Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Aug 2009
Transpulmonary B-type natriuretic peptide uptake and cyclic guanosine monophosphate release in heart failure and pulmonary hypertension: the effects of sildenafil.
We sought to identify factors that discriminate heart failure (HF) patients with normal and elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and to elucidate the role of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent vasodilation. ⋯ The H-PVR patients have stiffening of both pulmonary and systemic arteries, preserved transpulmonary BNP uptake, but diminished cGMP release, which is reversible by the administration of sildenafil. This study provides in vivo evidence that phosphodiesterase 5A inhibition restores sensitivity of pulmonary vasculature to endogenous cGMP-dependent vasodilators.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Aug 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEfficacy of atorvastatin reload in patients on chronic statin therapy undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: results of the ARMYDA-RECAPTURE (Atorvastatin for Reduction of Myocardial Damage During Angioplasty) Randomized Trial.
This study was designed to investigate whether an acute atorvastatin reload before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) protects patients receiving chronic statin therapy from periprocedural myocardial damage. ⋯ The ARMYDA-RECAPTURE trial suggests that reloading with high-dose atorvastatin improves the clinical outcome of patients on chronic statin therapy undergoing PCI. These findings may support a strategy of routine reload with high-dose atorvastatin early before intervention even in the background of chronic therapy.