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Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2022 May 19. Epub 2022 May 19.

Department of Neurology, Center for Vascular Neurology and Intensive Care, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.

International guidelines strongly recommend statins alone or in combination with other lipid-lowering agents to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels for patients with asymptomatic/symptomatic carotid stenosis (AsxCS/SCS). Lowering LDL-C levels is associated with significant reductions in transient ischemic attack, stroke, cardiovascular (CV) event and death rates. The aim of this multi-disciplinary overview is to summarize the benefits and risks associated with lowering LDL-C with statins or non-statin medications for Asx/SCS patients. Read More

Environ Int 2022 May 17;165:107280. Epub 2022 May 17.

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, No. 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China; Center for Real-World Evidence Evaluation, Peking University Clinical Research Institute, No. 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Background: Evidence for the association between long-term exposure to ozone (O) and cause-specific cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality is inconclusive, and this association has rarely been evaluated at high O concentrations.

Objectives: We aim to evaluate the associations between long-term O exposure and cause-specific CVD mortality in a Chinese population.

Methods: From 2009 to 2018, 744,882 subjects (median follow-up of 7. Read More

Ann Intern Med 2022 May 24. Epub 2022 May 24.

Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (H.S., R.J.G., E.P.).

Background: Evidence on the risk for cardiovascular events associated with use of first-line sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) compared with metformin is limited.

Objective: To assess cardiovascular outcomes among adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who initiated first-line treatment with SGLT-2i versus metformin.

Design: Population-based cohort study. Read More

Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 2022 May 23;37(3):301-305. Epub 2022 May 23.

Division of Cardiac Surgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Introduction: Aortic valve bioprostheses ring fracture in valve-in-valve procedures has shown low complication rates and presents as an option in the treatment of patients at high risk for conventional surgery, avoiding high transvalvular gradients, which are associated with increased mortality. Some prostheses available in the market cannot be fractured. In an ex vivo test, the possibility of ring fracture of aortic valve bioprostheses produced in Brazil when submitted to radial force application using a high-pressure non-compliant balloon was evaluated. Read More

Eur J Heart Fail 2022 May 23. Epub 2022 May 23.

Institute of Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical specialties, Radiological sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.

Background: The Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (HFA-ESC) proposed a definition of advanced heart failure (HF) which has not been validated, yet. We assessed its prognostic impact in a consecutive series of patients with high-risk HF.

Methods And Results: The HELP-HF registry enrolled consecutive patients with HF and at least one high-risk "I NEED HELP" marker, evaluated at four Italian centres between January 1 , 2020, and November 30 , 2021. Read More

Vasa 2022 May 23. Epub 2022 May 23.

Fifth Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Heidelberg, University Medical Center Mannheim UMM, Mannheim, Germany.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), coronary artery disease (CAD) and carotid stenosis (CS) are robust predictors of mortality. The value of individual vascular beds in polyvascular disease (PVD) to predict mortality in patients with atherosclerotic burden is not clear. Therefore, we have examined the predictive value of PAD, CAD and CS in patients at intermediate to high risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Read More

Hypertension 2022 May 23:101161HYPERTENSIONAHA12219225. Epub 2022 May 23.

Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore (N.R.I., T.-T.L., M.S.L.K., H.-C.T., C.-T.C., J.A.B., S.A.C., C.W.L.C.).

Background: The prognostic significance of focal and diffuse myocardial fibrosis in patients with cardiovascular risk factors is unclear.

Methods: REMODEL (Response of the Myocardium to Hypertrophic Conditions in the Adult Population) is an observational cohort of asymptomatic patients with essential hypertension. All participants underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance to assess for myocardial fibrosis: nonischemic late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), native myocardial T1, postcontrast myocardial T1, extracellular volume fraction including/excluding LGE regions, interstitial volume (extracellular volume×myocardial volume), and interstitial/myocyte ratio. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2022 May 23. Epub 2022 May 23.

National Heart Centre Singapore, 5 Hospital Drive, Level 10, Singapore, 169609, Singapore.

Aims: Recent studies have suggested potential sex differences in treatment response to pharmacological therapies in heart failure (HF). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing treatment effects between men and women with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) using established guideline-directed medical therapy and other emerging pharmacological treatments.

Methods And Results: Systematic search was performed on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials published in 1990-2021. Read More

J Prev Med Hyg 2021 Dec 31;62(4):E934-E942. Epub 2022 Jan 31.

Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are two of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In their genesis, an important role is played by some behavioural risk factors that may induce the onset of further risk factors represented by hypertension, prediabetes, overweight and obesity. This study aimed to show the importance of the screening methodology for early detection of these risk conditions in order to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes complications. Read More

J Prev Med Hyg 2021 Dec 31;62(4):E808-E813. Epub 2022 Jan 31.

Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Introduction: COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory disease and many factors can affect its severity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with the severity and mortality of COVID-19.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 311 cases with COVID-19 approved by the CORONALAB database in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in southern Iran were selected using systematic random sampling from 15 May to 13 June 2020. Read More

J Prev Med Hyg 2021 Dec 31;62(4):E864-E870. Epub 2022 Jan 31.

A.Li.Sa. Liguria Health Authority, Genoa, Italy.

Background: We conducted a population-based cohort study to estimate mortality before, during and after the COVID-19 peak and to compare mortality in 2020 with rates reported in previous years, with a view to helping decision makers to apply containment measures for high-risk groups.

Methods: All deaths were collected between 2015 and 2020 from municipal registry database. In 2020, weeks 1-26 were stratified in three periods: before, during and after the COVID mortality peak. Read More

Indian J Nephrol 2022 Mar-Apr;32(2):104-109. Epub 2022 Mar 9.

Department of Nephrology, Star Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad and RENOWN Clinical Services, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Introduction: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in dialysis patients. Compared to general population, dialysis patients have lower lipid levels and higher vascular events. This paradox is popularly known as reverse epidemiology. Read More

Ther Adv Chronic Dis 2022 17;13:20406223221093758. Epub 2022 May 17.

Institute of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Aim: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the safety of 1-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) followed by aspirin or a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES), based on the available evidence.

Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov database search identified four RCTs of 26,431 patients who underwent PCI with DES and compared 1-month >1-month DAPT. Read More

J Inflamm Res 2022 13;15:2959-2969. Epub 2022 May 13.

Department of Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coronary Heart Disease Prevention, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.

Background: Inflammation and immune responses play an important role in the pathophysiology of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI), and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) has recently emerged as a new parameter for immune and inflammatory response evaluation. However, limited research has been undertaken to explore the relationship between SII and CA-AKI following coronary angiography (CAG).

Patients And Methods: From January 2007 to December 2020, 46,333 patients undergoing CAG were included from 5 Chinese tertiary hospitals. Read More

Lancet Reg Health Am 2022 Apr 13;8. Epub 2022 Jan 13.

Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico.

Background: Clinical outcomes are rarely studied in virologically suppressed people living with HIV (PWH) and incomplete CD4 recovery. To explore whether time living with severe immunosuppression predict clinical outcomes better than baseline or time updated CD4, we estimated the association between cumulative percentage of time with CD4 <200 cells/μL during viral suppression (VS) (%t), and mortality and comorbidities during 2000-2019.

Methods: In a retrospective cohort analysis, we followed PWH initiating ART in Latin America from first VS (HIV-RNA<200 copies/μL) to death, virological failure or loss to follow-up. Read More

Comput Intell Neurosci 2022 12;2022:5475313. Epub 2022 May 12.

Allied Institute of Medical Sciences, Gujranwala 52250, Pakistan.

Machine learning (ML) often provides applicable high-performance models to facilitate decision-makers in various fields. However, this high performance is achieved at the expense of the interpretability of these models, which has been criticized by practitioners and has become a significant hindrance in their application. Therefore, in highly sensitive decisions, black boxes of ML models are not recommended. Read More

Front Med (Lausanne) 2022 6;9:803016. Epub 2022 May 6.

Department of Internal Medicine - Nephrology, Bone and Mineral Metabolism Division, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States.

Cardiovascular disease and mineral bone disorders are major contributors to morbidity and mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease and often persist after renal transplantation. Ongoing hormonal imbalances after kidney transplant (KT) are associated with loss of graft function and poor outcomes. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and its co-receptor, α-Klotho, are key factors in the underlying mechanisms that integrate accelerated atherosclerosis, vascular calcification, mineral disorders, and osteodystrophy. Read More

Front Med (Lausanne) 2022 4;9:882341. Epub 2022 May 4.

Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.

Background: Infections are not common but important in patients with acute myocardial infarction, and are associated with worse outcomes. Infection was proved to be associated with the use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in several cohorts. It remains unclear whether PPI usage affects infection in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Read More

Lancet Reg Health West Pac 2022 Jun 17;23:100457. Epub 2022 May 17.

School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.

Background: Previous research suggests that while leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is beneficial, occupational physical activity (OPA) may be detrimental to health, known as the 'physical activity paradox'. However, the current evidence is primarily based on data from Western countries. We examined the association of OPA with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in working adults in urban China. Read More

Commun Med (Lond) 2021 27;1:28. Epub 2021 Aug 27.

Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

Background: Frailty and multimorbidity are common in type 2 diabetes (T2D), including people <65 years. Guidelines recommend adjustment of treatment targets in people with frailty or multimorbidity. It is unclear how recommendations to adjust treatment targets in people with frailty or multimorbidity should be applied to different ages. Read More

Front Public Health 2022 4;10:859947. Epub 2022 May 4.

Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.

An umbrella review of meta-analyses was performed to summarize the evidence of associations between alcohol consumption and health outcomes and to assess its credibility. Meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies reporting the associations of alcohol consumption with health outcomes were identified. We recalculated the random-effects summary effect size and 95% confidence interval, heterogeneity, and small-study effect for each meta-analysis and graded the evidence. Read More

Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2022 18;15:17562848221098253. Epub 2022 May 18.

Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China.

Background: Liver cirrhosis is a major global health burden worldwide due to its high risk of morbidity and mortality. Role of terlipressin for the management of liver cirrhosis-related complications has been recognized during recent years. This article aims to develop evidence-based clinical practice guidance on the use of terlipressin for liver cirrhosis-related complications. Read More

Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc 2022 Jun 14;40:101049. Epub 2022 May 14.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Gifu Heart Center, Gifu, Japan.

Background: Although Arm circumference (AC) is considered to be a predictor of clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), limited data are available on the impact of this anthropometric measurement. This study aimed to investigate the clinical impact of AC on the outcomes of patients who underwent TAVR.

Methods: AC was investigated in consecutive patients who underwent TAVR between March 2014 and May 2018. Read More

Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022 6;12:812303. Epub 2022 May 6.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Gut microbiota and its metabolites play an important role in maintaining host homeostasis. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a malignant clinical syndrome with a frightening mortality. Pulmonary vascular remodeling is an important feature of PAH, and its pathogenesis is not well established. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2022 Jun 27;23(6):415. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Department of Clinical Laboratory, The 980th Hospital of the People's Liberation Army Joint Service (Bethune International Peace Hospital), Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050082, P.R. China.

Aortic dissection is a serious acute cardiovascular disease with rapid onset, progression and a high mortality rate. Due to the range of different branching vessels involved, the clinical symptoms are complex and diverse. The typical clinical symptom is a severe tearing pain in the chest, back or abdomen, but some patients also have atypical symptoms, which are easily missed or misdiagnosed and can be life-threatening. Read More

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2022 11;2022:9538512. Epub 2022 May 11.

Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 100053 Beijing, China.

Background: Myocardial ischemia (MI) is a major public health problem with high mortality and morbidity worldwide. Huoxue Wentong formula (HX), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, exhibits unambiguous effects on treating MI and preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, the molecular mechanism of the therapeutic effects of HX on MI remains largely unknown. Read More

Front Nutr 2022 4;9:849727. Epub 2022 May 4.

Chronic Disease Research Institute, The Children's Hospital, and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Background: The potential beneficial effect of individual antioxidants on mortality has been reported. However, the association of overall intakes of dietary antioxidants with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among adults with diabetes remained unclear.

Methods: A total of 4,699 US adults with diabetes were enrolled in 2003-2014 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and followed for mortality until 31 December 2015. Read More

Circ Rep 2022 May 15;4(5):187-193. Epub 2022 Apr 15.

Faculty of Health Science, Osaka Aoyama University Osaka Japan.

To achieve early reperfusion therapy for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), proper and prompt patient transportation and activation of the catheterization laboratory are required. We investigated the efficacy of prehospital 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) acquisition and destination hospital notification in patients with STEMI. This is a systematic review of observational studies. Read More

Front Cardiovasc Med 2022 4;9:875327. Epub 2022 May 4.

Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with a high risk of mortality and frequent hospitalization. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have favorable cardiovascular protective effect and could decrease the risk of mortality and hospitalization in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. However, the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors for HFpEF has not been well studied. Read More