Atherosclerosis
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Review Meta Analysis
Effect of continuous positive airway pressure on lipid profile in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is an independent risk factor for development of dyslipidemia. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the first-line treatment for OSAS. However, it is unclear whether CPAP improves lipid metabolism. ⋯ We confirmed that CPAP decreases the TC level, especially in OSAS patients who are younger, more obese, and who use CPAP for a longer period. CPAP did not alter TG, LDL, or HDL levels, suggesting that CPAP may have no clinically important effect on lipid metabolism.
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Review
Pathology of human plaque vulnerability: mechanisms and consequences of intraplaque haemorrhages.
Atherothrombotic diseases are still major causes of inability and mortality and fighting atherothrombosis remains a public health priority. The involvement of repeated intraplaque haemorrhages (IPH) in the evolution of atherothrombotic lesions towards complications was proposed as early as 1936. This important topic has been recently revisited and reviewed. ⋯ The presence of iron, glycophorin A and ceroids provides evidence of RBCs. IPH also convey blood leukocytes and platelets and are sites prone to weak pathogen contamination. Therefore prevention and treatment of the biological consequences of IPH pave the way to innovative preventive strategies and improved therapeutic options in human atherothrombotic diseases.
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Cardiovascular imaging imparts a huge burden on healthcare spending. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) may provide a cost effective means of diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD) and reducing downstream cost of testing. We performed a systematic search of literature for randomized controlled trials or prospective or retrospective non-randomized comparative studies or case series, decision analytic models and technology reports in which some or all of the patients underwent CCTA and looking at the cost effectiveness, comparative effectiveness and downstream test utilization associated with the use of CCTA. ⋯ Use of CCTA is cost- and time-effective strategy for evaluation of low risk (<30% CAD prevalence) acute chest pain patients in emergency department and can be used for safe exclusion of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Use of coronary calcium score as an initial test may require further evidence to be deemed cost-effective strategy. CCTA may represent a cost effective and may be associated with less downstream testing for diagnosis of stable chest pain patients in low to intermediate risk patients whereas for low risk acute chest pain patients, use of CCTA is associated with expedited patient management, less cost and safe exclusion of ACS.
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The endothelial glycocalyx (eGC), a mesh of anionic biopolymers covering the luminal surface of endothelial cells, is considered as an intravascular compartment that protects the vessel wall against pathogenic insults in cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with reduced eGC integrity and subsequent endothelial dysfunction. ⋯ Our findings provide evidence for damage of the atheroprotective eGC as a consequence of CKD and potentially open a new avenue to pathophysiology and treatment of cardiovascular disease in renal patients.