| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Circulation. 2006;114:2571.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.
Issue Highlights
An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract. |
 |
HIGH PLASMA ALDOSTERONE LEVELS ON ADMISSION ARE ASSOCIATED WITH DEATH IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH ACUTE ST-ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, by Beygui et al. |
|---|
After myocardial infarction, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have a proven beneficial effect to limit maladaptive ventricular remodeling. These agents have the additional therapeutic advantage of decreasing levels of aldosterone, the final common mediator of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone pathway. Despite optimal therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, evidence suggests that an "aldosterone escape" occurs, and aldosterone levels remain elevated even with lowered angiotensin II levels. This is supported by results from large-scale clinical trials that demonstrate an additional mortality benefit in patients with myocardial infarction who are treated with aldosterone antagonists or mineralocorticoid receptor blockers. In addition, a number of small studies have measured aldosterone levels directly and suggested that they are elevated in the setting of acute myocardial infarction. In this issue of Circulation, Beygui et al determine plasma aldosterone levels in patients with myocardial infarction at the time of presentation and examine the influence on clinical outcome. See p 2604.
|
THORACIC AORTIC ANEURYSM AND DISSECTION: INCREASING PREVALENCE AND IMPROVED OUTCOMES REPORTED IN A NATIONWIDE POPULATION-BASED STUDY OF MORE THAN 14 000 CASES FROM 1987 TO 2002, by Olsson et al. |
|---|
The prevalence, incidence, and survival of thoracic aortic disease (TAD) (aneurysm and dissection) are poorly defined, as much of the available information comes from small studies that do not reflect current experience. The study in this issue by Olsson et al examined the prevalence, incidence, and mortality rates of TAD in patients with and without surgical treatment from Swedish National Healthcare Registry from 1987 to 2002. TAD was identified in 14 229 individuals. Over the follow-up time, the incidence of TAD increased by 28% and 52% for women and men, respectively, and operative treatment rose by 15-fold and 7-fold, respectively.
Related Articles:
Circulation 2006 114: e631-e634.
Circulation 2006 114: e635-e637.
Circulation 2006 114: e638-e639.
Circulation 2006 114: e640.
Circulation 2006 114: 2611-2618.
Circulation 2006 114: 2604-2610.
Circulation 2006 114: 2636-2643.