Current Vascular Pharmacology - Volume 5, Issue 3, 2007

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Cannabinoid drugs exert their effects primarily through activation of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. Both CB1 and CB2 receptors have been implicated in a number of cardiovascular processes, including vasodilation, cardiac protection, modulation of the baroreceptor reflex in the control of systolic blood pressure, and inhibition of endothelial inflammation and the progress of atherosclerosis in a murine model. These effect Read More

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a highly prevalent arrhythmia and responsible for significant morbidity, mortality and health care cost. Considerable work has been performed to improve medical options but treatment success still remains suboptimal. The use of conventional anti-arrhythmic agents has been limited by potentially fatal ventricular proarrhythmia. Thus, novel drug targets have been characterised and are currently bein Read More

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) remains a major cause of morbidity. Despite advances in revascularisation procedures and medical treatment, limb salvage and relief of pain are still not satisfactory in patients with severe disease. This has prompted the exploration of alternative modes of treatment including enhancement of new vessel formation (angiogenesis). Angiogenic Growth Factors (AGF), mainly Vascular Endothelial Read More

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a 6 fold increased risk for ischemic stroke. Observational studies suggest that one in four to five strokes is due to AF. Depending on the risk profile of an individual patient, the yearly risk for ischemic stroke is between 2% and 14%. AF is accompanied by an increased propensity for atrial clot formation due to a combination of decreased atrial blood flow, increased activity of the platelet/pl Read More

It has been claimed that early use of statins in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) protects patients against recurrent ischemic events. This protective effect takes place as early as 4 months after treatment initiation in non-ST elevation ACS, as reported in the MIRACL trial. Mechanisms such as improvement in endothelial function and inflammation are possible explanations for this early effect. These findings have been used to p Read More

Endothelial dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness are considered independent predictors of cardiovascular risk. Endothelial dysfunction primarily reflects decreased availability of nitric oxide, a critical endothelium-derived vasoactive factor with vasodilatory and anti-atherosclerotic properties. Techniques for assessing endothelial dysfunction include ultrasonographic measurement of flow-mediated vasodilatation of t Read More

The endothelin axis (ET axis), comprising the three peptides endothelin (ET)-1, -2, -3 and their receptors ETAR and ETBR, is expressed in various cells and tissues. The biologically active ET-1 is formed by endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) from inactive big-ET-1. ET-1 has emerged as an important peptide in a host of biological functions, including development, cellular proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis, thereby pla Read More