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Microcirculation (New York, N.Y. : 1994) Oct 2019Intermediate phenotypes of microcirculation (retinal microvascular caliber) are associated with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and independently predict CV events....
OBJECTIVE
Intermediate phenotypes of microcirculation (retinal microvascular caliber) are associated with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and independently predict CV events. However, the effect of microcirculation variation on the vascular system is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to quantify associations of retinal microvascular caliber (arteriolar, venular caliber, arteriole-to-venule ratio) and preclinical CV measures (large arterial function and structure).
METHODS
We identified studies in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed (1946 to March 2018) studying (a) general population samples and (b) patients with cardiometabolic disease. Study-specific correlation estimates were combined into meta-analysis where possible.
RESULTS
Of 1294 studies identified, 26 met inclusion criteria (general population 16, patients 10), of which five studies were included in meta-analysis. Most studied middle-aged adults cross-sectionally, with one childhood study. Large arterial function and structure were predominantly assessed by pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness, respectively. Only arteriolar caliber was consistently associated with arterial function and structure, with stronger associations observed in cardiometabolic patients. Narrower (worse) arteriolar caliber was associated with faster (poorer) pulse wave velocity (correlation coefficient (r) -0.17, 95% CI -0.25 to -0.10) and greater (poorer) intima-media thickness (r -0.05, 95%CI -0.09 to -0.02) across all adult participants.
CONCLUSIONS
Retinal arteriolar, but not venular caliber, was modestly associated with large arterial function and weakly associated with large arterial structure, with stronger evidence in patients with cardiometabolic disease. This suggests that preclinical changes in large arteries and the microcirculation have some shared but mainly unique pathways to associate with cardiovascular disease.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Microcirculation; Middle Aged; Pulse Wave Analysis; Retinal Artery; Retinal Vein
PubMed: 31094041
DOI: 10.1111/micc.12557 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2022Peripheral fractional oxygen extraction (pFOE) measured with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in combination with venous occlusion is of increasing interest in term and...
BACKGROUND
Peripheral fractional oxygen extraction (pFOE) measured with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in combination with venous occlusion is of increasing interest in term and preterm neonates.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to perform a systematic qualitative review of literature on the clinical use of pFOE in term and preterm neonates and on the changes in pFOE values over time.
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed, Embase and Medline was performed using following terms: newborn, infant, neonate, preterm, term, near-infrared spectroscopy, NIRS, oximetry, spectroscopy, tissue, muscle, peripheral, arm, calf, pFOE, OE, oxygen extraction, fractional oxygen extraction, peripheral perfusion and peripheral oxygenation. Additional articles were identified by manual search of cited references. Only studies in human neonates were included.
RESULTS
Nineteen studies were identified describing pFOE measured with NIRS in combination with venous occlusion. Nine studies described pFOE measured on the forearm and calf at different time points after birth, both in stable preterm and term neonates without medical/respiratory support or any pathological findings. Nine studies described pFOE measured at different time points in sick preterm and term neonates presenting with signs of infection/inflammation, anemia, arterial hypotension, patent ductus arteriosus, asphyxia or prenatal tobacco exposure. One study described pFOE both, in neonates with and without pathological findings.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review demonstrates that pFOE may provide additional insight into peripheral perfusion and oxygenation, as well as into disturbances of microcirculation caused by centralization in preterm and term neonates with different pathological findings.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42021249235].
PubMed: 36081622
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.940915 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2022Livedoid vasculopathy is a rare, chronic-recurrent occlusive disorder in the microcirculation of dermal vessels. The clinical appearance is characterized by , painful...
Livedoid vasculopathy is a rare, chronic-recurrent occlusive disorder in the microcirculation of dermal vessels. The clinical appearance is characterized by , painful ulceration, located in the distal parts of the lower extremities, followed by healing as porcelain-white, atrophic scars, the so-called . Different conditions that can promote a hypercoagulable state, such as inherited and acquired thrombophilias, autoimmune connective-tissue diseases and neoplasms, can be associated with livedoid vasculopathy. Therefore, livedoid vasculopathy is currently considered to be a coagulation disorder, clearly distinguished from inflammatory vasculitis. Although there are hints to hypercoaguability and secondary inflammation, pathophysiology is not completely understood. Diagnosis is made by synopsis of history, clinical and histopathological findings. Early and adequate therapy is essential to maintain life quality and avoid irreversible complications. Better understanding of molecular mechanisms is required to establish appropriate therapy regimens. This article presents the current state of knowledge about livedoid vasculopathy and proposes an algorithmic approach for diagnosis and therapy.
PubMed: 36262273
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1012178 -
The Journal of Rheumatology Jun 2020Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is one of the leading causes of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Current screening algorithms are hampered by low positive...
OBJECTIVE
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is one of the leading causes of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Current screening algorithms are hampered by low positive predictive values. Outcome measures that could add to performance characteristics would be welcome. We aim to evaluate the role of nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) using standardized definitions, in SSc-related PAH (SSc-PAH).
METHODS
A systematic review to identify original research papers documenting an association between NVC and right heart catheterization-defined SSc-PAH was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Subsequently, NVC characteristics were subdivided into quantitative (capillary density, dimension, morphology, and hemorrhages), semiquantitative, and qualitative assessment (NVC pattern), according to the definitions of the European League Against Rheumatism Study Group on Microcirculation in Rheumatic Diseases.
RESULTS
The systematic search identified 316 unique search results, of which 5 were included in the final qualitative analysis. The occurrence of incident SSc-PAH unequivocally associated in 2 longitudinal studies with progressive capillary loss (p = 0.04 and p = 0.033) and the progression to a severe (active/late) NVC pattern (p = 0.05/0.01 and HR = 5.12, 95% CI 1.23-21.27). In 3 cross-sectional studies, SSc-PAH was found to be unequivocally inversely associated with capillary density (p = 0.001 and p < 0.05) and associated with the presence of a severe NVC pattern (p = 0.03 and p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
This is the first systematic literature review investigating the role of NVC in SSc-PAH using standardized description, to our knowledge. Unequivocal associations were found between (incident) SSc-PAH and capillary density and NVC pattern. Integration of NVC into current screening algorithms to boost their performance may be a future step.
Topics: Capillaries; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Microscopic Angioscopy; Nails; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Scleroderma, Systemic
PubMed: 31416927
DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.190296 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2021Although many studies have shown that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life of patients affected by femoral head... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Although many studies have shown that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life of patients affected by femoral head necrosis, this therapy is not worldwide approved yet. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate its clinical effect. Relevant studies published before May 2020 were systematically searched using terms related to HBO and femoral head necrosis. Fixed and random-effects models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analyses and publication bias tests were carried out to explore potential study heterogeneity and bias. Ten studies involving 353 controls and 368 HBO-treated cases were included, most of which were conducted on Asian population. The clinical effect in the HBO therapy group was 3.84 times higher than in the control group (OR = 3.84, 95% CI (2.10, 7.02), < 0.00001). Subgroup analyses showed that the clinical effect of HBO therapy was statistically significant in the Asian subpopulation which represented most of the subjects (OR = 3.53, 95% CI (1.87, 6.64), < 0.00001), but not in the non-Asian subpopulation, probably because of insufficient numerosity (OR = 7.41, 95% CI (0.73, 75.71), = 0.09). The results of this meta-analysis suggest that patients with femoral head necrosis treated with HBO therapy can achieve a significant clinical improvement.
Topics: Femur Head Necrosis; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Quality of Life
PubMed: 33808951
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18062888 -
Nutrition Reviews Sep 2023Conflicting predictions of malnutrition for the long-term prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) exist.
CONTEXT
Conflicting predictions of malnutrition for the long-term prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) exist.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between malnutrition and long-term prognosis of patients with CAD.
DATA SOURCES
Four databases were searched for articles from February 11, 1936, to September 10, 2022.
DATA EXTRACTION
Cohort studies adjusting for multiple cardiovascular risk factors with data on CAD and malnutrition were included. Malnutrition was measured and defined by different nutritional evaluation tools. The hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were synthesized. Subgroup analyses were performed based on study design, assessment tools, ethnicity/race, follow-up, sample size, and types of CAD. Meta-regression was used to compare whether the effect sizes of the 2 subgroups were statistically significant.
DATA ANALYSIS
A total of 30 cohort studies were included, totaling 81 361 participants with CAD. Nutritional evaluation tools, including the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT), Nutritional Risk Screening 2002, Mini-Nutritional Assessment, and Prognostic Nutritional Index, were used. Malnutrition increased all-cause mortality (HR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.53, 1.93) and MACEs (HR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.35, 1.60) in patients with CAD. Subgroup analysis revealed the results were consistent across study design, ethnicity/race, follow-up, sample size, and types of CAD. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression revealed that malnutrition was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.91, 2.68) and MACEs (HR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.69, 3.08) in patients with stable CAD than those with other types of CAD. Meta-regression revealed that the GNRI (HR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.65, 2.93) was more effective than CONUT (HR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.78) in predicting all-cause mortality.
CONCLUSION
Malnutrition independently increased all-cause mortality by 72% and MACEs by 47% in patients with CAD, especially with stable CAD. The GNRI is a more effective nutritional evaluation tool than CONUT in predicting all-cause mortality.
PubMed: 37665731
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad108 -
European Radiology Experimental Mar 2020We aimed at reviewing design and realisation of perfusion/flow phantoms for validating quantitative perfusion imaging (PI) applications to encourage best practices.
BACKGROUND
We aimed at reviewing design and realisation of perfusion/flow phantoms for validating quantitative perfusion imaging (PI) applications to encourage best practices.
METHODS
A systematic search was performed on the Scopus database for "perfusion", "flow", and "phantom", limited to articles written in English published between January 1999 and December 2018. Information on phantom design, used PI and phantom applications was extracted.
RESULTS
Of 463 retrieved articles, 397 were rejected after abstract screening and 32 after full-text reading. The 37 accepted articles resulted to address PI simulation in brain (n = 11), myocardial (n = 8), liver (n = 2), tumour (n = 1), finger (n = 1), and non-specific tissue (n = 14), with diverse modalities: ultrasound (n = 11), computed tomography (n = 11), magnetic resonance imaging (n = 17), and positron emission tomography (n = 2). Three phantom designs were described: basic (n = 6), aligned capillary (n = 22), and tissue-filled (n = 12). Microvasculature and tissue perfusion were combined in one compartment (n = 23) or in two separated compartments (n = 17). With the only exception of one study, inter-compartmental fluid exchange could not be controlled. Nine studies compared phantom results with human or animal perfusion data. Only one commercially available perfusion phantom was identified.
CONCLUSION
We provided insights into contemporary phantom approaches to PI, which can be used for ground truth evaluation of quantitative PI applications. Investigators are recommended to verify and validate whether assumptions underlying PI phantom modelling are justified for their intended phantom application.
Topics: Animals; Equipment Design; Humans; Perfusion Imaging; Phantoms, Imaging
PubMed: 32128653
DOI: 10.1186/s41747-019-0133-2 -
World Journal of Cardiology Apr 2023Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic syndrome characterized by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia that may lead to endothelial dysfunction, reduced...
BACKGROUND
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic syndrome characterized by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia that may lead to endothelial dysfunction, reduced functional capacity and exercise intolerance. Regular aerobic exercise has been promoted as the most beneficial non-pharmacological treatment of cardiovascular diseases. High intensity interval training (HIIT) seems to be superior than moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in cardiovascular diseases by improving brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and cardiorespiratory fitness to a greater extent. However, the beneficial effects of HIIT in patients with T2DM still remain under investigation and number of studies is limited.
AIM
To evaluate the effectiveness of high intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness and endothelial function in patients with T2DM.
METHODS
We performed a search on PubMed, PEDro and CINAHL databases, selecting papers published between December 2012 and December 2022 and identified published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the English language that included community or outpatient exercise training programs in patients with T2DM. RCTs were assessed for methodological rigor and risk of bias the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). The primary outcome was peak VO and the secondary outcome was endothelial function assessed either by FMD or other indices of microcirculation.
RESULTS
Twelve studies were included in our systematic review. The 12 RCTs resulted in 661 participants in total. HIIT was performed in 310 patients (46.8%), MICT to 271 and the rest 80 belonged to the control group. Peak VO increased in 10 out of 12 studies after HIIT. Ten studies compared HIIT with other exercise regimens (MICT or strength endurance) and 4 of them demonstrated additional beneficial effects of HIIT over MICT or other exercise regimens. Moreover, 4 studies explored the effects of HIIT on endothelial function and FMD in T2DM patients. In 2 of them, HIIT further improved endothelial function compared to MICT and/or the control group while in the rest 2 studies no differences between HIIT and MICT were observed.
CONCLUSION
Regular aerobic exercise training has beneficial effects on cardiorespiratory fitness and endothelial function in T2DM patients. HIIT may be superior by improving these parameters to a greater extent than MICT.
PubMed: 37124974
DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v15.i4.184 -
Catheterization and Cardiovascular... Jun 2022The index of microvascular resistance (IMR) is an established tool to assess the status of coronary microcirculation. However, the need for a pressure wire and hyperemic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Angiography-derived versus invasively-determined index of microcirculatory resistance in the assessment of coronary microcirculation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The index of microvascular resistance (IMR) is an established tool to assess the status of coronary microcirculation. However, the need for a pressure wire and hyperemic agents have limited its routine use and have led to the development of angiography-derived pressure-wire-free methods (angiography-derived IMR [IMRAngio]). In this review and meta-analysis, we aim to assess the global diagnosis accuracy of IMRAngio versus IMR.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was performed. Studies directly evaluating IMRAngio versus IMR were considered eligible. Pooled values of diagnostic test and summary receiver operator curve were calculated.
RESULTS
Seven studies directly comparing IMRAngio versus IMR were included (687 patients; 807 vessels). Pooled sensitivity, specificity, +likelihood ratio (LR), and -LR were 82%, 83%, 4.5, and 0.26 respectively. Pooled accuracy was 83% while pooled positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 76% and 85%, respectively. Comparable results were obtained when analyzing by clinical scenario (acute and nonacute coronary syndromes).
CONCLUSION
IMRAngio shows a good diagnostic performance for the prediction of abnormal IMR.
Topics: Coronary Angiography; Coronary Circulation; Coronary Vessels; Humans; Microcirculation; Predictive Value of Tests; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Resistance
PubMed: 35366386
DOI: 10.1002/ccd.30174 -
Medicine Jul 2023To investigate the potential active ingredients and possible mechanisms of Shujin Tongluo granules (SJTLG) in the treatment of cervical spondylosis (CS) by network... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
To investigate the potential active ingredients and possible mechanisms of Shujin Tongluo granules (SJTLG) in the treatment of cervical spondylosis (CS) by network pharmacology and molecular docking.
METHODS
The active ingredients and potential targets of SJTLG were obtained through databases such as traditional Chinese medicine system (TCMSP) and BATMAN-traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the relevant human targets of CS were identified through databases such as OMIM, GeneCards, and DisGeNET. The intersection targets were imported into STRING for protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. The obtained data were imported into Cytoscape 3.9.0 software for visualization, and module analysis was performed using the MCODE plug-in. The representative targets were screened through the Metascape website for pathway enrichment analysis in Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Cytoscape software was used to build networks such as "drug-compound-target" and "drug-compound-target-pathway." Finally, the key targets were selected for molecular docking with the corresponding compounds by Autodock Tools 1.5.7 and visualized by PyMol.
RESULTS
A total of 132 active compounds and 996 targets from SJTLG and 678 targets from CS were screened with 116 intersection targets. The key targets were AKT1, GAPDH, ALB, IL-6, TP53, TNF, VEGFA, IL-1β, EGFR, HSP90AA1, ESR1, and JUN. The results of GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the treatment of CS was mainly related to biological processes such as cellular response to nitrogen compound, cellular response to organonitrogen compound, and positive regulation of locomotion, and the targets were mainly focused on pathways in cancer, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, lipid, and atherosclerosis. Molecular docking results showed that the minimum binding energy between the core targets and the corresponding compound was <-5.0 kcal·mol-1.
CONCLUSION
This study preliminarily elucidates the potential active ingredients and mechanism of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, microcirculation improvement, vasodilation, osteoporosis inhibition and nerve nutrition effects of SJTLG in the treatment of CS and provides a reference for its clinical application.
Topics: Humans; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Molecular Docking Simulation; Network Pharmacology; Spondylosis
PubMed: 37478234
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034030