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J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2020 Dec;28(23):e1066-e1072

From the Department of Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH.

Background: Owing to concerns regarding higher cost, low quality of care and cherry-picking in physician-owned hospitals (POHs), the Affordable Care Act imposed sanctions that prevented the formation of new POHs. With an increasing utilization of total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs), there is a need for re-evaluation and assessment of quality and cost of TSAs performed at these POHs.

Methods: The 2011 to 2014 Medicare 100% Standard Analytical Files was used to identify patients undergoing a reverse TSA or anatomic TSA at POHs and non-POHs. Read More

Eur J Radiol 2021 May 1;140:109748. Epub 2021 May 1.

Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester and Cardiovascular Theme, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom.

Purpose: Myocardial native T1 is a potential measure of myocardial fibrosis, but concerns remain over the potential influence of myocardial edema to increased native T1 signal in subjects prone to fluid overload. This study describes differences in native T2 (typically raised in states of myocardial edema) and native T1 times in patients on hemodialysis by comparing native T1 and native T2 times between subjects on hemodialysis to an asymptomatic control group. Reproducibility of these sequences was tested. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2021 May 4. Epub 2021 May 4.

Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin 2nd Rd, Shanghai 200025, China. Electronic address:

Background: Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) derived from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) represents myocardial fibrosis (MF) and is associated with prognosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, it cannot be evaluated when CMR is unavailable. Hence, we aimed to investigate the ability of radiomic features derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to detect the presence and extent of MF in HCM, with LGE as references. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2021 May 4. Epub 2021 May 4.

Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address:

Objectives: To determine the anti-inflammatory effect and safety of hydroxychloroquine after acute myocardial infarction.

Method: In this multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled OXI trial, 125 myocardial infarction patients were randomized at a median of 43 h after hospitalization to receive hydroxychloroquine 300 mg (n = 64) or placebo (n = 61) once daily for 6 months and, followed for an average of 32 months. Laboratory values were measured at baseline, 1, 6, and 12 months. Read More

PLoS One 2021 7;16(5):e0251260. Epub 2021 May 7.

Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine (IPAS), Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany.

Introduction: Work-life conflicts (WLC) may impact health, but few studies prospectively consider the impact of WLC on objective outcomes such as cardiovascular disease. Using data from the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS), we examined if WLC at baseline was associated with an increased five-year incidence of cardiovascular events (myocardial infarct, stroke, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, sudden cardiac death). We also considered if WLC was associated with incident hypertension and arterial stiffness and if the effects of WLC on cardiovascular health differ for men and women. Read More

PLoS One 2021 7;16(5):e0250216. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Dermatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune skin disease caused by chronic inflammation of hair follicles. Chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and lupus erythematosus can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between AA and heart diseases (HDs) remains unclear. Read More

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Michael E. DeBakey Institute for Comparative Cardiovascular Science and Biomedical Devices, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United Statesgrid.264756.4.

Until recently, epicardial coronary stenosis has been considered the primary outcome of coronary heart disease and clinical interventions have been dedicated primarily to identification and removal of flow-limiting stenoses. However, a growing body of literature indicates that both epicardial stenosis and microvascular dysfunction contribute to damaging myocardial ischemia. In this review, we discuss the co-existence of macro- and microvascular disease, and how the structure and function of the distal microcirculation is impacted by the hemodynamic consequences of an epicardial, flow-limiting stenosis. Read More

Disabil Rehabil 2021 May 7:1-11. Epub 2021 May 7.

Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, UK.

Purpose: Despite the clinical benefits, coronary artery disease patient participation rates in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and long-term exercise are poor. This study explored the factors related to participation in these interventions from the perspectives of post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and their significant others.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were performed with post-AMI patients (number () = 10) and their significant others ( = 10) following phase-III and phase-IV CR. Read More

Inflammation 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, 530021, People's Republic of China.

Viral myocarditis (VMC) is the major cause of sudden death in adolescents. To date, no effective treatment has been identified for VMC. Studies have shown that T helper (Th) cells such as Th1, Th2, Th17, and Th22 cells are involved in the pathogenesis of VMC. Read More

Curr Cardiol Rep 2021 May 7;23(6):65. Epub 2021 May 7.

Westchester Medical Center, Heart and Vascular Institute, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.

Purpose Of Review: In this review, we summarize the major known cardiac toxicities of common chemotherapeutic agents and the role of nuclear cardiac imaging for the surveillance and assessment of cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction in routine clinical practice.

Recent Findings: Cardiotoxicity from chemotherapy causes a significant mortality and limits potentially life-saving treatment in cancer patients. Close monitoring of cardiac function during chemotherapy is an accepted method for reducing these adverse effects especially in patients with cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction. Read More

Curr Cardiol Rep 2021 May 7;23(6):58. Epub 2021 May 7.

Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Via Valdoni 7, 34129, Trieste, Italy.

Purpose Of Review: Myocarditis is a polymorphic disease, both in its presentation and clinical course. Recent data suggests that the genetic background, interacting with environmental factors, could be diriment both in the susceptibility and evolution of myocarditis in different clinical presentations. The aim of this paper is to expose the current available evidences and the evolving concepts on this topic, in order to provide insight for improving the clinical management of those patients. Read More

Curr Cardiol Rep 2021 May 7;23(6):69. Epub 2021 May 7.

Division of Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

Purpose Of Review: To identify and address the challenges associated with the care of ACS patients during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic.

Recent Findings: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a considerable global impact with over 2.0 million deaths worldwide so far. Read More

Curr Cardiol Rep 2021 May 7;23(6):66. Epub 2021 May 7.

Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Purpose Of Review: Controversy exists whether beta-blockers should be given before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or to defer their administration for up to 24 hours.

Recent Findings: Animal studies, most of them conducted in the 1970s and 1980s, showed evidence that early beta-blocker administration may reduce infarct size. Subsequent human studies had mixed results on infarct size and survival. Read More

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK.

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: In [patients with multivessel coronary artery diseases (CAD)] is [hybrid revascularization (HCR)] equal to [coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)] in regard to [mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke and target vessel revascularization (TVR)]? Three-hundred and fifty-five papers were found using the reported search, of which 8 represented the best evidence to answer the question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. Read More

Europace 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

IHU LIRYC-CHU Bordeaux, Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm U1045, Avenue du Haut Lévêque, 33604 Pessac, France.

Aims: Extra-atrial injury can cause complications after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has generated preclinical data suggesting that it selectively targets the myocardium. We sought to characterize extra-atrial injuries after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) between PFA and thermal ablation methods. Read More

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Blackrock Clinic, Dublin, Ireland.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are novel oral hypoglycaemic agents. For patients with diabetes mellitus, without a prior history of myocardial infarction or atherosclerotic disease, SGLT2i have been shown to reduce incident heart failure and worsening renal function. SGLT2i therapy is increasing among patients presenting for cardiac surgery. Read More

Hum Mol Genet 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Division of Research and Innovation, Akershus University Hospital, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway.

Circulating cardiac troponin proteins are associated with structural heart disease and predict incident cardiovascular disease in the general population. However, the genetic contribution to cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations and its causal effect on cardiovascular phenotypes is unclear. We combine data from two large population-based studies, the Trøndelag Health Study and the Generation Scotland Scottish Family Health Study and perform a genome-wide association study of high-sensitivity cTnI concentrations with 48 115 individuals. Read More

Eur Heart J 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

GenesisCare, 3/140 Mounts Bay Rd, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Colchicine is a unique, sophisticated anti-inflammatory agent that has been used for decades for the prevention of acute inflammatory flares in gout and familial Mediterranean fever. In recent years, clinical trials have demonstrated its potential in a range of cardiovascular (CV) conditions. Colchicine is avidly taken up by leucocytes, and its ability to bind to tubulin and interfere with microtubular function affects the expression of cytokines and interleukins, and the ability of neutrophils to marginate, ingress, aggregate, express superoxide, release neutrophil extracellular traps, and interact with platelets. Read More

G Ital Cardiol (Rome) 2021 May;22(5):404-423

U.O.C. Cardiologia, Ospedale Garibaldi-Nesima, Azienda di Rilievo Nazionale e Alta Specializzazione "Garibaldi", Catania - Fondazione per il Tuo cuore - Heart Care Foundation, Firenze.

The treatment of patients with advanced acute heart failure is still challenging. Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) has widely been used in the management of patients with cardiogenic shock. However, according to international guidelines, its routinary use in patients with cardiogenic shock is not recommended. Read More

G Ital Cardiol (Rome) 2021 May;22(5):386-396

Istituto di Scienze della Vita, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa - Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa.

Heart failure (HF) has a complex pathophysiology including neurohormonal activation, inflammation and oxidative stress that, together with comorbidities, promote progressive myocardial damage and cardiac remodeling. Over the years the study of these pathogenic mechanisms has led to the identification of several analytes potentially useful as biomarkers in HF. High-sensitivity troponins and soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 are the most promising biomarkers for risk stratification of HF, with independent value to natriuretic peptides. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, Graz, A-8036, Austria.

Amyloid light chain (AL) cardiomyopathy is the most malignant specific cardiomyopathy. According to international recommendations, it should be ruled out non-invasively using the serum free light chain (FLC) ratio and immunofixation electrophoresis in both serum and urine. Here, we report on a 69-year-old female patient with new-onset heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction. Read More

J Card Surg 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart Centre Cologne, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

Objectives: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a form of systolic heart failure occurring toward the end of pregnancy or in the period after delivery. Lack of myocardial recovery or therapy-refractory cardiogenic shock are rare complications and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) systems might be used as a life-saving option. The aim of this study was to investigate outcomes of PPCM patients supported with LVAD, registered in the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS). Read More

Clin Cardiol 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Although anxiety is highly prevalent after myocardial infarction (MI), but the association between anxiety and MI is not well established. This study aimed to provide an updated and comprehensive evaluation of the association between anxiety and short-term and long-term prognoses in patients with MI. Anxiety is associated with poor short-term and long-term prognoses in patients with MI. Read More

J Forensic Sci 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.

Blunt chest trauma (BCT) often results in blunt cardiac injuries of little clinical concern, but cases of severe heart damage with high mortality rates have also been described. In particular, BCT should never be underestimated, especially when it is located in the anterior thoracic region. Among traffic accidents, motorcyclists are the most vulnerable and at the greatest risk. Read More

Anatol J Cardiol 2021 May;25(5):352-354

Department of Cardiology, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Institute of Cardiology; İstanbul-Turkey.

Anatol J Cardiol 2021 May;25(5):323-329

Department of Outpatient, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing-China.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the association of circulating miR-660-5p with no-reflow phenomenon (NRP) in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Methods: Consecutive patients diagnosed with anterior STEMI within 12 h of pain onset were included; in these patients, coronary angiography confirmed that the left anterior descending artery was infarcted. Angiographic NRP was defined as a final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow 2 or 3 with a myocardial blush grade (MBG) <2. Read More

Anatol J Cardiol 2021 May;25(5):294-303

Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University; İzmir-Turkey.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to analyze the TURKMI registry to identify the factors associated with delays from symptom onset to treatment that would be the focus of improvement efforts in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Turkey.

Methods: The TURKMI study is a nation-wide registry that was conducted in 50 centers capable of 24/7 primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). All consecutive patients (n=1930) with AMI admitted to coronary care units within 48 hours of symptom onset were prospectively enrolled during a predefined 2-week period between November 1, 2018, and November 16, 2018. Read More

Angiology 2021 May 7:33197211012537. Epub 2021 May 7.

Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

The 2-year clinical outcomes according to pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade and reperfusion timing were investigated in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who received newer-generation drug-eluting stents. A total of 7506 NSTEMI patients were divided into 2 groups: early (PCI ≤ 24 hours: n = 6398; pre-PCI TIMI 0/1 [n = 2729], pre-PCI TIMI 2/3 [n = 3669]) and delayed (PCI > 24 hours: n = 1108; pre-PCI TIMI 0/1 [n = 428], pre-PCI TIMI 2/3 [n = 680]) invasive groups. Major adverse cardiac events were defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction, or any repeat revascularization. Read More

Angiology 2021 May 7:33197211014678. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Cardiology, 52979Koc University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

We evaluated if admission glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA) and fasting glucose levels are correlated with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), nondiabetic, patients. Coronary artery disease severity, according to the anatomical synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with taxus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score 2 (SSII), was retrospectively evaluated in 359 nondiabetic patients hospitalized with NSTEMI who underwent coronary angiography. Glucose intolerance was assessed by serum fasting glucose and HbA levels. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2021 May 7:e019837. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Emergency Medicine National Taiwan University Medical College and Hospital Taipei Taiwan.

Background Steroid use after cardiac arrest has been reported to improve survival and neurological outcome in cardiac arrest survivors. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of post-arrest hydrocortisone use on myocardial damage and cardiac mitochondrial injury in a rat model of ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. Methods and Results Ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest was induced and left untreated for 5 minutes in adult male Wistar rats. Read More