Current cardiology reports
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There are a number of recent studies evaluating sleep disordered breathing and its treatment in the context of blood pressure control. In addition, total sleep time and subjective sleep complaints may also be related to hypertension; these will be reviewed. ⋯ Treatment of sleep apnea with either continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or oral devices are reasonable treatment approaches for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but the data on the effect on blood pressure remain unclear. In summary, treatment of sleep disordered breathing may help reduce blood pressure or decrease development of incident hypertension.
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CRS is a common problem in patients with advanced heart failure. Arterial underfilling with consequent neurohormonal activation, systemic and intrarenal vasoconstriction, and salt and water retention cause the main clinical features of CRS which include a progressive decline in renal function, worsening renal function during treatment of heart failure (HF) decompensation and resistance to loop diuretics. ⋯ However, a transient fall in glomerular filtration rate may be a result of successful treatment of congestion, and thereby might not be associated with decreased survival in HF patients. This review covers basic pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the CRS and current trends in practical approaches to treat these patients.
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The appropriateness of coronary revascularization for various clinical scenarios has been reviewed formally by several specialty and subspecialty societies resulting in the formulation of scored appropriateness criteria. The goal of the appropriateness criteria is to guide physician decision-making and future research as well as to label coronary revascularization more clearly for patients and payors in regards to its expected benefits in certain situations. The appropriateness criteria were formulated from a standardized process and are intended to be updated at regular intervals as new data further elucidates the clinical roles of revascularization. ⋯ The differentiation of appropriateness with particular forms of revascularization has been reserved for specific clinical scenarios where revascularization is generally considered necessary and appropriate. The goals of this review are 1) to highlight aspects of the methodology and development of the coronary revascularization appropriateness criteria, and 2) to focus on the role established specifically for percutaneous coronary intervention within the criteria. Important data published in 2012 that further evaluates the role of percutaneous coronary intervention will also be reviewed with a focus on its potential impact on future iterations of the appropriateness criteria.
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A significant majority of atherosclerotic plaque ruptures occur in coronary arteries exhibiting none or only modest luminal narrowing on coronary angiography. Emerging data suggest the biological composition of an atherosclerotic plaque (vulnerability to rupture) rather than its degree of stenosis or size is the major determinants for acute clinical events. Thus, the pursuit for noninvasive molecular imaging probes that target plaque composition, such as inflammation and/or microcalcification is a creditable goal. 18 F-fluorodioxyglucose (18 F-FDG) is a metabolic probe that can be imaged using positron emission tomography (PET)/computer tomography (CT) technology to target plaque macrophage glucose utilization and inflammation. ⋯ More recently, another molecular probe 18 F-sodium fluoride (18 F-NaF) was introduced for PET imaging, which targets active microcalcifications in atherosclerotic plaques. Little is known regarding the role of early microcalcification in the initiation and progression of plaque, partly because of lack of a noninvasive imaging modality targeting molecular calcification. 18 F-NaF PET/CT imaging could provide new insights into the complex interaction of plaque, and facilitate understanding the mechanism of plaque calcification. Moreover, when these 2 molecular probes, 18 F-FDG and 18 F-NaF, that target distinct biological processes in an atherosclerotic plaque are used in combination, they may further elucidate the link between local inflammation, microcalcification, progression to plaque rupture, and cardiovascular event.
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Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death in the US and a leading cause of disability among adults. Stroke is broadly classified into ischemic and hemorrhagic subtypes. Although the pathogenesis may differ between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke subtypes, a unifying feature is that hypertension is a major risk factor for most ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. ⋯ In this review we discuss controversies about and guidelines for management of blood pressure in acute stroke. We subdivide our discussion to address important questions about acute blood pressure management in ischemic stroke, intraparenchymal hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. In addition, we address BP control recommendations when tissue plasminogen activator administration is being contemplated for treatment of acute ischemic stroke.