Quantitative analysis of coronary artery calcinosis: comparative informative value of multispiral computed tomography and electron-beam tomography

AIM: To compare informative value (IV) of electron-beam tomography (EBT) and multispiral computed tomography (MSCT) in the assay of coronary artery calcinosis with participation of one group of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: EBT and MSCT were conducted in 210 patients whose mean age was 60.6+/-7.7years (67% males, mean age 60.2+/-7.6 years; 33% females, mean age 61.5+/-8.3 years) with a verified diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (IHD). RESULTS: 185 patients had calcium index (CI) from 21 to 2636 units. EBT and MSCT have not detected coronary artery calcinates in 34 patients. In one patient CI was 2 units by EBT and 0 units by MSCT. Mean CI by EBT was 499.4+/-598.2 units, by MSCT--533.7 +/-594.9 units (p = 0.8). The correlation coefficient between IV of the two methods was 0.976 (p < 0.0001). Mean difference between CI by both methods was 34.3 +/-133.6, variation coefficient 22%. There were differences between compatibility of CI in groups of patients with different CI, correlation and variation coefficients in dividing the patients into the subgroups depending on CI. In CI equal to 0-99 units EBT and MSCT correlation coefficient made up 0. 72, coefficient of variation 66%, in CI being 100-399 units these were 0.81 and 27%, in CI of 400-1000 units--0.85 and 16%, in CI exceeding 1000 units--0.95 and 0.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION. High IV correlation was found of MSCT and EBT for coronary artery calcinosis assay. Compatability of the MSCT and EBT data depends on CI     

Vitamin E and coronary heart disease in Tunisians

BACKGROUND: Vitamin E (VE) is thought to be effective in preventing atherosclerosis. However, to date no consistent relationship has been identified between VE and coronary heart disease (CHD). This study was designed to assess the degree of association between VE and CHD in a sample of the Tunisian population. METHODS: Sixty-two angiographically confirmed coronary atherosclerotic patients and 65 age- and sex-matched controls were included. VE was measured in plasma and in the LDL fraction by HPLC. Cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids were measured by enzymatic methods. RESULTS: A trend toward a meaningful decrease of plasma VE was observed in affected patients compared with controls (P: = 0.06). VE concentrations standardized for cholesterol and lipid concentrations were significantly lower (P: <0.02) in coronary patients than in controls (4.35 +/- 1.03 vs 4.82 +/- 1.23 mmol/mol for cholesterol-adjusted VE and 2.35 +/- 0.56 vs 2.66 +/- 0.65 mmol/mol for lipid-adjusted VE, respectively). In the LDL fraction, only cholesterol-standardized VE was significantly lower in cases than controls (3.84 +/- 1.13 vs 4.41 +/- 1.16 mmol/mol). This association between VE and CHD remained unchanged independent of age, sex, smoking habit, hypertension, and diabetes. In CHD patients, lower lipid-adjusted VE was associated with enhanced LDL susceptibility to oxidation but without alteration of the serum fatty acid profile. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the hypothesis that VE plays a role in preventing atherosclerosis.     

Ethnic differences in apolipoprotein B levels in hyperlipidemia in Russian and Kirghiz populations

AIM: To evaluate the levels of apolipoprotein B (apo-B) and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in Russians and the Kirghiz with primary hyperlipidemia (PHL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Lipid spectrum of the blood (LDLP and HDLP cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides), apo-B, CHD risk factors were studied in 60 Russian and 75 Kirghis patients with PHL aged 28 to 67 years (mean age 50.0 +/- 7.59 years, 56 females and 79 males). RESULTS: In Russians a mean level of LDLP cholesterol and apo-B was significantly higher than in Kirghiz patients (3.95 +/- 1.29 mmol/l vs 3.51 +/- 1.17 mmol/l, p = 0.042; 173.3 +/- 57.3 mg/dl vs 145.5 +/- 49.3 mg/dl, p = 0.003, respectively). CHD in both ethnic groups occurred with similar rates. The multifactorial regression analysis shows that an apo-B concentration can serve an independent risk factor associated with CHD in the Kirghiz population (beta = 0.25, p = 0.03) while in Russians living in Kirghizia this factor is a low content of HDLP cholesterol (beta = -0.25, p = 0.05).     

Do mutations causing low HDL-C promote increased carotid intima-media thickness?

BACKGROUND: Although observational data support an inverse relationship between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and coronary heart disease (CHD), genetic HDL deficiency states often do not correlate with premature CHD. METHODS: Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) measurements were obtained in cases comprising 10 different mutations in LCAT, ABCA1 and APOA1 to further evaluate the relationship between low HDL resulting from genetic variation and early atherosclerosis. RESULTS: In a 1:2 case-control study of sex and age-related (+/-5 y) subjects (n=114), cIMT was nearly identical between cases (0.66+/-0.17 cm) and controls (0.65+/-0.18 cm) despite significantly lower HDL cholesterol (0.67 vs. 1.58 mmol/l) and apolipoprotein A-I levels (96.7 vs. 151.4 mg/dl) (P<0.05) CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variants identified in the present study may be insufficient to promote early carotid atherosclerosis.     

Association of traditional risk factors with coronary calcification in persons with a family history of premature coronary heart disease: the study of the inherited risk of coronary atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Genetic factors strongly influence the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), but their contribution to variation in coronary atherosclerosis beyond that measured by traditional CHD risk factors is uncertain. METHODS: We recruited healthy subjects with family histories of premature CHD. We assessed traditional risk factors and performed electron beam tomography (EBT) to quantitate coronary artery calcification (CAC), a marker of coronary atherosclerosis. Persons with significant risk factors that included diabetes, total cholesterol >300 mg/dL, active cigarette smoking, and poorly controlled hypertension were excluded from the study. In this paper, we report on the relationship between traditional risk factors and CAC in this cohort. RESULTS: The incidence of coronary calcification was significantly higher in this cohort than in the population-based Rochester Heart Study. In our cohort, most traditional risk factors were significantly associated with CAC on univariate analysis. On the other hand, in stepwise logistical regression, age and triglycerides were the only predictors of variation in CAC in men and accounted for only 30% of the variation; in women, age, body mass index (BMI), and triglycerides were the only traditional risk factors significantly associated with CAC variation and accounted for 22.2% of CAC variance. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of subjects specifically selected for the characteristic of a family history of premature CHD, traditional risk factors accounted for less than one-third of the variation in CAC, and the most important predictors of CAC after age were plasma triglycerides. This supports the opinion that other inherited risk factors have important effects on the variation in coronary atherosclerosis and that the strategy of using EBT to phenotype clinically asymptomatic subjects with regard to coronary atherosclerosis may be a useful tool for identification of genes that are associated with CHD.     

Simvastatin and pravastatin equally improve flow-mediated dilation in males with hypercholesterolemia

BACKGROUND: Both simvastatin and pravastatin have been shown to improve endothelial function in patients with hypercholesterolemia. To our knowledge there has been no comparative study of these two HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on endothelial dysfunction measured by flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery in patients with hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: Fourteen middle-aged males with hypercholesterolemia (means +/- SD: total cholesterol 7.03 +/- 0.88 mmol/l, LDL cholesterol 5.02 +/- 0.63 mmol/l, HDL cholesterol 1.3 +/- 0.38 mmol/l and triglycerides 1.47 +/- 0.26 mmol/l) were randomised, after a 6 weeks' run-in phase with AHA step I diet treatment, to 12 weeks' treatment either with simvastatin or pravastatin. Both statins were given in a daily dose of 10 mg for 6 weeks, which was increased to 20 mg daily in patients who did not achieve an LDL-cholesterol goal of < 3.4 mmol/l. Endothelial dysfunction was measured as flow-mediated brachial artery dilation (FMD) using high resolution ultrasound. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the drugs in reduction of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, or elevation of HDL cholesterol. FMD increased in the simvastatin group from 6.8 +/- 3.2 to 12.3 +/- 2.9% (p < 0.03) and in the pravastatin group from 6.3 +/- 4.8 to 13.3 +/- 4.7% (p = 0.001). The improvement in FMD was the same in both groups (p = 0.64) and did not correlate with changes of the lipid parameters measured. CONCLUSIONS: Both simvastatin and pravastatin reduce endothelial dysfunction to the same degree in patients with hypercholesterolemia, independently of changes in lipid parameters.     

Association of lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein(a) phenotypes with coronary and carotid atherosclerosis in CHD men

AIM: To evaluate in a case-control cross-sectional study whether lipoprotein(a) concentration and apo(a) phenotypes are associated with the presence and severity of coronary and carotid atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have examined 198 male CHD patients (mean age 53 +/- 8) years) with stenosis more than 50% at least in one main coronary artery or its major branches. Duplex scanning was performed in 168 patients to assess the degree of carotid atherosclerosis. Seventy six apparently healthy men (mean age 39 +/- 9 years) formed the control group. Lp(a) concentration was measured by ELISA, apo(a) phenotyping was performed by immunoblotting. RESULTS: Lp(a) level was significantly higher in cases compared to controls: 37 +/- 31 mg/dl vs. 18 +/- 27 mg/dl, p < 0.05. Patients had low-molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes more frequently than controls: 46% vs. 29%, p = 0.01. Patients aged 45 years and younger had low-molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes more frequently than older ones (65% vs. 42%, p < 0.05) and controls (65% vs. 29%, respectively, p = 0.001). High Lp(a) level and low-molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes correlated with presence and number of coronary occlusions. CONCLUSION: There was association between Lp(a) level, low-molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes and presence, severity, extension of carotid atherosclerosis. No differences in distribution of other CHD risk factors among all subgroups of patients were found.     

Circulating electronegatively charged low-density lipoprotein in patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease

There is growing experimental evidence to suggest the role of oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. The oxidation of lipoprotein moiety causes modification of positively charged lysine residues and results in negative net charge of lipoprotein particles. OBJECTIVE: To measure the amount of circulating electronegatively charged LDL particles (LDL-) in plasma of patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Thirty patients were assigned to the study group (CAD+) and 10 patients to the control group (Ctrl). LDL- was quantitated in homogeneous LDL fractions obtained by ultracentrifugation, using ion exchange high performance liquid chromatography. Plasma lipids were measured using enzymatic kits. RESULTS: The CAD+ group had significantly higher levels of LDL- in the whole LDL fraction (7.66+/-1.92 vs. 5.14+/-0.84%, p=0.0003). Moreover the CAD+ group had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (255.4+/-35.1 vs. 210.4+/-22.4 mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (154.5+/-26.9 vs. 122.4+/-21.1 mg/dL) and significantly lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (40.4+/-9.4 vs. 51.0+/-11.5 mg/dL). LDL- remained significantly higher in the CAD+ group after adjustment for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol (6.3 vs. 5.14% at p=0.0095). There is a trend towards a positive correlation between LDL- levels and LDL cholesterol in the control group (Spearman R=0.55 at p=0.098). CONCLUSIONS: Electronegatively charged LDL appears to be an additional hallmark of coronary artery disease, independently of established lipid risk factors. The trend towards a positive correlation between LDL cholesterol concentration and the level of LDL- in the control group may reflect the susceptibility of LDL cholesterol to autoxidation, Moreover, this may indicate other oxidative mechanisms in coronary artery disease. Nonetheless, further studies assessing the prognostic value of electronegatively charged LDLs are necessary.     

Anti-inflammatory effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitors (statins) in peritoneal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level is an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Statins have been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory properties by virtue of their CRP lowering effects in hemodialysis patients. However, whether statins have an anti-inflammatory effect in PD patients is unknown. DESIGN: All prevalent PD patients at our center were reviewed. Eligible (257) patients were categorized into 2 groups: those on statin therapy (n = 137) and those not on statins (n = 120). Data were abstracted for hemoglobin, albumin, phosphates, cholesterol, CRP, Kt/V, and erythropoietin dose, along with relevant clinical data. RESULTS: The two groups had similar concentrations of hemoglobin, albumin, and phosphates. They were also matched for dialysis adequacy and duration of dialysis but the statin group patients were older (57 +/- 13 vs 52 +/- 17 years, p = 0.01). Serum cholesterol was lower in the statin group (4.74 +/- 1.05 vs 5.02 +/- 1.17 mmol/L, p < 0.05). Single-point (14 +/- 13 vs 19 +/- 18 mg/L, p < 0.02) and serially measured CRP (9 +/- 7.4 vs 12 +/- 10 mg/L, p < 0.02) levels were significantly lower in the statin group despite increased comorbidity (0.84 vs 0.54, p < 0.02) and greater incidence of diabetes mellitus (52% vs 25%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Statin therapy is associated with low single-point and serially measured CRP levels in PD patients, thereby suggesting that their anti-inflammatory properties persist in PD. These data have implications for considering statin therapy in PD patients as an anti-inflammatory agent in addition to a cholesterol lowering drug.     

MspI polymorphism at +83 bp in intron 1 of the human apolipoprotein A1 gene is associated with elevated levels of HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 in nondiabetic subjects but not in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease

OBJECTIVE: Elevated HDL cholesterol and its principal carrier protein apolipoprotein a1 [apo(a1)] are associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). No studies are available on the impact of the -75-bp and/or +83-bp polymorphisms of the apo(a1) gene on HDL cholesterol and apo(a1) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We determined the prevalence of the: -75-bp and +83-bp polymorphisms of the apo(a1) gene by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis among 308 unrelated nondiabetic subjects with CHD and among 251 unrelated patients with type 2 diabetes with CHD and in randomly selected 82 healthy men (CHD-). RESULTS: The rare M1- and M2- allele frequencies of the apo(a1) gene were 23 and 1.8%, respectively, among control subjects; 20 and 1.5%, respectively, among nondiabetic subjects with CHD; and 22 and 2.6%, respectively, among patients with type 2 diabetes and CHD (NS). Nonsmoking nondiabetic subjects with CHD having the M2+- genotype had higher HDL cholesterol (1.48 +/- 0.19 vs. 1.23 +/- 0.02 mmol/l, P < 0.01) and apo(a1) (1.43 +/- 0.10 vs. 1.36 +/- 0.02 g/l, P < 0.05) levels than subjects with the M2++ genotype, even after adjustment for confounding factors. This association was not found among patients with type 2 diabetes and CHD. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the +83-bp polymorphism of the apo(a1) gene is associated with elevated HDL cholesterol and apo(a1) levels in Finnish nondiabetic subjects but not in patients with type 2 diabetes.     

The clinical conditions of the manifestation of hyperinsulinemia in patients with coronary heart disease

The purpose of the study was to determine the conditions under which hyperinsulinemia (HI) is manifested in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Such factors as clinical manifestations of CHD, coronary atherosclerosis severity, and myocardial dysfunction severity, were taken into account. The subjects were 201 men aged 47.3 +/- 1.5 years, suffering from CHD. The condition of coronary and intracardial hemodynamics, as well as insulin and glucose blood levels were compared, and correlations between these parameters and the stage, severity, and type of coronary insufficiency (CI) were studied. Two clinical groups were formed. Group I consisted of 74 CHD patients with no myocardial infarction (MI) background; group II consisted of 127 patients with postinfarction myocardial dysfunction (PIMD). Subgroups of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including subjects with newly developed stenocardia (NDS) and subjects with progressive stenocardia (PS), were formed. In all cases of ACS the basal insulin levels were increased: by 197.4% in patients with NDS, by 167% in patients with PS and no MI background, and by 114,3% in PIMD subgroup (p < 0.05). Some of the ACS patients developed a short-term moderate hyperglycemia (up to 7 mmol/l), that was coped with after 1 to 3 days of antischemic therapy and protective therapeutic regimen. The extent of HI correlated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis as well as the degree of intracardial and coronary hemodynamic disturbances, and myocardial dysfunction. The results show that HI in CHD patients manifests itself under the condition of CI progression and may be used as a diagnostic marker of residual myocardial ischemia; the degree of HI at different stages of the disease is determined by the severity of CI and myocardial insufficiency, as well as, probably, by the organism's compensatory capacity.     

Association of postprandial hypertriglyceridemia and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: Serum triglyceride levels are important in the development of atherosclerosis. Although triglyceride levels are generally increased in the postprandial periods, the association between postprandial triglyceride (pTG) levels and atherosclerosis has not been investigated in diabetic patients. To investigate the role of pTG levels in atherosclerosis, we examined the correlation between pTG levels and carotid intimal-medial thickness (IMT). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Carotid IMT was measured by ultrasonography in 61 patients with type 2 diabetes. Plasma glucose (PG), insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol levels were measured after overnight fasting and 4 h after a meal. RESULTS: Carotid IMT of the patients with fasting hypertriglyceridemia was greater than that of the patients with normal fasting triglyceride (fTG) levels (0.85+/-0.12 vs. 0.76+/-0.14 mm; P = 0.02). The carotid IMT was increased in the patients with pTG levels >2.27 mmol/l. The normo-normo (NN) and normo-hyper (NH) groups consisted of patients with normal fTG levels but with pTG levels <2.27 and >2.27 mmol/l, respectively. Patients with both hypertriglyceridemia and pTG levels >2.27 mmol/l formed the hyper-hyper (HH) group. Carotid IMT was significantly increased in the NH (0.86+/-0.13 mm) and HH (0.85+/-0.12 mm) groups compared with the NN group (0.73+/-0.13 mm; P<0.01). Although postprandial PG, pTG, and fasting LDL cholesterol levels were all independently correlated with carotid IMT, pTG levels had the strongest statistical influence (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Postprandial hypertriglyceridemia despite normal fTG levels may be an independent risk factor for early atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes.     

2型糖尿病患者冠状动脉病变危险性分析

背景糖尿病患者冠状动脉病变的危险性是当前临床研究的热点问题.目的应用电子束CT(EBT)心脏扫描,了解2型糖尿病患者冠状动脉病变的发生情况,分析2型糖尿病患者冠状动脉病变发生的危险性.设计以伴冠状动脉病变的2型糖尿病患者为研究对象,观察对比研究.单位一所军医大学医院的老年病科病房.对象收集2002-01/2004-06第四军医大学西京医院老年病科经EBT扫描的住院患者共93例,男80例,女13例,年龄36～78岁.其中25例健康查体者作为正常血糖对照组,男22例,女3例;其余按病情分为血糖异常组和冠心病组.血糖异常组57例,男49例,女8例,包括糖耐量低减组(IGT)29例,糖尿病组28例,44例患者伴有不同程度的心脏症状;冠心病组11例,男9例,女2例.纳入标准2型糖尿病患者符合1979年美国糖尿病协会的诊断标准,冠心病患者符合1979年国际心脏联合专题组冠心病诊断标准并经冠状动脉造影检查确诊.排除标准①1型糖尿病患者;②患重大躯体疾病者.方法93例受试者行心脏EBT平扫及增强扫描,计算冠状动脉钙化发生率、钙化积分、冠状动脉狭窄支数和软斑数,同时收集血糖、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、血脂等相关信息,进行冠状动脉的组间比较和危险性分析.主要观察指标各组冠状动脉钙化发生率、冠状动脉狭窄支数和软斑数的比较,冠状动脉病变的危险性分析.结果糖耐量低减组、糖尿病组、冠心病组冠状动脉钙化发生率较正常对照组有明显升高(x2=18.88,P<0.01);冠状动脉狭窄支数和软斑数有明显增加(F=10.758,P<0.01;F=9.991,P<0.01);糖尿病患者发生冠状动脉病变的相对危险度为7 514(95%可信区间1.885～63.778).结论2型糖尿病患者有明显的冠状动脉病变及高度的冠脉病变危险性,及早发现糖尿病患者的冠状动脉病变、早期实施二级康复干预,提高患者生活质量、降低致残率及心脏事件发生率具有极其重要的意义.     

Carotid intima-media thickness in HIV patients treated with antiretroviral therapy

INTRODUCTION: Increased cardiovascular risk in HIV patients in antiretroviral therapy (ART) may be due to HIV infection, direct effect of ART or dyslipidaemia induced by ART. Our aim was to study the relative importance of HIV, ART and dyslipidaemia on atherosclerosis, assessed by the comparison of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) in non-smoking HIV patients with high or low serum cholesterol levels as well as in healthy volunteers. METHODS: HIV patients in ART with normal cholesterol (or=6 x 5 mmol l(-1); n=12) as well as healthy controls (n=14) were included. All were non-smokers and had never received medication for dyslipidaemia or hypertension. IMT was measured by ultrasonography. RESULTS: In HIV patients with normal cholesterol (or=6 x 5 mmol l(-1)) and in controls (5 x 1 +/- 0 x 9 mmol l(-1)) IMT were 683 +/- 119, 656 +/- 99 and 657 +/- 99 microm, respectively. Thus no difference in IMT was found between the three groups. IMT values did not differ between patients receiving and not receiving protease inhibitors (658 +/- 117 microm versus 687 +/- 97 microm, P>0 x 05). In HIV patients IMT correlated inversely with HDL cholesterol levels (r=-0 x 50; P=0 x 01), whereas no correlation was found with total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: In non-smoking HIV patients receiving ART no sign of accelerated atherosclerosis was found as assessed by IMT even not in hypercholesterolaemic HIV patients. IMT correlated with HDL cholesterol but not with LDL cholesterol. Based on these observations, one could speculate whether selective lowering of LDL cholesterol will be successful in reducing cardiovascular risk in non-smoking HIV patients.     

Impact of diabetes on coronary stenosis and coronary artery calcification detected by electron-beam computed tomography in symptomatic patients

OBJECTIVE: Ischemic heart disease is a pivotal complication for diabetic patients. Electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) represents the only noninvasive method that allows for accurate quantification of coronary artery calcification that reflects underlying atherosclerotic disease. Although coronary calcium score (CCS) cut points that predict the presence of angiographic stenosis have been established in nondiabetic individuals, it is not known whether coronary calcifications in diabetic patients are associated with the presence of significant coronary stenoses. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between coronary calcifications and angiographic stenosis in symptomatic patients with or without type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this study, 282 patients (204 men and 78 women) with chest pain, including 101 diabetic patients and 181 nondiabetic patients (mean age 63 +/- 9.6 years), underwent coronary angiography and EBCT with determination of CCS using Agatston's method. Luminal stenosis >or= 50% was defined as significant coronary stenosis. RESULTS: Angiography identified 205 patients with significant stenoses (89 of 101 diabetic patients, 114 of 181 nondiabetic patients). The sensitivity and specificity of EBCT to detect significant coronary stenosis were not significantly different between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. In diabetic patients, a CCS >or=90 was associated with 75% sensitivity and 75% specificity, whereas a CCS >or=200 was associated with 64% sensitivity and 83% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that calcification of the coronary arteries in symptomatic diabetic patients is well associated with severity of coronary stenosis, as in nondiabetic patients.     

Serum calcium and phosphorus associate with the occurrence and severity of angiographically documented coronary heart disease, possibly through correlation with atherogenic (apo)lipoproteins.

The associations of serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations as well as other cardiovascular risk factors were investigated in relation to the existence and severity of coronary heart disease (CHD) in 260 clinically stable, angiographically defined CHD patients aged 40-70 years. The subjects were classified as CHD(+) cases if one or more coronary arteries had a significant stenosis (> or =70%) and CHD(-) controls if there was no stenosis (< or =10%) in any artery. The severity of coronary occlusion was scored on the basis of the number and extent of lesions, as normal, mild, moderate or severe. Fasting serum concentrations of electrolytes, lipids and (apo)lipoproteins were determined. The concentrations of serum total calcium (2.41 +/-0.14 vs. 2.33 +/- 0.22 mmol/L, p < or = 0.05), albumin-corrected calcium (2.33 +/- 0.25 vs. 2.23 +/- 0.25 mmol/L, p < or = 0.01), phosphorus (1.32 +/-0.21 vs. 1.25 +/- 0.17 mmol/L, p < or = 0.007) and the ion product of calcium and phosphorus (3.16 +/- 0.58 vs. 2.91 +/- 0.50, p < or =0.0001) were significantly higher in the CHD(+) compared to the CHD(-) group. Patients with CHD compared with controls had increased serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B (apoB), lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and decreased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C and apoAI. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed strong and significant association between diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, OR = 5.24, p < or = 0.0001), male gender (OR = 8.84, p < or =0.0001), Lp(a) (OR = 1.014, p < or =0.006), hypertension (OR = 2.61, p < or =0.02), apoB (OR = 1.031, p < or =0.001), age (OR = 1.055, p < or =0.003), phosphorus (OR = 2.438, p < or =0.01), albumin-adjusted calcium (OR = 1.532, p < or =0.05), cholesterol (OR = 1.009, p < or =0.05) and the occurrence of CHD. On the basis of bivariate correlation analysis, serum-adjusted calcium was positively correlated with the levels of cholesterol (r = 0.285, p < or =0.0001), LDL-C (r = 0.320, p < or =0.0001), Lp(a) (r = 0.173, p < or = 0.005), apoB (r = 0.237, p < or =0.0001), LDL-C/apoB ratio (r = 0.180, p < or= 0.007), apoAI (r = 0.181, p < or =0.003) and inversely to HDL-C (r = -0.146, p < or =0.02) and HDL-C/apoAI ratio (r = -0.263, p < or =0.0001). Serum phosphorus concentration was a significant correlate of triglyceride (r = 0.199, p < or =0.001) and Lp(a) (r = 0.129, p < or =0.04). The results demonstrated that serum calcium and phosphorus are associated with the prevalence and severity of CHD, probably through correlation with atherogenic lipids and (apo)lipoproteins. Serum calcium and phosphorus and their ion product were also independent risk factors for CHD.     

Increased heat generation from atherosclerotic plaques in patients with type 2 diabetes: an increased local inflammatory activation

OBJECTIVE: Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes show increased inflammatory activation. Thermography detects local inflammatory involvement as heat generation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with CAD and diabetes have increased local heat generation compared with nondiabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We enrolled patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions: 45 diabetic patients and 63 nondiabetic patients, serving as the control group, matched for age, type of clinical syndrome, statin and aspirin intake, and angiographic stenosis (%). Coronary thermography was performed, and temperature difference (DeltaT) between the atherosclerotic plaque and the proximal vessel wall was measured. RESULTS: Patients with diabetes had increased temperature difference compared with nondiabetic patients (DeltaT: 0.17 +/- 0.18 degrees C vs. 0.09 +/- 0.02 degrees C, P = 0.01). Twenty-one diabetic and 22 nondiabetic patients suffered from acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) (P = 0.22). Patients with diabetes and ACSs had increased temperature difference compared with nondiabetic patients with ACSs (DeltaT: 0.29 +/- 0.31 degrees C vs. 0.15 +/- 0.21 degrees C, P = 0.02), which is the same as patients with diabetes and chronic stable angina (DeltaT: 0.09 +/- 0.08 degrees C vs. 0.05 +/- 0.04 degrees C, P = 0.006). Twenty-three diabetic and 30 nondiabetic patients were under therapy with statins (P = 0.72). Patients with diabetes under statins had lower temperature difference compared with untreated patients (DeltaT: 0.11 +/- 0.12 degrees C vs. 0.22 +/- 0.21 degrees C, P = 0.02), which is the same as nondiabetic patients under statins (DeltaT: 0.05 +/- 0.04 degrees C vs. 0.13 +/- 0.18 degrees C, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diabetes have increased temperature difference compared with nondiabetic patients. Patients with diabetes under statins showed decreased temperature difference compared with untreated patients, suggesting that statins have a favorable effect in patients with diabetes and CAD.     

Reduction of cardiovascular risk in primary prophylaxy of coronary heart disease

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of Allicor, an Allium sativum (garlic) preparation with prolonged activity, on 10-year prognostic risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), acute myocardial infarction (MI) and sudden death in patients with elevated and high risk of CHD. 79 patients with elevated and high risk of CHD were included in a double blind randomized placebo-controlled study. They underwent multifactor evaluation of cardiovascular risk by algorithms based on the results of Framingham and Munster studies. Prolonged (12 months) administration of Allicor significantly reduced the multifactor risk, which was demonstrated by a 13.2% (p = 0.005) reduction of prognostic 10-year risk of CHD in men, and a 7.1% (p = 0.040) reduction of the same parameter in women. Prognostic 10-year risk of MI and sudden death in men was reduced by 26.1% (p = 0.025) and did not change significantly in women. In men the main factor of cardiovascular risk reduction was the decrease of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein concentration by 23.5 +/- 6.6 mg/dl (p = 0.004), and in women - the increase of high-density lipoprotein level by 2.8 +/- 1.5 mg/dl (p = 0.040). The results of the study demonstrate that prolonged Allicor therapy can be applied to the large category of patients who are in need of atherosclerosis prevention.     

Lipid-altering efficacy of switching from atorvastatin 10 mg/day to ezetimibe/simvastatin 10/20 mg/day compared to doubling the dose of atorvastatin in hypercholesterolaemic patients with atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease

This randomised, double-blind study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ezetimibe/simvastatin (EZE/SIMVA) 10/20 mg tablet compared to doubling the atorvastatin (ATV) dose in hypercholesterolaemic patients with atherosclerotic or coronary heart disease (CHD). The study group included 435 male and female CHD patients (aged >or=18 years) who had not achieved their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal of <2.50 mmol/l while on a stable dose of ATV 10 mg for >or=6 weeks. After a 1-week diet/stabilisation period, patients with LDL-C >or=2.50 mmol/l and 相似文献   

正常(或低)胆固醇冠心病患者的脂蛋白谱特点

目的研究血清总胆固醇（ＴＣ）正常或低于平均水平的冠心病（ＣＨＤ）患者的脂蛋白谱特点。方法观察诊断明确的男性ＣＨＤ２２５例，以年龄配对、生活水平相似的健康男子２２５例为对照。两组中均排除与脂代谢有关的疾病及用药。对血脂作多指标［１４项，包括载脂蛋白（ａｐｏ）８项］综合分析。结果ＣＨＤ患者中ＴＣ高于５．１７ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ者１０８例（４８％），低于此水平者１１７例（５２％）。高ＴＣ组的血脂特点以低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（ＬＤＬ－Ｃ）和ａｐｏＢ增高为主，低ＴＣ组（ＴＣ平均４．４１ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ，相应的对照组为４．８１ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）的特点是高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（ＨＤＬ－Ｃ）及其亚类明显偏低，尤以ａｐｏＡＩ低下最明显。多数ＨＤＬ－Ｃ低的病例并无甘油三酯增高，部分病例以低ＨＤＬ（包括ＨＤＬ－Ｃ，ａｐｏＡＩ、ＡＩ）为单一的血脂异常。逐步回归分析优选判断ＣＨＤ的指标，在低ＴＣ组首选是ａｐｏＡＩ，其次为脂蛋白（ａ）；但高ＴＣ组以ａｐｏＢ为首选。结论低ＴＣ组在ＬＤＬ致动脉硬化作用明显减弱的情况下，低ＨＤＬ成为主要的（独立的）脂类危险因素