Preeclampsia and the cardiovascular system: An update
Preeclampsia, an important cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide, is defined as the new onset of hypertension in pregnancy after 20 weeks ’ gestation with associated proteinuria, maternal organ dysfunction or fetal growth restriction [1–3]. The incidence of preeclampsia is estimated to be between 3 and 10% of all pregnancies. While maternal death due to preeclampsia is less common in developed countries, maternal morbidity is high and is a major contributor to intensive care unit admissions—especially given that preeclampsia is more common with advanced maternal age, obesity and other medical co-morbidi...
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - May 14, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Helen Perry, Asma Khalil, Basky Thilaganathan Source Type: research
The ASPRE Preeclampsia Trial: Implications for Basic Research and Clinical Practice
Placental dysfunction is fundamental to the pathophysiology of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, but to date, the placenta has been considered in isolation without regard to the fact that its function is dependent on adequate perfusion by the maternal circulation. An alternative explanation for preeclampsia is that placental dysfunction is secondary to maternal cardiovascular maladaptation in pregnancy. The concept that placental dysfunction is secondary to a maternal disorder is not new when one considers the clinical similarities between preeclampsia and gestational diabetes - both pregnancy-specific conditio...
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - May 14, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Professor Basky Thilaganathan Source Type: research
Sudden death risk markers for patients with left ventricular ejection fractions greater than 40%
The major burden of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with heart disease occurs in those with a left ventricular ejection fraction > 40%. Although the annual risk of SCD may be lower in these patients compared to those with lower LVEF, their lifetime cumulative risk of SCD may be greater due to a better overall prognosis. It is plausible that those with LVEF > 40% who are at highest risk of life-threatening arrhythmia will benefit from implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Features that identify patients with a LVEF > 40% at high risk of SCD are urgently needed. (Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - May 11, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Brian P Halliday, Amrit S Lota, Sanjay K Prasad Source Type: research
Sudden death risk markers for patients with left ventricular ejection fractions greater than 40%,
The major burden of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with heart disease occurs in those with a left ventricular ejection fraction>40%. Although the annual risk of SCD may be lower in these patients compared to those with lower LVEF, their lifetime cumulative risk of SCD may be greater due to a better overall prognosis. It is plausible that those with LVEF>40% who are at highest risk of life-threatening arrhythmia will benefit from implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Features that identify patients with a LVEF>40% at high risk of SCD are urgently needed. (Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - May 11, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Brian P Halliday, Amrit S Lota, Sanjay K Prasad Source Type: research
Plant-based diets: more than meets the eye
Decades of sound epidemiological and clinical research on nutrition and health have provided compelling evidence that dietary patterns that reduce risk of many non-communicable conditions, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), share the common attributes of being predominantly plant-based, so they are high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and non-tropical vegetable oils. Cardioprotective diets are also low in added sugars, saturated and trans fats, and sodium. Some healthful dietary patterns include reduced-fat dairy products, eggs and fish, as well as alcoholic beverages in moderation for adults and ...
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - May 8, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Emilio Ros Tags: Editorial commentary Source Type: research
Coronary Arterial Calcification: A Review of Mechanisms, Promoters and Imaging
Coronary artery calcification (CAC) was once thought to be a passive, degenerative, and quiescent development of disease. However, it has now been shown to be an active process associated with atherosclerosis that is stimulated by inflammatory pathways. Calcification forms within the intimal and medial layers of the vessel wall by way of mechanisms similar to bone development. A variety of imaging modalities have been used to identify and characterize CAC, from early microcalcifications to well-developed fibroatheromas that have calcified. (Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - May 2, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Jordan Andrews, Peter J. Psaltis, Belinda A. Di Bartolo, Stephen J. Nicholls, Rishi Puri Source Type: research
Weaving Palliative Care into the Fabric of Heart Failure Management
Over the last decade, novel life-prolonging pharmacotherapies and mechanical circulatory support devices have been approved to combat the burgeoning heart failure (HF) epidemic. In parallel, there has been increasing recognition that the debilitating physical and emotional symptoms that accompany HF can lead to a loss of independence, existential distress, deteriorating quality of life, and caregiver burden. Palliative care is both a clinical subspecialty and a multidisciplinary approach to patient-centered care that focuses on the relief of suffering and the improvement of quality of life in patients facing serious illnes...
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - April 28, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Garrick C. Stewart Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - April 27, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Pacing for Syncope: Progress and Promise
The application of permanent cardiac pacing to patients with recurrent severe vasovagal syncope has a long and controversial history. The development of head upright tilt table testing by Sutton and colleagues in the mid-1980s opened new vistas into the understanding of the pathophysiology and manifestations of vasovagal syncope [1]. Head upright tilt table testing provided not only a diagnostic modality, it also provided the ability to make scientific observations and measurements that would not have been possible previously. (Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - April 26, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Blair P. Grubb Source Type: research
Evolving Paradigms for Stroke Prevention in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Stroke is the most dreaded complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its prevention remains central to the management of this common arrhythmia. The approach to preventing and managing stroke in AF patients has evolved significantly over the past decade. Some of the major innovations in this field include better definition of the at risk population, availability of new anticoagulant agents and, more recently, interventional therapies that target the left atrial appendage. In this well-rounded review, Stock and Malm comprehensively discuss all aspects of stroke prevention and management in AF patients [1]. (Source: Trend...
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - April 23, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Jackson J.Sanjay LiangDixit Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - April 19, 2018 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Genetic testing of long QT syndrome: Should we go back to the future?
In the current issue of the Journal, Giudicessi et al. [1] perform a critical and comprehensive review of the present status and existing challenges for genetic testing in LQT syndrome. As pointed out by the authors, the advent of high throughput next-generation sequencing technologies, with the consequent “flooding” of data at the DNA level, provide both patients and practicing physicians with plenty of information that sometimes can be difficult to interpret for non-specialized practitioners. In their state of the art review, the authors carefully review the history, mechanisms, and the potential need for reapprais...
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - April 17, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Eugenio Cingolani Source Type: research
Genetic Testing of Long QT Syndrome: Should we go Back to The Future?
In the current issue of the Journal, Giudicessi et al. [1] perform a critical and comprehensive review of the present status and existing challenges for genetic testing in LQT syndrome. As pointed out by the authors, the advent of high throughput next-generation sequencing technologies, with the consequent “flooding” of data at the DNA level, provide both patients and practicing physicians with plenty of information that sometimes can be difficult to interpret for non-specialized practitioners. In their state of the art review, the authors carefully review the history, mechanisms, and the potentia l need for reappraisa...
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - April 17, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Eugenio Cingolani Source Type: research
Use of software applications to improve medication adherence and achieve more integrated disease management in heart failure a review
The treatment and management of heart failure is associated with high mortality rates and treatment costs. Poor medication adherence is a major barrier to improving care and traditional interventions addressing non-adherence have not consistently demonstrated improvement in health care outcomes like readmission. The reasons for non-adherence are complicated and illustrate the broader challenges patients face when managing a complex disease like heart failure. In this review, a digitally enabled heart failure management platform consisting of medical digital tools and software solutions that are designed to be patient-facin...
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - April 16, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Guy Talmor, Benjamin Nguyen, Andrew Keibel, Tijana Temelkovska, Leslie Saxon Source Type: research
