No abstract

Aims During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital admissions for cardiac care have declined. However, effects on mortality are unclear. Thus, we sought to evaluate the impact of the lockdown period in central Germany on overall and cardiovascular deaths. Simultaneously we looked at catheterization activities in the same region. Methods and results Data from 22 of 24 public health-authorities in central Germany were aggregated during the pandemic related lockdown period and compared to the same time period in 2019. Information on the total number of deaths and causes of death, including cardiovascular mortality, were collected. Additionally, we compared rates of hospitalization (n = 5178) for chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in 26 hospitals in this area. Data on 5,984 deaths occurring between March 23, 2020 and April 26, 2020 were evaluated. In comparison to the reference non-pandemic period in 2019 (deaths: n = 5832), there was a non-significant increase in all-cause mortality of 2.6% [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99–1.06; p = 0.16]. Cardiovascular and cardiac mortality increased significantly by 7.6% (IRR 1.08, 95%-CI 1.01–1.14; p = 0.02) and by 11.8% (IRR 1.12, 95%-CI 1.05–1.19; p < 0.001), respectively. During the same period, our data revealed a drop in cardiac catherization procedures. Conclusion During the COVID-19-related lockdown a significant increase in cardiovascular mortality was observed in central Germany, whereas catherization activities were reduced. The mechanisms underlying both of these observations should be investigated further in order to better understand the effects of a pandemic-related lockdown and social-distancing restrictions on cardiovascular care and mortality. Graphic abstract

No abstract

Other than its known effects on the cardiovascular system, angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates cell growth in several cell types. In this study, we examined whether it also might affect bone cell metabolism. Ang II stimulated DNA and collagen synthesis and decreased alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in bone cell populations derived from the periosteum of fetal rat calvariae. Similar effects of Ang II were observed on human adult bone cells obtained by collagenase digestion from trabecular bone. Clonal cell analysis, autoradiographic studies, and receptor subtype analysis suggested the presence of specific Ang II receptor subtype 1 (AT1) binding sites on AP+ osteoblastic precursor cells. Ang II had no direct effects on osteoblastic cells with a mature phenotype, but paracrine effects of Ang II on mature osteoblasts could be observed upon coculture with Ang II-responsive bone cell populations. Because Ang II is known to be locally generated by endothelial cells, Ang II might play an important role in coordinating capillary cell growth and osteoblastic bone formation during bone remodeling.

No abstract