Current Vascular Pharmacology - Volume 19, Issue 4, 2021

Coronary artery spasm (CAS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease. The clinical manifestations of CAS include variant angina, myocardial infarction and sudden death. Although endothelial dysfunction and hyperreactivity of vascular smooth muscle cells have been associated with CAS, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, there is a long way to go to truly understand the pathogen Read More

Background: Gentiana lutea (GL), commonly known as yellow gentian, bitter root, and bitterwort, belongs to family Gentianaceae. GL belongs to genus Gentiana, which is a rich natural source of iridoids, secoiridoids, xantones, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and carbohydrates. Medicinal plants from Gentiana species have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mitogenic, anti-proliferative, and lipidlowering effects, as well as a card Read More

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) comprise a large family of ligand-gated ion channels that have a broad distribution in neurons and non-neuronal cells throughout the body. Native nAChRs, activated by acetylcholine (ACh) endogenously, are involved in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes. They regulate processes necessary for network operations through neurotransmitter release, cell excitabi Read More

Background: The increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) threatens the Middle Eastern population. Several epidemiological studies have assessed CVD and its risk factors in terms of the primary prevention of CVD in the Middle East. Therefore, summarizing the information from these studies is essential. Aim: We conducted a systematic review to assess the prevalence of CVD and its major risk factors among Mid Read More

Background: Statins are the mainstay of treatment for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering, however, some patients cannot tolerate statins because of adverse effects. Ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) are alternative treatment options. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare LDL-C reduction with ezetimibe vs PCSK9i in patients not on statins. Methods: PubMe Read More

Background: Although cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is an important player in the treatment of patients with heart failure (HF), the proportion of CRT patients with no improvement in either echocardiographic or clinical parameters remains consistently high and accounts for about 30% despite meeting CRT implantation criteria. Furthermore, in patients suffering from HF, renal dysfunction accounts for as man Read More

Background: Sex hormones influence lipoprotein metabolism; whether the hormonal fluctuation during normal menstrual cycle has impact on non-fasting lipids remains unclear. Objective: To examine the differences in postprandial triglyceride, apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and nonhigh density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) concentrations using a standardized fat tolerance test during the 2 menstrual cycle phases. Methods Read More

Background: The association between Paget’s disease of bone (PDB) and increased cardiovascular (CV) risk has been suggested, but the literature is conflicting. Objective: Our study aimed to evaluate two markers of CV risk, namely, common carotid artery intimamedia thickness (cIMT) and the aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) in patients with PDB. Methods: We enrolled 12 patients with PDB and 58 control subjects, matched for a Read More

Aims: This study aims to explore early intensive lipid-lowering therapy in patients with non- ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Background: Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels can reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Due to many reasons, the need for early intensive lipid-lowering therapy is far from being met in Read More

Background: High blood pressure (BP) is a leading risk factor for coronary artery disease and other major cardiovascular events. Objective: Blood pressure variability (BPV), ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) and ankle- brachial index (ABI) have been proposed as indices that can improve risk stratification for an adverse cardiac outcome. However, their utility in the setting of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is unclear. Met Read More