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We studied the relationship between cardiovascular status (CV) and risk factor numbers, macrovascular (flow mediated dilatation: FMD) and microvascular function using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in adults with different CV status. Seventy adults with different CV status (27 controls, 18 metabolic syndrome (MetS) and 25 coronary heart disease (CHD) patients) underwent a 5-min forearm arterial occlusion in supine position. High-resolution ultrasound examination of the brachial artery was performed during 1 minute at rest and 45 to 120 seconds after cuff release. Oxy, de-oxy and total hemoglobin signals (O2Hb, HHb and tHb) were measured continuously with NIRS on brachio-radialis muscle. FMD was reduced in CHD patients (P<0.05) compared to controls. Max. amplitude of O2Hb and Hmax of tHb were reduced (P<0.05) in MetS patients vs. controls. Post-deflation area under the curve (A.U.C) of O2Hb was lower in CHD (P<0.01) patients vs. controls and MetS patients. Independent predictors of microvascular function (A.U.C of O2Hb) were abdominal obesity and LDL-cholesterol whereas macrovascular function (FMD) was predicted by CV status. Only A.U.C of O2Hb related to CV risk numbers whereas FMD was not. Although macro and microvascular function were impaired in MetS and CHD patients, microvascular function was more strongly related to CV risk factors.

Objectives: To assess the long-term risk of mortality and cardiovascular events, related to metabolic syndrome (MetS), in patients with less, or more severe coronary artery disease (CAD)., Methods: One thousand and eighty patients were divided in four groups, according to severity of CAD (1=less than 50% or nonsignificant stenoses; 2=greater or significant stenoses), and according to MetS (A=no; B=yes). Risk was evaluated with the Cox regression analysis., Results: About 18.9% of patients had less and 81.1% more advanced CAD. MetS was present in 45.1% of the first, and in 52.9% of the second group. At baseline, patients with MetS, or significant stenoses, had less favorable medical, biochemical, and angiographic characteristics. During a follow-up of 12.6+/-3.4 years, group 1B had higher incidence (16.3 vs. 7.1%) and hazard ratio [2.36 (1.001-5.57; P=0.0497)] of myocardial infarction than group 1A; group 2B had a higher incidence (19.0 vs. 11.7%) and hazard ratio [1.67 (1.18-2.37; P=0.0041)] of stroke than group 2A. Groups 2A and 2B, as compared with groups 1A and 1B, had a higher incidence of myocardial infarction (39.1 vs. 7.1; 41.8 vs. 16.3%); group 2B had higher incidence of stroke than group 1B (19.0 vs. 9.8%). After adjustment for common risk factors, group 2B retained an elevated risk of stroke. After additional adjustment for diabetes, no event was significantly related to MetS., Conclusion: At baseline, coronary patients with MetS, or significant angiographic alterations, had more cardiovascular risk factors. During follow-up, both MetS and significant CAD increased the risk of cardiovascular morbidity but not of mortality.

Background and Aims: The effectiveness of long-term cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training programs on metabolic parameters was evaluated in metabolic syndrome subjects with and without coronary heart disease (CHD)., Methods and Results: Fifty-nine CHD and 81 non-coronary patients with metabolic syndrome (59+/-8 vs 56+/-9years) were identified retrospectively at entry into identical cardiac rehabilitation and exercise-training programs. Metabolic syndrome was defined using modified Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Exercise training occurred approximately twice per week. Metabolic and exercise testing data were collected at baseline and after 12months during the course of the program. Mean duration of cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training programs was over one year in both coronary and non-coronary patients (366+/-111 vs 414+/-102days for CHD and non-coronary CHD cohorts respectively, p<0.01). Significant improvements in bodyweight, body mass index, blood lipids, triglyceride/HDL ratio and exercise tolerance were noted in both cohorts. At the end of follow-up, 31% of CHD and 20% of non-CHD subjects no longer possessed diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome (p<0.0001 and p<0.001 respectively)., Conclusions: A long-term cardiac rehabilitation program reduces metabolic syndrome prevalence in CHD patients and results in a similar improvement in risk factor control for metabolic syndrome patients without CHD.

Background and Objectives: Several studies suggested that the insulin resistance-associated metabolic syndrome (MS) is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), but the criteria to identify MS were only recently standardized by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III., Methods: We evaluated the incidence of the newly defined MS in patients with documented CAD and compared the characteristics of patients with and without this syndrome., Results: In a Canadian population with CAD (793 men and 315 women, age 58.1+/-9.8 years) 51% had MS. As compared to patients without the MS syndrome, these patients had significantly higher waist circumference, blood pressure levels and fasting glucose and triglyceride, but lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels. Their homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) insulin resistance index was significantly higher, with indicators of highly atherogenic, small low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and HDL particles. Family history of diabetes and the use of hypoglycemic agents, beta-blockers and thiazides were more frequent, but physical exercise and alcohol consumption were less frequent in MS positive patients. Cumulative coronary stenosis score and the frequency of patients with >50% coronary artery narrowing were higher and there was a strong tendency for higher rates of previous myocardial infarction in MS positive patients., Conclusions: In a CAD population documented in 1991-1992, 51% of participants had MS and in several respects a more advanced coronary disease than those without the syndrome. These results support the view of NCEP ATP III, that in CAD prevention, beyond lowering LDL-cholesterol levels, interventions concerning the constituents of MS should be important.