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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

This is a retrospective study of the ability of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) to treat hypertension and renal impairment in patients with haemodynamically significant renal artery stenoses (those over 50%). Thirty-two patients underwent PTA procedure in a 4 year study period. Seventeen were male, 15 female, with an average age of 61 years. Thirty patients had atherosclerosis and 2 had fibromuscular hyperplasia (FMH) lesions. The procedure was technically unsuccessful in 28% of 37 arteries attempted, primarily in the > 80% stenosis group. The mean clinical follow-up period was 20 months. In those patients with technically successful PTAs, none was cured, with no change in the status of hypertension or medication required. Clinical improvement was seen in 37% (7 of 19) patients with atherosclerotic disease and who had PTA of significant unilateral lesions or of the haemodynamically significant side in cases of bilateral disease. Two patients with FMH lesions had improvement. Five patients with PTA of only one side in cases of significant bilateral disease gained no benefit. Nine patients with pre-existent renal insufficiency and technically successful PTAs had no improvement of renal function. No mortality or any significant morbidity resulted from the procedure. These results are more compatible with more recent than the earlier literature.
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PMID:Use of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty to treat renovascular disease. 129 84

Fourteen patients with renovascular hypertension complicated by renal impairment and/or a nonfunctioning kidney underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the remaining kidney(s) for the purpose of improving blood pressure control and/or renal function. The outcome of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in these individuals was evaluated over periods ranging from 1 to 72 months. All patients had atherosclerotic renovascular hypertension as judged by the X-ray appearance of the stenotic lesions of the renal artery as well as evidence of aortic atherosclerosis. Four of the 14 subjects demonstrated a decrease in serum creatinine greater than or equal to 20% following the procedure, and an equal number showed a similar increase in serum creatinine. In the 1st month following the procedure, 5 patients required dialysis because of deterioration of renal function, 4 of whom subsequently died. Over the entire population, only 4 subjects showed improvement in blood pressure and renal function which persisted for 18 to 72 months. One of these subjects had a recurrence of renovascular hypertension and underwent successful repeat dilatation for bilateral disease after 2 years following the initial angioplasty. This patient remains improved. These observations confirm that when renovascular hypertension occurs in an older population with cardiac and renal disease or occurs in a solitary functioning kidney, the remote prognosis is not good. The improvement rate of 29% with dilatation alone in this population appears to be less than that observed following surgical intervention in a similar population. Thus, transluminal angioplasty should be reserved for those subjects who are not surgical candidates or who refuse surgical intervention.
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PMID:Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in complicated renal vascular hypertension. 294 15

Lipids are transported in plasma as lipoproteins, and an increase in 1 or more classes of lipoprotein underlies all forms of hyperlipidaemia. Physiological influences on lipoprotein metabolism are age, gender, bodyweight, diet and exercise. Pathological influences include genetic abnormalities, endocrine dysfunction, renal impairment and iatrogenic effects. Three inherited forms of hyperlipidaemia which predispose to atherosclerosis are familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), type III hyperlipoproteinaemia and familial combined hyperlipidaemia (FCH), each of which has its own distinctive metabolism defect. In FH, deficiency of low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors results in the accumulation in plasma of LDL-cholesterol because of a reduction in the receptor-mediated component of LDL catabolism. In type III hyperlipoproteinaemia, the presence of an abnormal apo E isoform (apo E2) in remnant particles leads to their accumulation in plasma, through nonrecognition by remnant receptors and a consequent reduced rate of hepatic uptake. In contrast, there is no primary catabolic defect in FCH, in which increased levels of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and LDL are largely the result of increased synthesis.
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PMID:Normal and pathological lipoprotein metabolism. 307 22

Experience with renovascular reconstruction at the authors' institution over the past 16 years has been reviewed. A total of 76 patients underwent surgical intervention for renovascular disease during that time. This included 62 patients with atherosclerosis and 11 with fibromuscular hyperplasia. Indications for intervention were uncontrolled hypertension in 42 patients and to restore renal impairment in eight. The procedure was performed for both indications in 26 patients. Ten patients (13%) died in the perioperative interval, which correlated strongly with comorbidity. With the exception of one patient, all deaths occurred in the elderly (> 65 years). While an increased mortality rate (P < 0.05) was observed in those undergoing concomitant surgical procedures (20%) as opposed to those undergoing renovascular reconstruction alone (6%), this was not an independent risk factor. Both the short term and long term response of hypertension control to renovascular reconstruction were favourable, with age < 60 years, shorter duration of hypertension (< 5 years) and diagnosis of fibromuscular hyperplasia predictive of a better response. Renovascular reconstruction, while successful in stabilizing or even improving renal function in the short term, was poor at restoring function long term, especially in the subgroup of patients whose serum creatinine was > 200 mumol/l at the time of reconstruction.
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PMID:Short-term and long-term outcome following renovascular reconstruction. 778 Jul 10

A retrospective study is presented concerning 115 patients submitted to renal artery surgery from 1978 to 1990, and observed during 2 to 15 years. Included are 69 men and 46 women, aged 14 to 84 years (mean: 58.8 years). The underlying occlusive arterial disease was atherosclerosis in 87 patients, fibromuscular dysplasia in 21, and miscellaneous causes in 7 cases. One hundred and one patients (88%) were hypertensive. Some degree of impaired renal excretory function (serum creatinine level above 16 mg/l) was present in 30% (n = 42) of the patients, whereas 11 patients had severe renal insufficiency (creatinemia above 30 mg/l). Primary nephrectomy was performed in 11 patients as sole procedure and was associated with contralateral revascularization in another 9 patients. A variety of types of arterial reconstruction was performed, although more than half of the procedures were aortorenal bypass grafts. Bilateral procedures were performed in 19 cases. Simultaneous extrarenal operations included aortic reconstruction (n = 43), mesenteric arterial repair (n = 8), and carotid endarterectomy (n = 5). Operative mortality (9/115, 7.8%) varied considerably between the subgroups: 4% for group I (hypertension alone, n = 73), 15% for group II (renal impairment with or without hypertension, n = 34), and 12.5% for group III (acute renal failure, n = 8). There were 3 late non procedure-related in-hospital deaths. Preoperative renal insufficiency was the only independent predictive risk factor for operative death. The procedure was curative or led to improved blood pressure control in 79% (80/101) of hypertensive patients. The response rate was better for recent onset hypertension, compared to long-standing hypertension. Of the 42 azotemic patients, 78% had a benefit (improvement in 50%, stabilization in 28%) of renal revascularization. Associated longstanding hypertension had a negative prognostic value. Sequential clinical and functional follow-up evaluations are available on 99 of the 103 surviving patients. Cumulative 5-year survival is 87%. Cardiovascular causes account for most (11/15) of the late deaths.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Surgery for occlusive renal artery disease: immediate and long-term results. 790 Apr 83

Losartan potassium is the first of a new class of orally active antihypertensive drugs which antagonise the action of angiotensin (AT) II at the AT1 receptor subtype. Losartan potassium is converted by the liver to the active metabolite E-3174, which is a more potent antagonist at the AT1 receptor. E-3174 is responsible for most of the pharmacological effects of losartan potassium, and its long half-life contributes to the extended duration of action of the drug. Losartan potassium is effective as a once-daily antihypertensive agent. In mild to moderate hypertension, losartan potassium has similar efficacy to enalapril, atenolol and felodipine extended release. When losartan potassium is combined with hydrochlorothiazide there is a further reduction in blood pressure. Losartan potassium is well tolerated in mild, moderate and severe essential hypertension, with dizziness being reported as the only drug-related adverse effect. The overall rate of patient withdrawal from therapy due to adverse experiences with losartan potassium is lower (2.3%) than that of placebo (3.7%). First-dose hypotension is uncommon, perhaps due to the slower onset of action of the drug, and cough does not appear to be a significant problem. A number of areas concerning the safety and efficacy of losartan potassium remain to be clarified. In particular, long term tolerability studies are needed; cough only became apparent as an adverse effect of ACE inhibitors after 3 to 4 years of use. Postmarketing surveillance has shown that angioedema, a rare but life-threatening adverse effect of ACE inhibitors, also occurs with losartan potassium. Further data are needed on the use of losartan potassium in patients with renal impairment before accepting the recommendation that dosage adjustment is not necessary. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of losartan potassium in patients with hepatic disease also require further investigation. Losartan potassium increases uric acid secretion and lowers plasma uric acid levels, which may be of benefit when losartan potassium is combined with a thiazide diuretic, but which may otherwise lead to uric acid stone formation and possibly to nephropathy. Simple control of blood pressure is no longer an adequate goal in the management of hypertension. Any new antihypertensive agent should also reduce cardiovascular events, prevent or cause regression of end-organ damage such as left ventricular hypertrophy, atherosclerosis and renal failure, and should not impair quality of life. Such data on losartan potassium are not currently available. Losartan potassium is likely to be used in patients who are intolerant of ACE inhibitors, but its future in the management of hypertension will depend on long term tolerability studies and data on its effects beyond simple blood pressure control.
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PMID:A risk-benefit assessment of losartan potassium in the treatment of hypertension. 901 Jun 43

Homocysteine is an intermediate compound formed during metabolism of methionine. The results of many recent studies have indicated that elevated plasma levels of homocyst(e)ine are associated with increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and thrombosis. The plasma level of homocyst(e)ine is dependent on genetically regulated levels of essential enzymes and the intake of folic acid, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), and vitamin B12 (cobalamin). Impaired renal function, increased age, and pharmacologic agents (e.g. nitrous oxide, methotrexate) can contribute to increased levels of homocyst(e)ine. Plausible mechanisms by which homocyst(e)ine might contribute to atherogenesis include promotion of platelet activation and enhanced coagulability, increased smooth muscle cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, induction of endothelial dysfunction, and stimulation of LDL oxidation. Levels of homocysteine can be reduced with pharmacologic doses of folic acid, pyridoxine, vitamin B12, or betaine, but further research is required to determine the efficacy of this intervention in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with atherosclerotic vascular disease.
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PMID:Homocyst(e)ine: an important risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease. 912 8

Vascular endothelium releases nitric oxide (NO), an important vasodilator that is continuously synthesised by the constitutive enzyme, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS). This maintains a constant vasodilator tone which is diminished in adult hypertension, due to reduced endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation, which is NO dependent. In childhood, however, hypertension is often secondary, and normalisation of blood pressure by removal of cause (e.g. renal artery stenosis, catecholamine-producing tumour) suggests reversibility of endothelial dysfunction, if it is present. Raised plasma levels of endogenous inhibitors have been found, especially in children with secondary hypertension due to renal parenchymal and renovascular disease, and may contribute to hypertension by more than just inhibition of vascular NO release; e.g. by reduction of glomerular filtration rate and promotion of salt and water retention. These inhibitors also modulate renin release, which may be of relevance in cardiovascular physiology, and may also interfere with the anti-platelet properties of NO, increasing the likelihood of vascular thrombotic events. NO inhibitors also promote endothelial activation, with increased expression of adhesion molecules that may form seedlings of atherosclerosis. In chronic renal impairment, accumulation of NO inhibitors may contribute to hypertension. Efficient long-session dialysis helps better interdialysis control of blood pressure in these subjects, independent of salt and water removal, suggesting that removal of such vasoactive agents may be important for efficient blood pressure control. There are a few studies assessing NO generation in hypertensive children via plasma nitrite and nitrate, the NO end products, which suggest normal or increased production as opposed to a reduction, perhaps as a compensatory phenomenon. In the treatment of hypertension, nitroprusside and nitrates exert their actions via NO donation. Excessive production of NO (usually via inducible NOS) or excessive administration (nitrovasodilators) can be cytotoxic and may cause hypotension and shock, as in severe sepsis. NOS inhibitors and NO therefore appear to play a crucial role in aetiology, complications and therapy of childhood hypertension.
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PMID:Vascular endothelium and nitric oxide in childhood hypertension. 981 94

Clopidogrel, a new platelet ADP receptor antagonist, is more effective than aspirin in reducing the risk of subsequent vascular ischemic events in patients with a broad spectrum of symptomatic atherosclerosis (recent ischemic stroke, recent myocardial infarction, or symptomatic peripheral arterial disease). In CAPRIE (clopidogrel versus aspirin in patients at risk of ischemic events), a randomized, blinded, active control trial in 19,185 high-risk patients, clopidogrel reduced the combined risk of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction or vascular death by 8.7% compared with aspirin (p = 0.043). The CAPRIE cohort had a mean age of 62.5 years, which was reflected in the high proportion of patients who had medical conditions other than symptomatic atherosclerosis, and in the extensive use of concurrent therapies, including commonly used cardiovascular drugs. For all concomitant medications analysed, there was no evidence of statistically or clinically significant interactions with clopidogrel. The CAPRIE data confirm the findings of earlier clinical studies, which suggested that clinically significant drug interactions with clopidogrel are rare, that it can safely be prescribed with a range of other drugs (including phenobarbital, cimetidine, estrogen, digoxin, theophylline, atenolol, nifedipine, or nifedipine-atenolol in combination), and that the clinically proven dose of 75 mg once daily is suitable for all age groups studied. Moreover, CAPRIE demonstrated that there is no need for an adjustment of clopidogrel dose on the basis of gender, weight or race, and that there is no need for routine hematological monitoring. Additional clinical pharmacology studies have shown that the absorption of clopidogrel is unaffected by food or antacids, and that no dose adjustment is necessary in patients with renal impairment or with mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment. Due to pharmacologic considerations and limited clinical data, clopidogrel should be used cautiously with heparin, warfarin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. With a simple regimen of 75 mg once daily indicated for all patients, clopidogrel combines a favorable risk/benefit ratio with ease of use in clinical practice.
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PMID:Clinical aspects of the use of clopidogrel, a new antiplatelet agent. 1044 Apr 29

Gout is an inflammatory response to deposition of monosodium urate crystals in and around joints. It is primarily a disease of adult men. In acute gout, treatment options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine and corticosteroids, administered either intra-articularly, orally or parenterally. Asymptomatic hyperuricaemia does not require specific treatment, but should prompt screening for atherosclerosis risk factors, and general lifestyle modification to reduce serum urate levels. Gout presents differently in the elderly. Both women and men are affected, attacks are frequently polyarticular and in the upper limbs, and the gout may be associated with diuretic use, hypertension and renal impairment. In patients with peptic ulcer disease, selective COX-2 inhibitors provide another treatment option. In the presence of renal impairment, allopurinol is the treatment of choice for urate lowering therapy, but doses of allopurinol and colchicine must be adjusted. Urate lowering therapy should only be used if recurrent episodes of gout occur despite aggressive attempts to reverse or control the underlying causes. It should not be introduced or discontinued during an acute episode of gout, and gout prophylaxis (NSAIDs or colchicine) should be prescribed during the introduction of urate lowering therapy.
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PMID:Clinical manifestations of gout and their management. 1090 73


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