Incidence and Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation in Latinos: What ’s New Since the Study in Latinos (SOL)?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo assess contemporary epidemiological trends in AF incidence and prevalence in the LatinX population after the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.Recent FindingsAtrial fibrillation (AF) remains the most abnormal heart rhythm condition globally and disproportionately impacts morbidity and mortality of communities that have been historically disadvantaged. The incidence and prevalence of AF is lower in the LatinX population compared to White individuals despite a higher burden of classic risk factors associated with AF. Since the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos study o...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - July 8, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Bempedoic Acid: A Contemporary Review of Its Pharmacology, Efficacy, and Safety Profile, Including Recent Data from the CLEAR Outcomes Clinical Trial
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo provide an updated review of bempedoic acid ’s clinical application in lowering LDL-C in the setting of statin intolerance and the recent findings in the CLEAR Outcomes trial as well as summarize and synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding bempedoic acid while providing an in-depth analysis of the drug’s pharmacological proper ties, mechanism of action, clinical trials, safety, and efficacy.Recent FindingsThe CLEAR Outcomes trial has provided evidence to support bempedoic acid as a viable alternative to statins for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.Su...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - July 5, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
An Increased Understanding of the Association Between Atherosclerosis and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
AbstractPurpose of ReviewImmune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy activates the host immune system to promote tumor cell death. This activation of the immune system can lead to off-target immune-related adverse events (irAEs). There is an established link between inflammation and atherosclerosis. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the existing body of literature discussing the potential association between ICI treatment and atherosclerosis.Recent FindingsPre-clinical studies suggest that ICI therapy may lead to T-cell-mediated progression of atherosclerosis. Recent retrospective clinical studies have shown higher...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - July 3, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Risk of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infection in Patients with Bloodstream Infection: Microbiologic Effect in the Era of Positron Emission Tomography –Computed Tomography
AbstractPurpose of ReviewBloodstream infection (BSI) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is common and can prompt challenges in defining optimal management. We provide a contemporary narrative review of this topic and propose a pathogen-dependent clinical approach to patient management.Recent FindingsBSI due to staphylococci, viridans group streptococci, and enterococci is associated with an increased risk of underlying CIED infection, while the risk of CIED infection due to other organisms is poorly defined. There is growing evidence that positron emission tomography –computed tomography may ...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - June 23, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Treatment of Iron Deficiency in Heart Failure
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHeart failure (HF) is commonly associated with iron deficiency (ID), defined as insufficient levels of iron to meet physiological demands. ID ’s association with anaemia is well understood but it is increasingly recognised as an important comorbidity in HF, even in the absence of anaemia. This review summarises contemporary evidence for the measurement and treatment of ID, in both HFrEF and HFpEF, and specific HF aetiologies, and highli ghts important gaps in the evidence-base.Recent FindingsID is common among patients with HF and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Correcting ID i...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - June 17, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
The Potential Role of PET in the Management of Peripheral Artery Disease
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCurrent non-invasive tests for evaluating patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have significant limitations for early detection and management of patients with PAD and are generally focused on the evaluation of large vessel disease. PAD often involves disease of microcirculation and altered metabolism. Therefore, there is a critical need for reliable quantitative non-invasive tools that can assess limb microvascular perfusion and function in the setting of PAD.Recent FindingsRecent developments in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging have enabled the quantification of blood flow to t...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - June 14, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
COVID-19 and Acute Cardiac Injury: Clinical Manifestations, Biomarkers, Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review aims to comprehensively explore the clinical characteristics of COVID-19-related cardiac injury and examine the potential mechanisms underlying cardiac injury in patients affected by COVID-19.Recent FindingsThe COVID-19 pandemic has primarily been associated with severe respiratory symptoms. However, emerging evidence has indicated that a significant number of COVID-19 patients also experience myocardial injury, leading to conditions such as acute myocarditis, heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, and arrhythmias. The incidence of myocardial injury is notably higher in patients with p...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - June 14, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Supplements for Lipid Lowering: What Does the Evidence Show?
AbstractPurposeIn this review, the regulation, proposed hypolipidemic mechanism, and efficacy of common dietary supplements (DSs) marketed for cardiovascular health are discussed.Recent FindingsData demonstrate modest but inconsistent lipid-lowering effects with common DSs such as probiotics, soluble fibers, plant sterols, green tea, berberine, guggul, niacin, and garlic. Furthermore, data is limited regarding turmeric, hawthorn, and cinnamon. Red yeast rice has shown to be a beneficial DS, but its safety and efficacy are dependent upon its production quality and monacolin K content, respectively. Finally, soy proteins and...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - June 10, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
The Scope of Practice for Primary Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Expanded to Advanced Practice Providers: What Does the Data Show?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe review aims to explore the available literature on the role of advance practice providers (APPs) in the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).Recent FindingsCVD are the major cause of death and disease with the growing burden of direct and indirect costs. Globally, one out of every three deaths is due to CVD. A total of 90% of CVD cases are due to modifiable risk factors which are preventable; however, challenges are faced by the already overburdened healthcare systems where the shortage of workforce is a common constraint. Different CVD preventive programs are working but, in a s...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - June 7, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
The Management and Antithrombotic Strategies of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and High Bleeding Risk
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn this review, we aim to summarize the current understanding of high bleeding risk (HBR) patients in coronary artery disease (CAD) and provide a comprehensive evaluation of the available antithrombotic strategies for both percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures.Recent FindingsCAD is a major cause of mortality among cardiovascular diseases, resulting from insufficient blood flow in the coronary artery due to atherosclerosis. Antithrombotic therapy is a crucial component of drug therapy for CAD and multiple studies had been focusing on the optim...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - June 7, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
The Role of MicroRNA in the Myocarditis: a Small Actor for a Great Role
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMyocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium secondary to a variety of agents such as infectious pathogens, toxins, drugs, and autoimmune disorders. In our review, we provide an overview of miRNA biogenesis and their role in the etiology and pathogenesis of myocarditis, evaluating future directions for myocarditis management.Recent FindingsAdvances in genetic manipulation techniques allowed to demonstrate the important role of RNA fragments, especially microRNAs (miRNAs), in cardiovascular pathogenesis. miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate the post-transcriptional gene expres...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - June 3, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Regulation of Cardiomyocyte Division During Cardiac Regeneration
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review explores efforts made over the previous three decades to determine mechanisms of cardiomyocyte cell division. Many investigators have explored cell therapy strategies in animal models and clinical trials over the past 2 decades with marginal results thus far in clinical testing. Hence, there is a greater focus now on strategies to induce cardiomyocyte proliferation.Recent FindingsReports to induce reactivation of the cardiomyocyte cell cycle predated the focus on cell therapy, and we summarize the literature on this topic, which began with the very first transgenic mouse studies in card...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - June 2, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Personalized Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndromes: Striking a Balance Between Bleeding and Thrombosis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) —aspirin in conjunction with a P2Y12 inhibitor —is the cornerstone of managing patients with acute coronary syndromes post-revascularization, but the clinical response is highly variable, with potentially devastating consequences. Herein, we review the mechanisms underpinning said variability and explore emerging approaches to normalizing ther apeutic benefit.Recent Findings.The potent P2Y12 inhibitors, prasugrel and ticagrelor, exhibit minimal inter-individual variability, replacing clopidogrel in DAPT and achieving greater rates of therapeutic response. Howeve...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - June 1, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Intracoronary Imaging and Physiology to Guide PCI: Are We Ready for a Class I Guideline Recommendation?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOver the last decade, there has been a plethora of evidence to support the utilization of intravascular coronary imaging and physiological assessment to guide percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). While there is a class I recommendation for the use of coronary physiology to guide PCI, the use of intravascular coronary imaging remains a class IIa recommendation. Herein, we aimed to review the recent scientific evidence from major trials highlighting the consideration for a future class I guideline recommendation for the use of intracoronary imaging.Recent FindingsThe benefits of intravascular u...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - June 1, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
The Role of Innate Immune Cells in Cardiac Injury and Repair: A Metabolic Perspective
AbstractPurpose of ReviewRecent technological advances have identified distinct subpopulations and roles of the cardiac innate immune cells, specifically macrophages and neutrophils. Studies on distinct metabolic pathways of macrophage and neutrophil in cardiac injury are expanding. Here, we elaborate on the roles of cardiac macrophages and neutrophils in concomitance with their metabolism in normal and diseased hearts.Recent FindingsSingle-cell techniques combined with fate mapping have identified the clusters of innate immune cell subpopulations present in the resting and diseased hearts. We are beginning to know about t...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - May 30, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
