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Query: UMLS:C0018801 (heart failure)
 72,216 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We describe a case of pulmonary hypertension and high-output heart failure in a 61-year-old woman suffering from relapsing Graves disease. The patient experienced prompt hemodynamic and symptomatic recovery after normal thyroid function was restored. Possible mechanisms for the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension due to hyperthyroidism include damage to pulmonary vascular endothelium due to high cardiac output or an autoimmune process or increased metabolism of intrinsic pulmonary vasodilators. Another possible mechanism is vascular vasoconstriction due to decreased cholinergic output.
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PMID:Hyperthyroidism: a rare cause of reversible pulmonary hypertension. 1696 45

The biological limitations to cardiac regenerative growth create a clinical need to promote more efficient cardiac repair. Experimental studies and early-phase clinical trials indicate that progenitor cells may be useful as a therapeutic tool to improve heart function after myocardial ischaemia. This paper will summarize experimental studies to determine (1) the mechanisms underlying progenitor cell homing to ischaemic tissue and (2) to define transcription factors involved in endothelial maturation of progenitor cells. Homing seems to be assisted by a proteolytic enzyme, cathepsin L, which degrades the extracellular matrix. In an in vitro assay, a cathepsin inhibitor prevented different progenitor cell populations from passing through a matrigel layer. In vivo, progenitor cells lacking cathepsin L had an impaired capacity to promote neovascularization in ischaemic mouse limbs compared with normal, wild-type cells. Differentiation of progenitor cells towards the endothelial phenotype involves a member of the homeobox gene family, HoxA9. HoxA9 regulates endothelial gene expression (eNOS, KDR, VE-cadherin). Moreover, HoxA9-deficient mice have a severe impairment of neovascularization capacity after ischaemia. In the second part of the paper, we describe clinical studies using bone marrow or the peripheral blood-derived cells for functional recovery of patients with acute and chronic heart failure (TOPCARE-AMI, TOPCARE-CHF). Whereas blood-derived and bone marrow-derived progenitor cells were equally effective in patients with acute myocardial infarction, bone marrow-derived cells were significantly better than blood-derived progenitor cells in patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease.
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PMID:Restoration of cardiac function with progenitor cells. 1701 14

L-citrulline is the natural precursor of L-arginine, substrate for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the production of NO. Supplemental administration L-arginine has been shown to be effective in improving NO production and cardiovascular function in cardiovascular diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction, such as hypertension, heart failure, atherosclerosis, diabetic vascular disease and ischemia-reperfusion injury, but the beneficial actions do not endure with chronic therapy. Substantial intestinal and hepatic metabolism of L-arginine to ornithine and urea by arginase makes oral delivery very ineffective. Additionally, all of these disease states as well as supplemental L-arginine enhance arginase expression and activity, thus reducing the effectiveness of L-arginine therapy. In contrast, L-citrulline is not metabolized in the intestine or liver and does not induce tissue arginase, but rather inhibits its activity. L-citrulline entering the kidney, vascular endothelium and other tissues can be readily converted to L-arginine, thus raising plasma and tissue levels of L-arginine and enhancing NO production. Supplemental L-citrulline has promise as a therapeutic adjunct in disease states associated with L-arginine deficiencies.
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PMID:Therapeutic use of citrulline in cardiovascular disease. 1721 3

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinico-diagnostic importance of the degree of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) receiving either standard therapy including ACE inhibitors or the same therapy plus aspirin. One hundred twenty CHF patients aged 45 to 74 were examined. The patients were studied clinically; laboratory tests included measurement of the cerum levels of cytokines with solid-phase immune enzyme assay and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with photometric turbidimetric technique; the vasoregulating function and antithrombogenic activity of vascular wall were evaluated. Improvement in the clinical condition of II to III functional class patients receiving standard therapy was associated with a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokine and CRP serum levels, as well as a tendency towards improvement in the vasoregulating function and a decrease in the antithrombogenic endothelial activity, mostly due to vascular wall fibrinolytic activity. Standard therapy combined with aspirin led to less prominent changes in the patients' conditions; a simultaneous decrease in the levels of all the cytokines under study was not noted; the vasoregulating activity of the vascular endothelium decreased. The data obtained may be used as additional criteria to objectively evaluate the severity of the condition of CHF patients and to control the effectiveness of the therapy.
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PMID:[The degree of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in treatment of chronic heart failure in patients with coronary artery disease]. 1729 77

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is expressed in the vascular endothelium. It is not known whether CNP is specifically increased in patients with idiopathic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ILVDys) with or without overt heart failure, and whether in these patients it is related with indicators of myocardial and/or endothelial/microvascular impairment. We determined plasma CNP levels in 51 ILVDys and in 60 controls. We observed a significant increase in patients with (7.0+/-0.9 pg/ml) or without (6.1+/-0.53 pg/ml) overt heart failure (p<0.001) in respect to controls (2.5+/-0.12 pg/ml). CNP was significantly correlated with LVEF (p<0.001), end-diastolic dimension (p<0.05), ANP (p<0.001) and BNP (p<0.001), interleukin-6 (p<0.001), total cholesterol (p<0.05), low-density lipoprotein (p=0.05), ratio total cholesterol/ high-density lipoprotein (p=0.05) and, in a subgroup of patients, with abnormal vasodilating capacity of the coronary microcirculation. In conclusion, CNP is activated in patients with LV dysfunction but without coronary artery disease, independently of the presence of overt heart failure and in tune with the extent of myocardial functional involvement. In these patients CNP is also related with both systemic and coronary indicators of endothelial/microvascular damage.
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PMID:Increased levels of C-type natriuretic peptide in patients with idiopathic left ventricular dysfunction. 1742 80

This study was conducted to assess the relationship among circulating markers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis in 59 chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. Increased concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), von Willebrand factor (VWF) and fibrinogen are strongly implicated in the development of CHF. Increased vascular endothelium grow factor (VEGF) and decreased thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) concentrations suggest a role of angiogenesis in the maintenance and repair of luminal endothelium in CHF. A relationship among markers of endothelial dysfunction (VWF) and inflammation (fibrinogen, CRP) and angiogenesis (VEGF, TSP-1) was found in CHF patients.
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PMID:Inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis markers in chronic heart failure patients. 1772 86

Chronic exposure to hypoxia, a common adverse consequence of most pulmonary disorders, can lead to a sustained increase in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), right ventricular hypertrophy, and is, therefore, closely associated with heart failure and increased mortality. Ghrelin, originally identified as an endogenous GH secretagogue, has recently been shown to possess potent vasodilator properties, likely involving modulation of the vascular endothelium and its associated vasoactive peptides. In this study we hypothesized that ghrelin would impede the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension during chronic hypoxia (CH). PAP was continuously measured using radiotelemetry, in conscious male Sprague Dawley rats, in normoxia and during 2-wk CH (10% O(2)). During this hypoxic period, rats received a daily sc injection of either saline or ghrelin (150 microg/kg). Subsequently, heart and lung samples were collected for morphological, histological, and molecular analyses. CH significantly elevated PAP in saline-treated rats, increased wall thickness of peripheral pulmonary arteries, and, consequently, induced right ventricular hypertrophy. In these rats, CH also led to the overexpression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA and protein, as well as endothelin-1 mRNA within the lung. Exogenous ghrelin administration attenuated the CH-induced overexpression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA and protein, as well as endothelin-1 mRNA. Consequently, ghrelin significantly attenuated the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary vascular remodeling, and right ventricular hypertrophy. These results demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of ghrelin for impeding the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy, particularly in subjects prone to CH (e.g. pulmonary disorders).
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PMID:Exogenous ghrelin attenuates the progression of chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in conscious rats. 1791 33

Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is a rare, X-linked lysosomal storage disease that leads to progressive intracellular accumulation of globotriaosylceramide in visceral organs and the vascular endothelium. We report two patients with end-stage renal disease who received renal allograft from deceased female donor who died from heart failure. A 62-year-old women received a renal allograft in July 2006. Except for low-range proteinuria, renal function was normal until 6 months after transplantation when serum creatinine increased from 120 to 150 micromol/L. A renal biopsy was performed. Based on the specific pathological finding, AFD in donor was suspected. In order to prove the diagnosis, the other recipient also underwent renal biopsy 3 months later. This was 45-year-old female with stable graft function and nonnephrotic proteinuria. Light microscopic findings included a 'foamy' appearance of affected cells with swelling and vacuolization of podocytes. Electron microscopic finding show mesangial cells and podocytes filled with dense lysosomal granules appearing as myelin figures and 'zebra bodies'. Changes were less intensive than in the biopsy of the first recipient. The donor was 54-year-old Italian women who died on the Adriatic coast after heart attack. This is the first case of AFD found in a kidney allograft from deceased donor.
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PMID:Anderson-Fabry disease in kidneys from deceased donor. 1794 59

Levosimendan is emerging as a novel cardioprotective inotrope. Levosimendan augments myocardial contractility by sensitising contractile myofilaments to calcium without increasing myosin adenosine triphosphatase activity or oxygen consumption. Levosimendan activates cellular adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channels, a mechanism which is postulated to protect cells from ischaemia in a manner similar to ischaemic preconditioning. Levosimendan may therefore protect the ischaemic myocardium during ischaemia-reperfusion as well as improve the contractile function of the heart. Adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channel activation by levosimendan may also be protective in other tissues, such as coronary vascular endothelium, kidney and brain. Clinical trials in patients with decompensated heart failure and myocardial ischaemia show levosimendan to improve haemodynamic performance and potentially improve survival. This paper reviews the known pharmacology of levosimendan, the clinical experience with the drug to date and the potential use of levosimendan as a cardioprotective agent during surgery.
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PMID:Inoprotection: the perioperative role of levosimendan. 1836 Oct 22

Management of acute coronary syndromes, particularly unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, is one of the most common and costly problems facing modern medicine. Furthermore, the increasing availability of new research and clinical information relevant to the treatment of these conditions means that continuing reappraisal of management strategies is necessary. Accordingly, the Ushuaia conference, Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina, was convened to discuss current approaches and future treatment prospects for patients with these conditions. The conference was comprised of leading Argentinian cardiologists whose primary aim was to formulate consensus recommendations regarding the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes. The first of the major recommendations for the pharmacological management of acute coronary syndromes arising from the Ushuaia Consensus Conference was that aspirin (200 to 500mg initially, then 100 to 325 mg/day) should be administered to all patients except those for whom aspirin is absolutely (or relatively, depending on the clinician's discretion) contraindicated. In such cases, ticlopidine is a suitable alternative. Intravenous nitrates are indicated for patients with angina pain (24 to 48 hours' duration), ECG changes, recurrence of angina, or signs of heart failure; in other cases, oral, transdermal or sublingual nitrates may be administered. Use of beta-blockers is recommended except when absolutely contraindicated or when there is a strong suspicion of vasospasm as a dominant mechanism in angina. Intravenous administration of these agents is preferred in patients with tachycardia, arterial hypertension or angina. Calcium antagonists are generally not recommended as first choice therapy, but can be indicated (preferably using agents that decrease heart rate) when beta-blockers are contraindicated or when there is a strong suspicion of vasospasm as a dominant mechanism in angina. Calcium antagonists are also useful in combination with other drugs in patients with high blood pressure or treatment-refractory recurrent angina. Subcutaneous low molecular weight heparins and intravenous unfractionated heparin provide similar results and are indicated in a number of clinical situations. Emergency videocoronary angiography (VCA) is indicated in patients with persistent clinical and haemodynamic instability, recurrent ischaemia with heart failure, and refractory angina. Patients should also be referred for VCA if they have signs of left ventricular dysfunction, post-acute myocardial infarction angina with ECG changes, or ischaemia during functional studies. Post-VCA treatment will be determined by anatomical findings during VCA. Future prospects in the management of acute coronary syndromes include the development of more accurate prognostic markers and means of stratifying risk, such as sophisticated ECG criteria, serum markers of necrosis (e.g. troponin T and I), markers of thrombosis (e.g. D-dimer and fibrinopeptide A levels), markers of inflammation (e.g. reactive protein C, cell adhesion receptor expression, neopterine), and markers of 'good' prognosis (e.g. interleukin-10). Other pharmacological approaches under investigation include platelet IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists, clopidogrel and hirudin. Novel agents, such as anti-Xa, pentasaccharide, anti-tissue factor compounds, Ib receptor-blocking agents, agents that influence vascular endothelium and control cellular acidosis (e.g. HOE 642), macrolide antibiotics, HLA-DR system blockers and fusion compounds, are also in various stages of investigation or development.
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PMID:Current treatment and future prospects for the management of acute coronary syndromes: consensus recommendations of the 1997 ushuaia conference, tierra del fuego, Argentina. 1837 Apr 92


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