Article
Hematology
Silvana P. Souza, Ronaldo B. Santos, Itamar S. Santos, Barbara K. Parise, Soraya Giatti, Aline N. Aielo, Lorenna F. Cunha, Wagner A. Silva, Luiz A. Bortolotto, Geraldo Lorenzi-Filho, Paulo A. Lotufo, Isabela M. Bensenor, Luciano F. Drager
Summary: The study found that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with a dose-response relationship with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), while sleep duration (SD) is not correlated with CIMT and does not interact with OSA to increase CIMT.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Peng Ji, Qixing Kou, Jiewen Zhang
Summary: Increased inflammatory factors in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may lead to the progression of atherosclerosis and increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
NATURE AND SCIENCE OF SLEEP
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Xiaomeng Li, Xingjian Wang, Wenyang Li, Wei Wang
Summary: This study found that carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and D-value are independently associated with depression in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This provides clinical evidence regarding the involvement of vascular damage in OSA-induced depression.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Po-Chih Lin, Chung-Yen Chen, Charlene Wu, Ta-Chen Su
Summary: This study investigated subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and their family members, and found that systemic inflammation synergistically contributed to atherogenic dyslipidemia on subclinical atherosclerosis.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Esma Sevil Akkurt, Serife Savas Bozbas, Serpil Eroglu, Emre Ozcalik, Eda Ozturan Ozer, Berna Akinci Ozyurek, Fusun Oner Eyuboglu
Summary: This study evaluated the relationship between carotid intimamedia thickness (IMT), paraoxonase 1 (PON 1) enzyme levels, and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The results showed that as the severity of OSA increased, there was a significant increase in carotid IMT, along with a positive correlation between IMT level and total oxygen desaturation time, oxygen desaturation index, and SpO2 time < 90%. Additionally, serum PON 1 level showed a significant decline with increasing severity of OSA. Therefore, PON1 and carotid IMT may serve as indicators for assessing cardiovascular risk in patients with OSA.
BRATISLAVA MEDICAL JOURNAL-BRATISLAVSKE LEKARSKE LISTY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Guang-Quan Zhou, Hao Wei, Xiaoyi Wang, Kai-Ni Wang, Yuzhao Chen, Fei Xiong, Guanqing Ren, Chunying Liu, Le Li, Qinghua Huang
Summary: In this work, we propose an end-to-end boundary-salience multi-branch network, BSMNet, to identify the carotid intima-media from ultrasound images. Our method exploits prior shape knowledge and anatomical dependence to improve the accuracy of boundary identification and incorporates a strip attention model for segmenting thin strip regions. Experimental results demonstrate the promising performance of our method, achieving about 0.02 improvement in Dice and HD95 compared to other state-of-the-art methods. Our method is expected to advance the analysis of systemic arterial disease with ultrasound imaging.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Wendy Wang, Faye L. Norby, Kristen M. George, Alvaro Alonso, Thomas H. Mosley, Rebecca F. Gottesman, Michelle L. Meyer, Pamela L. Lutsey
Summary: The study found that higher levels of carotid intima-media thickness and interadventitial diameter in midlife are associated with an increased risk of dementia, while the presence of carotid plaque did not show a significant association. Higher distensibility was associated with a lower risk of dementia.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Christopher Morrissey, Marie-Josephe Amiot, Aurelie Goncalves, Cecile Raverdy, Delphine Masson, Catherine Tardivel, Sandrine Gayrard, Myriam Carrere, Jean-Francois Landrier, Agnes Vinet, Antonia Perez-Martin
Summary: This study assessed the effects of vitamin D supplementation on arterial stiffness in obese adolescents. The researchers found that a high proportion of obese adolescents had vitamin D deficiency and supplementation improved carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and reduced the risk of arterial stiffness.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniela Efremova, Natalia Ciobanu, Danu Glavan, Pavel Leahu, Renata Racila, Tatiana Balanua, Alexandru Matei, Maria Vasilieva, Cristina Cheptea, Paula Bitca, Cristina Damian, Ana Bondarciuc, Irina Bejenari, Adelina Cojocaru, Diana Manea, Mihail Ciocanu, Eremei Zota, Dumitru Ciolac, Stanislav A. Groppa
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the interrelations between serum urate (SU) levels and carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with different obesity phenotypes. The results showed that subjects with central obesity and mixed obesity had higher SU levels and markers of carotid atherosclerosis compared to subjects with general obesity and non-obese individuals.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Engelbert A. Nonterah, Daniel Boateng, Nigel J. Crowther, Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch, Abraham R. Oduro, Godfred Agongo, Shukri F. Mohamed, Palwende R. Boua, Solomon S. R. Choma, Shane A. Norris, Stephen M. Tollman, Michiel L. Bots, Michele Ramsay, Diederick Grobbee
Summary: This study evaluated the association of carotid atherosclerosis and microalbuminuria with 10-year ASCVD risk in middle-aged individuals in sub-Saharan Africa. The results showed that microalbuminuria measured by SUA may indicate risk of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis and high 10-year ASCVD risk.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Xue Bao, Biao Xu, Lars Lind, Gunnar Engstrom
Summary: Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis is an important factor in cardiovascular risk estimation by SCORE2. Carotid ultrasound improves the predictive performance of SCORE2 for cardiovascular risk assessment. SCORE2 may over-predict the risk in individuals without carotid plaque and under-predict the risk in those with carotid plaque.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Allergy
R. Pacholczak-Madej, P. Kuszmiersz, T. Iwaniec, L. Zareba, J. Zarychta, J. A. Walocha, J. Dropinski, S. Bazan-Socha, J. Investig Allergol Clin Immunol
Summary: Asthma is associated with higher levels of inflammatory markers and endothelial dysfunction, as evidenced by decreased flow-mediated dilatation and increased intima-media thickness. Von Willebrand factor (vWF) is related to age and inversely associated with FEV1 in asthma, while surprisingly negatively correlated with pentraxin-3, which is positively associated with airway remodeling indices. The biological role of pentraxin-3 in asthma and endothelial damage remains unknown.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIONAL ALLERGOLOGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Magdalena Szychlinska, Magdalena Rzeczkowska, Katarzyna Gontarz-Nowak, Wojciech Matuszewski, Elzbieta Bandurska-Stankiewicz
Summary: Compared to the general population, people with adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) have a higher prevalence of obesity, hypertension, impaired carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the association between non-functioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAIs), metabolic profile, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as a predictor of atherosclerosis. The results showed that patients with NFAIs had higher waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting insulin, glucose levels, and CIMT compared to the control group. These findings suggest that patients with NFAIs exhibit a range of metabolic abnormalities.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Naomi Vidal Ferreira, Laiss Bertola, Itamar S. S. Santos, Alessandra C. C. Goulart, Marcio S. S. Bittencourt, Sandhi Maria Barreto, Luana Giatti, Paulo Caramelli, Alexandre Pereira, Paulo Andrade Lotufo, Isabela M. M. Bensenor, Claudia Kimie Suemoto
Summary: Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is associated with cognitive decline, with a stronger association in White than in Black participants. This study highlights the importance of considering race when assessing the relationship between cIMT and cognitive decline.
ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Anna Maria Rychter, Dariusz Naskret, Agnieszka Zawada, Alicja Ewa Ratajczak, Agnieszka Dobrowolska, Iwona Krela-Kazmierczak
Summary: Atherosclerosis is strongly associated with obesity, with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) serving as a predictor of cardiovascular events and subclinical atherosclerosis. Behavioral interventions can directly impact cIMT values, influencing cardiovascular disease risk.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Maria Felicia Faienza, Pietro Scicchitano, Raffaella Lamparelli, Pierlugi Zaza, Annagrazia Cecere, Giacomina Brunetti, Francesca Cortese, Federica Valente, Maurizio Delvecchio, Paola Giordano, Anna Paola Zito, Gabriele D'Amato, Marco Matteo Ciccone
Summary: CSII treatment in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus improves glycemic control and appears to improve endothelial function and global myocardial performance compared to MDI therapy.
EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & DIABETES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mariabeatrice Principi, Pietro Scicchitano, Sonia Carparelli, Rosa Nitti, Roberta Ruggieri, Maria C. Bellino, Annagrazia Cecere, Fabio Manca, Alfredo Di Leo, Marco M. Ciccone
Summary: The study aimed to assess cardiovascular (CV) risk in IBD patients with extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in relation to the stages of both diseases. The results showed that the active phase of IBD and/or EIM may promote endothelial dysfunction in patients, thus increasing their CV risk profile, while patients in a remission phase have similar endothelial function to controls.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Pietro Scicchitano, Marco Matteo Ciccone, Massimo Iacoviello, Piero Guida, Micaela De Palo, Angela Potenza, Marco Basile, Paolo Sasanelli, Francesco Trotta, Mariella Sanasi, Pasquale Caldarola, Francesco Massari
Summary: This study investigates the impact of arterial blood gases (ABG) and congestion on long-term mortality in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). The researchers found that respiratory failure and congestion are important factors in predicting long-term mortality risk in ADHF patients. ABG analysis and measurement of congestion can be reliable indicators of future mortality risk in ADHF patients.
SCANDINAVIAN CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Pietro Scicchitano, Massimo Iacoviello, Piero Guida, Micaela De Palo, Angela Potenza, Marco Basile, Paolo Sasanelli, Francesco Trotta, Mariella Sanasi, Pasquale Caldarola, Francesco Massari
Summary: The Donadio equation provides an estimation of creatinine clearance in heart failure (HF) patients. Compared to the CG and CKD-EPI equations, the Donadio equation tends to overestimate eGFR. The Donadio equation shows similar results to the MDRD-4 equation. It demonstrates high accuracy in predicting severe renal dysfunction in HF patients.
ENDOCRINE METABOLIC & IMMUNE DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Pietro Scicchitano, Andrea Marzullo, Annarita Santoro, Annapaola Zito, Francesca Cortese, Cristina Galeandro, Andrea Sebastiano Ciccone, Domenico Angiletta, Fabio Manca, Raffaele Pulli, Eliano Pio Navarese, Paul A. Gurbel, Marco Matteo Ciccone
Summary: Soluble suppressor of tumorigenicity (sST)-2 plasma concentration is related to atherosclerosis. This study found that sST2 may act as an independent prognostic determinant of all-cause mortality and symptomatic cerebrovascular diseases in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaque who underwent endarterectomy. The levels of sST2 were higher in non-survivors and symptomatic individuals, and a cut-off value of >98.44 ng/mL was identified as the best predictor for mortality.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Pietro Scicchitano, Francesco Massari
Summary: The evaluation of congestion in heart failure (HF) is the most challenging feature. Bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA) and the biomarker, Bioelectrical Phase Angle (PhA), have shown potential in assessing congestion status and managing HF patients.
REVIEWS IN ENDOCRINE & METABOLIC DISORDERS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Francesca Cortese
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pietro Scicchitano, Marco Matteo Ciccone
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pietro Scicchitano, Micaela De Palo, Giuseppe Parisi, Margherita Ilaria Gioia, Marco Matteo Ciccone
Summary: The impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) on mortality and disabilities is well-established. Revascularization procedures have reduced adverse cardiovascular events in atherosclerosis patients, with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) being recommended for specific alterations in the coronary tree. Doppler ultrasonography (DU) may serve as a reliable technique for assessing the patency of left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft in CABG patients. This review aims to evaluate the impact of DU on LIMA graft patency evaluation in post-CABG follow-up.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Stefania Angela Di Fusco, Aldo Pietro Maggioni, Pietro Scicchitano, Marco Zuin, Emilia D'Elia, Furio Colivicchi
Summary: Growing evidence suggests that high levels of lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) and chronic inflammation contribute to the residual risk of cardiovascular events. Studies have found that elevated Lp(a) levels are associated with various atherosclerotic diseases, including ischemic heart disease, stroke, and calcific aortic stenosis. Current lipid-lowering drugs have limited effect on Lp(a) levels, while chronic inflammation, indicated by high sensitivity C reactive protein levels, further increases cardiovascular risk. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as canakinumab and colchicine have shown promise in reducing cardiovascular risk. Ongoing research to improve risk stratification and develop targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies is important for managing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Agnese Maria Fioretti, Tiziana Leopizzi, Daniele La Forgia, Pietro Scicchitano, Donato Oreste, Annarita Fanizzi, Raffaella Massafra, Stefano Oliva
Summary: In this case report, a right atrial mass was incidentally detected in a female patient with a history of breast cancer and current metastatic pancreatic cancer. Due to severe thrombocytopenia and worsening prognosis, we suspected a thrombus and recommended palliative care. We also proposed a diagnostic flowchart for the incidental detection of atrial masses.
WORLD JOURNAL OF CLINICAL CASES
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Daniele De Feo, Anna D'Anzi, Vincenzo Pestrichella, Pietro Scicchitano, Carlo Lafranceschina, Vito Caragnano, Fabio Tiecco, Antonella Scialpi, Giuliana Laronga, Marco Matteo Ciccone, Sabino Iliceto
Summary: In this case report, we describe a rare adult-onset form of ASMD associated with situs inversus. The patient presented with severe aortic stenosis, which was successfully treated with transcatheter aortic valvular implantation (TAVI).
CARDIOLOGY AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Pietro Scicchitano, Massimo Iacoviello, Andrea Passantino, Michele Gesualdo, Francesco Trotta, Marco Basile, Micaela De Palo, Piero Guida, Claudio Paolillo, Graziano Riccioni, Marco Matteo Ciccone, Pasquale Caldarola, Francesco Massari
Summary: The study revealed that intact PTH levels were associated with clinical and subclinical markers of congestion in HF patients, but did not act as an independent determinant of all-cause death.
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR DEVELOPMENT AND DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Pietro Scicchitano, Claudio Paolillo, Micaela De Palo, Angela Potenza, Silvia Abruzzese, Marco Basile, Antonia Cannito, Maria Tangorra, Piero Guida, Pasquale Caldarola, Marco Matteo Ciccone, Francesco Massari
Summary: The impact of sex on congestion assessment in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) is still debated. This analysis aimed to evaluate the differences in congestion evaluation between male and female patients admitted for AHF. The study found that female sex was independently associated with subclinical biomarkers of congestion, such as BUN/Cr and PVS. A sex-guided approach to evaluation might be crucial for the management of patients with AHF.
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR DEVELOPMENT AND DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Aldo Innocente Galeandro, Cristina Galeandro, Pietro Scicchitano, Rosanna Clima, Ilenia Annunziata Ritacco, Massimiliano Dellisanti Fabiano Vilardi, Egidio Di Ponzio, Annamaria Annichiarico, Francesco Ciciarello, Vincenzo Contursi, Angelika Elzbieta Wegierska, Marco Matteo Ciccone
Summary: This study aimed to identify specific morpho-functional graphic phenotypes in lower limb venous diseases using the MEVEC 2.1 technique. By evaluating possible clusters among different morpho-functional findings, 12 phenotypes were proposed. The study showed that MEVEC 2.1 provides a standardized classification, allowing physicians to identify phenotypes yielded by 3D mapping of the veins of the lower limbs.
VASCULAR HEALTH AND RISK MANAGEMENT
(2022)