Diseases Commons^™

The Relationship Of Social Support In Self-Care, Depressive Symptoms, And Quality Of Life Outcomes In Patients With Heart Failure, Shannon C. Shumaker

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate outcomes associated with social support in patients with heart failure and their caregivers. Specific aims were to: 1) examine the association of depressive symptoms with self-care in patients with HF; 2) evaluate the psychometrics properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) instrument as a measure of perceived social support in patients with heart failure; and 3) determine whether patient and caregiver perception of relationship quality measured at baseline upon enrollment predicted quality of life at baseline in both patient and caregiver using a multilevel dyadic analysis in patient and …

Vena Cava Filter Utilization And Retrieval: A Quality Of Care Issue, Joshua Brown

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Vena cava filters (VCFs) are mechanical devices implanted in the inferior vena cava to trap thrombi from travelling to the pulmonary circulation, resulting in pulmonary embolism. VCFs are available as permanent or non-permanent, retrievable devices and are generally indicated for use in patients unable to receive systemic anticoagulation or at exceedingly high risk for pulmonary embolism (PE). Retrievable devices allow for removal of the VCF once the contraindication to anticoagulation or high risk of PE has abated. Since the introduction of retrievable VCFs in the early 2000’s, use of VCFs has increased three-fold, with >85% of all VCFs placed being …

Ppap2b Expression Limits Lesion Formation In Murine Models Of Atherosclerosis, Paul A. Mueller

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in both men and women worldwide and is defined as a narrowing of the coronary arteries due to accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. Genome-wide association studies have identified risk loci within the gene PPAP2B that confers increased risk of developing CAD. Evidence suggests these aforementioned SNPs are regulating PPAP2B expression in a cis-manner through the interruption of transcription factor binding sites. PPAP2B encodes the lipid phosphate phosphatase 3 enzyme that plays a key role in degrading bioactive lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). LPA has a plethora of effects on vascular tissue and is …

Development And Application Of Gadolinium Free Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Fibrosis Imaging For Multiscale Study Of Heart Failure In Patients With End Stage Renal Disease, Tori A. Stromp

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a powerful tool to noninvasively image ventricular fibrosis. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) CMR identifies focal and, with T1 mapping, diffuse fibrosis. Despite prevalent cardiac fibrosis and heart failure, patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are excluded from LGE. Absence of a suitable diagnostic has limited the understanding of heart failure and obstructed development of therapies in the setting of ESRD. A quantitative, gadolinium free fibrosis detection method could overcome this critical barrier, propelling the advancement of diagnostic, monitoring, and therapy options. This project describes the development of a gadolinium free CMR technique and application …

Lifestyle Contributors To Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Adam J. Berrones

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Aortic stiffness is an independent risk factor that has prognostic value regarding future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events such as myocardial infarction, strokes, and heart failure. Although death rates due to coronary heart disease have declined in recent years, the leading global killer remains CVD and prevalence is still high. Understanding lifestyle contributors associated with aortic stiffness would provide the public with insight into targeting key health-related behaviors.

The purpose of this observational study was to examine the association of physical activity, physical function, and dietary quality as independent factors contributing to aortic stiffness in apparently healthy middle aged men. Fifty-two …

The Role Of Pxr And Ikkβ Signaling In Cardiometabolic Disease, Robert N. Helsley

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and is partially attributed to perturbations in lipid metabolism. Xenobiotics, such as pharmaceutical drugs and environmental chemicals, have been associated with increased risk of CVD in multiple large-scale human population studies, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. We and others have identified several xenobiotics as potent agonists for the pregnane X receptor (PXR), a nuclear receptor that can be activated by numerous drugs as well as environmental and dietary chemicals. However, the role of PXR in mediating the pathophysiological effects of xenobiotic exposure in humans and animals remains elusive. …