Inflammation, Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome. Implications in Hispanics.

We report clinical and molecular mechanisms relating the process of inflammation involved in the progression of obesity and the metabolic syndrome, emphasizing the cardiovascular problems developed in Hispanic populations. Namely, the incidence, component characteristics and complications of obesity and metabolic syndrome in island Puerto Ricans are described and evidence is presented supporting the fact that the metabolic syndrome may be milder in Puerto Rico than in the mainland United States because it is characterized by less aggressive coronary artery disease and a relatively normal lipid profile. Moreover, data supports the fact that increased serum cholesterol levels produce less myocardial infarctions in Puerto Rico than in mainland Hispanics and Caucasians. In addition, the incidence of ventricular tachycardia, a complication caused by remodeling and ischemia of the heart, may be lower in Puerto Rico than in the United States, although the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is higher in the island. On the other hand, there is evidence of a rising epidemic of obesity and vascular inflammation in Puerto Rico that suggests that cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the island will continue to increase in the future decades.

Coronary levels of angiotensin-II and endothelin-I in diabetic patients with and without coronary artery disease.

Two groups of patients were studied to find out the levels of angiotensin-II and endothelin-I in the coronary and peripheral circulation. Group A consisted of eight patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and coronary artery disease; and Group B with diabetes mellitus without coronary artery disease. Significant differences were found between Group A and B in the levels of both peptides peripherally and intracoronary. This shows the importance of these peptides in the origin of coronary artery disease and progression of the disease in diabetics with coronary artery disease.

Celiac trunk and branches dissection due to energy drink consumption and heavy resistance exercise: case report and review of literature.

Higher doses and consumption of energy drinks leads to cardiovascular effects and potential consequences. Principal components found in energy drinks such as caffeine, guarana and taurine has been related to dilatation, aneurysm formation, dissection and ruptures. There is no evidence showing an integration of these components and its effects in endothelium and aortic walls due to higher levels of pressure during exercises. We report a case of a 44 years male with celiac trunk and branches dissection due to long-term consumption of energy drinks and intense exercise routine. Our proposition relates cell and vessel walls alterations including elasticity in endothelial wall due to higher blood pressure, resistance by intense exercise routine and long-term consumption of energy drinks.

Metabolic Changes After Roux-N-Y Bariatric Surgery In Hispanics.

The objective was to describe the metabolic outcomes 12 months after bariatric surgery (Roux-N-Y) in morbidly obese Hispanic patients, and evaluate the correlation between weight loss and the observed changes. Medical records from a hundred-and-two Hispanic obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery were identified at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Hospital. The following variables were obtained before and 12 months after surgery: Body Mass Index (BMI), body weight, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and fasting blood sugar (FBS). Ninety-seven percent of patients underwent Roux-N-Y surgery; 79.4% were females and 44% were diabetics. We observed statistically significant reductions (p < 0.05) 12 months after surgery in: BMI -14.3 (± 6.2) kg/m2, weight -86.1 (± 34.4) Ibs, TC -17.9 (± 32.4) mg/dL, triglycerides -28.7(± 40.6) mg/dL, LDL-15.4 (± 30.6) mg/dL, and FBS -11.3 (± 23.5) mg/dL. HDL, instead increased +5.22 (± 12.9) mg/dL (p < 0.0006). Gastric bypass surgery of the Roux-N-Y significantly improves the lipid profile and FBS levels in obese Hispanic patients. The poor correlation factor between weight loss and these variables suggests that other mechanisms, independent from weight loss, are responsible for these changes.

Obesity and premature coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction in Puerto Rican young adults.

A cross-sectional study examined adults aged 21 to 35 years who underwent left cardiac catheterization in the Cardiovascular Center for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean during 2008-2012 due to myocardial infarction. Demographic characteristics, clinical risk factors, and the extent of CAD were documented. Chi-square statistic or Fisher's exact test was used to compare the distribution of demographic, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics across CAD extent. Polytomous logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the prevalence odds ratios (POR) with 95% confidence intervals (Cl) for non-obstructive and obstructive coronary disease (OCD) compared with normal coronary anatomy. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 11.0. Sixty-three (n = 63) adults were evaluated (81% were men). The mean age was 31 ± 4 years. The most frequent clinical risk factors were history of tobacco use, hyper tension, and dyslipidemia. Obesity was present in 45.9% of subjects and OCD was present in 52.38% of subjects. Obesity and family history of CAD were significantly associated with OCD when adjusted by age. Obese patients had 5.94 times the possibility of having OCD than normal weight patients. Obesity was the most important treatable predictor of premature obstructive CAD in our young adult population.

Magnesium: the forgotten electrolyte.

UNLABELLED: Magnesium (Mg++), Potassium (K+) and Calcium (CA++) are important electrolytes in keeping a stable electrical status. The purpose of this study was to measure them in critically ill patients. METHODS: We evaluated the electrolytes in 28 consecutive patients. Eighteen were females and 10 males with mean age of 62 +/- 5 years. RESULTS: The admission diagnosis in 95% of the cases was congestive heart failure. Sixty-four percent of the patients had subnormal values of Mg++, 53% subnormal values of K+, and 28% subnormal values of CA++. Fourteen percent showed lower values of the three electrolytes and 35% only of Mg++ and K+ concomitantly. Twenty-eight percent showed prolonged QTC interval. All patients with prolonged QTC interval had low Mg++ and K+ levels. Twenty five percent of the patients showed atrial fibrillation, 25% ventricular tachycardia, and 3% junctional tachycardia. The ventricular tachycardia group had more electrolyte abnormalities than those with atrial fibrillation. None of the patients received Mg++ replacement during critical management while 50% received K+ replacement. CONCLUSION: This data shows physician overlook the Importance of Mg++ and K+ deficiency in critically ill patients.

Ethnicity and genetics are more important than diabetes mellitus and hypertension in producing cardiovascular events in patients with the metabolic syndrome: emphasis in the Puerto Rico population.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease that affects an estimated 50 million Americans. The present article reviews the metabolic syndrome with respect to its definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology and management. A primary focus in research has been to elucidate the processes determined to cause insulin resistance, the fundamental mechanism underlying the metabolic syndrome. Namely, the incidence, component characteristics and complications of the metabolic syndrome in the island of Puerto Rico are described alongside the fact that the metabolic syndrome may be milder in Puerto Rico than in the mainland United States because it is characterized by less aggressive coronary disease and a relatively normal lipid profile. This suggests that the cardiovascular complications are more influenced by genetics and culture than diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Heart tumors in Puerto Rico de novo atrial fibrillation as clinical presentation in a subgroup of patients.

OBJECTIVE: Primary cardiac tumors are rare neoplasms in humans, of which the most common is the atrial Myxoma. The objective of this study was to find the incidence of these tumors at the Heart Center of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. METHODS: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Medical Sciences Campus University of Puerto Rico to review the records at the Heart Center of patients with heart tumors in the last 14 years. RESULTS: The sample consists of 55 patients (78.9% were females and 24.1% were male) with a median age of 52 years. Sixty-five percent of patients lived in rural areas. Clinical presentations included shortness of breath (43.1%), chest pain (37.9%), asymptomatic (25%), palpitations (20.7%), neurologic symptoms (10.3%) and dizziness (6.9%). Electrocardiographic findings included normal sinus rhythm (53.4%), non-specific ST-T changes (32.8%), sinus tachycardia (20.7%), left atrial enlargement (10.3%) and atrial fibrillation (8.6%). A subgroup presenting with atrial fibrillation prior to diagnosis had left atrial myxoma. The tumors found, in descending order of frequency are: left atrial myxoma, right atrial myxoma, papillary fibroelastoma, hamartoma, lipoma and rhabdomyoma. We found a correlation between large left atrial myxoma and atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSION: The most frequent heart tumor was atrial myxoma. The larger myxomas were associated with atrial fibrillation.

Aliskiren improves left ventricular dysfunction and reduces cardiac dilation in Syrian cardiomyopathic hamsters.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is a major contributing factor to the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular and renal diseases. METHODS: To evaluate the role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade with aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, in the development and progression of dilated cardiomyopathy in the Syrian cardiomyopathic hamster (SCH) model, we treated 1-month-old SCH with aliskiren (10 mg·kg·d) over a 4-month period. For comparative purposes, we also evaluated the effects of the angiotensin receptor blocker valsartan (10 mg·kg·d) and the combination of both drugs. Age-matched golden hamsters were used as controls. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume and end-systolic volume, ejection fraction, and diastolic function were determined by echocardiography. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was also measured in the left femoral artery by sphygmomanometry. RESULTS: Results indicate that at 2 months of age, SBP is higher in SCH than in controls, and administration for 1 month of aliskiren, valsartan, or the combination of these drugs normalized SBP in SCH to a similar extent. In 5-month-old SCH, aliskiren improved ejection fraction (from 48.6% ± 5.8% to 69.4% ± 3.2%, n = 5, P < 0.05), left ventricular end-systolic volume (from 0.28 ± 0.06 to 0.10 ± 0.01 mL/100 g body weight), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (from 0.61 ± 0.05 to 0.34 ± 0.02 mL/100 g body weight), and normalized diastolic function (E:A ratio increases from 0.93 ± 0.13 to 1.70 ± 0.03, n = 5, P < 0.05). Similar results were observed with valsartan or the combination of aliskiren and valsartan. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that in this animal model, aliskiren is as effective as valsartan, or the combination of both drugs, in improving diastolic function and in preventing the development of dilated cardiomyopathy. These findings suggest that aliskiren may be used as a monotherapy in heart failure management. Clinical studies, however, are needed to assess the effectiveness of this drug in patients with heart failure.

Metabolic syndrome among Puerto Ricans and other Hispanic populations.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease that affects an estimated 50 million Americans. The present article reviews this syndrome with respect to its definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management. A primary focus in research has been to elucidate the processes that have been determined to cause insulin resistance, the fundamental mechanism underlying metabolic syndrome; these processes are reviewed here along with the interplay of the syndrome with the renin-angiotensin system, circadian rhythm, and atherosclerosis. Lifestyle changes promoting exercise and a healthy diet can reduce the incidence and prevent the progression of metabolic syndrome; however, refractory cases may warrant drug therapy. Recent emphasis has been placed on targeting obesity and insulin resistance as new therapeutic modalities are developed. In this manuscript, the incidence, component characteristics, and complications of metabolic syndrome in island-living Puerto Ricans and other Hispanic populations are described. The fact that island patients suffering from the syndrome tend to have less aggressive coronary disease and relatively normal lipid profile compared to their stateside counterparts is also discussed.

Chronic treatment with N-acetylcysteine improves cardiac function but does not prevent progression of cardiomyopathy in Syrian cardiomyopathic hamsters.

Oxidative stress has been postulated to contribute to the onset and development of heart failure (HF). The efficacy of antioxidant therapy in HF, however, remains controversial. This study evaluates the effect of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 1 g/kg per day) on cardiovascular function in 2- and 6-month-old Bio-TO2 Syrian cardiomyopathic hamsters (SCH) after treatment for 1 month and 5 months with this drug. Endothelial function, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and echocardiographic parameters were evaluated. Age-matched F1-B golden hamsters were used as controls. One month of NAC administration significantly decreased SBP in 2-month-old SCH (n = 5, P < 0.001) without modifying echocardiographic values. Five-month treatment of cardiomyopathic animals with the antioxidant improved the acetylcholine-induced relaxation in aortic rings by 24% (E( Max) value from 45.8% ± 4% to 55.3% ± 2% n = 7, P < .05) but did not modify EC(50) values for the acetylcholine concentration-response curve. In addition, 5-month administration of NAC to SCH increased ejection fraction from 39% ± 4% to 57% ± 4% (n = 11, P < .001) and decreased left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (from 0.38 ± 0.04 mL/100 g body weight (BW) and 0.22 ± 0.03 mL/100 g BW, before, to 0.24 ± 0.04 mL/100 g BW and 0.12 ± 0.03 mL/100 g BW after treatment, P < .01). Cardiac output index also improved after 5 months of treatment, although it did not reach statistical significance. These results suggest that antioxidant therapy alone decreases ventricular dilatation and improves cardiovascular function in this animal model of dilated cardiomyopathy, but it does not prevent the appearance of HF.

Higher incidence of atrial fibrillation in the metabolic syndrome: a Hispanic population study.

UNLABELLED: The metabolic syndrome is probably one of the main medical problems in developing countries. Purpose of this investigation was to study the metabolic syndrome at the Puerto Rico and Caribbean Cardiovascular Center with emphasis on the cardiovascular complications. MATERIALS/METHODS: The medical charts in the last six years of the metabolic syndrome were evaluated at the PRCCC. RESULTS: One Hundred and Seventy-Three patients met the consensus criteria of the metabolic syndrome. The mean age was 60 years. Fifty-seven percent were males and 42% females. The mean body mass was 30 kg/m. The ejection fraction was subnormal (49 +/- 8%). The end systolic dimension of the left atrium was increased (45 +/- 10mm) when compared to normal. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was 16%. CONCLUSIONS: The metabolic syndrome in this sub-group of Hispanics, showed a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation without ventricular tachycardia. This is probably related to abnormal left ventricular and atrial function.

Enalapril and losartan are more effective than carvedilol in preventing dilated cardiomyopathy in the Syrian cardiomyopathic hamster.

To assess the role of the renin-angiotensin (RAS) and adrenergic systems in the development and progression of dilated cardiomyopathy in the Syrian cardiomyopathic hamster (SCH), echocardiographic parameters were evaluated in 6-month-old animals after 5 months of treatment with enalapril (25 mg/kg/day) plus losartan (10 mg/kg/day), or with carvedilol (1 mg/kg/day). Cardiac output indexes (COI) increased by 53% after RAS blockade and by 20% after beta-blockade in SCH. Moreover, LVEDV and LVESV decreased 30% and 62%, respectively (P < .05) during RAS blockade, whereas ejection fraction (EF) increased by 48%. By contrast, carvedilol reduced LVESV by only 28% (P < .05) and increased EF by only 15% (P < .05). These results suggest that RAS activation plays a critical role in the development of cardiac dysfunction in SCH and that suppression of RAS may be more effective than beta-blockade in retarding the development of cardiomyopathy in SCH. Owing to timing (pre-heart failure stage) and to the single dose protocol, the implications of this study for human subjects remain to be clarified.

Basiliximab and heart transplantation in Hispanics: the experience in Puerto Rico.

BACKGROUND: Induction immunotherapy in addition to standard triple therapy at the time of cardiac transplantation with cytolytic antibodies has been used in recipients with pre transplant renal impairment, and to prevent rejection. Recently, anti-interlukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibodies have been used for these purposes. A retrospective study of 58 heart transplant recipients was conducted to assess the effect of basiliximab, a chimeric anti-interlukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibody on biopsy proven acute rejection, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, hospitalizations due to infection and mortality one year after transplantation. METHODS: A total of 58 heart transplant patient's charts were reviewed. All patients received triple immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine or tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone post transplant. Basiliximab 20 mg on day 0 and day 4 was administered as induction therapy in a subgroup of patients. Both groups had similar pre transplant characteristics. Analysis was performed at intervals of 0-17 weeks, 18-34 weeks, 35-52 weeks, and one year overall. The incidence of acute rejection episodes, post-transplant renal function, patient survival and hospitalizations due to infection was analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients received induction therapy with basiliximab and 31 patients did not. Basiliximab induction helped reduce acute rejection overall during the first year, with 22 episodes of rejection in the induction group, and 67 episodes in the no induction group. In the 0-17 weeks following transplantation there were 20 reported rejection episodes in the induction group versus 58 rejection episodes in the no-induction group, demonstrating also reduction of rejection by induction in this group. Basiliximab induction group had preserved renal function, with higher creatinine clearance at 1 year when compared to the no induction group. There were no differences between groups in terms of hospitalizations due to infections or mortality. CONCLUSION: Induction therapy with basiliximab significantly reduced the number of acute rejection within the first year after heart transplantation, without a negative impact on patient's renal function, risk of infection or mortality.

Syncope in Puerto Rico.

Syncope is defined as a transient loss of consciousness with an inability to maintain postural tone that is followed by spontaneous recovery. Syncope is a prevalent disorder, accounting for 1-3% of emergency department visits and up to 6% of hospital admissions each year in the United States. The medical records of patients admitted at the Cardiovascular Center of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean after an episode of syncope were reviewed. The characteristics of this population and the etiologies of syncope were analyzed. One hundred and eighty six patients were identified with a primary diagnosis of syncope. A specific etiology was identified in 77.5% of the population studied whereas 22.6% had an unknown or unidentifiable cause. Cardiac syncope is associated with an increased mortality. Cardiac syncope was diagnosed in 60.8% of the evaluated patients. Although many etiologies for syncope exist, recent studies suggest categorization into cardiac, noncardiac, and unknown groupings for the purposes of future risk stratification.

Increased vascular angiotensin II binding capacity and ET-1 release in young cardiomyopathic hamsters.

Heart failure (HF) is a multifactorial and progressive disease that has been associated with multiple systemic and vascular alterations. Previous reports from our laboratory showed that in 2-month-old Bio-To2 Syrian cardiomyopathic hamsters (SCH) that have not yet developed the clinical manifestations of HF, the vascular contractility induced by 0.1 microM angiotensin II was approximately 35% greater than in control animals. This finding was observed concomitantly with an increased aortic ACE activity. To further evaluate the mechanisms underlying angiotensin II-enhanced vascular contraction, concentration-response curves for angiotensin II (0.01 nM-10 microM) were constructed before and after the addition of prazosin (alpha-1 blocker), NS-398 (selective COX-2 blocker) and BQ-123 (ET-1A-receptor antagonist) in aortic rings from 2-month-old SCH. The binding capacity and affinity of the AT-1 receptors were also evaluated in aortic homogenates using 125I-angiotensin II. Age-matched golden hamsters were used as controls (CT). Our results indicate that incubation with either 10 microM prazosin or 10 microM NS-398 did not modify EC50 or Emax values for angiotensin II indicating that norepinephrine and prostaglandins are not involved in the enhanced contractile action of angiotensin II. However, 10 microM BQ-123 reduced by 40% the contraction induced by 1.0 microM angiotensin II (from 1.05+/-0.04 to 0.6475+/-0.06 g/mg tissue, n = 5, P < 0.05), suggesting that in cardiomyopathic hamsters, the action of angiotensin II is mediated in part by ET-1. At lower angiotensin II concentration (0.1 microM), the ET-1-dependent contraction decreases to 29%. In addition, although dissociation constants for labeled angiotensin II were found to be similar in the aorta of SCH and control animals (K(D): CT = 7.8 nM and SCH = 5.1 nM), 125I-angiotensin II binding capacity was about 2-fold greater in SCH than in controls (Bmax: SCH = 1113 and CT = 605 fmol/mg protein). Altogether these results suggest that in 2-month-old SCH the enhanced response of angiotensin II in the vasculature is mediated both by an increased binding capacity for the hormone and facilitation of the ET-1 action.

Coronary artery abnormalities in Puerto Rico.

A retrospective study was done to determine the frequency of coronary artery anomalies in terms of their origin, course, and structure. The clinical history, catheterization data and surgical reports of patients undergoing coronary angiography at the Cardiovascular Center of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, from 1999 to 2004, were analyzed. Thirty-eight patients were identified with a coronary artery anomaly in this population. These anomalies were classified according to their clinical consequences and the need for surgical intervention.

Heart transplantation in females: the experience in Puerto Rico.

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation is the procedure of choice for a selected group of patients with end stage heart disease. Gender related differences have been observed in the heart transplant field: less women than men are recipients of heart transplants, more risk of rejection in female recipients, and a perception toward reduced survival in women. We report our experience of heart transplantation in females in Puerto Rico. METHODS: We studied the data bank of 69 heart transplant recipients in the Puerto Rico Heart Transplant Program from June 1999 to June 2005. Gender related differences in the number of recipients: males or females, incidence of rejection, survival, and other outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: 69 patients received an orthotopic heart transplant from June 1999 to June 2005, in a single center in Puerto Rico. The mean age of the patients was 47 (11-62) years. Fifty patients (72%) were men, and 19 patients (28%), were women. Survival in the female group at 3 months, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years was 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 90%, and 90% respectively. The survival in the male group at 3 months, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years was 97%, 97%, 97%, 94%, 86 and 79% respectively. There was an early, higher incidence of rejection in women during the first three months post transplant; 1.5 vs. 0.75, (P=0.04) episodes per patient in the female, and male group respectively. After the third month post transplant there was no significant difference in rejection incidence. The incidence of infectious episodes was significantly more frequent in female than in male recipients, 2.8 vs. 1 (P=0.02) per patient respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There were more male than female heart transplant recipients at a ratio of 3:1, without a significant gender difference in survival. The risk of rejection was higher in females in the early period post transplantation, but thereafter this risk showed no signinificant statistical difference. The incidence of infection was more frequent in female than in male recipients.

Total plasma homocysteine concentrations in Puerto Rican patients with presumptive atherosclerotic coronary disease

BACKGROUND: In Puerto Rico, it has been established that although coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death, the population has a lower incidence of coronary disease than the continental United States. In addition, the severity of the disease is less aggressive in terms of a lower incidence of ventricular tachycardia and sudden death. A factor in the lower incidence of coronary disease in Puerto Rico could be a lower total plasma homocysteine concentration (tHcys) in our population. METHODS: We randomly measured tHcys concentrations in seventy-two Hispanic patients who were hospitalized for coronary angiography at the Cardiovascular Center of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean (UPR Division). RESULTS: The mean tHCys concentration in our patient population is similar than that reported for the Framingham study when adjusted by age (11.2 mumol/L vs. 11.8 mumol/L). In the Puerto Rican population, males had a higher tHcys concentration than females but this difference was not statistically significant (10.9 mumol/L vs. 9.4 mumol/L, p = 0.09). In addition, we did not see an increase of tHcys concentrations in diabetic patients when compared with nondiabetics (10.1 mumol/L vs. 10.3 mumol/L, p = 0.73). Neither we saw a direct correlation between tHcys concentrations and atherosclerosis as measured by coronary angiography (normal = 10.9 mumol/L, mild = 8.6 mumol/L, moderate = 10.9 mumol/L, severe = 10.5 mumol/L; ANOVA = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that tHcys concentration is not a good predictor of atherosclerotic coronary disease in our patient population.