Atherosclerosis
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Altered arterial stiffness is a recognized risk factor of poor cardiovascular health. Ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI, defined as one minus the regression slope of diastolic on systolic blood pressure values derived from a 24 h arterial blood pressure monitoring, ABPM) is an upcoming and readily available marker of arterial stiffness. Our hypothesis was that AASI is increased in obese children compared to age- and gender matched healthy subjects. ⋯ This study shows that AASI, a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness, is increased in obese children. AASI seems to be influenced by BMI and pulse pressure independently of systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, suggesting that other factors are involved in increased arterial stiffness in obese children.
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The predictive value of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in stroke patients has not yet been established. We investigated the prognostic value of coronary artery disease (CAD) detection by CCTA, and determined the incremental risk stratification benefit of CCTA findings as compared to coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) in ischemic stroke patients without chest pain. ⋯ In ischemic stroke patients without chest pain, CCTA findings of CAD provide additional risk-discrimination over CACS.
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The value of measuring levels of gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) for the prediction of first cardiovascular events is uncertain. We aimed to determine whether adding information on GGT values to conventional cardiovascular risk factors is associated with improvement in prediction of CVD risk. ⋯ In the general population, adding GGT to conventional CVD risk factors is unlikely to improve prediction of first-ever cardiovascular events.
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Past studies examining the effect of vitamin D on statin myalgia have been variable; however, these studies were done in limited samples not representative of the general population. We aimed to evaluate whether vitamin D status modifies the association between statin use and musculoskeletal pain in a sample representative of the general population. ⋯ Among adults ≥ 40 years old with 25(OH)D <15 ng/mL, statin users had nearly 2 times greater odds of reporting musculoskeletal pain compared to non-statin users. Our findings support the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency modifies the risk of musculoskeletal symptoms experienced with statin use.
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Observational Study
LDL cholesterol as a novel risk factor for contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is associated with endothelial dysfunction, inflammation and increased vasoconstriction, which are involved in the development of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). However, whether LDL-C is an independent risk factor of CI-AKI in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unknown. ⋯ Measurement of plasma LDL-C concentrations in patients undergoing PCI may be helpful to identify those who are at risk of CI-AKI and poor in hospital outcomes.