Current Vascular Pharmacology - Volume 17, Issue 4, 2019

In recent years, the Angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas receptor [Ang-(1-7)/Mas] sub-branch of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) in the brain, and Angiotensin Type 2 Receptors (AT2R), have attracted scientific interest, as there is evidence that they constitute an essential pathway in cardiovascular regulation, in health and in disease. By acting centrally, the Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis - that has been termed ‘the axis of good’- can exert bloo Read More

Aspirin plays a pivotal role in the management of patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) with well-recognised benefits of reducing recurrent myocardial infarction and minimising the risk of stent thrombosis for those undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Dual antiplatelet therapy is mandated for patients undergoing PCI and typically consists of aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor antagonist. Aspirin hypersensitivi Read More

Over the last 3 decades, hypolipidaemic treatment has significantly reduced both Cardiovascular (CV) risk and events, with statins being the cornerstone of this achievement. Nevertheless, residual CV risk and unmet goals in hypolipidaemic treatment make novel options necessary. Recently marketed monoclonal antibodies against proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) have shown the way towards inn Read More

Background: Real-world evidence from published observational studies of adherence to Novel Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) medications and associated clinical outcome events in Atrial Fibrillation (AF) patients, was reviewed systematically. Methods: Observational studies assessing patient adherence to NOACs conducted on AF patients between September 2010 and June 2016 were identified by systematic searching keywor Read More

Background: We hypothesized that perioperative HbA1c influenced the pattern and outcomes of Lower Extremity Amputation (LEA). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted for all patients who underwent LEA between 2000 and 2013. Patients were categorized into 5 groups according to their perioperative HbA1c values [Group 1 (<6.5%), Group 2 (6.5-7.4%), Group 3 (7.5-8.4%), Group 4 (8.5-9.4%) and Group Read More

Background: There is a close relationship between lipid metabolism disorders and atherosclerosis. Guidelines focus on lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. However, it should be kept in mind that LDL and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) consist of subfractions which can affect the progression of atherosclerosis. Objective: We assessed the concentration of LDL and HDL subfractions in patients with Ac Read More

Background: Intraplaque angiogenesis, the process of generating new blood vessels mediated by endothelial cells, contributes to plaque growth, intraplaque hemorrhage, and thromboembolic events. Platelet-derived Exosomes (PLT-EXOs) affect angiogenesis in multiple ways. The ability of miR-126, one of the best-characterized miRNAs that regulates angiogenesis, carried by PLT-EXOs to influence angiogenesis via the regul Read More

Background: Most of the available literature on ST-Elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) in women was conducted in the developed world and data from Middle-East countries was limited. Aims: To examine the clinical presentation, patient management, quality of care, risk factors and inhospital outcomes of women with acute STEMI compared with men using data from a large STEMI registry from the Middle East. Meth Read More

Background: Cardiac performance depends on optimum ventriculoarterial coupling which is impaired in patients with heart failure (HF). Galectin-3 is a mediator of myocardial fibrosis and remodeling, and is associated with clinical status in patients with chronic HF. We examined the association of arterial stiffness with galectin-3 levels in patients with HF of ischemic etiology. Methods: We consecutively enrolled 40 patients with sta Read More

Background: Lifestyle remains a huge driving force of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) onset/ progression. Lifestyle-patterns are highly dependent on gender-related attitudes. Objective: To evaluate the gender-specific association of lifestyle-related factors (adherence to Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), Physical Activity (PA), smoking) with 10-year first and recurrent CVD events. Methods: Two prospective studies, the ATTICA (2 Read More

Background: We have found that anagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4) significantly ameliorates arterial stiffness in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients compared with an equivalent hypoglycaemic agent, glimepiride. However, it remains unclear whether switching DPP-4 inhibitors to tofogliflozin, a selective inhibitor of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) improves arterial stiffness in T2DM patients. M Read More