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Background: Non-pregnant (NP) women have a progressive increase in arterial stiffness from central-to-peripheral arteries [“stiffness gradient” (SG)], which is of physiologic importance since excessive pulsatility is filtered by the creation of wave reflections. If the aorta gets stiff with minimal or no change in the periphery, the SG is dissipated transmitting pressure disturbances to the microcirculation. It remains unknown the status of the SG in both women with healthy pregnancies (HP) and complicated by pregnancy-associated hypertension (PAH).Objective: To determine whether HP and PAH are associated with changes in SG. Secondarily, we aim at identifying potential differences between the subgroups of PAH (pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension).Methods: HP (n = 10), PAH (n = 16), and healthy NP women (n = 401, to be matched for age, and cardiovascular risk with the pregnant women) were included. Carotid-to-femoral (cfPWV) and carotid-to-radial pulse wave velocity (crPWV), common carotid artery (CCA) and brachial artery (BA) diameters and elastic modulus (EM), and regional (cfPWV/crPWV or “PWV ratio”) and local (CCA EM/BA EM or “EM ratio”) SG were quantified.Results: HP showed no changes in PWV ratio compared with NP, in the presence of significantly lower cfPWV and crPWV. HP exhibited higher arterial diameters and lower CCA EM/BA EM compared to NP, without differences with PAH. PAH was associated with a significant increase in the PWV ratio that exceeded the levels of both NP and HP, explained by a lower (although significant) reduction of cfPWV with respect to that observed in HP with respect to NP, and a higher reduction in crPWV with respect to that observed between HP and NP. The blunted reduction in cfPWV observed in PAH coincided with an increase in the CCA EM.Conclusions: Compared with NP, HP was associated with unchanged PWV ratio but with a reduction in CCA EM/BA EM, in the setting of a generalized drop in arterial stiffness. Compared with NP and HP, PAH was associated with an “exaggerated rise” in the PWV ratio without changes in CCA EM/BA EM, in the setting of a blunt reduction in cfPWV but exaggerated crPWV drop. The SG attenuation/reversal in PAH was mainly driven by pre-eclampsia.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-derived indexes [e.g., fat (FMI) and fat-free mass indexes (FFMI), visceral fat level (VFL)] are used to characterize obesity as a cardiovascular risk factor (CRF). The BIA-derived index that better predicts arterial variability is still discussed., Aims: To determine: (1) the association of classical [weight, height, body mass index (BMI), basal metabolic rate (BMR)] and BIA-derived indexes, with arterial properties deviations from expected values (arterial z-scores); (2) maximum arterial variations attributable to BIA-derived indexes; (3) whether the composition of total body, trunk and/or limbs is most closely associated with arterial variations., Methods: Hemodynamic, structural, and functional parameters of different histological types of arteries were assessed ( n = 538, 7-85 years). Classical and BIA-derived indexes [fat mass and percentage, FMI, VFL, muscle mass percentage (PMM), FFMI, and percentage] were measured (mono- and multi-segmental devices). Arterial z-scores were obtained using age-related equations derived from individuals not-exposed to CRFs ( n = 1,688)., Results: First, regardless of the classical index considered, the associations with the arterial properties showed a specific hierarchy order: diameters and local stiffness > aortic and brachial blood pressure (BP) > regional stiffness. Second, all the associations of FMI and FFMI with z-scores were positive. Third, FFMI exceeded the association obtained with BMI and BMR, considering structural z-scores. In contrast, FMI did not exceed the association with z-scores achieved by BMI and BMR. Fourth, regardless of CRFs and classical indexes, arterial z-scores would be mainly explained by FFMI, VFL, and PMM. Fifth, regardless of the body-segment considered, the levels of association between FMI and z-scores did not exceed those found for classic and FFMI. Total fat mass and trunk indexes showed a greater strength of association with z-scores than the FMI of limbs. Sixth, compared to lower limb FFMI indexes, total and upper limbs FFMI showed higher levels of association with z-scores., Conclusions: FFMI (but not FMI) exceeded the strength of association seen between BMI or BMR and structural z-scores. Regardless of the body segment analyzed, the associations between FMI and z-scores did not exceed those found with classic and FFMI. Arterial z-scores could be independently explained by FFMI, VFL, and PMM., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Gómez-García, Torrado, Pereira, Bia and Zócalo.)

Background: Patients with COPD are at higher risk of presenting with atrial fibrillation (AF). Information about clinical outcomes and optimal medical treatment of AF in the setting of COPD remains missing. We aimed to describe the prevalence of COPD in a sizeable cohort of real-world AF patients belonging to the same healthcare area and to examine the relationship between comorbid COPD and AF prognosis., Methods: Prospective analysis performed in a specific healthcare area. Data were obtained from several sources within the "data warehouse of the Galician Healthcare Service" using multiple analytical tools. Statistical analyses were completed using SPSS 19 and STATA 14.0., Results: A total of 7,990 (2.08%) patients with AF were registered throughout 2013 in our healthcare area (n=348,985). Mean age was 76.83±10.51 years and 937 (11.7%) presented with COPD. COPD patients had a higher mean CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc (4.21 vs 3.46; P =0.02) and received less beta-blocker and more digoxin therapy than those without COPD. During a mean follow-up of 707±103 days, 1,361 patients (17%) died. All-cause mortality was close to two fold higher in the COPD group (28.3% vs 15.5%; P <0.001). Independent predictive factors for all-cause mortality were age, heart failure, diabetes, previous thromboembolic event, dementia, COPD, and oral anticoagulation (OA). There were nonsignificant differences in thromboembolic events (1.7% vs 1.5%; P =0.7), but the rate of hemorrhagic events was significantly higher in the COPD group (3.3% vs 1.9%; P =0.004). Age, valvular AF, OA, and COPD were independent predictive factors for hemorrhagic events. In COPD patients, age, heart failure, vasculopathy, lack of OA, and lack of beta-blocker use were independent predictive factors for all-cause mortality., Conclusion: AF patients with COPD have a higher incidence of adverse events with significantly increased rates of all-cause mortality and hemorrhagic events than AF patients without COPD. However, comorbid COPD was not associated with differences in cardiovascular death or stroke rate. OA and beta-blocker treatment presented a risk reduction in mortality while digoxin use exerted a neutral effect., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Objectives: This study aimed: 1) to determine the voltage correlation between sinus rhythm (SR) and atrial fibrillation (AF)/atrial flutter (AFL) using multielectrode fast automated mapping; 2) to identify a bipolar voltage cutoff for scar and/or low voltage areas (LVAs); and 3) to examine the reproducibility of voltage mapping in AF., Background: It is unclear if bipolar voltage cutoffs should be adjusted depending on the rhythm and/or area being mapped., Methods: High-density mapping was performed first in SR and afterward in induced AF/AFL. In some patients, 2 maps were performed during AF. Maps were combined to create a new one. Points of <1 mm difference were analyzed. Correlation was explored with scatterplots and agreement analysis was assessed with Bland-Altman plots. The generalized additive model was also applied., Results: A total of 2,002 paired-points were obtained. A cutoff of 0.35 mV in AFL predicted a sinus voltage of 0.5 mV (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12 to 2.02) and of 0.24 mV in AF (95% CI: 0.11 to 2.18; specificity [SP]: 0.94 and 0.96; sensitivity [SE]: 0.85 and 0.75, respectively). When generalized additive models were used, a cutoff of 0.38 mV was used for AFL for predicting a minimum value of 0.5 mV in SR (95% CI: 0.5 to 1.6; SP: 0.94, SE: 0.88) and of 0.31 mV for AF (95% CI: 0.5 to 1.2; SP: 0.95, SE: 0.82). With regard to AF maps, there was no change in the classification of any left atrial region other than the roof., Conclusions: It is possible to establish new cutoffs for AFL and/or AF with acceptable validity in predicting a sinus voltage of <0.5 mV. Multielectrode fast automated mapping in AFL and/or AF seems to be reliable and reproducible when classifying LVAs. These observations have clinical implications for left atrial voltage distribution and in procedures in which scar distribution is used to guide pulmonary vein isolation and/or re-isolation., (Copyright © 2018 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Supraventricular arrhythmias are common in Brugada syndrome (BS), and notoriously difficult to manage with medical therapy secondary to associated risks. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is often utilized instead, but its outcomes in this population are not well-known. We aim to provide a holistic evaluation of interventional treatment for Atrial fibrillation (AF) in the BS population. Electronic databases Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Cochrane, and Scopus were systematically searched for publications between 01/01/1995 and 12/31/2017. Studies were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 49 patients with BS and AF were included. Age range from 28.8 to 64 years, and 77.5% were male. 38 patients were implanted with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) at baseline, and of them, 39% suffered inappropriate shocks for rapid AF. 34/49 (69%) of patients achieved remission following a single PVI procedure. Of the remaining, 13 patients underwent one or more repeat ablation procedures. Overall, 45/49 (91.8%) of patients remained in remission during long-term follow-up after one or more PVI procedures in the absence of antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy. Postablation, no patients suffered inappropriate ICD shock. Furthermore, no major complications secondary to PVI occurred in any patient. AF ablation achieves acute and long-term success in the vast majority of patients. It is effective in preventing inappropriate ICD therapy secondary to rapid AF. Complication rates of PVI in BS are low. Thus, in light of the risks of AADs and risk of inappropriate ICD shocks in the BS population, catheter ablation could represent an appropriate first-line therapy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in BS patients.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation might increase the risk of dementia. We aim to test the hypothesis that dementia could reclassify the actual risk of stroke and death predicted by the CHA2DS2-VASc in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF)., Methods: A prospective study performed in a specific health care area., Results: From our health care area (n = 348,985), throughout 2013, AF was codified in 7,990 (2.08%). Mean age was 76.83 ± 10.5, mean CHA2DS2-VASc = 3.5, 4,056 (50.8%) were females and 287 (3.6%) were diagnosed to have dementia. Patients with dementia were older and presented a higher rate of all the components of the CHA2DS2-VASc-expect vasculopathy. Differences in overall mortality were observed but not in stroke and haemorrhagic events. After propensity score matched analysis, dementia was independently associated with all-cause mortality. Addition of dementia to CHA2DS2-VASc reclassified 7.7 and 16.6% of the cohort with regard to thromboembolic events and death risk respectively., Conclusions: Patients with dementia presented a more adverse risk profile, with significant differences in all-cause mortality., (© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Age increases risk of stroke and bleeding. Clinical trial data have had relatively low proportions of elderly subjects. We sought to study a Spanish population of octogenarians with atrial fibrillation (AF) by combining different sources of electronic clinical records from an area where all medical centres utilized electronic health record systems., Methods: Data was derived from the Galician Healthcare Service information system., Results: From 383,000 subjects, AF was coded in 7990 (2.08%), 3640 (45.6%) of whom were ≥80 and 4350 (54.4%)<80. All CHA2DS2-VASc's components were more prevalent in the elderly except for diabetes. Of those ≥80, 2178 (59.8%) were women. Mean CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc was 4.2±1.1. Distribution of CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc components varied between genders. 2600 (71.4%) were on oral anticoagulant (OA). During a median follow up of 696days (124.23), all-cause mortality was higher in ≥80 (1011/3640 (27.8%) vs 350/4350 (8.05%) (p<0.001). There were differences in rate of thromboembolic (TE) and haemorrhagic events (2.3% vs 0.9%, p<0.01 and 2.5% vs 1.7%, p=0.01 respectively). In octogenarian, differences between genders were observed with regard to TE, but not in haemorrhagic or all-cause mortality rates. Age, heart failure, non-valvular AF, dementia, and OA were independent predictors of all-cause mortality. In regard to TE, female gender, hypertension, previous TE and OA were independent predictive factors., Conclusions: Octogenarians with AF had very different characteristics and outcomes from their younger counterparts. These results also provide reassurance about the effectiveness of OA in preventing TE events and maintaining a reasonable haemorrhagic event rate in the extremely elderly., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The accommodation of photosynthetic organisms to adverse conditions, such as pH changes in the aquatic environment, and their response to aquatic pollutants is essential to develop future biosensors. The present study reports the ability of both Cr(VI)-sensitive and tolerant Dyctiosphaerium chlorelloides strains to live in aqueous solutions highly contaminated with hexavalent chromium under varying ranges of pH, by the determination of chromium toxic effects on these strains. Studies of cell growth, photosynthetic quantum yield and gross photosynthesis rate show that both D. chlorelloides strains are able to survive in alkaline and moderately acidified (pH 4.25) aquatic environments. Below this pH value cell populations from both strains exposed for short periods of time to Cr(VI) showed alterations in the three parameters studied. There were no significant differences comparing the response of both strains at pH change in the culture medium. However, Cr(VI)-tolerant strain exhibits a better fit to maintain cell growth than Cr(VI)-sensitive strain when both were subjected to pH 4.25 in the culture medium. The absence of significant differences in photosynthetic activity results for both strains suggests that the lower sensitivity exhibited by Cr(VI)-tolerant strain would be due to cellular morphological changes rather than changes in cellular activity., (© 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc.)