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To evaluate the comparability and reproducibility of the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) measured by the newly developed device compared to that measured by the standard device and the validity of brachial-ankle PWV as a substitute of carotid-femoral PWV. We measured aortic PWV twice in 21 normotensive males by using the standard devices and the newly developed device. We also measured brachial-ankle PWV in the same subjects. There was a strong, significant correlation between aortic (carotid-femoral) PWV measured by using two different devices (r=0.741, P=0.00012). Inter-quartile range of the differences of carotid-femoral PWV measured by Form (0.75 m/s (−0.36, 0.39)) was smaller than that by Complior (1.67 m/s (−1.03, 0.63)). There was no correlation between carotid-femoral PWV, measured by either device, and brachial ankle PWV. Our present results suggest that carotid-femoral PWV measured by using Form was comparable to, and may be more reproducible than, that measured by Complior that has been widely used as a predictable marker for cardiovascular events. Our results also suggest brachial-ankle PWV may not be a substitute for carotid-femoral PWV.Journal of Human Hypertension (2008) 22, 699–703; doi:10.1038/jhh.2008.57; published online 5 June 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of nicorandil (a hybrid ATP sensitive potassium channel (K+(ATP) channel) opener/nitric oxide donor) with those of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) on myocardial microcirculation and cardiac function in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who had undergone reperfusion treatment by direct balloon angioplasty. DESIGN: Double blind randomised study. PATIENTS: 60 patients with AMI in Killip class I. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were assigned into two treatment groups: a nicorandil group (n = 30) and an ISDN group (n = 30). Each drug was infused intravenously at 6 mg/h for 72 hours starting at admission and was administered directly to the treated coronary artery immediately after angioplasty. RESULTS: Compared with ISDN, nicorandil more frequently caused recovery of ST segment elevation just after reperfusion (15 of 27 (55.5%) in the nicorandil group v 5 of 26 (19.2%) in the ISDN group, p = 0.006). The nicorandil group had higher values of averaged peak velocity 40 minutes after reperfusion (mean (SD) 24.8 (13.3) cm/s v 16.0 (11.1) cm/s, p = 0.045) and higher values of regional wall motion of the infarcted area three weeks after onset of AMI (-1.78 (1.11) v -2.50 (1.04) SD/chord, p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: A combination of nicorandil drip infusion starting before reperfusion and intracoronary injection immediately after reperfusion is more effective than a similarly performed infusion of ISDN in preserving myocardial microcirculation in the reperfused AMI area. The nicorandil regimen resulted in better left ventricular regional wall motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/hypothesis. Early stage leukocyte entrapment in the retinal microcirculation (retinal leukostasis) is considered to be one of the important pathogenetic events in diabetic retinopathy. Gliclazide, a sulphonylurea, was reported to reduce leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells in hyperglycaemia in vitro, thus suggesting possible selective efficacy of this sulphonylurea in preventing leukostasis in diabetic patients. This study evaluated the effectiveness and selectivity of gliclazide treatment on retinal leukostasis of diabetic rats in vivo. Methods. Streptozotocin (STZ) (65 mg/kg)-induced diabetic rats were divided into three groups (n = 8 each): an untreated diabetic group, a gliclazide-treated diabetic group, and a glibenclamide-treated diabetic group. Gliclazide or glibenclamide was administered orally during a 3-week period. Non-diabetic rats were used as a control (n = 8). Retinal leukostasis was quantitatively evaluated in vivo by acridine orange leukocyte fluorography using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Results. The number of leukocytes trapped in the area around the optic disc in the untreated diabetic group (36.9 ± 5.1 cells) increased significantly compared with the non-diabetic control group (21.9 ± 2.9 cells; p = 0.0007). The number of leukocytes trapped in the gliclazide-treated diabetic group (23.5 ± 4.0 cells) decreased significantly compared with untreated diabetic group (p = 0.0008). In contrast, no reduction of retinal leukostasis was found in the glibenclamide-treated diabetic group (37.8 ± 5.8 cells; p = 0.7923). Conclusion/interpretation. This suggests that gliclazide could directly improve abnormalities in the retinal microcirculation independent of blood glucose control and possibly have selective therapeutic benefits in preventing early, critical events in diabetic retinopathy compared with other sulphonylurea drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To report a new form of retinopathy that was observed in patients who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Serial ophthalmologicol examinations were conducted in 40 patients who underwent PCI. Thirty patients were diagnosed with AMI, and another 10 had stable angina pectoris. Results: Cotton wool spots developed in 17 (57%) patients from the group with AMI undergoing PCI (n = 30) within 2 months. Of these, 41% (seven patients) also developed superficial haemorrhoges. Retinopathy was most prominent 1-2 months after AMI and then tended to become quiescent afterwards, without treatment. Conclusion: We have identified a new form of retinopathy in patients with AMI that spontaneously subsides without treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]