Factors correlated with left ventricular mass in hypertensive patients

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent risk factor in hypertensive patient. THE AIM: Of our study is to evaluate prospectively the relationship between left ventricular mass and clinical, echocardiographical and ambulatory blood pressure data in hypertensive subjects. METHODS: We studied 88 hypertensive patient who underwent clinical and laboratory investigation, echocardiography and 24 hours ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Correlations were made between these data and left ventricular mass. RESULTS: Clinical data, which correlated well with left ventricular mass, were duration of hypertension, systolic arterial pressure and pulse arterial pressure. In echocardiography left atrial area and left ventricular dysfunction correlated significatively with left ventricular mass. Data from 24 hours blood pressure monitoring as daytime systolic pressure, nighttimes diastolic pressure, ambulatory systolic pressure and ambulatory pulse pressure. CONCLUSION: In hypertensive patient, left ventricular mass correlated well with left atrial dilation and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction. It also correlated with 24 hours ambulatory blood pressure monitoring data.     

Cardiovascular manifestations in patients with COPD

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized mainly by airway obstruction due to chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. In addition, COPD is frequently associated with other health problems with serious systemic manifestations. In particular, COPD patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. BACKGROUND: Current knowledge about cardiovascular disease in patients with COPD mainly concerns the high prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in this population. Systemic hypertension, cardiovascular disease, heart failure and cerebro-vascular disease are also frequently encountered. This review discusses the cardiovascular manifestations associated with COPD, excluding right heart failure due to pulmonary hypertension. VIEWPOINTS AND CONCLUSION: Non pulmonary health problems in patients with COPD, such as cardiovascular disease, are arousing increasing interest in the medical community. More studies are needed to increase our knowledge of cardiovascular disease in COPD and allow better medical management of patients.     

Corrélation entre les dosages des dérivés methoxylés urinaires et l’index d’apnée-hypopnée dans une population d’hypertendus : étude pilote

Aims

Sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea in adults are associated with increased sympathetic activity, which induced high blood pressure and could be associated with resistant hypertension. Some studies have demonstrated that high urinary catecholamine levels in obstructive sleep apnea patients may be decreased with continuous positive airway pressure therapy. However, very few studies have demonstrated a correlation between apnea-hypopnea index and urinary catecholamine levels in hypertension patients.

Methods

In this pilot study, 20 hypertensive patients referred for hypertension work-up including night-time polygraphy and 24 h urinary catecholamine dosage were included.

Results

Mean age was 51 ± 11 years (30–76), 68% were males. Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea was confirmed in 13 patients at the end of the work-up. Mean apnea-hypopnea index was 14 ± 9 (2–32). The only urinary catecholamine parameter significantly increased in patients with obstructive sleep apnea was 24 h urinary normetanephrine (1931 ± 1285 vs 869 ± 293 nmol/24 h; P < 0.05). However, this difference was not significant when this parameter was adjusted to 24 h urinary creatinine. We observed a significant positive correlation between AHI and 24 h urinary normetanephine (r = 0.486; P = 0.035).

Conclusion

This pilot study confirms an isolated elevation of 24 h urinary normetanephrine in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea and shows a significant correlation between sleep disorders expressed by apnea-hypopnea index and urinary catecholamines excretion.     

Context and dating of Aurignacian vulvar representations from Abri Castanet, France

We report here on the 2007 discovery, in perfect archaeological context, of part of the engraved and ocre-stained undersurface of the collapsed rockshelter ceiling from Abri Castanet, Dordogne, France. The decorated surface of the 1.5-t roof-collapse block was in direct contact with the exposed archaeological surface onto which it fell. Because there was no sedimentation between the engraved surface and the archaeological layer upon which it collapsed, it is clear that the Early Aurignacian occupants of the shelter were the authors of the ceiling imagery. This discovery contributes an important dimension to our understanding of the earliest graphic representation in southwestern France, almost all of which was discovered before modern methods of archaeological excavation and analysis. Comparison of the dates for the Castanet ceiling and those directly obtained from the Chauvet paintings reveal that the "vulvar" representations from southwestern France are as old or older than the very different wall images from Chauvet.     

The anterior bias in visual art: The case of images of animals

Composition is an important topic in visual art. The literature suggests a bias for objects on the right side (Levy, 1976) and two additional biases with respect to positioning of objects within a rectangular frame: a Centre bias and an Inward bias (Palmer, Gardner, & Wickens, 2008). We analysed images of animals from three datasets of works of art: two datasets were from artists well known for their portraits of animals (Bewick, Stubbs) and the third was a medieval bestiary. There was no overall displacement of the subject to the right or to the left of the picture. However, we found a bias consisting of more space in front compared to behind the animal, consistent with Palmer at al.'s findings and with their definition of an Inward bias. Because our animals never face towards the centre we use the term Anterior bias. In addition, we found a modulation of this bias on the basis of the facing direction of the animal, consisting of a stronger Anterior bias for left-facing animals. This asymmetry may originate from a combination of an Anterior bias and a Right bias. Finally, with respect to size we found that the size of the animals predicted the proportion of the picture occupied, an effect known as “canonical size”.