Peripheral artery disease patients are poorly aware of their disease.

Objectives. We hypothesized, that patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are less aware of risk factors and possible outcomes of the disease compared to patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), which are similar. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate awareness of and attitudes towards PAD and CAD among patients, who are already diagnosed with either disease. Design. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. Basic demographics, the presence and awareness of risk factors for PAD and CAD; perceived systemic and limb consequences, severity of PAD and CAD, self-reported knowledge about other non-vascular illnesses were assessed using an anonymous questionnaire. Results. 203 were invited and 157 (77%), 63 with PAD and 94 with CAD, patients agreed to take part in and completed the survey. Basic demographic characteristics were similar in both groups, except for the level of education: PAD patients were less educated compared to CAD patients (p = .002). Only 35% of PAD patients were familiar with the definition of PAD (key words were registered) in contrast to 52% CAD definition awareness among CAD patients (p = .034). PAD patients were significantly less familiar with other common diseases (p = .002) and risk factors for both PAD (p < .001) and CAD (p = .003) in comparison to equivalent CAD group parameters. Conclusions. PAD patients are less aware of risk factors for PAD and atherosclerosis in general, other illnesses and have lower level of education, which may negatively affect overall management of this complex disease.

Arterial function parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome and severe hypertriglyceridemia.

BACKGROUND: Hypertriglyceridemia (hTG) is 1 of the dyslipidemia manifestations in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, for several decades, the role of hTG in cardiovascular risk was not well established. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the parameters of the vascular structure and function in patients with MetS and different degree of hTG. METHODS: Patients (aged 40-65 years) with MetS were divided into 3 groups by triglyceride (TG) levels according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines: severe hTG (TG ≥ 500 mg/dL), moderate hTG (TG 200-499 mg/dL), and a control (TG < 150 mg/dL) groups. Noninvasive assessment of vascular parameters (aortic augmentation index adjusted for heart rate 75 bpm [AixHR75], pulse wave velocity [PWV], flow-mediated dilatation, and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT)) were performed. RESULTS: Among the 1938 patients analyzed, 1041 had hTG. Moderate hTG was observed in 90.40% (n = 941), whereas severe TG was observed in 9.6% (n = 100) of patients. Overall TG concentration was 231.17 ± 184.23 mg/dL; in severe hTG group, TG concentration was 795.36 ± 368.45 mg/dL, in moderate hTG group 285.20 ± 70.86 mg/dL, and 112.48 ± 24.80 mg/dL in control group. AIxHR75 and IMT were the lowest in the severe hTG group (P < .001 for both). Mean arterial pressure, carotid-radial PWV (9.25 ± 1.13 vs 9.24 ± 1.28 vs 8.91 ± 1.28; P < .001) as well as carotid-femoral PWV (8.63 ± 1.65 vs 8.75 ± 1.58 vs 8.51 ± 1.6; P = .006) were the higher in hTG groups compared with control. There were no significant differences between groups in flow-mediated dilatation (3.39 ± 2.01 vs 3.26 ± 2.43 vs 3.45 ± 2.61, P = .283). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MetS and severe hTG have lower IMT and AIxHR75 and higher PWV and mean arterial pressure. Many factors could affect arterial parameters, and more research are needed to investigate arterial parameters and hTG connection.