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Biomedical subjects

Claudio Borghi

Publications and source records attributed to Claudio Borghi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Is tinnitus useful in early detection of incoming heart decompensation?

In previous studies the possibility of a mechanism of hemodynamic imbalance consequent to a sharp decrease in blood pressure causing a more or less transient inner ear impairment was evaluated and to some extent demonstrated. In this scenario, tinnitus is very frequently present as a debilitating symptom associated to cochlear impairment. On the other hand, a possible cause of a sharp decrease in blood pressure is represented by major cardiovascular disorders, requiring an early assessment in order to avoid fatal consequences. In this paper, the hypothesis of resorting to tinnitus as a simple warning method for self detecting a possibly incoming cardiovascular imbalance in patients with heart failure (HF) is advanced.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed2006

Is there a role for atrial peptides in the labyrinthine "disease"?

The important role of atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP) in regulating blood pressure and changing vascular permeability has been widely studied and assessed during the last ten years. Considering the characteristics of this mechanism, which is responsible for a hypotensive and hypovolemic effect, and the possible role of hypotension associated with a default of autoregulatory sympathetic reactions in inner ear unexplained disorders, it seems reasonable to hypothesize a possible involvement of ANP system in the genesis of such disorders. As a matter of fact, the presence of specific receptors for ANP in the inner ear has been widely reported in studies concerning both rat and human inner ear, although their precise role in the labyrinthine homeostasis has not been satisfactory explained until now. Some aspects concerning vascular and fluid regulation of the inner ear under different conditions still remain not totally clear, and consequently a detailed explanation to the possible mechanism causing inner ear disorders of functional origin is lacking; from this point of view, an investigation on the serum level of ANP in subjects with labyrinthine affections of uncertain origin could be of some utility in contributing to assess the role of this system in the inner ear fluid regulation and in the inner ear perfusion and to investigate on the possible influence of an abnormal ANP release in some kind of inner ear damage.

Atrial Natriuretic Factor↗
PubMed2006

Effects of early angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in patients with non-ST-elevation acute anterior myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: No data are available on the clinical efficacy of the early administration (<24 hours from onset of chest pain) of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in non-thrombolysed patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). We have addressed this issue in a subgroup of NSTEMI patients enrolled in the SMILE trial. METHODS: Of the overall population of 1556 patients, 526 (33.8%) had an anterior wall NSTEMI, defined as an ST elevation <1 mm or an ST depression in at least two contiguous precordial leads with or without new abnormal Q waves. No patient of the SMILE Study received thrombolytic therapy or was reperfused. Patients were randomized, double-blind, to zofenopril (n = 253) or placebo (n = 273) for 6 weeks. The primary end point was the effect of treatment on the 6-week combined occurrence of death and severe congestive heart failure (CHF). Secondary end points included the evaluation of the 6-week rate of severe CHF as well as the 1-year mortality rate. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of treatment, zofenopril significantly reduced both the incidence of the primary end point (risk reduction 65%, 95% CI 20-80, 2P = .003) and the 6-week incidence of severe CHF (84%, 95% CI 33-97, 2P = .006) in NSTEMI patients. One-year mortality was also significantly reduced by zofenopril treatment (43%, 95% CI 14-57, 2P = .036). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this post hoc analysis of the SMILE Study strongly suggest the benefit of the early administration of zofenopril even in patients with an anterior wall NSTEMI.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Hypertension prevalence, awareness, control and association with metabolic abnormalities in the San Marino population: the SMOOTH study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the SMOOTH (San Marino Observational Outlooking Trial on Hypertension) study was to explore hypertension awareness, treatment and control and the associated metabolic abnormalities and risk factors in the population of San Marino, a small state in the Mediterranean area, for which limited evidence is available. METHODS: Nine general practitioners enrolled 4590 consecutive subjects (44% of the San Marino population age 40-75 years), seen in their office by collecting history, physical and laboratory data and office blood pressure (BP) measurements. RESULTS: Of these subjects, 2446 were normotensive and 2144 hypertensive; 62.3% of hypertensive patients were aware of their condition, 58.6% were treated (monotherapy 31.5%, combination therapy 27.1%), and 21.7% were controlled. Hypertension awareness and treatment were more frequent above age 50 and in females; BP control was similarly low in both genders. As compared to normotensives, hypertensive subjects were less frequently smokers (20.1 versus 27.8%), had greater body mass index (28.1 +/- 4.5 versus 25.8 +/- 3.7 g/m), and a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (15.8 versus 6.3%), lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and higher prevalence of increased blood total cholesterol (66.1 versus 51.3%), triglycerides and serum uric acid. Values of subjects with 'high-normal' blood pressure were closer to those of hypertensive subjects. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in hypertensive than in normotensive subjects, and in treated than in untreated hypertensives. CONCLUSIONS: Even in a small Mediterranean country with high health-care standards, hypertension awareness, treatment and control are inadequate and hypertension clusters with metabolic abnormalities and risk factors as in non-Mediterranean areas.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Acute administration of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in thrombolysed myocardial infarction patients is associated with a decreased incidence of heart failure, but an increased re-infarction risk.

INTRODUCTION: Ventricular remodeling starts very early after the onset of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and can be prevented by ACE-inhibitors. However, very limited data are available on the effect of acute (< 9 hours) treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors after an AMI on mortality, heart failure and re-infarction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of acute ACE-inhibitor treatment. METHODS: We performed a pooled analysis of three very similar randomized, placebo-controlled multi-center trials. In 845 thrombolysed patients with mainly first anterior MI, patients were randomised to acute ACE-inhibitor treatment (< 9 hours after MI) or placebo. RESULTS: After acute ACE-inhibitor treatment we observed similar 3-months mortality rates, and a significant reduction in the incidence of 3-months heart failure (26.1 vs. 19.3%; RR 0.67; 95% CI 0.45-1.0) as compared to placebo. In contrast, acute ACE-inhibitor treatment was associated with a significant 2.0 times increased 3-months re-infarction risk (7.0 vs. 3.6%; RR 2.0; 95% CI 1.1 to 3.8). Subgroup-analysis showed that patients with small infarct sizes treated with acute ACE-inhibitor (peak CPK < 1000 IU) had a 7.6 times higher re-infarction risk (95% CI 1.7 to 33) than patients with small infarctions treated with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Acute ACE-inhibitor treatment in thrombolysed patients with mainly first anterior AMI resulted in a reduction of heart failure and similar mortality, but an increase in re-infarction rates, especially in patients with small infarct sizes. These results warrant caution for the very early use of ACE-inhibitors in smaller infarctions, although this needs to be confirmed in a larger prospective randomised clinical trial.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

[Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and cardiovascular prevention: more than twenty years of clinical success].

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease since they improve blood pressure control in patients with hypertension and prolong survival in patients with acute myocardial infarction, asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction and congestive heart failure. Most of the information about the therapeutic role of ACE-inhibitors has been achieved during the last 20 years since the publication of some pivotal trials mostly involving the use of ACE-inhibitors like captopril and enalapril. In particular the treatment with enalapril has considerably improved the clinical outcome of patients with either mild-to-moderate (SOLVD studies) or severe (CONSENSUS trial) congestive heart failure. The benefit of ACE-inhibitors in patients with congestive heart failure has also involved a remarkable reduction in the rate of hospitalization, thus contributing to improve the pharmaco-economic approach to the disease. Most of the beneficial effect of ACE-inhibitors in clinical practice is dependent on their capacity of inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system, although some recent trials have supported a primary role for such drugs (in particular enalapril) in the prevention of atrial fibrillation. After more than 25 years from their discovery, ACE-inhibitors must be again considered among the first-line treatment in many patients with cardiovascular disease.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed2004

Association between different lipid-lowering treatment strategies and blood pressure control in the Brisighella Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: Small studies have suggested that lipid-lowering strategies, and particularly statins, could influence blood pressure (BP) control. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different lipid-lowering strategies on BP control of subjects with hypercholesterolemia who were enrolled in the prospective, population-based, longitudinal Brisighella Heart Study. METHODS: A total of 1356 subjects with total cholesterol levels >or=239 mg/dL were randomly treated for 5 years (1988-1993) with 1 of these lipid-lowering regimens: low-fat diet, cholestyramine, gemfibrozil, or simvastatin. Participants were divided at baseline into 4 quartiles according to systolic BP level and examined for the percent change in systolic and diastolic BP during the 5 years of treatment. RESULTS: A significant decrease in BP was observed in the 2 upper quartiles of systolic BP (>or=140 mm Hg) and was greater in subjects treated with cholesterol-lowering drugs who also had a greater reduction in plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The BP decrease was greater in patients treated with statin drugs and, among those treated with antihypertensive drugs, in subjects in the fourth quartile. CONCLUSION: The use of lipid-lowering measures could significantly improve BP control in subjects with both hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. The reduction in BP seems to be enhanced in subjects treated with statins.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Serum cholesterol levels, blood pressure response to stress and incidence of stable hypertension in young subjects with high normal blood pressure.

RATIONALE: Elevated serum cholesterol levels are common in patients with high blood pressure (BP) and could contribute to the progression of the hypertensive disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum cholesterol levels affect the BP response to mental stress (MA) and the development of stable hypertension in young subjects with high normal BP. METHODS: Seventy young (age < 45 years) high normal BP subjects with elevated (> 200 mg/dl, n = 49; HC) or normal (< or = 199 mg/dl, n = 21; NC) serum cholesterol levels, and 20 normotensive normocholesterolaemic (serum cholesterol < 199 mg/dl; C) subjects undergoing standardized mental challenge (mental arithmetic) were followed up for 15 years according to a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study design conducted in an ambulatory setting. The main outcome measure was the evaluation of the 15-year incidence of stable hypertension (diastolic BP > 95 mmHg). RESULTS: After adjustment for age, resting BP, family history of high BP and body mass index at the study entry, high normal BP subjects with HC showed an enhanced BP reactivity to stress and a higher 15-year incidence of stable hypertension compared to high normal BP and NC subjects [relative risk (RR) = 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.7-5.5, P < 0.001] and controls (RR = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.4-5.3, P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis of data the presence of high cholesterol levels was an independent predictor for the development of hypertension. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that subjects with high normal BP and elevated serum cholesterol might have an exaggerated cardiovascular response to stress and have an increased risk for stable hypertension that can be detected at young age.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Trends in blood pressure control and antihypertensive treatment in clinical practice: the Brisighella Heart Study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess trends in blood pressure (BP) awareness, control, treatment and use of different antihypertensive medications in a cohort of hypertensive patients. DESIGN: This study summarizes the results of a 12-year observation (1984-1996) of a cohort of 940 hypertensive patients from the population of 2329 participants to the Brisighella Heart Study (BHS). Primary outcome measures were the extent of BP control (systolic/diastolic BP < 140/90 mmHg) and prevalence of the use of various antihypertensive medications. RESULTS: From 1984 to 1996 the proportion of patients aware of elevated BP and treated for hypertension rose from 73 to 88% and from 43.8 to 50.3% in men, and from 77 to 87% and from 50 to 56.6% in women (P < 0.001 for all). The rate of BP control increased from 7.5 to 17.4% in men (P < 0.001) and from 7.3 to 18.5% in women (P < 0.001). This occurred with increased use of combination therapy (+0.2 drugs/person) and with a decline in the use of diuretics (-38.2% men and -28% women; P < 0.001) and an increase in use of calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) (24.2% in men and 12.2% in women; P < 0.001) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (30.7% in men and 30.8% in women; P < 0.001) as first-line drugs. The improved BP control was associated with a lower rate of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular (CV) events. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this observational study confirm that the rate of BP control can be improved in daily clinical practice by increasing the use of drug combinations, as well as by the first-line prescription of ACE inhibitors and CCBs [and probably angiotensin II receptor inhibitors (ARBs)].

Aged↗
PubMed2004

A review of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, zofenopril, in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Based on preclinical and clinical findings, zofenopril appears to be an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor with high potency, significant tissue selectivity and a long duration of action. Its ancillary properties, such as antioxidant activity and cardiovascular (CV) protection, make this drug potentially suitable for the treatment, and possibly prevention, of several CV diseases. There is a large body of evidence that support a complex interaction between ACE inhibitors and CV disease. A review of the preclinical profile of zofenopril clearly suggest that such interaction can be even more complex and could involve some drug-specific properties directly involved in the definition of the overall clinical profile of zofenopril as emerged from randomised clinical trials. In particular, zofenopril combines the feature of an effective ACE inhibitor, with plasma and tissue activity, along with that of an antioxidant compound, and both these characteristics can contribute to its capacity of controlling hypertension and improving the prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease. The results of The Survival of Myocardial Infarction Long term Evaluation (SMILE) trials have demonstrated that the early administration of zofenopril to patients with acute myocardial infarction is associated with a significant reduction in the 6-week occurrence of major CV events (death and congestive heart failure) in high-risk patients with anterior non-thrombolysed myocardial infarction, and this effect is enhanced in some higher-risk subgroups of patients, such as those with a history of diabetes or arterial hypertension.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed2003

Pharmacotherapeutic approaches for decompensated heart failure: a role for the calcium sensitiser, levosimendan?

Although no universal definition exists, decompensated heart failure may be regarded as either a worsening of chronic heart failure or new-onset heart failure precipitated by an acute incident. Haemodynamic management of patients hospitalised with decompensated heart failure may include the administration of diuretics, vasodilators and positive inotropic agents. Until recently, these latter agents constituted the only drug class to produce a direct increase in stroke volume via enhanced myocardial contractility. However, despite their short-term benefits, the clinical utility of inotropic agents is compromised by their potentially deleterious effects on calcium handling and oxygen consumption, resulting in an increased risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias and death. In contrast, calcium sensitisers enhance cardiac performance without affecting calcium movement and, therefore, are potentially associated with a reduced risk of rhythmic disturbances. These agents constitute a heterogeneous group of compounds with different affinities for calcium sensitisation. Levosimendan is a potent calcium sensitiser with vasodilating properties that has been shown to provide symptomatic and haemodynamic improvement with no increase in oxygen consumption. Calcium sensitisation is therefore emerging as a promising treatment approach in this challenging therapeutic area.

Calcium Channel Blockers↗
PubMed2003

Double-blind comparison between zofenopril and lisinopril in patients with acute myocardial infarction: results of the Survival of Myocardial Infarction Long-term Evaluation-2 (SMILE-2) study.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been reported to be effective in placebo-controlled trials in various subsets of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). However, no direct comparisons have been performed between different ACE inhibitors in the same patient population. METHODS: This phase III, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter study compared the safety and efficacy of zofenopril and lisinopril in 1024 thrombolyzed patients with acute MI. Patients, aged 18 to 75 years, were randomized to receive oral zofenopril (30-60 mg/day) or lisinopril (5-10 mg/day), starting within 12 hours of completion of thrombolytic therapy and continuing for 42 days. The primary study end point was the incidence of severe hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg), either cumulative or drug-related. Secondary end points included additional safety and efficacy parameters. RESULTS: The overall incidence of severe hypotension was slightly 5 more reduced with zofenopril (10.9%) than with lisinopril (11.7%, P =.38). The incidence of drug-related severe hypotension was slightly but significantly lower with zofenopril than with lisinopril (6.7 vs 9.8%, 2-tailed P =.048). The 6-week mortality rate was 3.2% in the zofenopril group and 4.0% in the lisinopril group (P =.38), and no significant differences were observed in the incidence of major cardiovascular complications or any safety variables between the 2 ACE inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: The SMILE-2 study demonstrates that both zofenopril and lisinopril are safe and associated with a rather low rate of severe hypotension when given in accordance with a dose-titrated scheme to thrombolyzed patients with acute MI. These findings could have a positive clinical impact and increase the proportion of patients with acute MI who can be safely treated with ACE inhibitors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Improved tolerability of the dihydropyridine calcium-channel antagonist lercanidipine: the lercanidipine challenge trial.

The objective of this 8-week open-label study was to compare the tolerability of lercanidipine, a dihydropyridine calcium-channel antagonist (CA), with that of other CAs in the treatment of hypertension. Subjects already taking amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS), or nitrendipine and experiencing CA-specific adverse effects (AEs) were switched to lercanidipine for 4 weeks and then rechallenged with their initial treatment for 4 weeks. Results showed that at comparable levels of BP, lercanidipine was associated with a significantly lower incidence of ankle edema, flushing, rash, headache and dizziness compared with other CAs (p < 0.001). After 4 weeks of lercanidipine, mean systolic blood pressure (SBP)/diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 142.1/86.7 mmHg. After rechallenge with other CAs for 4 weeks, mean SBP/DBP was 141.1/86.7 mmHg. In this open-label study, lercanidipine compared with other CA seems to provide a significant improvement in tolerability with comparable antihypertensive effect.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Effects of the early ACE inhibition in diabetic nonthrombolyzed patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the ACE inhibitor zofenopril in a cohort of diabetic patients with nonthrombolyzed anterior acute myocardial infarction who were enrolled in the Survival of Myocardial Infarction Long-Term Evaluation (SMILE) trial. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Among the overall population of 1,512 patients, 303 (20.0%) had diabetes. The primary end point of this study was the effect of treatment on the 6-week combined occurrence of death and severe congestive heart failure (CHF). Secondary end points included the evaluation of the 6-week rate of major cardiovascular events as well as the 1-year survival rate. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of double-blind treatment, zofenopril significantly reduced both the incidence of the primary end point (8.6 vs. 18.3%; P = 0.019) and the 6-week incidence of severe CHF (0 vs. 7.3%; P = 0.001) in diabetic patients, and the effect was greater than that observed in nondiabetic patients. Conversely, 1-year mortality was significantly reduced among nondiabetic patients (9.1 vs. 13.8%; P = 0.010), whereas in the diabetic population, the decrease did not reach statistical significance (13.7 vs. 16.5%; P = 0.52). CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest that the clinical outcome of patients with diabetes and myocardial infarction can be significantly improved by early treatment with zofenopril. The lesser effect on 1-year mortality seems to suggest that long-term treatment is probably needed to maintain the benefits of the early ACE inhibition in patients with diabetes.

Aged↗