The main aim of this research was to determine the changes of FDG uptake in large arteries with aging as visualized by FDG-PET imaging. We examined the presence of arterial FDG uptake in 149 subjects (61 males, 88 females; age range 5–83 years) who underwent whole-body PET scans for the assessment of non-cardiovascular disorders. The subjects were divided into eight age decade groups, with at least 12 subjects in each group. The presence of FDG uptake was recorded in the ascending, arch, descending thoracic and abdominal segments of the aorta, as well as in iliac and femoral arteries. We then calculated the percentage of segments with visible FDG uptake for each age group. Mean SUVs were calculated for each of the arterial segments and compared among the age groups. Among 149 subjects, 145 were noted to have visible uptake in at least one segment of the large vessels. Percentage of segments with visible FDG uptake increased with age (p < 0.01). Mean SUVs of the ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending thoracic aorta, iliac arteries and femoral arteries increased with age (p < 0.01). Prevalence and intensity of FDG uptake in large arteries generally increases with aging. Increased FDG uptake likely represents the presence of active inflammatory process of atherosclerotic plaque. The magnitude of inflammation within the wall of the large arteries increases with aging.

FDG-PET is an effective imaging modality to detect and quantify age-related atherosclerosis in large arteries.

BACKGROUND: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the atherosclerosis of coronary arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle. Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Cytokine gene variations such as those associated with the IL1 family are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between IL1 family polymorphisms (IL1RN VNTR, IL1B positions -511 and +3953) and CAD in Turkish population. METHODS: 427 individuals were submitted to coronary angiography and were grouped as 170 control subjects and 257 CAD patients. The CAD subjects were divided into two subgroups: 91 Single Vessel Disease (SVD) and 166 Multiple Vessel Disease (MVD) subjects. The genotypes of IL1RN and of IL1B (-511, +3953) were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction digestion analysis. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in IL1RN and IL1B (-511 and +3953) genotype distributions between CAD and control subjects or MVD and control subjects. However, significant association was seen in IL1RN 2/2 genotype between SVD and control subjects (P= 0.016, x2: 10.289, OR: 2.94, 95% CI: 1.183-7.229). Similarly, no statistically significant difference was found in IL1RN and IL1B (-511 and +3953) allele frequencies between CAD and control subjects, MVD and control subjects or SVD and control subjects. CONCLUSION: No association was found in either allele frequency or genotype distribution of IL1RN and IL1B polymorphisms between CAD and the control groups. However; IL1RN 2/2 genotype may be a risk factor for SVD in the Turkish population.

https://www.scielo.br/pdf/abc/v91n5/a02v91n5.pdf

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene VNTR polymorphism is associated with coronary artery disease.

An experience on radial versus femoral approach for diagnostic coronary angiography in Turkey/Turkiye' de radiyal ve femoral yoldan tanisal koroner anjiyografinin karsilastirmasi ile ilgili bir deneyim

BACKGROUND: Skin aging can be a contributing factor in the prediction, follow-up, and early diagnosis of some disorders related to the aging process, including degenerative cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: We sought to explore the association between a clinical skin aging score and risk of degenerative heart diseases. METHODS: This study included two groups; a case group consisting of 44 patients older than 30 years who were admitted to the cardiology department with degenerative heart disease and 44 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals to act as a control group. The skin aging score was calculated for all subjects. RESULTS: Regarding intrinsic skin aging parameters, there were highly significant differences between the two groups in uneven pigmentation, reduced fat tissue, benign skin tumors, fine wrinkles, and lax skin appearance. Concerning extrinsic skin aging parameters, there were significant differences between the two groups regarding pigment changes, changes in skin phenotype, yellowness, pseudoscars, cutis rhomboidalis nuchae, telangectasia, coarse wrinkles, and dryness. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that any individual with intrinsic skin aging score greater than eight points or total score of more than 15 points is at high risk for degenerative cardiovascular disease and should undergo periodic follow-up.

Clinical Skin Aging Score and Risk of Degenerative Cardiovascular Diseases

Coronary angiography was introduced into clinical practice more than 40 years ago revolutionizing the clinical understanding of the coronary artery disease and setting the stage for all the modern treatments such as coronary bypass surgery (CABG), percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA), and thrombolysis. Coronary angiography has well-known pitfalls and limitations in the detection of coronary atherosclerosis. It is not very unusual to see in the routine clinical practice that the coronary angiography is less well appreciated as a prognostic tool. One reason for this may be the traditional teaching of the coronary angiography that favors the technical aspects of the catheterization and the radiographic interpretation skills. In this paper, the prognostic significance of coronary angiographic findings is reviewed and the clinical issues encountered in daily practice are highlighted.

Deligönül U

Papers

Coronary angiography as a prognostic tool.