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Risk of vascular disease in adults with diagnosed coeliac disease: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that vascular disease mortality may be reduced in coeliac disease because of lower levels of blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass. AIM: To examine whether people with coeliac disease are at reduced risk of various vascular diseases. METHODS: We identified 3,790 adults with diagnosed coeliac disease and 17,925 age- and sex-matched controls in the General Practice Research Database. We estimated odds ratios for diagnosed hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and atrial fibrillation and hazard ratios for myocardial infarction and stroke. RESULTS: Adults with coeliac disease, compared with controls, were less likely to have had a diagnosis of hypertension [11% vs. 15%, odds ratio 0.68 (95% confidence interval: 0.60-0.76)] or hypercholesterolaemia [3.0% vs. 4.8%, odds ration 0.58 (95% confidence interval: 0.47-0.72)] but slightly more likely to have had atrial fibrillation [2.1% vs. 1.7%, odds ratio 1.26 (95% confidence interval: 0.97-1.64)]. The hazard ratio for myocardial infarction was 0.85 (95% confidence interval: 0.63-1.13), while the hazard ratio for stroke was 1.29 (95% confidence interval: 0.98-1.70). CONCLUSIONS: Although rates of myocardial infarction and stroke were not substantially different, adults with coeliac disease do have a lower prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia compared with the general population. The effect of a gluten-free diet on cardiovascular risk factors should be determined before any screening programmes for coeliac disease are instituted.

Adult↗

Systematic review of antiplatelet therapy for the prevention of myocardial infarction, stroke or vascular death in patients with peripheral vascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Antiplatelet agents may prevent vascular events and death in patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). METHODS: A systematic review of 39 randomized controlled trials of antiplatelet therapy in patients with PVD was performed. RESULTS: For patients with PVD the number suffering a non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke or vascular death in the antiplatelet group was 6.5 per cent compared with 8.1 per cent in the placebo group (odds ratio 0.78 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0.63--0.96); P = 0.02), favouring antiplatelet treatment. For infrainguinal bypass surgery (ten trials) and balloon angioplasty (two) the differences were still in favour of antiplatelet therapy, but they did not reach statistical significance. In five trials of aspirin against another antiplatelet agent, 8.4 per cent in the aspirin group suffered a vascular event compared with 6.6 per cent in the second antiplatelet group (odds ratio 0.76 (95 per cent c.i. 0.64--0.91); P < 0.01), favouring ticlopidine/clopidogrel/aspirin + dipyridamole against aspirin alone. CONCLUSION: Antiplatelet therapy reduces serious vascular events and vascular death in patients with PVD. For infrainguinal arterial surgery or balloon angioplasty the benefit remains unproven, but the number of trials to date is small. There is also evidence to support the use of antiplatelet drugs other than aspirin for the prevention of vascular events in those with PVD.

Catheterization↗

In vivo femoropopliteal arterial wall compliance in subjects with and without lower limb vascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to further the development of a compliant vascular graft with a preliminary assessment of the elastic properties of the femoropopliteal artery in subjects with and without lower limb peripheral vascular disease. METHODS: This prospective controlled study was set in a university department of surgery. Using an ultrasound scan wall tracking system with the simultaneous measurement of brachial blood pressure, measurements of femoropopliteal artery wall motion were undertaken in 11 patients with peripheral vascular disease (group 1), in 11 older control subjects who were matched for blood pressure, age, and sex (group 2), and in 12 younger control subjects (group 3). Diametrical compliance and stiffness index were determined for the common femoral artery, the proximal superficial femoral artery, the distal superficial femoral artery (DSFA), and the midgenicular popliteal artery. RESULTS: All the arterial segments in group 1 showed a trend towards increased stiffness and less compliance than the group 2, age-matched control vessels, with significantly lower distensibility noted at the common femoral artery (mean compliance of 6.2% vs 14.1% mm Hg(-1) x 10(-2), respectively; P <.05) and the DSFA (mean compliance of 2.2% vs 1.9% mm Hg(-1) x 10(-2), respectively; P <.05). The popliteal artery segment in group 3 proved to be more compliant and less stiff than did the same vessel in group 2 (8.5% vs 4.7% mm Hg(-1) x 10(-2), respectively; P <.01). In all three study groups, the DSFA was consistently noted to be the least distensible vessel segment. CONCLUSION: Lower limb peripheral vascular disease is associated with a reduction in femoropopliteal artery elasticity. Age alone appears to have a minimal effect on the compliance of the proximal half of the femoropopliteal segment. The elastic properties of the femoropopliteal vessel are subject to marked variation along its course. To minimize compliance mismatch, the degree of elasticity engineered into a vascular graft must reflect that observed in vivo.

Adult↗

Diagnostic utility of the history and physical examination for peripheral vascular disease among patients with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the value of the medical history and physical examination in the diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease in diabetic subjects. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in 631 diabetic veteran enrollees of a general internal medicine clinic that compared data obtained from a history and clinical evaluation with the presence of severe peripheral vascular disease defined as an ankle-arm index (AAI) < or = 0.5 derived from Doppler blood pressure measurement. RESULTS: We identified 90 limbs with an AAI < or = 0.5. Results presented below apply to the right leg, but do not differ from the left. Diminished or absent foot peripheral pulses (sensitivity 65%, specificity 78%), venous filling time > 20 sec (sensitivity 22%, specificity 93.9%), age > 65 years (sensitivity 83%, specificity 54%), claudication symptoms in < 1 block (sensitivity 50%, specificity 87%), and patient reported history of physician diagnosed peripheral vascular disease (PVD) (sensitivity 80%, specificity 70%) had the largest positive (or smallest negative) likelihood ratios. Capillary refill time > 5 sec or foot characteristics (absent hair, blue/purple color, skin coolness, or atrophy) conveyed little diagnostic information. Individual factors did not change disease probability to a clinically important degree. A stepwise logistic regression model identified four factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated with low AAI: absent or diminished peripheral pulses, patient reported history of PVD, age, and venous filling time. Substitution of < 1 block claudication for PVD history in this model resulted in a small reduction in model accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Many purportedly useful historical and exam findings need not be elicited in diabetic patients suspected of having severe peripheral vascular disease, since most information related to probability of this disorder may be obtained from patient age, self-reported history of physician diagnosed PVD (or < 1 block claudication), peripheral pulse palpation, and venous filling time.

Aged↗

Lung biopsy findings in transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect: potentially reversible pulmonary vascular disease is not always synonymous with operability.

Pulmonary vascular structure was analyzed in lung biopsy specimens taken from 28 children, aged 2 months to 15 years, with transposition of the great arteries and ventricular septal defect. Cellular intimal proliferation occurred in infants as young as 2 months, but it increased markedly between ages 7 to 9 and 10 to 12 months, and the increased obstruction was associated with a lower mean percent arterial medial thickness in patients older than 10 months than was found in younger patients. Early generalized arterial dilation appeared without the intimal fibrosis and dilation lesions characteristic of classical grade III and IV pulmonary vascular disease. Intimal abnormalities increased with age and pulmonary artery pressure, but mean percent arterial medial thickness was inversely related to mean pulmonary artery pressure (r = -0.5; p less than 0.0001). Nine patients survived intracardiac repair and six did not. Five of the patients who died were of similar age (12 months or less), had similar preoperative hemodynamic and pulmonary vascular abnormalities compared with the survivors and died after a clinical course compatible with pulmonary vascular disease. The findings emphasize that potential structural reversibility is not synonymous with "operability." Further studies are indicated on the function of the excessively muscularized pulmonary vascular bed of such infants.

Adolescent↗

Plasma thrombomodulin as a marker of vascular injuries in collagen vascular diseases.

Thrombomodulin, a thrombin receptor on the vascular endothelial cell surface, is released into circulating blood. The plasma concentrations in patients with collagen vascular diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, polymyositis and/or dermatomyositis (PM/DM), Behçet's disease, and Wegener's granulomatosis, were measured and compared with those of healthy persons. The mean plasma thrombomodulin concentrations in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, PM/DM, Wegener's granulomatosis, and active states of SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, and Beçhet's disease were significantly higher than those in the control group. Patients with Wegener's granulomatosis showed the highest mean value. The mean values in patients with inactive states of the diseases and Sjögren's syndrome were not significantly different from the values in the control group. In cases of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, PM/DM, and Wegener's granulomatosis, patients with active interstitial pneumonitis or extensive pulmonary lesions frequently showed higher values of plasma thrombomodulin than those without overt pulmonary involvement. Elevated plasma thrombomodulin values were decreased along with amelioration of the diseases by treatment. These results may indicate that plasma thrombomodulin measurement may be helpful for evaluating vascular injury in patients with collagen diseases.

Adult↗

Graft vascular disease after cardiac transplantation and its relationship to mean acute rejection score.

CONTEXT: Graft vascular disease remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality in heart transplant patients. The influence of acute cellular rejection on the development of graft vascular disease is controversial. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between mean acute cellular rejection score and the presence of atherosclerosis or fibrointimal hyperplasia in cardiac allografts at autopsy. DESIGN: This retrospective, autopsy-based study examined 27 heart transplant patients to evaluate for graft vascular disease. A rejection score for each patient was calculated as the average of all the rejection scores determined by endomyocardial biopsy. Gross and histologic examination of the heart was used to divide patients into 3 groups: no coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, and fibrointimal hyperplasia. Mean rejection scores were calculated for each of these groups for all patients and patients who survived longer than 3 months. Mean rejection scores were compared by an analysis of variance and pairwise t tests. RESULTS: Mean rejection scores demonstrated a trend of increasing value from no coronary disease (0.323) to atherosclerosis (0.569) to fibrointimal hyperplasia (0.835). Only fibrointimal hyperplasia had a significantly higher mean rejection score compared with patients with no coronary disease when examined in all patients (P = .01) and in patients who survived longer than 3 months (P = .049). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the development of coronary artery fibrointimal hyperplasia, but not atherosclerosis, was significantly related to mean acute rejection score.

Adolescent↗

Supermarket model for vascular disease care.

A supermarket model for vascular patient care proposes an interdisciplinary group of health care teams such as vascular nurses, interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons, angiologists, internists, cardiologists, and neurologists and facilities such as diagnostic testing laboratories, subcenters such as wound care and foot care centers, atherosclerotic risk prevention centers, rehabilitation centers, vein centers, and socioeconomic follow-up centers that would provide health care of vascular disease in a comprehensive manner in terms of quality care, convenience for patients, 1-stop shopping, education and training, and research and development.

Academies and Institutes↗

Influence of smoking on predictors of vascular disease.

Beyond the already well-established strong causative relationship with cancer, smoking increases the risk for vascular disease. Smoking may act directly or adversely influence risk factors contributing to the development of vascular disease. Smoking causes endothelial dysfunction, dyslipidemia (decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, hypertriglyceridemia and increased oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and platelet activation leading to a prothrombotic state. Smoking increases emerging risk factors (eg, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) and increases insulin resistance and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. The beneficial effects of statins and antioxidants (eg, vitamins C and E, beta-carotene) are counteracted by smoking. Smoking-induced alterations in growth factors, adhesion molecules, and even in genes can accelerate the progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of this review is to consider the adverse consequences of smoking on the factors predisposing to vascular disease and to emphasize the beneficial effects of smoking cessation.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Gene transfer and vascular disease.

Major advances in molecular biology over the past decade have increased our understanding of how genes are expressed and regulated in mammalian cells in vivo. This knowledge has been translated to investigations of the molecular and cellular biology of the cardiovascular system. Gene transfer, the introduction of a recombinant gene into host somatic cells, has become a useful tool for studying gene structure and function. It can be used to identify regulatory sequences that control gene expression. Transfer of a gene into a new cellular environment provides a means to determine gene function. These methods also allow investigators to introduce new genes into intact animals, permitting the development of animal models of human disease and investigations of gene function in vivo. The field of gene transfer and vascular disease is emerging as a new approach for studying the pathophysiology of vascular disease and for developing potential new genetic treatments for these disorders. In this review, we discuss the methods for gene transfer, how these methods can be employed to investigate the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases, and the potential for the development of molecular genetic treatments for human vascular diseases. The focus will be on cardiovascular diseases, although the principles may be applied to other disorders. In summary, gene transfer represents a new approach to applying molecular biology to the study and treatment of human disease.

Gene Transfer Techniques↗

Retinal vascular disease in hypertension. Risk factor modification optimizes vision outcomes.

In a previous article (July 2004, page 57), Dr Colucciello reviewed nonproliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. In this article, he discusses retinal vascular disease associated with hypertension, which is especially likely to occur in persons with vasculopathic risk factors. Retinal vein occlusion, retinal arterial macroaneurysm, retinal artery occlusion, and carotid artery disease are predictive of progressive systemic vascular disease. Modification of risk factors and prompt identification of retinal vascular disease optimize vision outcomes and preserve quality of life.

Humans↗

Hyperhomocysteinaemia: a newly recognized risk factor for vascular disease.

In the past decade significant progress has been made in understanding of hyperhomocysteinaemia and its association with the proneness to premature development of vascular disease. Pooled data from a large number of studies demonstrate that mild hyperhomocysteinaemia after standardized methionine loading is present in 21% of patients with coronary artery disease, in 24% of patients with cerebrovascular disease, and in 32% of patients with peripheral vascular disease. A relative risk of 13.0 (95% confidence interval 5.9-28.1) of vascular disease at relatively young age can be calculated in subjects with such abnormal response to methionine loading. Pathological homocysteine levels are affected by genetic defects in homocysteine metabolism which have still not been completely clarified and which are more complex than originally supposed. Furthermore, a variety of non-genetic determinants such as deficiency of folate or vitamin B12 has to be taken into account. Mild hyperhomocysteinaemia can be reduced to normal in virtually all cases by simple and safe treatment with vitamin B6, folic acid, and betaine, each of which is involved in methionine metabolism. A clinically beneficial effect of such an intervention, which is currently under investigation, could make large-scale screening mandatory for this risk factor.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Noninvasive diagnostic assessment of peripheral vascular disease.

Noninvasive techniques have assumed an increasingly important role in the management of patients with vascular disease. Both ultrasonic and plethysmographic instruments allow objective evaluation of vascular disorders by the measurement of segmental limb blood pressures, analysis of blood velocity disturbances, recording of digit or limb pulse waveforms, or imaging of vascular disease, with or without Doppler flow analysis or color-flow mapping. These techniques have been applied for screening asymptomatic individuals, diagnosis of symptomatic patients, monitoring of interventional or surgical procedures, and follow-up of the natural history or the efficacy of medical, interventional, or surgical therapy of vascular disease. This article reviews the clinical application of these modalities to patients with peripheral arterial disease and briefly discusses cost-effectiveness and potential abuses of noninvasive technology.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

An overview on peripheral vascular disease in blackfoot disease-hyperendemic villages in Taiwan.

The arsenic-related peripheral vascular disease found to be endemic along the southwestern coast of Taiwan is reviewed. In the early 20th century a strange disease involving the lower extremities characterized by typical clinical symptoms and signs of progressive arterial occlusion was reported in a confined area located along the southwestern coast of Taiwan. The disease was locally called "blackfoot disease" because of its gangrenous appearance involving the feet of the patients. The prevalence of this disease ranged from 6.51 to 18.85 per 1,000 population in different villages. Epidemiologic studies revealed that blackfoot disease was associated with the consumption of artesian well water containing high levels of arsenic. High co-occurrence of blackfoot disease and arsenic-related skin lesions such as hyperpigmentation, hyperkeratosis, and skin cancer was also observed. Recent studies also confirmed the association of preclinical peripheral vascular disease with arsenic exposure in a dose-response pattern. Subclinical arterial insufficiency and defects in cutaneous microcirculation can also be demonstrated in seemingly normal subjects living in the endemic villages. The incidence of clinical manifestation of blackfoot disease decreased dramatically after the implementation of tap water in these villages over the past 2-3 decades. The atherogenicity of arsenic could be associated with its effects on hypercoagulability, endothelial injury, smooth muscle cell proliferation, somatic mutation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. However, its interaction with some trace elements and its association with hypertension and diabetes mellitus could also explain part of its higher risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Adult↗

Teaching patients with peripheral vascular disease.

The teaching of a patient with peripheral vascular disease offers many challenges to the nurse. Although content should be understood and utilized by the patient and significant others, of primary importance is the belief that the learner is the curriculum and that his perception of self and his problems is the focus of teaching. The learning needs generally should be considered as the needs of an adult individual, who has many past experiences and an interest in the present and future. This patient may experience pain from his disease and may require the assistance and support of others. If the purpose of treatment is to improve circulation and prevent trauma and infection, then patient instruction must be recognized as a vital tool in therapy. But the nurse cognizant of the progressiveness of peripheral vascular disease must capitalized on the teachable moments--when the patient is ready and the learning is needed.

Adult↗

Clinical update on pentoxifylline therapy for diabetes-induced peripheral vascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce readers to the use of pentoxifylline for diabetes-induced peripheral vascular disease. The article provides background on the pathophysiology of diabetic foot ulcers as well as a review of the literature on the therapeutic use of pentoxifylline for treating this disorder. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search was used to identify pertinent literature, including review articles and case reports. Key index terms included pentoxifylline, diabetic foot ulcer, neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and intermittent claudication DATA EXTRACTION: Basic pharmacologic data regarding absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion were reported in normal subjects as well as in patients with renal impairment. Open and controlled clinical trials also were analyzed; subjective symptoms were reported. The economic implications also were reported. The pharmacist's role in patient education is discussed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Pentoxifylline 800 mg/d was found to be effective in improving the symptoms in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, including improvement in walking distance, paresthesia, skin temperature, and subjective overall response. In nondiabetic patients, statistically significant differences in leg-ulcer healing were found between the treatment and placebo groups. Case reports illustrated healing times, which ranged from two weeks to six months. Pentoxifylline use in both insulin-dependent and noninsulin-dependent patients was assessed in clinical trials, with improvement of symptoms in both patient types. CONCLUSIONS: Studies show that pentoxifylline is an alternative to vascular surgery in the management of peripheral vascular disease in diabetic patients, particularly in those with chronic ulceration of the lower extremities that does not heal despite other optimal treatment regimens, including cessation of smoking, maintenance of normoglycemia, elimination of vasoconstrictive drugs, correctly fitted shoes, and appropriate would care. Pentoxifylline therapy may provide an appropriate, economical treatment modality by reducing the need for hospitalization and vascular surgery.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗