definition, does not determine safety and efficacy of cerebral iv-thrombolysis in patients with IS.

Evaluation of peripheral blood T lymphocyte surface activation markers and transcription factors in patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer cells harboring multiple mutations as a consequence of long-term damage by different etiologic factors are responsible for high immunogenicity. Immune checkpoint inhibitors significantly improve treatment results in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Unfortunately, the role of T-lymphocytes in early NSCLC has not been sufficiently elucidated. The aim of this study was to characterize peripheral blood T cells expressing several selected surface antigens (CD4, CD8, CD25, CD28, PD-1, CTLA-4) and transcription factors (T-bet, ROR-yt, Fox-P3, GATA-3) in this patient population. The study group (LC) consisted of 80 treatment-naïve patients with T1/2aN0M0 NSCLC and was compared with 40 cancer-free patients matched for non-oncological diseases and demographic parameters (CG). Significantly higher counts of CTLA-4+cells (in both CD4+and CD8+subtypes), a lower proportion of PD-1 expressing cells and a significantly higher percentage of Fox-P3+CD4+cells were found in the LC group. The high proportion of CD4+PD-1+cells significantly correlated with poor outcomes in LC group, while low CD4/CD8 ratio predicted a better prognosis. Based on our results it seems that NSCLC even at early stages of development initiate changes in the proportions of T cells that may have a significant impact on the clinical outcome.

Diurnal blood pressure profile and coronary atherosclerosis extent are related to cardiovascular complications.

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between 24 h blood pressure (BP) profile, extent of significant coronary artery stenosis, confirmed by coronary angiography, and cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. Coronary angiographies were performed for all included subjects and significant coronary artery stenosis was considered as ≥ 50% stenosis by atherosclerotic plaque. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP monitoring was performed. Major advanced cardiovascular events (MACE) included revascularization, cardiovascular mortality, total mortality, acute coronary syndromes and stroke. BP analysis revealed higher night-time systolic blood pressure (SBP) values in patients with three or more significant coronary artery stenoses than in those without significant stenosis (120.7 ± 16.4 vs 116.7 ± 14.3 mmHg, p < 0.001), lower night-time SBP dip in patients with three or more significant coronary artery stenoses than in those without significant stenosis (5.7 ± 3.2 vs 7.4 ± 6.8 mmHg, p < 0.001) and lower night-time diastolic blood pressure dip in patients with three or more significant stenoses than in patients without significant stenosis (9.4 ± 7.4 vs 11.9 ± 7.4 mmHg, p < 0.001). Night-time SBP values, night-time/daytime SBP dip and extent of significant coronary artery stenosis were risk factors for MACE, revascularization and cardiovascular mortality. In conclusion, the study shows that advanced coronary artery disease is related to blunted night-time BP dipping and cardiovascular complications.

Elevated ambulatory systolic-diastolic pressure regression index is genetically determined in hypertensive patients with coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVES: Ambulatory systolic-diastolic pressure regression index (ASDPRI) as a composite marker of cardiovascular (CV) properties is related to CV complications. However, genetic determinants of ASDPRI are not known. The aim of this study is to report the relationship between certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and ASDPRI in hypertensive patients with CAD confirmed by coronary angiography. METHODS: A total of 1345 hypertensive subjects with CAD were included. SNPs were selected from genome-wide association studies. SNPs were reported to be associated with coronary artery disease risk. There were significant differences in 24 h and daytime and nighttime ASDPRIs for PHCTR1, LPA and ADAMTS7 polymorphisms. Genetic risk score (GRS18) was constructed to evaluate additive effect of 18 SNPs for ASDPRI. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance revealed a significant relationship between the PPAB2B (ß - 0.85; 95 CI -1.85--0.16, p < 0.02), WDR12 (ß - 1.31; 95 CI -2.19--0.43, p < 0.01) polymorphisms and nighttime ASDPRI dipping. Analysis of covariance revealed a significant relationship between GRS 18 and 24-h ASDPRI (ß 0.34; 95 CI 0.16-0.31, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, ADAMTS7 and LPA polymorphisms are related to 24-h ASDPRI but PPAB2B and WDR12 gene polymorphisms are associated with nighttime ASDPRI dipping. A total of 24-h ASDPRI is determined by GRS18.

When do paediatric patients with familial hypercholesterolemia need statin therapy?

INTRODUCTION: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most common autosomal dominant disorders. It is characterized by elevated LDL cholesterol levels occurring already by early childhood. Awareness of health risks in FH patients should incite health professionals to actively seek and treat children with lipid disorders to reduce their risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the suitability of taking into account the following parameters: ApoB/ApoA index, IMT and e-tracking examination, when initiating statin therapy in FH patients. Materials and methods The study included 57 male and female patients aged 9.57±3.2 years (ranging from 1 year to 17 years), diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia confirmed by molecular testing. All the participants had their lipid profile, ApoA and ApoB levels determined. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured by carotid ultrasound and arterial stiffness was assessed by e-tracking. The dietary treatment efficacy was monitored in 40 patients and the 12-month combination treatment efficacy in 27 patients. The study was conducted prospectively and retrospectively. Statistical analysis was performed with the EPIINFO Ver. 7.1.1.14 statistical software package. RESULTS: Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia had high mean levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (287±67 mg/dL and 213±73 mg/dL respectively). 34.37% of the study subjects had a markedly increased ApoB/ApoA index. On IMT or e-tracking examination all the subjects (100%) had vascular abnormalities. After 6 months of a low-cholesterol diet, the mean total and LDL cholesterol levels in the serum had been reduced by 7.2% and 6.2%, respectively. Statins in an average dose of 10.42±2.49 mg daily were prescribed to 36 patients. After one year of the statin therapy, the average serum total and LDL cholesterol levels were 203.5±34.8 mg/dL and 139.1±32.1 mg/dL, respectively, and were still above the target values. Moreover, side effects of the statin therapy were monitored. An increase in AST levels seen in the study group was not statistically significant. The mean creatine kinase level was within the range of normal. Moreover, in our study material we estimated the risk of cardiovascular events in relation to the ApoB/ApoA index. Higher cardiovascular risk was found in 34.37% participants. CONCLUSIONS: Increased risk of cardiovascular events based on ApoB/ApoA index and carotid e-tracking or IMT examination in paediatric patients with FH is an indication for statin therapy initiation.

Sympathetic Activation in Chronic Heart Failure: Potential Benefits of Interventional Therapies.

Heart failure (HF) is a major and growing public health problem. This condition is associated with poor prognosis, a high rate of mortality, frequent hospitalization and increasing costs to health care systems. Pharmacological approaches aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality in HF have primarily focused on inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), both of which have been associated with disease development, progression and adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. The increasing number of hospitalizations for HF decompensation suggests the failure of available treatment options, indicating the necessity for alternative therapeutic approaches. Alongside pharmacological and cardiac resynchronization therapies in selected patients with arrhythmia, recent advancements in the management of HF have been directed at inhibiting relevant neurogenic pathways underlying disease development and progression. Initial evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of interventional procedures suggests that HF patients may benefit from novel adjunctive therapies. Here we review the critical role of sympathetic activation in HF and the rationale for therapeutic interventions including device-based and interventional approaches aimed at restoring autonomic neural balance in this condition.

Successful versus unsuccessful antegrade recanalization of single chronic coronary occlusion: eight-year experience and outcomes by a propensity score ascertainment.

AIMS: The effectiveness of revascularization of chronic total occlusion (CTO) remains intriguing. Thus, we sought to investigate whether a successful PCI for single CTO improves outcomes in a setting of stable angina and chronic occlusion of single coronary artery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 11 957 consecutive patients referred for nonurgent PCI between 2003 and 2010, 1110 displayed single CTO and were enrolled to the central CTO-registry database. The primary end-point included all-cause mortality, the secondary end-point a composite of safety outcome measure of all-cause death, nonfatal-MI, the need for urgent revascularization and stroke. The major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) records were extracted from the national administrative database and all patients were linked to the long-term follow-up. Since the patient assignment was not random, we performed the propensity scoring to minimize selection bias; 734 patients (66%) had a successful PCI-CTO. Compared with successful procedures, unsuccessful procedures had similar rates of all-cause death both in crude (HR, 0.78; 95%CI, 0.49-1.25; P = 0.30) and adjusted analysis (HR, 0.80; 95%CI, 0.50-1.28; P = 0.34). A similar, significant reduction in overall MACE was noted with successful PCI-CTO compared with unsuccessful procedure in unadjusted (HR, 0.74; 95%CI, 0.56-0.96; P = 0.020) and adjusted calculation (HR, 0.73; 95%CI, 0.56-0.96; P = 0.019). Patients after successful PCI-CTO as compared with failed recanalization less frequently underwent surgical revascularization. The benefit was sustained at 3 years follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Successful PCI for single CTO does not improve long-term survival, nonetheless, is associated with reduced overall MACE and the need for surgical revascularization.

Superiority of waist circumference and body mass index in cardiovascular risk assessment in hypertensive patients with coronary heart disease.

INTRODUCTION: It has been reported in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients that mortality is inversely associated with body mass index (BMI), and directly associated with waist circumference (WC). The purpose of this study was to examine the association of the general obesity parameter (BMI) and the adipose tissue discriminator (WC) with cardiovascular (CV) risk in patients with CHD established by coronary angiography. OBJECTIVES: 1345 subjects with CHD were included in the PROGNOSIS (Prognostic Value of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Confirmed by Angiography) study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multivariate Cox proportional regression model adjusted for potential confounders was used to assess the relative risk of total and CV mortality according to the parameters of general obesity (BMI) and adipose tissue distribution (WC).The mean age of subjects was 63.2 ± 9.2 years, and 57% were men. Results. There was direct relationship between WC and both total mortality [hazard ratio, HR = 1.03 (95% CI 1.01-1.10), p < 0.01] and CV mortality [HR = 1.03 (95% CI 1.01-1.07), p < 0.03], but an inverse relationship between BMI and both total mortality [HR = 0.91 (95% CI 0.86-0.98), p < 0.03] and CV mortality [HR = 0.97 (95% CI 0.87-0.99), p < 0.05]. After combining WC with BMI, the group of subjects with BMI < 25 kg/m(2) and WC ≥ 104 cm had the highest rates of both total and CV mortality of all CHD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment based on a combination of WC and BMI is superior to assessment based on a separate estimation of these parameters in both total and CV mortality risk evaluation.

Is daytime blood pressure adequate in cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with coronary atherosclerosis?

OBJECTIVES: The goal of our study was to estimate the impact of abnormal night-time blood pressure (BP) on cardiovascular (CV) mortality in hypertensive patients with significant atherosclerosis established in coronary angiography. METHOD: We enrolled 891 patients, 63.7 ± 9.4 years of age. They were divided into patients with normal daytime BP values, and patients with abnormal daytime BP values. During a follow-up period of 4.7 years in total, all-cause mortality and both CV and non-CV mortality were assessed. RESULTS: In the group with normal daytime BP, a clinic BP value ≥ 140/90 mmHg was observed in 25.7% (n = 161) of patients, and a night-time BP value ≥ 120/70 mmHg was observed in 37.8% (n = 236) of patients. In the group of patients with normal daytime BP in comparison with those with abnormal daytime BP, there was lower CV mortality (5.6% vs 9.8%, p < 0.02). Abnormal daytime BP was associated with a hazard ratio of CV mortality of 1.80 (95% CI 1.08-3.00, p < 0.02), and abnormal night-time BP with a hazard ratio of 1.63 (95% CI 1.03-2.66, p < 0.04). CONCLUSION: Assessment of both daytime and night-time BP is essential and superior over clinic BP in CV risk evaluation in patients with coronary artery disease confirmed in coronary angiography.

Heart failure biomarkers in hemodialysis patients.

The diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is made when the estimated glomerular filtration rate is less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2. Most patients with that stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are eligible for renal replacement treatment, which includes kidney transplantation, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. It is well recognized that CKD raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and is linked to a higher cardiovascular death rate in this population. Additionally, the largest risk of cardiovascular events is seen in ESRD patients. Heart failure (HF) and dangerous arrhythmias, which are more common in the advanced stages of CKD, are two additional causes of cardiovascular death in addition to atherosclerosis-related complications such as myocardial infarction and stroke. In this review the significance of natriuretic peptides and other HF biomarkers in hemodialysis patients, as tools for cardiovascular risk assessment will be discussed.