Journal of internal medicine
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Sarcoidosis is a heterogeneous disorder with a strong genetic influence. Genetic factors are also thought to influence disease severity and outcome. We sought to determine whether polymorphisms within CCR2 gene predispose to Löfgren's syndrome--a clinically and genetically distinct sarcoidosis phenotype--and, importantly, whether this association is independent of the known association with the HLA-DRB1*0301 allele. ⋯ This study confirms that CCR2 haplotype 2 and HLA-DRB1*0301 are independent genetic risk factors for Löfgren's syndrome.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Aspirin and clopidogrel with or without phenprocoumon after drug eluting coronary stent placement in patients on chronic oral anticoagulation.
Optimal antithrombotic/anticoagulation therapy in patients on chronic oral anticoagulation (OAC) undergoing drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is unknown. We investigated the efficacy and safety of two regimens of antithrombotic/anticoagulation therapy in patients who present for DES implantation whilst on OAC. ⋯ In patients on chronic OAC undergoing DES implantation, clinical and echocardiographic criteria help to define postprocedural antithrombotic/anticoagulation therapy. Based on these criteria, both a double antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel plus aspirin) and a triple therapy (OAC plus clopidogrel plus aspirin) are associated with favourable safety and efficacy.
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Apolipoprotein A-V (apoAV) contributes to the regulation of triglyceride metabolism, which plays a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic diseases. We therefore ascertained determinants of hepatic APOA5 transcript and apoAV plasma levels in humans. ⋯ Apolipoprotein A-V plasma levels are independently associated with plasma free fatty acid and hepatic APOA5 mRNA levels. Associations of APOA5 transcripts with PPARA and CPT1A1 transcripts suggest that APOA5 expression is intimately linked to hepatic lipid metabolism.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients admitted with heart failure.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important differential diagnosis in patients with heart failure (HF). The primary aims were to determine the prevalence of COPD and to test the accuracy of self-reported COPD in patients admitted with HF. Secondary aims were to study a possible relationship between right and left ventricular function and pulmonary function. ⋯ Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is frequent in patients admitted with HF and self-reported COPD only identifies a minority. The prevalence of COPD was high in both patients with systolic and nonsystolic HF.