European journal of preventive cardiology
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Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have an important role in repair following vascular injury. However, in patients with diabetes, EPC number and function are markedly reduced. It is unclear whether intensive glycaemic control can modify EPC properties in diabetic patients. We aimed to examine whether glycaemic control can improve EPC number and function in patients with long-standing uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. ⋯ In patients with uncontrolled long-standing type 2 diabetes, intensive glycaemic control was associated with an increase in the levels of circulating EPCs, and improvement in their functional properties.
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We are unaware of any previous investigation that has compared the relationship of key cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) variables to various measures of pathophysiology between heart failure-reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF-preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) cohorts that are well matched with respect to baseline characteristics and their exercise response, which is the purpose of the present study. ⋯ The results of the current study indicate CPX equally represents disease severity in HFrEF and HFpEF patients. This is a novel finding supporting the key role of CPX in the clinical follow-up of HF patients irrespective of LVEF and cardiac phenotype.
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Observational Study
Age- and sex-related effects on ankle-brachial index in a screened cohort of Japanese: the Okinawa Peripheral Arterial Disease Study (OPADS).
Age-related change of ankle-brachial index (ABI) within the general population, especially <40 years, has not been determined in large population studies. We evaluated the value of the ABI by age- and sex-related differences in a screened cohort. ⋯ The ABI increased with age until 60-69 years, and was lower in women than in men. It is unlikely that a low ABI in younger healthy women always indicate that existence of arterial stenosis.
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Comparative Study
The region makes the difference: disparities in management of acute myocardial infarction within Switzerland.
In Switzerland, health policies are decided at the local level, but little is known regarding their impact on the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In this study, we assessed geographical differences within Switzerland regarding management of AMI. ⋯ In Switzerland, significant geographical differences in management and revascularization procedures for AMI were found.
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Review Meta Analysis
Systematic review and meta-analysis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and race or ethnicity: black US populations fare worse.
Several studies have reported racial/ethnic variation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) characteristics, which engendered varying conclusions. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysed the evidence for differences in OOHCA survival when considering the patient's race and/or ethnicity. ⋯ Our work highlights the significant discrepancy in OOHCA characteristics and patient survival in relation to the patient's race, with the black population faring less well across all stages. Most studies compared black and white populations within the US, so research elsewhere and with other ethnic groups is needed. This review exposes an inequality that demands urgent action.