- Synergistic effects of drug and aerobic exercise on endothelial function and epicardial fat thickness in patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia
-
Eun-Ah Jo, Shan-Shan Wu, Hyung-Rae Han, Jung-Jun Park, Jung-Ho Heo
-
Kosin Med J. 2025;40(1):31-40. Published online February 17, 2025
-
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.24.137
-
-
Abstract
PDF PubReader ePub
- Background
Aerobic exercise training and drug therapy are well-established interventions for the prevention and treatment of hypertension and dyslipidemia. We investigated the synergistic effects of aerobic exercise and olmesartan/rosuvastatin on epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and endothelial function in patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia.
Methods A sample of 75 participants with hypertension and dyslipidemia was evaluated for multifactorial cardiovascular risk at baseline and at 6 months of intervention according to anthropometric and hemodynamic components, lipid profile, glycemia, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and EFT. After 3 months of drug therapy only, participants were allocated to one of three conditions: treadmill (n=22), exergame (n=29), or control (n=24).
Results After 12 weeks of drug therapy only, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (3% and 2%, both p<0.05), total cholesterol (6.3%, p<0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (4.9%, p<0.05), triglycerides (11.1%, p<0.05), fasting blood glucose (10.2%, p<0.01), and glycosylated hemoglobin (3%, p<0.01) were significantly reduced. After 12 weeks of combined aerobic exercise and drug therapy, both the treadmill and exergame groups showed a significant improvement in FMD (both p<0.001) and reduction in EFT (both p<0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased in the treadmill group only (1.9% and 2.7%, respectively, p<0.05).
Conclusions Incorporating aerobic exercise into drug therapy regimens can yield synergistic effects, particularly in improving endothelial function and reducing EFT, providing a comprehensive approach to managing cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia.
- Early effects of PCSK9 inhibitors: evolocumab versus alirocumab
-
Su-Hyun Bae, Bong-Joon Kim, Soo-Jin Kim, Sung-Il Im, Hyun-Su Kim, Jung-Ho Heo
-
Kosin Med J. 2025;40(1):49-54. Published online March 27, 2025
-
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.24.145
-
-
Abstract
PDF PubReader ePub
- Background
The significance of risk modification in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is well recognized; however, the optimal timing for adminstering PCSK9 inhibitors remains unclear. Additionally, the lipid-lowering efficacy of evolocumab and alirocumab has not been fully established. This study evaluated the lipid-lowering effects of these two PCSK9 inhibitors.
Methods Patients diagnosed with ACS, including unstable angina, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, who were treated with a PCSK9 inhibitor (evolocumab or alirocumab) during hospitalization for ACS between 2021 and 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were assessed, and changes in LDL-C levels during the acute and subacute phases after PCSK9 inhibitor administration were compared between the evolocumab and alirocumab groups.
Results Among 80 patients diagnosed with ACS, 36 received evolocumab, while 44 were treated with alirocumab. The mean baseline LDL-C level was 123 mg/dL in the evolocumab group and 128 mg/dL in the alirocumab group (p=0.456). In the subacute phase, the mean follow-up LDL-C levels were 47.05 mg/dL in the evolocumab group and 49.5 mg/dL in the alirocumab group (p=0.585). The mean percentage reduction in LDL-C levels during the subacute phase was 60.41% in the evolocumab group and 58.51% in the alirocumab group (p=0.431). These differences were not statistically significant.
Conclusions No significant differences were observed between evolocumab and alirocumab. LDL-C levels exhibited a similar trend, characterized by a rapid decline in the acute phase, followed by a slight rebound in the subacute phase.
- Disseminated Staphylococcus aureus infection and acute bacterial pericarditis: a case report
-
Su Hyun Bae, Song-Hyun Lee, Joon-Young Choi, Bong-Joon Kim, Soo-Jin Kim, Sung-Il Im, Hyun-Su Kim, Jung-Ho Heo
-
Kosin Med J. 2023;38(2):134-137. Published online August 16, 2022
-
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.22.021
-
-
Abstract
PDF PubReader ePub
- We experienced a case of disseminated Staphylococcus aureus infection with bacterial pericarditis that progressed to septic shock and multiorgan failure despite pericardiocentesis and surgical removal of the original abscess with intensive antibiotic therapy. We report this case because of the patient’s very rare and remarkable echocardiographic findings and highly turbid pericardial effusion.
|