Moderately increased alcohol consumption is associated with higher pressure wave reflections and blood pressure in men

Background and aimsIncreased alcohol consumption has been associated with CVD risk. Subclinical arterial damage (SAD) precedes the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and allows early identification and study of the pathophysiology of CVD. Reliable, noninvasive vascular biomarkers are available for the early detection of SAD and reclassification of CVD risk. To investigate the association of alcohol consumption with multiple SAD biomarkers and central hemodynamics in a large sample of Greek adults with CVD risk factors.Methods and resultsThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 938 participants (43.5% men) and collected data on SAD biomarkers, central hemodynamics, and dietary intake. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed according to sex after adjusting for several confounders. In men, alcohol consumption of 20–30 g/d was positively associated with mean, diastolic, and peripheral systolic blood pressure (BP). The consumption of >30 g/d was positively associated with the augmentation index. In women, no statistically significant associations were found between alcohol consumption and BP or SAD indices. No statistically significant associations were found between alcohol consumption and arterial compliance or distensibility in both sexes.ConclusionIn men even a small deviation from the current recommendation for alcohol consumption is associated with both higher BP indices and pressure wave reflections. The absence of association in women might be due to very low alcohol intake, even in the high consumption group. More studies are needed to verify our findings and establish the above associations in each sex.     

氯吡格雷联合前列地尔对急性脑梗死患者疗效、血流动力学及凝血功能水平的影响

目的：探讨氯吡格雷联合前列地尔对急性脑梗死患者的疗效及对患者血流动力学、凝血功能水平的影响。方法：选取2015年6月-2017年6月某院收治的急性脑梗死患者90例，按照随机数字表法分为对照组与观察组，每组各45例。对照组患者在常规治疗基础上给予氯吡格雷治疗，观察组患者在对照组治疗基础上给予前列地尔治疗。比较2组患者临床治疗效果；检测治疗前、后2组患者血浆黏度（PV）、血浆纤维蛋白原（FIB）、血小板聚集率（PAR）、凝血酶原时间（PT）、活化部分凝血活酶时间（APTT）、D-二聚体（D-D）水平。结果：对照组患者治疗后临床总有效率为64.44%；观察组患者治疗后临床总有效率为86.67%。两者比较差异有显著性（P<0.05）。治疗前，2组患者血流动力学指标PV、FIB、PAR及凝血功能指标PT、APTT、D-D水平比较，差异无显著性（P>0.05）。治疗后，对照组及观察组患者PV、FIB、PAR及D-D水平均明显低于本组治疗前，PT、APTT水平均明显高于本组治疗前；观察组患者治疗后PV、FIB、PAR及D-D水平均明显低于对照组治疗后，PT、APTT水平均明显高于对照组治疗后，差异均有显著性（P<0.05）。结论：氯吡格雷联合前列地尔对急性脑梗死患者具有较好的临床疗效，可通过抑制血小板活性及降低血液黏度，起到改善患者血流动力学水平，调节患者凝血功能的作用。     

活心方对急性心肌梗死大鼠血流动力学及梗死面积的影响

目的观察活心方对结扎冠状动脉前降支所致急性心梗大鼠血流动力学及梗死面积的影响。方法采用结扎冠状动脉前降支的方法构建急性心梗模型,大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、贝复济组、血竭小复方组和活心方组,干预8周。检测大鼠血流动力学指标,HE染色观察心肌组织形态改变,计算梗死面积。结果模型组大鼠心肌梗死面积与左室收缩压(LVSP)及左室内压最大变化速率(+LVdp/dtmax)呈负相关(P=0.001),与左室舒张末期压(LV-EDP)呈正相关(P=0.005)。与模型组比较,活心方组、血竭小复方组大鼠LVSP均升高(P<0.05,P<0.01),LV-EDP降低(P<0.01),+LVdp/dtmax加大(P<0.01),-LVdp/dtmax加大(P<0.05,P<0.01),梗死面积缩小(P<0.01);与血竭小复方组比较,活心方组大鼠LVSP增高(P<0.05)、+LVdp/dtmax加大(P<0.05);梗死面积更小(P<0.05)。结论心肌梗死大鼠梗死面积与血流动力学指标存在相关性。活心方干预能缩小心梗大鼠的梗死面积,改善心梗后大鼠左室舒缩功能,并优于血竭小复方。     

针刀松解寰枕筋膜治疗颈源性眩晕的疗效研究

目的:研究针刀松解寰枕筋膜治疗颈源性眩晕的疗效。方法:选取2017年1月至2018年1月佛山市健翔医院收治的颈源性眩晕患者96例作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法随机分为对照组和观察组,每组48例。对照组患者给予3次/周针灸、局部按摩治疗,观察组患者给予1次/周的针刀松解寰枕筋膜治疗,均治疗3周。依照《颈性眩晕评估量表(ESCV)》分析2组患者治疗前后颈性眩晕评分变化、椎动脉血流动力学变化,比较2组患者血清中内皮源性超极化因子(EDHF)的含量和一氧化氮(NO)水平,统计2组患者的治疗有效率、眩晕症状缓解时间及生命质量变化。结果:观察组患者治疗后总有效率为97.92%高于对照组的81.25%(P<0.05),眩晕有效缓解时间明显缩短,眩晕评分显著高于对照组(P<0.05);观察组患者治疗后椎动脉的平均血流、收缩期血流、舒张期血流速度、血清中NO及EDHF水平明显上升,血管搏动指数显著下降(P<0.05);生命质量评分显著升高(P<0.05)。结论:针刀松解寰枕筋膜能够通过改善颈源性眩晕患者的椎动脉血流动力学,有效治疗患者的颈源性眩晕。     

Subclinical Pulmonary Congestion and Abnormal Hemodynamics in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

ObjectivesThe authors hypothesized that quantitative computed tomography (QCT) imaging would reveal subclinical increases in lung congestion in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and that this would be related to pulmonary vascular hemodynamic abnormalities.BackgroundGross evidence of lung congestion on physical examination, laboratory tests, and radiography is typically absent among compensated ambulatory patients with HFpEF. However, pulmonary gas transfer abnormalities are commonly observed and associated with poor outcomes.MethodsPatients referred for invasive hemodynamic exercise testing who had undergone chest computed tomography imaging within 1 month were identified (N = 137). A novel artificial intelligence QCT algorithm was used to measure pulmonary fluid content.ResultsCompared with control subjects with noncardiac dyspnea, patients with HFpEF displayed increased mean lung density (–758 HU [–793, –709 HU] vs –787 HU [–828, –747 HU]; P = 0.002) and a higher ratio of extravascular lung water to total lung volume (EVLWV/TLV) (1.25 [0.80, 1.76] vs 0.66 [0.01, 1.03]; P < 0.0001) by QCT imaging, indicating greater lung congestion. EVLWV/TLV was directly correlated with pulmonary vascular pressures at rest, with stronger correlations observed during exercise. Patients with increasing tertiles of EVLWV/TLV demonstrated higher mean pulmonary artery pressures at rest (34 ± 11 mm Hg vs 39 ± 14 mm Hg vs 45 ± 17 mm Hg; P = 0.0003) and during exercise (55 ± 17 mm Hg vs 59 ± 17 mm Hg vs 69 ± 22 mm Hg; P = 0.0003).ConclusionsQCT imaging identifies subclinical lung congestion in HFpEF that is not clinically apparent but is related to abnormalities in pulmonary vascular hemodynamics. These data provide new insight into the long-term effects of altered hemodynamics on pulmonary structure and function in HFpEF.     

Management of Neonatal Hypotension and Shock

The current standard approach to manage circulatory insufficiency is inappropriately simple and clear: respond to low blood pressure to achieve higher values. However, the evidence for this is limited affecting all steps within the process: assessment, decision making, therapeutic options, and treatment effects. We have to overcome the ‘one size fits all’ approach and respect the dynamic physiologic transition from fetal to neonatal life in the context of complex underlying conditions. Caregivers need to individualize their approaches to individual circumstances. This paper will review various clinical scenarios, including managing transitional low blood pressure, to circulatory impairment involving different pathologies such as hypoxia-ischemia and sepsis. We will highlight the current evidence and set potential goals for future development in these areas. We hope to encourage caregivers to question the current standards and to support urgently needed research in this overlooked but crucial field of neonatal intensive care.     

Influence of altitude on hypertension phenotypes and responses to antihypertensive therapy: Review of the literature and design of the INTERVENCION trial

Systemic arterial hypertension constitutes the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and affects people living at different altitudes above sea level (AASL). AASL has a major impact on cardiovascular function and various biologic pathways that regulate blood pressure–related phenotypes, but whether it affects the clinical response to antihypertensive therapy is unknown. The hemodynamic adaptations observed among lowlanders acutely exposed to high altitude (HA) is distinct from those observed among HA dwellers. However, the phenotypic patterns of hypertension and the response to standard antihypertensive agents among adults chronically exposed to different AASL are poorly understood. The authors describe the protocol for the INTERVENCION trial, a randomized clinical trial designed to assess the effects of three first‐line antihypertensive monotherapies (a thiazide diuretic, an angiotensin receptor blocker, and a calcium channel blocker) on peripheral and central blood pressure, in‐office blood pressure, and ambulatory blood pressure hemodynamics of hypertensive patients living at different AASL (low altitude, intermediate altitude, and high altitude). The primary end point is the reduction in 24‐hour brachial systolic blood pressure. The INTERVENCION trial will provide the first clinical trial data regarding the influence of AASL on the response to antihypertensive monotherapy, as well as the hemodynamic characteristics of arterial hypertension at different AASL.     

知柏地黄丸对卵巢储备功能低下性激素水平及妊娠结局的影响

目的:分析知柏地黄丸对卵巢储备功能低下(DOR)患者性激素水平级妊娠结局的影响,探究其可能的作用机制。方法:选取2015年1月至2017年1月泸州市中医医院收治的DOR患者104例作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法随机分为对照组(n=53)和观察组(n=51)。对照组采用激素人工周期治疗,观察组在对照组治疗基础上予以知柏地黄丸加减辨证治疗,连续治疗6个月为1个疗程。比较2组患者治疗前、后卵巢血流动力学指标、Treg免疫细胞情况、性激素指标及2组患者随访期内的妊娠结局、药物不良反应。结果:观察组在下调DOR患者的收缩期峰值流速(S)/舒张末期流速(D)值、搏动指数(PI)、阻力指数(RI)基础卵泡刺激素(FSH)、基础雌二醇(E2)、FSH/LH水平方面较对照组更具优势,且在提升患者Treg细胞占比、CD4+T、CD8+T、CD4+T/CD8+T、自然受孕率、辅助生育技术受孕率方面效果更优(均P<0.05);且并未提高患者的药物不良反应率(P>0.05)。结论:知柏地黄丸辅助激素人工周期治疗法加减辨治DOR,可有效提升患者Treg细胞免疫功能,改善卵巢血流动力学水平,降低性激素水平,提升DOR患者妊娠结局水平,且安全性高,具有较高的临床价值。     

Reduced microvascular volume and hemispherically deficient vasoreactivity to hypercapnia in acute ischemia: MRI study using permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion rat model

Vasoreactivity to hypercapnia has been used for assessing cerebrovascular tone and control altered by ischemic stroke. Despite the high prognostic potential, traits of hypercapnia-induced hemodynamic changes have not been fully characterized in relation with baseline vascular states and brain tissue damage. To monitor cerebrovascular responses, T2- and T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were acquired alternatively using spin- and gradient-echo echo plannar imaging (GESE EPI) sequence with 5% CO₂ gas inhalation in normal (n=5) and acute stroke rats (n=10). Dynamic relative changes in cerebrovascular volume (CBV), microvascular volume (MVV), and vascular size index (VSI) were assessed from regions of interest (ROIs) delineated by the percent decrease of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). The baseline CBV was not affected by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) whereas the baseline MVV in ischemic areas was significantly lower than that in the rest of the brain and correlated with ADC. Vasoreactivity to hypercapnic challenge was considerably attenuated in the entire ipsilesional hemisphere including normal ADC regions, in which unsolicited, spreading depression-associated increases of CBV and MVV were observed. The lesion-dependent inhomogeneity in baseline MVV indicates the effective perfusion reserve for accurately delineating the true ischemic damage while the cascade of neuronal depolarization is probably responsible for the hemispherically lateralized changes in overall neurovascular physiology.