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Query: UMLS:C0042373 (vascular disease)
 17,070 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The prevention of coronary artery disease is based on the control of several factors associated with a disease or clinical condition and suspected to play a pathogenetic role, defined as 'risk factors'. Smoking is a powerful risk factor for coronary artery disease, with risk of events increasing in relation to the number of cigarettes smoked daily. Smoking cessation is associated within 3-4 years, with a significant reduction in cardiovascular risk. Hyperlipidaemia is a powerful predictor of coronary disease with a strong, independent, continuous and graded positive association between cholesterol levels and risk of coronary events. Several large studies have shown the benefit of cholesterol reduction, and there is clear evidence of the efficacy of statins in the reduction of events in primary and secondary prevention. Hypertension is a significant, strong and independent risk factor for coronary artery disease morbidity and mortality and the reduction of events and mortality by antihypertensive treatment is well documented. Obesity is associated with an increase in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality, with a particularly high risk for subjects with central obesity. Central obesity is also part of the so-called 'metabolic X syndrome' including insulin resistance, which appears to be associated with a particularly high risk of coronary artery disease. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in women. Several studies have shown that good metabolic control and multifactorial risk factor reduction significantly lower the coronary risk in these patients. Recent evidence is accumulating that some clotting factors (fibrinogen, factor VII, von Willebrand factor) and fibrinolytic factors (t-PA and PAI-1) are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. The European Concerted Action on Thrombosis (ECAT) showed that the levels of fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor antigen, and t-PA antigen are independent predictors of subsequent coronary syndromes in patients with angina pectoris, and that low fibrinogen is associated with a low risk of events despite high cholesterol levels. Post-menopausal status is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease, particularly when menopause is premature (before the age of 45) or abrupt (surgical). There is strong, thought not yet completely definite evidence that post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy may significantly reduce the risk of events and improve survival. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an emerging risk factor independently associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease. The administration of vitamin B6, B12 or folate seems to be useful and is currently under further evaluation. Recently, attention has been focused on the correlation between coronary artery disease and genetic factors, such as ACE gene polymorphism or the gene polymorphism for the IIIa-moiety of the platelet fibrinogen receptor IIb-IIIa. In primary prevention, control of the major risk factors mainly in patients with clustered factors will substantially reduce the risk of ischaemic events. Secondary prevention of CHD is based on: aggressive behavioural advice, blood pressure reduction in hypertensives, good metabolic control of diabetes, and cholesterol reduction. Aspirin, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and oral anticoagulants, may be useful in selected patients.
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PMID:Classical risk factors and emerging elements in the risk profile for coronary artery disease. 951 44

Hypertension is an important risk factor for vascular disease. Primary goal of hypertension treatment is to prevent or delay the onset of blood pressure-related morbidity and mortality. It has been well demonstrated that the responses rate to any single class of antihypertensive agent, give as monotherapy is approximately 45% to 55%, and in half of hypertensive population a second will be required. The data from clinical trials clearly demonstrate that two-drug combination, usually with low-dose diuretics with any one of the other first-line agents increases the response rate to about 80% to 85% and reduces the likelihood of adverse events and alteration in lipid, carbohydrate and electrolyte metabolism. Of the various combinations being given that of an diuretic and ACE inhibitor, and ACE inhibitor and non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers seems particularly attractive. Some combinations are inappropriate, such as diuretic and calcium channel blockers, and beta-blocker with verapamil and diltiazem. Combination of ACE inhibitor and a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers may provide benefit in regression left ventricular hypertrophy diabetic nephropathy, and post myocardial infarction.
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PMID:[Combination therapy in primary hypertension]. 955 8

Coronary heart disease and other vascular diseases account for approximately half of all deaths in women. Although the underlying pathophysiological processes (atherosclerosis and thrombosis) are similar, deaths and other clinical end-points are significantly delayed compared to men. The reason for this sex-related delay in the expression of vascular disease remains a matter of debate but may be largely attributable to the actions of endogenous oestrogens: coronary heart disease manifestations are extremely rare in premenopausal women but increase after the menopause. These observations have lead to speculation that oestrogen-replacement therapy might continue to retard the development of cardiovascular disease in the post-menopausal years (primary prevention). The cardioprotective benefits of oestrogens include a favourable impact on plasma lipids, anti-platelet effects, preservation of endothelium-mediated vasodilatation and antioxidant effects. Several observational studies support this thesis but the results of prospective randomised controlled trials are still awaited. Secondary preventative measures such as aspirin, beta-blockade, ACE inhibition and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors seem to be equally effective for women as men. However, there remains evidence that physicians are less likely to use such interventions in women at high risk.
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PMID:Women and heart disease. 983 68

One hundred and nine unselected patients with Acute Renal Failure (ARF) of medical aetiology were hospitalized at the Nephrological Unit of Policlinico University Hospital (Modena) during a 30-month period. ARF was considered as a rapid increase of serum creatinine > 2mg/dl over the baseline level or the doubling of pre-existing value in chronic renal failure. Mean age of patients was 67+/-17 years and median age was 72; 64.2% needing dialytic treatment. Four main causes of ARF were identified: 33 patients had reduced renal perfusion by dehydration, hypotension etc.; 20 multifactorial aetiology; 14 biopsy-investigated renal parenchymal diseases and 39 had drug-related acute renal failure (D-ARF). The clinical outcome was significantly worse in elderly patients as regard mortality (P < 0.02), chronic dialytic treatment (P < 0.04) and complete recovery (P < 0.004). The mean age of D-ARF patients was significantly greater than remaining ARF patients (72.6+/-12.8 vs 63.2+/-18.5: P < 0.004. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and ACE-inhibitors (Ace-i) caused ARF in 24 and 8 patients respectively. Elderly age, vascular disease and monoclonal gammopathy represented the main risk factors and were significantly more frequent in D-ARF patients (P<001, <0.01, <0.04 respectively). Our data confirm the high susceptibility of ageing kidneys to nephrotoxic damage caused by drugs affecting glomerular autoregulation by microvascular mechanisms. Greater attention to renal changes in ageing and an increased dissemination of preventative measures among nephrologists, could reduce the incidence of these serious and potentially lethal diseases.
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PMID:Acute renal failure of medical type in an elderly population. 987 Apr 33

Nephropathy may develop in patients with type 1 diabetes because poor glycemic control produces effects that eventually lead to glomerular scarring and renal failure. The worse and more prolonged the hyperglycemia, the greater the risk of diabetic nephropathy. In patients with type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia, as well as insulin resistance and generalized vascular disease, is involved in the pathogenesis of nephropathy. The glomerular changes of early diabetic nephropathy can be identified only by renal biopsy or by testing for microalbuminuria. Once macroalbuminuria occurs (albumin excretion rate, > 300 mg/day), usually after type 1 diabetes has been present for 10 to 15 postpubertal years, end-stage renal disease is almost inevitable. However, aggressive control of hypertension in diabetic patients without microalbuminuria helps avoid nephropathy, and tight glycemic control in those with microalbuminuria can avoid or delay its onset. Even when macroalbuminuria is present, treatment can prolong renal function. Aggressive antihypertensive therapy, especially with ACE inhibitors, can reduce renal decline by half. Avoiding circumstances that may damage the kidneys (e.g., use of radiocontrast materials or nephrotoxic drugs, dehydration, hyperlipidemia, urinary tract infection, buildup of AGEs) is critical. Some treatment methods are controversial (dietary protein restriction) or still under investigation (use of injected or oral heparin) but may help delay renal transplantation or dialysis.
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PMID:Dealing with diabetic nephropathy. 1002 5

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays an important role in both the short-term and long-term regulation of arterial blood pressure, and fluid and electrolyte balance. The RAAS is a dual hormone system, serving as both a circulating and a local tissue hormone system (i.e., local mediator) as well as neurotransmitter or neuromediator functions in CNS. Control of blood pressure by the RAAS is exerted through multiple actions of angiotensin II, a small peptide which is a potent vasoconstrictor hormone implicated in the genesis and maintenance of hypertension. Hypertension is a primary risk factor associated with cardiovascular, cerebral and renal vascular disease. One of the approaches to the treatment of hypertension, which may be considered as a major scientific advancement, involves the use of drugs affecting the RAAS. Pharmacological interruption of the RAAS was initially employed in the late 1970s with the advent of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, captopril. ACE inhibitors have since gained widespread use in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and diabetic nephropathy. As the roles of the RAAS in the pathophysiology of several diseases was explored, so did the realization of the importance of inhibiting the actions of angiotensin II. Although ACE inhibitors are well tolerated, they are also involved in the activation of bradykinin, enkephalins, and other biologically active peptides. These actions result in adverse effects such as cough, increased bronchial reactivity, and angioedema. Thus, the goal of achieving a more specific blockade of the effects of angiotensin II than is possible with ACE inhibition. The introduction of the nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan in 1995 marked the achievement of this objective and has opened new vistas in understanding and controlling the additional biological effects of angiotensin II. Complementary investigations into the cloning and sequencing of angiotensin II receptors have demonstrated the existence of a family of angiotensin II receptor subtypes. Two major types of angiotensin II receptors have been identified in humans. The type 1 receptor (AT1) mediates most known effects of angiotensin II. The type 2 receptor (AT2), for which no precise function was known in the past, has gained importance recently and new mechanisms of intracellular signalling have been proposed. This review presents recent advances in angiotensin II receptor pharmacology, molecular biology, and signal transduction, with particular reference to the AT1 receptor. Excellent reviews have appeared recently on this subject.
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PMID:Angiotensin II receptors-antagonists, molecular biology, and signal transduction. 1009 99

We measured the serum lipid profile, together with plasma fibrinogen and serum lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]), glucose, bilirubin, and albumin levels in 491 patients (310 men) who were referred for the management of primary dyslipidemia. All these variables have been shown to predict vascular events. The patients were not taking lipid-lowering drugs; hypertension was present in 156 (31.7%) of them. Of the hypertensive patients, 52 (33%) were not receiving any treatment to control their blood pressure. This omission was not due to a lower prevalence of established vascular disease. The treated hypertensives were divided into three groups according to their treatment: 62 were taking lipid-hostile antihypertensives (beta-blockers, thiazides), 37 were taking lipid-neutral antihypertensives (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, Ca-channel blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers, indapamide sustained release), and five were taking lipid-friendly antihypertensives (doxazosin). Lipid-hostile antihypertensive drugs were associated with a significantly higher fibrinogen concentration when compared with untreated hypertensives or those taking lipid-neutral/lipid-friendly drugs (median values: 383, 353, and 336 mg/dL, respectively; P < .01). Lipid-neutral/lipid-friendly antihypertensive drugs were associated with lower Lp(a) levels when compared with untreated hypertensives (median values: 22 and 45 mg/dL, respectively; P < .05). The serum bilirubin level was significantly lower in the untreated hypertensives when compared with normotensives or the treated hypertensives. There were no significant differences in lipids, glucose, or albumin among the groups of hypertensives or normotensives. The influence of antihypertensive drugs on additional cardiovascular risk factors should be considered when selecting medication to reduce blood pressure.
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PMID:Effect of hypertension and its treatment on lipid, lipoprotein(a), fibrinogen, and bilirubin levels in patients referred for dyslipidemia. 1041 64

Recent international guidelines on the detection, clinical assessment and management of patients with hypertension have highlighted a number of themes that should be incorporated into routine clinical practice. First, although antihypertensive therapy is having a major impact on reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and heart failure, community surveys show that most hypertensive patients remain untreated or have suboptimal blood pressure control. Second, the guidelines have emphasised the importance of making an overall assessment of individual patients to gauge their absolute risk of a cardiovascular event; risk factors include not only blood pressure but also target organ damage, the presence of coexisting symptomatic vascular disease and the number of associated cardiovascular risk factors. Patients at the highest risk, especially those with diabetes, the elderly and patients with target organ damage, merit vigorous antihypertensive therapy, and such patients often require treatment with more than one drug to achieve target levels of blood pressure (< 135/80 mm Hg). An additional important theme in recent guidelines has been a move towards using lower dosages and therapies that provide 24-hour blood pressure control with once-daily administration. Since diuretics have been reaffirmed as evidence-based first-line therapy in a broad spectrum of patients with hypertension, especially the elderly, a new lower dosage sustained release formulation of indapamide has been developed (indapamide SR 1.5 mg). Recent multicentre European clinical trials have defined the efficacy and tolerability of indapamide SR 1.5 mg, both relative to other antihypertensive drugs and in key subgroups of patients. Indapamide SR 1.5 mg has an antihypertensive effect, maintained throughout the 24-hour administration interval, equivalent to that of immediate release indapamide 2.5 mg, but the new formulation has even less effect on circulating K+ levels. Indapamide SR 1.5 mg is at least as effective as amlodipine or hydrochlorothiazide. In patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a comparative study of indapamide SR 1.5 mg and enalapril (the LIVE study) used a rigorous unique study design with blinded reading of echocardiograms to show that after 1 year the ACE inhibitor had no significant effect on LVH regression, whereas indapamide SR 1.5 mg produced significant reductions in left ventricular mass index. Diuretic-based therapy for hypertension has been reaffirmed in international guidelines as effective first-line therapy, especially in the elderly and patients with LVH. Indapamide SR 1.5 mg shows an improved efficacy-tolerability profile, with impressive 24-hour effects on blood pressure, important ancillary properties with regard to LVH and cardiovascular protection.
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PMID:Clinical implications of indapamide sustained release 1.5 mg in hypertension. 1049 30

The molecular mechanism involved in pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) associated with congenital heart disease (CHD) remains uncertain. Evidence suggesting that angiotensin converting enzyme plays an important role in pulmonary vascular pathology led us to hypothesize that mast cell chymase, another angiotensin I converting enzyme, also had the potential to contribute to the development of PVD in CHD. Twenty-three patients 3 mo to 45 yr of age with atrial or ventricular or both septal defects with increased pulmonary arterial blood flow and pressure, with pulmonary vascular resistance ranging from 1.3 to 8.1 units/m(2), were studied. Mast cells and mast cell chymase were immunohistochemically identified in the lung biopsy tissues obtained during corrective surgery. There was a significant difference in numbers of total mast cells between patients (n = 23) and control subjects (n = 10) with normal pulmonary circulation (p < 0.01). Moreover, chymase-containing mast cells in the lung tissues of patients with CHD showed striking differences from those of control subjects. In the patients, 72% of lung mast cells contained chymase, compared with only 15% in control subjects (p < 0.0001). Chymase-containing mast cells predominantly appeared in the media and adventitia of vessel walls. Importantly, angiotensin II was immunohistochemically detected in perivascular lesions where chymase was present, but not in the lesions where chymase was sparsely seen. Furthermore, the number of chymase-containing mast cells was correlated with pulmonary vascular resistance (r = 0.64). These findings suggest a possible role of mast cell chymase in the development of early-stage PVD in patients with CHD.
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PMID:Increased expression of mast cell chymase in the lungs of patients with congenital heart disease associated with early pulmonary vascular disease. 1050 22

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that risk factors for vascular disease are also risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The gene for the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) has recently been reported to be associated with risk for AD. We have investigated the possibility of such an association in 98 clinic-based and 73 community-based AD cases versus 175 community-based controls and find a gender-specific association of ACE genotype with AD in the female clinic population. These data suggest that gender may interact with genetic factors to influence risk for AD. Gender-specific risk for AD has been previously reported, and a biological rationale for involvement of ACE in the AD process is supported by studies exploring the relationship between AD and vascular risk factors such as hypertension. However, the results may also be a consequence of the known anomalies that arise in genetic association studies as a consequence of sample selection.
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PMID:Gender-specific association of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene with Alzheimer's disease. 1067 99


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