E. Oikonomou

The Natural History of Multifocal Atrial Rhythms in Elderly Outpatients: Insights from the “Ikaria Study”

Multifocal atrial tachycardias confer an adverse prognosis in hospitalized patients. We assessed the prognostic impact of multifocal atrial rhythms (MARs—either chaotic atrial rhythm or multifocal atrial tachycardia/bradycardia) in very elderly outpatients.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN GLAUCOMA, ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AND INFLAMMATORY PROCESS

Background: Reduced ocular blood flow, mostly caused by vascular dysregulation, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Glaucoma is also associated with peripheral vascular endothelial dysfunction. However the effect of POAG on vascular function and the inflammatory process is unknown. Therefore in the present study we evaluate arterial stiffness and inflammatory process in patients with POAG.

ASSOCIATIONS OF CYSTATIN-C WITH PRECLINICAL ORGAN DAMAGE IN UNTREATED HYPERTENSION

methods: The study population consisted of 319 untreated hypertensive patients, and 193 matched control subjects. In all participants, flow mediated dilation (FMD), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), intima-media thickness of carotid arteries (C-IMT), augmentation index, ankle-brachial index (ABI). The left cardiac indices, regarding left ventricular geometry and function, were assessed by echocardiography. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated by Devereux’s formula. Serum cystatin-C levels were measured by the ELISA method.

FAVORABLE EFFECTS OF L-ARGININE ON ARTERIAL FUNCTION, INFLAMMATORY AND FIBRINOLYTIC PROCESS IN SMOKERS

Methods: We studied the effect of a 3-day oral administration of l-arginine in 12 healthy smokers (24±3yrs) on 3 occasions (day0:baseline,day1,day3). The study was carried out on two separate arms, one with l-arginine (3x7gr/d) and one with placebo (randomized,placebo-controlled,double-blind,cross-over design).Measurements were carried out before and 20 minutes after cigarette smoking. Endothelial function was evaluated by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD)of the brachial artery. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured as an index of aortic stiffness and augmentation index (AIx)as a measure of arterial wave reflections. Circulating levels of soluble intercellular cells adhesion molecule (s-ICAM-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) were measured by ELISA.