2005, Volume 12, Issue 02, pages 81-160

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2005, Volume 12, Issue 02, pages 81-160

Editorials Clinical articles News and views
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Editorials

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March 2005 Br J Cardiol 2005;12:85-9

Living with chest pain

Richard A Best

Abstract

Doctors are encouraged to follow evidence-based guidelines in the assessment and management of chest pain. Sometimes following these guidelines conflicts with clinical experience and even common sense, as is shown by the contrasting approaches (and outcomes) to this case .

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Clinical articles

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March 2005 Br J Cardiol 2005;12:156-60

The definition of maximally tolerated blood pressure treatment

Terry McCormack, Mark Davis

Abstract

The new General Medical Services contract has introduced the term ‘maximally tolerated blood pressure treatment’, which it defines as a cut-off point at which a doctor might advise the patient to accept the current blood pressure level. Whilst this is a sensible idea, the contract does not give any guidance as to how the doctor should decide when that point has been reached. In this article the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society considers the issue, looking at available evidence, and publishes a consensus statement on the definition for maximally tolerated blood pressure treatment.

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March 2005 Br J Cardiol 2005;12:146-8

Aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva following infective endocarditis

Analie Grimshaw, Eu Krishna Adluri, Chris J Smallpeicegénie Di Stefano, Stephen Saltissi

Abstract

Aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva associated with infective endocarditis are rare. They can present during an episode of acute endocarditis or as late sequelae, with or without rupture. Their management involves repair of the annulus and closure of the aneurysm with a Dacron patch.

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March 2005 Br J Cardiol 2005;12:149-54

Organising primary prevention: an approach by multifactorial risk score profile

John M Waddell, Caron Neal

Abstract

Interventions on individual risk factors are most effective when directed at those with highest absolute risk. Joint British Society Guidelines and National Service Frameworks (NSF) indicate that these individuals should be identified. There is a need to continuously categorise the population by risk to identify those for primary prevention. This article describes a project that was set up to use clinical information technology in an innovative way. It was introduced as an administrative routine for the whole population of a large district (Blyth Valley, Northumberland) through the general practices to which the patients belong.

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March 2005 Br J Cardiol 2005;12:145

Angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphism in Turkish male athletes: relationship to left ventricular mass and function

Dursun Dursunoglu, Halil Tanriverdi, Harun Evrengul, Günfer Turgut, Sebahat Turgut, Osman Genç, H Asuman Kaftan, Mustafa KIlIç

Abstract

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a key enzyme in the production of angiotensin II. The cloning of the ACE gene has made it possible to identify a deletion (D)-insertion (I) polymorphism that appears to affect the level of serum ACE activity. The aim of our study was to analyse the ACE gene I/D polymorphism in Turkish male athletes and to evaluate its relationship to left ventricular mass and function. Forty male athletes (mean age 23.4+1.8 years) were included in this study, and they underwent both complete echocardiographic assessment and analysis of ACE I and D allele frequencies in peripheral blood by polymerase chain reaction. They were separated into three subgroups according to their ACE DD (n=13), DI (n=16) and II (n=11) genotypes. Thickness of the interventricular septum (IVS), the left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) and left ventricular mass (LVM) and LVM index (LVMI) were measured by the M-mode. Left ventricular ejection fraction was calculated using Simpson’s method, and so was the myocardial performance index. There was no statistically significant differences between the ACE DD, DI and II genotypes at the p>0.05 level by age, body mass index, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The thickness of the IVS (12 mm) and LVPW (10.7 mm), and LVM (302.8 g) and LVMI (157.3 g/m2) in ACE DD genotypes were higher than for both ACE DI (10.8 mm; 9.7 mm; 231.9 g; 125.3 g/m2) and II genotypes (9.0 mm; 8.6 mm; 185.0 g; 107.5 g/m2) in athletes. Left ventricular systolic and global functions among the three ACE genotypes were not different statistically. Our findings suggest that left ventricular hypertrophy is partially determined by genetic disposition and DD genotype of ACE is a potential genetic marker associated with an elevated risk of left ventricular hypertrophy.

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March 2005 Br J Cardiol 2005;12:136-8

A randomised controlled study of ramipril dose-escalation packs in clinical practice

Stephen J Leslie, Sharon A Faulds, Andrea Rankin, Allister D Hargreaves

Abstract

The benefits of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors occur early in the treatment period and may be dose-dependent. The utilisation of ACE inhibitors in cardiovascular patients is often suboptimal. This current study evaluates the clinical use of a specific ACE inhibitor dose-escalation pack. Fifty hospital in-patients with a definite indication for ACE inhibitor therapy were randomised to receive either a dose-escalation pack or 'usual' initiation and escalation of ramipril. Patients and general practitioners received an information sheet outlining the benefits and risks of ACE inhibitors and the need for monitoring of serum urea and electrolytes. The groups were matched for age, gender, deprivation score and blood pressure. One patient died in each group and one patient withdrew from the control group. More patients in the dose-escalation group reached target dose by six weeks (72% vs. 33%; p< 0.01) and three months (67% vs. 35%; p<0.05). At three months, there were no differences in serum creatinine, urea or potassium (all p>0.05). Cough was the most commonly reported side effect although there was no difference in its incidence between the dose-escalation and control groups (8% vs. 6%, p>0.05). This study demonstrates that the use of a specific dose-escalation pack for the ACE inhibitor ramipril is a simple, reliable and safe mechanism for reaching a target dose. This approach could find utility with other drug therapies.

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March 2005 Br J Cardiol 2005;12:125-9

A review of olmesartan medoxomil – a new angiotensin II receptor blocker

Andrew Whittaker

Abstract

Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) has been shown to be effective in treating hypertension and heart failure. There are currently seven ARBs in clinical practice, of which olmesartan medoxomil (Olmetec®) is the newest agent in the class. This article reviews the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, efficacy, clinical use, dosing and cost of olmesartan medoxomil. This information is based on published data from human efficacy, safety and drug comparison studies. Olmesartan medoxomil (10–40 mg) has been shown consistently to achieve significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in human studies, which persist over the course of one year. There are limited, mainly experimental, data on its use in heart failure and atherosclerosis. It is an effective and well-tolerated agent with a long duration of action, allowing once-daily dosage in the treatment of hypertension.

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March 2005 Br J Cardiol 2005;12:125-9

Should all diabetic patients receive an ACE inhibitor? Results from recent trials

Claire McDougall, Gillian Marshall, Adrian JB Brady, Miles Fisher

Abstract

Diabetes is associated with both premature cardiovascular disease and renal disease. The presence of microalbuminuria is itself an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were initially shown to slow the progression of established renal disease in patients with type 1 diabetes. Subsequent trials have demonstrated a similar benefit in patients with type 2 diabetes and with the use of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). The use of ACE inhibitors to prevent cardiovascular events in patients with established cardiovascular disease but not left ventricular dysfunction was established in two large randomised trials – HOPE and EUROPA. These benefits were maintained within the diabetic subgroups of these trials and appear to be independent of blood pressure lowering. The LIFE trial also provides evidence of the benefits of ARBs in reducing cardiovascular events in a high-risk population of diabetic patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Ideally, therefore, all diabetic patients with renal or cardiovascular disease should be treated with ACE inhibitors or ARBs.

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March 2005 Br J Cardiol 2005;12:107-16

The management of hypertension in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction

Michael Kirby, Roger Kirby

Abstract

Lowering elevated blood pressure reduces mortality and the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease and heart failure. The presence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a compelling indication for the use of an alpha blocker in the treatment of hypertension. Alpha blockers are first-line therapy for men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and prostatic hyperplasia. In men with prostates larger than 30 cm3 or prostate-specific antigen > 1.4 ng/ml, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may also be added. Typically, alpha blockers improve LUTS by 30–40% and maximum urinary flow rates by 16–25%, with clinical improvement within two weeks. The 5-alpha antagonists are only effective in men with a large prostate and may take up to six months to achieve their full effect. The Medical Treatment of Prostatic Symptoms (MTOPS) study assessed the long-term effects of doxazosin, finasteride and combination treatment on symptom scores, the clinical progression of BPH and the long-term risk of complications. Combination treatment reduced the risk of clinical progression by 66%, a significantly greater reduction than that induced by either agent alone. The improvement in the symptom score was also significantly greater in the combination treatment group. Erectile dysfunction (ED) may be a marker for other diseases, such as hypertension. ED is both more prevalent and more severe among patients with hypertension than among the general population. The link may be related to nitric oxide/cyclic GMP pathways and endothelial function. Many prescription drugs are associated with ED, including antihypertensive agents. The alpha blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers are the drugs least likely to cause ED, and may even improve the situation. All currently licensed ED treatments are suitable for managing ED in the cardiovascular patient, when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. PDE5 inhibitors and alpha blockers should be temporally separated, or selective alpha blockers may be preferable, in order to avoid postural hypotension.

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March 2005 Br J Cardiol 2005;12:118-22

Dyslipidaemia in ethnic populations: special considerations

Anthony H Barnett

Abstract

There is extensive evidence of an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) amongst South Asians (Indo-Asians) compared with Caucasians. This increased risk is not explained by conventional risk factors for CHD, such as smoking, hypertension and elevated total cholesterol levels. Studies have consistently demonstrated an increased prevalence of metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and dyslipidaemia, characterised by low plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and high levels of triglycerides and lipoprotein a (Lp[a]), amongst South Asians. Together these factors predispose to accelerated atherosclerosis, and this is accentuated by adoption of a Western lifestyle. Nicotinic acid is the most potent lipid-modifying therapy for increasing HDL-C (by up to 30%), and is also effective in reducing triglycerides and Lp(a). Clinical studies in Caucasian patients have shown that nicotinic acid can also be safely used in patients with controlled type 2 diabetes. Long-term intervention studies have demonstrated the clinical benefits of nicotinic acid treatment, reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Caucasian patients with CHD. Nicotinic acid could potentially offer important therapeutic benefits in South Asians. Further clinical studies in this patient group are needed to substantiate this potentially useful treatment strategy and identify specific groups that would derive most benefit.

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News and views

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March 2005 Br J Cardiol 2005;12:142-4

Current ECG telemetry practice in the UK: a national audit

Electrocardiographic monitoring by telemetry has become commonplace throughout the UK. This survey was designed to assess its availability, to determine current practice and so...

March 2005 Br J Cardiol 2005;12:139-41

A brief report on the data available on rapid access cardiology clinics

Rapid Access Cardiology Clinics were introduced many years ago for the assessment of chest pain. Following the publication of the National Service Framework (NSF)...