BACKGROUND Studies have demonstrated that patients who have experienced acute coronary syndrome(ACS)have an increased risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD)and experiencing worse survival outcomes than...BACKGROUND Studies have demonstrated that patients who have experienced acute coronary syndrome(ACS)have an increased risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD)and experiencing worse survival outcomes than those who do not develop PTSD.Nevertheless,the prevalence rates of PTSD following ACS vary widely across studies,and it is noteworthy that in most cases,the diagnosis of PTSD was based on self-report symptom questionnaires,rather than being established by psychiatrists.Additionally,the individual characteristics of patients who develop PTSD after ACS can differ widely,making it difficult to identify any consistent patterns or predictors of the disorder.AIM To investigate the prevalence of PTSD among a large sample of patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation(CR)after ACS,as well as their characteristics in comparison to a control group.METHODS The participants of this study are patients who have experienced ACS with or without undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and are enrolled in a 3-wk CR program at the largest CR center in Croatia,the Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation Krapinske Toplice.Patient recruitment for the study took place over the course of one year,from January 1,2022,to December 31,2022,with a total of 504 participants.The expected average follow-up period for patients included in the study is about 18 mo,and currently ongoing.Using self-assessment questionnaire for PTSD criteria and clinical psychiatric interview,a group of patients with a PTSD diagnosis was identified.From the participants who do not have a PTSD diagnosis,patients who would match those with a PTSD diagnosis in terms of relevant clinical and medical stratification variables and during the same rehabilitation period were selected to enable comparability of the two groups.RESULTS A total of 507 patients who were enrolled in the CR program were approached to participate in the study.Three patients declined to participate in the study.The screening PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version questionnaire was completed by 504 patients.Out of the total sample of 504 patients,74.2%were men(n=374)and 25.8%were women(n=130).The mean age of all participants was 56.7 years(55.8 for men and 59.1 for women).Among the 504 participants who completed the screening questionnaire,80 met the cutoff criteria for the PTSD and qualified for further evaluation(15.9%).All 80 patients agreed to a psychiatric interview.Among them,51 patients(10.1%)were diagnosed with clinical PTSD by a psychiatrist according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria.Among the variables analyzed,there was a noticeable difference in the percentage of theoretical maximum achieved on exercise testing between the PTSD and non-PTSD groups.Non-PTSD group achieved a significantly higher percentage of their maximum compared to the PTSD group(P=0.035).CONCLUSION The preliminary results of the study indicate that a significant proportion of patients with PTSD induced by ACS are not receiving adequate treatment.Furthermore,the data suggest that these patients may exhibit reduced physical activity levels,which could be one of the possible underlying mechanisms in observed poor cardiovascular outcomes in this population.Identifying cardiac biomarkers is crucial for identifying patients at risk of developing PTSD and may derive benefits from personalized interventions based on the principles of precision medicine in multidisciplinary CR programs.展开更多
There have recently appeared many reports dedicated to cerebral hemodynamics disorders in AD. However, certain specific aspects of cerebral blood flow and microcirculation during this disease are not fully understood....There have recently appeared many reports dedicated to cerebral hemodynamics disorders in AD. However, certain specific aspects of cerebral blood flow and microcirculation during this disease are not fully understood. This research focuses on the identification of particular features of cerebral angioarchitectonics and microcirculation at preclinical and clinical AD stages and on the determination of their importance in AD etiology and pathogenesis. 164 patients participated in the research: Test Group—81 patients with different AD stages;Control Group— 83 patients with etiologically different neurodegenerative brain lesions with manifestations of dementia and cognitive impairment but without AD. All patients underwent: assessment of cognitive function (MMSE), severity of dementia (CDR) and AD stages (TDR), laboratory examination, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brain scintigraphy (SG), rheoencephalography (REG) and cerebral multigated angiography (MUGA). All Test Group patients, irrespective of their AD stage, had abnormalities of the cerebral microcirculation manifested in dyscirculatory angiopathy of Alzheimer’s type (DAAT), namely: reduction of the capillary bed in the hippocampus and frontal-parietal regions;development of multiple arteriovenous shunts in the same regions;early venous dumping of arterial blood through these shunts with simultaneous filling of arteries and veins;development of abnormally enlarged lateral venous trunks that receive blood from the arterio-venous shunts;anomalous venous congestion at the border of frontal and parietal region;increased loop formation of distal intracranial arterial branches. Control group patients did not have combinations of such changes. These abnormalities are specific for AD and can affect amyloid beta metabolism contributing to its accumulation in the brain tissue and thereby stimulating AD progression.展开更多
Heart transplantation (HT) is an accepted treatment for end-stage heart failure (HF). Heart transplantation significantly increases survival, exercise capacity, quality of life and return to work in selected patients ...Heart transplantation (HT) is an accepted treatment for end-stage heart failure (HF). Heart transplantation significantly increases survival, exercise capacity, quality of life and return to work in selected patients with advanced heart failure compared with conventional treatment. The survival rates have improved with the use of new immunosuppressive drugs, with a median survival after transplantation of approximately 11 years. The shortage of donor hearts represents a major limitation in this field. In addition many are the consequences of the limited effectiveness and complications of immunosuppressive therapy (i.e. antibody-mediated rejection, infection, hypertension, renal failure, malignancy and coronary artery vasculopathy). In particular, chronic rejection may occur months to years after the transplantation and is referred to as cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). CAV occurs in 32% of the patients after 5 years and ensuing allograft failure from CAV eventually accounts for 30% of recipient deaths after transplantation. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy, involving coronary macro- and microcirculation, is caused by complicated interplay between immunologic and non-immunologic factors resulting in repetitive endothelial injury and localized sustained inflammatory response. Early diagnosis of microvascular dysfunction is substantial. In this review we analyze signs and symptoms of CAV presentation and the different methodologies to achieve an early and precise diagnosis. We will discuss invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tools and their specific role in evaluating graft’s function, morphology, the presence of coronary artery disease and possible microcirculation involvement.展开更多
Objective:To explore the effect of nicorandil on the coronary artery microcirculation and hemodynamics in patients with coronary slow flow (CSF).Methods: A total of 86 patients with CSF who were admitted in our hospit...Objective:To explore the effect of nicorandil on the coronary artery microcirculation and hemodynamics in patients with coronary slow flow (CSF).Methods: A total of 86 patients with CSF who were admitted in our hospital were included in the study and randomized into the treatment group and the control group with 43 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were given aspirin, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, and ACEI. On this basis, the patients in the treatment group were given nicorandil. The patients in the two groups were continuously treated for 6 months. The coronary artery microcirculation and hemodynamic indicators before and after treatment in the two groups were detected and compared.Results:TAT, ET-1, and hs-CRP levels, LAD, LCX, RCA, TIMI average blood flow frame count value, and IMR after treatment in the two groups were significantly reduced when compared with before treatment (P<0.05). The above indicators after treatment in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). FMD after treatment in the two groups was significantly elevated when compared with before treatment (P<0.05). FMD after treatment in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Nicorandil in the treatment of CSF can effectively improve the coronary artery microcirculation and hemodynamics, with a significant efficacy.展开更多
Objective To investigate the occurrence of nocturnal myocardial ischemia and its relationship with sleep-disordered breathing (apneas and oxygen desaturations) in patients with angina pectoris undergoing coronary angi...Objective To investigate the occurrence of nocturnal myocardial ischemia and its relationship with sleep-disordered breathing (apneas and oxygen desaturations) in patients with angina pectoris undergoing coronary angiography.Methods Eighty-two men and 14 women referred for consideration of coronary intervention were randomly selected. Observation by an overnight sleep monitor and Holter recording were performed to study sleep-disordered breathing (oxyhemoglobin desaturations≥4％ and apnea-hypopneas),heart rates, and ST-segment depressions (≥ 1mm, ≥1 min).Results Nocturnal ST-segment depressions occurred in 37 ％ of the patients. ST-segment depression within 2 min after an apnea-hypopnea or desaturation occurred in 17％ of the patients. This temporal association was seen in 21％ of the patients with nocturnal ST-segment depressions, more frequently in men (P＜0.05) and more frequently in those with severe disordered breathing (P＜0.05).Most of these ST-segment depressions were preceded by a series of breathing events: repeated apnea-hypopneas or desaturations or both in 73％ of the patients. Conclusions Episodes of nocturnal myocardial ischemia are common in patients with angina pectoris. A temporal relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and myocardial ischemia was present in some of our patients, and occurs more frequently in men and in those with severely disordered breathing. (J Geriatr Cardiol 2004;1(2):90-94.)展开更多
BACKGROUND Studies have shown that sleep disorders are closely related to anxiety and depression,and the quality of life(QoL)of patients with sleep disorders is generally poor.AIM To examine the occurrence of sleep di...BACKGROUND Studies have shown that sleep disorders are closely related to anxiety and depression,and the quality of life(QoL)of patients with sleep disorders is generally poor.AIM To examine the occurrence of sleep disorders in people with coronary heart disease(CHD)and their relationships with QoL,depression,and anxiety.METHODS As per the sleep condition,240 CHD individuals were separated into two groups:non-sleep disorder group(n=128)and sleep disorder group(n=112).The selfrating anxiety scale(SAS),self-rating depression scale(SDS),and World Health Organization criteria for the Quality of Life Brief scale(WHOQOL-BREF)scores of the two groups were compared.Logistic regression method was used to analyze the independent risk factors of CHD patients with sleep disorders.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to develop the risk prediction model.The association among the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index,SAS,and SDS was examined using Spearman’s correlation analysis.RESULTS The incidence of sleep disorder was 46.67%in 240 patients.The scores of SAS and SDS in the sleep disorder group were higher than those in the non-sleep disorder group,and the WHOQOL-BREF scores were lower than those in the non-sleep disorder group(P<0.05).The risk prediction model of sleep disturbances in CHD patients was constructed using the outcomes of multivariate logistic regression analysis,P=1/[1+e(-2.160+0.989×(female)+0.001×(new rural cooperative medical insurance)+2.219×(anxiety)+2.157×depression)].The results of a Spearman’s correlation study revealed that sleep quality was strongly adversely connected with the physiological field,psychological field,and social relation scores in QoL,and was considerably positively correlated with SAS and SDS(P<0.05).CONCLUSION A multivariate logistic regression model can better predict the occurrence of sleep disorders in CHD patients.Sleep disorders in CHD patients are significantly correlated with QoL,depression,and anxiety.展开更多
The exploration of coronary microcirculatory dysfunction in diabetes has accelerated in recent years.Cardiac function is compromised in diabetes.Diabetic patients manifest accelerated atherosclerosis in coronary arter...The exploration of coronary microcirculatory dysfunction in diabetes has accelerated in recent years.Cardiac function is compromised in diabetes.Diabetic patients manifest accelerated atherosclerosis in coronary arteries.These data are confirmed in diabetic animal mod-els,where lesions of small coronary arteries have been described.These concepts are epitomized in the classic microvascular complications of diabetes,i.e.blindness,kidney failure and distal dry gangrene.Most importantly,accumulating data indicate that insights gained from the link between inflammation and diabetes can yield predictive and prognostic information of considerable clinical utility.This review summarizes the evidence for the predisposing factors and the mechanisms involved in diabetes,and assesses the current state of knowledge regarding the triggers for inflammation in this disease.We evaluate the roles of hyperglycemia,oxidative stress,polyol pathway,protein kinase C,advanced glycation end products,insulin resistance,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ,inflammation,and diabetic cardiomyopathy as a "stem cell disease".Furthermore,we discuss the mechanisms responsible for impaired coronary arteriole function.Finally,we consider how new insights in diabetes may provide innovative therapeutic strategies.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Studies have demonstrated that patients who have experienced acute coronary syndrome(ACS)have an increased risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD)and experiencing worse survival outcomes than those who do not develop PTSD.Nevertheless,the prevalence rates of PTSD following ACS vary widely across studies,and it is noteworthy that in most cases,the diagnosis of PTSD was based on self-report symptom questionnaires,rather than being established by psychiatrists.Additionally,the individual characteristics of patients who develop PTSD after ACS can differ widely,making it difficult to identify any consistent patterns or predictors of the disorder.AIM To investigate the prevalence of PTSD among a large sample of patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation(CR)after ACS,as well as their characteristics in comparison to a control group.METHODS The participants of this study are patients who have experienced ACS with or without undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and are enrolled in a 3-wk CR program at the largest CR center in Croatia,the Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation Krapinske Toplice.Patient recruitment for the study took place over the course of one year,from January 1,2022,to December 31,2022,with a total of 504 participants.The expected average follow-up period for patients included in the study is about 18 mo,and currently ongoing.Using self-assessment questionnaire for PTSD criteria and clinical psychiatric interview,a group of patients with a PTSD diagnosis was identified.From the participants who do not have a PTSD diagnosis,patients who would match those with a PTSD diagnosis in terms of relevant clinical and medical stratification variables and during the same rehabilitation period were selected to enable comparability of the two groups.RESULTS A total of 507 patients who were enrolled in the CR program were approached to participate in the study.Three patients declined to participate in the study.The screening PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version questionnaire was completed by 504 patients.Out of the total sample of 504 patients,74.2%were men(n=374)and 25.8%were women(n=130).The mean age of all participants was 56.7 years(55.8 for men and 59.1 for women).Among the 504 participants who completed the screening questionnaire,80 met the cutoff criteria for the PTSD and qualified for further evaluation(15.9%).All 80 patients agreed to a psychiatric interview.Among them,51 patients(10.1%)were diagnosed with clinical PTSD by a psychiatrist according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria.Among the variables analyzed,there was a noticeable difference in the percentage of theoretical maximum achieved on exercise testing between the PTSD and non-PTSD groups.Non-PTSD group achieved a significantly higher percentage of their maximum compared to the PTSD group(P=0.035).CONCLUSION The preliminary results of the study indicate that a significant proportion of patients with PTSD induced by ACS are not receiving adequate treatment.Furthermore,the data suggest that these patients may exhibit reduced physical activity levels,which could be one of the possible underlying mechanisms in observed poor cardiovascular outcomes in this population.Identifying cardiac biomarkers is crucial for identifying patients at risk of developing PTSD and may derive benefits from personalized interventions based on the principles of precision medicine in multidisciplinary CR programs.
文摘There have recently appeared many reports dedicated to cerebral hemodynamics disorders in AD. However, certain specific aspects of cerebral blood flow and microcirculation during this disease are not fully understood. This research focuses on the identification of particular features of cerebral angioarchitectonics and microcirculation at preclinical and clinical AD stages and on the determination of their importance in AD etiology and pathogenesis. 164 patients participated in the research: Test Group—81 patients with different AD stages;Control Group— 83 patients with etiologically different neurodegenerative brain lesions with manifestations of dementia and cognitive impairment but without AD. All patients underwent: assessment of cognitive function (MMSE), severity of dementia (CDR) and AD stages (TDR), laboratory examination, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brain scintigraphy (SG), rheoencephalography (REG) and cerebral multigated angiography (MUGA). All Test Group patients, irrespective of their AD stage, had abnormalities of the cerebral microcirculation manifested in dyscirculatory angiopathy of Alzheimer’s type (DAAT), namely: reduction of the capillary bed in the hippocampus and frontal-parietal regions;development of multiple arteriovenous shunts in the same regions;early venous dumping of arterial blood through these shunts with simultaneous filling of arteries and veins;development of abnormally enlarged lateral venous trunks that receive blood from the arterio-venous shunts;anomalous venous congestion at the border of frontal and parietal region;increased loop formation of distal intracranial arterial branches. Control group patients did not have combinations of such changes. These abnormalities are specific for AD and can affect amyloid beta metabolism contributing to its accumulation in the brain tissue and thereby stimulating AD progression.
文摘Heart transplantation (HT) is an accepted treatment for end-stage heart failure (HF). Heart transplantation significantly increases survival, exercise capacity, quality of life and return to work in selected patients with advanced heart failure compared with conventional treatment. The survival rates have improved with the use of new immunosuppressive drugs, with a median survival after transplantation of approximately 11 years. The shortage of donor hearts represents a major limitation in this field. In addition many are the consequences of the limited effectiveness and complications of immunosuppressive therapy (i.e. antibody-mediated rejection, infection, hypertension, renal failure, malignancy and coronary artery vasculopathy). In particular, chronic rejection may occur months to years after the transplantation and is referred to as cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). CAV occurs in 32% of the patients after 5 years and ensuing allograft failure from CAV eventually accounts for 30% of recipient deaths after transplantation. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy, involving coronary macro- and microcirculation, is caused by complicated interplay between immunologic and non-immunologic factors resulting in repetitive endothelial injury and localized sustained inflammatory response. Early diagnosis of microvascular dysfunction is substantial. In this review we analyze signs and symptoms of CAV presentation and the different methodologies to achieve an early and precise diagnosis. We will discuss invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tools and their specific role in evaluating graft’s function, morphology, the presence of coronary artery disease and possible microcirculation involvement.
文摘Objective:To explore the effect of nicorandil on the coronary artery microcirculation and hemodynamics in patients with coronary slow flow (CSF).Methods: A total of 86 patients with CSF who were admitted in our hospital were included in the study and randomized into the treatment group and the control group with 43 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were given aspirin, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, and ACEI. On this basis, the patients in the treatment group were given nicorandil. The patients in the two groups were continuously treated for 6 months. The coronary artery microcirculation and hemodynamic indicators before and after treatment in the two groups were detected and compared.Results:TAT, ET-1, and hs-CRP levels, LAD, LCX, RCA, TIMI average blood flow frame count value, and IMR after treatment in the two groups were significantly reduced when compared with before treatment (P<0.05). The above indicators after treatment in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). FMD after treatment in the two groups was significantly elevated when compared with before treatment (P<0.05). FMD after treatment in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Nicorandil in the treatment of CSF can effectively improve the coronary artery microcirculation and hemodynamics, with a significant efficacy.
文摘Objective To investigate the occurrence of nocturnal myocardial ischemia and its relationship with sleep-disordered breathing (apneas and oxygen desaturations) in patients with angina pectoris undergoing coronary angiography.Methods Eighty-two men and 14 women referred for consideration of coronary intervention were randomly selected. Observation by an overnight sleep monitor and Holter recording were performed to study sleep-disordered breathing (oxyhemoglobin desaturations≥4％ and apnea-hypopneas),heart rates, and ST-segment depressions (≥ 1mm, ≥1 min).Results Nocturnal ST-segment depressions occurred in 37 ％ of the patients. ST-segment depression within 2 min after an apnea-hypopnea or desaturation occurred in 17％ of the patients. This temporal association was seen in 21％ of the patients with nocturnal ST-segment depressions, more frequently in men (P＜0.05) and more frequently in those with severe disordered breathing (P＜0.05).Most of these ST-segment depressions were preceded by a series of breathing events: repeated apnea-hypopneas or desaturations or both in 73％ of the patients. Conclusions Episodes of nocturnal myocardial ischemia are common in patients with angina pectoris. A temporal relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and myocardial ischemia was present in some of our patients, and occurs more frequently in men and in those with severely disordered breathing. (J Geriatr Cardiol 2004;1(2):90-94.)
基金Supported by Scientific Research Program on Chinese Medicine,No.2023460.
文摘BACKGROUND Studies have shown that sleep disorders are closely related to anxiety and depression,and the quality of life(QoL)of patients with sleep disorders is generally poor.AIM To examine the occurrence of sleep disorders in people with coronary heart disease(CHD)and their relationships with QoL,depression,and anxiety.METHODS As per the sleep condition,240 CHD individuals were separated into two groups:non-sleep disorder group(n=128)and sleep disorder group(n=112).The selfrating anxiety scale(SAS),self-rating depression scale(SDS),and World Health Organization criteria for the Quality of Life Brief scale(WHOQOL-BREF)scores of the two groups were compared.Logistic regression method was used to analyze the independent risk factors of CHD patients with sleep disorders.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to develop the risk prediction model.The association among the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index,SAS,and SDS was examined using Spearman’s correlation analysis.RESULTS The incidence of sleep disorder was 46.67%in 240 patients.The scores of SAS and SDS in the sleep disorder group were higher than those in the non-sleep disorder group,and the WHOQOL-BREF scores were lower than those in the non-sleep disorder group(P<0.05).The risk prediction model of sleep disturbances in CHD patients was constructed using the outcomes of multivariate logistic regression analysis,P=1/[1+e(-2.160+0.989×(female)+0.001×(new rural cooperative medical insurance)+2.219×(anxiety)+2.157×depression)].The results of a Spearman’s correlation study revealed that sleep quality was strongly adversely connected with the physiological field,psychological field,and social relation scores in QoL,and was considerably positively correlated with SAS and SDS(P<0.05).CONCLUSION A multivariate logistic regression model can better predict the occurrence of sleep disorders in CHD patients.Sleep disorders in CHD patients are significantly correlated with QoL,depression,and anxiety.
基金Supported by Grants from Pfizer Atorvastatin Research Award,No. 2004-37American Heart Association SDG,No. 110350047ANIH Grants,No. RO1 HL077566 and RO1 HL085119 to Zhang C
文摘The exploration of coronary microcirculatory dysfunction in diabetes has accelerated in recent years.Cardiac function is compromised in diabetes.Diabetic patients manifest accelerated atherosclerosis in coronary arteries.These data are confirmed in diabetic animal mod-els,where lesions of small coronary arteries have been described.These concepts are epitomized in the classic microvascular complications of diabetes,i.e.blindness,kidney failure and distal dry gangrene.Most importantly,accumulating data indicate that insights gained from the link between inflammation and diabetes can yield predictive and prognostic information of considerable clinical utility.This review summarizes the evidence for the predisposing factors and the mechanisms involved in diabetes,and assesses the current state of knowledge regarding the triggers for inflammation in this disease.We evaluate the roles of hyperglycemia,oxidative stress,polyol pathway,protein kinase C,advanced glycation end products,insulin resistance,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ,inflammation,and diabetic cardiomyopathy as a "stem cell disease".Furthermore,we discuss the mechanisms responsible for impaired coronary arteriole function.Finally,we consider how new insights in diabetes may provide innovative therapeutic strategies.
