Showing papers by "Raul D. Santos published in 2007"

Relation of Uric Acid Levels to Presence of Coronary Artery Calcium Detected by Electron Beam Tomography in Men Free of Symptomatic Myocardial Ischemia With Versus Without the Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether uric acid (UA) levels were associated with coronary artery calcium (CAC) in white men asymptomatic for coronary heart disease. We also evaluated whether this relation was dependent or not on the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MS). The study population consisted of 371 asymptomatic Brazilian men (48 ± 7 years of age) who underwent a routine evaluation. The average 10-year total risk of coronary heart disease calculated by Framingham risk score was 10.8 ± 7.8%. The age-adjusted prevalence of CAC in patients with a high UA level (fourth quartile ≥7.1 mg/dl, n = 91) was significantly higher than that in those with a normal UA level (58% vs 44%, p = 0.02). With respect to age, smoking, physical activity, and components of MS-adjusted analyses, a high UA level was independently associated with the presence of CAC (p = 0.043) and with increasing levels of CAC (p = 0.028). Prevalence of MS showed a graded increase according to serum UA values. In patients with the MS, after adjusting for age, smoking, physical activity, and white blood cell count, high levels of UA were strongly associated with the presence of any CAC (odds ratio 3.47, 95% confidence interval 1.26 to 9.53, p = 0.01) and with increasing levels of CAC (odds ratio 2.74, 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 6.50, p = 0.02). Conversely, there was no significant association of high UA levels in patients without the MS. However, the interaction between high UA level and the MS did not achieve statistical significance for the presence of CAC (p = 0.11) or higher levels of CAC (p = 0.16). In conclusion, our study suggests that, among asymptomatic moderate-risk men, high UA levels were independently associated with CAC in subjects with the MS.

The progression and impact of vascular calcification in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Abstract: BackgroundProgression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) has been described in hemodialysis patients, and severe CAC has been associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular events in this pop...

Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated With Coronary Artery Calcium in Asymptomatic White Brazilian Men Considered Low‐Risk by Framingham Risk Score

Abstract: The authors investigated whether the metabolic syndrome is associated with coronary artery calcium (CAC) independently of 10-year coronary heart disease risk assessment by Framingham risk scores (FRS) in asymptomatic white Brazilian men. In a group of 458 men (mean age 46+/-7 years), the 10-year coronary heart disease risk was 9%+/-8%, and the metabolic syndrome and CAC were present in 24% and 41% of the participants, respectively. Compared with those classified as low risk ( or=3=51%, P=.002 for trend). The presence of the metabolic syndrome was associated with an increased risk of CAC: odds ratio, 1.94 (95% CI, 1.05-3.61); however, this finding was significant only in those individuals classified as low risk (FRS <10%). In conclusion, metabolic syndrome is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in Brazilian participants considered at low risk according to FRS.

Combined effect of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and metabolic syndrome on subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in white men without clinical evidence of myocardial ischemia.

Abstract: High low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) are established risk factors for clinical and subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the relative contribution to CVD risk of MS and high LDL cholesterol is not well defined. Therefore, the aim was assess the relative risk for the presence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) with metabolic syndrome (MS) compared with that of moderate or high LDL cholesterol. A total of 440 consecutive asymptomatic men (mean age 46 ± 7 years, range 29 to 65) presenting for CVD risk stratification were studied. MS was defined using National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria (n = 112; 24%). Moderate LDL cholesterol was defined as 130 to 159 mg/dl, and high LDL cholesterol as ≥160 mg/dl (n = 76; 17%). Overall, CAC was observed in 190 men (40%). The prevalence of CAC >0 was lowest in MS-negative men with LDL cholesterol 0 was highest in MS-positive men combined with high LDL cholesterol. In conclusion, these results suggest that the risk of CAC in asymptomatic men with moderate or high LDL cholesterol is magnified in persons with MS.

Relation of Plasma Lipoprotein Levels With Low-Grade Inflammation in White Men Without Clinical Evidence of Myocardial Ischemia

Abstract: There is a growing body of evidence indicating that high triglyceride levels are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events In this study we compared the association of fasting levels of non–high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides with white blood cell (WBC) count, an inflammatory marker associated with an adverse CVD prognosis We studied 458 asymptomatic men (460 ± 70 years old) who presented for CVD risk stratification WBC count (×10 9 cells/L) increased significantly across increasing tertiles of triglyceride level (tertile 1, 604 ± 149; tertile 2 621 ± 144; tertile 3 678 ± 173, p

Are statins beneficial in heart failure

Abstract: Mailing address: Marcio Hiroshi Miname • Rua Guimaraes Passos, 738 – 04107-031 – Sao Paulo, SP Brazil E-mail: marciominame@cardiol.br Manuscript received August 7, 2006; revised received January 23, 2007; accepted February 16, 2007.