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

Atherosclerosis is a slow progressive disease that is increasingly recognized to be a chronic inflammatory disease. Immune cells of various types are found directly in the atherosclerotic plaques at different stages of the disease. Most notable is the presence of macrophages and T lymphocytes, particularly in the beginning to intermediate stages of atherosclerotic development. Numerous investigators have shown that the participation of macrophages and T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is important. However, partly due to the complex web of secreted mediators such as cytokines and growth factors that affects all aspects of the immunobiology of these cells and their surrounding cells, the exact roles that these cells play are still incompletely understood. Even less understood are the roles, if any, of other immune cells such as natural killer cells, neutrophils and mast cells, although information regarding these cells in atherosclerosis is rapidly emerging. (c) 2001 Prous Science. All rights reserved.
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PMID:The participation of inflammatory cells in atherosclerosis. 1278 89

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major health problem worldwide and its increasing prevalence in younger age groups is of serious concern. Precipitating factors include changes in lifestyles, food fads and stress, as well as the impact of longevity resulting from the control and prevention of communicable diseases. Dietary practices can often lead to increased levels of lipids in blood or trigger an underlying disposition to atherosclerosis. Hence, dietary modification has been an important method for the management of CAD, with the aim of lowering lipid levels. However, long-term trials have shown that this approach reduces cholesterol and triglycerides only moderately. Drug therapy with clofibrate, cholestyramine, etc., has been successful but some disadvantages limit their long-term use. An alternative approach to the treatment of atherosclerosis has been the use of indigenous drugs. This article reviews some of the drugs of the traditional Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, which have been shown to possess antiatherogenic properties. (c) 2001 Prous Science. All rights reserved.
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PMID:Indigenous drugs and atherosclerosis. 1278 96

Essential hypertension accounts for 95% of all cases of hypertension. A small number of patients (between 2% and 5%) have a reversible disease as the cause for raised blood pressure. Unilateral and bilateral renal artery stenosis may be responsible for secondary hypertension. Diagnosis and treatment of renal artery stenosis are of a great importance. Revascularization of ischemic kidney may correct blood pressure control and preserve renal function. Much data suggest close pathophysiological relation between renal artery stenosis, ischemic nephropathy and development of hypertension. However, it should be stressed that not every renal artery stenosis leads to hypertension and ischemic nephropathy. Therefore diagnosis of renal artery stenosis in hypertensive patient is not always equivalent with renovascular hypertension. The true prevalence of renal artery stenosis is unknown. In unselected population it accounts for less than 1% of hypertensive patients. Renovascular etiology of hypertension may be suggested by abrupt onset of hypertension, resistant and malignant hypertension or recurrent pulmonary edema of unknown etiology. Physical examination may reveal bruits over major vessels, including the abdominal aorta and renal arteries. The principle aim of the renal artery stenosis investigation is to confirm presence and size of vessel obstruction and its association with hypertension. Typical evaluation is based on imaging techniques and physiological studies. Former include: doppler duplex ultrasonography, conventional angiography, intraarterial and intravenous digital subtraction angiography, computed axial tomography, magnetic resonance angiography and intravascular ultrasonography. Functional studies are occasionally used. These are renal scintigraphy, evaluation of plasma renin activity in renal veins and evaluation of plasma rennin activity after ACE inhibition. Treatment of patients with renal artery stenosis and hypertension should restore vessel patency and inhibit its occlusion. Revascularization should elicit an improvement in or normalization of blood pressure control and renal function. Therapeutic approach include percutaneous renal artery angioplasty (PTRA), with or without stenting, revascularization by surgery and pharmacotherapy. PTRA is currently the first choice option. In general, it is simpler and similarly effective as surgical reconstruction. In some cases PTRA is completed with stent placement. It prevents immediate recoil but does not completely eliminate restenosis of revascularized artery. Surgical bypass is currently reserved for patients in whom PTRA and stenting fail and in patients with extensive atherosclerotic lesions. Patients with renal artery stenosis and hypertension should be provided with pharmacological treatment according to current recommendations. Specific procedures to limit associated risk factors of atherosclerosis should also be introduced.
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PMID:[Renovascular hypertension: is it only the top of the iceberg?]. 1497 69

Hyperlipidaemia is one of the major contributors to atherosclerosis and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) in our society. Numerous clinical and epidemiological studies have shown repeatedly that an elevated blood cholesterol level is one of the major modifiable risk factors associated with the development of CHD. In particular, these studies have demonstrated that low- density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the primary lipoprotein mediating atherosclerosis. Non-pharmacological therapy especially dietary therapy and exercise remains the first line of treatment in hyperlipidaemia, with pharmacotherapy reserved for use in patients at high risk of coronary heart disease or patients who do not respond to non-pharmacological therapy.
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PMID:Non-pharmacological therapy of hyperlipidaemia. 1502 82

Cardiovascular infections due to Salmonella enterica are infrequently reported, so their clinical features, prognosis, and optimal treatment are not completely known. Mortality associated with aortitis and endocarditis caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella remains exceedingly high. In this review of cases of cardiovascular infections due to Salmonella enterica studied in 2 hospitals in Madrid, we tried to assess the clinical manifestations and the procedures leading to diagnosis in addition to treatment and outcome. To complete the spectrum of infections related to cardiovascular surgery, cases of postoperative mediastinitis, pericarditis, and infections associated with cardiac devices were also included.Twenty-three patients were reviewed: 11 had mycotic aneurysms; 7 had endocarditis; 2 had device-related infections; and 3 had pericarditis, mediastinitis, and infection of an arteriovenous fistula, respectively. The risk of endovascular infection in patients older than 60 years with bacteremia due to nontyphoidal Salmonella was 23%. Most patients with aortitis had risk factors for atherosclerosis, and 6 had preexisting atherosclerotic aortic aneurysms. All except 1 patient with endocarditis had underlying cardiac disorders. Acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS) was a major risk factor for salmonella bacteremia in 1 patient with aortitis and 1 with endocarditis. Fever, unremitting sepsis, "breakthrough" and relapsing bacteremia were the most common clinical findings. In addition, abdominal or thoracic pain and cardiac failure and pericarditis were common features in patients with aortitis and endocarditis respectively. Computed tomography (CT) scan, arteriography, and echocardiography were the main diagnostic tools. Mortality associated with mycotic aneurysms and endocarditis due to S. enterica was 45% and 28%, respectively. Thoracic aneurysms, rupture, and shock at the time of diagnosis were associated with increased mortality in patients with aortitis. In situ bypass grafting was successfully performed in most cases. After surgery, antimicrobial therapy was continued for 4-9 weeks. No relapses were observed after a mean follow-up of 64 months. Antimicrobial therapy alone or combined with valve replacement or excision of a ventricular aneurysm was successful treatment for most patients with salmonella endocarditis. Combined medical and surgical treatment was required for patients with mediastinitis and pericarditis, and patients with device-related infections needed removal of the complete device. Diagnosis of aortitis due to nontyphoidal Salmonella should be established as early as possible to reduce mortality. Patients older than 60 years who have positive blood cultures for Salmonella along with fever and back, abdominal, or chest pain should have an extensive workup for infective aortitis. Immediate bactericidal antimicrobial therapy should be started and a CT scan should be performed on an emergency basis. If a mycotic aneurysm is found, surgical resection should follow as soon as possible. Resection of the aneurysm with in situ bypass grafting is the procedure of choice. Postoperative antimicrobial therapy for 6-8 weeks seems enough to avoid relapses. Optimal treatment of patients with endocarditis occurring on ventricular aneurysms must include resection of the aneurysmal sac. Salmonella endocarditis can be successfully treated with antimicrobials alone. Valve replacement should be reserved for patients with cardiac failure or persisting sepsis, and for those who relapse after discontinuation of antimicrobial therapy.
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PMID:The spectrum of cardiovascular infections due to Salmonella enterica: a review of clinical features and factors determining outcome. 1502 66

The aim of this Core Document of the Spanish Consensus on Erectile dysfunction (ED) is to offer guidance to the nonspecialist physician in the management of patients with ED. ED is one of the most frequent chronic health problems in men older than 40 y of age and may also act as a sentinel symptom for other important underlying diseases. Its etiology can be classified into organic, psychogenic, or mixed. In most cases, the underlying cause of ED is usually a chronic health problem (such as diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and so on) or an adverse drug effect. The initial step in the management is to assess erectile function in patients with risk factors for ED. Once ED has been established, a detailed sexual, medical, and social history, including a review of medications used, is the most important aspect of a patient's assessment. Generally, examination should be limited to the cardiovascular, neurological, and urogenital systems. Fasting glucose and blood lipid profile should be performed in every man with ED, and free testosterone levels in men older than 50 y or if hypogonadism is suspected; other diagnostic tests are optional and should be requested on an individualized basis. In many cases, the most likely cause of ED can be identified based on the above information. Therapeutic intervention should be patient-oriented and based on the expectations and wishes of the patient and his partner, who should be included in discussions whenever possible. Basic interventions common to any type of ED include sexual counseling, lifestyle modifications, treatment of associated medical conditions, and switching to alternative drugs with lower risk of ED. In certain cases, an etiologic treatment may be performed (sex therapy, revascularization surgery, and hormonal therapy). Most patients with ED will benefit from symptomatic treatments; first-line therapy may be prescribed by physicians who are not specialists in ED, and includes oral agents such as inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 5, currently considered the drugs of choice for initial treatment of ED. Intracavernous drugs are the second-line therapy, and surgical treatments, such as implantation of penile prostheses, are reserved for urologists/andrologists who specialize in ED. Referral may be appropriate where indicated by age, clinical findings, or the patient's request.
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PMID:Core document on erectile dysfunction: key aspects in the care of a patient with erectile dysfunction. 1549 54

The etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) remains unknown despite several years of dedicated research in this direction. Recently coronavirus infection and genetic polymorphisms have been implicated. Since first description of the disease there have been few changes in the diagnostic criteria except for newer recommendations of fever of at least 4 instead of 5 days duration. Recently, Echocardiography Criteria and Laboratory Criteria have been added to aid in the diagnosis of incomplete KD where all the historical diagnostic criteria are not present; this is now called the "incomplete form of KD" as opposed to "atypical form of KD". The word "atypical" is reserved for unusual presentations of KD such as those with hemophagocytic syndrome or nerve palsy. The treatment of KD includes infusion of high dose immunoglobulin. Patients non-responsive to immunoglobulin therapy are labeled as having "immunoglobulin resistant KD". The treatment of immunoglobulin resistant KD can be challenging and new therapies that have tried with some success. Late outcomes after 4 decades of treating these patients have recently been published. There has been some concern about increased risk for premature atherosclerosis in patients with childhood KD who had coronary artery abnormalities.
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PMID:Current perspectives on Kawasaki disease. 1607 48

Femoro-popliteal occlusive disease represents the most frequent localization of atherosclerosis in the lower extremities. Treatment of this disease has changed remarkably in the last decade. A definite treatment strategy has still to be established. The pathophysiology is described. A general overview of the state-of-the art treatment modalities and the most recent developments is given. This is divided into non-interventional preventive and supportive therapy, endovascular interventional therapy, and surgical interventional therapy. The development of medical therapy has expanded enormously and is progressing still. In the wide range of interventional treatment modalities, there has been a change from invasive bypass surgery to more refined techniques like endarterectomy and percutaneous endovascular therapy. This trend towards restoring the patency of the artery using the vessel wall itself as a conduit, leads to a term encompassing all these treatment modalities, known as restorative intervention. Peri-procedural risks of restorative interventions are of a much lesser degree compared to bypass surgery. Reports of patency rates show a steady increase. It is expected that patency rates will eventually equal or even surpass those of bypass surgery. In conclusion, a treatment strategy for femoro-popliteal occlusions in the future is proposed as follows: the first line of interventional therapy in femoro-popliteal occlusions should be a restorative intervention. With adequate adjuvant medical therapy and sufficient monitoring, this will be the definite treatment for the majority of patients. Bypass surgery should be regarded as the second line of interventional therapy and should be reserved for those patients in whom restorative interventions fail.
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PMID:Future perspectives in the treatment of femoro-popliteal arterial occlusions. 1616 Jun 84

The present study examined the association of myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI) in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) and serum levels of markers of inflammation or endothelial activation. Twelve patients with typical angina pectoris without coronary artery disease were enrolled in this study, and CMR perfusion was analyzed using a steady-state-free-precession sequence with 3 short axis slices per heartbeat during first pass of 0.025 mmol Gadolinium-DTPA/kg body weight. The upslope of myocardial signal intensity curves was used to calculate MPRI. CMD was assessed by intracoronary Doppler flow measurement and biplane angiography. Both MPRI and CMD were assessed during endothelium-independent stimulation with intravenous adenosine and during endothelium-dependent stimulation with intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine. Serum values of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Impaired MPRI correlated significantly with a decrease in coronary blood flow reserve after both endothelium-dependent (p = 0.033) and endothelium-independent (p = 0.022) stimulation. Serum levels above the median of all normal ranged biomarkers sCD40L, TNF-alpha, IL-6, sICAM-1 and CRP were associated with an impaired MPRI for stimulation with adenosine as well as acetylcholine. In multivariable analyses, sCD40L (p < 0.001) and TNF-alpha (p = 0.011) were significantly associated with a decrease in MPRI on adenosine, as were TNF-alpha (p = 0.016) and sICAM-1 (p = 0.022) for a decrease in MPRI on acetylcholine. MPRI on adenosine significantly correlated with MPRI on acetylcholine (p < 0.001). Therefore, the present study demonstrates safety and feasibility of an intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine during CMR perfusion analysis, thus allowing direct assessment of endothelial dependent vasomotor function at the myocardial level by CMR. Furthermore, we show that an impaired myocardial perfusion reserved in CMR is associated with established biomarkers of early atherosclerosis and significantly correlated with CMD. CMR combined with adenosine could be proposed as a non-invasive tool to evaluate CMD.
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PMID:Myocardial perfusion reserve in cardiovascular magnetic resonance: Correlation to coronary microvascular dysfunction. 1706 99

Lipids play a key role in the progression of atherosclerosis, and lipid-lowering therapies have been studied for 30 years in coronary disease. Measurement of the progression of atherosclerosis through carotid intima-media thickness, coronary mean lumen diameter, and, mostly recently, intravascular ultrasound is generally accepted. This article reviews the role of lipid-lowering therapies in changing the rate of atherosclerosis progression in the coronary and carotid circulations. Statins are the primary therapy used to reduce atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events, including strokes and transient ischemic attacks, and have benefits in reducing events in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. In contrast, data for other agents, including fibrates and nicotinic acid, in reducing the progression of atherosclerosis are less extensive and not as well known. There is increasing interest in optimizing the whole lipid profile, as this might deliver extra benefits over and above statin therapy alone. Initial proof of this concept has recently come from studies that measured the progression of atherosclerosis and showed that adding nicotinic acid to statin therapy and, more directly, infusion of high-density lipoprotein-like particles reduced progression and indeed might induce regression of the disease. It is likely that the management of significant carotid stenosis will become ever more drug focused and will be customized to the lipid profile of each patient with intervention reserved only for late-stage symptomatic disease.
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PMID:Lipid-altering therapies and the progression of atherosclerotic disease. 1720 89


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