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Advances in Technologies to Improve Ventricular Ablation Safety and Efficacy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review focuses on advances within the field of cardiac electrophysiology that have helped to improve the safety and efficacy of ventricular arrhythmia ablation.Recent FindingsImprovements in three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping systems and catheters allow providers to generate high-resolution maps in less time while identifying critical areas of arrhythmogenic substrate with greater efficiency and possibly better accuracy. Advanced imaging integration into the mapping systems have improved pre- and periprocedural planning and safety. Novel ablation catheters and techniques have improved t...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - November 17, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Correction to: Peripheral Artery Disease and African Americans: Review of the Literature
The original version of this article unfortunately contained mistake in the presentation of the author ’s name. (Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports)
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - October 30, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Race/Ethnic Disparities in Cardiac Transplantation
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHeart transplant (HT) is the therapy of choice for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF), leading to substantial improvements in quality of life, functional status, and longevity compared to optimal medical therapy for end-stage HF. However, race/ethnic disparities in post-HT survival persist and remain a major concern. The purpose of this review is to describe differences in post-transplant outcomes based on race/ethnicity and to highlight evolving knowledge of the reasons for these persistent disparate outcomes.Recent FindingsBlack HT recipients have the highest risk for allograft failure an...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - October 15, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

A Look Beyond Statins and Ezetimibe: a Review of Other Lipid-Lowering Treatments for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in High-Risk Patients
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThere has been significant progress made during the last few decades in the management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Despite this, residual risk remains an unmet need for secondary prevention and high-risk primary prevention patients. First onset and recurrent cardiovascular events remain a major issue despite recommendations for a healthy lifestyle and current optimal medical therapy, which includes the use of maximally tolerated statin therapy plus or minus add-on ezetimibe therapy.Recent FindingsThese findings have led to the development of new treatments that modulate lipid...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - October 9, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Functional Mitral Valve Regurgitation
AbstractPurpose of ReviewFunctional mitral regurgitation (FMR) occurs when mitral leaflets are prevented from adequate coaptation by underlying left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, mitral annular dilation, or both. This review aims to clarify the complex clinical issues in FMR, including diagnosis and therapy.Recent FindingsEven mild FMR has been shown to affect survival negatively. FMR is a dynamic condition and can vary within systole and with altered loading conditions. An integrative approach, including qualitative and quantitative echocardiographic data, is mandatory to determine severity of FMR. Treatment of FMR starts...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - September 9, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Cardiovascular Risk Associated with Medical Use of Opioids and Cannabinoids: A Systematic Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe long-term use of opioid and cannabinoid medications to control chronic pain and treat opioid use disorders now involves a large proportion of the population in the United States. Yet, the cardiovascular risks of opioids are not well understood. This systematic review summarizes the current literature to assess the potential cardiovascular disease risks associated with opioid and cannabinoid medications.Recent FindingsThe role of long-term methadone use in increasing QT interval among people receiving methadone treatment for substance use disorders is well established. Routine electrocardiogram ...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - August 29, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Genetic and Genomic Approaches to Predict Cardiac Allograft Rejection
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe goal of this paper is to review the current state of and ongoing developments in the detection and diagnosis of cardiac allograft rejection using genetic and genomic approaches.Recent FindingsThe current strength of genetic and genomic methods is primarily in reducing the overall number of surveillance endomyocardial biopsies in otherwise low-risk patients. Tissue-based analyses of endomyocardial samples are beginning to identify a more objective phenotypic description of cardiac allograft rejection than traditional histologic evaluation; however, a true “gold” standard remains elusive.Summ...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - August 28, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Uterine Fibroids, Race, Ethnicity, and Cardiovascular Outcomes
AbstractPurpose of ReviewUterine fibroids are the cause of significant morbidity for women particularly women of racial and ethnic minorities. This review seeks to draw connections between fibroids and another cause of morbidity and mortality, cardiovascular disease. Fibroids are the most common neoplasm affecting women as well as the most common reason for undergoing hysterectomy. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the USA, and heart disease and stroke disproportionately impact women of racial and ethnic minorities.Recent FindingsProspective studies in the last several years have revealed a higher pr...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - July 26, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Peripheral Artery Disease and African Americans: Review of the Literature
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPeripheral artery disease (PAD) is a chronic, obstructive disease of the peripheral vasculature which is a coronary heart disease risk equivalent. African Americans (AA) are at the highest risk for developing this disease at every age group. The purpose of this review is to shed light on the risk factors for PAD and their implications for disease manifestation in AA, and to highlight ways to combat these known racial disparities in order to achieve cardiovascular health equity in this population.Recent FindingsEven after controlling for differences in the prevalence of known cardiovascular risk fac...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - July 24, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Update on Behavioral Weight Loss Treatments to Reduce Obesity and Lower Cardiometabolic Risks
AbstractPurpose of ReviewObesity is an intractable clinical and public health problem that is associated with morbidity and mortality. This review provides an update on current and emerging behavioral weight loss interventions (BWLIs).Recent FindingsBecause lifestyle behaviors are primary determinants of weight loss success, BWLIs are front-line treatments in the clinical management of obesity. BWLIs provide guidance in dietary restriction, increased physical activity, and decreased sedentary behavior to achieve reductions in body weight. Intensive in-person comprehensive BWLIs providing 14 or more sessions over 6  months...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - July 12, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Bicycling for Transportation and Recreation in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
AbstractPurpose of ReviewBicycling as a mode of transportation can be an easy and inexpensive way of integrating health enhancing physical activity into everyday life. In the present paper, we summarize the evidence from studies on bicycling for transportation and recreation in relation to cardiovascular disease prevention. We also estimate the population impact of increasing bicycling as a mode of transportation.Recent FindingsThe overall evidence from prospective cohort studies supports that bicycling for transportation or recreation is related to lower risk of development of fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular disease and...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - July 12, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Lipids in South Asians: Epidemiology and Management
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis 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 FindingsSouth 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). While the etiology may be multifactorial, lipoprotein abnormalities play a key role. SAs have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compared with Whites and at any given LDL-C level, SA ethnicity poses a highe...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - July 10, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

LDL-C Targets in Secondary Prevention: How Low Should We Go?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe benefits of lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), mainly using high-intensity statin therapy, and its impact on decreasing the recurrence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in secondary prevention has been well established. With the advent of non-statin medications, particularly PCSK-9 inhibitors, which can lower LDL-C to very low levels not seen before, it is important to answer some important questions regarding LDL-C lowering and the uses of these medications in clinical practice: how low should we go with LDL-C reduction? Is there a threshold beyond which lowe...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - June 17, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Biodegradable Polymers and Stents: the Next Generation?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewStent design continues to evolve with newer generation of stents aimed at improving clinical outcomes. This review compares different generations of stents with a focus on biodegradable polymers and stents and their potential benefits.Recent FindingsDrug-eluting stents (DES) reduce stent thrombosis when compared with bare-metal stents (BMS). However, they are associated with impaired vascular healing/endothelialization and excess very long-term events (beyond 1  year). Much of these events (beyond 1 year) have been attributed to continued inflammation due to the polymer. Biodegradable-polymer dru...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - June 10, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Consider Preeclampsia as a First Cardiovascular Event
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women worldwide. Preeclampsia (PE) is an important and acknowledged female-specific risk factor. Women with a history of PE have an elevated risk to develop hypertension in the decade following their index pregnancy. In this paper, we aim to provide recent insights in the future risk of preeclampsia and describe how prevention strategies can be optimized.Recent FindingsThe development of premature hypertension is caused by multiple factors such as genetics and a persistent enhanced inflammatory state after PE. Systemic inflammation accel...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - June 7, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research