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Objective. Cardiac involvement in SSc is characterized by myocardial fibrosis, arrhythmias and pericarditis. Prevalence studies have shown variable results. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of cardiac involvement in SSc patients using the non-invasive, highly sensitive diagnostic methods of cardiac MRI and coronary angiotomography. Methods. We included 62 SSc patients and excluded those with heart disease prior to the onset of SSc, renal failure, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, arterial hypertension, untreated thyroid disease, cor pulmonale, pregnancy or contraindications to performing cardiac MRI. All underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation, ECG, coronary angiotomography and cardiac MRI. Results. The prevalence of myocardial fibrosis was 45% and was higher in dcSSc (59%) than in lcSSc patients (33%; P = 0.04). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower in patients with myocardial fibrosis (56%) than in those without fibrosis (63%; P = 0.0009); myocardial fibrosis on MRI was more frequent in the basal-septal segments of the LV. Seventy-nine per cent of patients had subendocardial perfusion defects and these were associated with higher ultrasensitive serum CRP values. There was no association of myocardial fibrosis or microvascular damage with atherosclerosis. Conclusion. The prevalence of myocardial fibrosis on MRI attributable to SSc is 45%, is more frequent and severe in dcSSc patients, is associated with lower LVEF and affects mainly basal LV walls. Microvascular damage in SSc is common and is associated with elevated ultrasensitive CRP levels. Cardiac damage due to SSc is not associated with coronary artery disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To examine the frequency and patterns of association of cardiovascular risk factors with atherosclerosis in five different arterial territories at post-mortem in Mexico City. Methods. We obtained five arterial territories arteries (circle of Willis, coronary, carotid, renal, and aorta) of 185 men and women 0 to 90 years of age who underwent autopsy at the Medical Forensic Service of Mexico City. We determined the prevalence and extent of atherosclerotic lesions by histopathology according to the classification of the American Heart Association as early (types I--III) and advanced (types IV-VI), and according to the degree of stenosis and correlated with cardiovascular risk factors. Results. Atherosclerotic lesions were identified in at least one arterial territory in 181 subjects (97.8%), with involvement of two ore more territories in 178 subjects (92.2%). Advanced lesions were observed in 36% and 67% of subjects under 15 and between 16 and 35 years, respectively. Any degree of atherosclerosis was associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, overweight, obesity, and smoking, and to a greater extent with the presence of two or more risk factors (P < 0.001). However, emerging and advanced athersoclerosis was observed in 53% and 20% people with no risk factors. Conclusions. The study shows a high prevalence of atherosclerosis in all age groups and both sexes. There is considerable development of atherosclerotic disease in subjects without known risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). HIV infection causes a chronic inflammatory state and increases oxidative stress which can cause endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. Aortic stiffness measured by carotid femoral-pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and central hemodynamics are independent cardiovascular risk factors and have the prognostic ability for CVD. We assessed cfPWV and central hemodynamics in young individuals with recent HIV infection diagnosis and without antiretroviral therapy. We hypothesized that individuals living with HIV would present greater cfPWV and central hemodynamics (central systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure) compared to uninfected controls., Methods: We recruited 51 treatment-naïve individuals living with HIV (HIV(+)) without previous CVD and 51 age- and sex-matched controls (HIV negative (-)). We evaluated traditional CVD risk factors including metabolic profile, blood pressure (BP), smoking, HIV viral load, and CD4 + T-cells count. Arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics were evaluated by cfPWV, central systolic BP, and central pulse pressure (cPP) via applanation tonometry., Results: HIV(+) individuals presented a greater prevalence of smoking, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and body mass index. 65.9% of HIV(+) individuals exhibited lymphocyte CD4 + T-cells count < 500 cells/μL. There was no difference in brachial or central BP between groups; however, HIV(+) individuals showed significantly lower cPP. We observed a greater cfPWV (mean difference = 0.5 m/s; p < 0.01) in HIV(+) compared to controls, even after adjusting for heart rate, mean arterial pressure and smoking., Conclusion: In the early stages of infection, non-treated HIV individuals present a greater prevalence of traditional CVD risk factors, arterial stiffness, and normal or in some cases central hemodynamics.

Sex hormones may play a role in the determination of cardiovascular disease. Recently lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) has been recognized as a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Estrogens and anabolic steroids have been reported to alter Lp(a) levels, yet no data are available on the association between in vivo concentrations of sex hormones and Lp(a) concentrations. We examined the possible associations of sex hormone-binding globulin, total and free testosterone, estradiol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate to Lp(a) concentrations in men in two population-based studies (San Antonio Heart Study [n = 178] and a Finnish study on the association between insulin resistance and atherosclerosis [n = 87]). In neither study were sex hormones significantly related to Lp(a) concentrations. In addition, Lp(a) was significantly related to apolipoprotein(a) molecular weight (which was measured in the Finnish study only). These results were unchanged when Lp(a) concentrations were adjusted for apolipoprotein(a) molecular weight (a strong correlate of Lp[a] concentrations). We conclude that in vivo concentrations of sex hormones are unlikely to be associated with Lp(a) concentrations in men.

Yucatan miniature swine have a variety of applications in biomedical research. Sublines developed from the primary population at Colorado State University have been characterized genetically with special attributes. This report describes this unique laboratory animal, genetic selection programs, and its utilization in biomedical research.

The blood lipid profile was determined in sixty-two men, 24 to 62 years old, before and two, six and twelve months after surgical occlusion of the vas deferens. No statistically significant differences were found in mean body weight, blood pressure, serum levels of non-esterified fatty acids, total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol and alpha, beta and prebeta fractions of the lipoproteins, which were measured before and after surgery. When the serum levels of the alpha and beta fractions were considered in the same subject, it was observed that 12 months after vasectomy a similar percentage of cases showed a predominance of either one of them. Hence, no modifications on the lipid profile of these subjects were found that could indicate an increased risk of arteriosclerotic disease.