Malignant and cardiovascular disorders are the top causes of mortality worldwide. This article reviews the main literature data and mechanisms linking hematologic malignancies and arterial stiffness, focusing on recent experimental and clinical results. Several links were found in hematologic malignancies between complete blood count and arterial stiffness. Chemotherapy, especially anthracyclines, cyclophosphamide and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, as well as radiotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are the main known causes of arterial stiffness increase in hematologic malignancies. The mechanisms of arterial stiffness elevation in hematologic malignancies include an increased oxidative stress, impaired vascular wall homeostasis, endothelial dysfunction and apoptosis of endothelial cells, overexpression of inflammatory cytokines, accelerated atherosclerosis, increased blood viscosity and unstable platelet aggregates. Guidelines regarding cardiovascular health screening and cardiovascular risk scores are necessary for hematologic cancer survivors in order to improve prognosis and quality of life of the patients.
Healthy subjects with higher PWV may benefit from consistent aerobic exercise training to improve arterial stiffness. Our eating behavior study shows that healthy eating may improve vascular function and therefore can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The present available data on the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes (EC) is inconsistent and contradicting. Even though EC is considered a healthier alternative to the traditional cigarettes, several studies reported a large range of toxic compounds. The objective of this study is to determine whether the mercury found in the solutions used for electronic cigarettes is involved in the initiation and aggravation of endothelial dysfunction found in smoking persons with coronary artery disease (CAD). Endothelial function was evaluated by performing organ bath studies of vascular rings from patients with CAD, and was determined as a response to cumulative doses of endothelial-dependent/independent vasodilators, in the presence of Hg2+. Hg2+ extraction was realised using ion exchanging resin PUROLITE S920 from the liquid solution used in EC. The results of this study suggests that Hg2+ may be responsible for the aggravation of the endothelial dysfunction found in smoker of EC patients with CAD.
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