Vascular Health and Risk Management

BACKGROUND: The P2Y12 receptor inhibitors clopidogrel and prasugrel are widely used. Clopidogrel and prasugrel have different metabolic pathways, but whether their adverse event (AE) profiles differ significantly is unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the possible AEs induced by clopidogrel and prasugrel and to assess the rank-order of their AEs submitted to a spontaneous reporting database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were extracted from the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database (JADER)...

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the quality of life of patients receiving warfarin therapy at Dr. Hasan Sadikin Central General Hospital, and its relationship with demographic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The procedures started with the submission of a study permit, followed by validation of the Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale (DASS) questionnaire. In addition, the validated questionnaire was completed by the participants, and significant variables were analyzed using the chi-square method for multivariate analysis...

BACKGROUND: Exosomes in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have attracted huge attention with substantial value and potential. Our bibliometrics is based on literature from the field of cardiovascular exosomes over the past 30 years, which has been visualized to display the development process, research hotspots, and cutting-edge trends of clinical practices, mechanisms, and management strategies related to psych cardiology. METHODS: We selected articles and reviews on exosomes in CVDs from the core collection of Web of Science, and generated visual charts by using CiteSpace and VOSviewer software...

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy is a rare but important complication after endarterectomy (CEA). The impact on voice quality after this procedure is also important. The aim of the study was to assess voice quality and vocal cord function after CEA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 200 patients were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria were indications for CEA and patient consent to the procedure. Endoscopic examination of the larynx was performed before the procedure, immediately after the procedure, on the 2nd day after the procedure, then 3 month and 6 months after the procedure...

INTRODUCTION: The reliability of interpretation of coronary angiography as a diagnostic tool was investigated. Furthermore, the impact of interobserver variability of coronary lesions on clinical decision-making was assessed. One of our motivations to do this research was the research gaps and our aim to have up-to-date information regarding interobserver variability among different cardiologists. METHODS: Our objective was to quantify interobserver variability among cardiologists who have seen angiograms independently...

BACKGROUND: Neuregulin 4 (NRG4) was known to be associated with serum lipid levels and atherosclerosis. However, it is unknown whether the role of NRG4 in lipid homeostasis is causal to atherosclerosis and whether the effect is beneficial across different atherosclerosis subtypes. METHODS: We investigated the causal role of the levels of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides regulated by NRG4 in subtypes of atherosclerosis through two sample Mendelian randomization...

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and anemia are major health problems globally. However, data regarding the association between hypertension and hemoglobin/anemia among adults are few and controversial. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the associations between hemoglobin/anemia and hypertension among Sudanese adults. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Northern Sudan from September to December 2022. The participants' sociodemographic characteristics were assessed using a questionnaire...

OBJECTIVE: Study on the role of electrocardiographic (ECG) exercise testing for the possibility of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) in patients with sinus bradycardia (SB). METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive, prospective study. The study on 60 patients with SB below 50 beats/minute on 12-lead electrocardiogram at rest, with or without symptoms of SB, conducted at the Vietnam National Heart Institute and Hanoi Heart Hospital from January 2020 to September 2021...

PURPOSE: The performance of Omron HEM-1026 (HCR-1901T2 / HCR-1902T2) for monitoring blood pressure (BP) in the upper arm was validated in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 81060-2:2018+amendment (Amd)1:2020 protocol. METHODS: The device was assessed in 101 participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, including arm circumference range and systolic and diastolic BP provided by the protocol. Data validation and analysis were performed according to the manufacturer's instructions...

BACKGROUND: The coexistence of multiple standard modifiable risk factors (SMuRFs),classical and novel risk factors (RFs) for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is common in the Middle East (ME). There is a paucity of data on the coexistence of these RFs in ME young women. AIM: Comparing the prevalence and the statistical patterns of the SMuRFs, classical and novel RFs in target population. METHODS: In this case-control (1:2) study, consecutive young women aged 18-50 years were enrolled in 12 centers (July 2021 to October 2023)...

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression by affecting lifestyle interfere with preventive actions aimed at eliminating or reducing modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to assess the impact of anxiety and depression on the achievement of therapeutic goals regarding CVD risk factors in patients without a history of atherosclerotic CVD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 200 patients (median age 52...

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) has become the most common postoperative arrhythmia of thoracic surgery. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors and complications of perioperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF) in elderly patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). METHODS: Data were collected from patients who underwent VATS between January 2013 and December 2022 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). Univariable analyses and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors correlated with PoAF...

Metformin is an orally effective anti-hyperglycemic drug that despite being introduced over 60 years ago is still utilized by an estimated 120 to 150 million people worldwide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Metformin is used off-label for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and for pre-diabetes and weight loss. Metformin is a safe, inexpensive drug with side effects mostly limited to gastrointestinal issues. Prospective clinical data from the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), completed in 1998, demonstrated that metformin not only has excellent therapeutic efficacy as an anti-diabetes drug but also that good glycemic control reduced the risk of micro- and macro-vascular complications, especially in obese patients and thereby reduced the risk of diabetes-associated cardiovascular disease (CVD)...

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma(KHE) without Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon is a rare tumor primarily observed in pediatric patients; however, its documentation in the literature remains limited. We reported about a 1-year-old boy diagnosed with superficial KHE who received oral propranolol in combination with topical sirolimus and reviewed relevant reports and treatment of superficial KHE.

Guidewire loss is a rare complication of central venous catheterization. A 65-year-old male was hospitalized in a high-dependency unit for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, erythrocytosis, and clinical signs of heart failure. Upon admission, after an unsuccessful right jugular approach, a left jugular central venous catheter was placed. The next day, chest radiography revealed the catheter located in the left parasternal region, with suspected retention of the guidewire, visually confirmed by the presence of its proximal end inside the catheter...

BACKGROUND: While treatment interruption of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for elective surgery or procedures among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is becoming more prevalent, there remains insufficient evidence regarding the optimal perioperative management of NOACs, particularly procedures with minor bleeding risks. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a simplified, standardized protocol for perioperative management of direct factor Xa inhibitors in patients, with AF undergoing procedures associated with minor bleeding risk...

Psoriasis, a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting 2-3% of the global population, has transcended its dermatological confines, revealing a profound association with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This comprehensive review explores the intricate interplay between psoriasis and cardiovascular system, delving into genetic links, immune pathways, and adipose tissue dysfunction beyond conventional CVD risk factors. The pathophysiological connections unveil unique signatures, distinct from other inflammatory skin conditions, in particular psoriasis-specific genetic polymorphisms in IL-23 and TNF-α have consistently been linked to CVD...

BACKGROUND: Differences in dominance and stenosis in the complex vertebral artery (VA) network pose challenges in diagnosing and treating cerebrovascular diseases crucial for brain nutrition. This research examines these intricacies, highlighting the importance of detailed diagnosis and treatment methods. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of the dominant VA, evaluate the influence of gender and age on steno-occlusion, and explore the correlation between the dominant VA and stenosed VA segments...

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify independent risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) in a population with hyperuricemia (HUA) and develop a CAS risk prediction model. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 3579 HUA individuals who underwent health examinations, including carotid ultrasonography, at the Zhenhai Lianhua Hospital in Ningbo, China, in 2020. All participants were randomly assigned to the training and internal validation sets in a 7:3 ratio...

PURPOSE: Handgrip strength is an indicator of overall muscle strength and has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Evidence suggests that menopause is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in women, and muscle strength decreases progressively after menopause. Despite the prognostic importance of the decline in muscle strength and increased cardiovascular disease risk among postmenopausal women, evidence of their association is limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between handgrip strength and cardiovascular disease risk among postmenopausal, middle-aged Korean women...