Cardiovascular Toxicities Associated with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo provide a detailed overview of cardiovascular adverse events associated with the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors across different tumor types.Recent FindingsDespite an undeniable survival advantage of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in patients with hematologic or solid malignancies, the accompanying off-target cardiovascular adverse events can be life-threatening. In patients with B cell malignancies, the use of Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors has been associated with atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, as well as hypertension. Cardiovascular toxic profiles are heterogeneous among the sev...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - February 16, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Frailty and Cardiovascular Mortality: A Narrative Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe goal of the narrative review is to provide an overview of the epidemiology of frailty in cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular mortality and discuss applications of frailty in cardiovascular care of older adults.Recent FindingsFrailty is highly prevalent in older adults with cardiovascular disease and is a robust, independent predictor of cardiovascular death. There is a growing interest in using frailty to inform management of cardiovascular disease either through pre- or post-treatment prognostication or by delineating treatment heterogeneity in which frailty serves to distinguish patient...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - February 16, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Recent Advances in Serum Biomarkers for Risk Stratification and Patient Management in Cardio-Oncology
This article will review the utility for biomarker use throughout the cancer care continuum.Recent FindingsA recent meta-analysis shows utility for troponin in monitoring patients at risk for CTRC during cancer therapy. The role for natriuretic peptides is less clear but may be useful in patients receiving proteasome inhibitors. Early studies explore use of myeloperoxidase, growth differentiation factor 15, galectin 3, micro-RNA, and others as novel biomarkers in CTRC.SummaryBiomarkers have potential to identify subclinical CTRC and may reveal opportunities for early intervention. Further research is needed to elucidate op...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - February 15, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Aortic Stenosis: Risk Stratification and Timing of Surgery
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes the current management of patients with newly diagnosed aortic stenosis.Recent FindingsRecent developments include detection of early myocardial dysfunction using serum B-type natriuretic peptide levels and global longitudinal strain, as well as ongoing trials of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in asymptomatic patients and patients with moderate aortic stenosis complicated by symptoms or left ventricular systolic dysfunction.SummaryGiven the high mortality associated with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, all symptomatic patients should be referred for aortic valve r...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - February 14, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Sudden Cardiac Death Risk Stratification of the Early Repolarization Syndrome: An Updated Review of the Literature
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEarly repolarization syndrome (ERS), once thought to be innocuous, has now been shown  to be responsible for ventricular arrythmias and sudden cardiac death occurrence. This review will help the clinician to identify the patients who are most at risk for arrhythmias, so that they can adopt a preventive or secondary treatment approach, either of which is still poorly defined.Recent FindingsPatients at high risk are found to be particularly young men, with a personal or family history of syncope or sudden death, who have an inferolateral ER on the electrocardiogram, more elevated J-point, longer J...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - February 10, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Pediatric Pericarditis: Update
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWhile there have now been a variety of large reviews on adult pericarditis, this detailed review specifically focuses on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of pediatric pericarditis. We have tried to highlight most pediatric studies conducted on this topic, with special inclusion of important adult studies that have shaped our understanding of and management for acute and recurrent pericarditis.Recent FindingsWe find that the etiology of pediatric pericarditis differs from adult patients with pericarditis and has evolved over the years. Also, with the current COVID-1...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - February 7, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Markers of Cardiovascular Risk Associated with Pregnancy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of the review is to summarize the unique cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors encountered during pregnancy and to provide the reader with a framework for acquiring a comprehensive obstetric history during the cardiovascular (CV) assessment of women.Recent FindingsIndividuals with a history of pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), gestational diabetes (GDM), preterm delivery, low birth weight, and fetal growth restriction during pregnancy are at a higher risk of developing short- and long-term CV complications compared to those without adverse pregnan...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - February 6, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes: a Review of Recent Evidence
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOmega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) lower triglycerides, have anti-inflammatory properties, and improve metabolism. Clinical evidence of cardiovascular benefit with omega-3 fatty acids is mixed. We discuss mechanisms providing biological plausibility of benefit of omega-3 fatty acids in cardiovascular risk reduction and review clinical trials investigating the benefits of prescription omega-3 fatty acids in dyslipidemia, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and diabetes.Recent FindingsAlthough early trials showed no benefit of omega-3 fatty acids in ASCVD, the REDUCE-IT trial noted significant ...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - February 2, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Current and Future Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Cardiac CT
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn this review, we aim to summarize state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) approaches applied to cardiovascular CT and their future implications.Recent FindingsRecent studies have shown that deep learning networks can be applied for rapid automated segmentation of coronary plaque from coronary CT angiography, with AI-enabled measurement of total plaque volume predicting future heart attack. AI has also been applied to automate assessment of coronary artery calcium  on cardiac and ungated chest CT and to automate the measurement of epicardial fat. Additionally, AI-based prediction models int...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - January 28, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Comparison of the Recent Updates to the ACC/AHA and ESC Guidelines for the Management of Valvular Heart Disease: Similarities and Differences
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThere have been several advances in the diagnosis and management of valvular heart disease (VHD) over the last decade. These have been reflected in the latest European and North American guidelines, although both contain significant similarities and differences. In this review, we highlight the important overlaps and variations between the updated guidelines and their previous versions to help guide the general cardiologist.Recent FindingsThere has been extensive revision on the use of percutaneous treatments, the indications for intervention in asymptomatic VHD, and perioperative bridging therapie...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - January 28, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Transesophageal Echocardiographic Screening for Structural Heart Interventions
We describe the vital role that transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) plays in screening patients prior to their procedure.Recent FindingsA multimodality imaging approach is employed by the valve team, but TEE plays a unique role in diagnosis and planning. Utilization of all TEE views and features such as biplane, 3D imaging, and multiplanar reconstruction ensures accurate assessment of the structural lesion of interest.SummaryThe role of TEE remains essential in the planning of structural interventions, and these studies should be performed in a systematic and comprehensive manner. (Source: Current Cardiology Reports)
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - January 21, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Correction to: The Role of Imaging in Preventive Cardiology in Women
(Source: Current Cardiology Reports)
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - January 16, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Insights into Causal Cardiovascular Risk Factors from Mendelian Randomization
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewThis review summarizes major insights into causal risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) by using Mendelian randomization (MR) to obtain unconfounded estimates, contextualized within its strengths and weaknesses.Recent FindingsMR studies  have confirmed the role of major CVD risk factors, including alcohol, smoking, adiposity, blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, lipids, and possibly inflammation, but added that the relation with alcohol is likely linear, confirmed the role of diastolic blood pressure, identified apolipoprotein B as th e major target lipid, and foreshadowed results of some ...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - January 14, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Hypertension: Barriers and Opportunities to Improve Blood Pressure Control
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo characterize the barriers and opportunities associated with racial and ethnic disparities in blood pressure (BP) control.Recent FindingsBlood pressure (BP) control rates in the USA have worsened over the last decade, with significantly lower rates of control among people from racial and ethnic minority groups, with non-Hispanic (NH) Black persons having 10% lower control rates compared to NH White counterparts. Many factors contribute to BP control including key social determinants of health (SDoH) such as health literacy, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare as well as low awareness r...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - January 9, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

The Role of Imaging in Preventive Cardiology in Women
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe prevalence of CVD in women is increasing and is due to the increased prevalence of CV risk factors. Traditional CV risk assessment tools for prevention have failed to accurately determine CVD risk in women. CAC has shown to more precisely determine CV risk and is a better predictor of CV outcomes. Coronary CTA provides an opportunity to determine the presence of CAD and initiate prevention in women presenting with angina. Identifying women with INOCA due to CMD with use of cPET or cMRI with MBFR is vital in managing these patients. This review article outlines the role of imaging in preventive ...
Source: Current Cardiology Reports - December 28, 2022 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research