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Heart 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

National Amyloidosis Centre, University College London (Royal Free Campus), London, UK

Objectives: In AL amyloidosis, organ response assessment is based on surrogates (eg, cardiac biomarkers). An objective functional test, such as the 6 min walk test (6MWT), capturing overall clinical improvement, is required. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of the 6MWT at baseline and change following chemotherapy. Read More

Br J Pharmacol 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.

Background And Purpose: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a pulmonary vasculature obstructive disease that leads to right heart failure and death. Maresin 1 is an endogenous lipid mediator known to promote inflammation resolution. However, the effect of Maresin 1 on PAH remains unclear. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2022 Jun 25. Epub 2022 Jun 25.

Department of Cardiac Surgery, Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.

Background: Atrioventricular node ablation (AVNA) and pacemaker (PM) is performed in symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) unresponsive to medical treatment and percutaneous ablation. This meta-analysis evaluated results after AVNA and PM.

Methods: Primary and secondary endpoints were early/late overall/cardiac-related mortality and early/late postoperative complications. Read More

J Pain Symptom Manage 2022 Jun 25. Epub 2022 Jun 25.

Department of Management, Policy, and Community Health (MPACH), University of Texas School of Public Health; UTHealth Consortium on Aging; and VA Center of Innovations, DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas USA.

Context: Patients with severe respiratory failure from COVID-19 refractory to conventional therapies may be treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). ECMO requirement is associated with high mortality and prolonged hospital course. ECMO is a high-resource intervention with significant burdens placed on caregivers and families with limited data on the integration of palliative care consultation (PCC). Read More

Eur Heart J 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Division of Neurocritical Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

Aims: Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is associated with stroke and mortality. It is unknown if POAF is associated with subsequent heart failure (HF) hospitalization. This study aims to examine the association between POAF and incident HF hospitalization among patients undergoing cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries. Read More

Eur Heart J 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Cedar-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, Mail: 127 South San Vincente Blvd, AHSP 3100, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Hum Hered 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Introduction The role of neuraminidases in cardiovascular disease has recently gained increasing attention. However, the association between neuraminidase gene polymorphisms and heart failure (HF) has not yet been investigated. Methods and Results Genotyping of nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NEU2/NEU3/NEU4 genes was performed in 610 HF patients and 600 healthy controls from the Southwest Han Chinese population using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay. Read More

J Palliat Med 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Yale School of Nursing, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.

Clinical practice guidelines recommend integrating palliative care (PC) into the care of patients with heart failure (HF) to address their many palliative needs. However, the incidence rates of PC use among HF subtypes are unknown. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with the following HF subtypes in the Department of Veterans Affairs: reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), mid-range ejection fraction (HFmEF), and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Read More

Gac Med Mex 2022 ;158(2):90-97

Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City.

Introduction: In Mexico, heart transplants (HTs) have been performed since 1988.

Objective: To review Mexican productivity in terms of HT between 2006 and 2019 and compare it with that of American and Iberian Peninsula countries.

Methods: Mexican information was collected from HT waiting lists (WL) and from the HTs carried out annually in the period, and was expressed as rates per million population (pmp); 2019 information was compared with that reported at the Pan American and Iberian levels. Read More

J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2022 Jul;23(7):439-446

Heart Failure Unit, G da Saliceto Hospital, AUSL Piacenza, Piacenza.

Background: Several risk factors have been identified to predict worse outcomes in patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Machine learning algorithms represent a novel approach to identifying a prediction model with a good discriminatory capacity to be easily used in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to obtain a risk score for in-hospital mortality in patients with coronavirus disease infection (COVID-19) based on a limited number of features collected at hospital admission. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam.

Objectives: Fetal heart rate irregularities occur in 1-2% of all pregnancies and are usually caused by premature atrial contractions (PACs). Although PACs are considered benign, they may be associated with cardiac defects and tachyarrhythmias. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of fetal PACs. Read More

DNA Cell Biol 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Department of Cardiology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.

Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was elevated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or heart failure (HF). However, whether cfDNA could serve as a predictor for risk of HF after AMI remains unknown. In this study, we conducted a pilot prospective cohort study in which 98 AMI patients were enrolled from a single center to assess the association between cfDNA levels at admission and risk of HF in an AMI population. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2022 Jun 1;5(6):e2219113. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Importance: Virtual wards (VWs) include patient assessment in their homes by health care personnel and offer ongoing assessment and case management via home, telephone, and/or clinic visits. The association between VWs and patient outcomes during the transition from the hospital to home are unclear; earlier reviews on this topic have often conflated telemonitoring programs with VW models.

Objective: To evaluate the use of VW transition systems for community-dwelling individuals after medical discharge. Read More

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka, 2-2, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.

A 2-year-old girl underwent the Fontan operation for aortic valve stenosis, mitral valve stenosis, a hypo-plastic left ventricle, and a non-compacted right ventricle. The patient's cardiac function reduced gradually thereafter, mainly due to systemic ventricular dysfunction. A Berlin Heart EXCOR (BHE) ventricular assist device with a 10-mL pump was implanted at 4 years of age. Read More

Arch Pharm Res 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.

Metoprolol, a selective β-adrenoreceptor blocking agent used in the treatment of hypertension, angina, and heart failure, is primarily metabolized by the CYP2D6 enzyme, which catalyzes α-hydroxylation and O-desmethylation. As CYP2D6 is genetically highly polymorphic and the enzymatic activity differs greatly depending on the presence of the mutant allele(s), the pharmacokinetic profile of metoprolol is highly variable depending on the genotype of CYP2D6. The aim of study was to develop the physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of metoprolol related to CYP2D6 genetic polymorphism for personalized therapy with metoprolol. Read More

World J Surg 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Department of Surgery, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, Newark Street, London, E1 2AA, UK.

Background: Patient understanding of surgical procedures is often incomplete at the time they are performed, invalidating consent, and exposing healthcare providers to complaints and claims of failure to inform. Remote consultations, language barriers and patient factors can hinder an effective consent pathway. New approaches are needed to support communication and shared decision-making. Read More

Diabetologia 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Diabetes Centre, Admiralty Medical Centre, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.

Aims/hypothesis: We sought to subtype South East Asian patients with type 2 diabetes by de novo cluster analysis on clinical variables, and to determine whether the novel subgroups carry distinct genetic and lipidomic features as well as differential cardio-renal risks.

Methods: Analysis by k-means algorithm was performed in 687 participants with recent-onset diabetes in Singapore. Genetic risk for beta cell dysfunction was assessed by polygenic risk score. Read More

JAAPA 2022 Jul;35(7):35-39

At the Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wis., Jesse H. Quinn practices in emergency medicine, Erik B. Sviggum is a radiologist, Abigail T. La Nou practices in emergency medicine and critical care medicine, and Kyle J. Burkhamer practices in emergency medicine. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

Abstract: Cardiac amyloidosis is a rare disorder with a poor long-term prognosis. Presenting features often mirror those of more commonly encountered diseases, making diagnosis challenging. Clinicians should suspect amyloidosis in patients presenting with symptoms of heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. Read More

Int J Artif Organs 2022 Jun 28:3913988221109285. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

Management of end-stage heart failure (ESHF) in children with congenital heart disease is challenging. We report a step-by-step hybrid procedure (transcatheter pulmonary valve and left mechanical assist device implantations) in a child with ESHF after repair of tetralogy of Fallot, as an effective bridge to transplant strategy. Read More

Minerva Med 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Department of Geriatrics, Yantai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yantai, China -

Ther Adv Cardiovasc Dis 2022 Jan-Dec;16:17539447221105013

Ochsner Clinical School, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.

Introduction: Novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection resulting in COVID-19 disease is associated with widespread inflammation and a prothrombotic state, resulting in frequent venous thromboembolic (VTE) events. It is currently unknown whether anticoagulation is protective for VTE events. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to identify predictors of VTE in COVID-19. Read More

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

The Copenhagen City Heart Study, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Aims: A pattern of reduced basal longitudinal strain (BLS) is often observed with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH). Whether this pattern is associated with poor outcome is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of regional longitudinal strain according to LV geometry. Read More

Panminerva Med 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.

Aim: To establish the relationship between AH and hemodynamically significant atherosclerotic stenosis of carotid bifurcation and study the effect of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) on the course of AH.

Materials And Methods: In our investigation we included 320 patients: 243 (75,9%) men and 77 (24,1%), the mean age - 59,6 ± 8,2. All patients underwent CEA operation. Read More

Circulation 2022 Jun 28:101161CIRCULATIONAHA122059785. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Department of Cardiology and Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) partner site Berlin, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (S.D.A.).

Background: Empagliflozin improves outcomes in patients with heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction, but whether the effects are consistent in patients with and without diabetes remains to be elucidated.

Methods: Patients with class II through IV heart failure and a left ventricular ejection fraction >40% were randomized to receive empagliflozin 10 mg or placebo in addition to usual therapy. We undertook a prespecified analysis comparing the effects of empagliflozin versus placebo in patients with and without diabetes. Read More

Mol Omics 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1933 Observatory Dr., Madison, WI, USA.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major risk factor for developing heart failure and is often associated with an increased risk for life-threatening arrhythmia. Although numerous causal genes for DCM have been identified, RNA binding motif protein 20 () remains one of the few splicing factors that, when mutated or genetically ablated, leads to the development of DCM. In this study we sought to identify changes in the cardiac proteome in knockout (KO) rat hearts using global quantitative proteomics to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms precipitating the development of DCM in these rats. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2022 Jun 27. Epub 2022 Jun 27.

Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.

Aims: Acute heart failure (HF) is associated with muscle mass loss, potentially leading to overestimation of kidney function using serum creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR ). Cystatin C-based eGFR (eGFR ) is less muscle mass dependent. Changes in the difference between eGFR and eGFR may reflect muscle mass loss. Read More

Cardiol J 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, State University of New York: Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States.

Between 2013 and 2016 there were approximately 6.2 million adults in the United States living with heart failure; nearly half had an ejection fraction that was preserved. Despite the high prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), our understanding of this disease is limited and it still carries significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Read More

Cardiol J 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Opole, Poland.

Cardiol J 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

1st Department of Cardiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Dluga str ½, 61-848 Poznań, Poland.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a well-established treatment of patients with advanced heart failure and electrical dyssynchrony. Implantation of those devices is in some cases associated with intervention on a formerly implanted system. The aim of this analysis was to compare the rate and type of complications of de novo implants and upgrades to CRT-D. Read More

Cardiol J 2022 Jun 28. Epub 2022 Jun 28.

Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Greece.

Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are two cardiovascular (CV) entities that affect millions of individuals worldwide and their prevalence is translated into a significant impact on health care systems. The common pathophysiological pathways that these two share have created an important clinical interrelation, as the coexistence of HF and AF is associated with worse prognosis and treatment challenges. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), a critical mechanism in blood pressure (BP) control, was proved to be involved in the pathogenesis of both conditions contributing to their further coexistence. Read More