Editorial: Cardiovascular complications of COVID-19
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology)
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - April 16, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: MOLECULAR GENETICS: Edited by Ali J. Marian Source Type: research
Editorial introductions
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology)
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - April 16, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: EDITORIAL INTRODUCTIONS Source Type: research
Cardiovascular implications and complications of the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic: a world upside down
Purpose of review
The new pandemic of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has produced a global tumult and has overburdened national health systems. We herein discuss the cardiovascular implications and complications of this pandemic analyzing the most recent data clustered over the last several months.
Recent findings
COVID-19 afflicts the cardiovascular system producing acute cardiac injury in 10–20% of cases with mild disease but in greater than 50–60% in severe cases, contributing to patients’ demise. Other cardiovascular complications include arrhythmias, heart failure, pulmonary embolism and shock. O...
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - February 12, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: HEART FAILURE: Edited by Frank W. Smart Source Type: research
COVID-19 myocarditis and long-term heart failure sequelae
Purpose of review
The clinical syndrome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Cardiac dysfunction is commonly seen in these patients, often presenting as clinical heart failure. Accordingly, we aim to provide a comprehensive review on COVID-19 myocarditis and its long-term heart failure sequelae.
Recent findings
Several suspected cases of COVID-19 myocarditis have been reported. It is often not clear if the acute myocardial dysfunction is caused by myocarditis or secondary to generalized inflammatory state of cytokine release or microv...
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - February 12, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: HEART FAILURE: Edited by Frank W. Smart Source Type: research
Machine learning: at the heart of failure diagnosis
This article is an overview of recent applications of ML to achieve improved diagnosis of HF and the resultant implications for patient management. (Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology)
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - February 12, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: HEART FAILURE: Edited by Frank W. Smart Source Type: research
Skeletal muscle (dys)function in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Purpose of review
Skeletal muscle dysfunction contributes to exercise intolerance, which manifests as dyspnea and fatiguability in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This review aims to summarize the current understanding of skeletal muscle dysfunction in HFpEF.
Recent findings
Animal and human studies in HFpEF provide insights into the pathophysiological alterations in skeletal muscle structure and function with the identification of several molecular mechanisms. Exercise training and novel pharmacological therapies that target skeletal muscle are proposed as therapeutic inter...
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - February 12, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: HEART FAILURE: Edited by Frank W. Smart Source Type: research
Novel technologies in the management of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a promise during the time of disappointment from pharmacological approaches?
Purpose of review
Despite numerous attempts, none of a wide variety of tested drugs achieved meaningful improvement in the outcomes of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), making new therapeutic strategies a major unmet medical need. The medical device industry embraced the challenge, developing novel technologies directed to face specific aspects of the pathophysiology of HFpEF. This review focuses on some of the most promising technologies attaining meaningful clinical progress recently in the field of HFpEF therapy.
Recent findings
Implantable pulmonary artery pressure, monitoring for optim...
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - February 12, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: HEART FAILURE: Edited by Frank W. Smart Source Type: research
Pulmonary hypertension in heart failure
Purpose of review
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) occurs frequently in heart failure (HF) and confers worse prognosis. It becomes important to adequately identify these patients to optimize treatment. The purpose of this review is to inform about the updated classification of PH in left heart disease, in addition to current and upcoming trials regarding treatment.
Recent findings
The updated classification of PH due to left heart disease now utilizes pulmonary vascular resistance instead of diastolic pulmonary gradient to differentiate between isolated postcapillary and combined pre and postcapillary PH. In regards ...
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - February 12, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: HEART FAILURE: Edited by Frank W. Smart Source Type: research
Update of clinical echocardiographic assessment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Purpose of review
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has an increasing global prevalence. Diastolic dysfunction is the predominant cause of symptoms, most commonly, exertional dyspnea. Although prevalent, the syndrome is challenging to identify due to the comorbid conditions that can present similarly. This paper will review established, guideline recommended, echocardiographic variables, and pathophysiology.
Recent findings
Echocardiography is the primary diagnostic modality. The latest advances in strain analysis, algorithmic use of multiple parameters, and deeper understanding of exercise ...
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - February 12, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: HEART FAILURE: Edited by Frank W. Smart Source Type: research
Ambulatory advanced heart failure patients: timing of mechanical circulatory support – delaying the inevitable?
Purpose of review
Current indications for continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (cfLVAD) implantation is for patients in cardiogenic shock or inotrope-dependent advanced heart failure. Risk stratification of noninotrope dependent ambulatory advanced heart failure patients is a subject of registries designed to help shared-decision making by clinicians and patients regarding the optimal timing of mechanical circulatory support (MCS).
Recent findings
The Registry Evaluation of Vital Information for VADs in Ambulatory Life enrolled ambulatory noninotrope dependent advanced systolic heart failure patients w...
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - February 12, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: HEART FAILURE: Edited by Frank W. Smart Source Type: research
Mitral valve surgery for rheumatic heart disease: replace, repair, retrain?
Purpose of review
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects over 30 million people worldwide. Substantial variation exists in the surgical treatment of patients with RHD. Here, we aim to review the surgical techniques to treat RHD with a focus on rheumatic mitral valve (MV) repair. We introduce novel educational paradigms to embrace repair-oriented techniques in cardiac centers.
Recent findings
Due to the low prevalence of RHD in high-income countries, limited expertise in MV surgery for RHD, technical complexity of MV repair for RHD and concerns about durability, most surgeons elect for MV replacement. However, in ...
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - February 12, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: VALVULAR HEART DISEASE: Edited by Subodh Verma and Bobby Yanagawa Source Type: research
Generalizability of Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial in patients with a history of coronary artery bypass graft surgery
This article aims to ascertain the proportion of patients with a history of CABG that would be eligible for IPE treatment.
Recent findings
A review of recent literature highlights the presence of residual ischemic following CABG. Using the Québec Heart Database, a repository of contemporary Canadian cardiac patient information, was searched between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2016, to ascertain generalizability of IPE.
Summary
In a large (N = 12 641), contemporary, Canadian cohort of patients with a history of CABG and currently on statin therapy, 21.9, 33.6 and 26.4% would be eligible for IPE, acco...
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - February 12, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: VALVULAR HEART DISEASE: Edited by Subodh Verma and Bobby Yanagawa Source Type: research
Transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement: the next frontier of transcatheter valve intervention
Purpose of review
We summarize the recent developments in transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) and replacement (TMVR), discuss determinants of MitraClip outcomes in various mitral regurgitation causes, and highlight newly emerging devices and randomized trials.
Recent findings
The discordant results published in the two recent randomized trials for MitraClip, the COAPT and the MITRA-FR trial have led to the emergence of a new conceptual framework such as the proportionate versus disproportionate mitral regurgitation and hemodynamics assessment tools like the real-time continuous left atrial pressure monitori...
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - February 12, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: VALVULAR HEART DISEASE: Edited by Subodh Verma and Bobby Yanagawa Source Type: research
Surgical repair of ischemic mitral regurgitation: one ring does not fit all
Purpose of review
The review summarizes the key parameters that can aid in determining the optimal treatment of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR).
Recent findings
Left ventricular (LV) and mitral valve (MV) parameters are important for surgical planning and risk stratification in IMR. Although LV dimensions is one of the main parameters used in the guidelines, volumes more accurately depict LV remodelling. Furthermore, wall motion abnormalities and wall motion score index can also be useful for surgical planning in treatment of IMR. Viability is best measured with cardiac magnetic resonance, but it is not feas...
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - February 12, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: VALVULAR HEART DISEASE: Edited by Subodh Verma and Bobby Yanagawa Source Type: research
Combined transcatheter mitral and tricuspid edge-to-edge repair: expanding the horizons of interventional heart failure
Purpose of review
The combination of mitral regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation is common in patients with multiple valvular disease and patient management can be challenging. Surgical combined mitral and tricuspid valve surgery is a treatment option for patients meeting criteria but has demonstrated inconsistent long-term benefits.
Recent findings
Transcatheter mitral and tricuspid edge-to-edge repair has demonstrated early promising results in patients with a prohibitive surgical risk, making it an interesting treatment option. The present review will discuss the physiopathology of this complex disease a...
Source: Current Opinion in Cardiology - February 12, 2021 Category: Cardiology Tags: VALVULAR HEART DISEASE: Edited by Subodh Verma and Bobby Yanagawa Source Type: research
