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(Circulation. 2004;110:1.)
© 2004 American Heart Association, Inc.

Issue Highlights

LOCAL GENE TRANSFER OF phVEGF-2 PLASMID BY GENE-ELUTING STENTS: AN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGY FOR INHIBITION OF RESTENOSIS, by Walter et al.

Currently approved drug-eluting stents are designed to inhibit vascular smooth muscle proliferation and, thereby, prevent restenosis. A major limitation of this approach is that the antiproliferative agents used also impair endothelial function and proliferation, which may, in part, account for late in-stent thrombosis. In a study of hypercholesterolemic rabbits, Walter and colleagues show that stents designed to release a plasmid containing the cDNA for vascular endothelial growth factor-2 accelerate reendothelialization and improve lumen cross-sectional area when compared with control stents. These preliminary results offer a novel, promising approach to ideal stent-based therapy. See p 36.

BLOOD PRESSURE REACTIVITY TO PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS PREDICTS HYPERTENSION IN THE CARDIA STUDY, by Matthews et al.

Early identification of individuals at risk for the development of hypertension could lead to earlier treatment and reduce cardiovascular risk. In a study of 4105 normotensive young adults, Matthews and colleagues report that an exaggerated blood pressure response to the cold pressor test or certain standardized forms of psychosocial stress predict the subsequent development of hypertension over 13 years. An increase in blood pressure is an expected physiological response, and it remains uncertain whether exaggerated responses relate to the pathogenesis of the disease. Nevertheless, these results raise the possibility that this type of stress test might be used to identify individuals at risk for hypertension, providing improved opportunities for primary prevention. See p 74.

ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM EXPANSION: RISK FACTORS AND TIME INTERVALS FOR SURVEILLANCE, by Brady et al.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (defined as an aortic diameter 30 mm) occurs in about 5% of men over the age of 50 years. The probability of expansion of an abdominal aortic aneurysm to >55 mm, a size where referral for surgery is recommended, was estimated from a UK study of 1743 patients. Risk factors for more rapid expansion include the size of the aneurysm when first detected and continued cigarette smoking. Surveillance with abdominal ultrasonograms should occur at the following intervals for patients with varying size aneurysms when first seen: 40 mm = every 24 months; 41 to 45 mm = every 12 months; 46 to 50 mm = every 6 months; >50 mm = every 3 months. See p 16.

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Clinician Update

The Approach to "Aspirin Allergy" in Cardiovascular Patients. See p e1.

Image in Cardiovascular Medicine:

Vascular Healing 4-Years After the Implantation of Sirolimus-Eluting Stent in Humans. See p e5.

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This Article Extract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content