L’ail au banc d’essai dans la prévention cardiovasculaire et les maladies métaboliques

May garlic have beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic diseases?Some data support that garlic may have benefical medicinal functions on dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. However the results of clinical trials are controversial. Several metaanalysis and a systematic review didn’t confirm that garlic or its compounds had significant effects on plasma lipids or on blood pressure. The hypoglycaemic effect was supported by any randomised clinical study. Contrary to the assertion of many physicians and patients, consumption of garlic can’t be considered as an alternative treatment for dyslipidemia or hypertension.     

Development of the Depist’HTA® score to predict a rise in blood pressure during a self-testing session: PREDIC-HTA bakery survey

The use of an automatic blood pressure monitor with the help of a protocol given by an e-health application allows self-testing of blood pressure without the help of a health professional.ObjectiveConduct a screening campaign for high blood pressure in artisanal bakeries in France and develop a score to predict the observation of an increase in blood pressure during self-testing.MethodCross-sectional survey conducted in mainland France in 2018 using 1000 screening kits including a tablet, Predic’HTA® application and a connected electronic blood pressure monitor (BP Track, IHealth). Available for one week in 14,000 artisanal bakeries, in turn. Used in the workplace, on a voluntary basis, by bakery employees. Completion of a health questionnaire with an estimate of excessive salt consumption. Self-screening of 3 blood pressure measurements with centralization of data on a secure database for epidemiological analysis. The average of the last 2 measurements characterizes each subject.ResultsFull use of Predic’HTA® was obtained in 62.4% of users or 7502 subjects (44% under 35 years of age, 44% 35 to 54 years of age, 12% 55 years of age and over). Antihypertensive treatment was followed by 27% of those aged 55 and over and 1% of those under 35. Among untreated subjects, the prevalence of BP > 140/90 was 21.1%, increasing with age (13%, 27%, 33%) and higher among men (27.2%) than among women (15.4%). With the parameters age, sex, weight, IMC, family history of high blood pressure, excessive salt consumption, previous intake of an antihypertensive drug, a score is calculated to associate a probability of having an BP >120/80 with self-screening. The ROC curve shows an AUC at 0.723 with a PPV at 91% and a NPV at 41%. The depist’HTA® score is available at www.depisthta.netConclusionSelf-testing of blood pressure is possible with an electronic blood pressure monitor if a dedicated appliance is used at the same time. The development of the prediction score depist’HTA® for a blood pressure level > 120/80 would be useful to target subjects who need to self-test their blood pressure in the short term.     

Salt intake assessed by 24 hour urinary sodium excretion of Moroccan adults: A pilot study

BackgroundHypertension is a serious public health problem in Morocco. The objective of this pilot study was to estimate the daily salt intake of Moroccan adults by measuring 24-hour urinary sodium excretion.MethodsIn this study, 132 participants were recruited from the central region of Morocco. The individual information of the participants was collected using a standard questionnaire of World Health Organization (WHO). Verbal instructions were given to the participants for the 24-hour urine collection. All participants were given 5 liters plastic containers (with 1 g of boric acid for conservation purposes) to collect 24-hour urine excretion. Sodium, potassium and creatinine levels were measured using 24-hour urine samples.ResultsFrom the 132 participants that participated to the study, only 119 participants were included in the analysis. The average of the urine volume was 1128.1 ± 550.9 milliliters, with a range of (500-3300 mL). The daily excretion of sodium and creatinine was 2838.7 ± 1442.5 and 850.4 ± 398.4 mg, respectively. Data analysis revealed that 71.2% of the participants had a daily sodium intake that exceeded the 2000 mg (5 g of salt) recommended by the World Health Organization. The average potassium excretion was 1377.3 ± 642.4 mg/day, which is lower than WHO's recommendation of 3500 mg per day.ConclusionParticipants in this pilot study had a high sodium intake and low potassium intake in Moroccan adults. Public health measures to reduce sodium and increase potassium consumption in order to decrease the population's risk of high blood pressure and heart disease are recommended.     

I125 irradiation stent for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis: A meta-analysis

PurposeA meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the safety and efficiency of I¹²⁵ irradiation stent placement for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) combined with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT).Materials and methodsThe Cochrane library, PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, CNKI, Wanfang Data and CQVIP were systematically screened out from the earliest to December 2019. The qualities of all included studies were assessed. The primary endpoints were the 6-month, 12-month stent cumulative patency rate and 6-month, 12-month, 24-month overall survival rate while the secondary endpoints were the objective response rate of PVTT, main portal venous pressure changes and treatment-related adverse events. Our meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 12.0 software.ResultsTotally seven studies with 1018 patients were included in the final analysis, in which 602 patients received TACE and I¹²⁵ irradiation stent placement, and 416 patients in control group underwent TACE and stent placement without endovascular brachytherapy (EVBT). Meta-analysis showed that the I¹²⁵ irradiation stent improved the cumulative stent patency rates in 6 months [OR = 1.65, 95% CI (1.32–2.05), P < 0.001] and 12 months [OR = 2.55, 95% CI (1.90–3.42), P < 0.001] and the survival rates in 6 months [OR = 1.77, 95% CI (1.41–2.22), P < 0.001], 12 months [OR = 3.14, 95% CI (2.24–4.40), P < 0.001] and 24 months [OR = 7.39, 95% CI (3.55–15.41), P < 0.001]. However, there was no difference in the objective response rate of PVTT [OR = 1.13, 95% CI (0.87–1.48), P = 0.365], main portal venous pressure and the occurrence adverse event [OR = 0.88, CI = 0.72–1.08, P = 0.212] between two groups.ConclusionI¹²⁵ irradiation stent seems to be more effective in treating hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis. The usage of portal vein stent combined endovascular brachytherapy has the potential to act as an alternative therapy for HCC with PVTT. On account of the limitation of studies included, more studies with high-level evidence, such as RCTs, are requisite to support the above promising results.     

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.