Relation of Habitual Chocolate Consumption to Arterial Stiffness in a Community-Based Sample: Preliminary Findings
Conclusions: Weekly chocolate intake may be of benefit to arterial stiffness. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms that may mediate the observed effects of habitual chocolate consumption on arterial stiffness.Pulse 2016;4:28-37 (Source: Pulse)
Source: Pulse - May 3, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Carotid Stiffness: A Novel Cerebrovascular Disease Risk Factor
Carotid stiffening is considered an important element in the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular diseases. These include stroke as well as vascular dementia and depression. However, results of individual studies evaluating the association between carotid stiffening and incident stroke have been inconsistent. Therefore, we have conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, showing that carotid stiffening is associated with incident stroke independently of cardiovascular risk factors and aortic stiffness. In addition, carotid stiffening improved stroke risk prediction beyond the Framingham stroke risk factors and aortic stiff...
Source: Pulse - April 14, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Assessment of Arterial Stiffness Using the Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index
Background: Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. Although measurement of pulse wave velocity is a widely accepted, noninvasive approach for the assessment of arterial stiffness, its accuracy is affected by changes in blood pressure. Summary: The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is an index of the overall stiffness of the artery from the origin of the aorta to the ankle and is theoretically independent of blood pressure at the time of measurement. CAVI increases linearly with age and is elevated even in mild arteriosclerotic disease. It can identify differenc...
Source: Pulse - April 8, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Contents Vol. 3, 2015
Pulse 2015;3:I-IV (Source: Pulse)
Source: Pulse - April 5, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Quantification of the Interrelationship between Brachial-Ankle and Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity in a Workplace Population
Conclusions: Brachial-ankle and carotid-femoral PWV were closely correlated, and had similar determinants. Brachial-ankle PWV can behave as an ease-of-use alternative measure of arterial stiffness for assessing cardiovascular risk.Pulse 2015;3:253-262 (Source: Pulse)
Source: Pulse - March 15, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Hyperuricemia, Cardiovascular Disease, and Hypertension
In recent years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of hyperuricemia, and the latter has attracted attention as an adult lifestyle-associated disease, together with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Although hyperuricemia is known to be an independent risk factor for hypertension, whether it is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease remains controversial. Recently, some small-scale interventional studies on antihyperuricemic medications showed that the latter improved angina symptoms and prevented cardiovascular disease. Here, we will mainly explain the cause of hyperuricemia and the associ...
Source: Pulse - March 12, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Anatomical and Functional Estimations of Brachial Artery Diameter and Elasticity Using Oscillometric Measurements with a Quantitative Approach
We report on the reliability of the new automated oscillometric measurement of eA and VE. Based on our findings, this measurement technique should be a reliable approach, and this modality may have practical application to automatically assess muscular artery diameter and elasticity in clinical or epidemiological settings. In this review, we report the characteristics of our new oscillometric measurements and other related vascular function measurements.Pulse 2016;4:1-10 (Source: Pulse)
Source: Pulse - March 4, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Arterial Stiffness and Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health concern due to the high prevalence of associated cardiovascular (CV) disease. CV mortality is 10-30 times higher in end-stage renal disease patients than in the age-adjusted general population. The last 20 years have been marked by a huge effort in the characterization of the vascular remodeling process associated with CKD and its consequences on the renal, CV and general prognosis. By comparison with patients with normal renal function, with or without hypertension, an increase in large artery stiffness has been described in end-stage renal disease as well as in CKD st...
Source: Pulse - March 3, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Association between Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (-238G/A and -308G/A) Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis
Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory pleiotropic cytokine which may contribute to the initiation and progression of ischemic stroke (IS). Thus far, numerous studies have been performed to examine the association between -238G/A (rs361525) and -308G/A (rs1800629) polymorphisms in the promoter regions of the TNF-α gene and susceptibility to IS, but results are still conflicting. The aim of this meta-analysis is to provide a relatively comprehensive account of the association between TNF-α -238G/A and -308G/A gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to IS. A literature search for eligible candidate gene studi...
Source: Pulse - February 17, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Practical Suitability of a Stand-Alone Oscillometric Central Blood Pressure Monitor: A Review of the Microlife WatchBP Office Central
Accumulating evidence indicates that central blood pressure (CBP) is a better cardiovascular risk predictor than brachial blood pressure (BP). Although more additional benefits of CBP-based treatment above usual hypertension treatment are to be demonstrated, the demand for implementing CBP assessment in general clinical practice is increasing. For this, the measurement procedure must be noninvasive, easy to perform, and cost- and time-efficient. Therefore, oscillometric devices with the possibility to assess CBP seem the best option. Recently, such an oscillometric BP monitor, the Microlife WatchBP Office Central, was deve...
Source: Pulse - February 13, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity: Background, Method, and Clinical Evidence
Background: The populations of many developed countries are becoming progressively older. In aged societies, assessment of total vascular risk is critically important, because old age is usually associated with multiple risks. In this regard, pulse wave velocity (PWV) could be a global cardiovascular marker, since it increases with advancing age, high blood pressure, hyperglycaemia, and other traditional risks, summating cardiovascular risks. Carotid-femoral PWV has been widely applied in Western countries and has been used as a gold-standard PWV measure. However, this measure has never been implemented by general practiti...
Source: Pulse - February 5, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Cerebral Small Vessel Disease and Arterial Stiffness: Tsunami Effect in the Brain
Background: Cerebral small vessel diseases, including silent lacunar infarcts, white matter hyperintensities, and microbleeds, pose a risk for cerebrovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and the geriatric syndrome via effects on arterial stiffness. However, the vascular, physiological, and metabolic roles of arterial stiffness in cerebral small vessel diseases remain unclear. Summary: Arterial stiffness can be assessed using various indicators such as the ankle-brachial index, pulse wave velocity, cardio-ankle vascular index, and augmentation index. Arterial stiffness is independently associated with all components of c...
Source: Pulse - January 20, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
New Insight into Effects of β-Blockers on Arterial Functions
The effects of β-blockers on arterial properties are not well investigated. In our recent study, we compared the effects of the two β-blockers celiprolol and bisoprolol on blood pressure, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), flow-mediated vasodilatation, and vascular stiffness. We found that bisoprolol achieved a greater reduction in the pulse rate and improved BRS and vascular stiffness, whereas celiprolol reduced the central blood pressure level. In this review, the mechanisms of different types of β-blockers and their effects on arteries are discussed, and the appropriate use of β-blockers in hypertensive subjects will be ...
Source: Pulse - January 19, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Cerebral Small Vessel Disease and Arterial Stiffness: Tsunami Effect in the Brain?
Background: Cerebral small vessel diseases, including silent lacunar infarcts, white matter hyperintensities, and microbleeds, pose a risk for cerebrovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and the geriatric syndrome via effects on arterial stiffness. However, the vascular, physiological, and metabolic roles of arterial stiffness in cerebral small vessel diseases remain unclear. Summary: Arterial stiffness can be assessed using various indicators such as the ankle-brachial index, pulse wave velocity, cardio-ankle vascular index, and augmentation index. Arterial stiffness is independently associated with all components of c...
Source: Pulse - January 19, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Aortic Root Calcification: A Possible Imaging Biomarker of Coronary Atherosclerosis
It has been reported that coronary atherosclerosis risk assessment using coronary artery calcium and thoracic aorta calcium quantification may improve risk stratification as it can lead to the reclassification of persons at increased risk. The aortic root has been characterized by its close anatomical proximity to the ostial origins of the right and left coronary arteries, and it can be evaluated using multi-detector computed tomography without additional radiation exposure and the use of contrast. The correlations between aortic root calcification and coronary atherosclerotic markers as well as cardiac risk factors have b...
Source: Pulse - January 12, 2016 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
