Clinical Significance of Altered Vascular Morphology and Function in Normotension.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review current literature examining the presence of subclinical micro- and macrovascular alterations in normotensive individuals and their clinical significance in terms of hypertension prediction. Emphasis is placed on alterations that can be detected in peripheral vascular beds using non-invasive, easily applicable methodology, as these are in general easier to capture and evaluate in clinical practice compared to more complex invasive or functional tests. RECENT FINDINGS: Arterial stiffness, increased carotid intima-media thickness, and altered retinal microvascular diameters predict the progression from the normotensive to the hypertensive state. By contrast, there is substantial lack of relevant prospective studies for skin microvascular alterations. Although conclusions regarding causality cannot be safely deduced from available studies, detection of morphological and functional vascular alterations in normotensive individuals emerges as a sensitive indicator of progression to hypertension and hence increased CVD risk. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that early detection of subclinical micro- and macrovascular alterations would be clinically useful for the early identification of individuals at high risk for future hypertension onset. Methodological issues and gaps in knowledge need to be addressed before detection of such changes could guide the development of strategies to prevent new-onset hypertension in normotensive individuals.

Platelet microvesicles are associated with the severity of coronary artery disease: comparison between peripheral and coronary circulation.

Microvesicles (MVs) have recently emerged as markers of thrombosis. Furthermore, there is an unexplained residual thrombotic risk is observed in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and/or stable coronary artery disease (CAD), despite treatment. We measured platelet (PMVs) and erythrocyte (ErMVs) in patients with ACS and stable CAD, both in the peripheral and coronary circulation. We studied consecutive eligible patients during a coronary angiography. Blood samples were collected from the stem of the left coronary artery and femoral artery. PMVs were significantly increased in CAD patients compared to controls. ACS patients had also increased PMVs in coronary and peripheral circulation, compared to controls. Furthermore, ACS patients exhibited increased PMVs in coronary compared to peripheral circulation. Lastly, coronary PMVs were associated with the severity of CAD based on the SYNTAX score. No significant differences were observed in the levels of ErMVs among groups. Therefore, PMVs emerge as novel markers of thrombosis in CAD, further augmenting the vicious cycle of inflammation and thrombosis during ACS. Importantly, coronary PMVs may reflect the severity of CAD in this population.

Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: the Role of Hypertension.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the data on the role of endothelial dysfunction and the impact of hypertension as a potent mediator of cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RECENT FINDINGS: RA represents the most common autoimmune rheumatic disorder and is characterized by chronic systemic inflammation predisposing to cardiovascular complications. Cardiovascular mortality is increased among patients with RA and represents the leading cause of death. Although the exact prevalence is debated, hypertension is increased in RA. Hypertension acts synergistically with chronic inflammation and accounts, at least partially, for the increased cardiovascular morbidity in this group of patients. Endothelial dysfunction is considered a primary process in the pathogenesis of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases and contributes significantly to the development and progression of the associated micro- and macrovascular complications. Even though several studies in patients with RA have shown the presence of endothelial dysfunction with traditional methods, novel biochemical and vascular methods for the evaluation of endothelial dysfunction have been scarcely applied. In addition, it remains unclear whether and to which extent endothelial dysfunction in RA is present regardless of concomitant hypertension, even in well-controlled patients. Hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and chronic systemic inflammation appear as a mutually reinforcing triad aggravating cardiovascular risk in patients with RA. Detection of endothelial dysfunction in patients with RA in the early stages further aiming at the development of novel therapeutic targets might contribute to prevention of cardiovascular complications and remains under investigation.

Renal nerve ablation for hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease.

Among current epidemics, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is accompanied with high morbidity and mortality rates inherently associated with the thriving comorbidities of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In this mutually reinforcing triad, adequate control of high blood pressure emerges as extremely important for decreasing patients' complication rates and prolonging life expectancy. However, hypertension control in this particular group of patients is often proven an arduous task, presenting high rates of resistance. Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) overactivity is implicated not only in the pathophysiological basis of difficult-to-treat hypertension, but also in the development and progression of renal disease, thus rendering SNS a prime therapeutic target in CKD. As renal nerve ablation (RNA) is finding its place among other invasive procedures in the cardiovascular arena, the potential therapeutic impact of this innovative treatment modality is gradually expanding from resistant hypertension to other high blood pressure-related clinical conditions like CKD. Encouraging results of clinical trials testing efficacy and safety of renal nerve ablation in resistant hypertensives provide the opportunity to apply the procedure in other subgroups of hypertensive patients. Available data regarding renal function of study participants suggest the safe implementation of RNA in patients with renal disease, but both unexplored benefits as well as potential hazards should be taken into account and critically evaluated. While renal denervation has been tested in selected cases of patients with renal disease, the results of large, multicenter trials evaluating the effects of this procedure on large cohorts of patients with CKD are eagerly anticipated.

Carotid baroreceptor stimulation: a promising approach for the management of resistant hypertension and heart failure.

Many difficult-to-treat clinical entities in the cardiovascular field are characterized by pronounced sympathetic overactivity, including resistant hypertension and heart failure, underlining the need to explore therapeutic options beyond pharmacotherapy. Autonomic modulation via carotid baroreceptor activation has already been evaluated in clinical trials for resistant hypertension, and relevant outcomes with regard to safety and efficacy of the technique are critically presented. The pathophysiological background of heart failure renders carotid baroreceptor stimulation a potential treatment candidate for the disease. Available data from animal models with heart failure point towards significant cardioprotective benefits of this innovative technique. Accordingly, the effects of baroreceptor activation treatment (BAT) on cardiac parameters of hypertensive patients are well-promising, setting the basis for upcoming clinical trials with baroreflex activation on patients with heart failure. However, as the potential therapeutic of BAT unfolds and new perspectives are highlighted, several concerns are raised that should be meticulously addressed before the wide application of this invasive procedure is set in the limelight.

Acute inflammatory arthritis in the elderly; Old flames, new sparks.

BACKGROUND: The overall world prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) ranges from 0.5-1.0%. The annual incidence of RA in most European countries ranges from roughly 0.4 to >2.5 per 1,000 adults, increasing with age. A significant proportion of newly diagnosed cases will evolve into true erosive RA. METHODS: The aim of this cohort study was to study the characteristics of new developing, acute (<1 year), rheumatoid arthritis in an elderly (>65 years) population; its presenting features, accompanying manifestations and laboratory findings. One hundred twenty eight patients (103♀, 25♂) who presented to the rheumatology outpatients clinic with new-onset RA were included in the study. 42.2% of the patients had pre-existing osteoarthritis. RESULTS: At presentation, 14.3% of the patients had systemic manifestations (fever, weight loss), 25.78% reported concomitant sicca symptomatology, and 50.9% were found to have abnormal haematological parameters (anemia and/or thrombocytosis). Clinical and laboratory parameters of the disease were analyzed and related to disease manifestations.. Haematological abnormalities were found to be associated both with increased inflammatory markers, as well as with increased titres of rheumatoid factor (RF), but not anti - cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies, in contrary to systemic manifestations which were not found to be related to the above mentioned parameters. CONCLUSIONS: As the global population is becoming older, physicians will be challenged with the recognition and treatment of these conditions and their particular features in an increasing number of geriatric patients; within the context of the specific characteristics and comorbidities of this age group. Hippokratia 2014; 18 (3): 231-233.

The impact of frequently encountered cardiovascular risk factors on sexual dysfunction in rheumatic disorders.

Traditional cardiovascular risk factors have been acknowledged as major contributors to sexual dysfunction in the general population. The purpose of this study was to explore their impact on sexual function in rheumatologic patients. A total of 557 consecutive rheumatologic patients, 449 females and 108 males, had their sexual function evaluated with the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire respectively. Personal data regarding presence of cardiovascular risk factors were collected and analysed in association with the FSFI and IIEF scores. Mean age of the participants was 54.1 ± 14.1 years, mean body mass index was 27.5 ± 5.29 and mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 130.5 ± 19.82 and 79.5 ± 10.51 mmHg respectively. Hypertension was present in 39% of the participants, diabetes mellitus in 10.2%, dyslipidaemia in 33.6% and history of cardiovascular events in 8.6%, whereas smoking was recorded by 28.4% and alcohol consumption by 7.4%. Sexual dysfunction affected 68.6% of our study population (73.5% of females and 48.1% of males, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age was the only factor associated with a significantly higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction (p < 0.001 for both genders, p = 0.013 in males and p < 0.001 in females). Increased age was identified as the only independent predictor of sexual dysfunction in our population. Apart from age, traditional cardiovascular risk factors failed to explain the increased prevalence of sexual dysfunction in these patients. Other contributing factors (physical and/or psychological) might account for the increased occurrence of sexual dysfunction in rheumatic disorders.