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AACN Adv Crit Care 2021 Apr 15:e1-e19. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Ruff Joseph Macale Cajanding is Charge Nurse, Adult Critical Care Unit, 6th Floor, King George V Building, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, 2 King Edward Street, London EC1A 1HQ, United Kingdom

COVID-19 has emerged as one of the most devastating and clinically significant infectious diseases of the last decade. It has reached global pandemic status at an unprecedented pace and has placed significant demands on health care systems worldwide. Although COVID-19 primarily affects the lungs, epidemiologic reports have shown that the disease affects other vital organs of the body, including the heart, vasculature, kidneys, brain, and the hematopoietic system. Read More

J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2021 Apr 6. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL.

Objective: To assess the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in comparison with a matched cohort with similar cardiovascular risk factors, as well as the impact of DVT/PE on hospital course.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data on COVID-19 patients hospitalized from 03/11/2020 to 09/04/2020 was performed. Patients were randomly matched in a 1:1 ratio by age, sex, hospital of admission, smoking history, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease with a cohort of non-COVID-19 patients. Read More

Ann Vasc Surg 2021 Apr 6. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Departments of Vascular Surgery. Electronic address:

The coronary-subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS) is a hemodynamic phenomenon in which a subclavian artery stenosis or occlusion impairs blood flow at the origin of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) used for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), causing retrograde blood flow and thus provoking symptoms of cardiac ischemia and its complications. Once considered the gold-standard operation of choice, open revascularization has now been abandoned as a first line treatment and replaced by endovascular techniques. In all cases, detailed and oriented physical examination in combination with further imaging in high clinical suspicion for CSSS remains the sine qua non of the preoperative examination of the patient. Read More

Pancreas 2021 Mar;50(3):362-370

From the Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck.

Objectives: The postoperative quality of life (QoL) after pancreatic surgery is frequently impaired. The aim of this study was to evaluate the QoL after pancreatic surgery and its influencing risk factors. Furthermore, an age-adjusted comparison with the normal population of Germany was performed. Read More

Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

Background And Objectives: In the CaLIPSO study, intravenous administration of SNF472 (300 or 600 mg) during hemodialysis significantly attenuated progression of coronary artery and aortic valve calcification. SNF472 selectively inhibits formation of hydroxyapatite, the final step in cardiovascular calcification. Because bone mineral is predominantly hydroxyapatite, we assessed changes in bone mineral density in CaLIPSO. Read More

J Postgrad Med 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City, Taiwan.

Chest pain complicated with electrocardiographic changes is not an uncommon scenario in emergency departments, which should be examined cautiously. We describe a 51-years-old man with a myocardial bridge of coronary artery presenting with simultaneous Mobitz type I atrioventricular block on electrocardiography. Echocardiography excluded valvular abnormality and systolic/diastolic dysfunction. Read More

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Cardiology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, P.R., China.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) exerts a list of biological functions, contributing to almost 30% of the osteogenic process. Periostin is a secreted protein that can alter ECM remodeling in response to vascular injury. However, the functional role of periostin in vascular calcification has yet to be fully described. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2021 Apr 9:e019644. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology Institute of Environmental MedicineKarolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden.

Background We conducted Mendelian randomization analyses investigating the linear associations of genetically proxied inhibition of different coagulation factors with risk of common cardiovascular diseases. Methods and Results Genetic instruments proxying coagulation factor inhibition were identified from genome-wide association studies for activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time in BioBank Japan (up to 58 110 participants). Instruments were identified for 9 coagulation factors (fibrinogen alpha, beta, and gamma chain; and factors II, V, VII, X, XI, and XII). Read More

Biomark Med 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Cardiology, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling & Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State & Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.

This study is to explore the predictive value of erythrocyte-derived microparticles (ErMPs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Total 305 subjects were enrolled and divided into the control group and ACS group. Flow cytometry was used to detect the ErMPs. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2021 Apr 9:e019071. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Cardiology The First Hospital of Jiaxing The Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University Jiaxing Zhejiang China.

Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is considered to be the most common cause of sudden death in young people and is associated with an elevated risk of mood disorders. Depression has emerged as a critical risk factor for development and progression of coronary artery disease; however, the association between depression and HCM outcomes is less clear. We sought to examine the impact of depression on clinical outcomes in patients with HCM. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2021 Apr 9:e019467. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Liverpool United Kingdom.

Background Major bleeding after acute coronary syndrome predicts a poor outcome but is challenging to define. The choice of antiplatelet influences bleeding risk. Methods and Results Major bleeding, subsequent myocardial infarction (MI), and all-cause mortality to 1 year were compared in consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with clopidogrel (n=2491 between 2011 and 2013) and ticagrelor (n=2625 between 2012 and 2015) in 5 English hospitals. Read More

Rev Port Cir Cardiotorac Vasc 2021 Apr 8;28(1):25-29. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Santa Marta Hospital, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Centro, Lisbon, Portugal.

Objectives: We aim to report our experience on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for postcardiotomy shock (PCS).

Methods: Single center, retrospective study of all patients on VA-ECMO for PCS, from November 2006 to July 2019. Pediatric and adult patients were analysed separately. Read More

Rev Port Cir Cardiotorac Vasc 2021 Apr 8;28(1):45-51. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal.

Introduction: Inflammation is a common underlying feature of atherosclerosis. Several inflammatory biomarkers have been reported to have prognostic value, in several areas, including in vascular surgery. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) may permit to identify patients at greater risk for cerebrovascular events, tailor patient management, improve preoperative status and possibly develop target anti-atherosclerotic therapy. Read More

J Card Surg 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Cardiac Surgery Department, INCOR - Heart Institute, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Introduction: Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a serious mechanical complication after acute coronary syndrome and is related to high mortality. Even with advances in the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) such as reperfusion therapies, complication rates are still high. During quarantine, patients presenting mechanical complications after AMI have increased in our institution. Read More

Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr 2021 Mar 4;24(2):187-196. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Fellowship of Interventional Radiology, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.

Purpose: The rising prevalence of childhood obesity in the past decades has caused non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to become the most common cause of pediatric chronic liver disease worldwide. This study was aimed at determining the effect of vitamin D (Vit D) on ultrasonography and laboratory indices of NAFLD and some blood biochemical indicators in children.

Methods: In this interventional study liver ultrasonography was performed in 200 children with overweight and obesity. Read More

Glob Heart 2021 Feb 24;16(1):17. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

Department of Geriatric Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, CN.

Background: Patient education is the first step in implementing a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program and a powerful tool for promoting behavioral changes in cardiac patients. In China, the clinical workload is so heavy that a short and reliable tool for assessing disease-related knowledge is needed for targeted patient education.

Objective: The aim of this study was to translate, adapt and validate the Chinese version of the Coronary Artery Disease Education Questionnaire - Short Version (CADE-Q SV). Read More

Glob Heart 2021 Feb 19;16(1):16. Epub 2021 Feb 19.

Graduate School for Health Sciences and Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, CH.

Background: Although it is well acknowledged that psychosocial risk factors (PSRF) such as low socio-economic status, stress, social isolation, negative emotions and negative personality patterns may contribute to the development and adverse outcome of cardiovascular disease (CVD), screening for PSRF in CVD patients is usually limited to anxiety and depression, mainly for feasibility reasons. We therefore aimed to develop a user-friendly screening battery for routine assessment of PSRFs and to evaluate this instrument regarding feasibility of application, PSRF results and attendance of psychological counselling if recommended to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients.

Methods: This is a prospective single center cohort study including 609 consecutive CR patients. Read More

Glob Heart 2021 Feb 17;16(1):15. Epub 2021 Feb 17.

Queen's University, CA.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has modified the cardiovascular care of ambulatory patients. The aim of this survey was to study changes in lifestyle habits, treatment adherence, and mental health status in patients with cardiometabolic disease, but no clinical evidence of COVID-19.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in ambulatory patients with cardiometabolic disease using paper/digital surveys. Read More

Cureus 2021 Apr 1;13(4):e14251. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Cardiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, PAK.

Background Saphenous vein graft (SVG) may occlude either early or several months to years after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Doing re-do CABG surgery is associated with higher complication and mortality rate as compared to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in SVG. However, PCI of SVG is associated with more periprocedural and in-hospital complications as compared to PCI of native coronary arteries. Read More

Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep 2019 Aug 11;13(8). Epub 2019 Jul 11.

University of California. San Francisco, 1545 Divisadero St, Suite 311, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.

Purpose Of Review: This review focuses on lipoprotein abnormalities in South Asians (SA) and addresses risk stratification and management strategies to lower atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in this high-risk population.

Recent Findings: South Asians (SAs) are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States (U.S) and have an increased risk of premature coronary artery disease (CAD). Read More

Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

From the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn, AL Volusia County Medical Examiner's Office, Daytona Beach, FL Pathology Associates of Greenville, Greenville Office of the Medical Examiner, Greenville County University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, Greenville, SC.

Abstract: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is often investigated by medical examiners as a cause of sudden death. Because of the variation in presentation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the examiner must be cautious when assigning a final diagnosis. The presented case depended upon histologic examination of coronary artery lesions to reach an appropriate final diagnosis of vasculitis with mixed features. Read More

J Invasive Cardiol 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Cardiology, The General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing (Wukesong), China.

Objective: The study sought to assess the effectiveness and safety of the novel P60 Vivolight frequency-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) system (Shenzhen Vivolight Medical Device & Technology).

Methods: A total of 90 patients were enrolled from 3 institutions. The pullbacks were performed with both the P60 Vivolight OCT system and the Ilumien Optis OCT system (Abbott Vascular). Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Apr 8;14(4). Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

A 47-year-old man sustained multisystem injuries after being struck by a vehicle travelling at high speeds. Shortly after admission to the emergency department he suffered a ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest lasting 30 min. Investigations following return of spontaneous circulation raised suspicion for an anterolateral ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Read More

J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2021 Mar 8. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Objective: Cardiac surgical pain is of moderate-to-severe intensity. Ineffective pain control may lead to increased cardiopulmonary complications and poor surgical outcomes. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in providing analgesia in adult cardiac surgeries. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Apr;100(14):e25378

Department of Cardiology, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures.

Introduction: Multimodality assessment of coronary artery lesions has demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to the conventional approach, for assessing both anatomical and functional significance of a coronary stenosis. Multiple imaging modalities can be integrated into a fusion imaging tool to better assess myocardial ischemia.

Material And Methods: The FUSE-HEART trial is a single center, prospective, cohort study that will assess the impact of a coronary artery stenosis on myocardial function and viability, based on advanced fusion imaging technics derived from Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA). Read More

J Nutr 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Strangeways Research Laboratory, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Background: Plant-based diets are gaining attention globally due to their environmental benefits and perceived health-protective role. A vegan diet may have cardiovascular benefits; however, evidence remains conflicting and insufficiently assessed.

Objectives: We evaluated the utility of the vegan diet in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Read More

AIDS 2021 Apr 6. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) Research Center, Montreal, Canada Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada Internal Medicine, CHUM, Montreal, Canada Radiology, CHUM, Montreal, Canada McGill University, Montreal, Canada Cardiology, CHUM, Montreal, Canada Medical Clinic Quartier Latin, Montreal, Canada Microbiology, CHUM, Montreal, Canada.

Objectives: People living with HIV are exposed to a higher risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to the general population. Epicardial fat may play a unique role in promoting coronary atherosclerosis. We measured epicardial fat in participants living with HIV and controls and investigated its association with coronary plaque volume and low attenuation plaque, a marker of plaque vulnerability. Read More

Kyobu Geka 2021 Mar;74(3):224-227

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan.

A 71-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for mitral valve repair and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Conventional coronary artery angiography showed stenosis in the right coronary artery (RCA) and two diagonal branches, whereas transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed diffuse hypokinesis and mild-to-moderate mitral valve regurgitation. Fractional flow reserve derived from computed tomography (FFRct) demonstrated two additional lesions in the coronary artery at the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the high lateral (HL) branch. Read More

Kyobu Geka 2021 Mar;74(3):213-216

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hiroshima City Asa Citizens Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.

An 83-year-old woman with congestive heart failure due to severe mitral regurgitation was referred to our department. Because acute coronary syndrome was suspected, the patient underwent emergent coronary artery angiography, which showed 75% stenosis of segment 2 and 90% stenosis of segment 11. Subsequently, segment 11 was treated by percutaneous coronary intervention. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2021 Mar 29;324:69-75. Epub 2021 Mar 29.

Department of Cardiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.

Background And Aims: Although plaque characterization by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is important for risk stratification, frame-by-frame analysis of a whole vascular segment is time-consuming. The aim was to develop IVUS-based algorithms for classifying attenuation and calcified plaques.

Methods: IVUS image sets of 598 coronary arteries from 598 patients were randomized into training and test sets with 5:1 ratio. Read More