Search

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disease associated with cardiovascular dysfunction. The myocardium preferentially uses ketones over free fatty acids as a more energy-efficient substrate. The primary aim was to assess the effects of ketone monoester (Kme) ingestion on cardiac output index ( Q ˙ i). The secondary aims were to assess the effects of Kme ingestion on markers of cardiac hemodynamics, muscle oxygenation, and vascular function at rest, during and following step-incremental cycling. We undertook a double-blind, randomized, crossover design study in 13 adults [age, 66 ± 10 yr; body mass index (BMI), 31.3 ± 7.0 kg·m−2] with T2D. Participants completed two conditions, where they ingested a Kme (0.115 g·kg−1) or a placebo taste-matched drink. Cardiac function was measured using thoracic impedance cardiography, and muscle oxygenation of the calf was determined via near-infrared spectroscopy. Macrovascular endothelial function was measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and microvascular endothelial function was measured via transdermal delivery of acetylcholine (ACh) and insulin. Circulating β-hydroxybutyrate [β-Hb] was measured throughout. Kme ingestion raised circulating β-Hb throughout the protocol (peak 1.9 mM; P = 0.001 vs. placebo). Kme ingestion increased Q ˙ i by 0.75 ± 0.5 L·min−1·m−2 (P = 0.003), stroke volume index by 7.2 ± 4.5 mL·m−2 (P = 0.001), and peripheral muscle oxygenation by 9.9 ± 7.1% (P = 0.001) and reduced systemic vascular resistance index by −420 ± −225 dyn·s−1·cm−5·m−2 (P = 0.031) compared with the placebo condition. There were no differences between Kme and placebo in heart rate (P = 0.995), FMD (P = 0.542), ACh max (P = 0.800), and insulin max (P = 0.242). Ingestion of Kme improved Q ˙ i , stroke volume index, and peripheral muscle oxygenation but did not alter macro- or microvascular endothelial function in people with T2D. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: For the first time, we show that acute ketone monoester ingestion (Kme) can increase cardiac output and stroke volume and reduce systemic vascular resistance at rest and during exercise in sodium glucose transporter inhibitors naïve (i.e. no drug-induced ketosis) people with type 2 diabetes. Acute Kme ingestion improves peripheral skeletal muscle oxygenation during moderate intensity and maximal exercise. Kme has no effect on macro- or microvascular endothelial function in people with type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background As a consequence of their occupation, doctors and other healthcare workers were at higher risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and more likely to experience severe disease compared to the general population. However, systematic information on post-acute COVID complications in doctors is very limited. Aims This study aimed to determine the symptoms, perceived determinants, health and occupational impact, and consequent needs relating to post-acute COVID complications in UK doctors. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was distributed to UK doctors self-identifying as having Long COVID or other post-acute COVID complications. Results Of 795 responses, 603 fulfilled the inclusion criteria of being a UK-based medical doctor experiencing one or more post-acute COVID complications. Twenty-eight per cent reported a lack of adequate Respiratory Protective Equipment at the time of contracting COVID-19. Eighteen per cent of eligible respondents reported that they had been unable to return to work since acquiring COVID. Conclusions Post-acute COVID (Long COVID) in UK doctors is a substantial burden for respondents to our questionnaire. The results indicated that insufficient respiratory protection could have contributed to occupational disease, with COVID-19 being contracted in the workplace, and resultant post-COVID complications. Although it may be too late to address the perceived determinants of inadequate protection for those already suffering with Long COVID, more investment is needed in rehabilitation and support of those afflicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the results of the Reseaching Cardiovascular (CV) Events With a Weekly INcretin in Diabetes (REWIND) trial. Topics covered include the criteria for participant recruitment into the REWIND trial, the reason dulaglutide is recommended as one of the second-line therapies for people with type 2 diabetes, and the cardiovascular outcomes seen with sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented health crisis resulting in over 6 million deaths worldwide, a figure, which continues to grow. In addition to the excess mortality, there are individuals who recovered from the acute stages, but suffered long-term changes in their health post COVID-19, commonly referred to as long COVID. It is estimated there are currently 1.8 million long COVID sufferers by May 2022 in the UK alone. The aim of this narrative literature review is to explore the signs, symptoms and diagnosis of long COVID and the potential impact on imaging services., Key Findings: Long COVID is estimated to occur in 9.5% of those with two doses of vaccination and 14.6% if those with a single dose or no vaccination. Long COVID is defined by ongoing symptoms lasting for 12 or more weeks post acute infection. Symptoms are associated with reductions in the quality of daily life and may involve multisystem manifestations or present as a single symptom., Conclusion: The full impact of long COVID on imaging services is yet to be realised, but there is likely to be significant increased demand for imaging, particularly in CT for the assessment of lung disease. Educators will need to include aspects related to long COVID pathophysiology and imaging presentations in curricula, underpinned by the rapidly evolving evidence base., Implications for Practice: Symptoms relating to long COVID are likely to become a common reason for imaging, with a particular burden on Computed Tomography services. Planning, education and updating protocols in line with a rapidly emerging evidence base is going to be essential., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Clinical inertia, the tendency to maintain current treatment strategies despite results demanding escalation, is thought to substantially contribute to the disconnect between clinical aspirations for patients with diabetes and targets achieved. We wished to explore potential causes of clinical inertia among physicians and people with diabetes., Methods: A 20-min online survey of 652 adults with diabetes and 337 treating physicians in six countries explored opinions relating to clinical inertia from both perspectives, in order to correlate perceptions and expectations relating to diagnosis, treatment, diabetes complications and therapeutic escalation., Results: Physicians had low expectations for their patients, despite the belief that the importance of good glycaemic control through lifestyle and pharmacological interventions had been adequately conveyed. Conversely, people with diabetes had, at best, a rudimentary understanding of the risks of complications and the importance of good control; indeed, only a small proportion believed lifestyle changes were important and the majority did not intend to comply., Conclusions: The principal findings of this survey suggest that impairments in communication are at the heart of clinical inertia. This manuscript lays out four key principles that we believe are achievable in all environments and can improve the lives of people with diabetes., (Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Objective: People of Indian Asian descent have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) that cannot be explained by diabetes and other established CVD risk factors. We investigated if microcirculatory function was impaired in a population-based sample of people of Indian Asian descent compared with Europeans in the UK and whether any differences could be accounted for by diabetes or other CVD risk factors., Research Design and Methods: Cutaneous microvascular function was assessed using laser Doppler fluximetry in response to heating to 42 °C (maximum hyperaemia) and 3 min arterial occlusion (post occlusive reactive hyperaemia: PORH) in 148 Indian Asians and 147 Europeans. Blood pressure, anthropometry and fasting bloods were also measured., Results: Maximum hyperaemia and minimum resistance did not differ significantly by ethnicity. Resting flux and PORH were lower in Indian Asians and time to peak of PORH was prolonged. Diabetes was associated with reduced maximum hyperaemia and PORH. Adjustment for diabetes accounted for differences in resting flux and time to peak but not differences in PORH (Europeans = 45.0 (40.3, 50.1)au, Indian Asians = 35.6 (31.9, 39.7)au, mean (95% confidence interval); p = 0.008 after adjustment). Differences in conventional CVD risk factors did not account for interethnic differences in microvascular responses., Conclusions: People of Indian Asian descent have impaired post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia unexplained by diabetes, dysglycaemia or other CVD risk factors. Abnormal microvascular function in response to ischaemia could represent a novel mechanism contributing to the elevated risk of CVD in Indian Asians., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)