Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading global cause of death. CVD risk factors are considered intermediaries for the association between dietary fatty acids and CVD. Raised plasma total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, raised triglycerides and decreased levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, as well as reduced fibrinolytic potential (measured as increased clot lysis time) are known risk factors for CVD. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a major inhibitor of the fibrinolytic process and an elevated PAI-1 level is therefore considered to be a potential risk factor for CVD. The growing number of controversies around the role that fat intake (more specifically the type of dietary fat) plays in CVD risk, is making it increasingly difficult for consumers and practitioners alike to form conclusions, and make recommendations and decisions regarding fat intake. Knowledge of the intake of individual fatty acids, fatty acid status (as opposed to subgroups of fat such as polyunsaturated fatty acids) and their associations with blood lipids, PAI-1act and fibrinolytic potential is lacking in black South Africans and other populations. Therefore we aimed to investigate dietary fatty acid intake, as well as plasma phospholipid fatty acid status and their associations with blood lipids, PAI-1act and clot lysis time, as a marker for fibrinolytic potential. Methods: Cross-sectional data analysis within the Prospective Rural Urban Epidemiology (PURE) baseline study of apparently healthy black South African men and women (n=1950, 35– 70 years) from rural and urban areas in the North West Province, from whom dietary data were collected. Blood lipid analyses, as well as laboratory analyses of fibrinolysis markers such as PAI-1act and clot lysis time were also performed. Plasma phospholipid fatty acid extraction and isolation were performed on a random subsample (n = 716). Results: The intake of individual fatty acids was significantly higher in urban than rural dwellers. However, the intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was below recommendations in all groups (rural and urban males, and rural and urban females). Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were higher in females than in males, with no rural‒urban differences. Intake of alpha-linolenic acid was positively associated with total cholesterol (β=0.143) and triglycerides (β=0.256) in males. The risk of having elevated LDL cholesterol also increased with increased intake of alpha-linolenic acid (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.04, 2.14). In females, dietary arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were positively associated with total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, whereas docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was negatively associated with total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid was positively correlated with plasma EPA (males r = 0.19, p = 0.002, females r = 0.25, p < 0.001) and DHA (males r = 0.33, p < 0.001, females r = 0.30, p < 0.001). Plasma DHA was positively associated with triglycerides in males (β = 0.410, p< 0.001) and in females (β = 0.379, p< 0.001). PAI-1act was positively associated with clot lysis time, and plasma myristic acid and DHA were positively associated with PAI-1act in females. However, these fatty acids were not associated with clot lysis time. Different types of plasma fatty acids were associated with PAI-1act than with clot lysis time. Plasma alpha-linolenic acid (β = 0.123, P = 0.037), mead acid (β = 0.176, P = 0.019), arachidonic acid (β = 0.253, 0.025) and omega-3 docosapentaenoic acid (omega-3 DPA) (β = 0.224, P = 0.002) were positively associated with clot lysis time, while both myristic acid (β = - 0.130, P = 0.016) and EPA (β = -0.131, P = 0.021) were negatively associated with clot lysis time in male subjects. Plasma oleic acid (C18:1n9) (β = -0.411, P = 0.001) and omega-6 DPA (C22:5n6) (β = -0.285, P = 0.001) were negatively associated with clot lysis time, while dihomogamma- liolenic acid (DGLA) (C20:3n6) were positively associated (β = 0.178, P = 0.001) with clot lysis time in females. Conclusions: These results suggest that specific individual dietary fatty acids might be associated with blood lipids in males differently than in females, irrespective of rural or urban dwelling. It is not known however, if associations would still be present under conditions of greater intake of alpha-linolenic acid. Our results further suggest that a higher percentage of alpha-linolenic acid might be converted to DHA in this population with low intake of essential and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to populations with a high intake of these fatty acids. These results suggest that plasma phospholipid fatty acids should not be used in isolation as biomarkers for intake of fat, without taking dietary intake data into consideration also. Associations between fatty acids and clot lysis time might be independent from PAI-1act. The association between mead acid and clot lysis time indicates that clot lysis time might increase with an essential fatty acid deficiency. This may be of particular concern in this population with a documented lower fat intake. Because the study design of this study is crosssectional, it is not able to determine cause-and-effect, and results should therefore be verified with a randomised controlled trial. / PhD (Nutrition), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Haemorrhage is a leading cause of trauma morbidity and mortality, with many deaths potentially preventable. Hyperfibrinolysis is a central characteristic of trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) which develops rapidly and is associated with poor outcomes. Tranexamic acid (TXA) improves survival in trauma haemorrhage but its uptake worldwide remains variable, in part because its effects on the coagulation system during trauma haemorrhage have not been described. Further uncertainty regarding patient selection for TXA therapy has emerged following the description of an early viscoelastic haemostatic assay (VHA) diagnosed hypofibrinolytic phenotype in whom TXA may potentiate thrombotic complications. The patient characteristics and mechanisms leading to this apparent hypofibrinolytic phenotype are poorly understood. Over 900 trauma patients prospectively recruited to a multicentre observational cohort study had blood drawn within 2-hours of injury for VHA and fibrinolysis plasma protein analysis. Patients were categorised according to VHA maximum lysis (ML) and D-dimer (DD) levels. Patients with MLLOW exhibited heterogeneity in clinical and injury characteristics and outcomes. Those who died were severely injured, with a high incidence of traumatic brain injury and a 7-fold higher D-dimer. Patients with MLLOW+DDHIGH had a hyperfibrinolytic biomarker profile, with the fibrinolytic mediator S100A10 identified as a potential driver of fibrinolysis, which can ex-vivo artificially reduce ML. Empiric TXA could benefit this occult hyperfibrinolytic phenotype. Over two subsequent observational studies, the effects of TXA on the coagulation system during trauma haemorrhage and the effect of TXA infusion and timing of treatment on thrombotic events were investigated. Early empiric TXA avoided VHA-hyperfibrinolysis and provided a degree of protection from TIC. Whilst univariate analysis suggested increased thromboses with later TXA treatment in patients receiving TXA bolus+infusion, neither the TXA infusion nor time to bolus were associated with thrombotic events after multivariate analysis. A single TXA bolus may provide a lower effective therapeutic dose with reduced complications.

INTRODUÇÃO E OBJETIVOS. O acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) é uma das principais causas de incapacidade no mundo, e é a principal causa de morte no Brasil. Atualmente, o único tratamento clínico para o AVC é a trombólise intravenosa com o ativador de plasminogênio tecidual recombinante. Este tratamento não é isento de complicações, e é necessária a adesão rigorosa a protocolos de tratamento. Por isso, sua disseminação no mundo foi condicionada à realização de estudos de fase 4 em diversos países, especialmente voltados para averiguar desfechos eficácia e segurança. Recentemente, tem havido esforços para disseminar o uso de terapia trombolítica para o AVC no Brasil. Entretanto, são escassos os dados sobre a aplicação deste tratamento no nosso país. Este estudo pretendeu relatar a experiência com este tratamento no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto um hospital terciário, público, universitário, que recebe pacientes encaminhados por um sistema de regulação médica do Sistema Único de Saúde , e comparar nossa casuística com aquela do um dos maiores estudos de fase 4 sobre este tema (Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis for Stroke, SITS). MÉTODOS. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, retrospectivo, baseado em revisão de registros hospitalares, da casuística de pacientes com AVC tratados com trombólise intravenosa no nosso hospital. O desfecho primário de interesse foi a ocorrência de transformação hemorrágica sintomática (THS). Foram descritas características demográficas, comorbidades, uso prévio de medicações, gravidade clínica do AVC e períodos entre início dos sintomas, admissão e tratamento. RESULTADOS. Estudamos 209 pacientes com AVC tratados em nosso centro. Verificamos que estes pacientes apresentaram elevada frequência de comorbidades e défices neurológicos mais graves, e receberam tratamento mais tardiamente quando comparados à população do estudo SITS. A pontuação mediana na escala National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale foi de 14 (intervalo interquartil: 9 a 19), e a mediana do período entre o início dos sintomas e o tratamento foi de 200 minutos (intervalo interquartil: 165 a 247). Ao longo dos anos observamos um aumento do número de pacientes tratados em janelas tardias e da proporção de pacientes tratados em até 60 minutos da admissão. Observamos 16 THS (7,7%), frequência similar àquela descrita no ensaio SITS (4,7%; P=0,09). Na análise univariada, a ocorrência de THS esteve associada à gravidade clínica do AVC, ao período sintoma-agulha e ao uso prévio de estatinas. Em análise multivariada, a gravidade clínica do AVC e o uso prévio de estatinas foram preditores independentes de THS. CONCLUSÕES. A trombólise intravenosa para o AVC foi aplicada de forma segura em um hospital brasileiro, público e acadêmico, embora em uma casuística de pacientes com elevada frequência de comorbidades, quadros clínicos mais graves e janelas terapêuticas mais tardias em comparação com aquelas descritas em casuísticas de países desenvolvidos. São necessários aprimoramentos do fluxo de encaminhamento de pacientes com AVC agudo, com qualificação do atendimento pré-hospitalar e do sistema e regulação médica, com o objetivo de reduzir o tempo para chegada ao hospital e de ampliar o acesso à terapia trombolítica para todo o espectro de pacientes com AVC. A gravidade clínica do AVC e o uso prévio de estatinas parecem estar associados a maior chance de transformação hemorrágica sintomática relacionada à trombólise intravenosa. / BACKGROUND AND AIMS. Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability in the world, and is the leading cause of death in Brazil. Intravenous thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator is the only treatment for stroke with proved benefit. Intravenous thrombolysis is associated with significant risks, and strict adherence to treatment protocols is necessary. The dissemination of this treatment has been conditioned in many countries to the conduction of phase 4 studies, specifically designed to verify safety outcome measures. Recently, there has been important initiatives for the national dissemination of intravenous thrombolysis in Brazil. Nevertheless, there is scarce data about the use of this treatment in our country. This study aimed to describe one decade of experience with intravenous thrombolysis for stroke in our institution, and to compare our sample with one of the largest international phase 4 stroke registry on stroke thrombolysis (Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis for Stroke, SITS). METHODS. This is an observational, retrospective study, involving all patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis for acute stroke at our hospital. The primary endpoints were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and in-hospital death. We also describe the demographics, medical history, clinical severeness and the timeline from symptom onset to treatment. RESULTS. We studied 209 patients with acute stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis at our institution. We found a severe clinical profile, with more frequent comorbidities, more severe neurological deficits and a rather late treatment window, when compared with the SITS registry. Median NIHSS score was 14 (interquartile range: 9 a 19). Median onset-to-treatment time was 200 minutes (interquartile range: 165 a 247). Through the study period, the number of patients receiving thrombolysis in later treatment windows increased, and the there was an increase of the proportion of patients treated within 60 minutes of hospital admission. There were 16 symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (7.7%), which was similar to the global cohort of the SITS registry (4.8%; P=0.09). In univariate analysis, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was associated with admission clinical severeness, prior use of statins, and onset-to-treatment. In multivariate analysis, clinical severeness and statin use were independently associated with symptomatic hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS. Intravenous thrombolysis was safely performed in a brazilian, public, academic hospital, in spite of a severe clinical profile and a rather late treatment window. More efforts are necessary to improve stroke recognition, dispatch and delivery of acute stroke patients in Brazil, in order to decrease time to hospital arrival and to improve access to intravenous thrombolysis. Patients with more severe strokes and with prior use of statin therapy may have increased risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after thrombolysis for acute stroke.

<p>In 101 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with streptokinase the additional effects of lmw-heparin (dalteparin) were investigated. The prognostic value of troponin-T (TnT) was elucidated and the development of myocardial damage was investigated with Positron Emission Tomography (PET).</p><p>Dalteparin tended to provide a higher rate of TIMI grade 3 flow in the infarct-related artery at 24 h compared to placebo. In patients with signs of early reperfusion there was a higher rate of TIMI grade 3 flow in the dalteparin group compared to placebo. There were significantly fewer patients with ischemic episodes at 6-24 h in the dalteparin compared to placebo group.</p><p>The increase in coagulation activity was attenuated in the dalteparin group. There was a tendency to more ischemic episodes and lower frequency of TIMI grade 3 flow in patients with persistent elevation of coagulation activity at 18 h. Among deceased patients the coagulation activity was significantly higher than in survivors. </p><p>The association between elevated TnT on admission and long-term mortality might be explained by longer delay, episodes of chest pain during the last 24 h, less non-invasive signs of reperfusion at 90 minutes, and lower patency in the infarct-related artery at 24 h. </p><p>Eight patients were investigated with PET at 3h, 24 h and after 3 weeks. PET outlines the infarct region with reduced perfusion and metabolism. The oxidative metabolism in the infarct region at 3 h correlated with the water-Perfusable Tissue Fraction (PTF) and its improvement over time.</p><p>Dalteparin seems to improve maintenance of coronary patency, which can be explained by attenuation of the increased coagulation activity. Elevated TnT level on admission is associated with a worse outcome, which can partly be explained by less successful fibrinolytic treatment. PET investigations might to be a useful method in future trials evaluating new agents in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction.</p>

<p>The laparoscopic way of performing general surgical procedures was introduced all over the Western world in a few years around 1990. No previous scientific studies of the safety of this new way of performing general surgery had been undertaken.</p><p>In an animal study, it was shown that carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum (CO₂PP) causes an increase in inferior caval vein (ICV) pressure, although there were no effects on the ICV blood flow. There were gradual increases in systemic, pulmonary and ICV vascular resistance, which remained after exsufflation. These effects on vascular resistance could not be reproduced in a second animal study, presumably due to a different form of anesthesia. In this study, there was only indirect evidence of CO₂ PP decreasing urine output. No increase in vasopressin, which is commonly seen during CO₂ PP, was found, indicating that vasopressin may play a role in the decreased urine output during CO₂ PP but that there must be other contributing factors as well. Only brief effects on the renal arterial blood flow were seen.Renal venous pressure increased to that of the ICV.</p><p>A literature review indicated that thromboembolic complications do occur after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The relative frequencies indicated an underreporting of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in relation to pulmonary embolism (PE).</p><p>In a clinical study, activation of the coagulation after LC was demonstrated. There were differences between the groups receiving dextran and low molecular weight heparin as prophylaxis. A further clinical study showed the incidence of DVT, as demonstrated by phlebography, to be 2.0 % (95 % confidence interval 0-6.0 %) 7-11 days after LC, even though thromboembolism prophylaxis was given in shorter courses than those scientifically proven to be effective against DVT. D-dimer values increased at the first postoperative day and even further at the time of phlebography, suggesting that the effects of LC on coagulation and/or fibrinolysis may be of longer duration than previously known.</p>

In 101 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with streptokinase the additional effects of lmw-heparin (dalteparin) were investigated. The prognostic value of troponin-T (TnT) was elucidated and the development of myocardial damage was investigated with Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Dalteparin tended to provide a higher rate of TIMI grade 3 flow in the infarct-related artery at 24 h compared to placebo. In patients with signs of early reperfusion there was a higher rate of TIMI grade 3 flow in the dalteparin group compared to placebo. There were significantly fewer patients with ischemic episodes at 6-24 h in the dalteparin compared to placebo group. The increase in coagulation activity was attenuated in the dalteparin group. There was a tendency to more ischemic episodes and lower frequency of TIMI grade 3 flow in patients with persistent elevation of coagulation activity at 18 h. Among deceased patients the coagulation activity was significantly higher than in survivors. The association between elevated TnT on admission and long-term mortality might be explained by longer delay, episodes of chest pain during the last 24 h, less non-invasive signs of reperfusion at 90 minutes, and lower patency in the infarct-related artery at 24 h. Eight patients were investigated with PET at 3h, 24 h and after 3 weeks. PET outlines the infarct region with reduced perfusion and metabolism. The oxidative metabolism in the infarct region at 3 h correlated with the water-Perfusable Tissue Fraction (PTF) and its improvement over time. Dalteparin seems to improve maintenance of coronary patency, which can be explained by attenuation of the increased coagulation activity. Elevated TnT level on admission is associated with a worse outcome, which can partly be explained by less successful fibrinolytic treatment. PET investigations might to be a useful method in future trials evaluating new agents in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

The laparoscopic way of performing general surgical procedures was introduced all over the Western world in a few years around 1990. No previous scientific studies of the safety of this new way of performing general surgery had been undertaken. In an animal study, it was shown that carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum (CO2PP) causes an increase in inferior caval vein (ICV) pressure, although there were no effects on the ICV blood flow. There were gradual increases in systemic, pulmonary and ICV vascular resistance, which remained after exsufflation. These effects on vascular resistance could not be reproduced in a second animal study, presumably due to a different form of anesthesia. In this study, there was only indirect evidence of CO2 PP decreasing urine output. No increase in vasopressin, which is commonly seen during CO2 PP, was found, indicating that vasopressin may play a role in the decreased urine output during CO2 PP but that there must be other contributing factors as well. Only brief effects on the renal arterial blood flow were seen.Renal venous pressure increased to that of the ICV. A literature review indicated that thromboembolic complications do occur after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The relative frequencies indicated an underreporting of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in relation to pulmonary embolism (PE). In a clinical study, activation of the coagulation after LC was demonstrated. There were differences between the groups receiving dextran and low molecular weight heparin as prophylaxis. A further clinical study showed the incidence of DVT, as demonstrated by phlebography, to be 2.0 % (95 % confidence interval 0-6.0 %) 7-11 days after LC, even though thromboembolism prophylaxis was given in shorter courses than those scientifically proven to be effective against DVT. D-dimer values increased at the first postoperative day and even further at the time of phlebography, suggesting that the effects of LC on coagulation and/or fibrinolysis may be of longer duration than previously known.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of childbearing age and is associated with a number of metabolic disturbances. It has been hypothesised these women carry an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) with advancing age. The first aim of this thesis was to establish the prevalence of PCOS-related symptoms in Northern Sweden. The Northern part of the WHO MONICA project was used for this purpose. Based on self-reported menstrual disturbances and hirsutism together with biochemical analyses of free androgen index, the estimated prevalence of PCOS in Northern Sweden was 4.8%, which corresponded with previous prevalence studies. Disturbances in the fibrinolytic system are predictors of future cardiovascular events and measurements of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) activity and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) mass concentration may be used to assess fibrinolytic activity in women with PCOS. From the findings, over-weight women with PCOS had impaired fibrinolysis, especially if they displayed objective biochemical markers of hyperandrogenism. Conversely, lean women with PCOS, displayed no signs of disturbed fibrinolysis. The adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ that produces and releases hormones, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and chemoattractant cytokines. Proinflammatory molecules produced by adipose tissue can be active participants in the development of insulin resistance and the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with obesity. The findings suggested being overweight, rather than the PCOS diagnosis per se, was the main explanatory variable for elevated adipose tissue inflammation in PCOS patients. Weight reduction is the primary target for intervention in overweight and obese women with PCOS. When this thesis was planned, no placebo-controlled trials on anti-obesity drugs in women with PCOS had been conducted. Sibutramine in combination with lifestyle intervention resulted in significant weight reduction in overweight women with PCOS. In addition to the weight loss, sibutramine appeared to have a beneficial effect on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors.

Obesity is increasing globally and related to major changes in lifestyle. This increase is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Knowledge about adipose tissue as a metabolic-endocrine organ has increased during the last few decades. Adipose tissue produces a number of proteins with increased body weight, many of which are important for food intake and satiety, insulin sensitivity, and vessel integrity, and aberrations have been related to atherosclerosis. Notably, the risk for developing CVD over the course of a lifetime differs between men and women. In Northern Sweden, men have a higher risk for myocardial infarction (MI). However, the incidence is declining in men but not in women. These sex differences could be due to functional and anatomical differences in the fat mass and its functions. The primary aim of this thesis was to evaluate associations between the adipocyte-derived hormones leptin and adiponectin, and fibrinolysis and other variables associated with the metabolic syndrome, and particularly whether these associations differ between men and women. Another aim was to evaluate these associations during physical exercise and pharmacological intervention (i.e. enalapril). Finally, whether leptin and adiponectin predict a first MI or sudden cardiac death with putative sex differences was also investigated. The first study used a cross-sectional design and included 72 men and women  recruited from the WHO MONICA project. We found pronounced sex differences in the associations with fibrinolytic variables. Leptin was associated with fibrinolytic factors in men, whereas insulin resistance was strongly associated with all fibrinolytic factors in women. The second study was an experimental observational study with 20 men exposed to strenuous physical exercise. During exercise, leptin levels decreased and adiponectin levels increased, and both were strongly associated with an improved fibrinolytic capacity measured as decreased PAI-1 activity. Changes in insulin sensitivity were not associated with changing adiponectin levels. The third study was a randomised, double-blind, single centre clinical trial including 46 men and 37 women who had an earlier MI. The study duration was one year, and participating subjects were randomised to either placebo or ACE inhibitor (i.e. enalapril). Circulating leptin levels were not associated with enalapril treatment. During the one-year study, changes in leptin levels were associated with changes in circulating levels of tPA mass, PAI-1 mass, and tPA-PAI complex in men, but not vWF. These associations were found in all men and men on placebo treatment. In women on enalapril treatment there was an association between changes in leptin and changes in vWF. In the fourth study, the impact of leptin, adiponectin, and their ratio on future MI risk or sudden cardiac death was tested in a prospective nested casecontrol study within the framework of the WHO MONICA, Västerbotten Intervention Project (VIP), and Västerbotten  Mammary Screening Program (MSP). A total 564 cases (first-ever MI or sudden cardiac death) and 1082 matched controls were selected. High leptin, low adiponectin, and a high leptin/adiponectin ratio independently predicted a first-ever MI, possibly with higher risk in men in regards to leptin. The association was found for non-fatal cases with ST-elevation MI. Subjects with low adiponectin levels had their MI earlier than those with high levels. In conclusion, the adipocyte-derived hormones leptin and adiponectin are related to the development of CVD with a sex difference, and fibrinolytic mechanisms could be possible contributors to CVD risk.

No description available.