bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can Erectile Dysfunction Predict Major Cardiovascular Events?
Authors: Szekeres Norbert A. , Jeremiás Zsuzsánna , Vida Árpád Olivér , Mártha Orsolya , Porav-Hodade Daniel 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
It is estimated that erectile dysfunction (ED) affects more than 150 million people worldwide and this number is expected to double by the year 2025. Vascular component represents the most important etiological cause of erectile dysfunction. ED shares almost all risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia and smoking, with arteriosclerosis. Moderate to severe ED is associated with a considerably increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). This review was conducted in May 2016, when the PubMed database was searched using the combination of the terms “erectile dysfunction” and “cardiovascular diseases”, “coronary artery diseases” and “risk factors”. In this review, we analyzed the published literature, regarding the predictive role of ED in CVD and the association of ED risk factors with CVD risk factors, aiming to draw particular attention on the role of sexual inquiry of all men to prevent or decrease major cardiovascular events. In conclusion, the early detection of ED can prevent major cardiovascular events with early management of cardiovascular risk and permits to include patients in a risk stratification group. Erectile function should be evaluated using questionnaires in all male patients to prevent and decrease the rates of major cardiovascular events.
Cardioprotective Effects Induced by Preconditioning with Halogenated Anesthetics
Authors: Papurica Marius , Sandesc Dorel , Rogobete Alexandru Florin , Nartita Radu , Vernic Corina , Popovici Sonia Elena , Bedreag Ovidiu Horea 
Published: July 2016

Abstract

Background: Numerous studies discuss the protective effects of halogenated anesthetics on myocyte injury induced by the ischemia-reperfusion syndrome of the heart. This mechanism is known as pharmacological preconditioning.

Aim of the study: The objective of this study was to identify the effects of two volatile anesthetics frequently used in current clinical practice, Isoflurane and Sevoflurane, on the in situ heart. The study was performed on laboratory animals with induced brain death.

Material and methods: The animals were divided into 3 groups, the control group (n = 8), IZO-PRE group (n = 8) and SEVO-PRE group (n = 8), on which the experimental protocol established for this study was applied. From a molecular point of view, the expressions of protein kinase C-epsilon (PKCε) and of glycogen synthase kinase – 3 beta (GSK-3β) were investigated.

Results: Following the statistical analysis, we observed a significant reduction in the size of the infarcted area in the IZO-PRE group compared to the control group (p <0.0001). Regarding the SEVO-PRE group, no reduction was observed (p >0.05). The expression of GSK-3β is more pronounced in case of the SEVO-PRE group, at 5 minutes after reperfusion, and the effect disappears after 15 minutes. The expression of PKCε as a total form of the enzyme, occurs at 5 minutes after reperfusion in the SEVO-PRE group and late in the IZO-PRE group (after 15 minutes).

Conclusions: Both anesthetics that were applied showed a cardioprotective effect. Isoflurane provided a better structural and morphological protection, but Sevoflurane resulted in a more effective protection in terms of functionality, significantly reducing the incidence of extremely severe life-threatening arrhythmias.
Correlations Between Femoral Intima-media Thickness and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Jeremiás Zsuzsanna , Makó Katalin , Szekeres Norbert , Rapolti Emese , Benedek Imre , Benedek Theodora 
Published: July 2016

Abstract

Background: Atherosclerosis has a systemic impact, producing gradual stenoses of the main vessels, and many imaging techniques have been developed in order to detect and quantify the atherosclerotic lesions. Peripheral artery disease has been shown to be associated with the presence of coronary heart disease, at the same time with carotid artery involvement. The utility of the carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) in predicting cardiovascular events caused by atherosclerosis, led to the idea that assessing the femoral artery IMT could have a similar impact.

Study aim: We sought to determine the correlations between the femoral IMT, the degree of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with established diagnosis of ischemic heart disease.

Material and methods: We prospectively included 27 patients with diagnosed ischemic heart disease. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) was assessed for the anterior and posterior tibial arteries. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was determined by echocardiography. The femoral IMT was measured by peripheral vascular ultrasound, at the common femoral artery, 1 cm proximally from the bifurcation. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 – patients with IMT<0.9mm, and Group 2: patients with IMT >0.9 mm.

Results: The mean age of the study population was 65.52 ± 11.44 years, and 77.77% were males. The mean glycemia levels were 99.89 ± 30.34 mg/dl, total cholesterol: 176.81 ± 43.09 mg/dl and the mean triglyceride level 140 ± 65.12mg/dl. The mean LEVF was 49.98% ± 12.73%, and femoral IMT 0.75 mm ± 0.25 mm. IMT significantly correlated with cholesterol levels (R = 0.383, p = 0.048), anterior and posterior tibial artery pressures (R = 0.450, p = 0.018, R = 0.418, p = 0.029 respectively) and ABI (R = 0.623, p = 0.005). There was no significant correlation between the LVEF and the IMT (R = −0.143, p = 0.475). There was a significant difference between the 2 groups regarding the minimum anterior tibial artery pressure (95.57 mmHg vs. 63.5 mmHg, p = 0.0011) and the minimum ABI (0.85 vs. 0.5, p = 0.015), and the femoral IMT (p = 0.0001). For patients with a femoral IMT >0.9 mm, a significant correlation was found between ABI and femoral IMT (R = −0.710, p <0.0001).

Conclusion: The femoral intima-media thickness, assessed with peripheral vascular ultrasound, could be a new marker in evaluating the global cardiovascular risk in patients with ischemic heart disease. Femoral IMT could become a new marker for systemic atherosclerosis.
Association Between Severity of Peripheral Artery Disease Angio CT-derived Coronary Syntax Score in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia
Authors: Rapolti Emese , Benedek Theodora , Kovács István , Korodi Szilamér , Suciu Zsuzsanna , Condrea Sebastian , Benedek Edvin , Mester András , Benedek Imre 
Published: July 2016

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral artery disease, a frequent consequence of atherosclerosis, is usually associated with concomitant ischaemic coronary artery disease and with a high rate of cardiovascular mortality.

Material and methods: The study population consisted of 24 patients, admitted to our clinic with peripheral artery disease, 10 of them with critical limb ischaemia. In all cases, cardiovascular risk factors, left ventricular dysfunction and ejection fraction were analyzed. Peripheral Multislice Angio CT examination was used to determine the TASC class and to assess the peripheral arterial lesions. The Coronary Calcium Score and the Syntax Score were determined with angio CT of the coronary arteries.

Results: Patients were between 39 and 84 years of age, and 54% were in Fontaine class 2B, 21% in Fontaine class 3 and 25% in Fontaine class 4. 12.5% of patients presented TASC class A, 33.3% TASC class B, and 54.2% TASC class C. Coronary Calcium Scores were between 0 and 100 in 16.6% of patients, between 100 and 400 in 41.8%, and >400 in 41.6% of patients. The SYNTAX Score was <22 in 54% of patients, between 22 and 32 in 37.5%, and >32 in 8.5% of patients. A significant correlation was found between the Coronary Calcium Score and the SYNTAX Score (r = 0.82, p = 0.03). The Syntax Score was 22.43 ± 3.2 in TASC A patients, 26.2 ± 5.4 in TASC B patients, 32.1 ± 2.3 in TASC C patients (p = 0.005).

Conclusions: The severity of coronary artery disease characterized by the Syntax Score, by the presence of left main stenosis and segmental left ventricular hypokinesis presents significant correlation with the severity of peripheral artery disease, characterized by the TASC classification.
Significance of Serum Uric Acid in Children with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Şuteu Carmen Corina , Benedek Theodora , Togănel Rodica 
Published: July 2016

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex disease with poor prognosis. Serum uric acid has been proposed as a potentially non-invasive and objective parameter for prognosis and response to therapy.

Objectives: To investigate the potent relationship between serum uric acid levels and functional and echocardiographic parameters in children with PAH.

Methods: Serum uric acid levels were measured in 34 children with PAH and were correlated with the functional class, 6-minute walk test, and echocardiographic parameters at baseline and at 12 months follow-up.

Results: In pediatric PAH patients serum uric acid levels were higher compared with the control subjects (p = 0.001). In the high uric acid group serum uric acid levels were correlated with 6-minute walk test (p = 0.008), and with several echocardiographic parameters, such as pulmonary vascular resistance (p = 0.04), fractional area change (p = 0.05), left ventricle eccentricity index (p = 0.04), right atrial area (p = 0.03), right ventricle myocardial index (p = 0.01), and pericardial effusion (p = 0.001), markers of right ventricular overload and dysfunction.

Conclusions: Serum uric acid levels are easy to collect and measure, and correlate with both functional and echocardiographic parameters that reflect right ventricular dysfunction.
Quality of Life after Coronary Revascularization in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Susca Mihaela , Copotoiu Monica , Popoviciu Horaţiu , Szőke Zsuzsanna , Bajka Balázs , Benedek Imre , Benedek Theodora 
Published: July 2016

Abstract

Background: The quality of life (QoL) in acute myocardial infarction (MI) patients can be improved using 3 therapeutic methods — surgical, pharmaceutical and physical.

Study aim: We sought to assess the QoL in patients following an acute MI, with or without percutanous coronary intervention (PCI).

Material and methods: A number of 54 patients with acute MI were included in the study. All subjects were asked to complete the EQ-SD questionnaire at baseline, and during the 12-month follow-up. The questionnaire consists of 2 parts: 1st part – assesses the mobility, self care, activities of daily life (ADL), pain, depression and anxiety; 2nd part – visual analogue scale (VAS) for the overall state. Patients were divided into 4 groups: Group 1 – all patients (n = 54); Group 2 – males (n = 40), Group 3 – female patients (n = 14), and Group 4 – patients who underwent a PCI procedure (n = 48). Blood pressure (BP) was also monitored.

Results: The mean age was 66.54 years. There were no differences between the groups at baseline, and after 1 year regarding the BP. No differences were observed regarding the VAS (baseline p = 0.990; 12-month p = 0.991). Concerning the PCI vs. non-PCI groups, no differences were found in relation to mobility, self-care, ADL, pain and depression at baseline or after 12 months. For all groups at baseline, the limited mobility was positively correlated with impaired self-care (p = 0.041) and lower ADLs (p = 0.003). After 1 year, a limited mobility was associated with defective self-care (p <0.001) and decreased ADLs (p = 0.004) and there was an improvement in mobility (p = 0.0002) and self-care (p <0.0001), compared to baseline. The PCI group associated pain with depression at baseline (p <0.001) and limited mobility with lack of ADLs (p = 0.005). At 12 months, we observed an improvement in mobility, self-care (p <0.001), and the ADLs (p <0.001). The males showed a positive association between depression and pain (p <0.001) at baseline, but not after 1 year. Mobility was the only parameter that had improved during follow-up (p = 0.043). In the female group, pain (p = 0.015) and mobility (p = 0.033) had improved after 12 months.

Conclusions: The QoL had improved in terms of mobility, self-care and new skills acquired after PCI. Both depression and pain were ameliorated in the male group, despite the lack of improvement on VAS for the overall state.
Characteristics of Coronary Lesions in Small Vessel Disease Treated with Elective Stenting in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Cordunean Alina , Hodaş Roxana , Pop Sorin , Rat Nora , Jani Laura , Stănescu Alexandra , Benedek Imre , Benedek Theodora 
Published: July 2016

Abstract

Background: The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has suffered a dramatic increase and is a serious worldwide issue. Diabetes causes microvascular and macrovascular complications including coronary artery disease (CAD) that ultimately contributes to a high rate of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Study aim: The aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with the atherosclerotic involvement of small coronary arteries as compared to large vessel disease, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous stent coronary angioplasty.

Material and methods: Thirty-one patients who underwent Multislice 64 CT assessment of coronary lesions and stent implantation at the level of the significant coronary lesion were included in the study. CT-based Calcium Score was determined in all patients. Group 1 included patients with coronary lesions located on a vessel with a reference diameter above 3 mm (n = 24) and Group 2 included patients with a coronary lesion located on a vessel with a reference diameter below 3 mm (n = 7).

Results: The mean age of the study population was 62.25 ± 2.59 years in Group 1 and 64.28 ± 9.18 years in Group 2. Female gender was recorded in 38% of cases in Group 1 and in 14% of cases in Group 2. The left ventricular ejection fraction was below 45% in 13% of cases in Group 1 and in 29% of patients in Group 2. Bioabsorbable stents were implanted in 57% of coronary arteries suffering from small vessel disease, compared to 4% in the rest of the coronary arteries (p = 0.005). The Calcium Score was 552.45 ± 545.79 (95% CI: 354.41–694.64) in Group 1 compared to 1387 ± 1830.3 (95% CI: 305.85–3079.9) (p = 0.014).

Conclusions: The location of the atherosclerotic process at the level of the small coronary arteries is associated with a significantly higher Calcium Score at the level of the coronary tree, and with a higher rate of bioabsorbable stent implantation.
Predictors of Left Ventricular Remodeling after Revascularized Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Pop Sorin , Hodaş Roxana , Benedek Edvin , Opincariu Diana , Rat Nora , Jani Laura , Stanescu Alexandra , Chitu Monica , Benedek Imre , Benedek Theodora 
Published: July 2016

Abstract

Background: The acute loss of myocardium, following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) leads to an abrupt increase in the loading conditions that induces a pattern of left ventricular remodeling (LVR). It has been shown that remodeling occurs rapidly and progressively within weeks after the AMI.

Study aim: The aim of our study was to identify predictors for LVR, and find correlations between them and the cardiovascular (CV) risk factors that lead to remodeling.

Material and methods: One hundred and five AMI patients who underwent primary PCI were included in the study. A 2-D echocardiography was performed at baseline (day 1 ± 3 post-MI) and at 6 months follow-up. The LV remodeling index (RI), was defined as the difference between the Left Ventricular End-Diastolic diameter (LVEDD) at 6 months and at baseline. The patients were divided into 2 groups, according to the RI: Group 1 – RI >15% with positive remodeling (n = 23); Group 2 – RI ≤15% with no remodeling (n = 82).

Results: The mean age was 63.26 ± 2.084 years for Group 1 and 59.72 ± 1.267 years for Group 2. The most significant predictor of LVR was the female gender (Group 1 – 52% vs. Group 2 – 18%, p <0.0001). Men younger than 50 years showed a lower rate of LVR (Group1 – 9% vs. Group 2 – 20%, p = 0.0432). In women, age over 65 years was a significant predictor for LVR (Group 1 – 26% vs. Group 2 – 9%, p = 0.0025). The CV risk factors associated with LVR were: smoking (p = 0.0008); obesity (p = 0.013); dyslipidemia (p = 0.1184). The positive remodeling group had a higher rate of LAD stenosis compared to the no-remodeling group (48% vs. 26%, p = 0.002). The presence of multi-vessel disease was shown to be higher in Group 1 (26% vs. 9%, p = 0.0025). The echocardiographic parameters that predicted LVR were: LVEF <45% (p = 0.048), mitral regurgitation (p = 0.022), and interventricular septum hypertrophy (p <0.0001).

Conclusions: The CV risk factors correlated with LVR were smoking, obesity and dyslipidemia. A >50% stenosis in the LAD and the presence of multi-vessel CAD were found to be significant predictors for LVR. The most powerful predictors of LVR following AMI were: LVEF <45%, mitral regurgitation, and interventricular septum hypertrophy.
Correlations Between Severity of Coronary Lesions and Epicardial Fat Volume in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease – a Multislice CT-based Study
Authors: Hodaş Roxana , Pop Sorin , Opincariu Diana , Rat Nora , Jani Laura , Stanescu Alexandra , Benedek Edvin , Benedek Imre , Benedek Theodora , Chitu Monica 
Published: July 2016

Abstract

Background: Epicardial fat has been recently identified as a major player in the development of the atherosclerotic process.

Study aim: The aim of this study was to correlate the epicardial fat volume (EFV), determined by Multisclice CT, and the severity of the coronary lesions, expressed by the Coronary Calcium Score (CCS) and Syntax Score (SxS) in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD).

Material and methods: One-hundred-twenty-six patients underwent Multisclice 64 CT assessment of coronary lesions and epicardial fat quantification. Calculation of CCS was performed on all the three coronary vessels and was followed by determination of SxS according to guidelines. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 – patients with CCS >400 (n = 26), and Group 2 — patients with CaS <400 (n = 100).

Results: The mean age of the study population was 65.32 years for Group 1 and 54 years for Group 2 (p <0.0001). However, patients >65 years of age had a high CCS in a more significant extent than younger patients (50% in Group 1 vs. 17% in Group 2, p = 0.0115). Female gender was recorded in 48% of cases in Group 2 and in 19% of cases in Group 1 (p = 0.008). Several factors were identified in a higher extent in the group with high CCS as compared with the group with low CCS, such as the presence of significant stenosis (>50%) of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) (46% vs. 9%, p <0.0001), the presence of multi-vessel coronary disease (50% vs. 5%, p <0.0001) and a high SxS, above 23 (23% vs. 4%, p = 0.006). The epicardial fat volume was 117.81 ± 40.4 ml (95% CI: 97.98–138.2 ml) in Group 2 and 89.77 ± 37.7 ml (95% CI: 80.4–101.5 ml) in Group 1 (p = 0.0033).

Conclusions: Epicardial fat volume could represent a new imaging-derived biomarker, useful for classification of the severity of coronary artery disease, increased values of EFV being associated with other biomarkers of disease severity, such as calcium score.
Correlations Between the Contrast Density Gradient along the Coronary Stents and Functional Significance of In-stent Restenosis
Authors: Orzan Marius , Benedek Edvin , Mester András , Benedek Theodora , Chiţu Monica , Kovács István , Stănescu Alexandra , Dobra Mihaela , Benedek Imre 
Published: July 2016

Abstract

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and is associated with a significant socio-economic impact. In many cases, patients are treated with implanted coronary stents that carry a significant risk for reobstruction. The aim of our study was to evaluate the importance of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in evaluating the significance of in-stent restenosis lesions and for establishing the indication for reintervention in these cases.

Materials and methods: We evaluated 25 patients who underwent CCTA examination. We determined the contrast density, expressed in Hounsfield units at two levels, proximal and distal to the stent.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the study groups in terms of gender (41.17% females in Group 1 vs. 37.5% in Group 2, p = 1), presence of hypertension (41.17% in Group 1 vs. 62.5% in Group 2, p = 0.31), smoking status (41.17% in Group 1 vs. 37.5% in Group 2, p = 0.31), incidence of dyslipidemia (47.05% vs. 50%, p = 1) and diabetes mellitus (35.29% vs. 0%, p = 0.31). However, the age of the study population was significantly higher in the groups with significant ISR (58.94 ± 8.35 vs. 47.25 ± 11.2, p = 0.02). Patients who showed significant angiographic in-stent stenosis (more than 70%) were found to have a higher transluminal attenuation gradient, compared with those with less severe lesions (14.5 ± 5.4 vs. 5.14 ± 2.4, p = 0.02).

Conclusions: The transluminal attenuation gradient, assessed by CCTA is a non-invasive-derived parameter that can help the clinician to determine the right time for revascularization in case of in-stent restenosis.
Perfusion Computed Tomography for the Assessment of Myocardial Viability — a Case Series
Authors: Morariu Mirabela , Opincariu Diana , Stănescu Alexandra 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
Myocardial viability plays an important role in preventing the development of left ventricular remodeling following an acute myocardial infarction. A preserved viability in the infarcted area has been demonstrated to be associated with a lower amplitude of the remodeling process, while the extent of the non-viable myocardium is directly correlated with the amplitude of the remodeling process. A number of methods are currently in use for the quantification of the viable myocardium, and some of them are based on the estimation of myocardial perfusion during pharmacologic stress. 64-slice Multi-detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) during vasodilator stress test, associated with CT Coronary Angiography (CCTA) has a high diagnostic accuracy in evaluating myocardial perfusion. In this article, we present a sequence of 3 clinical cases that presented with symptoms of myocardial ischemia, who underwent 64-slice MDCT imaging at rest and during adenosine stress test, in order to assess the extent of the hypoperfused myocardial areas. Coronary artery anatomy and the Coronary Calcium Score was assessed for all 3 patients by performing CT Coronary Angiography. The combination of CT Angiography and adenosine stress CT myocardial perfusion imaging can accurately detect atherosclerosic lesions that cause perfusion abnormalities, compared with the combination of invasive angiography and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).
Performance Analysis of Different Modulation Formats in Optical Communication
Authors: Singh Kulwinder , Singh Maninder , Bhatia Kamaljit Singh , Ryait Hardeep Singh 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIn this paper, we demonstrated the variation of different parameters with quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and differential phase shift key (DPSK) sequence generator, which generates modulated signals, in data transmission for communication and analysed that how the difference of these sequence generators effect its resonant frequency (RF) value, eye diagram and electrical constellation representation of the system.