Este trabalho avaliou o efeito da dieta hiperlipídica em camundongos para o estudo da inflamação cardiovascular. Camundongos C57Bl/6 machos com 8 semanas de vida foram utilizados nos ensaios, sendo divididos nos grupos dieta controle e dieta hiperlipídica. Após 8 semanas foram avaliados: o ganho de peso, a porcentagem de tecido adiposo, pressão arterial sistólica, frequência cardíaca, perfil lipídico e glicêmico séricos. A partir de cortes histológicos de aortas e corações corados com picrossirius foram feitas análises morfométricas. Em cortes histológicos de aorta foram realizadas a análise fibras elásticas e colágenas usando a coloração de Weigert-Van Gieson. Também foram realizadas a quantificação de fibras colágenas em aortas, usando a coloração de picrossirius. Nos tecidos aórticos e cardíacos foram feitos: 1) Ensaios de atividade enzimática para ECA e MPO. 2) Ensaios de Immunoblotting para a detecção proteíca para ECA e TGF-b. Também foram feitos ensaios de imuno-histoquímica para marcação e localização de ECA e TGF-b no tecido aórtico. / This work evaluated the effect of high-fat diet in mice for the study of cardiovascular inflammation. C57BL / 6 mice at 8 weeks of age were used in the tests were divided in groups control diet and high fat diet. After 8 weeks were evaluated: weight gain, percentage of fat, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, serum lipids and glucose levels. From histological aortas and hearts stained with picrosirius morphometric analyzes. Histological sections of the aorta were performed to analyze elastic and collagen fibers using Weigert-Van Gieson staining. Also the quantification of collagen fibers in aortas using picrosirius staining. In aortic and cardiac tissues were made: 1) Enzymatic activity assays for ACE and MPO. 2) Immunoblotting assays to detect proteinous for ACE and TGF-b. Also were peformed Immunohistochemistry assays for marking and localization of ACE and TGF- b in the aortic tissue.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T19:59:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Katia Alonso.pdf: 2466313 bytes, checksum: 4c119b2a40368dd791db57672106bd65 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-09 / The arterial hypertension is characterized as a multifactorial disorder, influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors are most responsible for the accelerated growth of this disease. The physical exercise is considered a very important non pharmacological model of treatment for the hypertension. Actually, how much genes are studying for better clarified the real relationship between the genetic and blood pressure (BP) control. The insertion/deletion (I/D) The arterial hypertension is characterized as a multifactorial disorder, influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors are most responsible for the accelerated growth of this disease. The physical exercise is considered a very important non pharmacological model of treatment for the hypertension. Actually, how much genes are studying for better clarified the real relationship between the genetic and blood pressure (BP) control. The insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism, with 287 base pairs at the intron 16, of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has recently been related with HBP in different populations. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate possible association of the polymorphism of the ACE forward clinical diagnosis of hypertension in a sample population from southern Brazil, submitted to physical training and / or drug treatment. Thus, it was possible to evaluate and verify a positive effect on BP control, under the influence of aerobic exercise short-term (two months) in 10 hypertensive individuals heterozygous for ACE (genotype ID). Furthermore, we evaluated the possible relationship between the polymorphism insertion/deletion (I/D) with hypertension in a group consisting of 78 hypertensive individuals, and these showed no direct relationship with the disease. The groups were not showed genetic structure and the genotypic classes presented out of equilibrium of Hardy-Weinberg. The D allele was minor frequent, and new alleles was descript. It is suggest that other mechanisms post-transcriptions are linked in the gene regulation and ECA function.polymorphism, with 287 base pairs at the intron 16, of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has recently been related with HBP in different populations. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate possible association of the polymorphism of the ACE forward clinical diagnosis of hypertension in a sample population from southern Brazil, submitted to physical training and / or drug treatment. Thus, it was possible to evaluate and verify a positive effect on BP control, under the influence of aerobic exercise short-term (two months) in 10 hypertensive individuals heterozygous for ACE (genotype ID). Furthermore, we evaluated the possible relationship between the polymorphism insertion/deletion (I/D) with hypertension in a group consisting of 78 hypertensive individuals, and these showed no direct relationship with the disease. The groups were not showed genetic structure and the genotypic classes presented out of equilibrium of Hardy-Weinberg. The D allele was minor frequent, and new alleles was descript. It is suggest that other mechanisms post-transcriptions are linked in the gene regulation and ECA function. / A hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) é caracterizada como sendo um distúrbio multifatorial, influenciada por fatores genéticos e ambientais. Os fatores ambientais são os maiores responsáveis pelo crescimento acelerado da doença. O exercício físico é considerado um modelo muito importante não farmacológico de tratamento para a hipertensão. Na verdade, vários genes estão sendo estudados para melhor esclarecer o papel da genética no controle da pressão arterial (PA). Um polimorfismo de inserção/deleção (I/D) de aproximadamente 287 pares de base no íntron 16, do gene da enzima conversora de angiotensina (ECA) foi recentemente relacionado com a HAS em diferentes populações. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a possível associação do polimorfismo da ECA frente ao diagnóstico clínico de hipertensão em uma amostra da população do sul do Brasil, submetidos ao treinamento físico e/ou tratamento medicamentoso. Assim, foi possível avaliar e verificar um efeito positivo sobre o controle da PA, sob a influência de exercício aeróbio de curto prazo (dois meses), em 10 indivíduos hipertensos heterozigotos para ECA (genótipo ID). Além disso, foi avaliada a possível relação entre o polimorfismo inserção/deleção (I/D) com a HAS em um grupo constituído de 78 indivíduos hipertensos, e esses não mostraram relação direta com a doença. Os grupos não apresentaram estruturação genética e as classes genotípicas apresentaram fora do equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg. O alelo D foi menos frequentes e novos alelos foram descritos. É sugestivo que outros mecanismos pós-transcricionais estejam envolvidos na regulação do gene e função da ECA.

Head Chop is a practice-led research project exploring the thinking of community found within the works of Georges Bataille, Jean-Luc Nancy, and Maurice Blanchot. Using the central exchange between Nancy and Blanchot, as found in the triple intersection of texts composed of Nancy's Inoperative Community, Blanchot's The Unavowable Community, and finally Nancy's recent The Disavowed Community, Head Chop draws upon the interfaces of these three works to develop a reading of community. Utilising the concept of fictioning, an imaging of possible worlds, as its primary methodology, Head Chop develops a narrativised analysis of community. The story of Acéphale, Bataille's secret society, provides the structuring fiction of the work. This story is developed from a synthesis of fragmentary accounts of the Acéphale group's sacrificial ambition, and the illustrations of the Acéphale journal. The result is a tale of a human sacrifice from which the being Acéphale subsequently arises. In tracing the relation of the work of Nancy and Blanchot to the work of Bataille, Head Chop draws attention to the role of the figure of Acéphale for Bataille, and its subsequent insinuation in the work of Nancy and Blanchot. The figure of Acéphale operates as an editorial device that structures and informs the readings of these works as a common grounding and central problematic. This situates the readings of Bataille, Nancy and Blanchot in a contested frame of reference by attempting to accommodate an alternate version of the sacrificial event. Head Chop finds a basis for its methodological investigation in Deleuze and Guattari's work What is Philosophy? Excising and developing a series of figures and conceptual tools from the works of Nancy, Blanchot and Bataille, Head Chop develops a crossing of these figures and concepts as characters within the broader narrative of Acéphale. Following this methodological approach, Head Chop traces series of connected concepts in the works of Nancy and Blanchot. In developing these connections in relation to the Acéphale narrative, conceptual structures engaged in the thinking of community are drawn out into the broader contexts of Nancy and Blanchot's work. These connections are traced in Nancy through addressing such notions as the deconstruction of the subject, the question of authenticity in Heidegger, a re-reading of Heideggeran ontology that privileges Mitsein, and the singular plural. In Blanchot conceptual connections are similarly traced, beginning from the foundational role of the other, the challenging passion of lovers, through to death, unworking, and the question of testimony. In developing a narrativised analysis of the figure of Acéphale, Head Chop aims to open new channels of inquiry into the concept of community as it arises between the works of Bataille, Blanchot and Nancy. Research questions: How does a re-imaging of the Acéphale story, in which Acéphale is begotten, engage with Bataille, Nancy and Blanchot's readings of community? What is to be gained from the use of a re-imagined Acéphale story in a thinking of community?

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-02-24T16:18:57Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Silene Jacinto da Silva - 2012.pdf: 1244943 bytes, checksum: 169827dfbf3ff42a25f37a6dbdd252f2 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-02-24T16:21:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Silene Jacinto da Silva - 2012.pdf: 1244943 bytes, checksum: 169827dfbf3ff42a25f37a6dbdd252f2 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-24T16:21:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Silene Jacinto da Silva - 2012.pdf: 1244943 bytes, checksum: 169827dfbf3ff42a25f37a6dbdd252f2 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-04-23 / The Deletion/Insertion polymorphisms of the angiotensin converting enzyme genes and the A1166C of the angiotensin II receptor AT1R were analyzed in a cohort of 90 patients, among 30 carriers of chronic heart failure, aging from 30 to 86, in which 66, 6% were males. The control group was based on 60 cardiopathic patients without heart failure matched by age and gender. The heart failure was attributed to the etiologies: chagas cardiomyopathy (46,7%), idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and others (23,3%), hypertensive cardiomyopathy (20%) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (10%). In order to determine the genotypes the PCR - RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) technique was applied. The genotypes distribution was analyzed, as well as the allele’s frequency and the possible polymorphisms associations with different clinical variations and heart failure carrier’s evolution during 12 months. For the analysis of descriptive and inferential statistical were used the t test, chi-square (χ2) test, Kaplan - Meier and ANOVA. The distribution of the genotypes D/I of the genes ACE and the polymorphisms A1166C of the angiotensin II was similar between the two groups (p = 0,23 e p= 0,12). The evaluation of the polymorphisms studies presented a lack of association with the clinical variations analyzed and the evolution of the heart failure carriers during 12 months. / Os polimorfismos de Deleção/Inserção do gene da enzima conversora da angiotensina e A1166C do receptor AT1R da angiotensina II foram estudados em uma coorte com 90 pacientes, sendo 30 portadores de insuficiência cardíaca crônica, com idades variando entre 30 e 86 anos, dos quais 66,6% eram do sexo masculino. O grupo controle foi constituído por 60 pacientes cardiopatas, porém sem insuficiência cardíaca, pareados por idade e sexo. A insuficiência cardíaca foi atribuída às seguintes etiologias: cardiomiopatia chagásica (46,7%), cardiomiopatia dilatada idiopática e outras (23,3%), cardiomiopatia hipertensiva (20%) e cardiomiopatia isquêmica (10%). A determinação dos genótipos foi realizada pelas técnicas PCR - RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). Foram avaliadas as distribuições dos genótipos, as frequências alélicas, as prováveis associações dos polimorfismos com diferentes variáveis clínicas e a evolução dos portadores de insuficiência cardíaca no seguimento de 12 meses. Para a análise da estatística descritiva e inferencial utilizou-se o teste t, teste Qui-quadrado (χ2), kaplan - Meier e ANOVA. A distribuição dos genótipos D/I do gene ECA e do polimorfismo A1166C foi semelhante entre os dois grupos (p=0,23 e p=0,12). A avaliação dos polimorfismos estudados apontou para a ausência de associação com as variáveis clínicas analisadas e com a evolução dos portadores de insuficiência cardíaca durante o seguimento de 12 meses.

For a while, video games have been the target of scrutiny with regards to their perceived potential to adversely affect younger individuals. In particular, it is often argued that these video games, particularly those of violent nature, may increase hostility to an extent that it manifests itself in violent behavior. This thesis aims to denote what effects these video games have on young adults, particularly in relation to the respondents’ indicated extent of adverse childhood experiences, trait anger, and competitiveness, all three of which were assumed to have a positive relationship with hostility. A survey was distributed to students attending Western Kentucky University in an attempt to measure what effects these three aforementioned variables have on young adults, in addition to what affects video game playing and violence in video games may have on hostility and aggression. From the data acquired, it was clear that while adverse childhood experiences had no statistical significance in this study and higher competitiveness indicated a very slight decline in hostility, trait anger did in fact appear to raise hostility in the respondents. Additionally, increases in exposure to both video game play and violence in video games were shown to lead to a decrease in hostility. From this, it would appear that trait anger was the only variable to truly increase hostility in young adults, and the often-discussed variables of video game play and violence in video games both appear to decrease hostility in respondents as exposure to either factor increases, thus going against the common assumptions.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are one of the recommended prevention therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the clinical guidelines. Two types (tissue and non-tissue) of ACE inhibitors are available with huge cost difference but the comparative treatment benefit and risk between them are unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the comparative treatment effectiveness and safety between tissue and non-tissue ACE inhibitors among elderly patients after AMI. This is a retrospective cohort study with intention to treatment design using Medicare service claims files from 2007 to 2009 with Medicare beneficiaries 65 years or older after the index AMI hospitalization and who survived to discharge between January 1 2008 to December 31 2008 and received ACE inhibitors (N=34,679). Risk adjustment and instrumental variable (IV) analyses were used to investigate comparative treatment effectiveness including AMI, stroke, heart failure requiring hospitalization, all-cause mortality and a composite of the endpoints during the follow-up and the comparative treatment safety - a composite of hyperkalemia and acute renal failure requiring hospitalization during the follow-up. Both the risk adjustment and IV analyses showed no significant differences between tissue and non-tissue ACE inhibitors for the investigated outcomes of the comparative treatment effectiveness and safety in the study cohort. However, subgroup analyses from the IV models showed that tissue ACE inhibitors as compared to non-tissue ACE inhibitors increased the hazard risk by approximately 30% to 60% (p < 0.05) for heart failure requiring hospitalization among the patients with heart failure and reduced hazard risk by approximately 30% to 40% (p <0.05) for AMI among patients without heart failure. In conclusion, though this study did not find significant difference between tissue and non-tissue ACE inhibitors for the comparative treatment effectiveness and safety in the study cohort, considerable comparative treatment effectiveness may exist in the subgroup of patients with and without heart failure in the elderly patients after AMI.

Die Aktivierung der löslichen Guanylatzyklase (sGC) durch Stickstoffmonoxid (NO) ist ein zentraler Mechanismus im NO/sGC/cGMP-Signalweg. Beim Syndrom der chronischen Herzinsuffizienz ist die Signalübertragung durch NO jedoch gestört. Daher untersuchten wir die Effekte des NO-unabhängigen sGC-Aktivators Ataciguat-Natrium (vormals HMR1766) auf Hämodynamik und linksventrikuläres Remodeling in der Postinfarktphase bei Ratten, alleine und in Kombination mit dem ACE-Hemmer Ramipril. 10 Tage nach experimentellem Myokardinfarkt wurden die Tiere für 9 Wochen über eine Sonde entweder mit Placebo, Ataciguat (10 mg/kg, zweimal täglich), Ramipril (1 mg/kg/Tag) oder einer Kombination aus beidem gefüttert. Die Infarktgröße war in allen Gruppen vergleichbar. Die Monotherapie mit Ataciguat bzw. Ramipril verbesserte die linksventrikuläre Funktion und führte zu einem geringeren Anstieg des linksventrikulären Füllungsdruckes (LVEDP) und –volumens (LVEDV) im Vergleich zu Placebo. Die Kombinationstherapie war den Monotherapien überlegen. Weiterhin konnten sowohl die Ventrikelkontraktilität (LV dP/dtmax/IP), als auch -relaxationsfähigkeit (LV dP/dtmin) verbessert werden und die Lungenflüssigkeit sowie die rechtsventrikuläre Hypertrophie signifikant durch die Monotherapien, bzw. noch weiter durch die Kombination gesenkt werden. Die in der Placebo-Gruppe erhöhten Werte für Myozytenquerschnitt und interstitielle Fibrose waren in der Ramipril- und Ataciguat-Gruppe signifikant und in der Kombination noch weiter vermindert. Zusätzlich konnte auch der Superoxidanionenspiegel im kardialen Gewebe am besten durch die Kombinationstherapie gesenkt werden. Dabei zeigte sich eine Beeinflussung der NADPH-Oxidase-Untereinheit gp91phox und des mitochondrialen Enzyms UCP3. Eine Langzeitbehandlung mit Ataciguat verbesserte also die linksventrikuläre Dysfunktion und das kardiale Remodeling bei Ratten nach Myokardinfarkt in vergleichbarem Ausmaß wie die Therapie mit Ramipril. Die Kombination aus Ataciguat und ACE-Hemmer war jedoch wesentlich effektiver. Folglich stellt die sGC-Aktivierung einen vielversprechenden Therapieansatz zur Prävention von kardialem Remodeling und Herzinsuffizienz nach Herzinfarkt dar. / Impairment of nitric oxide (NO) signaling contributes to progression of heart failure. Activation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) by NO is the key event in NO/sGC/cyclicGMP signaling. In this work, the effects of the NO independent sGC activator Ataciguat alone and in combination with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor ramipril, on hemodynamics and cardiac remodeling in rats after extensive myocardial infarction (MI) were investigated.

Le dernier rapport du GIEC (2007) souligne que la compréhension du changement climatique en cours est encore incomplète. Le rôle de la stratosphère est notamment mal connu. C'est pourquoi il est important d'étudier sa composition et les processus physicochimiques s'y déroulant. Les mesures d'occultation solaire telles celles de l'instrument satellitaire SAGE III et les mesures in situ sont particulièrement bien adaptées à l'étude de la stratosphère. J'ai étudié dans cette thèse la cohérence entre les mesures existantes.<br />Mon travail a consisté à inverser les transmissions atmosphériques de SAGE III pour obtenir les profils verticaux des concentrations en ozone et en dioxyde d'azote ainsi que des coefficients d'extinction des aérosols dans neuf canaux entre 385 et 1545 nm. Dans les canaux situés autour de 450 nm, un lissage vertical a été effectué sur les transmissions tangentes pour pallier un défaut de neutralité spectrale de l'atténuateur. Dans le canal à 1545 nm, la prise en compte de l'absorption du CO2 a été effectuée avec le modèle MODTRAN 5. Les incertitudes ont été évaluées par une méthode de Monte Carlo. Nous avons alors validé nos produits à l'aide des produits SAGE III officiels (NASA), ceux d'un troisième algorithme d´eveloppé par une équipe de Saint Petersbourg et à l'aide de mesures coïncidentes des instruments SAGE II et POAM III. Ces comparaisons montrent que les produits LOA sont de bonne qualité. Cependant, une étude effectuée à l'aide des mesures in situ de l'instrument sous ballon SPIRALE aux abords du vortex polaire a montré un bon accord pour O3 et un désaccord pour NO2. Ce désaccord montre que la méthode d'occultation solaire pour la mesure d'espèces réactives (tel NO2) dans des conditions dynamiques complexes n'est pas bien adaptée. De plus, les variations diurnes de NO2 rendent les comparaisons directes entre mesures à distance et in situ difficiles.<br />Une étude spécifique sur les aérosols des feux de forêt de l'ouest du Canada (août 2003) a été menée avec les produits SAGE III officiels. Des intrusions d'aérosols issus des feux de forêt dans la basse stratosphère par pyroconvection sont suspectées d'être à l'origine des pics d'extinction observés par SAGE III. Nous avons déduit des mesures SAGE III les propriétés microphysiques de ces aérosols et montré que ces coefficients d'extinction anormalement élevés étaient dus à une augmentation du nombre de particules dans la basse stratosphère. Cependant, la nature chimique de ces aérosols n'a pu être déterminée car les mesures d'extinction ne sont pas assez sensibles à l'indice de réfraction.<br />Depuis la fin des missions SAGE II, SAGE III et POAM III, les instruments satellitaires de la mission ACE-SCISAT sont les seuls instruments d'occultation solaire (hormis SOFIE) fournissant des informations sur la stratosphère. Nous nous sommes ainsi intéressés à la validation de leurs mesures à l'aide des données de SAGE II, SAGE III et SPIRALE. Ce travail s'inscrit dans le cadre de la campagne de validation internationale. Nous avons montré que les coefficients d'extinction des aérosols déduits des mesures de IMAGER sont en désaccord avec ceux de SAGE II et SAGE III et que les rapports de mélange en ozone et en dioxyde d'azote de FTS et de MAESTRO sont en bon accord avec les produits SAGE III. Cependant, nous obtenons également un désaccord concernant NO2 en comparaison avec SPIRALE bien que les autres espèces (CH4, N2O, HNO3, O3, HCl) déduites de FTS ainsi que l'ozone MAESTRO sont en bon accord avec les données SPIRALE.

<p>The burden of hypertension and subsequent in Tibet is quite profound and disproportionate when compared to other Chinese populations. Thus, there has a recent impetus to focus on low-cost sustainable health interventions to ameliorate this tremendous burden. Factors of compliance of first-line low dose hypertensive medications are not known in semi-nomadic Tibetan herdsmen at high altitude.</p><p>A retrospective analysis of a de-identified database for a single blinded equal allocation randomized control trial for a dietary reduced sodium salt substitute completed in 2009 using STATA 11.2 (STATA INC. College Station, TX) and logistic regression was performed. Patients were recruited from two townships at 4300 m altitude and northwest of Lhasa, the regional capital. Eligibility criteria included: age 40 years and older, with hypertension (&#8805; 140mmHg / &#8805; 90 mmHg) , enrollment in salt substitute trial, and prescription of hypertensive medication. Primary outcome was compliance to medication at three and six months of follow-up. Factor variables included and adjusted for included: sex, age, blood pressure, township, class of medication, and trial arm assignment.</p><p>The overall rate of non-compliance was 33.0% (38/115) after three months and 12.9% (28/217) after six months. After three months follow-up patients with Stage I and Stage II hypertension were at an adjusted odds ratio of 0.03(95%CI: 0.002-0.70) and 0.13(95%CI: 0.012-1.37) times lower odds of non-compliance when compared patients with only isolated systolic hypertension, (p=0.028 and 0.089, respectively). Furthermore, at six months of follow-up patients prescribed combination pharmacologic therapy had an adjusted odds ratios of 0.20 (95%CI: 0.05-0.81) times lower odds than those patients on diuretic only, p =0.023.</p> / Thesis

Research Objectives Heart failure (HF) is a common condition in persons older than 65 years. Existing literature indicated that hospital readmission rates after discharge for heart failure patients are immensely high. However, previous studies showed that almost half of the early hospital readmissions could be prevented. Moreover, Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) are the commonly used medications for heart failure patients to control blood pressure. Nevertheless, studies indicated that these two medications could also cause the risk of hospital readmission. Little studies examined the associations of medication use and hospital readmission of heart failure patients in Taiwan. This study aims to investigate the influence factors of hospital readmissions among heart failure patients in Taiwan. Study Design We collected the data from National Health Insurance (NHI) database during the period from year 2000 to 2006. Based on the rule of Bureau of National Health Insurance in Taiwan, the 14-day readmission is considered as a poor quality indicator. We categorized readmissions into 4 groups (14-day, 30-day, 180-day and over 180-day) and evaluated each group¡¦s demographic, hospital characteristics, medical resource utilization, Charlson Comorbidity Index and medication utilizations of ACE inhibitor and ARB. We conducted descriptive analyses by using chi-square and t tests and applied multivariate logistic regression analyses to estimate the probabilities of hospital readmissions of heart failure patients. Population Studied Patients aged 50 or older with heart failure were identified based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). Principle Findings Among 1920 heart failure patients, 19.9% of them were readmitted within 14 days, 7.6% were readmitted within 30 days and 26% were readmitted within 180 days. The medical resource utilizations such as average inpatients cost per patient, average outpatients cost per patient, total medical cost, average of inpatients times per patient and average of outpatients times per patient were significantly higher in patients with readmissions than those without readmission. Age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, patients who had been treated with ACE inhibitors and patients who had been treated with ARB were significantly affected the probabilities of readmissions. Conclusion The heart failure patients with readmissions had significantly higher medical resource utilizations than those without readmission. The medication uses of ACE inhibitors or ARB were significantly affected the probabilities of hospital readmissions. By understanding more about the influence factors of readmissions among heart failure patients, we may provide continue improvements of quality of care and reduce unnecessary medical costs. This study results provide useful reference for policy-makers to establish effective disease management program and appropriate health care financing arrangement in the future.