2011 Vol. 8, No. 4
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2011, 8(4): 201-206.
doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1263.2011.00201
Abstract:
Background Partial androgen deficiency syndrome in the aging male is associated with signs of aging such as a development of abdominal obesity, sexual dysfunction, increase body fat, weight gain and the development of cardiac disease. Objective We assessed the outcome of a commercially available physician supervised nutrition and exercise program with concomitant testosterone replacement therapy in middle age obese men with partial androgen deficiency in order to reduce cardiac risks factors. Methods Fifty-six self referred men without diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease (ages 52.3 ± 7.8 years) were randomly selected from a large cohort. Baseline weight, body fat composition, fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c and fasting lipid levels, as well as free and total testosterone levels were assessed. All patients were assessed and followed 6–18 months after initiation of the program. The program consisted of a low glycemic load balanced nutrition diet, a recommended structured daily exercise program of 30–60 minutes, as well as once to twice weekly intramuscular testosterone injections (113.0 ± 27.8 mg). Results At follow up, weight was reduced from 233.9 ± 30.0 pounds (lbs) to 221.3 ± 25.1 lbs (P 2 to 31.3 ± 2.8 kg/m2 (P vs. 34.3% ± 5.7% at baseline (P P P Conclusions Testosterone replacement therapy in middle aged obese men with partial androgen deficiency appeared safe and might have promoted the effects of a weight reduction diet and daily exercise program as long as an adequate physician supervision and follow up was granted. The combination therapy significantly reduced coronary risk factors such as glucose intolerance and hyperlipidemia.
Background Partial androgen deficiency syndrome in the aging male is associated with signs of aging such as a development of abdominal obesity, sexual dysfunction, increase body fat, weight gain and the development of cardiac disease. Objective We assessed the outcome of a commercially available physician supervised nutrition and exercise program with concomitant testosterone replacement therapy in middle age obese men with partial androgen deficiency in order to reduce cardiac risks factors. Methods Fifty-six self referred men without diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease (ages 52.3 ± 7.8 years) were randomly selected from a large cohort. Baseline weight, body fat composition, fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c and fasting lipid levels, as well as free and total testosterone levels were assessed. All patients were assessed and followed 6–18 months after initiation of the program. The program consisted of a low glycemic load balanced nutrition diet, a recommended structured daily exercise program of 30–60 minutes, as well as once to twice weekly intramuscular testosterone injections (113.0 ± 27.8 mg). Results At follow up, weight was reduced from 233.9 ± 30.0 pounds (lbs) to 221.3 ± 25.1 lbs (P 2 to 31.3 ± 2.8 kg/m2 (P vs. 34.3% ± 5.7% at baseline (P P P Conclusions Testosterone replacement therapy in middle aged obese men with partial androgen deficiency appeared safe and might have promoted the effects of a weight reduction diet and daily exercise program as long as an adequate physician supervision and follow up was granted. The combination therapy significantly reduced coronary risk factors such as glucose intolerance and hyperlipidemia.
2011, 8(4): 207-214.
doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1263.2011.00207
Abstract:
Background Triple therapy (TT) with vitamin K-antagonists (VKA), aspirin and clopidogrel is the recommended antithrombotic treatment following percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation (PCI-S) in patients with an indication for oral anticoagulation. TT is associated with an increased risk of bleeding, but available evidence is flawed by important limitations, including the limited size and the retrospective design of most of the studies, as well as the rare reporting of the incidence of in-hospital bleeding and the treatment which was actually ongoing at the time of bleeding. Since the perceived high bleeding risk of TT may deny patients effective strategies, the determination of the true safety profile of TT is of paramount importance. Methods All the 27 published studies where the incidence of bleeding at various time points during follow-up has been reported separately for patients on TT were reviewed, and the weakness of the data was analyzed. Results The absolute incidence of major bleeding upon discharge at in-hospital, ≤ 1 month, 6 months, 12 months and ≥ 12 months was: 3.3% ± 1.9%, 5.1% ± 6.7%, 8.0% ± 5.2%, 9.0% ± 8.0, and 6.2% ± 7.8%, respectively, and not substantially different from that observed in previous studies with prolonged dual antiplatelet treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel. Conclusions While waiting for the ongoing, large-scale, registries and clinical trials to clarify the few facts and to answer the many questions regarding the risk of bleeding of TT, this treatment should not be denied to patients with an indication for VKA undergoing PCI-S provided that the proper measures and cautions are implemented.
Background Triple therapy (TT) with vitamin K-antagonists (VKA), aspirin and clopidogrel is the recommended antithrombotic treatment following percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation (PCI-S) in patients with an indication for oral anticoagulation. TT is associated with an increased risk of bleeding, but available evidence is flawed by important limitations, including the limited size and the retrospective design of most of the studies, as well as the rare reporting of the incidence of in-hospital bleeding and the treatment which was actually ongoing at the time of bleeding. Since the perceived high bleeding risk of TT may deny patients effective strategies, the determination of the true safety profile of TT is of paramount importance. Methods All the 27 published studies where the incidence of bleeding at various time points during follow-up has been reported separately for patients on TT were reviewed, and the weakness of the data was analyzed. Results The absolute incidence of major bleeding upon discharge at in-hospital, ≤ 1 month, 6 months, 12 months and ≥ 12 months was: 3.3% ± 1.9%, 5.1% ± 6.7%, 8.0% ± 5.2%, 9.0% ± 8.0, and 6.2% ± 7.8%, respectively, and not substantially different from that observed in previous studies with prolonged dual antiplatelet treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel. Conclusions While waiting for the ongoing, large-scale, registries and clinical trials to clarify the few facts and to answer the many questions regarding the risk of bleeding of TT, this treatment should not be denied to patients with an indication for VKA undergoing PCI-S provided that the proper measures and cautions are implemented.
2011, 8(4): 215-223.
doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1263.2011.00215
Abstract:
Objective To examine if the skin microvascular bed is altered and can be modified by enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) in patients with chronic refractory angina. Methods Twenty patients diagnosed with refractory angina were divided into EECP (n = 10) or no EECP (n = 10) groups. The data were compared to matched healthy subjects (n = 20). The cutaneous forearm microvascular blood flow was measured by Laser-Doppler flowmetry. The vascular responsiveness to iontophoretic administration of acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and local skin warming were studied. Measurements of Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS)-class, blood pressure and plasma samples were registered. Results EECP patients showed reduced CCS-class compared to no EECP (P P P P Conclusions Refractory angina patients have reduced responsiveness in their cutaneous microcirculation to ACh, SNP and heat compared to healthy subjects. Although EECP reduced the CCS-class, this effect was not associated with improvements in responsiveness of the cutaneous microcirculation.
Objective To examine if the skin microvascular bed is altered and can be modified by enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) in patients with chronic refractory angina. Methods Twenty patients diagnosed with refractory angina were divided into EECP (n = 10) or no EECP (n = 10) groups. The data were compared to matched healthy subjects (n = 20). The cutaneous forearm microvascular blood flow was measured by Laser-Doppler flowmetry. The vascular responsiveness to iontophoretic administration of acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and local skin warming were studied. Measurements of Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS)-class, blood pressure and plasma samples were registered. Results EECP patients showed reduced CCS-class compared to no EECP (P P P P Conclusions Refractory angina patients have reduced responsiveness in their cutaneous microcirculation to ACh, SNP and heat compared to healthy subjects. Although EECP reduced the CCS-class, this effect was not associated with improvements in responsiveness of the cutaneous microcirculation.
2011, 8(4): 224-229.
doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1263.2011.00224
Abstract:
Objective To evaluate the potential value of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging in the diagnosis of aortic intramural hematoma (AIH). Methods From September 2002 to May 2005, a consecutive series of 15 patients with suspected aortic dissection (AD) underwent both IVUS imaging and spiral computed tomography (CT). Six patients diagnosed as acute type B AIH by CT or IVUS composed the present study group. Results The study group consisted of five males and one female with mean age of 66 years old. All of them had chest or back pain. In one patient, CT omitted a localized AIH and an associated penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU), which were detected by IVUS. In another patient, CT mistaken a partly thrombosed false lumen as an AIH, whereas IVUS detected a subtle intimal tear and slow moving blood in the false lumen. In the four rest patients, both CT and IVUS made the diagnosis of AIH, however, IVUS detected three PAUs in three of them, only one of them was also detected by CT, and two of them escaped initial CT and were confirmed by follow up CT or magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions IVUS imaging is a safe examination and has high accuracy in the diagnosis of AIH, particularly for diagnosing localized AIH, distinguishing AIH with thrombosed classic AD and detecting accompanied small PAUs.
Objective To evaluate the potential value of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging in the diagnosis of aortic intramural hematoma (AIH). Methods From September 2002 to May 2005, a consecutive series of 15 patients with suspected aortic dissection (AD) underwent both IVUS imaging and spiral computed tomography (CT). Six patients diagnosed as acute type B AIH by CT or IVUS composed the present study group. Results The study group consisted of five males and one female with mean age of 66 years old. All of them had chest or back pain. In one patient, CT omitted a localized AIH and an associated penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU), which were detected by IVUS. In another patient, CT mistaken a partly thrombosed false lumen as an AIH, whereas IVUS detected a subtle intimal tear and slow moving blood in the false lumen. In the four rest patients, both CT and IVUS made the diagnosis of AIH, however, IVUS detected three PAUs in three of them, only one of them was also detected by CT, and two of them escaped initial CT and were confirmed by follow up CT or magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions IVUS imaging is a safe examination and has high accuracy in the diagnosis of AIH, particularly for diagnosing localized AIH, distinguishing AIH with thrombosed classic AD and detecting accompanied small PAUs.
2011, 8(4): 230-242.
doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1263.2011.00230
Abstract:
The nation’s aging population is growing rapidly. By 2030, the number of adults age 65 and older will nearly double to 70 million. Americans are living longer and older adults can now live for many years with multiple chronic illnesses but with a substantial cost to health care. Twenty percent of the Medicare population has at least five chronic conditions i.e., hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, etc. Studies in experimental models and even humans reveal that constitutive production of nitric oxide (NO) is reduced with aging and this circumstance may be relevant to a number of diseases that plague the aging population. NO is a multifunctional signaling molecule, intricately involved with maintaining a host of physiological processes including, but not limited to, host defense, neuronal communication and the regulation of vascular tone. NO is one of the most important signaling molecules in our body, and loss of NO function is one of the earliest indicators or markers of disease. Clinical studies provide evidence that insufficient NO production is associated with all major cardiovascular risk factors, such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and severity of atherosclerosis, and also has a profound predictive value for disease progression including cardiovascular and Alzheimers disease. Thirty plus years after its discovery and over 13 years since a Nobel Prize was awarded for its discovery, there have been no hallmark therapeutic breakthroughs or even NO based diagnostics. We will review the current state of the science surrounding NO in the etiology of a number of different diseases in the geriatric patient. From these observations, it can be concluded that enzymatic production of NO declines steadily with increasing age in healthy human subjects. Implementing strategies to diagnose and treat NO insufficiency may provide enormous benefit to the geriatric patient.
The nation’s aging population is growing rapidly. By 2030, the number of adults age 65 and older will nearly double to 70 million. Americans are living longer and older adults can now live for many years with multiple chronic illnesses but with a substantial cost to health care. Twenty percent of the Medicare population has at least five chronic conditions i.e., hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, etc. Studies in experimental models and even humans reveal that constitutive production of nitric oxide (NO) is reduced with aging and this circumstance may be relevant to a number of diseases that plague the aging population. NO is a multifunctional signaling molecule, intricately involved with maintaining a host of physiological processes including, but not limited to, host defense, neuronal communication and the regulation of vascular tone. NO is one of the most important signaling molecules in our body, and loss of NO function is one of the earliest indicators or markers of disease. Clinical studies provide evidence that insufficient NO production is associated with all major cardiovascular risk factors, such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and severity of atherosclerosis, and also has a profound predictive value for disease progression including cardiovascular and Alzheimers disease. Thirty plus years after its discovery and over 13 years since a Nobel Prize was awarded for its discovery, there have been no hallmark therapeutic breakthroughs or even NO based diagnostics. We will review the current state of the science surrounding NO in the etiology of a number of different diseases in the geriatric patient. From these observations, it can be concluded that enzymatic production of NO declines steadily with increasing age in healthy human subjects. Implementing strategies to diagnose and treat NO insufficiency may provide enormous benefit to the geriatric patient.
2011, 8(4): 243-253.
doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1263.2011.00243
Abstract:
Psychotropic drugs can produce cardiovascular side effects associated with a degree of cardiotoxicity. The coexistence of a heart disease complicates the management of mental illness, can contribute to a reduced quality of life and a worse illness course. The co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders in cardiac patients might affect the clinical outcome and morbidity. Moreover, the complex underlying mechanism that links these two conditions remains unclear. This paper discusses the known cardiovascular complications of psychotropic drugs and analyzes the important implications of antidepressive treatment in patients with previous cardiac history.
Psychotropic drugs can produce cardiovascular side effects associated with a degree of cardiotoxicity. The coexistence of a heart disease complicates the management of mental illness, can contribute to a reduced quality of life and a worse illness course. The co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders in cardiac patients might affect the clinical outcome and morbidity. Moreover, the complex underlying mechanism that links these two conditions remains unclear. This paper discusses the known cardiovascular complications of psychotropic drugs and analyzes the important implications of antidepressive treatment in patients with previous cardiac history.
2011, 8(4): 254-257.
doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1263.2011.00254
Abstract:
The Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a systemic connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene. Recent molecular studies, most performed in mouse models, revealed that the MFS is more a developmental abnormality with broad and complex effects on the morphogenesis and function of multiple organ systems. FBN1 haploinsufficiency and dysregulated transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-?) signaling seem to be critical for clinical manifestations in MFS including aortic root dilatation. Aortic root aneurysm and aortic dissection represent the main causes of morbidity and mortality in MFS. Most importantly, TGF-? antagonism through angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs), for example losartan, has been shown to prevent and possibly reverse aortic root dilatation in a mouse model of MFS. A first human study on a small pediatric cohort confirmed those promising results in reducing the aortic root growth over a follow-up period of 12 to 47 months. So, a large multicenter trial has been set up and results should be available soon. Other therapeutic strategies which might be combined with losartan include traditional ?-blockade, doxycyclin and statins. Such management could offer the first potential for primary prevention of clinical manifestations in MFS.
The Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a systemic connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene. Recent molecular studies, most performed in mouse models, revealed that the MFS is more a developmental abnormality with broad and complex effects on the morphogenesis and function of multiple organ systems. FBN1 haploinsufficiency and dysregulated transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-?) signaling seem to be critical for clinical manifestations in MFS including aortic root dilatation. Aortic root aneurysm and aortic dissection represent the main causes of morbidity and mortality in MFS. Most importantly, TGF-? antagonism through angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs), for example losartan, has been shown to prevent and possibly reverse aortic root dilatation in a mouse model of MFS. A first human study on a small pediatric cohort confirmed those promising results in reducing the aortic root growth over a follow-up period of 12 to 47 months. So, a large multicenter trial has been set up and results should be available soon. Other therapeutic strategies which might be combined with losartan include traditional ?-blockade, doxycyclin and statins. Such management could offer the first potential for primary prevention of clinical manifestations in MFS.
2011, 8(4): 258-259.
doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1263.2011.00258
Abstract:
Hyperthyroidism is associated with many heart diseases. Thyrotoxic state has a relationship with coronary spasm. We present a case of a non-menopausal woman with hyperthyroidism who complained of chest pain. The diagnosis of coronary spasm was confirmed by coronary angiography (CAG). She is treated well with anti-thyrotoxicosis and anti-anginal medication. We recommend not use CAG as the first diagnostic choice among the patients with medication-uncontrolled hyperthyroidism and chest pain.
Hyperthyroidism is associated with many heart diseases. Thyrotoxic state has a relationship with coronary spasm. We present a case of a non-menopausal woman with hyperthyroidism who complained of chest pain. The diagnosis of coronary spasm was confirmed by coronary angiography (CAG). She is treated well with anti-thyrotoxicosis and anti-anginal medication. We recommend not use CAG as the first diagnostic choice among the patients with medication-uncontrolled hyperthyroidism and chest pain.
2011, 8(4): 260-262.
doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1263.2011.00260
Abstract:
