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Hellenic J Cardiol 2021 Apr 11. Epub 2021 Apr 11.

Biosciences Institute, Vascular Biology and Medicine Theme, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; Department of Cardiology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. Electronic address:

Cell Rep 2021 Apr;35(2):108983

Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy; Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy. Electronic address:

Preclinical models of ischemia/reperfusion injury (RI) demonstrate the deleterious effects of permeability transition pore complex (PTPC) opening in the first minutes upon revascularization of the occluded vessel. The ATP synthase c subunit (Csub) influences PTPC activity in cells, thus impacting tissue injury. A conserved glycine-rich domain in Csub is classified as critical because, when mutated, it modifies ATP synthase properties, protein interaction with the mitochondrial calcium (Ca) uniporter complex, and the conductance of the PTPC. Read More

PLoS One 2021 14;16(4):e0249524. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Background: Patients with AF often have multimorbidity (the presence of ≥2 concomitant chronic conditions).

Objective: To describe baseline characteristics, patterns of antithrombotic therapy, and factors associated with oral anticoagulant (OAC) prescription in patients with AF and ≥2 concomitant, chronic, comorbid conditions.

Methods: Phase III of the GLORIA-AF Registry enrolled consecutive patients from January 2014 through December 2016 with recently diagnosed AF and CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥1 to assess the safety and effectiveness of antithrombotic treatment. Read More

Am J Ther 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Internal Medicine, Bucharest, Romania; and Cardiology Department, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent sustained arrhythmia. It increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, death, hospitalizations, and costs.

Area Of Uncertainty: Several scores were introduced to stratify the stroke risk and need for anticoagulation in patients (pts) with AF . Read More

Am J Ther 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", Bucharest, Romania; and University & Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) represents a major tool of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) management. The real-world usage of potent P2Y12 inhibitors within DAPT in middle-income countries is poorly described.

Study Question: To assess the factors that influence P2Y12 inhibitor choice at discharge in invasively managed NSTE-ACS patients, without an indication for oral anticoagulation, treated across Romania. Read More

Am J Ther 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Internal Medicine, the University of Toledo, Toledo, OH; and Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, the University of Toledo, Toledo, OH.

Background: Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) may develop in systolic heart failure or after acute myocardial infarction. The current recommendations support the use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for the treatment of LVT. Limited data exist regarding the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with LVT. Read More

JAMA Surg 2021 Apr 14:e210884. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Importance: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an efficient antifibrinolytic agent; however, concerns remain about the potential adverse effects, particularly vascular occlusive events, that may be associated with its use.

Objective: To examine the association between intravenous TXA and total thromboembolic events (TEs) and mortality in patients of all ages and of any medical disciplines.

Data Source: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and MEDLINE were searched for eligible studies investigating intravenous TXA and postinterventional outcome published between 1976 and 2020. Read More

JAMA Cardiol 2021 Apr 14. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Armaron Bio, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Importance: After anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), left ventricular (LV) remodeling results in heart failure and death. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II delta (CaMKIId) is a key molecular mediator of adverse LV remodeling.

Objective: To determine whether NP202, an orally active inhibitor of CaMKIId, prevents LV remodeling in patients after anterior STEMI with early residual LV dysfunction. Read More

JAMA Cardiol 2021 Apr 14. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

TIMI Study Group, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Importance: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, such as dapagliflozin, promote renal glucose excretion and reduce cardiovascular (CV) deaths and hospitalizations for heart failure (HHF) among patients with type 2 diabetes. The relative CV efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin according to baseline kidney function and albuminuria status are unknown.

Objective: To assess the CV efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin according to baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR). Read More

Stat Med 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

The Biostatistics Center, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, The George Washington University, Rockville, Maryland, USA.

Time-to-event outcomes are common in clinical studies. For example, the time to a first major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE, defined as CVD death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or stroke) is a commonly used outcome in cardiovascular outcome trials. Owing to the lengthy time frame and other factors, the high costs of conducting such studies has been identified as one of the major obstacles in conducting clinical trials in the United States. Read More

Semin Neurol 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may co-occur simultaneously or in close temporal succession, with occurrence of one ischemic vascular event increasing a patient's risk for the other. Both employ time-sensitive treatments, and both benefit from expert consultation. Patients are at increased risk of stroke for up to 3 months following AMI, and aggressive treatment of AMI, including use of reperfusion therapy, decreases the risk of AIS. Read More

Kidney Med 2021 Mar-Apr;3(2):183-192.e1. Epub 2021 Jan 12.

Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.

Rationale & Objective: Low serum magnesium level has been shown to be associated with increased mortality, but its role as a predictor of cardiovascular disease is unclear. This study evaluates the association between serum magnesium level and cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in a large cohort of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Read More

Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc 2021 Apr 7;33:100761. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain.

Ann Transl Med 2021 Mar;9(6):520

Heart Failure/Cardiac Transplantation Program, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is a serious complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and also non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. We performed a narrative literature review, manual-search of reference lists of included articles and relevant reviews. Our literature review indicates that the incidence of LVT following acute MI has decreased, probably due to improvement in patient care as a result of better and earlier reperfusion techniques. Read More

Ann Transl Med 2021 Mar;9(6):504

Research Laboratory for Functional Nanomaterial, National Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology, Shanghai, China.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is the primary factor leading to cardiovascular diseases, which are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes have been reported to improve heart function after MI; however, the molecular mechanisms responsible for this are unknown. imaging can reveal the trafficking process and biodistribution of exosomes, which may provide an insight into the communication mechanisms and pharmacokinetics of exosomes. Read More

Ann Transl Med 2021 Mar;9(6):496

Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Background: Low minimum heart rate (MHR) is common in critically ill myocardial infarction (MI) patients. However, the association between MHR and the mortality of critically ill MI patients remains unclear.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 2,031 critically ill MI patients were enrolled from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-III database. Read More

Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021 Apr 23;64:102219. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Department of Surgery, Department of Vascular, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.

Background: Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) is obviously less invasive than open aortic repair (OAR) for the treatment of infra-renal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, it is not free of complications which can potentially result in severe morbidity or even mortality. The purpose of this study was to share our single-center experience with stent-graft related and systemic complications associated with EVAR. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2021 Jun 26;21(6):553. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

First Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, P.R. China.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Shenfu Qiangxin Drink (SFQXD) on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and identify the possible underlying mechanisms. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory factors, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the blood samples of patients with AMI were measured using commercially available kits by visible spectrophotometry after SFQXD administration. The contents of phosphorylated (p-) forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) was examined using an ELISA kit. Read More

BMJ Open 2021 Apr 13;11(4):e047134. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) decreases the morbidity and mortality risk among patients with cardiac diseases; however, the impact of CR on patients with diabetes remains underexplored. This is a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis methodology to explore if the effect of CR on mortality and morbidity is the same in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with patients without diabetes.

Methods And Analysis: Interventional and non-interventional studies comparing the effect of CR, for at least 1 month, on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes including fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction, revascularisation and rehospitalisation in adults with cardiac diseases will be deemed eligible for inclusion. Read More

Prim Care Diabetes 2021 Apr 10. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Endocrinology, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China.

Aims: This study aimed to determine the association between serum uric acid (UA) levels and cardiovascular events in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 2227 hospitalized patients with T2DM. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the association between serum UA and cardiovascular events, including cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, heart failure, unstable angina, and arrhythmias requiring hospitalization. Read More

Rev Port Cardiol 2021 Mar 20. Epub 2021 Mar 20.

Cardiology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to significant changes in healthcare systems and its impact on the treatment of cardiovascular conditions, such as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), is unknown in countries where the healthcare systems were not saturated, as was the case in Portugal. As such, we aimed to assess the effect on STEMI admissions and outcomes in Portuguese centers.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, observational, retrospective study including all patients admitted to our hospital due to STEMI between the date of the first SARS-CoV-2 case diagnosed in Portugal and the end of the state of emergency (March and April 2020). Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2021 Apr 13;21(1):175. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Cardiology, Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Background: New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is common during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and independently associated with worse prognosis. We aimed to validate the discrimination performance of CHA2DS2-VASc score combined with hs-CRP in the prediction of NOAF after AMI in elderly Chinese population.

Methods: 311 consecutive elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years old) with AMI from 1 January 2018 to 1 January 2019 without atrial fibrillation history were enrolled in our study. Read More

Kardiologiia 2021 Mar 30;61(3):52-56. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Universidad de Ciencias Medicas Sancti-Spiritus, Hospital General Camilo Cienfuegos, Cuba.

Objective    To assess performance measures of attention of STEMI in Coronary Intensive Care Unit in General Hospital Camilo Cienfuegos.Methods    Admitted patients with STEMI, from February-April 2020, were compared with patients from similar period from 2015-2019, and patients from January 2019 to January 2020. Primary endpoint were performance measures according to the 2017 AHA / ACC Clinical Performance and Quality Measures for Adults with STEMI document, and secondary endpoint were all-cause in-hospital mortality and major acute coronary events. Read More

Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs 2021 Apr;20(2):167-174

Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China.

Background: A more accurate and simpler scoring systems for early risk stratification of acute myocardial infarction at admission can accelerate and improve decision-making.

Aim: To develop and validate a simple physiological prognostic scoring system for early risk stratification in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: Easily accessible physiological vital signs and demographic characteristics of patients with acute myocardial infarction at the time of presentation in the multicentre Retrospective Evaluation of Acute Chest Pain study were used to develop a multivariate logistic regression model predicting 12 and 24-month mortality. Read More

Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs 2021 Apr;20(2):115-123

Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Odense University Hospital and University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.

Aim: To quantify the provision of standard cardiac rehabilitation to Danish survivors of cardiac arrest at a programme level, and to analyse whether organizational factors influenced the provision.

Method: We mapped the provision of cardiac rehabilitation core components to survivors of cardiac arrest and compared this with a reference group of patients after acute myocardial infarction using data from a cross-sectional programme-level survey among all hospitals (n = 34) and municipalities (n = 98) in Denmark. Organizational factors of potential importance to service provision were considered: health care region, size of catchment area/population, type of department/municipality and socioeconomic index. Read More

Cardiology 2021 Apr 13:1-10. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Aarhus, Denmark.

Background: In the treatment of left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease, patients' age may affect the clinical outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study stratified the clinical outcome according to the age of patients treated for LMCA stenosis with PCI or CABG in the Nordic-Baltic-British Left Main Revascularization (NOBLE) study.

Methods: Patients with LMCA disease were enrolled in 36 centers in northern Europe and randomized 1:1 to treatment by PCI or CABG. Read More

Can J Cardiol 2021 Apr 10. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, National University Health System, Singapore; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) requiring primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) worldwide. This review examines the global impact of COVID-19 pandemic on incidence of STEMI admissions, and relationship between the pandemic and door-to-balloon time (D2B), all-cause mortality and other secondary STEMI outcomes.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to primarily compare D2B time and in-hospital mortality of STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI during and before the pandemic. Read More

Cell Signal 2021 Apr 10:110008. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Technology Transfer Center, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China. Electronic address:

Innate immune response contributes significantly to ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. Targeting innate immunity seems to be a promising method for protecting the microvascular injury in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients following myocardial I/R injury (MI/R). NLRP3 inflammasome is a central part of the innate immune system involved in the pathophysiological process of MI/R. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2021 Apr 10. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan City People's Hospital, Qingyuan 511518, Guangdong, China. Electronic address:

Eur J Pharmacol 2021 Apr 10:174096. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Gerontology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital), Wuhu, 241001, PR China; Key Laboratory of Non-coding RNA Transformation Research of Anhui Higher Education Institution (First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital), Wuhu, Anhui, 241001, P.R. China. Electronic address:

Depression after myocardial infarction (MI) and chronic heart failure (CHF) is a common condition that is resistant to anti-depressive drugs. Ghrelin (a peptide hormone) shows dual protective effects on heart and brain. Whether ghrelin treatment attenuated depression after MI was investigated. Read More