Journal of hypertension
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Journal of hypertension · Jul 2007
Biography Historical ArticleKarl Samuel Ritter Von Basch: the sphygmomanometer and the Empire.
The measurement of blood pressure is essential in clinical practice, and sphygmomanometers are a necessary appliance in every medical office. One of the most important men in the development of the sphygmomanometer was the Austrian physician Karl Samuel Ritter Von Basch. ⋯ He also had an important role in history by witnessing, and documenting, the short lived Second Mexican Empire of Maximilian of Hapsburg. His contributions to Mexico's history and to the study of hypertension make him a notable figure, and one that should be remembered.
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Journal of hypertension · Apr 2007
Augmentation index and carotid intima-media thickness are differently related to age, C-reactive protein and oxidized low-density lipoprotein.
Ageing, plasma circulating C-reactive protein (CRP), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) and homocysteine (Hcy) are associated with atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between age, inflammatory and oxidative stress-related markers with functional and structural changes of the arteries in asymptomatic persons. ⋯ The results of the present study showed that CRP, OxLDL, Hcy and age are not similarly related to AIx and IMT in asymptomatic persons. The results suggest that CRP and younger age are related to arterial stiffness, whereas OxLDL and older age become more important determinants of structural changes of the arteries in asymptomatic persons.
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Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) predicts mortality from cardiovascular disease, ischaemic heart disease and stroke. However, a comparison of associations between PWV measured at different sites and atherosclerosis in coronary, carotid and femoral arteries has not been made. ⋯ Carotid-femoral PWV is a better indicator of atherosclerosis than either carotid-radial or femoral-posterior tibial PWV, and should be used preferentially in studies of atherosclerosis and in stratifying risk in clinical settings.
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Journal of hypertension · Feb 2007
Prognostic value of blood pressure measured during hospitalization after acute myocardial infarction: an insight from survival trials.
The prognostic value of blood pressure measured during hospitalization after acute myocardial infarction (MI) has not been investigated, particularly with regard to arrhythmic death. ⋯ In post-MI patients with left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40% or asymptomatic ventricular arrhythmia, reduced blood pressure measured during hospitalization after MI significantly predicts all-cause mortality and arrhythmic mortality, and can be reliably used to identify patients who are at risk of dying after MI.
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Journal of hypertension · Feb 2007
C-reactive protein and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 are stronger predictors of oxidant stress than blood pressure in established hypertension.
Oxidant stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in cardiovascular diseases. Our aim was to test oxidative stress, as 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha (8-iso-PGF2alpha), and its relationship with inflammation markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), and endothelial activation assayed as soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 in essential hypertension. ⋯ Our findings demonstrate that oxidant stress is increased in essential hypertension, and relates to inflammation and endothelial activation. Factors other than blood pressure are stronger predictors of oxidant stress.