Top 10
The top ten charts the articles that have been downloaded most often, in HTML format, from the Nature Reviews Cardiology website in recent weeks. The chart does not rank the quality, scientific significance or citation impact of the content. However, it may bring articles to your attention that you might not have otherwise noticed. We hope you enjoy them.
Top of pageReview
Vitamin D status and arterial hypertension: a systematic review
Stefan Pilz, Andreas Tomaschitz, Eberhard Ritz & Thomas R. Pieber
doi:10.1038/nrcardio.2009.135
In this extensive Review, Stefan Pilz and colleagues discuss the potential mechanisms by which vitamin D might affect blood pressure and explore the clinical evidence for an association between vitamin D and arterial hypertension. The authors also make recommendations for vitamin D supplementation in patients with hypertension and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below target values.
News and Views
Stem cells: Bone marrow cell therapy for MI—goal achieved?
Helmut Drexler & Kai C. Wollert
doi:10.1038/nrcardio.2009.158
Review
Obesity, inflammation, and atherosclerosis
Viviane Z. Rocha & Peter Libby
doi:10.1038/nrcardio.2009.55
In this timely Review, Drs Rocha and Libby discuss the commonalities in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and obesity, with a particular focus on inflammation—an important aspect of both diseases. The authors also examine the clinical implications of the mechanistic links between the two conditions.
Research Highlight
Arrhythmias: Antiarrhythmic drugs in the treatment of ARVC
Sharmini Rajanayagam
doi:10.1038/nrcardio.2009.166
Research Highlight
Hypertension: Sildenafil reduces pulmonary hypertension in HF
Sharmini Rajanayagam
doi:10.1038/nrcardio.2009.167
Research Highlight
Cardiomyopathies: New insights into hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Alexandra King
doi:10.1038/nrcardio.2009.147
News and Views
Arrhythmias: Unexplained sudden cardiac death—back to clinical evaluation
Silvia G. Priori
doi:10.1038/nrcardio.2009.174
Research Highlight
Coronary artery disease: Myocardial bridge: a 'double-edged sword' in atherosclerosis
Alexandra King
doi:10.1038/nrcardio.2009.170
Review
Oxidative stress in vascular disease: causes, defense mechanisms and potential therapies
Ulrich Förstermann
doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1211
Förstermann reviews oxidative stress—the enzymes responsible for generating reactive oxygen species and the enzymatic and nonprotein systems designed to protect from vascular disease. He discusses how oxidative stress is involved in endothelial dysfunction, how it contributes to vascular disease, and by what therapeutic approaches it could be prevented.
Review
Calcification in atherosclerosis
Nikolaos Alexopoulos & Paolo Raggi
doi:10.1038/nrcardio.2009.165
The extent of coronary calcification is thought to reflect the total coronary atherosclerotic burden. In this Review, Drs. Alexopoulos and Raggi discuss the current uncertainty about the role of coronary artery calcium in various disease states, the utility of calcium screening and current recommendations on its use.
