Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Nov 2005
Suppression of endothelial progenitor cells in human coronary artery disease by the endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine.
We tested the hypothesis that asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) may be an endogenous inhibitor of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). ⋯ Asymmetric dimethylarginine is an endogenous inhibitor of mobilization, differentiation, and function of EPCs. This contributes to the cardiovascular risk in patients with high ADMA levels and may explain low numbers and function of EPCs in patients with coronary artery disease.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Oct 2005
Comparative StudyOperative and late coronary artery bypass grafting outcomes in matched African-American versus Caucasian patients: evidence of a late survival-Medicaid association.
This study sought to determine whether African-American versus Caucasian race is a determinant of early or late coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) outcomes. ⋯ African-American race per se is not associated with worse operative or late outcomes underscoring that CABG should be based on clinical characteristics only. Alternatively, Medicaid status, which is more prevalent among African Americans, is associated with worse late survival, especially in non-Medicare patients. Studies are needed to elucidate this late Medicaid-CABG outcome association.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Oct 2005
Long-term results after primary one-stage repair of transposition of the great arteries and aortic arch obstruction.
The study was designed to evaluate perioperative and late results after primary, single-stage arterial switch operation (ASO) associated with aortic arch obstruction repair. Outcome of patients with more than five years of follow-up were analyzed. ⋯ Infants with ventriculoarterial discordance and aortic arch obstruction represent a high-risk subgroup of candidates for an ASO. Despite a non-negligible operative mortality, single-stage primary repair represents the treatment of choice, and follow-up of operative survivors is favorable. Pericardial patch enlargement is a reliable technique for arch obstruction repair.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe effect of losartan versus atenolol on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with hypertension taking aspirin: the Losartan Intervention for Endpoint Reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study.
We conducted a subgroup analysis in the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study to determine whether aspirin interacted with the properties of losartan, an angiotensin-II receptor antagonist. ⋯ There was a statistical interaction between treatment and aspirin in the LIFE study, with significantly greater reductions for the CEP and MI with losartan in patients using aspirin than in patients not using aspirin at baseline. Further studies are needed to clarify whether this represents a pharmacologic interaction or a selection by aspirin use of patients more likely to respond to losartan treatment.