The Canadian journal of cardiology
-
The angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) is considered to be antigrowth and to mediate apoptosis in several cell types. Whether AT2R upregulation, associated with angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) blockade and cardioprotection after ischemia-reperfusion (IR), might not result in increased cardiomyocyte (CM) apoptosis has not been documented. ⋯ Increased AT2R protein expression during AT1R blockade after IR in the isolated Langendorff rat heart is associated with cardioprotection but no increase in CM apoptosis.
-
Hypertension is a major risk factor for death that affects many Canadians, but only 16% of hypertensive Canadians are treated and have their hypertension controlled. While the control rate is very low, the 2001 Canadian Hypertension Recommendations do not recommend that low risk hypertensive patients be started on pharmacotherapy, and pharmacotherapy is not recommended for people for whom there is no demonstrable benefit from randomized, controlled trails. ⋯ The results of the Canadian Heart Health survey indicate that there are a striking number of Canadians with untreated high blood pressure (59%) who probably do not have their hypertension managed according to the 2001 Canadian Hypertension Recommendations. Greater efforts are required to identify people with hypertension, and to ensure that they are managed according to the best available evidence.
-
Practice Guideline Guideline
The 2001 Canadian recommendations for the management of hypertension: Part one--Assessment for diagnosis, cardiovascular risk, causes and lifestyle modification.
To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the assessment of the diagnosis, cardiovascular risk, identifiable causes and lifestyle modifications for adults with high blood pressure. ⋯ These guidelines are endorsed by the Canadian Hypertension Society, The Canadian Coalition for High Blood Pressure Prevention and Control, The College of Family Physicians of Canada, The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, The Adult Disease Division and Bureau of Cardio-Respiratory Diseases and Diabetes at the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Health Canada.
-
Biventricular pacing improves left ventricular dysynchrony, leading to improvement in congestive heart failure symptoms. The extent of placebo effect, the predictors of response and the long term benefits are unknown. ⋯ Biventricular pacing improves quality of life and NYHA class in patients with advanced heart failure and intraventricular conduction delay. The attenuated benefit seen over time may be related to initial placebo effect or simple dual- chamber pacing, or the natural history of the underlying disease. Identification of patients most likely to respond to biventricular pacing was not possible.