Purpose: The parameters of cerebral blood flow are modulated by many factors. The aim of the study was to prospectively assess the relationship between the number of the established cardiovascular ...risk factors and hemodynamic parameters of cerebral blood flow.
Material and methods: The study was cross-sectional baseline and 6-year follow-up data analysis. We analyzed data regarding cardiovascular risk factors, medications use, and ultrasonographically (transcranial Doppler) obtained mean cerebral blood flow velocity (mCBFV), pulsatility (PI), resistance (RI) indexes of middle cerebral artery.
Results: After 6.0 ± 0.6 years of follow-up, there was increase in systolic (p = .047), and decrease in diastolic (p = .005) blood pressure, resulting in greater pulse pressure (p < .001). Although intima-media thickness increased during follow-up (p = .019), PI, RI and mCBFV did not differ between baseline and follow-up. In the cohort without follow-up (n = 112), we observed strong association between number of studied cardiovascular risk factors and lower mCBFV, and higher PI and RI (all p < .001), in the cohort with 6 year follow-up (n = 53), we confirmed similar association for mCBFV and PI (p = .002) at baseline, and mCBFV (p = .024) after follow-up. During follow-up, more patients were treated with vasoactive medications (p < .05). Also the median (interquartile range) of total number of taken drugs at follow-up 2 (1-3) was greater than at baseline 1 (0-2), (p < .001). The addition of vasoactive medications during follow-up was associated with increase of the mCBFV (0.012 ± 0.02 m/s, p = .013).
Conclusion: The parameters of the cerebral blood flow are adversely influenced by accretion of cardiovascular risk factors, both at baseline and after 6 years of follow-up. The addition of a vasoactive medication during follow-up is associated with an increase of the mCBFV, a possibly beneficial effect.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after exposure to particularly traumatic events. Its severity depends on the nature and intensity of the stressor and the susceptibility of the exposed ...person. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between PTSD resulting from deportation to Siberia in the patients' childhood and cognitive, emotional, and physical decline in advanced age.
Eighty patients with PTSD with a history of deportation to Siberia and 70 subjects without PTSD were diagnosed according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision; severity of the symptoms included in the criteria was also assessed. In all patients, a standardized interview (including demographic data and comprehensive geriatric assessment tools such as the Mini-Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, activities of daily living, and instrumental activities of daily living) was performed.
In analyses with the comparison group, patients with PTSD had a higher frequency of cognitive deficits (7.1% versus 22.5%), depression (31.4% versus 88.8%) and physical disability in activities of daily living (0% versus 21.3%), and instrumental activities of daily living (40.0% versus 88.8%). Moreover, increasing severity of PTSD was associated with significant deterioration in cognitive function, severity of depression, and the deterioration of basic and complex activities of daily living.
Higher frequency of cognitive function deficits, depression, and physical disability was found in the group of former deportees compared with the group of individuals without history of such a traumatic experience.
Measurement of blood pressure together with applanation tonometry at the radial artery allows the reproducible assessment of various indexes of arterial stiffness, including the peripheral (PPp) and ...central pulse pressures (PPc) and the peripheral (Alp) and central augmentation indexes (Alc). We defined preliminary diagnostic thresholds, using the distributional characteristics of these hemodynamic measurements in a reference population. We randomly recruited 870 subjects from 3 European populations. PPp was the average difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured five times at one home visit. For measurement of PPc, Alp and Alc, we used the SphygmoCor device. We selected subjects without hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia in need of medical treatment or previous or concomitant cardiovascular disease. The study population included 228 men and 306 women (mean age 34.9 years). All hemodynamic measurements were curvilinearly related to age, and Alp and Alc were lower in men than in women. In men at age 40, the upper 95% prediction bands of the relations of the hemodynamic measurements with age approximated 60 mmHg for PPp, 40 mmHg for PPc, 90% for Alp, and 30% for Alc. For PPc, Alp and Alc, these thresholds must be adjusted for age, leading to lower and higher thresholds at younger and older age, respectively. In addition, in women of any age, the Alp and Alc thresholds must be increased by 10% and 7%, respectively. Pending validation in prospective outcome studies, distributional characteristics of arterial stiffness indexes in a reference population can be used to generate operational thresholds for use in clinical practice.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The objectives of this study were to determine the relationship between carotid-femoral (cfPWV) and aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) and to compare their modulators and association with coronary ...artery disease (CAD). We studied 107 consecutive patients (68 men) with a mean age of 60.49+/-8.31 years who had stable angina and had been referred for coronary angiography. cfPWV and aPWV were measured simultaneously during cardiac catheterization using the Complior device and aortic pressure waveform recordings, respectively. Based on the presence or absence of significant coronary artery stenosis (CAS) patients were subdivided into a CAS+ or CAS- group. The mean values of cfPWV and aPWV were 10.65+/-2.29 m/s and 8.78+/-2.24 m/s, respectively. They were significantly higher in the CAS+ (n=71) compared with the CAS- (n=36) group and predicted significant CAS independently of cardiovascular risk factors and mean or systolic aortic blood pressure. aPWV and cfPWV were significantly correlated (r=0.70; p<0.001) but the degree of correlation differed significantly (p<0.03) between the CAS+ (r=0.74, p<0.001) and CAS- group (r=0.46, p=0.003). Age and mean aortic blood pressure were independent predictors for aPWV as well as cfPWV. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, aPWV and cfPWV had similar accuracy in identification of significant CAS (AUC area under the ROC curve=0.76 and 0.69, respectively; p=0.13). However, neither cfPWV nor aPWV was effective at differentiating the extent of CAD. In conclusion, aPWV and cfPWV are highly correlated parameters with similar determinants and comparable accuracy in predicting significant CAS. The strength of correlation between these two indices differed significantly between subjects with and those without CAS.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Abstract
Background. As arteries become stiffer with ageing, reflected waves move faster and augment late systolic pressure. We investigated the age dependency of peripheral and central systolic ...pressure, pressure amplification (peripheral systolic blood pressure − central systolic blood pressure), and peripheral and central systolic augmentation (maximal systolic pressure minus the first peak of the pressure wave). Methods. We randomly recruited 1420 White Europeans (mean age, 41.7 years). peripheral systolic blood pressure and central systolic blood pressure were measured by means of an oscillometric sphygmomanometer and pulse wave analysis, respectively. Results. In cross-sectional analyses (731 women, 689 men), central systolic blood pressure and central systolic augmentation increased more with age than peripheral systolic blood pressure and peripheral systolic augmentation. These age-related increases were greater in women than men. The age-related decrease in pressure amplification was similar in both sexes. In longitudinal analyses (208 women, 190 men), the annual increases in central systolic blood pressure and central systolic augmentation were steeper (p < 0.001) than those in peripheral systolic blood pressure and peripheral systolic augmentation with no sex differences (p ≥ 0.068), except for peripheral systolic augmentation, which was larger in women (p = 0.002). Longitudinally, pressure amplification decreased more with age in women than men (p = 0.012). In multivariable-adjusted analyses, age was the overriding determinant of peripheral systolic blood pressure and central systolic blood pressure. Conclusion. With ageing, peripheral systolic blood pressure approximates to central systolic blood pressure. This might explain why in older subjects peripheral systolic blood pressure becomes the main predictor of cardiovascular complications.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether a multicomponent intervention based on physical activity with technological support and nutritional counselling prevents mobility disability in older adults with ...physical frailty and sarcopenia.DesignEvaluator blinded, randomised controlled trial.Setting16 clinical sites across 11 European countries, January 2016 to 31 October 2019.Participants1519 community dwelling men and women aged 70 years or older with physical frailty and sarcopenia, operationalised as the co-occurrence of low functional status, defined as a short physical performance battery (SPPB) score of 3 to 9, low appendicular lean mass, and ability to independently walk 400 m. 760 participants were randomised to a multicomponent intervention and 759 received education on healthy ageing (controls).InterventionsThe multicomponent intervention comprised moderate intensity physical activity twice weekly at a centre and up to four times weekly at home. Actimetry data were used to tailor the intervention. Participants also received personalised nutritional counselling. Control participants received education on healthy ageing once a month. Interventions and follow-up lasted for up to 36 months.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was mobility disability (inability to independently walk 400 m in <15 minutes). Persistent mobility disability (inability to walk 400 m on two consecutive occasions) and changes from baseline to 24 and 36 months in physical performance, muscle strength, and appendicular lean mass were analysed as pre-planned secondary outcomes. Primary comparisons were conducted in participants with baseline SPPB scores of 3-7 (n=1205). Those with SPPB scores of 8 or 9 (n=314) were analysed separately for exploratory purposes.ResultsMean age of the 1519 participants (1088 women) was 78.9 (standard deviation 5.8) years. The average follow-up was 26.4 (SD 9.5) months. Among participants with SPPB scores of 3-7, mobility disability occurred in 283/605 (46.8%) assigned to the multicomponent intervention and 316/600 (52.7%) controls (hazard ratio 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.67 to 0.92; P=0.005). Persistent mobility disability occurred in 127/605 (21.0%) participants assigned to the multicomponent intervention and 150/600 (25.0%) controls (0.79, 0.62 to 1.01; P=0.06). The between group difference in SPPB score was 0.8 points (95% confidence interval 0.5 to 1.1 points; P<0.001) and 1.0 point (95% confidence interval 0.5 to 1.6 points; P<0.001) in favour of the multicomponent intervention at 24 and 36 months, respectively. The decline in handgrip strength at 24 months was smaller in women assigned to the multicomponent intervention than to control (0.9 kg, 95% confidence interval 0.1 to 1.6 kg; P=0.028). Women in the multicomponent intervention arm lost 0.24 kg and 0.49 kg less appendicular lean mass than controls at 24 months (95% confidence interval 0.10 to 0.39 kg; P<0.001) and 36 months (0.26 to 0.73 kg; P<0.001), respectively. Serious adverse events occurred in 237/605 (39.2%) participants assigned to the multicomponent intervention and 216/600 (36.0%) controls (risk ratio 1.09, 95% confidence interval 0.94 to 1.26). In participants with SPPB scores of 8 or 9, mobility disability occurred in 46/155 (29.7%) in the multicomponent intervention and 38/159 (23.9%) controls (hazard ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 0.79 to 1.95; P=0.34).ConclusionsA multicomponent intervention was associated with a reduction in the incidence of mobility disability in older adults with physical frailty and sarcopenia and SPPB scores of 3-7. Physical frailty and sarcopenia may be targeted to preserve mobility in vulnerable older people.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02582138.
OBJECTIVE:The aim of the Advanced Approach to Arterial Stiffness study was to compare arterial stiffness measured simultaneously with two different methods in different age groups of middle-aged and ...older adults with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS). The specific effects of the different MetS components on arterial stiffness were also studied.
METHODS:This prospective, multicentre, international study included 2224 patients aged 40 years and older, 1664 with and 560 without MetS. Patients were enrolled in 32 centres from 18 European countries affiliated to the International Society of Vascular Health & Aging. Arterial stiffness was evaluated using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and the carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV) in four prespecified age groups40–49, 50–59, 60–74, 75–90 years. In this report, we present the baseline data of this study.
RESULTS:Both CF-PWV and CAVI increased with age, with a higher correlation coefficient for CAVI (comparison of coefficients P < 0.001). Age-adjusted and sex-adjusted values of CF-PWV and CAVI were weakly intercorrelated (r = 0.06, P < 0.001). Age-adjusted and sex-adjusted values for CF-PWV but not CAVI were higher in presence of MetS (CF-PWV9.57 ± 0.06 vs. 8.65 ± 0.10, P < 0.001; CAVI8.34 ± 0.03 vs. 8.29 ± 0.04, P = 0.40; mean ± SEM; MetS vs. no MetS). The absence of an overall effect of MetS on CAVI was related to the heterogeneous effects of the components of MetS on this parameterCAVI was positively associated with the high glycaemia and high blood pressure components, whereas lacked significant associations with the HDL and triglycerides components while exhibiting a negative association with the overweight component. In contrast, all five MetS components showed positive associations with CF-PWV.
CONCLUSION:This large European multicentre study reveals a differential impact of MetS and age on CAVI and CF-PWV and suggests that age may have a more pronounced effect on CAVI, whereas MetS increases CF-PWV but not CAVI. This important finding may be due to heterogeneous effects of MetS components on CAVI. The clinical significance of these original results will be assessed during the longitudinal phase of the study.
Objective: Renal sodium handling is associated with sex, ethnic, central adiposity and hypertensive treatment. Design and method: In a sample of caucasian population without diuretic treatment (351 ...subjects) with prevailing sodium consumption (153,6 mmol/d), we studied the associations between renal sodium reabsorption in proximal (FPRNa) and distal (FDRNa) tubules assessed by endogenous lithium clearance, daily sodium intake measured by 24-h excretion of sodium (UNaV) and measures of obesity in the context of chronic treatment with ACEI or ARB. Results: In the entire population in linear regression model, we found a relation between sex and FPRNa (β = 1.06 ± 0.30, P = 0.0005), with higher sodium reabsorption in proximal tubules in men. In subjects with FPRNa below the median value, we displayed a significant reverse relation between FPRNa and ACEI/ARB treatment (β = -0.40 ± 0.18, P = 0.03) with no relation for BMI (P = 0.42). Contrary, in subjects with FPRNa above the median value, a significant positive relation between FPRNa and BMI (β = 0.10 ± 0.03, P = 0.004) was revealed, with no relation for ACEI/ARB treatment (P = 0.55). For FDRNa (P > 0.10) and UNaV (P > 0.06) we found no relation for ACE/ARB treatment in entire population and after divided by median. Conclusions: We found that sex, obesity and chronic treatment with ACEI/ARB influence sodium reabsorption in renal proximal tubules. This may impact both on the research and clinical practice.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Insulin resistance and renal tubular sodium handling influence arterial structure and function and play an essential role in salt-sensitive forms of hypertension.
METHODS
In a ...population with prevailing sodium consumption, we assessed the relationship between cardiovascular phenotypes (peripheral and central blood pressures, elastic properties of large arteries, the left ventricular structure) and sodium handling parameters (daily urinary sodium excretion, fractional urinary lithium excretion in proximal—FELi and distal tubules), as a function of insulin sensitivity—measured by homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), leptin-to-adiponectin (L/A) ratio, and homeostasis model assessment–adiponectin (HOMA-AD).
RESULTS
In patients with FELi below the median value (corresponding to the group with increased proximal sodium reabsorption) and higher insulin resistance as measured by HOMA-IR, pulse wave augmentation indexes were significantly higher—AIxP (99.4% vs. 86.2%; P = 0.007), AIxC1 (159.4% vs. 144.2%; P = 0.04), and AIxC2 (36.1% vs. 28.3%; P = 0.02), than in patients with lower insulin resistance. The same trend was observed in relation to L/A ratio—AIxP (98.7% vs. 87.1%; P = 0.005), AIxC1 (158.6% vs. 144.5%; P = 0.02), and AIxC2 (35.6% vs. 28.5%; P = 0.01) and HOMA-AD—AIxP (99.7% vs. 83.8%; P = 0.001), AIxC1 (160.5% vs. 140.3%; P = 0.007), and AIxC2 (36.6% vs. 26.3%; P = 0.003). Such relationships were not observed in patients with FELi above the median value.
CONCLUSIONS
In the hypertensive population with prevailing sodium intake, insulin resistance and increased sodium reabsorption in proximal tubules may affect arterial wall function.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after exposure to particularly traumatic events. Its severity depends on the nature and intensity of the stressor and susceptibility of the exposed ...person. The present study was carried out to find out whether PTSD and its severity, resulting from deportation to Siberia in the patients' childhood (from 1940 to 1946), have any association on the somatic health status and cardiovascular risk of these persons in advanced age.
Eighty patients with PTSD and 70 subjects without PTSD followed up in primary care setting were enrolled in the study. Post-traumatic stress disorder was diagnosed according to the DSM-IV criteria; severity of the symptoms included in the criteria was also assessed. All patients were subject to a standardized interview including demographic data and current and past diseases, supplemented with physical examination, biochemical tests, and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV). The group of patients with PTSD resulting from deportation to Siberia in their childhood had higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (71.3 vs. 44.3%, P < 0.001), diabetes (26.3 vs. 11.4%, P < 0.05), and hearing impairment (23.8 vs. 2.9%, P < 0.001) than controls. They also had higher incidence of blood pressure >140/90 (86.0 vs. 65.7%, P = 0.003), fasting blood glucose >5.6 mmol/L (65.0 vs. 45.7%, P = 0.018), HDL level <1.0 mmol/L (31.3 vs. 8.6%, P = 0.0006), and triglyceride level >2.3 mmol/L (62.5 vs. 321.4%, P = 0.001). Patients with PTSD had higher PWV (13.7 vs. 12.9 m/s, P= 0.042). The magnitude of PWV increased with the severity of PTSD (P = 0.001). Stepwise logistic regression has shown that PTSD was a strong factor promoting the appearance of coronary heart disease in the former deportees group (OR 3.80; 95% CI: 1.62-8.94; P = 0.002).
Several-year long deportation in childhood and PTSD elevated overall cardiovascular risk in the group of former deportees compared with the group of persons without history of such a traumatic experience.