Abstract Background Several studies have associated dietary saturated fatty acids (SFAs) with cardiovascular risk but there are still many controversies. Most of these studies have focused on the effects of palmitic acid on circulating lipids. Stearic acid usually shows a neutral effect on blood lipids, however, there is a lack of clinical studies assessing the link with inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction markers. Objective To evaluate the association of red blood cell (RBC) SFA (palmitic and stearic acids) with circulating inflammatory […]

Abstract Background The diagnosis of acute myocarditis is usually made with clinical and laboratory parameters. This can sometimes be mixed up with diseases that have similar clinical features, making the diagnosis difficult. Therefore, the use of more specific biomarkers, in addition to the classically used biomarkers such as troponin, will accelerate the diagnosis. In addition, these biomarkers may help us to understand the mechanism of myocarditis development and thus predict unpredictable clinical outcomes. Objective This study aims to reveal the […]

Abstract Background Sarcopenia is highly prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients, and the involvement of biomarkers in its pathophysiology is suggested, but little has been studied concerning HF sarcopenic patients. Objectives To evaluate the association between inflammatory and humoral markers with sarcopenia, as well as the impact of sarcopenia on quality of life and functional capacity in older HF patients. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 90 outpatient HF patients, aged ≥ 60 years, were evaluated for sarcopenia (EWGSOP2 diagnostic criteria), […]

Abstract Background Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is a multifactorial disease, highly prevalent and associated with health risks. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between SAH and laboratory, anthropometric, heart rate variability (HRV), and obstructive sleep apnea markers and, secondarily, to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of the variables that are independent factors in the association. Methods Cross-sectional study with 95 obese patients treated at an obesity referral clinic in Salvador, BA, Brazil. SAH data were […]

Abstract Background Hypertension causes subendothelial inflammation and dysfunction in resulting atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a useful marker of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. The uric acid to albumin ratio (UAR) has emerged as a novel marker for predicting cardiovascular events. Objective We aimed to investigate the association of UAR with CIMT in hypertensive patients. Methods Two hundred sixteen consecutive hypertensive patients were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients underwent carotid ultrasonography to classify low (CIMT < 0.9 mm) [...]

Abstract Background Oncostatin M (OSM) is a pleiotropic cytokine which, after arterial injury, has proven to be to be rapidly expressed. Objectives To correlate the serum levels of OSM, soluble OSM receptor (sOSMR), and soluble fraction of glycoprotein 130 (sgp130) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) with clinical parameters. Methods Levels of sOSMR and sgp130 were evaluated by ELISA and OSM by Western Blot, in patients with CCS (n=100), patients with ACS (n=70), and 64 control volunteers without clinical […]

Abstract Background The SAGE score was developed to detect individuals at risk for increased pulse wave velocity (PWV). So far, studies have been focused on hypertensive patients. Objective To assess the ability of the score to detect non-hypertensive and pre-hypertensive patients at risk for increased PWV. Methods Retrospective cross-sectional study of analysis of central blood pressure data and calculation of the SAGE score of non-hypertensive and pre-hypertensive patients. Each score point was analyzed for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive […]

Abstract Background: It is unclear whether exercise is safe in patients with more advanced forms of coronary artery disease, such as those with refractory angina (RA). Objective: We aimed to determine the effect of an acute aerobic exercise session (AAES) on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) levels in patients with RA. Methods: This was a longitudinal, non-randomized, and non-controlled clinical study. Participants were recruited from April 2015 to January 2019. On a visual pain scale from 0 to 10, pain […]

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the article: Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Abdominal Aortic Atherosclerosis among Asymptomatic Individuals, which evaluated whether the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NRL) could be associated with abdominal aortic atherosclerosis (AtAA). A positive association between the increase in NLR and AtAA was demonstrated when comparing carriers and non-carriers of the disease. However, when adjusting the statistical analysis for age and risk factors, this association did not remain true. […]