Charalampos Kostopoulos

Effect of CPAP treatment on endothelial function and plasma CRP levels in patients with sleep apnea

Summary Background Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most effective method for treating obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and alleviating symptoms. Improved sleep quality with effective CPAP therapy might also contribute to attenuated systemic inflammation and improved endothelial function, with subsequent reduction of cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 3-month CPAP therapy on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with OSAS. Material/Methods Our study group consisted of 38 male patients with no prior history of cardiovascular disease. Twenty patients with an Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) ≥15 were assigned to receive CPAP treatment and 18 subjects with an AHI<5 were included in the control group. Six patients failed to comply with the CPAP treatment. Measurement of FMD and blood analysis was performed at baseline and 3 months after CPAP therapy. Results Baseline FMD values were negatively correlated with age, BMI, AHI, DSI,% of time <90% Sa02, and CRP (p<0.05). Plasma CRP values were positively correlated with BMI, AHI, DSI and% of time <90% Sa02 (p<0.05). In the group of patients who complied with the CPAP treatment, there was a significant increase in the FMD values (9.18±0.55 vs. 6.27±0.50) and a decrease in the levels of CRP (0.67±0.15 vs. 0.84±0.18) (p<0.05). Conclusions Appropriate CPAP therapy improved both CRP and FMD values, suggesting its potentially beneficial role in reducing cardiovascular risk in OSAS patients.

Circulating tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-4 (TIMP-4) in systemic sclerosis patients with elevated pulmonary arterial pressure.

Decreased levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) or excess levels of their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) may contribute to dysregulation of extracellular matrix turnover in systemic sclerosis (SSc). In a cross-sectional study of 106 SSc patients, we measured serum levels of TIMP-4 which is preferentially expressed in cardiovascular structures and searched for correlations with simultaneously performed echocardiography measurements of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), myocardial performance, and pulmonary function tests. TIMP-4, but not MMP-9, levels were significantly raised in patients with SSc than controls. However, in the subgroup of patients with PASP measurements lower to 40 mmHg (n = 69), TIMP-4 levels were comparable to controls irrespective of the presence of diffuse or limited skin involvement, or lung fibrosis. Individual PASP measurements suggestive of pulmonary hypertension were associated with increased TIMP-4 serum levels (P = .03), independently of age, extent of skin sclerosis, or lung fibrosis, suggesting a cardiopulmonary vasculature-specific role of TIMP-4 activation in SSc.Decreased levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) or excess levels of their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) may contribute to dysregulation of extracellular matrix turnover in systemic sclerosis (SSc). In a cross-sectional study of 106 SSc patients, we measured serum levels of TIMP-4 which is preferentially expressed in cardiovascular structures and searched for correlations with simultaneously performed echocardiography measurements of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), myocardial performance, and pulmonary function tests. TIMP-4, but not MMP-9, levels were significantly raised in patients with SSc than controls. However, in the subgroup of patients with PASP measurements lower to 40 mmHg (n = 69), TIMP-4 levels were comparable to controls irrespective of the presence of diffuse or limited skin involvement, or lung fibrosis. Individual PASP measurements suggestive of pulmonary hypertension were associated with increased TIMP-4 serum levels (P = .03), independently of age, extent of skin sclerosis, or lung fibrosis, suggesting a cardiopulmonary vasculature-specific role of TIMP-4 activation in SSc.

Detection of right ventricular dysfunction by tissue Doppler imaging in asymptomatic patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis

To the Editors: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a relatively new ultrasound modality in echocardiography, which is used to detect left and right ventricular functional abnormalities early and accurately by recording systolic and diastolic velocities of the mitral and tricuspidal annulus, respectively. The value of this method has been corroborated on numerous studies describing right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in a variety of systemic diseases with pulmonary and/or cardiovascular involvement 1. Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology characterised by cardiorespiratory manifestations, among others. RV dysfunction is often apparent but not clinically recognised until pulmonary hypertension has been developed 2. The purpose of this study was to evaluate RV function in patients with sarcoidosis by the use of ultrasound, including the TDI modality, and correlate it with clinical, respiratory and cardiac parameters. We conducted an observational case–control study. Consecutive sarcoidosis patients were recruited from the outpatient Sarcoidosis Clinic of the General Hospital of Chest Diseases of Athens, Athens, Greece between October 2007 and June 2008. The primary criterion for enrolment was the presence of biopsy-proven pulmonary sarcoidosis without the presence of cardiac involvement, according to the modified criteria of the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare 3. The exclusion criterion was the presence of any associated disease that could influence systolic and/or diastolic properties of the heart. Subgroup analyses were performed with the patients divided in two groups based on the therapy administered: a subgroup with patients who did not receive any therapy and a subgroup with patients who received any kind of therapy (cortisone, etc .). Those who did not receive any medication were further classified into groups according to the disease stage at which the patients originally presented. All patients were compared to healthy volunteers. The two groups (patients and healthy controls) were age-, …

Measurement of exhaled alveolar nitrogen oxide in patients with lung cancer: a friend from the past still precious today.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a marker of airway inflammation and indirectly a general indicator of inflammation and oxidative stress. NO is a contributing factor in lung cancer at an early stage and also after chemotherapy treatment of lung cancer. We studied whether exhaled NO levels were altered by three cycles of chemotherapy at diagnosis and after chemotherapy, and whether, directly or indirectly, these changes were related to the course of disease. Also, a correlation of NO levels with other markers of inflammation was performed. We studied 42 patients diagnosed early: 26 men and 16 women with lung cancer. We analyzed blood tests for control of inflammatory markers, functional pulmonary tests, and alveolar exhaled NO. We recorded a decrease in exhaled NO after three cycles of chemotherapy in all patients, regardless of histological type and stage: there were 42 patients with mean 9.8 NO after three cycles (average 7.7). Also, a strong correlation appeared between NO measurements before and after chemotherapy and C-reactive protein (P < 0.05, r = 0.42, before) and (P < 0.045, r = 0.64, after). NO alveolar measurement as an indicator of airway inflammation indicates response to chemotherapy in lung cancer. Also, the inflammatory process in lung cancer was confirmed and indicated response to chemotherapy through an index that is sensitive to inflammatory disease of the airways.