Abstract
Background
The coexistence of depression and cardiovascular diseases is frequently accompanied by an increased risk of adverse outcomes. QTc, an indicator of ventricular depolarization and ...cardiac autonomic activity, has been proposed as a biomarker of this interplay.
Purpose
We aimed to investigate the possible association of depression with QTc interval.
Methods
Assessment of depressive symptoms was performed in 1637 participants of the cross-sectional Corinthia study with the Zung self-rating depression scale in those younger than 65 years of age (Group 1) and with the geriatric depression scale in elderly individuals (>65 years, Group 2). Moreover, electrocardiogram was performed and measurement of the QT interval was derived after correction for heart rate (QTc) using the Bazett's formula. Abnormal QTc was present when QTc duration exceeded 440 ms.
Results
Group 1 individuals classified as having depression had longer QTc duration (No depression: 389.3±27.0 ms vs. Depression: 401.1±32.9 ms, p<0.001) and percentage of abnormal QTc (No depression: 2.0% vs. Depression: 10.8%, p=0.001) (Figure 1, Panels A and B). Elderly individuals had similar values of QTc (No depression: 409.9±29.6 ms vs. Depression: 405.2±46.4 ms, p=0.37) and percentage of abnormal QTc (No depression: 13.2% vs. Depression: 12.3%, p=0.78) irrespective of depression status (Figure 1, Panels C and D). The presence of depression in Group 1 subjects was associated with an increased QTc- by 10.8 ms and with an approximately 7-fold higher prevalence of abnormal QTc duration, even after adjustment for confounders (). Such finding was not detected in elderly individuals (Figure 1, Panel F).
Conclusion
Depression might adversely affect ventricular repolarization especially in middle-aged subjects. These findings highlight the interrelationship between emotional and cardiovascular health and the role of depression as a cardiovascular risk factor.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1
Abstract
Background
Diminished physical activity (PA) is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Arterial stiffness and inflammation are associated with atherosclerosis and are ...established risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Purpose
We investigated the association of PA status on arterial stiffness and inflammation.
Methods
Classification of PA was performed in 2053 participants of the cross-sectional “Corinthia” study using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). In accordance with the standard IPAQ scoring procedures, participants were classified into one of the following groups: upper tertile: “vigorous” PA-IPAQ 2, middle tertile: “moderate” PA-IPAQ 1 or lower tertile: “low” PA-IPAQ 0. Arterial stiffness was estimated via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) estimation and inflammatory burden was assessed via high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) measurement.
Results
Participants with low PA had impaired cfPWV values (IPAQ 0: 9.5±3.2 m/s vs. IPAQ 1: 8.7±2.4 m/s vs. IPAQ 2: 8.7±2.2 m/s, p<0.001) (Figure 1, Panel A) while abnormal cfPWV –adjusted for age and blood pressure- were more frequently encountered in low PA individuals (IPAQ 0: 14% vs. IPAQ 1: 7.8% vs. IPAQ 2: 7.3%, p=0.001) (Figure 1, Panel B). Participants characterized as having vigorous physical activity had the lowest inflammatory burden, as estimated by hsCRP (IPAQ 0: 4.8±6.4 g/l vs. IPAQ 1: 4.6±5.2 g/l vs. IPAQ 2: 3.6±4.2 g/l, p=0.001) (Figure 1, Panel C). Importantly, results remained unaffected even after adjustment for confounders (Figure 1, Panel D). A correlation analysis between the total weekly physical activity (expressed as MET minutes/week) and arterial stiffness was performed demonstrating a statistically significant negative correlation was noted (r=−0.120, p<0.001) (Figure 1, Panel E).
Conclusion
A significant association between physical activity, arterial stiffness and inflammation was observed, even after adjusting for known cardiovascular risk factors. Our findings should raise public awareness about the beneficial effects of exercise on cardiovascular health.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1
Abstract
Background
Evaluation of arterial stiffness and carotid atherosclerotic burden can provide important prognostic information regarding the risk for future cardiovascular events. In that ...context, we tried to determine those vascular properties of diabetic individuals compared to non-diabetics.
Methods
In this analysis of the observational “Corinthia” study, we included 1757 participants with determined diabetic status. Propensity scores were employed to match diabetics to non-diabetics with regards to known cardiovascular risk factors. Carotid ultrasonography was performed to evaluate intima-media thickness (cIMT) across the common carotid arteries and the carotid bulbs as well as carotid plaque burden. Arterial stiffness was estimated via assessment of carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV).
Results
Diabetic individuals had increased mean cIMT (diabetics: 1.12±0.50mm vs. 0.94±0.38mm, p<0.001) and maximum cIMT (diabetics: 1.50±0.93mm vs. 1.20±0.71mm, p<0.001) when compared to non-diabetics (Figure 1, Panel A and B). Carotid plaque burden was also increased in diabetics (34.4% vs. 19.4% in non-diabetics, p<0.001) while bilateral plaques were observed in 14.2% of diabetics opposed to 8.2% of non-diabetics (p<0.001). Concerning arterial stiffness, individuals with DM had significantly higher values of cfPWV (10.6±3.4m/s vs. 8.8±2.5m/s in non-diabetics, p<0.001) (Figure 1, Panel C). In the propensity-matched cohort, mean cIMT (diabetics: 1.13±0.51mm vs. 0.98±0.38mm, p<0.001) and maximum cIMT (diabetics: 1.53±0.95mm vs. 1.24±0.73mm, p<0.001) were significantly higher in diabetics (Figure 2, Panel A and B), as well as carotid plaque burden (36.6% vs. 21.9% in non-diabetics, p<0.001). Analysis according to territory of cIMT measurement displayed substantial differences in left (diabetics: 1.30±0.76mm vs. non-diabetics: 1.06±0.58mm, p<0.001) and right carotid bulbs (diabetics: 1.30±0.82mm vs. non-diabetics: 1.07±0.57mm, p<0.001) with respect to DM (Figure 2, Panel C) but, unexpectedly, non-significant variations were observed in left (diabetics: 0.97±0.48mm vs. non-diabetics: 0.90±0.42mm, p=0.06) and right common carotid artery (diabetics: 0.95±0.50mm vs. non-diabetics: 0.90±0.40mm, p=0.21) (Figure 2, Panel D).
Conclusion
We observed increased carotid artery intima-media thickness and cfPWV in individuals with diabetes mellitus. As opposed to non-diabetics, carotid lesions in diabetics were more pronounced in the carotid bulb and not in the common carotid artery. Our findings may raise awareness regarding the focus of atherosclerotic echocardiographic examination in subjects with diabetes mellitus while the impact of glucose-lowering therapies on these specific vascular lesions merits further assessment.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1Figure 2
Background Pathologic collagen remodeling has been involved in the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in heart failure. The aim of the study was to investigate the ...relationship between malignant ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac collagen turnover indexes, expressing specific types of derangement in collagen physiology, in stable patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Methods Seventy-four patients with an ICD and heart failure were studied. They had coronary artery disease (n = 42) or dilated cardiomyopathy, New York Heart Association classes I and II, and left ventricular ejection fraction 29% ± 1%. An ICD had been implanted for secondary (n = 36) or primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. We assessed (1) markers of collagen types I and III synthesis and their ratio: procollagen type I carboxyterminal peptide (PICP), procollagen type III aminoterminal peptide (PIIINP), and PICP/PIIINP; (2) markers of collagen degradation, degradation inhibition, and their ratio: matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) 1 (TIMP-1), and MMP-9/TIMP-1. Patients were prospectively followed up for 1 year. The number of episodes necessitating appropriate interventions for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (>170 beat/min) was related to the assessed parameters. Results Multivariate analysis revealed a significant relation between the number of tachyarrhythmic episodes and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ( P = .007), PICP/PIIINP ( P = .007), and ejection fraction ( P = .04). No other significant relation was observed between arrhythmias and the remaining parameters. Conclusion In heart failure, biochemical markers indicative of a deranged equilirium in myocardial collagen deposition/degradation and collagen I/III synthesis are related to ventricular arrhythmogenesis. Further studies are needed to investigate their predictive ability.
Abstract
Introduction
The benefits of certain dietary patterns on cardiovascular diseases has been questioned over the last years. Whole grain consumption has been one of the controversial issues ...regarding the effect on cardiovascular disease. In Greek rural population consumptions of bread is part of the daily meal and a possible source of whole grain.
Purpose
To investigated the effect of whole grain bread consumption on arterial stiffness in Mediterranean population.
Methods
In a cross-sectional survey (Corinthia study) volunteers subjects completed a food frequency questioner (FFQ), including a question of consumption of bread on regular basis, whole grain (group I) or not (group II). Medical history, lifestyle habits, anthropometric and vital signs, as well as, laboratory blood test were performed. All patients underwent carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (C-F PWV) measurements which were obtained noninvasively by SphygmoCor devise.
Results
Among the 2043 volunteers 1389 patients had adequate quality of pulse wave velocity recordings and were regular consumers of bread. Whole grain bread was consumed by 473 subjects (male 37%, female 63%,) but 916 (male 43.1%, female 56.9%) did not consume. Subjects consuming whole grain bread were younger compare to those who were not (group I: 62±11 years vs. group II: 64±12 years, p=0.02), have lower C-F PWV (group I: 9.04±2.93 m/sec vs. group II: 9.57±2.76 m/sec, p=0.01) but no other statistical difference were observe among other parameters (i.e. hypertension, diabetes mellitus, BMI, smoking etc). Hierarchical multiple regression showed that whole grain consumption predicted pulse wave velocity statistically significantly (b=−0.33, 95% CI: −0.62, −0.17, p=0.03) in addition to age (b=0.09, 95% CI 0.08–0.10, p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (b=0.02, 95% CI 0.01, 0.03, p<0.001) beta=0.157) and diabetes mellitus (b=0.75, 95% CI 0.40, 1.09, p<0.001).
Conclusion
Whole grain bread consumption has a beneficial effect on arterial stiffness as detected by better carotid femoral pulse wave velocity. This may have a positively effect on cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract
Background
Cardiotoxicity is a well-known adverse effect of anthracycline and HER-2 monoclonal antibodies, however the vascular effects of these agents remain less-well studied.
Purpose
To ...explore the effects of breast chemotherapy on vascular function.
Methods
A total of 57 female patients undergoing breast diagnosed with breast cancer and scheduled for anthracycline-based and HER-2 chemotherapy were included in this study. At baseline, at 3, 6 and 12 months, patients underwent assessment of cardiac function by transthoracic echocardiography, endothelial function assessment by brachial flow mediated dilation (FMD) and assessment of arterial stiffness by carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (Aix).
Results
There was a significant decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) overtime compared to baseline (A). This was paralleled by a significant decrease in brachial FMD at 6 months (B) and a significant increase in PWV compared to baseline (C). There was no significant change in Aix compared to baseline levels (D). Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity (expressed by the change in LVEF) was not associated with either the change in FMD or PWV at 6 months.
Conclusions
Breast chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity is paralleled by vasotoxicity, which is manifested as endothelial dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness. Systemic vasotoxicity is not directly related to cardiotoxicity, suggesting that monitoring of both cardiac and vascular function could be useful in identifying early signs of cardiovascular toxicity.
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