Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Int J Sports Med 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Department of Sport, Health & Exercise Science, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a package of lifestyle secondary prevention strategies designed for patients with coronary heart disease and chronic heart failure. A community-based cardiac rehabilitation programme provides patients with a structured exercise training intervention alongside educational support and psychological counselling. This review provides an update regarding the clinical benefits of community-based cardiac rehabilitation from a psycho-physiological perspective, and also focuses on the latest epidemiological evidence regarding potential survival benefits. Read More

Pharmacol Res 2020 Jul 7:105052. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

University of Milano, Milan, Italy; Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Health Science University of Milano, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milan, Italy.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension are major cardiovascular risks factors which shares metabolic and haemodynamic abnormalities as well as pathophysiological mechanisms. The simultaneous presence of diabetes and arterial hypertension increases the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy, congestive heart failure, and stroke, as compared to either condition alone. A number of guidelines recommend lifestyle measures such as salt restriction, weight reduction and ideal body weight mainteinance, regular physical activity and smoking cessation, together with moderation of alcohol consumption and high intake of vegetables and fruits, as the basis for reduction of blood pressure and prevention of CV diseases. Read More

J Mol Cell Cardiol 2020 Jul 7. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany,; REBIRTH Excellence Cluster, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. Electronic address:

Myocardial ischemia induces a multifaceted remodeling process in the heart. Novel therapeutic entry points to counteract maladaptive signalling include the modulation of non-coding RNA molecules such as long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). We here questioned if the lncRNA candidate H19 exhibits regulatory potential in the setting of myocardial infarction. Read More

Am J Hum Genet 2020 Jul 4. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Division of Intramural Research, Population Sciences Branch, The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA 01702, USA. Electronic address:

Dual antiplatelet therapy reduces ischemic events in cardiovascular disease, but it increases bleeding risk. Thrombin receptors PAR1 and PAR4 are drug targets, but the role of thrombin in platelet aggregation remains largely unexplored in large populations. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of platelet aggregation in response to full-length thrombin, followed by clinical association analyses, Mendelian randomization, and functional characterization including iPSC-derived megakaryocyte and platelet experiments. Read More

Am J Transplant 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Schuster Transplantation Research Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Kidney transplant recipients may be at high risk of developing critical COVID-19 illness due to chronic immunosuppression and comorbidities. We identified hospitalized adult kidney transplant recipients at 12 transplant centers in the US, Italy and Spain who tested positive for COVID-19. Clinical presentation, laboratory values, immunosuppression and treatment strategies were reviewed and predictors of poor clinical outcomes were determined through multivariable analyses. Read More

J Hypertens 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

University Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Policlinico di Monza, Monza, Italy.

Background: Meta-analyses from randomized outcome-based trials have challenged the role of beta-blockers for the treatment of hypertension. However, because they often include trials on diseases other than hypertension, the role of these drugs in the choice of the blood pressure (BP)-lowering treatment strategies remains unclear.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for randomized trials that compared beta-blockers vs. Read More

Health Care Manage Rev 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Erin Abu-Rish Blakeney, PhD, RN, is Research Assistant Professor, Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle. E-mail: Hebatallah Naim Ali, MD, MS/IHPM, is PhD Candidate, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Nicole Summerside, MHA, is with the Center for Health Sciences Interprofessional Education, Research and Practice, University of Washington, Seattle. Danielle C. Lavallee, PharmD, PhD, is Research Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle. Benjamin Kragen, MBA Student and PhD Student, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Mayumi A. Willgerodt, PhD, RN, is Associate Professor, Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle. Bryan J. Weiner, PhD, is Professor, Departments of Global Health and Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle. Leah Spacciante, MN, RN, is Nurse Manager, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle. Brenda K. Zierler, PhD, RN, is Professor, Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle.

Background: Poor communication is a leading cause of errors in health care. Structured interprofessional bedside rounds are a promising model to improve communication.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to test if an intervention to improve communication and coordination in an inpatient heart failure care unit would result in lasting change. Read More

J Cardiovasc Nurs 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Kenneth M. Faulkner, PhD, RN, ANP Clinical Associate Professor, Stony Brook University School of Nursing, New York. Victoria Vaughan Dickson, PhD, CRNP, FAHA, FHFSA, FAAN Director, Pless Center for Research, New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York, NY. Jason Fletcher, PhD Senior Biostatistician, New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York. Stuart D. Katz, MD Director, New York University Langone Health Heart Failure Program, New York. Patricia P. Chang, MD, MHS Director, Heart Failure and Transplant Program, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Rebecca F. Gottesman, MD, PhD Professor of Neurology and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. Lucy S. Witt, MD, MPH Professor, Emory University Department of Hospital Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. Amil M. Shah, MD Co-director, Cardiac Imaging Core Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Gail D'Eramo Melkus, EdD, C-NP, FAAN Associate Dean for Research, New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York.

Background: Cognitive impairment is prevalent in heart failure and is associated with higher mortality rates. The mechanism behind cognitive impairment in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has not been established.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between abnormal cardiac hemodynamics and cognitive impairment in individuals with HFpEF. Read More

J Cardiovasc Nurs 2020 Jul 3. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Rida Gharzeddine, MSN, RN PhD Student, New York University (NYU) Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York. Margaret M. McCarthy, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAHA Assistant Professor, NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York. Gary Yu, PhD Associate Research Scientist, NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York, NY. Victoria Vaughan Dickson, PhD, CRNP, FAHA, FHFSA, FAAN Associate Professor, NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York.

Background/objective: Insomnia and insomnia symptoms are highly prevalent in persons with heart failure (HF), and they are associated with several untoward outcomes. The purpose of this integrative review is to describe the correlates, predictors, and outcomes of insomnia and insomnia symptoms in persons with HF.

Methods: Using integrative review methods, an extensive electronic search of 5 databases was conducted for the period of 2000-2019. Read More

J Cardiovasc Nurs 2020 Jul 3. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Lakeshia Cousin, PhD, APRN, AGPCNP-BC Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida. Harleah Buck, PhD, RN, FPCN, FAAN Associate Professor, University of South Florida, College of Nursing, Tampa. Bryan Benitez, MS PhD Candidate, University of South Florida, Department of Psychology, Tampa. Paul Mills, PhD Professor, Family Medicine, and Public Health, University of California San Diego, School of Health Sciences, La Jolla. Laura Redwine, PhD Associate Professor, University of South Florida, College of Nursing, Tampa.

Background: Consistent self-care slows the progression of heart failure (HF). Gratitude, the practice of appreciating the positive aspects of life, may influence self-efficacy, which in turn is known to improve self-care. However, little is known about the relationships among gratitude, self-efficacy, and medication adherence in HF. Read More

Curr Opin Cardiol 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

MedStar Health Research Institute and MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is a complex condition in which significant mitral regurgitation coexist with cardiomyopathy and heart failure and carries an increased risk for associated morbidity and mortality. In addition to guideline-directed medical therapy and cardiac resynchronization therapy, percutaneous transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) is a new therapeutic option but requires careful selection of the proper candidates. We describe the different mechanisms of functional mitral regurgitation, review echocardiographic parameters to assess its severity, and discuss recently published relevant studies including TMVr. Read More

Curr Opin Cardiol 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital Heart and Vascular Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Purpose Of Review: There has been a recent resurgence of diabetes-related cardiovascular complications after years of steady improvement. This review highlights established and emerging contemporary secondary prevention approaches that lower the risk of atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events among patients with diabetes.

Recent Findings: Secondary prevention therapies modify residual risk targets, including cardiometabolic pathways, lipoproteins, thrombosis, and inflammation. Read More

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2020 Jan-Dec;34:2058738420941754

ENT & Audiology Department, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.

Aim of this communication is to remind clinical professionals to be aware of ototoxic side effects of several specific drugs proposed for the treatment of the new virus SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19). In particular, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, as well as antiviral drugs such as remdesivir, favipiravir and lopinavir can all present potential ototoxic side effects. The data in the literature do not offer specific information on their potential synergetic effects nor on their interactions. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.

Aims: Inflammation and cardiac remodelling are common and synergistic pathways in heart failure (HF). Emerging biomarkers such as soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), which are linked to inflammation and fibrosis process, have been proposed as prognosis factors. However, their potential additive values remain poorly investigated. Read More

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Clinical Trials Center, Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York.

Background: Supersaturated oxygen (SSO ) has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for administration after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in patients with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) based on its demonstration of infarct size reduction in the IC-HOT study. Read More

Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2020 Jul 10:e13537. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China.

Aim: The imbalance of T helper (Th) 17/ T regulatory (Treg) is involved in chronic heart failure (HF). The enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) contributes to myocardial fibrosis. This study was designed to decipher the regulatory mechanism of Th17/Treg on LOX expression and to validate whether Th17/Treg imbalance regulates myocardial fibrosis by modulating LOX expression. Read More

J Cell Mol Med 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Heart Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Exosomes are attracting considerable interest in the cardiovascular field as the wide range of their functions is recognized in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the regulatory role of exosomal long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in AMI remains largely unclear. Exosomes were isolated from the plasma of AMI patients and controls, and the sequencing profiles and twice qRT-PCR validations of exosomal lncRNAs were performed. Read More

Eur J Clin Invest 2020 Jul 10:e13339. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Department of Endocrinology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is an immense challenge for global healthcare. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity have been shown to portend poor prognosis in COVID-19 despite no greater susceptibility to the infection (1). Chronic hypertension is commonly associated with vasculopathy which can predispose to severe infection. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2020 Jul 1;3(7):e2010174. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, Division of General Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento.

Importance: Adherence to telemonitoring may be associated with heart failure exacerbation but is not included in telemonitoring algorithms.

Objective: To assess whether telemonitoring adherence is associated with a patient's risk of hospitalization, emergency department visit, or death.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This post hoc secondary analysis of the Better Effectiveness After Transition-Heart Failure randomized clinical trial included patients from 6 academic medical centers in California who were eligible if they were hospitalized for decompensated heart failure and excluded if they were discharged to a skilled nursing facility, were expected to improve because of a medical procedure, or did not have the cognitive or physical ability to participate. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

Aims: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small double-membrane plasma vesicles that play key roles in cellular crosstalk and mechanisms such as inflammation. The role of EVs in combined organ failure such as cardiorenal syndrome has not been investigated. The aim of this study is to identify EV proteins that are associated with renal dysfunction, heart failure, and their combination in dyspnoeic patients. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Nephrology, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Aims: The overall aim was to identify sub-clinical cardiac abnormalities by echocardiography in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3 and 4 and to investigate underlying mechanisms.

Methods And Results: Ninety-one patients with CKD stages 3 and 4, without a diagnosis of heart disease, and 41 healthy matched controls were included in this cross-sectional study. Cardiac morphology and function were analysed with Doppler echocardiography and coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) in response to adenosine was measured in the left anterior descendent artery to detect coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). Read More

J Cell Mol Med 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuchang, China.

In our previous studies, we reported that myeloid differentiation protein 1 (MD1) serves as a negative regulator in several cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of MD1 in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and the underlying mechanisms of its action remain unclear. Eight-week-old MD1-knockout (MD1-KO) and wild-type (WT) mice served as models of HFpEF induced by uninephrectomy, continuous saline or d-aldosterone infusion and a 1. Read More

J Neuroimaging 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

Background And Purpose: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses a range of disorders that affect health and functioning in older adults. While cognitive declines have been linked to both cardiovascular and cerebral blood perfusion, protective neurovascular mechanisms raise the question whether cerebrovascular perfusion differs as a function of cardiovascular health status. The present study examined whether cerebrovascular perfusion significantly differs between healthy older adults with and without diagnosed CVD. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2020 Jul 10:e016203. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Division of Cardiology Department of Internal Medicine University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas TX.

Background Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve outcomes in patients with end-stage heart failure and are increasingly implanted for destination therapy. We describe dynamic estimates of event-free survival with conditional survival probabilities in a destination therapy LVAD population. Methods and Results We studied 8245 adult patients in INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) implanted with a continuous-flow destination therapy LVAD. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2020 Jul 10:e015897. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, Heart and Vascular Institute Cleveland Clinic Cleveland OH.

Background Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) thrombosis is clinically devastating and impacts the cost effectiveness of LVAD therapy for advanced heart failure. Anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapies represent the standard of care to mitigate LVAD thrombosis. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5is) exhibit hemodynamic, antiplatelet, and antithrombotic effects. Read More

Cardiol J 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

1st Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.

Despite significant diagnostic and therapeutic advances, heart failure (HF) is linked with high mortality and morbidity. Hospitalization for decompensated HF is still the most common cause of hospitalization in adults. What is more, a particularly high risk of hospitalization (even up to 50% of patients) is observed within a few months after a previous HF hospitalization. Read More

Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2020 Jul 9. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Cardiology, Wexham Park Hospital, Wexham Street, Slough, UK.

Purpose: Sacubitril/valsartan has been demonstrated to improve prognosis and outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. We sought to compare the improvement in cardiac function between non-ischaemic and ischaemic cardiomyopathy for patients receiving sacubitril/valsartan.

Methods: We conducted a single centre prospective cohort survey of patients reviewed in the Heart Function Clinic between February 2017 and January 2018. Read More

Cardiovasc Toxicol 2020 Jul 9. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.

This study investigated the protective effects of Compound 21 (C21), the first specific non-peptide AT2 receptor agonist, on cardiac injury in rats with isoproterenol-induced heart failure in vivo and compared it with valsartan, an AT1 receptor antagonist. In this study, 56 Wistar albino male rats (estimated body weights 250-400 g) were divided into eight groups (n = 7). Group 1 (Control) received no drug. Read More

Heart Fail Rev 2020 Jul 9. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Heart Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and encompasses diverse diseases of the vasculature, myocardium, cardiac electrical circuit, and cardiac development. Forkhead box protein P1 (Foxp1) is a large multi-domain transcriptional regulator belonging to the Fox family with winged helix DNA-binding protein, which plays critical roles in cardiovascular homeostasis and disorders. The broad distribution of Foxp1 and alternative splicing isoforms implicate its distinct functions in diverse cardiac and vascular cells and tissue types. Read More

Curr Cardiol Rep 2020 Jul 9;22(9):82. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Ist Department of Cardiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Dluga Street ½, 61-848, Poznan, Poland.

Purpose Of Review: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a relatively new disease entity used in medical terminology; however, both the number of patients and its clinical significance are growing. HFpEF used to be seen as a mild condition; however, the symptoms and quality of life of the patients are comparable to those with reduced ejection fraction. The disease is much more complex than previously thought. Read More

Curr Cardiol Rep 2020 Jul 9;22(9):94. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and the Am. Heart Assoc. Comprehensive Hypertension Center, University of Chicago Medicine, 5841 S. Maryland Ave. MC 1027, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to present data from clinical trials that resulted in the key data supporting the use of patiromer as a potassium binder in clinical practice today.

Recent Findings: In addition to trials that support the current Food and Drug Administration label and published over the past 3 years, the recently published Spironolactone With Patiromer in the Treatment of Resistant Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease (AMBER) trial provides clear benefits of patiromer use in a group of resistant hypertension patients. The AMBER was a phase 2, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study that evaluated 295 participants stratified by local serum potassium measurement (4. Read More

Ann Intensive Care 2020 Jul 9;10(1):91. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, University of Bordeaux, Haut-Levêque Hospital, Avenue Magellan, 33000, Pessac, France.

Background: Grown-up congenital heart (GUCH) patients represent a growing population with a high morbidity risk when undergoing reparative surgery. A main preoperative feature is right ventricular failure, which represents a risk factor for postoperative low cardiac output syndrome. Levosimendan has a potentially beneficial effect. Read More

Curr Cardiol Rep 2020 Jul 9;22(9):81. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Purpose Of Review: This review highlights the mechanisms of action of cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) and the clinical data which supports its use for the appropriate patient population.

Recent Findings: CCM has beneficial effects on myocardial calcium handling and reverse remodeling of abnormal genetic programs. Clinical trials show sustained improvements in quality of life, exercise tolerance, and heart failure symptoms. Read More

Curr Cardiol Rep 2020 Jul 9;22(9):84. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

2nd Medical Department with Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung, Vienna, Austria.

Purpose Of Review: To discuss the association of left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction (LVHT/LVNC/NCCM) with genetic disease and to outline the therapeutic options for non-symptomatic and symptomatic LVHT.

Recent Findings: A number of new mutated genes have been recently detected being associated with LVHT. There are indications that microtubules changing cell polarity, the transcription factor Nkx2-5, and NOTCH-1 signaling are involved in the pathogenesis of LVHT. Read More

Curr Cardiol Rep 2020 Jul 9;22(9):93. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Purpose Of Review: The clinical and incremental value of functional imaging with F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) for the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected native and prosthetic valve infective endocarditis (IE).

Recent Findings: The diagnosis of IE is challenging because of the highly variable clinical presentations, especially in the case of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). FDG PET/CT has been shown to play an important role for the diagnosis of PVE as a major Duke criterion. Read More

Curr Cardiol Rep 2020 Jul 9;22(9):83. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Heart and Vascular Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, PO Box 850, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Atrial fibrillation and heart failure frequently co-exist with an increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation as ejection fraction decreases. Atrial fibrillation is associated with increased mortality in patients with heart failure. This article will review rhythm and rate control options, ultimately supporting rhythm control via endocardial ablation. Read More

Cardiovasc Res 2020 Jul 9. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Pharmacology, Oita University, Faculty of Medicine, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama, Yufu, Oita, Japan.

Aims: Cardiac hypertrophy is a compensatory response to pressure overload, leading to heart failure. Recent studies have demonstrated that Rho is immediately activated in left ventricles after pressure overload, and that Rho signalling plays crucial regulatory roles in actin cytoskeleton rearrangement during cardiac hypertrophic responses. However, the mechanisms by which Rho and its downstream proteins control actin dynamics during hypertrophic responses remain not fully understood. Read More

Kidney Int Rep 2020 Jul 7;5(7):1052-1060. Epub 2020 May 7.

Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Introduction: Subclinical changes to cardiac structure and function detected with echocardiography precede the development of clinical heart failure (HF) in persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Circulating cardiac biomarkers may reflect these pathophysiological changes. This study investigated associations between established biomarkers (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP] and high-sensitivity troponin T [hsTnT]) and novel biomarkers (growth differentiation factor 15 [GDF-15], galectin-3 [Gal-3], and soluble ST-2 [sST-2]), using echocardiographic measurements in persons with CKD. Read More

Ann Transl Med 2020 Jun;8(12):795

Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER). Madrid, España.

In the late 19th century, Otto Frank published the first description of a ventricular pressure-volume diagram, thus laid the foundation for modern cardiovascular physiology. Since then, the analysis of the pressure-volume loops became a reference tool for the study of the ventricular pump properties. However, understanding cardiovascular performance requires both the evaluation of ventricular properties and the modulating effects of the arterial system, since the heart and the arterial tree are anatomically and functionally related structures. Read More

Ann Transl Med 2020 Jun;8(12):790

Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Saclay, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital de Bicêtre, Service de Médecine Intensive-Réanimation, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.

In patients with acute circulatory failure, the primary goal of volume expansion is to increase cardiac output. However, this expected effect is inconstant, so that in many instances, fluid administration does not result in any haemodynamic benefit. In such cases, fluid could only exert some deleterious effects. Read More

J Taibah Univ Med Sci 2020 Jun 1;15(3):244-248. Epub 2020 May 1.

Medicine Department, Taibah University, Medical College, Girls Section, Almadinah Almunawwarah, KSA.

Pheochromocytomas are rare catecholamine-secreting neoplasms, occurring in approximately 0.1-0.5% of the patients with hypertension. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Jul 9;10(1):11404. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Université de Paris, PARCC, INSERM, 56 Rue Leblanc, 75015, Paris, France.

There is currently no therapy to limit the development of cardiac fibrosis and consequent heart failure. We have recently shown that cardiac fibrosis post-myocardial infarction (MI) can be regulated by resident cardiac cells with a fibrogenic signature and identified by the expression of PW1 (Peg3). Here we identify αV-integrin (CD51) as an essential regulator of cardiac PW1 cells fibrogenic behavior. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Jul 9;10(1):11279. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200N, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Bradyarrhythmias are an important cause of mortality in heart failure and previous studies indicate a mechanistic role for electrical remodelling of the key pacemaking ion channel HCN4 in this process. Here we show that, in a mouse model of heart failure in which there is sinus bradycardia, there is upregulation of a microRNA (miR-370-3p), downregulation of the pacemaker ion channel, HCN4, and downregulation of the corresponding ionic current, I, in the sinus node. In vitro, exogenous miR-370-3p inhibits HCN4 mRNA and causes downregulation of HCN4 protein, downregulation of I, and bradycardia in the isolated sinus node. Read More

Diabetes Care 2020 Jul 9. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.

Objective: Recent influenza infection is associated with an increased risk of atherothrombotic events, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke. Little is known about the association between influenza vaccination and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: We used nationwide register data to identify patients with diabetes in Denmark during nine consecutive influenza seasons in the period 2007-2016. Read More

BMJ Support Palliat Care 2020 Jul 9. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Cardiology Department, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK

Background: In chronic heart failure many patients have recurrent hospital admissions and it is the leading cause of admission in people aged over 65 years. In those with end-stage heart failure, there is limited evidence that furosemide can be given subcutaneously to relieve symptoms and avoid hospital admission.

Method: We initiated a community-based continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSCI) furosemide service for the treatment of advanced heart failure. Read More

J Biol Chem 2020 Jul 9. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands, Netherlands.

In the heart, the serine carboxypeptidase cathepsin A (CatA) is distributed between lysosomes and the extracellular matrix (ECM). CatA-mediated degradation of extracellular peptides may contribute to ECM remodeling and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of CatA overexpression on LV remodeling. Read More

Haematologica 2020 Jul 9. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

University of Washington.

Few patients with cancer, including those with acute myeloid leukemia and high-grade myeloid neoplasms, participate in clinical trials. Broadening standard eligibility criteria may increase clinical trial participation. In this retrospective single-center analysis, we identified 442 consecutive newly diagnosed patients from 2014 to 2016. Read More

Heart 2020 Jul 9. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

Semergen 2020 Jun 10. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, España; Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, España.

Cardiovasc Revasc Med 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Cardiology, Virtua Lourdes, Camden, NJ, United States of America.

Background: Air embolism can cause the following catastrophic complications that must be avoided: cardiogenic shock (from right heart failure), obstructive shock, myocardial infarction, stroke, RVOT obstructions, and pulmonary embolism. Currently there is a paucity of data on Impella RP use in rare causes of acute right ventricle (RV) failure, especially if caused by air embolism.

Case Report: We report a case of a patient with acute RV failure due to air embolism who recovered from temporary use of Impella RP. Read More