The Safety of Flexible Bronchoscopy in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary HypertensionBackground Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) is one of the most common invasive procedures performed by pulmonologists (1) . Typically performed under topical anesthesia and conscious sedation, the procedure is considered to be safe, effective and well tolerated in patients with a wide variety of pulmonary diseases (2). Complications associated with the procedure are rare and studies have estimated an incidence of 0.5-4% (3) The most commonly recognized complications include hypoxia, bleeding, bronchospasm, cardiac dysrhythmias, pneumothorax, and vagal reactions (4). Several conditions increase the risk of complications including pre-existent hypoxemia, use of mechanical ventilation, uremia, profound thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy and pulmonary hypertension (PH) (5). Although previous reports suggest that transbronchial biopsies increase the risk for hemorrhage in this population, data are is limited to survey analyses and isolated reports. Recently Guzman et al. reported a retrospective analysis about the safety of FB in PH. (6) They found that FB can be performed safely in patients with mild and moderate PH. However, the study was small and retrospective analysis. Furthermore, there is no consensus regarding levels of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) considered to be safe for invasive diagnostic interventions such as TBLB or transbronchial needle aspiration. Objective To assess the safety of FB in patients with PH and to study the occurrence of complications associated with different diagnostic bronchoscopic procedures.
Pituitary Derived-Intermedin is an Estrogen-Modulated Factor for Reducing Blood Pressure
MenopauseHypertensionCalcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRPs), adrenomedullin, and amylin belong to a unique group of peptide hormones important for the regulation of calcium balance, neurotransmission, cardiovascular homeostasis, and glucose metabolism. We, the investigators at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, recently identified intermedin as a novel peptide hormone belonging to this unique peptide ligand family. Adrenomedullin is a 52-amino-acid peptide and is one of the most potent vasodilators. Plasma adrenomedullin is elevated in a variety of pathological conditions such as hypertension, renal failure, heart failure, and septic shock. CGRPα and CGRPβ are 37-amino acid neuropeptides; primarily release from sensory nerves; and play important roles in regulating peripheral vascular tone and controlling blood flow in various organs. Human mature intermedin encodes 40-amino-acid and is expressed mainly in the adrenocorticotrophs of the anterior and intermediate pituitary lobe. Intermedin signals through calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR)/receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP) receptor complexes, and CRLR/RAMP signaling has been proven to be critical for vascular tone regulation. Based on this finding, we had documented that intraperitoneal administration of intermedin dose-dependently suppressed blood pressure in normal Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition, our preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that ovariectomy lead to a tenfold reduction of intermedin transcript expression in the pituitary in rats whereas subsequent estrogen treatment increased pituitary intermedin expression to a level similar to that of intact rats. Taken together, we propose that pituitary-derived intermedin is regulated by estrogen and exhibits potent hypotensive effects. To address this hypothesis, in Specific Aim 1, we will investigate the regulation of secretion and expression of intermedin in vitro and in vivo using cultured pituitary cells and oophorectomized rats. In Specific Aim 2, we will study the molecular mechanism by which estrogen stimulates intermedin gene expression. In Specific Aim 3, to demonstrate that the estrogen-dependent regulation of intermedin represents a critical link in the regulation of blood pressure in women, we will study the relationship between blood pressure and blood intermedin levels using a cross-sectional study. Our studies will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms by which sex hormones modulate blood pressure and open a new window for postmenopausal hypertension treatment.
Telerehabilitation in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary HypertensionPatients with pulmonary hypertension will be randomized into two groups. One group will receive telerehabilitation sessions including upper and lower extremity strengthening exercises and breathing exercises. The other will me monitored routinely. Patients will be assessed by 6 minute walk test, emphasis-10 questionnaire for quality of life and muscle strength with hand-held dynamometer.
Early Diagnosis of Oxaliplatin-induced Portal Hypertension
Gastroesophageal VaricesColorectal Cancer1 moreOxaliplatin has been used as the first choice for the adjuvant chemotherapy of colorectal cancer and it has significantly improved the outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. However, hepatotoxicity is the potentially problematic adverse effect of oxaliplatin. The pathological evaluation of non-tumoral liver from patients with advanced colorectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant oxaliplatin-based treatment has provided histological evidence of hepatic sinusoidal injury. Oxaliplatin-induced sinusoidal injury can persist for more than 1 year after the completion of chemotherapy, and the increase in splenic volume may be a predictor of irreversible sinusoidal damage. In this current study, the investigators aim to evaluate the values of potential biomarkers in diagnosing patients with oxaliplatin-induced gastroesophageal varices after colorectal cancer surgery.
Comparing Safety and Efficacy of Amlodipine Verses S Amlodipine in Patients With Essential Hypertension...
Essential HypertensionAs a third-generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB), Amlodipine is mainly used in a single therapy or combined therapy for hypertension or angina. Edema, one of the most common side effects of dihydropyridine CCB formulations, may lead to drug control or discontinuation of drugs. This clinical study intends to assess the safety and efficacy of S-amlodipine, which is assessed to be superior to Amlodipine in the aspects of antihypertensive effect and side effects, in edema of patients with essential hypertension.
Meta-analysis of the Nordic Dietary Pattern on Cardiometabolic Risk and Cardiovascular Outcomes...
Body WeightObesity15 moreThe Nordic Diet is a dietary pattern rich in traditional Nordic foods, including berries, grains, and fatty fish common in northern Europe. Studies have shown a protective effect of the Nordic Diet on cardiometabolic risk factors, however only select clinical practice guidelines for the management of diabetes (i.e. Diabetes Canada) recommend this dietary pattern. To support the update of the EASD clinical practice guidelines for nutrition therapy, the investigators propose to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and clinical trials to investigate the association between the Nordic Diet, cardiometabolic outcomes and cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality. The findings generated by this proposed knowledge synthesis will help improve the health of consumers through informing evidence-based guidelines and improving health outcomes by educating healthcare providers and patients, stimulating industry innovation, and guiding future research design.
Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors and COVID-19
COVID-19Hypertension1 moreMulticentric non-profit observational study, in patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Italy, conducted through a pseudonymised survey.
Long-term Outcome After Edoxaban Versus Vitamin K Antagonists for Acute VTE
Venous Thromboembolic DiseasePost Thrombotic Syndrome2 moreThe HOKUSAI post VTE study contains of two different research questions; one on the long term outcomes of deep vein thrombosis and one on the long term effects of pulmonary embolism, post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) respectively. Our aim of the study is to compare the long term outcomes along with the quality of life assessment of VTE in a group treated with heparin+VKA versus a group treated with heparin+edoxaban in the acute setting.
One Research on Improving Cognitive Impairment Caused by Hypertension
HypertensionUsing the therapy of early intervention with Qianyang Yuyin Granules to improve cognitive impairment caused by hypertension.
Feasibility of a Program on a Nurse-led Telephone 6-month-follow-up for Uncontrolled Hypertensive...
Arterial HypertensionMedication NonadherenceThis study evaluate the feasibility of a 6-month personalized support program for hypertensive and non-observant women, led by nurses by telephone follow-up.