Corynebacterium Jeikeium Endocarditis: A Review of the Literature
Corynebacterium jeikeium is a gram-positive, aerobic, pleomorphic, nonspore forming bacillus, commonly present on the skin surface. Infective endocarditis secondary to C. jeikeium most commonly affects left-sided heart valves and has a higher likelihood to require valve replacement compared to other Corynebacterium endocarditis. C. jeikeium endocarditis is extremely difficult to treat as it is characteristically resistant to penicillin, cephalosporins and aminoglycosides, and sensitivity to quinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines and rifampin is variable. Despite treatment, mortality rates as high as 33% have been reported. ...
Source: Cardiology in Review - August 14, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
A Novel Calcium Channel Blocker: Etripamil: What is the Future of Intranasal Drug Delivery in the Treatment of Cardiac Arrhythmias?
Symptomatic paroxysmal cardiac arrhythmias are common cardiac conditions that lead to a decreased quality of life, increased healthcare costs, and significant morbidity. Many cardiac arrhythmias increase in frequency with age, and as the elderly population continues to increase, so will the incidence and prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias. The long-term treatment options for patients with paroxysmal arrhythmias include ablation procedures and daily oral antiarrhythmics. Acute management entails vagal maneuvers, intravenous antiarrhythmics, and synchronized cardioversion. However, there are limited treatment options for pati...
Source: Cardiology in Review - August 14, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Dual Versus Triple Therapy in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and an Anticoagulation Indication: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Trial-Sequential Analysis
Choosing an antithrombotic regime in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and a concomitant indication for anticoagulation is a challenge commonly encountered by clinicians. Our aim in this article is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of triple antithrombotic therapy (TT, anticoagulant plus dual antiplatelet) versus dual antithrombotic therapy [dual therapy (DT), anticoagulant plus single antiplatelet] in patients with ACS. We included all randomized trials comparing the outcomes of single versus dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with ACS on anticoagulants. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events ...
Source: Cardiology in Review - August 14, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
The Debate Over Egg Consumption and Incident Cardiovascular Disease
There is a great debate regarding the association of cholesterol intake from egg consumption and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most studies show that moderate egg consumption is not associated with a significant increase in CVD, stroke, heart failure, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), whereas others dispute this fact and state that there is an association with increased egg consumption, especially if they are consumed with saturated fats. In addition, the recent relaxation of cholesterol intake to greater than 300 mg/d by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Nutritional Guidelin...
Source: Cardiology in Review - August 14, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy: Case-based Review on Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management
Inflammatory cardiomyopathy is a broad term encompassing any disease leading to myocardial inflammation with associated cardiac dysfunction. While endomyocardial biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis, noninvasive imaging techniques, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography, have become powerful tools to facilitate the identification of underlying myocardial inflammation. This review presents a series of clinical cases with some common etiologies of inflammatory cardiomyopathy, including diagnosis and management. (Source: Cardiology in Review)
Source: Cardiology in Review - August 14, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
β-Arrestin as a Therapeutic Target in Heart Failure
Heart failure is a major source of morbidity and mortality, driven, in part, by maladaptive sympathetic hyperactivity in response to poor cardiac output. Current therapies target β-adrenergic and angiotensin II G protein-coupled receptors to reduce adverse cardiac remodeling and improve clinical outcomes; however, there is a pressing need for new therapeutic approaches to preserve cardiac function. β-arrestin is a multifunctional protein which has come under analysis in recent years as a key player in G protein-coupled receptor signal transduction and a potential therapeutic target in heart failure. β-arrestin attenuate...
Source: Cardiology in Review - August 14, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Association Between Arsenic Exposure and Cardiovascular Disease
Arsenic is a ubiquitously dispersed metalloid that has been implicated as the cause of various adverse health effects. Human exposure to arsenic primarily occurs through contaminated drinking water and dietary intake of rice and grains, posing a great public health risk to millions of people worldwide. High levels of arsenic have been positively associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the last decade, a growing body of evidence has established a role for low-to-moderate arsenic exposure in CVD risk as well. The molecular mechanism of action by which arsenic induces cardiovascular toxicity is not completel...
Source: Cardiology in Review - June 11, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Distal Transradial (Snuffbox) Access for Coronary Catheterization: A Systematic Review
Distal transradial access, through puncture of the radial artery at its course in the anatomical snuffbox, has emerged recently as an alternative approach for coronary catheterization. Several advantages of this approach seem promising and several studies are trying to elucidate its features. This review provides an overview of the snuffbox approach for coronary catheterization and summarizes the key results of the research conducted so far. (Source: Cardiology in Review)
Source: Cardiology in Review - June 11, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Stress (Takotsubo) Cardiomyopathy: A Review of Its Pathophysiology, Manifestations, and Factors That Affect Prognosis
Stress (Takotsubo) cardiomyopathy (SC) is becoming an increasingly recognized syndrome, previously underdiagnosed due to its similar presentation to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). With advancements in imaging and diagnostic tools, our ability to recognize, diagnose and subsequently manage SC has advanced as well. Multiple diagnostic criteria have been created for the diagnosis of SC. While the diagnosis of SC does not always require imaging, advanced imaging can aid in the diagnosis of SC in unclear cases. However, due to the severity of ACS and the consequences of missing that diagnosis, SC is still typically a diagnosis ...
Source: Cardiology in Review - June 11, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Gut Microbiota and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Critical Review
The human intestine contains the largest and most diverse ecosystem of microbes. The main function of the intestinal bacterial flora is to limit the growth of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. However, the intestinal microbiota is increasingly emerging as a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The gut microbiota-derived metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, trimethylamine-N-oxide, bile acids, and polyphenols play a pivotal role in maintaining healthy cardiovascular function, and when dysregulated, can potentially lead to CVD. In particular, changes in the composition and diversity o...
Source: Cardiology in Review - June 11, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Cardiovascular Function and Heart Failure Outcomes
In this article, we explore the influence of obesity on cardiovascular health and the role of bariatric surgery in reducing cardiovascular comorbidities, preventing the onset of heart failure and improving mortality and quality of life in those with cardiac dysfunction. We highlight the mechanisms by which obesity leads to cardiovascular remodeling, diastolic dysfunction, and eventual heart failure. These mechanisms include systemic inflammation, local lipotoxicity by way of ectopic fat deposition, and hemodynamic alterations that have significant effects on cardiac structure and function. Bariatric surgery has been shown ...
Source: Cardiology in Review - June 11, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
The Effects of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement on Mitral Valve Function
The transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure provides a way to treat severe aortic stenosis in the large population of patients who are not candidates for surgical aortic valve replacement. Mitral regurgitation is often concomitant to aortic stenosis in these patients due to the high pressure of the left ventricle and long-term damage to the mitral valve. Due to the proximity of the aortic valve to the mitral valve, TAVR can impact the functional status of the mitral valve by affecting left ventricular outlet obstruction and the mitral valve annular shape. As TAVR becomes increasingly prevalent to treat aort...
Source: Cardiology in Review - June 11, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
The Inflammatory Relationship Between Hepatitis C Virus With Coronary and Carotid Atherosclerosis
Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a global health concern, has been linked to various hepatic and extrahepatic deleterious manifestations. Several observational studies have either supported the increased likelihood of coronary and carotid atherosclerosis after infection with HCV or refuted it. To date, there has been no clear consensus to support either train of thought, as randomized, controlled clinical trials have not been completed. In this review, we first discuss articles that support the notion that HCV infection leads to increased plaque formation due to systemic inflammation and then focus on articles that refute this ide...
Source: Cardiology in Review - June 11, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Andersen–Tawil Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review
Andersen–Tawil syndrome (ATS) is a very rare orphan genetic multisystem channelopathy without structural heart disease (with rare exceptions). ATS type 1 is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion and is caused by mutations in the KCNJ2 gene, which encodes the α subunit of the K+ channel protein Kir2.1 (in ≈ 50–60% of cases). ATS type 2 is in turn linked to a rare mutation in the KCNJ5-GIRK4 gene that encodes the G protein-sensitive-activated inwardly rectifying K+ channel Kir3.4 (15%), which carries the acetylcholine-induced potassium current. About 30% of cases are de novo/sporadic, suggesting that additional a...
Source: Cardiology in Review - June 11, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Charles Bailey and the Early History of Mitral Valve Surgery
No abstract available (Source: Cardiology in Review)
Source: Cardiology in Review - June 11, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
