Title:Circulatory Syndrome: An Evolution of the Metabolic Syndrome Concept!
Volume: 8
Issue: 1
Author(s): Ali Reza Khoshdel, Shane L.Carney and Alastair Gillies
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Circulatory system, metabolic syndrome, renal function, ventricular function, arterial stiffness, anaemia, metabolic syndrome, MARC, Hypertension
Abstract: The metabolic syndrome has been a useful, though controversial construct in clinical practice as well as a valuable
model in order to understand the interactions of diverse cardiovascular risk factors. However the increasing importance
of the circulatory system in particular the endothelium, in both connecting and controlling organ function has underlined
the limitations of the metabolic syndrome definition. The proposed “Circulatory Syndrome” is an attempt to refine
the metabolic syndrome concept by the addition of recently documented markers of cardiovascular disease including
renal impairment, microalbuminuria, arterial stiffness, ventricular dysfunction and anaemia to more classic factors including
hypertension, dyslipidemia and abnormal glucose metabolism; all of which easily measured in clinical practice. These
markers interact with each other as well as with other factors such as aging, obesity, physical inactivity, diet and smoking.
The final common pathways of inflammation, oxidative stress and hypercoagulability thereby lead to endothelial damage
and eventually cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, the Circulatory (MARC) Syndrome, like its predecessor the metabolic
syndrome, is only a small step toward an understanding of these complex and as yet poorly understood markers of
disease.