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1.
Potential influencing factors of aortic diameter at specific segments in population with cardiovascular risk.
Chen, T, Yang, X, Fang, X, Tang, L, Zhang, Y, Weng, Y, Zhang, H, Wu, J, Mao, P, Xu, B, et al
BMC cardiovascular disorders. 2022;(1):32
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aortic diameter is a critical parameter for the diagnosis of aortic dilated diseases. Aortic dilation has some common risk factors with cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate potential influence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and the measures of subclinical atherosclerosis on aortic diameter of specific segments among adults. METHODS Four hundred and eight patients with cardiovascular risk factors were prospectively recruited in the observational study. Comprehensive transthoracic M-mode, 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiographic studies were performed using commercial and clinical diagnostic ultrasonography techniques. The aortic dimensions were assessed at different levels: (1) the annulus, (2) the mid-point of the sinuses of Valsalva, (3) the sinotubular junction, (4) the ascending aorta at the level of its largest diameter, (5) the transverse arch (including proximal arch, mid arch, distal arch), (6) the descending aorta posterior to the left atrium, and (7) the abdominal aorta just distal to the origin of the renal arteries. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used for evaluating aortic diameter-related risk factors, including common cardiovascular risk factors, co-morbidities, subclinical atherosclerosis, lipid profile, and hematological parameters. RESULTS Significant univariate relations were found between aortic diameter of different levels and most traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Carotid intima-media thickness was significantly correlated with diameter of descending and abdominal aorta. Multivariate linear regression showed potential effects of age, sex, body surface area and some other cardiovascular risk factors on aortic diameter enlargement. Among them, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol had a significantly positive effect on the diameter of ascending and abdominal aorta. Diastolic blood pressure was observed for the positive associations with diameters of five thoracic aortic segments, while systolic blood pressure was only independently related to mid arch diameter. CONCLUSION Aortic segmental diameters were associated with diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, atherosclerosis diseases and other traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and some determinants still need to be clarified for a better understanding of aortic dilation diseases.
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2.
A Comparative Study of Health Efficacy Indicators in Subjects with T2DM Applying Power Cycling to 12 Weeks of Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training.
Li, J, Cheng, W, Ma, H
Journal of diabetes research. 2022;:9273830
Abstract
This study is aimed at comparing the effects of different exercise intensities, namely, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), on body composition, heart and lung fitness, and blood glucose, and blood pressure indices in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), using power cycling. A total of 96 T2DM volunteers who met the inclusion criteria were recruited from a hospital in Yangpu, Shanghai. Based on the blood index data of their medical examination results which comprised blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and insulin, 37 volunteers were included in the study. Exercise prescription was determined based on T2DM exercise guidelines combined with medical diagnosis and exercise test results, and the patients were randomly assigned to three groups: HIIT group, MICT group, and control (CON) group. HIIT involved one-minute power cycling (80%-95% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max)), one-minute passive or active rest (25%-30% VO2max), and two-minute rounds of eight groups. MICT required the use of a power bike for 30 minutes of continuous training (50%-70% VO2max) five times a week. The CON group was introduced to relevant medicine, exercise, and nutrition knowledge. The exercise interventions were completed under the supervision of an exercise instructor and hospital doctors. The same indicators were measured after 12 weeks of intervention, and the results of the two tests within and between groups were analyzed for comparison. The weight index of the MICT intervention showed statistically significant within-group differences (difference = 3.52, 95% CI = 2.11-4.92, p = 0.001 < 0.01); group differences for the MICT and CON groups were also statistically significant (difference = 3.52 ± 2.09, Cd1 = -0.39 ± 1.25, p = 0.004 < 0.01). Body mass index (BMI) analysis revealed that the overall means of BMI indicators were not statistically different between groups (F = 0.369, p = 0.694 > 0.05) and the before and after values of the MICT and CON (difference = -1.30 ± 0.79, Cd1 = -0.18 ± 0.45, p = 0.001 < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was observed in the overall mean VO2max index between the groups after the 12-week intervention (F = 2.51, p = 0.100 > 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in the overall means of the data between the two groups (difference = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.23-0.40, p = 0.001 < 0.01). Analysis of fasting blood glucose (FBG) indicators revealed statistically significant differences between the MICT and control groups (p = 0.028 < 0.05). Analysis of HbA1c and fasting insulin (FI) indicators revealed no statistically significant difference in the overall HbA1c index after the 12-week exercise intervention (F = 0.523, p = 0.598 > 0.05), and the overall difference before and after the experiment between the groups was statistically significant (F = 6.13, p = 0.006 < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was found in the FI index overall after the 12-week exercise intervention (F = 2.50, p = 0.1 > 0.05). Analysis of systolic blood pressure (SBP) revealed statistically significant difference before and after the HIIT and CON interventions (Hd7 = -1.10 ± 1.79, Cd7 = 1.2 ± 1.31, p = 0.018 < 0.05) and statistically significant difference before and after the MICT and CON interventions (Md7 = -0.99 ± 0.91, Cd7 = 1.40 ± 1.78, p = 0.02 < 0.05). The diastolic blood pressure (DBP) revealed no statistically significant within-group differences before and after. Exercise interventions applying both low-volume HIIT and MICT, with both intensity exercises designed for power cycling, improved health-related indicators in the participants; low-volume HIIT had more time advantage. The current experiment compared HIIT with MICT in a safe manner: 50% of the exercise time produced similar benefits and advantages in the two indicators of VO2max and FI. However, MICT was superior to HIIT in the two indicators of body weight (weight) and BMI. The effect of power cycling on FI has the advantages of both aerobic and resistance exercise, which may optimize the type, intensity, and time of exercise prescription according to the individual or the type of exercise program. Our results provide a reference for the personalization of exercise prescription for patients with T2DM.
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3.
Microcirculation and Macrocirculation in Hypertension: A Dangerous Cross-Link?
Laurent, S, Agabiti-Rosei, C, Bruno, RM, Rizzoni, D
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979). 2022;(3):479-490
Abstract
Microcirculation and macrocirculation are tightly interconnected into a dangerous cross-link in hypertension. Small artery damage includes functional (vasoconstriction, impaired vasodilatation) and structural abnormalities (mostly inward eutrophic remodeling). These abnormalities are major determinants of the increase in total peripheral resistance and mean blood pressure (BP) in primary hypertension, which in the long term induces large artery stiffening. In turn, large artery stiffening increases central systolic and pulse pressures, which are further augmented by wave reflection in response to the structural alterations in small resistance arteries. Finally, transmission of high BP and flow pulsatility to small resistance arteries further induces functional and structural abnormalities, thus leading to increased total peripheral resistance and mean BP, thus perpetuating the vicious circle. Hyperpulsatility, in addition to higher mean BP, exaggerates cardiac, brain, and kidney damages and leads to cardiovascular, cerebral, and renal complications. The dangerous cross-link between micro and macrocirculation can be reversed into a virtuous one by ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, sartans, and calcium channel blockers. These three pharmacological classes are more potent than β-blockers and diuretics for reducing arterial stiffness and small artery remodeling. The same ranking was observed for their effectiveness at reducing left ventricular hypertrophy, preserving glomerular filtration rate, and preventing dementia, suggesting that they can act beyond brachial BP reduction, by breaking the micro/macrocirculation vicious circle.
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4.
Low-dose fentanyl does not alter muscle sympathetic nerve activity, blood pressure, or tolerance during progressive central hypovolemia.
Huang, M, Watso, JC, Belval, LN, Cimino, FA, Fischer, M, Jarrard, CP, Hendrix, JM, Laborde, CH, Crandall, CG
American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology. 2022;(1):R55-R63
Abstract
Hemorrhage is a leading cause of battlefield and civilian trauma deaths. Several pain medications, including fentanyl, are recommended for use in the prehospital (i.e., field setting) for a hemorrhaging solider. However, it is unknown whether fentanyl impairs arterial blood pressure (BP) regulation, which would compromise hemorrhagic tolerance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that an analgesic dose of fentanyl impairs hemorrhagic tolerance in conscious humans. Twenty-eight volunteers (13 females) participated in this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. We conducted a presyncopal limited progressive lower body negative pressure test (LBNP; a validated model to simulate hemorrhage) following intravenous administration of fentanyl (75 µg) or placebo (saline). We quantified tolerance as a cumulative stress index (mmHg·min), which was compared between trials using a paired, two-tailed t test. We also compared muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA; microneurography) and beat-to-beat BP (photoplethysmography) during the LBNP test using a mixed effects model [time (LBNP stage) × trial]. LBNP tolerance was not different between trials (fentanyl: 647 ± 386 vs. placebo: 676 ± 295 mmHg·min, P = 0.61, Cohen's d = 0.08). Increases in MSNA burst frequency (time: P < 0.01, trial: P = 0.29, interaction: P = 0.94) and reductions in mean BP (time: P < 0.01, trial: P = 0.50, interaction: P = 0.16) during LBNP were not different between trials. These data, the first to be obtained in conscious humans, demonstrate that administration of an analgesic dose of fentanyl does not alter MSNA or BP during profound central hypovolemia, nor does it impair tolerance to this simulated hemorrhagic insult.
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5.
The effect of grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extract supplementation on flow-mediated dilation, blood pressure, and heart rate: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials with duration- and dose-response analysis.
Foshati, S, Nouripour, F, Sadeghi, E, Amani, R
Pharmacological research. 2022;:105905
Abstract
The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials was to assess the long-term effect of grape seed extract (GSE) supplementation on flow-mediated dilation (FMD), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) in adults. Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched up to May 24, 2021. Nineteen trials were included in this study. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. GSE supplementation significantly reduced DBP (WMD: -2.20 mmHg, 95% CI: -3.79 to -0.60, I2 = 88.8%) and HR (WMD: -1.25 bpm, 95% CI: -2.32 to -0.19, I2 = 59.5%) but had no significant effects on FMD (WMD: 1.02%, 95% CI: -0.62 to 2.66, I2 = 92.0%) and SBP (WMD: -3.55 mmHg, 95% CI: -7.59 to 0.49, I2 = 97.4%). Subgroup analysis revealed that the dose and duration of GSE administration and the characteristics of study participants could be sources of between-study heterogeneity. Significant non-linear relationships were found between DBP and the duration of GSE supplementation (P = 0.044) and its dose (P = 0.007). In conclusion, GSE may be beneficial for individuals with or at risk of cardiovascular disease because it may have hypotensive and HR-lowering properties.
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6.
Assessment of Omecamtiv Mecarbil for the Treatment of Patients With Severe Heart Failure: A Post Hoc Analysis of Data From the GALACTIC-HF Randomized Clinical Trial.
Felker, GM, Solomon, SD, Claggett, B, Diaz, R, McMurray, JJV, Metra, M, Anand, I, Crespo-Leiro, MG, Dahlström, U, Goncalvesova, E, et al
JAMA cardiology. 2022;(1):26-34
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is a progressive clinical syndrome, and many patients' condition worsen over time despite treatment. Patients with more severe disease are often intolerant of available medical therapies. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of omecamtiv mecarbil for the treatment of patients with severe heart failure (HF) enrolled in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac Outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC-HF) randomized clinical trial. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The GALACTIC-HF study was a global double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 randomized clinical trial that was conducted at multiple centers between January 2017 and August 2020. A total of 8232 patients with symptomatic HF (defined as New York Heart Association symptom class II-IV) and left ventricular ejection fraction of 35% or less were randomized to receive omecamtiv mecarbil or placebo and followed up for a median of 21.8 months (range, 15.4-28.6 months). The current post hoc analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of omecamtiv mecarbil therapy among patients classified as having severe HF compared with patients without severe HF. Severe HF was defined as the presence of all of the following criteria: New York Heart Association symptom class III to IV, left ventricular ejection fraction of 30% or less, and hospitalization for HF within the previous 6 months. INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive either omecamtiv mecarbil or placebo. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary end point was time to first HF event or cardiovascular (CV) death. Secondary end points included time to CV death and safety and tolerability. RESULTS Among 8232 patients enrolled in the GALACTIC-HF clinical trial, 2258 patients (27.4%; mean [SD] age, 64.5 [11.6] years; 1781 men [78.9%]) met the specified criteria for severe HF. Of those, 1106 patients were randomized to the omecamtiv mecarbil group and 1152 to the placebo group. Patients with severe HF who received omecamtiv mecarbil experienced a significant treatment benefit for the primary end point (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71-0.90), whereas patients without severe HF had no significant treatment benefit (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.91-1.08; P = .005 for interaction). For CV death, the results were similar (HR for patients with vs without severe HF: 0.88 [95% CI, 0.75-1.03] vs 1.10 [95% CI, 0.97-1.25]; P = .03 for interaction). Omecamtiv mecarbil therapy was well tolerated in patients with severe HF, with no significant changes in blood pressure, kidney function, or potassium level compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this post hoc analysis of data from the GALACTIC-HF clinical trial, omecamtiv mecarbil therapy may have provided a clinically meaningful reduction in the composite end point of time to first HF event or CV death among patients with severe HF. These data support a potential role of omecamtiv mecarbil therapy among patients for whom current treatment options are limited. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02929329.
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Female Sex and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism Amplify the Effects of Adiposity on Blood Pressure.
Chiriacò, M, Tricò, D, Leonetti, S, Petrie, JR, Balkau, B, Højlund, K, Pataky, Z, Nilsson, PM, Natali, A, ,
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979). 2022;(1):36-46
Abstract
The pathophysiological link between adiposity and blood pressure is not completely understood, and evidence suggests an influence of sex and genetic determinants. We aimed to identify the relationship between adiposity and blood pressure, independent of a robust set of lifestyle and metabolic factors, and to examine the modulating role of sex and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphisms. In the Relationship Between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease (RISC) study cohort, 1211 normotensive individuals, aged 30 to 60 years and followed-up after 3.3 years, were characterized for lifestyle and metabolic factors, body composition, and ACE genotype. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were independently associated with mean arterial pressure, with a stronger relationship in women than men (BMI: r=0.40 versus 0.30; WC: r=0.40 versus 0.30, both P<0.01) and in individuals with the ID and II ACE genotypes in both sexes (P<0.01). The associations of BMI and WC with mean arterial pressure were independent of age, sex, lifestyle, and metabolic variables (standardized regression coefficient=0.17 and 0.18 for BMI and WC, respectively) and showed a significant interaction with the ACE genotype only in women (P=0.03). A 5 cm larger WC at baseline increased the risk of developing hypertension at follow-up only in women (odds ratio, 1.56 [95% CI, 1.15-2.10], P=0.004) and in II genotype carriers (odds ratio, 1.87 [95% CI, 1.09-3.20], P=0.023). The hypertensive effect of adiposity is more pronounced in women and in people carrying the II variant of the ACE genotype, a marker of salt sensitivity.
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Fasting alters the gut microbiome reducing blood pressure and body weight in metabolic syndrome patients.
Maifeld, A, Bartolomaeus, H, Löber, U, Avery, EG, Steckhan, N, Markó, L, Wilck, N, Hamad, I, Šušnjar, U, Mähler, A, et al
Nature communications. 2021;(1):1970
Abstract
Periods of fasting and refeeding may reduce cardiometabolic risk elevated by Western diet. Here we show in the substudy of NCT02099968, investigating the clinical parameters, the immunome and gut microbiome exploratory endpoints, that in hypertensive metabolic syndrome patients, a 5-day fast followed by a modified Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension diet reduces systolic blood pressure, need for antihypertensive medications, body-mass index at three months post intervention compared to a modified Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension diet alone. Fasting alters the gut microbiome, impacting bacterial taxa and gene modules associated with short-chain fatty acid production. Cross-system analyses reveal a positive correlation of circulating mucosa-associated invariant T cells, non-classical monocytes and CD4+ effector T cells with systolic blood pressure. Furthermore, regulatory T cells positively correlate with body-mass index and weight. Machine learning analysis of baseline immunome or microbiome data predicts sustained systolic blood pressure response within the fasting group, identifying CD8+ effector T cells, Th17 cells and regulatory T cells or Desulfovibrionaceae, Hydrogenoanaerobacterium, Akkermansia, and Ruminococcaceae as important contributors to the model. Here we report that the high-resolution multi-omics data highlight fasting as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for the treatment of high blood pressure in metabolic syndrome patients.
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Black chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa extract reduces blood pressure, glycemia and lipid profile in patients with metabolic syndrome: a prospective controlled trial.
Tasic, N, Jakovljevic, VLJ, Mitrovic, M, Djindjic, B, Tasic, D, Dragisic, D, Citakovic, Z, Kovacevic, Z, Radoman, K, Zivkovic, V, et al
Molecular and cellular biochemistry. 2021;(7):2663-2673
Abstract
The aim of the study was to examine the effect of 4-week supplementation of Alixir 400 PROTECT® (Standardized Aronia L. Melanocarpa Extract Extract-SAE) on clinical and biochemical parameters in patients with confirmed metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study was designed as a prospective open-label clinical case-series study with 28 days of follow-up with cases selected and followed during the period from February 1, 2018 to November 2019. The study included 143 male and female patients with MetS who were subjected to SAE. SAE supplementation significantly altered SP, BP as well as HR values. After 2 weeks, CHOL levels significantly decreased in the fMetS-DM group compared to the baseline values in this group, while the LDL levels significantly decreased in the fMetS group. Triglycerides significantly decreased only after 4 weeks of SAE treatment in diabetic groups of patients (fMetS-DM and mMetS-DM) compared to the baseline, while in non-diabetic groups this marker was not significantly altered. Increased polyphenols or SAE consumption is correlated with a positive effect on body weight, total cholesterol, low and high-density lipoproteins, blood pressure and glycemia. Increasing consumption of polyphenol-rich foods could be a promising strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk.
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Effect of sour tea supplementation on liver enzymes, lipid profile, blood pressure, and antioxidant status in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.
Izadi, F, Farrokhzad, A, Tamizifar, B, Tarrahi, MJ, Entezari, MH
Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2021;(1):477-485
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sour tea supplementation in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Seventy NAFLD patients were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants received sour tea in the form of a 450 mg capsule or a placebo capsule daily for 8 weeks. Anthropometric indices, liver enzymes, lipid profile, blood pressure, and antioxidant status were evaluated at the baseline and at the end of the study. Sixty-one participants completed the study. After 8 weeks, sour tea administration significantly decreased serum triglyceride (TG) (p = .03), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p = .01), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p = .004) levels compared with the placebo. In addition, sour tea supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = .03) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p = .04), and a significant increase in serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (p ˂ .001) compared with the placebo. However, no significant changes in anthropometric measures, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels were observed after sour tea supplementation compared with the placebo (p > .05). Sour tea supplementation may be effective in improving serum TG, liver enzymes, and blood pressure in patients diagnosed with NAFLD. Further studies are needed to address the exact mechanism of action of these effects.