The NGAL is a biomarker of renal injury associated with the progression of heart failure (HF). We examine the association of NGAL with galectin-3 in patients with chronic HF.
We consecutively ...enrolled 115 subjects with stable ischemic HF of reduced ejection fraction. Serum levels of galectin-3, b-type natriuretic peptide and NGAL were measured.
NGAL levels were positively correlated with galectin-3 (rho = 0.26; p = 0.04) and b-type natriuretic peptide levels (rho = 0.30; p = 0.005) and inversely correlated with ejection fraction (rho = -0.31; p = 0.02) and creatinine clearance levels. The NGAL was independently associated with galectin-3 levels.
A positive correlation between NGAL and galectin-3 in HF patients was found, revealing a potential association between renal injury and myocardial fibrosis and remodeling in HF.
The role of dietary patterns, in cardiovascular diseases has been challenged. The role of breakfast as an element of balance energy intake has gained research interest. However, the effects of ...dietary patterns related to breakfast consumption on vascular function are unknown. We explored the association of breakfast consumption habits with arterial wall elastic properties and carotid atherosclerosis.
In this cross-sectional study we enrolled 2043 inhabitants of the Corinthia region in Greece. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) was used to assess arterial stiffness. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) was measured and the mean and the maximum cIMT were calculated. According to food frequency questionnaires, breakfast contribution in total daily energy intake (>20%; 5–20% and <5%) was estimated. Subjects were categorized as high-energy breakfast consumers (HeBC), low-energy breakfast consumers (LeBC) and those skipping breakfast (SBf) respectively. From the study population 240 subjects were categorized as HeBC, 897 as LeBC, and 681 as SBf. The mean cf-PWV was significantly higher in subjects SBf compared to LeBC and HeBC (9.35 ± 2.82 m/s vs. 9.09 ± 2.77 m/s vs. 8.76 ± 2.69 m/s, p = 0.02). The mean cIMT was significantly higher in subjects SBf compared to LeBC and HeBC (1.04 ± 0.46 mm vs. 0.99 ± 0.43 mm vs. 0.92 ± 0.39 mm, p = 0.01). Even after adjustment for potential confounders and cardiovascular risk factors SBf subjects have significantly increased mean cIMT and cf-PWV.
Skipping breakfast has an adverse effect on arterial stiffness and carotid atheromatic burden. Increased breakfast total energy intake may act protectively against atherosclerosis, a finding worth of further pathophysiologic exploration with potential clinical implications.
•The role of dietary habits in overall and cardiovascular health is under investigation.•Considerable variability exists between subjects concerning breakfast habits.•High energy breakfast consumption was associated with decrease arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic burden.•Balanced energy consumption may confer on the wellbeing of cardiovascular system.•Breakfast consumption may be proved of clinical relevance in situations associated with arterial stiffness.
Background
Electrocardiogram (ECG) is considered the initial screening method for the detection of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) despite its low sensitivity. However, there are no data on how ...ECG criteria for LVH perform in patients with concentric (cLVH) and eccentric LVH (eLVH).
Methods
In the setting of the Corinthia cross‐sectional study, ECGs were analyzed in 1,570 participants of the study. Seven ECG LVH criteria were calculated (Sokolow–Lyon voltage, index, and product, sex‐specific Cornell voltage and product, Lewis voltage, and the Framingham), whereas LVH was defined, based on echocardiographic data, as left ventricular mass indexed for body surface area (BSA) of at least 125 g/m2 in men and at least 110 g/m2 in women.
Results
Regarding the frequency encountered for each ECG LVH criterion, there was no difference between eLVH and cLVH. However, when ECG criteria were compared as continuous variables between LVH groups, Cornell voltage and product were higher in cLVH individuals, with a value of Cornell voltage >13.95 mV having 61% sensitivity and 62% specificity to differentiate cLVH from eLVH (p = .05). Even after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and hypertension, the occurrence of Cornell voltage or product increased the odds of cLVH by 1.6 times (p = .001).
Conclusion
Cornell voltage and product criteria disclosed a superior discriminative ability for the detection of LVH via ECG. When further categorizing LVH as concentric and eccentric, Cornell product depicted the higher discriminative ability for cLVH.
Environmental factors constitute an important but underappreciated risk factor towards the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Environmental exposure to variable pollutants ...is implicated in the derangement or propagation of adverse pathophysiological processes linked with atherosclerosis, including genetic, hemodynamic, metabolic, oxidative and inflammation parameters. However, no data exist on environmental pollution in rural or semi-rural areas. Therefore, the purpose of the “Corinthia” study is to examine the impact of environmental pollution in indices of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a cross-sectional and longitudinal design. The Corinthia study began in October 2015 and is planned to recruit 1,500 individuals from different regions of Corinthia country with different environmental exposures to pollutants and different patterns of soil/ground and/or air pollution until December 2016. Baseline measurements will include lifestyle measurements, anthropometric characteristics and a comprehensive cardiovascular examination. The follow-up is planned to extend prospectively up to 10 years and this study is anticipated to provide valuable data on the distinct impact of soil and air pollution on early markers of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease and on the overall impact of environment pollution to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
When we selected patients without cardiovascular risk factors or any history of cardiovascular disease a linear regression analysis revealed that independently of age and gender frequent coffee ...consumption is associated with improved PWV (Figure). Conclusion Regular coffee consumption is associated with improved arterial elasticity and improved pulse wave velocity.
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