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Erectile dysfunction: a review focused on its relationship with atherosclerosis

September 1, 2019 · Issue 2

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent disease that affects the quality of life of mainly older men. Among the complex etiology of ED, atherosclerosis is the predominant of the arteriogenic causes. It has been reported that ED and cardiovascular disease share common risk factors and common pathophysiological mechanisms (endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and low testosterone levels). Moreover, increasing evidence suggests that clinical manifestations of ED precede cardiovascular events by about three years and thus, its diagnosis offers a window for early cardiologic assessment and intervention. In patients with suspected arteriogenic ED, data ha sshown that percutaneous revascularization of penile arteries may be considered an effective treatmentstrategy in patients with macroangiopathic disease who have not responded to oral conservative therapy. All in all, a complex and yet-to-be understood interplay between ED and cardiovascular disease has been revealed in recent years.

Keywords: erectile dysfunction, penis pumps,sildenafil

The prognostic value of aortic sclerosis on cardiovascular disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and the promising role of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2)

September 1, 2019 · Issue 2

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing pandemic, constituting the 7th cause of death worldwide. Morbidity and mortality rates among patients with T2DM are increasing, while the incidence of cardiovascular disease in this population is estimated to be 14%greater compared to the general population. Aortic stiffness represents now a valuable biomarker of cardiovascular disease and a promising treatment target in various populations, including patients with T2DM; however, most of available studies are crosssectional, and thus, causality cannot be proven. Non-invasive measurement, easy learning and low cost constitute evaluation of aortic stiffness a routine diagnostic test with significant prognostic value. Recently, a new class of antidiabetics, namely sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have attracted scientific interest, due to their beneficial cardiovascular effects. There is limited relevant literature concerning the impact of the SGLT-2 inhibitors on the aortic stiffness, while the results are rather considered as ambiguous. The aim of the present review article is to present past and contemporary knowledge regarding the diagnostic and prognostic value of aortic stiffness in the field of T2DM and related cardiovascular disease, and to discuss the promising role of SGLT-2 inhibitors in aortic stiffness reduction.

Keywords: Aortic stiffness, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, SGLT-2 inhibitors.

Treating patients with resistant hypertension

September 1, 2019 · Issue 2,Volume 11

Resistant hypertension represents a significant problem in everyday clinical practice with substantial cardiovascular consequences. The recent European guidelines incorporated some important changes in the definition of resistant hypertension, which are expected to affect significantly the prevalence and the management of this clinical entity. The aim of this paper is to present the latest data about the definition, the prevalence, and the prognosis of resistant hypertension, but most importantly to propose a simplified strategy of approaching patients with resistant hypertension, which can be easily implemented in real life practice.

Keywords: resistant hypertension, hypertension therapy, aldosterone inhibitors

Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: What’s new and novel therapies

September 1, 2019 · Issue 2

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a cardiac dysfunction with a prevalence of 12% in diabetic patients. The precise pathophysiological mechanism leading to the development of thisspecific type of cardiomyopathy is complex and not completely yet known. Since 1972, when the definition of diabetic cardiomyopathy wasintroduced, until today significant progress has been made in its diagnosis and treatment. The earlier the diagnosis is made by using mainly echocardiography, the higher the chances of reversing the progression of the disease to overt failure. Thisreview aimsto summarize the various diagnostic methods, current prevention approaches, and innovative treatment strategies.

Keywords: Cardiac dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, diabetic cardiomyopathy

About Atherologia

ΑΘΗΡΟλογία (Athirologia) is the journal of the Atherosclerosis Society of Northern Greece. issues are published three times per year.

Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief
Papadopoulos Christodoulos, MD, PhD
Thessaloniki, Greece

Deputy Editor
Bakogiannis Constantinos, MD, PhD
Thessaloniki, Greece

Executive Managing Editor
Tsarouchas Anastasios-Stylianos, MD
Thessaloniki, Greece

Editorial Director
Mouselimis Dimitrios, MD
Thessaloniki, Greece

Associate Editors

Skoutas Dimitrios, MD, PhD
Thessaloniki, Greece

Efthimiadis Ioannis, MD, PhD
Thessaloniki, Greece

Doumas Michael, MD, PhD
Thessaloniki, Greece

Giannakoulas George, MD, PhD
Thessaloniki, Greece

Zioutas Dimitrios, MD, PhD
Thessaloniki, Greece

Karkos Christos, MD, PhD,
Thessaloniki, Greece

Papadopoulou-Lempeglou Kiriaki, MD, PhD
Thessaloniki, Greece

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