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Abstract Background The impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on arterial stiffness remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the association between both personal and household income, as well as education level, and estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV). Methods A total of 13,539 participants (mean age 52.9 ± 16.7 years; 57.1% women) from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey database were analyzed. For SES variables, information on personal and household income and education level was collected using standardized questionnaires. Results The ePWV did not show significant differences across groups categorized by individual income levels (P = 0.183). However, there was a noticeable trend of decreasing ePWV with increasing household income levels (P

Abstract Data on the relationship between arterial pulsatile hemodynamics and aortic root geometry, using invasive hemodynamic measurement, has been scarce. Thus, this study aimed to assess the relationship between invasively measured aortic pulse pressure (aPP) and the diameter of ascending aorta (AoD). We analyzed 665 subjects (64.3 ± 11.0 years; 34.6% female) who underwent elective invasive coronary angiography (ICA) for the evaluation of coronary artery disease. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on the same day, and AoD was measured at the level of 1 cm above the sinotubular junction at the end-diastole. Body surface area (BSA)-adjusted AoD (AoD/BSA) was used for the analysis. A pig-tail catheter was used to measure aortic pressures at a level approximately 3 cm above the aortic valve just before ICA. aPP was calculated as the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures of the aorta. In multiple linear regression analyses, aPP (β = 0.259; P

Abstract Background Little is known about the characteristics of arterial stiffness in heart failure (HF). This study was performed to compare the degree of arterial stiffness and its association with left ventricular (LV) diastolic function among three groups: control subjects, patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods A total of 83 patients with HFrEF, 68 patients with HFpEF, and 84 control subjects were analyzed. All HF patients had a history of hospitalization for HF treatment. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurement and transthoracic echocardiography were performed at the same day in a stable condition. Results The baPWV was significantly higher in patients with both HFrEF and HFpEF compared to control subjects (1,661 ± 390, 1,909 ± 466, and 1,477 ± 296 cm/sec, respectively; P

This retrospective study investigated the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease, focusing on obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) presence and long-term cardiovascular outcomes in individuals undergoing invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Analyzing data from 9530 patients categorized by health insurance type (medical aid beneficiaries (MABs) as the low SES group; national health insurance beneficiaries (NHIBs) as the high SES group), this research explores the relationship between SES and outcomes. Despite a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, the MAB group exhibited similar rates of obstructive CAD compared to the NHIB group. However, over a median 3.5-year follow-up, the MAB group experienced a higher incidence of composite cardiovascular events, including cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, and ischemic stroke, compared with the NHIB group (20.2% vs. 16.2%, p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounders, revealed independently worse clinical outcomes for the MAB group (adjusted odds ratio 1.28; 95% confidence interval 1.07–1.54; p = 0.006). Despite comparable CAD rates, this study underscores the fact that individuals with low SES encounter an elevated risk of composite cardiovascular events, emphasizing the association between socioeconomic disadvantage and heightened susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, even among those already at high risk.

The correlation between body fat parameters and arterial stiffness is still under debate. This study aimed to examine the associations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV). We utilized data from 14,228 subjects (mean age 53.4 ± 16.8 years; 56.9% were female) from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The ePWV was calculated using a formula based on age and blood pressure. Simple linear correlation analyses revealed significant associations between both BMI and ePWV (r = 0.098; p < 0.001) and WC and ePWV (r = 0.291; p < 0.001), with a stronger correlation observed between WC and ePWV. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that WC remained significantly associated with ePWV after adjusting for potential confounders (β = 0.020; p = 0.001). However, a statistically significant association was not found between BMI and ePWV (β = 0.011; p = 0.076). Multiple binary logistic regression analysis further indicated that both higher BMI and WC were independently associated with higher ePWV, but the association was more pronounced between WC and ePWV than between BMI and ePWV. These findings underscore a stronger correlation between visceral obesity (as indicated by WC) and arterial stiffness (as indicated by ePWV) compared to overall obesity (as indicated by BMI). This highlights the potential significance of abdominal obesity in assessing cardiovascular risk.

BackgroundAlthough the current guideline recommends the use of high-intensity statin to reduce the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level by 50% in patients with baseline value of ≥ 190 mg/dL, direct application of this recommendation to Asian populations is still questionable. This study was performed to investigate the statin response of LDL-C in Korean patients with LDL-C ≥ 190 mg/dL.MethodsA total of 1,075 Korean patients (age 60.7 ± 12.2 years, women 68%) with baseline LDL-C ≥ 190 mg/dL without cardiovascular disease was retrospectively reviewed. Lipid profiles at 6 months, side effects and clinical outcomes during the follow-up period after statin treatment were assessed according to statin intensity.ResultsMost of the patients (76.3%) were treated with moderate-intensity statins, 11.4% with high-intensity statins, and 12.3% with a statin + ezetimibe. The reductions in LDL-C percentage at 6 months were 48.0%, 56.0% and 53.3% in patients treated with moderate-intensity statins, high-intensity statins and statin + ezetimibe, respectively (P < 0.001). Side effects requiring dose reduction, medication switch or drug interruption were observed in 1.3%, 4.9% and 2.3% of patients treated with moderate-intensity statin, high-intensity statin and statin + ezetimibe, respectively (P = 0.024). During the median follow-duration of 815 days (interquartile range, 408-1,361 days), the incidences of cardiovascular events were not different among the 3 groups (log-rank P = 0.823).ConclusionsCompared to high-intensity statin, moderate-intensity statin was effective enough in reaching target goal of LDL-C without increase in cardiovascular risk and with fewer side effects in Korean patients with LDL-C ≥ 190 mg/dL.

Abstract Background It is not well-known which components of central blood pressure (CBP) are more influential to target organ damage (TOD). This study aimed to determine the relationship between CBP measurements and various types of TOD in high-risk patients. Methods A total of 148 patients who had documented atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or its multiple risk factors were prospectively enrolled. CBP was measured by using applanation tonometry of the radial artery. The following nine TOD parameters were evaluated: left ventricular mass index, relative wall thickness, septal e′ velocity, septal E/e′, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, ankle-brachial index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, urine protein and obstructive coronary artery disease. Results The mean age of the study population was 67.1 ± 9.0 years and 108 (73 %) were male. Among four CBP measurements (systolic, diastolic, mean, and pulse pressures), central pulse pressure (CPP) was associated with the largest number of TOD parameters. As CPP increased, the number of TOD increased (P = 0.010), but this association was not observed in other CBP measurements (P > 0.05 for each). Conclusions CPP had a stronger correlation with TOD than other CBP measurements. Non-invasive CPP could be a useful indicator for predicting TOD in patients at high coronary risk.

Abstract The influence of body fat on arterial stiffness remains controversial. This study was performed to investigate the associations between four different types of body fat parameters and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). A total of 3758 subjects (mean age, 53.4 ± 8.8 years; females, 36.3%) who underwent health check-up were retrospectively analyzed. Anthropometric parameters including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist–hip ratio (WHR) were assessed, and visceral fat area (VFA) was calculated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. In simple linear correlation analyses, baPWV was associated with WC, WHR and VFA (P 0.05 for each). Even after controlling for potential confounders, higher baPWV was significantly associated not only with higher WHR [for > 0.90 in men and > 0.85 in women: odds ratio (OR), 1.23; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06–1.42; P = 0.005; for the highest tertile compared to the lowest tertile: OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.15–1.66; P

BackgroundThe association between arterial stiffness and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function has been demonstrated in several studies, but the samples size in those studies was small. This study aims to verify this issue in a large number of study subjects.MethodsA total of 7,013 consecutive participants (mean age 60.6 years and 43.3% female) who underwent both baPWV and transthoracic echocardiography were retrospectively analyzed. Subjects with significant cardiac structural abnormalities were excluded.ResultsThere were significant correlations of baPWV with septal e′ velocity (r = – 0.408; P < 0.001), septal E/e′ (r = 0.349; P < 0.001), left atrial volume index (LAVI) (r = 0.122; P < 0.001) and maximal velocity of tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR Vmax) (r = 0.322; P < 0.001). The baPWV values increased proportionally with an increase in the number of LV diastolic indices meeting LV diastolic dysfunction criteria (P-for-trend < 0.001). In multivariable analyses with adjustment for confounding effects of various clinical covariates, higher baPWV was independently associated with septal e′ < 7 (odds ratio [OR], 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–1.60; P < 0.001), septal E/e′ ≥ 15 (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.21–1.78; P < 0.001), and TR Vmax > 2.8 m/s (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.23–2.09; P < 0.001) but not with LAVI ≥ 34 mL/m2 (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.76–1.03; P = 0.123).ConclusionsIncreased arterial stiffness, as measured by baPWV, was associated with abnormal diastolic function parameters in a large number of study participants, providing strong evidence to the existing data about ventricular-vascular coupling.

Background: The impact of age on the association between central aortic hemodynamics and left ventricular (LV) remodeling has not been well elucidated. We compared the relationship between measurements of central blood pressure (CBP) and LV mass index (LVMI) according to their ages ( .05 for each). In the younger age group (≤50 years), multivariable analysis showed that aSBP (β = 0.457, P= .021) and aPP (β = 0.610, P= .006) had a significant association with LVMI after adjusting for possible confounding factors. The results remained consistent even when analyzed in a 1:1 propensity score-matched cohort. In conclusion, invasively measured aPP showed the closest association with LVMI in subjects aged

Purpose There has been limited evidence for the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and arterial stiffness. This study was performed to investigate the association between household income and brachial pulse pressure (PP) in the general Korean population. Materials and methods This study was based on data acquired in the 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2018 KNHANES). A total of 13004 subjects at the age of 20 years or older analysed. The information on monthly household income was obtained through the questionnaire, and was stratified into 5 groups for each quintile. Brachial blood pressure (BP) was measured 3 times, and the average of the second and third measured BPs were used. PP was calculated as the difference between systolic and diastolic BPs. Results A lower household income was associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. As household income increased, PP decreased proportionally (p

Abstract The role of ST2 in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) has not yet been well defined. This study was performed to investigate baseline serum soluble ST2 (sST2) level can predict clinical outcomes in patients with stable CAD. A total of 388 consecutive patients with suspected CAD (65 years and 63.7% male) in stable condition referred for elective invasive coronary angiography (ICA) was prospectively recruited. Major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization (90 days after ICA), and ischemic stroke during clinical follow-up was assessed. Most of the patients (88.0%) had significant CAD (stenosis ≥ 50%). During median follow-up of 834 days, there was 29 case of MACE (7.5%). The serum sST2 level was significantly higher in patients with MACE than those without (47.3 versus 30.6 ng/ml, P

Background: Although brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is simple and convenient, its usefulness as an initial screening test for hypertensive patients is not well-known. This study aimed to investigate the association of baPWV with left ventricular (LV) geometry and diastolic function in treatment-naive hypertensive patients.Methods: A total of 202 untreated hypertensive patients (mean age, 62 years; males, 51.5%) without documented cardiovascular diseases were prospectively enrolled. Both baPWV and transthoracic echocardiography were performed on the same day before antihypertensive treatment.Results: In multiple linear regression analysis after adjustment for potential confounders, baPWV had significant correlations with structural measurements of LV including relative wall thickness (β = 0.219, P = 0.021) and LV mass index (β = 0.286, P = 0.002), and four diastolic parameters including septal e′ velocity (β = −0.199, P = 0.018), E/e′ (β = 0.373, P < 0.001), left atrial volume index (β = 0.334, P < 0.001), and maximal velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (β = 0.401, P < 0.001). The baPWV was significantly increased in patients with LV hypertrophy, abnormal LV remodeling, or diastolic dysfunction, compared to those without (P = 0.008, P = 0.035, and P < 0.001, respectively). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the discriminant ability of baPWV in predicting LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction had an area under the curve of 0.646 (95% confidence interval 0.544–0.703, P = 0.004) and 0.734 (95% confidence interval 0.648–0.800, P < 0.001), respectively.Conclusion: baPWV was associated with parameters of LV remodeling and diastolic function in untreated hypertensive patients. The baPWV could be a useful screening tool for the early detection of adverse cardiac features among untreated hypertensive patients.

Background/Aims Although brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) has been validated as a novel method to predict the cardiovascular risk in general population, the relevance of baPWV to the traditional risk scores has not been clearly revealed. This study investigated the relationship between baPWV and four different cardiovascular risk-predicting scores in men and women. Methods A total of 539 subjects (58.1 ± 12.2 years, 50.1% men) without cardiovascular disease (CVD) who underwent health examinations including baPWV measurement were retrospectively analyzed. Four cardiovascular risk scores (Framingham risk score [FRS; 1998], Adult Treatment Panel [ATP] III revised FRS [2002], generalized FRS [2008], and American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association [ACC/AHA] CVD risk [2013]) were calculated in each subject. Results In a total population, baPWV was moderately correlated with four cardiovascular risk scores (r = 0.577 for FRS; r = 0.594 for ATP III revised FRS; r = 0.589 for generalized FRS; r = 0.571 for ACC/AHA CVD risk; p < 0.001 for each). These correlations were stronger in women than in men (r = 0.649 vs. 0.451 for FRS; r = 0.719 vs. 0.411 for ATP III revised FRS; r = 0.735 vs. 0.540 for generalized FRS; r = 0.699 vs. 0.552 for ACC/AHA CVD risk; p for gender difference ≤ 0.005 for each). Conclusions In middle-aged and elderly Koreans without CVD, baPWV was identified as having a moderately positive correlation with four different risk scores. The correlation was stronger in women than in men, implying the better performance of baPWV in women for predicting cardiovascular risk of healthy population.

Abstract Background The association between dental health and coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a topic of debate. This study aimed to investigate the association between dental health and obstructive CAD using multiple dental indices. Methods Eighty-eight patients (mean age: 65 years, 86% male) were prospectively enrolled before undergoing coronary CT angiography (n = 52) or invasive coronary angiography (n = 36). Obstructive CAD was defined as luminal stenosis of ≥50% for the left main coronary artery or ≥ 70% for the other epicardial coronary arteries. All patients underwent thorough dental examinations to evaluate 7 dental health indices, including the sum of decayed and filled teeth, the ratio of no restoration, the community periodontal index of treatment needs, clinical attachment loss, the total dental index, the panoramic topography index, and number of lost teeth. Results Forty patients (45.4%) had obstructive CAD. Among the 7 dental health indices, only the number of lost teeth was significantly associated with obstructive CAD, with patients who had obstructive CAD having significantly more lost teeth than patients without obstructive CAD (13.08 ± 10.4 vs. 5.44 ± 5.74, p

Background Although the inter-arm blood pressure (BP) difference has been advocated to be associated with cardiovascular events, the implication of inter-leg BP difference has not been well established. This study was conducted to investigate whether inter-arm and -leg BP differences have prognostic value in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods In this prospective study, we consecutively enrolled 667 patients who underwent PCI. Both arm and leg BPs were measured at the day after PCI. The primary outcome was a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) including cardiac death, acute coronary syndrome, coronary revascularization, stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure during the follow-up period. Results Mean age was 64.0±11.1 years old, and males were predominant (70.5%). During a mean follow-up period of 3.0 years, MACE occurred in 209 (31.3%) patients. The inter-leg systolic BP difference (ILSBPD) was significantly higher in patients with MACE than those without (9.9±12.3 vs. 7.2±7.5 mmHg, P = 0.004). The inter-arm systolic BP difference was not significantly different between patients with and without MACE (P = 0.403). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, increased ILSBPD was independently associated with the development of MACE (per 5 mmHg; hazard ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.14). The inter-arm systolic BP difference was not associated with MACE in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion Increased ILSBPD was independently associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes after PCI. As ILSBPD is easy to measure, it may be helpful in the risk stratification of patients undergoing PCI.

Brachial-artery pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a simple and reliable tool for measurement of arterial stiffness. Our previous studies suggested that baPWV is associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the risk of cardiovascular events. In the present data article, we provided supplementary data supporting the independent prognostic value of arterial stiffness, assessed by baPWV, in patients with suspected CAD (Hwang et al., 2017) [1]. The data was obtained from 523 patients undergoing coronary CT angiography (CCTA), and baPWV was measured at the time of CCTA. Patients with vulnerable coronary plaque or obstructive CAD on CCTA had higher age, more cardiovascular risk factors, and higher baPWV values. Given the significant association between high baPWV and the presence of vulnerable plaque or obstructive CAD as shown in this data article, the prognostic value of baPWV was further assessed in subgroups divided according to the CCTA findings (vulnerable plaque or obstructive CAD). In each subgroup by CCTA findings, multivariable Cox proportional hazard model analysis showed that high baPWV was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events even after adjusting for clinical risk factors.

BackgroundObesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with high risk of cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. We assessed the effect of obesity and metabolic health status on left ventricular (LV) structure and function in subjects without overt heart disease.MethodsIn 789 subjects (58.8±13.0 years, 50.7% males) without overt heart disease, LV morphology and function were compared among 6 groups stratified by body mass index (BMI) (normal weight, overweight and obese) and metabolic health status (meeting ≤1 criterion of MetS excluding waist circumference defined as metabolically healthy; otherwise, metabolically unhealthy).ResultsLV ejection fraction (LVEF) was not different among the 6 groups (P>0.05). However, high BMI and poor metabolic health were associated with poorer global longitudinal strain (GLS), higher LV mass index (LVMI) and higher E/e' (PConclusionsObesity and poor metabolic health status were associated with subclinical decrement in LV systolic and diastolic function, and higher LV mass, but not with LVEF, in subjects without overt heart disease.

The most feared complication of left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is the occurrence of systemic thromboembolic events, especially in the brain. Herein, we report a patient with severe sepsis who suffered recurrent devastating embolic stroke. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed apical ballooning of the left ventricle with a huge LVT, which had not been observed in chest computed tomography before the stroke. This case emphasizes the importance of serial cardiac evaluation in patients with stroke and severe medical illness.

Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) facilitates comprehensive evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD), including plaque characterization, and can provide additive diagnostic value to single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). However, data regarding the incremental prognostic value of CCTA to SPECT remain sparse. We evaluated the independent and incremental prognostic value of CCTA, as compared with clinical risk factors and SPECT.A total of 1,077 patients with suspected CAD who underwent both SPECT and cardiac CT between 2004 and 2012 were enrolled retrospectively. Presence of reversible or fixed perfusion defect (PD) and summed stress score were evaluated on SPECT. Presence, extent of coronary atherosclerosis and diameter stenosis (DS) were evaluated on CCTA. Plaque composition was categorized as non-calcified, mixed, or calcified according to the volume of calcified component (>130 Hounsfield Units). Patients were followed up for the occurrence of adverse cardiac events including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and late revascularization (>90 days after imaging studies).During follow-up (median 23 months), adverse cardiac events were observed in 71 patients (6.6%). When adjusted for clinical risk factors and SPECT findings, the presence of any coronary plaque, any plaque in ≥3 segments, coronary artery calcium score (CACS) ≥400, a plaque ≥50% DS, presence of non-calcified plaque (NCP) or mixed plaque (MP), and NCP/MP in ≥2 segments were independent predictors of adverse cardiac events; however, the presence of calcified plaque (CP) was not. Conventional CCTA findings, including CACS ≥400 and a plaque ≥50% DS, demonstrated incremental prognostic value over clinical risk factors and SPECT (χ² 54.19 to 101.03; p

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia and is associated with adverse outcomes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Although left atrial (LA) remodeling and dysfunction are known to associate with the development of atrial fibrillation in HCM, the changes of the LA in HCM patients remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in LA size and mechanical function in HCM patients compared to control subjects and to determine the characteristics of HCM associated with LA remodeling and dysfunction.Seventy-nine HCM patients (mean age, 54 ± 11 years; 76% were men) were compared to 79 age- and sex-matched controls (mean age, 54 ± 11 years; 76% were men) and 20 young healthy controls (mean age, 33 ± 5 years; 45% were men). The LA diameter, volume, and mechanical function, including global strain (ε), were evaluated by 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography. The phenotype of HCM, maximal left ventricular (LV) wall thickness, LV mass, and presence and extent of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were evaluated with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.HCM patients showed increased LA volume index, impaired reservoir function, and decreased LA ε compared to the control subjects. When we divided the HCM group according to a maximal LA volume index (LAVImax) of 38.7 ml/m2 or LA ε of 21%, no significant differences in the HCM phenotype and maximal LV wall thickness were observed for patients with LAVImax >38.7 ml/m2 or LA ε ≤21%. Conversely, the LV mass index was significantly higher both in patients with maximal LA volume index >38.7 ml/m2 and with LA ε ≤21% and was independently associated with LAVImax and LA ε. Although the LGE extent was increased in patients with LA ε ≤21%, it was not independently associated with either LAVImax or LA ε.HCM patients showed progressed LA remodeling and dysfunction; the determinant of LA remodeling and dysfunction was LV mass index rather than LV myocardial fibrosis by LGE-magnetic resonance imaging.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is associated with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and to evaluate baPWV as a predictor of obstructive CAD on CCTA. A total of 470 patients who underwent both baPWV and CCTA were included. We evaluated stenosis degree and plaque characteristics on CCTA. To estimate the severity of CAD, we calculated the number of segment with plaque (segment involvement score; SIS), stenosis degree-weighted plaque score (segment stenosis score; SSS), and coronary artery calcium score (CACS). The mean baPWV was 1,485 ± 315 cm/s (range, 935-3,175 cm/s). Non-obstructive (stenosis < 50%) and obstructive (stenosis ≥ 50%) CAD was found in 129 patients (27.4%) and 144 (30.6%), respectively. baPWV in patients with obstructive CAD was higher than that of patients with non-obstructive (1,680 ± 396 cm/s versus 1,477 ± 244 cm/s, P < 0.001) or no CAD (1,680 ± 396 cm/s versus ± 196 1,389 cm/s, P < 0.001). baPWV showed significant correlation with SSS (r = 0.429, P < 0.001), SIS (r = 0.395, P < 0.001), CACS (r 0.346, P < 0.001), and the number of segment with non-calcified plaque (r 0.092, P = 0.047), mixed plaque (r = 0.267, P < 0.001), and calcified plaque (r = 0.348, P < 0.001), respectively. The optimal baPWV cut-off value for the detection of obstructive CAD was 1,547 cm/s. baPWV ≥ 1,547 cm/s was independent predictor for the obstructive CAD. In conclusion, baPWV is well correlated with the severity of CAD evaluated by CCTA. baPWV has the potential to predict severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND Soluble forms of tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFRs) are emerging target molecules of inflammatory disease. However, their role in vascular biology is not well known. This study was performed to investigate the association between serum concentrations of sTNFRs and arterial stiffness. METHODS A total of 117 consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) (63.6 ± 11.0 years; men, 65%) who were referred for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were prospectively enrolled. Arterial blood sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurements were made within 24 hours of blood sampling for sTNFRs measurement. RESULTS Most of the patients (86.3%) had significant CAD (stenosis ≥ 50%) in ICA. In simple linear regression analyses, there were significant positive correlations of baPWV with sTNFR1 (r = 0.483, P < 0.001) and sTNFR2 r = 0.366, P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analyses, sTNFR1 β = 0.316, P < 0.001) and sTNFR2 (β = 0.235, P = 0.005) had independent association with baPWV even after controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSION sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 were independently associated with baPWV in patients undergoing ICA. This result may extend previous knowledge on close interactions between inflammation and arterial stiffening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 68-year-old woman visited the emergency department twice with symptoms of acute heart failure including shortness of breath, general weakness, and abdominal distension. Laboratory findings showed extremely low level of serum hemoglobin at 1.4 g/dL. Echocardiographic examination demonstrated dilated left ventricular cavity with systolic dysfunction and moderate amount of pericardial effusion. In this patient, acute heart failure due to severe iron deficiency anemia was caused by inappropriate habitual bloodletting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There has been a lack of research on further stratification of subjects who have pseudonormal pattern of mitral inflow. The study aim was to clarify 2 different groups with different diastolic function grades among these subjects using lateral tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Methods: A total of 122 consecutive subjects showing pseudonormal pattern of mitral inflow (E/A = 1 and septal e'/a' < 1) without structural abnormality were prospectively recruited. TDI measurements were performed from both septal and lateral mitral annuli. Results: Study subjects were stratified according to lateral TDI pattern (e'/a' < 1 [n = 50] versus e'/a' ⩾ 1 [n = 72]). Subjects with lateral e'/a' < 1 had higher values of left atrial volume index (LAVI) and E/e' compared to those for lateral e'/a' ⩾ 1 (p < 0.001 for each). Among subjects with lateral e'/a' ⩾ 1, only 9.3% of subjects had grade II diastolic dysfunction, whereas among subjects with lateral e'/a' < 1, majority of subjects (64.1%) had grade II diastolic dysfunction (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that lateral e'/a' was independently associated with LAVI (β = -0.484, p < 0.001), even after adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, body mass index, hypertension and diabetes. Conclusions: In subjects without structural abnormality showing E/A = 1 and septal e'/a' < 1, lateral TDI measurement is useful in the assessment of diastolic dysfunction. Lateral e'/a' ⩾ 1 is a valuable indicator of early diastolic dysfunction but not of advanced diastolic dysfunction in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Although chronic effects of exercise on endothelial function are established, the impact of acute exercise on flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of brachial artery has not been elucidated yet. Methods: Eighty-six young healthy volunteers were prospectively enrolled from January 2011 to December 2011. The subjects completed FMD tests at rest and immediately after treadmill exercise test. Primary outcome was the impact of acute exercise on FMD, measured by the difference of FMD before and after exercise. Secondary outcomes were the relationship of gender and exercise habit with FMD. Results: Seventy-four subjects who met the eligibility criteria were included for analysis. Thirty-five (47.3%) were male, and the mean age was 22.7±2.7 years. FMD was reduced after exercise (8.98±4.69 to 7.51±4.03%; P=0.017) and the reduction was found in female group (10.36±5.26 to 7.62±3.71%; P=0.002) but not in male group. Post-exercise FMD was significantly impaired in subjects who did not exercise regularly (6.92±3.13% versus 8.95±5.33%; P=0.003). The decrease of FMD after exercise was greater in female group (-2.75±5.28% versus 0.27±3.24%; P=0.003) and was associated with exercise habit (β=2.532; P=0.027). Conclusions: In healthy young subjects, FMD was reduced after a bout of acute exercise. The impact of acute exercise showed significant differences according to gender and exercise habit. FMD impairment after acute exercise was observed in females and subjects without regular exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a serious clinical problem associated with increased morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. Although some agents including hydration with saline are being prescribed to prevent renal deterioration in these high risk patients, their efficacy is not clearly defined and debatable. Therefore additional prophylactic pretreatments are needed. Methods/Design: The present study aims to investigate differences in occurrence of CIN after sarpogrelate premedication in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). 268 participants, aged 20-85 years with a clinical diagnosis of CKD will be recruited. They will be randomly allocated to one of two conditions: (i) routine treatment without sarpogrelate, and (ii) routine treatment with sarpogrelate (a fixed-flexible dose of 300 mg/day). The primary outcome is the occurrence of CIN during 4 weeks after receiving contrast agent. Discussion: As of May 2010, there were no registered trials evaluating the therapeutic potentials of sarpogrelate in preventing for CIN. If sarpogrelate decreases the worsening of renal function and occurrence of CIN, it will provide a safe, easy and inexpensive treatment option. Trial registration: NCT01165567 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The sail sign is a well-known radiographic feature of the pediatric chest. This sign can be observed in an adult population as well, but for a different reason. Purpose: To investigate the sail sign appearing in adult chest radiography. Material and Methods: Based on two anecdotal adult cases in which frontal chest radiographs showed the sail sign, we prospectively screened radiographs of 10,238 patients to determine the incidence of the sail sign found in adults in their 40s or older. The cause of the sail sign was assessed using computed tomography (CT). Results: The sail sign was revealed in 10 (seven males, three females; median age 60.6 years) of 10,238 patients. Of these 10 patients with a sail sign on frontal radiographs, eight underwent CT. The frontal radiographs of these 10 patients showed a concave superior margin toward the lung in nine patients, a concave inferior margin in five, and a double-lined inferior margin in three. Lateral radiographs disclosed a focal opacity over the minor fissure in five of six patients, which was either fuzzy (n = 4) or sharp (n = 1) in its upper margin, and was sometimes double lined in the inferior margin (n = 3). CT revealed the anterior mediastinal fat to be the cause of the radiographic sail sign, which stretched laterally from the mediastinum to insinuate into the minor fissure. Conclusion: The incidence of sail sign on adult chest radiographs is about 0.1%. The sign is specific enough to eliminate the need for more sophisticated imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the prognostic value of heart block among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with drug-eluting stents. A total of 13,862 patients with AMI, registered in the nation-wide AMI database from January 2005 to June 2013, were analyzed. Second- (Mobitz type I or II) and third-degree atrioventricular block were considered as heart block in this study. Thirty-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including all causes of death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and revascularization were evaluated. Percutaneous coronary intervention with implantation of drug-eluting stent was performed in 89.8% of the patients. Heart block occurred in 378 patients (2.7%). Thirty-day MACE occurred in 1,144 patients (8.2%). Patients with heart block showed worse clinical parameters at initial admission, and the presence of heart block was associated with 30-day MACE in univariate analyses. However, the prognostic impact of heart block was not significant after adjustment of potential confounders (p = 0.489). Among patients with heart block, patients with a culprit in the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery had worse clinical outcomes than those of patients with a culprit in the left circumflex or right coronary artery. LAD culprit was a significant risk factor for 30-day MACE even after controlling for confounders (odds ratio 5.28, 95% confidence interval 1.22 to 22.81, p = 0.026). In conclusion, despite differences in clinical parameters at the initial admission, heart block was not an independent risk factor for 30-day MACE in adjusted analyses. However, a LAD culprit was an independent risk factor for 30-day MACE among patients with heart block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the mitral annulus velocity in the nonivasive estimation of left ventricular (LV) peak dP/dT. Velocity of annular motion obtained by the Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI); Echocardiogram results; Usefulness of measuring the mitral annulus velocity in the evaluation of LV diastolic function.