Assessment of blood pressure in patients with hypertension aged 60-79 years before and after the publication of the 2014 Eighth Joint National Committee report
Conclusions: Over 1 year at an academic health system, new recommendations from the JNC 8 did not affect mean BP or number of antihypertensives in older patients with hypertension. A similar investigation after more time or in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension may help determine the full impact. (Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease)
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - April 6, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Fixen, C. W., Saseen, J. J., Vande Griend, J. P., Linnebur, S. A. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Comparative impact of implementing the 2013 or 2014 cholesterol guideline on vascular events in a quality improvement network
Conclusions: The 2013 guideline is projected to prevent more clinical ASCVD events and with lower NNTs than the 2014 guideline, yet both have substantial benefit. The 2013 guideline is also expected to generate more adverse events, but the risk-benefit profile appears favor . (Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease)
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - April 6, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Egan, B. M., Sutherland, S. E., Childers, W. F., Dahlheimer, R. M., Helmrich, G. A., Lapeyrolerie, D. A., Markle, N., Murphy, D. W., Simmons, L., Davis, R. A., Tilkemeier, P., Sinopoli, A. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Factor Xa inhibitors: a novel therapeutic class for the treatment of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cause of stroke. Treatment with anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation reduces embolic complications of the disease including stroke. However, the commonly used anticoagulant has a narrow therapeutic index, requires routine monitoring, and has numerous drug and food interactions leading to less than optimal rates of adherence. Inhibition of clotting factor Xa has been evaluated as a potential target for anticoagulation therapy with the hypothesis that using target-specific therapy will alleviate some of the dosing variability observed with the vitamin K antagonist. Three ...
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - January 4, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: McCarty, D., Robinson, A. Tags: Review Source Type: research

Plasma levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in children with heart failure
Conclusions: NGAL levels were significantly increased in children with HF caused by IDCM. However, there was no significant relationship between plasma NGAL levels and indices of myocardial function. Future multicenter clinical studies in a large population addressing the natural course of NGAL in HF and its potential as a treatment target are needed in the near future. (Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease)
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - January 4, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Tawfeek, M. S. K., Raafat, D. M., Saad, K., Idriss, N. K., Sayed, S., Fouad, D. A., El-Houfey, A. A. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Who benefits more from hemodynamically guided hypotensive therapy? The experience from two randomized, prospective and controlled trials
Conclusions: The hemodynamically guided pharmacotherapy results in greater BP reduction. This effect is more pronounced in patients with higher baseline BP, while in those with slightly increased BP the empiric approach seems comparable to ICG. (Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease)
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - January 4, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Krzesinski, P., Gielerak, G., Stanczyk, A., Piotrowicz, K., Skrobowski, A. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Mechanisms of favorable effects of Rho kinase inhibition on myocardial remodeling and systolic function after experimental myocardial infarction in the rat
Conclusions: LV systolic dysfunction after MI was strongly associated with cardiac ROCK activation and subsequent phosphorylation of ROCK target proteins that promote ventricular remodeling such as β-MHC and the ERK/GATA-4 pathway. ROCK inhibition with fasudil significantly improved systolic function, diminished myocardial fibrosis and normalized β-MHC and ERK/GATA-4 phosphorylation levels. (Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease)
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - January 4, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Mera, C., Godoy, I., Ramirez, R., Moya, J., Ocaranza, M. P., Jalil, J. E. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Hyperglycemia in acute coronary syndromes: from mechanisms to prognostic implications
Hyperglycemia is a frequent condition in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Hyperglycemia during ACS is caused by an inflammatory and adrenergic response to ischemic stress, when catecholamines are released and glycogenolysis induced. Although the involved pathophysiological mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated, it is believed that hyperglycemia is associated with an increase in free fat acids (which induce cardiac arrhythmias), insulin resistance, chemical inactivation of nitric oxide and the production of oxygen reactive species (with consequent microvascular and endothelial dysfunction), a prothrombo...
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - November 16, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Angeli, F., Reboldi, G., Poltronieri, C., Lazzari, L., Sordi, M., Garofoli, M., Bartolini, C., Verdecchia, P. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research

The systemic vascular resistance response: a cardiovascular response modulating blood viscosity with implications for primary hypertension and certain anemias
Without an active regulatory feedback loop, increased blood viscosity could lead to a vicious cycle of ischemia, increased erythropoiesis, further increases of blood viscosity, decreased tissue perfusion with worsened ischemia, further increases in red cell mass, etc. We suggest that an increase in blood viscosity is detected by mechanoreceptors in the left ventricle which upregulate expression of cardiac natriuretic peptides and soluble erythropoietin receptor. This response normalizes systemic vascular resistance and blood viscosity at the cost of producing ‘anemia of chronic disease or inflammation’ or &lsqu...
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - November 16, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Sloop, G. D., Weidman, J. J., St. Cyr, J. A. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research

Does the direction of tumescent solution delivery matter in endovenous laser ablation of the great saphenous vein?
Conclusions: We believe that delivering the tumescent solution in a distal to proximal direction increases the comfort of both patient and surgeon with lower tumescent volume during the EVLA of the GSV. (Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease)
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - November 16, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Kutas, B., Ozdemir, F., Tezcan, O., Gunes, T., Erkoc, K., Altin, F., Karahan, O. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Drug coated balloon angioplasty in elderly patients with small vessel coronary disease
Conclusion: DBCA in the elderly with SVCD is as safe and effective compared with younger patients despite more complex anatomy and comorbidities. (Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease)
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - November 16, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Sinaga, D. A., Ho, H. H., Zeymer, U., Waliszewski, M., Jafary, F. H., Ooi, Y. W., Loh, J. K. K., Tan, J. K. B., Ong, P. J. L. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Evaluation of experimental methods for nitric oxide release from cardiovascular implants; bypass grafts as an exemplar
Conclusions: The results of this study clearly demonstrate the relative difference between analysis techniques for accurate NO detection that can be applied to distinct experimental models associated with NO-eluting cardiovascular implants. (Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease)
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - November 16, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Naghavi, N., Seifalian, A. M., Hamilton, G., de Mel, A. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Use of carbonated water in reduction of adjacent gastric activity in 456 consecutive technetium-99m myocardial perfusion imaging studies
Conclusion: The use of soda water prior to technetium-99m MPI was associated with lower rates of adjacent gastric activity only in patients undergoing ETT stress but not rest or VD stress. This differs from previously published data. (Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease)
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - November 16, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Thomas, D. M., Lee, J. S., Charmforoush, A., Rubal, B. J., Rosenblatt, S. A., Butler, J. T., Clemenshaw, M., Cheezum, M. K., Slim, A. M. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

The distribution of whole blood viscosity, its determinants and relationship with arterial blood pressure in the community: cross-sectional analysis from the Gutenberg Health Study
Conclusions: We provide reference values for viscosity in a population-based cohort. Blood viscosity decreases in older subjects and shows a very mild association with cardiovascular risk factors and prevalent disease in our cohort. There is a linear positive association between viscosity and blood pressure. (Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease)
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - November 16, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Gori, T., Wild, P. S., Schnabel, R., Schulz, A., Pfeiffer, N., Blettner, M., Beutel, M. E., Forconi, S., Jung, F., Lackner, K. J., Blankenberg, S., Münzel, T. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Modulation of cardiac L-type Ca2+ current by angiotensin-(1-7): normal versus heart failure
Conclusions: HF alters the response of ICa,L to Ang-(1-7). In normal myocytes, Ang-(1-7) has no significant effect on ICa,L. However, in HF myocytes, Ang-(1-7) increases ICa,L. These effects are mediated by the Ang-(1-7) Mas receptors and involve activation of NO/BK pathways. (Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease)
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - November 16, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Zhou, P., Cheng, C. P., Li, T., Ferrario, C. M., Cheng, H.-J. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Ten year experience of using a novel metabolic protocol in 'off pump' coronary artery bypass revascularization
Conclusions: Off-pump coronary artery bypass coupled with this novel metabolic protocol was associated with a low operative mortality and acceptable perioperative morbidities, including patients with left main coronary artery disease. These benefits are apparent at both short- and medium-term follow up. (Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease)
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease - November 16, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Perkowski, D. J., Wagner, S., Muller, K., Schneider, J. R., St.Cyr, J. A. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research