Cocoa flavanols improve peakVO2 and exercise capacity in a randomized double blinded clinical trial in healthy elderly people.

Background: Loss of functional capacity is one of the hallmarks in cardiovascular aging. Cocoa flavanols (CF) exert favorable effects on endothelial function, blood pressure, and inflammation. These cardiovascular health markers worsen with increasing age and limit functional exercise capacity. Aim: To investigate the effect of CF on cardiorespiratory-fitness in healthy elderly people. Methods: In a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, parallel-group dietary intervention trial, 68 healthy elderly people (55-79 years, 28 female) received either 500 mg of CF or a nutrient-matched control capsule twice a day for 30 days. Primary endpoint was defined as peak oxygen consumption (VO2) in a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Secondary endpoints were oxygen pulse (VO2 per heart rate (HR)), resting blood pressure (BP), and resting vascular function. Results: After 30 days of CF intake peakVO2 increased by 190 ml min-1 (95% CI 1-371 ml min-1) and peakVO2 per kg by 2.5 ml (min kg)-1 (95% CI 0.30-4.2 ml (min kg)-1). O2-pulse increased by 1.7 ml (95% CI 0.29-3.2 ml) and max exercise capacity by 9.6 W (95% CI 2.1-17.7 W). CF decreased resting systolic and diastolic BP by 5.4 mmHg (95% CI -10.7 to -0.1 mmHg) and 2.9 mmHg (95% CI -5.5 to -0.4 mmHg), respectively. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) increased by an absolute 1.3% (95% CI 0.76-1.79%) in the CF group. Indexes of pulmonary function were not affected. No changes for primary and secondary endpoints were detected in control. Conclusion: CF substantially improve markers of cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy elderly humans highlighting their potential to preserve cardiovascular health with increasing age.

Cocoa flavanol supplementation preserves early and late radial artery function after transradial catheterization.

Background: The transradial approach for coronary angiography is associated with fewer complications and preferred over the femoral approach. Injury to the radial artery (RA) endothelium elicits intimal hyperplasia, possibly resulting in total occlusion and limb functional decline. Flavanols are known to improve endothelial function. Effects on arterial remodeling after mechanical injury are unknown. Objective: To investigate the effects of cocoa flavanols on (a) intimal hyperplasia and (b) endothelial functional recovery after mechanical vascular wall injury through transradial coronary angiography (TCA). Methods: Primary endpoint in this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was RA intima-media thickness (IMT) after 6 months follow-up (FU). Secondary endpoints were RA flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and fractional diameter change (Fdc). Further luminal diameter and circulating endothelial microparticles (EMP) were assessed. Thirty-six male patients undergoing elective TCA were included. Flavanol or matched placebo supplementation started 7 days prior TCA (cocoa flavanol 1000 mg day-1) for 14 days. Four measurements spanned three periods over 6-moths-FU. Results: TCA induced sustained intimal hyperplasia in the placebo-, but not in the flavanol-group (IMT 0.44 ± 0.01 vs. 0.37 ± 0.01 mm, p = 0.01). FMD decreased after TCA in both groups, but recovered to baseline after 6 months in the flavanol group only. Fdc acutely decreased, EMPs increased in the placebo-, not in the flavanol -group. Luminal diameter remained unchanged in both groups. Conclusion: Peri-interventional cocoa flavanol supplementation prevents long-term intima media thickening and endothelial dysfunction 6 months after TCA opening the perspective for dietary interventions to mitigate endothelial cell damage and intimal hyperplasia after mechanical injury.

Flavanol Consumption in Healthy Men Preserves Integrity of Immunological-Endothelial Barrier Cell Functions: Nutri(epi)genomic Analysis.

SCOPE: While cocoa flavanol (CF) consumption improves cardiovascular risk biomarkers, molecular mechanisms underlying their protective effects are not understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate nutri(epi)genomic effects of CF and identify regulatory networks potential mediating vascular health benefits. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty healthy middle-aged men consume CF (bi-daily 450 mg) or control drinks for 1 month. Microarray analysis identifies 2235 differentially expressed genes (DEG) involved in processes regulating immune response, cell adhesion, or cytoskeleton organization. Distinct patterns of DEG correlate with CF-related changes in endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and blood pressure. DEG profile negatively correlates with expression profiles of cardiovascular disease patients. CF modulated DNA methylation profile of genes implicates in cell adhesion, actin cytoskeleton organization, or cell signaling. In silico docking analyses indicate that CF metabolites have the potential of binding to cell signaling proteins and transcription factors. Incubation of plasma obtained after CF consumption decrease monocyte to endothelial adhesion and dose-dependently increase nitric oxide-dependent chemotaxis of circulating angiogenic cells further validating the biological functions of CF metabolites. CONCLUSION: In healthy humans, CF consumption may mediate vascular protective effects by modulating gene expression and DNA methylation towards a cardiovascular protective effect, in agreement with clinical results, by preserving integrity of immunological-endothelial barrier functions.

Impact of high on-treatment platelet reactivity after angioplasty in patients with critical limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVES: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel is standard of care in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). However, high on treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) to DAPT is frequent and associated with major adverse limb events (MALE) in PAD patients. Nevertheless, association of MALE and HTPR in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) is not known. Moreover, comorbidities might confound response to antiplatelet medication further. Hence, in this trial we analyzed pharmacodynamic responses to DAPT and clinical events in CLI patients post PTA. METHODS: In this prospective single center pilot analysis, we included 71 CLI patients. Patients received DAPT after PTA. Antiplatelet effect were measured by light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and vasodilator-stimulated protein phosphorylation assay (VASP). MALE, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and BARC bleeding within 12 months follow-up were assessed. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 73.37 ± 7.36 years and 47 (66.2%) were male. Overall HTPR appeared in 46 patients (64.8%). MALE and MACCE showed no differences between patients with and patients without HTPR. However, bleeding was higher in patients with sufficient pharmacodynamic response to DAPT (Bleeding - HTPR: 13.4% vs. no HTPR: 36.0%; log-rank HR: 0.32; 95% CI 0.1079 to 0.9396 p = 0.0217). This finding remained robust in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: HTPR to DAPT is frequent in CLI patients. However, bleeding was higher in patients with sufficient response to DAPT. Ischemic events did not differ. Hence, CLI patients might benefit from an alternative antithrombotic approach.

Angioplasty of Flow-Limiting Stenosis Reduces Aortic and Brachial Blood Pressure in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background Arterial hypertension affects cardiovascular outcome in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). We hypothesized that angioplasty of peripheral arterial stenoses decreases aortic (aBP) and brachial blood pressure (bBP). Methods and Results In an index cohort (n=30), we simultaneously measured aBP, bBP, augmentation index (AIx), and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) before and after angioplasty of the iliac and femoropopliteal arteries; diagnostic angiography served as a control. In an all-comer registry cohort (n=381), we prospectively measured bBP in patients scheduled for angioplasty of the iliac, femoral, and crural arteries or diagnostic angiography. Systolic aBP decreased after iliac (Δ-25 mmHg; 95% CI, -30 to -20; P<0.0001) and femoropopliteal angioplasty (Δ-12 mmHg; 95% CI, -17 to -5; P<0.0001) as compared with diagnostic angiography. Diastolic aBP decreased after iliac (Δ-9 mmHg; 95% CI, -13 to -1; P=0.01) but not femoropopliteal angioplasty. In parallel, AIx significantly dropped, whereas PWV remained stable. In the registry cohort, systolic bBP decreased after angioplasty of the iliac (Δ-17 mmHg; 95% CI, -31 to -8; P=0.0005) and femoropopliteal arteries (Δ-10 mmHg; 95% CI, -23 to -1; P=0.04) but not the crural arteries, as compared with diagnostic angiography. Diastolic bBP decreased after iliac (Δ-10 mmHg; 95% CI, -17 to -2; P=0.01) and femoropopliteal angioplasty (Δ-9 mmHg; 95% CI, -15 to -1; P=0.04). Multivariate analysis identified baseline systolic bBP and site of lesion as determinants of systolic bBP drop after endovascular treatment. Conclusions Angioplasty of flow-limiting stenoses in patients with peripheral artery disease lowers aortic and brachial blood pressure with more pronounced effects at more proximal lesion sites and elevated baseline systolic blood pressure. These data indicate a role of endovascular treatment to acutely optimize blood pressure in patients with peripheral artery disease. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02728479.

Endothelial-protective effects of a G-protein-biased sphingosine-1 phosphate receptor-1 agonist, SAR247799, in type-2 diabetes rats and a randomized placebo-controlled patient trial.

AIMS: SAR247799 is a G-protein-biased sphingosine-1 phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1 ) agonist designed to activate endothelial S1P1 and provide endothelial-protective properties, while limiting S1P1 desensitization and consequent lymphocyte-count reduction associated with higher doses. The aim was to show whether S1P1 activation can promote endothelial effects in patients and, if so, select SAR247799 doses for further clinical investigation. METHODS: Type-2 diabetes patients, enriched for endothelial dysfunction (flow-mediated dilation, FMD <7%; n = 54), were randomized, in 2 sequential cohorts, to 28-day once-daily treatment with SAR247799 (1 or 5 mg in ascending cohorts), placebo or 50 mg sildenafil (positive control) in a 5:2:2 ratio per cohort. Endothelial function was assessed by brachial artery FMD. Renal function, biomarkers and lymphocytes were measured following 5-week SAR247799 treatment (3 doses) to Zucker diabetic fatty rats and the data used to select the doses for human testing. RESULTS: The maximum FMD change from baseline vs placebo for all treatments was reached on day 35; mean differences vs placebo were 0.60% (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.34 to 1.53%; P = .203) for 1 mg SAR247799, 1.07% (95% CI 0.13 to 2.01%; P = .026) for 5 mg SAR247799 and 0.88% (95% CI -0.15 to 1.91%; P = .093) for 50 mg sildenafil. Both doses of SAR247799 were well tolerated, did not affect blood pressure, and were associated with minimal-to-no lymphocyte reduction and small-to-moderate heart rate decrease. CONCLUSION: These data provide the first human evidence suggesting endothelial-protective properties of S1P1 activation, with SAR247799 being as effective as the clinical benchmark, sildenafil. Further clinical testing of SAR247799, at sub-lymphocyte-reducing doses (≤5 mg), is warranted in vascular diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction.

Impact of high on-treatment platelet reactivity after angioplasty in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Objective: High on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) predicts adverse events in coronary artery disease patients. In peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients, data concerning the clinical impact of HTPR are limited. Therefore, we evaluated the incidence of (i) HTPR to DAPT and (ii) its impact on 6 months outcome after angioplasty.Methods and results: In this prospective single center analysis, we investigated 102 consecutive patients with PAD from 2016 to 2017. All patients underwent peripheral endovascular treatment due to intermittent claudication (Fontaine IIb). Clopidogrel effects were measured using vasodilator-stimulated protein phosphorylation (VASP) assay, aspirin effects by light-transmission aggregometry (LTA). Major adverse limb events (MALE), major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and BARC bleeding (bleeding academic research consortium classification) within 6 months were assessed. HTPR to clopidogrel (n = 37, 36%), to aspirin (n = 11, 11%) and to both (n = 11, 11%) were frequent. Compared to sufficient platelet inhibition by aspirin and clopidogrel (n = 43, 42%), patients with dual HTPR showed a higher risk of MALE at 6 months (27% vs. 7%; hazard ratio [HR]: 4.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1 to 67.8; p = .03). This was independent of diabetes, creatinine, body mass index, and age as well as of procedural details in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. MACCE (n = 2) and BARC bleeding rates (n = 2) were low.Conclusion: In this small exploratory study, HTPR was frequent in PAD patients. Furthermore, the results are suggestive that MALE might be associated with dual HTPR. This leads to the hypothesis that optimized antithrombotic regimens post percutaneous transluminal angioplasty should be tested in clinical trials.

Improving the Assessment of Flow-Mediated Dilation Through Detection of Peak Time in Healthy Subjects and Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes.

The assessment of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is widely used to quantify endothelial function. Historically, FMD was determined at 60 seconds post-cuff deflation. We investigated whether FMD would be more accurate if determined at maximum dilatory peak (MDP) than at 60 seconds in healthy subjects and subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We studied 95 healthy and 72 subjects with T2DM and assessed FMD at MDP, 60 and 90 seconds. Twenty-four healthy and 12 subjects with T2DM underwent a repeat FMD after 28 days. In healthy subjects, FMD at MDP was higher than at 60 and 90 seconds, with mean difference MDP versus 60 seconds 1.14% (95% CI: 0.6-1.7); P < .0001 and MDP versus 90 seconds 1.9% (95% CI: 1.3-2.5) with similar results in T2DM, that is, 1.0% (95% CI: 0.1-1.9) and 2.3% (95% CI: 1.3-3.2), respectively. Intraindividual variability was lowest with MDP compared with 60 and 90 seconds, that is, 15.0 versus 23.2% and 40.0%, respectively, resulting in a more than 2-fold reduction in necessary sample size. In healthy subjects and subjects with T2DM, assessment of FMD using MDP results in a more accurate and precise assessment leading to a substantial reduction in sample size.

Cocoa Flavanols Improve Endothelial Functional Integrity in Healthy Young and Elderly Subjects.

Cocoa flavanols (CFs) can improve flow-mediated dilation (FMD), blood pressure, and vascular stiffness in healthy subjects. Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are markers of endothelial functional integrity, reflecting activation and injury. In plasma samples, we investigated whether age-dependent changes in circulating EMPs exist and whether CFs decrease EMPs in healthy humans. The concentrations of CD31+/41-, CD144+, and CD62e+ EMPs (flow cytometry) were increased in healthy elderly (n = 19) compared to young (n = 20) non-smokers. EMPs correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, and pulse wave velocity. CD31+/41- and CD62e+ EMPs inversely correlated with FMD. Following 2 weeks twice-daily CF consumption (450 mg), CD31+/41- and CD144+ EMPs decreased in both young and elderly subjects compared to the CF-free control. The EMP decrease inversely correlated with FMD improvements. Cardiovascular aging is associated with increased EMPs that can be modulated by dietary flavanols along with improvements in vascular function. This indicates that flavanol consumption can improve endothelial functional integrity in healthy humans.

Requirement of ß1 integrin for endothelium-dependent vasodilation and collateral formation in hindlimb ischemia.

An acute increase in blood flow triggers flow-mediated dilation (FMD), which is mainly mediated by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). A long-term increase in blood flow chronically enlarges the arterial lumen, a process called arteriogenesis. In several common human diseases, these processes are disrupted for as yet unknown reasons. Here, we asked whether ß1 integrin, a mechanosensory protein in endothelial cells, is required for FMD and arteriogenesis in the ischemic hindlimb. Permanent ligation of the femoral artery in C57BL/6 J mice enlarged pre-existing collateral arteries and increased numbers of arterioles in the thigh. In the lower leg, the numbers of capillaries increased. Notably, injection of ß1 integrin-blocking antibody or tamoxifen-induced endothelial cell-specific deletion of the gene for ß1 integrin (Itgb1) inhibited both arteriogenesis and angiogenesis. Using high frequency ultrasound, we demonstrated that ß1 integrin-blocking antibody or endothelial cell-specific depletion of ß1 integrin attenuated FMD of the femoral artery, and blocking of ß1 integrin function did not further decrease FMD in eNOS-deficient mice. Our data suggest that endothelial ß1 integrin is required for both acute and chronic widening of the arterial lumen in response to hindlimb ischemia, potentially via functional interaction with eNOS.

Endovascular Occlusion of a Renal Arteriovenous Fistula with Renal Vein Aneurysm Formation for Rupture Prevention.

PURPOSE: To report the effectiveness of left renal artery (LRA) occlusion using Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP) II as treatment for a high-flow renal arteriovenous fistula (RAVF) with multiple renal vein aneurysms (RVA) to prevent aneurysm rupture and cardiac decompensation. CASE REPORT: A 59-year-old female suffering from a post-traumatic RAVF presented with tachycardia and increased cardiac output (CO). Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a high-flow RAVF with multiple RVAs and unilateral critically reduced kidney function. Appreciating recent interventional therapeutic advances, the patient was treated with endovascular placement of AVP II into the left renal artery (LRA) resulting in complete occlusion of the RAVF to effectively reduce the risk of RVA rupture and cardiac decompensation. No anti-platelet medication was administrated after the occlusion of the LRA. The patient's physical capacity improved since right heart volume strain was normalized, and CO was reduced. CONCLUSION: Transbrachial AVP II occlusion of the LRA is effective to occlude high-flow RAVFs to prevent risk of life-threatening RVA rupture. Additional follow-up is warranted to verify long-term effectiveness of this approach.

[Update ESC-Guideline 2017: Focus on PAD]. / Update ESC-Leitlinie 2017: Periphere arterielle Verschlusserkrankung.

The updated ESC guidelines on PAD were developed, for the first time, as a collaboration between cardiologists and vascular surgeons and unveiled at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2017 congress. Although awareness has improved, PAD is still associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and quality of life impairment. Primarily, the guidelines emphasize the need for a multidisciplinary management of these patients and propose "a vascular team". A new chapter on antithrombotic therapies is provided. In patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease, clopidogrel can be considered over aspirin therapy (class IIb). Antiplatelet therapy is no longer recommended in asymptomatic peripheral artery disease patients (class III). After peripheral arterial intervention, dual antiplatelet therapy is recommended as a consensus. Moreover, all patients with lower extremity artery disease should be treated with statins to improve walking distance (class I) as well as supervised exercise therapy, even after revascularization. In claudicants, cardiovascular prevention and exercise training remain the cornerstones of management. The WIFI classification (risk stratification based on wound ischemia and foot infection) is proposed to primarily describe wound lesions. Regarding surgical or interventional therapies, the new guidelines propose an endovascular approach for short lesions (< 5 cm) in the aortoiliac or aortobifemoral region. Patients with infrapopliteal lesions should be treated with bypass surgery or endovascular therapy. Patients with coronary artery disease or heart failure should be considered for lower extremity peripheral artery disease screening (class IIb).

Repetitive remote occlusion (RRO) stimulates eNOS-dependent blood flow and collateral expansion in hindlimb ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: Collateral expansion is an important compensatory mechanism to alleviate tissue ischemia after arterial occlusion. We investigated the efficacy and mechanisms of temporary remote hindlimb occlusion to stimulate contralateral blood flow and collateral expansion after hindlimb ischemia in mice and evaluated translation to peripheral artery disease in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS: We induced unilateral hindlimb ischemia via femoral artery excision in mice. We studied central hemodynamics, blood flow, and perfusion of the ischemic hindlimb during single and repetitive remote occlusion (RRO) of the contralateral non-ischemic hindlimb with a pressurized cuff. Similar experiments were performed in patients with unilateral peripheral artery disease (PAD). Contralateral occlusion of the non-ischemic hindlimb led to an acute increase in blood flow to the ischemic hindlimb without affecting central blood pressure and cardiac output. The increase in blood flow was sustained even after deflation of the pressure cuff. RRO over 12 days (8/day, each 5 min) led to significantly increased arterial inflow, lumen expansion of collateral arteries, and increased perfusion of the chronically ischemic hindlimb as compared to control. In NOS3-/- and after inhibition of NOS (L-NAME), and NO (ODQ), the acute and chronic effects of contralateral occlusion were abrogated and stimulation of guanylyl cyclase with cinaciguate exhibited a similar response as RRO and was not additive. Pilot studies in PAD patients demonstrated that contralateral occlusion increased arterial inflow to ischemic limbs and improved walking distance. CONCLUSIONS: Repetitive remote contralateral occlusion stimulates arterial inflow, perfusion, and functional collateral expansion in chronic hindlimb ischemia via an eNOS-dependent mechanism underscoring the potential of remote occlusion as a novel treatment option in peripheral artery disease.

Blue light exposure decreases systolic blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and improves endothelial function in humans.

AIMS: Previous studies have shown that ultraviolet light can lead to the release of nitric oxide from the skin and decrease blood pressure. In contrast to visible light the local application of ultraviolet light bears a cancerogenic risk. Here, we investigated whether whole body exposure to visible blue light can also decrease blood pressure and increase endothelial function in healthy subjects. METHODS: In a randomised crossover study, 14 healthy male subjects were exposed on 2 days to monochromatic blue light or blue light with a filter foil (control light) over 30 minutes. We measured blood pressure (primary endpoint), heart rate, forearm vascular resistance, forearm blood flow, endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation), pulse wave velocity and plasma nitric oxide species, nitrite and nitroso compounds (secondary endpoints) during and up to 2 hours after exposure. RESULTS: Blue light exposure significantly decreased systolic blood pressure and increased heart rate as compared to control. In parallel, blue light significantly increased forearm blood flow, flow-mediated dilation, circulating nitric oxide species and nitroso compounds while it decreased forearm vascular resistance and pulse wave velocity. CONCLUSION: Whole body irradiation with visible blue light at real world doses improves blood pressure, endothelial function and arterial stiffness by nitric oxide released from photolabile intracutanous nitric oxide metabolites into circulating blood.

On the Effects of Reactive Oxygen Species and Nitric Oxide on Red Blood Cell Deformability.

The main function of red blood cells (RBCs) is the transport of respiratory gases along the vascular tree. To fulfill their task, RBCs are able to elastically deform in response to mechanical forces and, pass through the narrow vessels of the microcirculation. Decreased RBC deformability was observed in pathological conditions linked to increased oxidative stress or decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, like hypertension. Treatments with oxidants and with NO were shown to affect RBC deformability ex vivo, but the mechanisms underpinning these effects are unknown. In this study we investigate whether changes in intracellular redox status/oxidative stress or nitrosation reactions induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) or NO may affect RBC deformability. In a case-control study comparing RBCs from healthy and hypertensive participants, we found that RBC deformability was decreased, and levels of ROS were increased in RBCs from hypertensive patients as compared to RBCs from aged-matched healthy controls, while NO levels in RBCs were not significantly different. To study the effects of oxidants on RBC redox state and deformability, RBCs from healthy volunteers were treated with increasing concentrations of tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BuOOH). We found that high concentrations of t-BuOOH (≥ 1 mM) significantly decreased the GSH/GSSG ratio in RBCs, decreased RBC deformability and increased blood bulk viscosity. Moreover, RBCs from Nrf2 knockout (KO) mice, a strain genetically deficient in a number of antioxidant/reducing enzymes, were more susceptible to t-BuOOH-induced impairment in RBC deformability as compared to wild type (WT) mice. To study the role of NO in RBC deformability we treated RBC suspensions from human volunteers with NO donors and nitrosothiols and analyzed deformability of RBCs from mice lacking the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). We found that NO donors induced S-nitrosation of the cytoskeletal protein spectrin, but did not affect human RBC deformability or blood bulk viscosity; moreover, under unstressed conditions RBCs from eNOS KO mice showed fully preserved RBC deformability as compared to WT mice. Pre-treatment of human RBCs with nitrosothiols rescued t-BuOOH-mediated loss of RBC deformability. Taken together, these findings suggest that NO does not affect RBC deformability per se, but preserves RBC deformability in conditions of oxidative stress.

Endothelial microparticles and vascular parameters in subjects with and without arterial hypertension and coronary artery disease.

Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are markers of endothelial injury and activation. The role of EMPs in arterial hypertension is not well understood and EMPs are increased both in arterial hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD). The data presented here show EMPs as defined by CD31+/41-, CD62e+, and CD144+ surface markers and vascular hemodynamic parameters including office and central blood pressure, heart rate, aortic augmentation index, pulse wave velocity, flow-mediated dilation, nitroglycerin-mediated dilation, brachial artery diameter, hyperemic wall shear stress, and laser Doppler perfusion of the cutaneous microcirculation of normotensives and hypertensives with and without CAD.

Stent fractures after common femoral artery bail-out stenting due to suture device failure in TAVR.

BACKGROUND: Vascular access site-related complications are frequent in the context of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The implantation of a covered stent graft is an effective treatment option for bleeding control. However, the external iliac and common femoral arteries are exposed to flexion of the hip joint. Therefore, stent compression and stent/strut fractures may occur, facilitating stent occlusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all 389 patients who received transfemoral TAVR from 2013-2015 at the Düsseldorf Heart Centre, we monitored the management of vascular access site-related complications. Our analyses focused on immediate technical success and bleeding control, primary patency, and the occurrence of stent/strut fractures after six to 12 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Vascular access site-related complications occurred in 13 % (n = 51), whereof in 10 patients, the bleeding was successfully managed by prolonged compression. In 40 out of 51 patients, a covered stent graft was implanted in the common femoral artery, leading to 100 % immediate bleeding control. After a mean follow-up of 334 ± 188 days, 28 stents out of 29 patients with completed follow-up (excluding e. g. death) were without flow-limiting stenosis (primary patency 97 %) or relevant stent compression (diameter pre/post 8.6/8.1 mm, p = 0.048, late lumen loss 1.1 ± 0.2 mm, mean flow velocity 92 ± 34 cm/s). In four asymptomatic patients, stent/strut fractures were detected (14 %) without flow-limiting stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: The implantation of a covered stent graft is highly effective and safe to control vascular access site-related complications after TAVR. Stent/strut fractures in the flexible segment of the common femoral artery may occur, as consequently verified by X-ray visualization, but show no impairment on flow or clinical parameters after six to 12 months.

Release of endothelial microparticles in patients with arterial hypertension, hypertensive emergencies and catheter-related injury.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are increased in arterial hypertension. The role of physicomechanical factors that may induce EMP release in vivo is still unknown. We studied the relationship of EMPs and physicomechanical factors in stable arterial hypertension and hypertensive emergencies, and investigated the pattern of EMP release after mechanical endothelial injury. METHODS: In a pilot study, 41 subjects (50% hypertensives) were recruited. EMPs were discriminated by flow-cytometry (CD31+/41-, CD62e+, CD144+). Besides blood pressure measurements, pulse-wave-analysis was performed. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD), and wall-shear-stress (WSS) were measured ultrasonographically in the brachial artery; microvascular perfusion by laser-Doppler (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02795377). We studied patients with hypertensive emergencies before and 4 h after BP lowering by urapidil (n = 12) and studied the release of EMPs due to mechanical endothelial injury after coronary angiography (n = 10). RESULTS: Hypertensives exhibited increased EMPs (CD31+/41-, CD144+, CD62e+) as compared to normotensives and EMPs univariately correlated with systolic BP (SBP), augmentation index, and pulse wave velocity and inversely with FMD. CD31+/41--EMPs correlated with diameter and inversely with WSS and NMD. CD62e+ and CD144+-EMPs inversely correlated with microvascular function. During hypertensive emergency, only CD62e+ and CD144+-EMPs were further elevated and FMD was decreased compared to stable hypertensives. Blood pressure lowering decreased CD62e+ and CD144+-EMPs and increased FMD. CD31+/41-EMPs, diameter, and WSS remained unaffected. Similar to hypertensive emergency, catheter-related endothelial injury increased only CD144+ and CD62e+-EMPs. CONCLUSIONS: EMP release in hypertension is complex and may involve both physicomechanical endothelial injury and activation (CD144+, CD62e+) and decreased wall shear stress (CD31+/41-).

Oxygen dependence of endothelium-dependent vasodilation: importance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological studies have shown increased morbidity and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to characterize the oxygen dependence of endothelial function in patients with CAD and coexisting COPD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In CAD patients with and without COPD (n = 33), we non-invasively measured flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and intima-media thickness (IMT) of the brachial artery (BA), forearm blood flow (FBF), and perfusion of the cutaneous microcirculation with laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI). In an experimental setup, vascular function was assessed in healthy volunteers (n = 5) breathing 12% oxygen or 100% oxygen in comparison to room air. RESULTS: COPD was associated with impaired FMD (3.4 ±0.5 vs. 4.2 ±0.6%; p < 0.001) and increased IMT (0.49 ±0.04 vs. 0.44 ±0.04 mm; p <0.01), indicating functional and structural alterations of the BA in COPD. Forearm blood flow and LDPI were comparable between the groups. Flow-mediated dilation correlated with capillary oxygen pressure (pO2, r = 0.608). Subgroup analysis in COPD patients with pO2 > 65 mm Hg and pO2 ≤ 65 mm Hg revealed even lower FMD in patients with lower pO2 (3.0 ±0.5 vs. 3.7 ±0.4%; p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that pO2 was a predictor of FMD independent of the forced expiratory volume and pack years. Exposure to hypoxic air led to an acute decrease in FMD, whereby exposure to 100% oxygen did not change vascular function. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that in CAD patients with COPD, decreased systemic oxygen levels lead to endothelial dysfunction, underlining the relevance of cardiopulmonary interaction and the potential importance of pulmonary treatment in secondary prevention of vascular disease.

Impact of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Left Ventricular Systolic Loading and Coronary Flow Reserve in Healthy Young Men.

BACKGROUND: Increased augmentation index (AIx) is accompanied by an elevated cardiovascular risk. A reduction of AIx is known for long-term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. We hypothesised that acute preload and left ventricular workload effects AIx and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) as a marker of coronary flow reserve. METHODS: Increased augmentation index and central blood pressure parameters were measured by radial artery tonometry in 17 healthy men (32/±6years) at rest and during CPAP ventilation at pressures of 5, 10mbar and after recovery. In a subset of seven individuals, haemodynamic parameters and autonomic function were additionally examined using combined impedance cardiography and continuous noninvasive blood pressure monitoring. RESULTS: Continuous positive airway pressure reduced heart rate corrected (AIx@75) (-2.8±8.1 [rest] to -10.7±11.3 [5mbar], p<0.01, to -12.2±10.5% [10mbar], p<0.01) and systolic time integral as a marker of left ventricular workload (2115±231 [rest] to 1978±290 [5mbar], p=0.02 to 1940±218 [10mbar], p<0.01 to 2013±241mmHg/s per min [recovery], p=0.03), while central systolic pressure did not change during CPAP. Total Peripheral Resistance Index increased reaching level of significance at 10mbar CPAP condition (1701±300 [rest] to 1850±301dyn*s*m2/cm5 [10mbar], p=0.04). There was a reversible increase of SEVR under CPAP conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous positive airway pressure ventilation acutely reduces AIx, heart rate and left ventricular workload in healthy young men. These effects seem to be mediated by left ventricular filling pressure, workload and reflection wave. Furthermore, we found an increase of subendocardial viability ratio as an indication for a rising coronary flow reserve by CPAP.