Research Highlight |
Featured
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Correspondence |
Screening for Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease
- Jonatan Wärme
- , Martin O. Sundqvist
- & Robin Hofmann
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Correspondence |
Reply to ‘Screening for Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease’
- Azita H. Talasaz
- & Behnood Bikdeli
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Review Article |
Stress and cardiovascular disease: an update
Physiological responses to stress are thought to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease via haemodynamic, vascular and immune perturbations. In this Review, Vaccarino and Bremner focus on issues with the measurement of psychological stress and the underlying pathobiology connecting stress to the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Viola Vaccarino
- & J. Douglas Bremner
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Research Highlight |
Periodontal treatment reduces AF recurrence
Treatment for periodontal disease might reduce the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing ablation, suggesting that periodontitis is a modifiable risk factor for AF.
- Gregory B. Lim
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Research Highlight |
The coronary sinus reducer improves angina symptoms in patients with stable CAD
Findings from the ORBITA-COSMIC trial show that treatment of patients with stable coronary artery disease using a coronary sinus reducer improves angina symptoms but does not increase transmural myocardial perfusion.
- Karina Huynh
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Review Article |
Targeting immune cell recruitment in atherosclerosis
In this Review, the authors discuss the receptors, ligands and interactors that regulate immune cell recruitment in atherosclerosis, describe mechanisms that promote the resolution of inflammation in atherosclerotic lesions, and highlight potential strategies to target these pathways for the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
- Yvonne Döring
- , Emiel P. C. van der Vorst
- & Christian Weber
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Research Highlight |
Benefits of ninerafaxstat in non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
According to data from the IMPROVE-HCM trial, ninerafaxstat is well tolerated by patients with symptomatic non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and improves exercise performance among those who are most symptomatically limited.
- Gregory B. Lim
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Research Highlight |
Heart pump increases survival in STEMI-related cardiogenic shock
Data from the DanGer Shock trial demonstrate that implantation of a microaxial flow pump in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock increases the survival rate compared with standard care alone.
- Jennifer Harman
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Comment |
Strategies for the delivery of sex-based equity in cardiovascular clinical trials
The under-representation of women in cardiovascular clinical trials persists across participant, clinician and research roles. This gap perpetuates health inequity and hampers the generation, translation and implementation of optimal evidence-based care. Urgent action is needed to address barriers, promote diversity, and ensure inclusive trial design and health-care delivery and dissemination, for more equitable cardiovascular health.
- Julie Sanders
- , Tim Clayton
- & Rochelle Wynne
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Research Highlight |
RNA-based therapies targeting APOC3 lower triglyceride levels in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia
Three randomized clinical trials presented at ACC.24 demonstrate that olezarsen and plozasiran, RNA-based therapies that target APOC3, can robustly reduce plasma triglyceride levels in patients with moderate to severe hypertriglyceridaemia.
- Karina Huynh
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Research Highlight |
No benefit of β-blockers after myocardial infarction with preserved ejection fraction
In the REDUCE-AMI trial, the use of β-blockers in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) who have undergone early coronary angiography and have a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction did not reduce the risk of death or new MI compared with no β-blocker use.
- Gregory B. Lim
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Research Highlight |
Self-expanding valves more beneficial than balloon-expandable valves in patients with a small aortic annulus
In patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis and a small aortic annulus, a self-expanding valve has similar rates of clinical outcomes at 1 year and lower rates of bioprosthetic dysfunction compared with a balloon-expandable valve.
- Karina Huynh
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Research Highlight |
Gut bacteria can break down cholesterol
A new study identifies a group of gut bacteria that can metabolize cholesterol and are associated with lower plasma cholesterol levels.
- Irene Fernández-Ruiz
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Review Article |
Cardiovascular disease and cancer: shared risk factors and mechanisms
Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) have an increased risk of cancer, and patients with cancer have an increased risk of CVD. In this Review, the authors discuss the shared modifiable risk factors and the shared pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the bidirectional relationship between these two prevalent diseases.
- Nicholas S. Wilcox
- , Uri Amit
- & Bonnie Ky
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Review Article |
Canonical and non-canonical roles of complement in atherosclerosis
In this Review, Kemper and colleagues discuss the canonical and non-canonical roles of the complement system in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and discuss potential new therapeutic strategies targeting the complement system for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
- Pasquale Maffia
- , Claudio Mauro
- & Claudia Kemper
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Review Article |
Uncovering atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by PET imaging
In this Review, van Leent and colleagues provide an overview of current PET imaging approaches for assessment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, as well as of whole-body PET applications; discuss the link between imaging readouts and atherosclerotic plaque pathology; and highlight promising developments in PET systems and radiotracer synthesis.
- Alexander Maier
- , Abraham J. P. Teunissen
- & Mandy M. T. van Leent
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Obituary |
Alain Cribier (1945–2024)
Gilard and Wijns reflect on the life of Alain Cribier, who revolutionized the management of patients with valvular disease.
- Martine Gilard
- & William Wijns
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Research Highlight |
Small extracellular vesicles from the infarcted heart can promote tumour growth
After myocardial infarction, the heart secretes small extracellular vesicles with pro-neoplastic properties that can accelerate tumour growth when taken up by cancer cells.
- Karina Huynh
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Clinical Outlook |
Interventional thrombus modification in STEMI
In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, the role of interventional modification of thrombi in the coronary arteries before stenting is controversial. However, innovations in stroke intervention have sparked renewed interest in thrombus modification approaches. We discuss current and emerging techniques to extract or disperse thrombi, aiming to reduce downstream embolization, microvascular obstruction and myocardial injury.
- Jason L. Walsh
- , Rafail A. Kotronias
- & Giovanni Luigi De Maria
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Research Highlight |
A newly identified gut hormone suppresses cholesterol production in the liver
A new study identifies a hormone that is secreted by the gut in response to cholesterol absorption and can inhibit cholesterol synthesis in the liver, which prevents an increase in circulating cholesterol levels.
- Irene Fernández-Ruiz
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Review Article |
Contemporary pharmacological treatment and management of heart failure
In this Review, Bozkurt provides an overview of the management of patients with heart failure across the full range of left ventricular ejection fraction, derived from the recommendations in the latest US and European guidelines.
- Biykem Bozkurt
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Review Article |
Optimizing antithrombotic therapy in patients with coexisting cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease
In this Review, the authors address considerations for enteral antithrombotic therapy in patients with cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal comorbidities, who often have an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Approaches include tailoring of antithrombotic regimens and gastrointestinal-protection strategies.
- Azita H. Talasaz
- , Parham Sadeghipour
- & Behnood Bikdeli
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Research Highlight |
Presence of microplastics in carotid plaques linked to cardiovascular events
In patients with carotid artery disease, the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in the carotid plaque is associated with an increased risk of death or major cardiovascular events compared with patients in whom microplastics and nanoplastics were not detected.
- Karina Huynh
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Tools of the Trade |
Long-read sequencing provides insights into genetic influence
In this Tools of the Trade article, Trivett discusses the potential of long-read sequencing in generating high-quality reference genomes of animal models of cardiovascular disease.
- Cara Trivett
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Review Article |
Non-coding RNAs as therapeutic targets and biomarkers in ischaemic heart disease
Non-coding RNAs are implicated in the pathophysiology of ischaemic heart disease and heart failure. In this Review, Caporali and colleagues examine the biology of these molecules and discuss the potential of non-coding RNAs for translation to the clinic as biomarkers and therapeutics in adverse cardiac remodelling leading to ischaemic heart failure.
- Andrea Caporali
- , Maryam Anwar
- & Costanza Emanueli
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Tools of the Trade |
Imaging cAMP nanodomains in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes
In this Tools of the Trade article, Charrière describes the FluoStep FRET-based biosensor used for high-resolution imaging of cAMP nanodomains that are involved in intracellular signalling in cardiomyocytes.
- Camille Charrière
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Comment |
Novel cardiovascular therapeutics and the risk of financial toxicity
Novel cardiovascular therapeutics have the potential to improve health outcomes, but financial toxicity from high out-of-pocket costs can limit the reach of these medications and worsen existing health disparities. Understanding the phenomenon of financial toxicity in treating cardiovascular disease is crucial to achieving health equity.
- Alexander H. Gunn
- & Akshay Pendyal
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Research Highlight |
An epigenome editing approach induces durable silencing of Pcsk9
A new approach to modify the epigenome can lead to durable silencing of Pcsk9 in mice, thereby reducing plasma LDL-cholesterol levels, according to a study published in Nature.
- Irene Fernández-Ruiz
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Journal Club |
Tackling inflammation in atherosclerosis
Shoaran and Maffia recount how our understanding of the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis has evolved and highlight the study by Göran Hansson and colleagues that provided the first hint of the involvement of the adaptive immune response in atherosclerosis.
- Mohsen Shoaran
- & Pasquale Maffia
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Review Article |
Sex-related similarities and differences in responses to heart failure therapies
In this Review, Lam and colleagues evaluate the current literature on sex-related differences in treatment responses in patients with heart failure and highlight potential approaches for tailored therapies and the need for sex-specific evaluation of treatment efficacy and safety in future research.
- Janice Y. Chyou
- , Hailun Qin
- & Carolyn S. P. Lam
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Journal Club |
Cardiac memory: a phenomenon with important clinical implications
Rebecca Gilchrist discusses the study that demonstrated the long-term modulation of ventricular repolarization by the sequence of electrical activation in the human heart and established the concept of cardiac memory.
- Rebecca J. Gilchrist
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Research Highlight |
Metabolic product of excess niacin is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular events
A metabolic product of excess niacin promotes vascular inflammation in preclinical models and is associated with increased rates of major adverse cardiovascular events in humans.
- Gregory B. Lim
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Clinical Outlook |
Novel drug therapies for atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia and imposes a substantial burden on patients and health-care providers. Clinical evidence suggests that antiarrhythmic therapy to restore and maintain sinus rhythm (rhythm control) can reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation. As a result, a paradigm shift towards rhythm control over rate control therapy is emerging, increasing the clinical need for effective and safe antiarrhythmic drugs.
- Felix Wiedmann
- & Constanze Schmidt
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Research Highlight |
Pulmonary vascular compliance predicts response to VAD support
Using a porcine model of cardiogenic shock, Lamberti and colleagues develop a clinically accessible, patient-validated metric to assess pulmonary vascular compliance that can predict tolerance to left-sided ventricular assist device support.
- Karina Huynh
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Research Highlight |
Weight loss from surgery or drug therapy reduces blood pressure
Two studies indicate that a reduction in body mass index as a result of either bariatric surgery or pharmacological therapy is associated with a blood pressure-lowering effect.
- Gregory B. Lim
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Research Highlight |
Heartbeat-induced pressure pulsations in cerebral arteries modulate neuronal activity
Heartbeat-induced pressure pulsations within arterial vessels in the brain can directly stimulate central neuronal activity by activating mechanosensitive channels in subsets of neurons, according to a study published in Science.
- Karina Huynh
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Research Highlight |
DYRK1A gene linked to heart defects in Down syndrome
A study shows that congenital heart defects in Down syndrome are in part caused by increased dosage of the DYRK1A gene, which lies on chromosome 21, leading to reduced proliferation and mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes.
- Irene Fernández-Ruiz
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Review Article |
Iron deficiency and supplementation in heart failure
In this Review, Lakhal-Littleton and Cleland use the latest understanding of iron homeostasis to evaluate existing and emerging markers of iron status, describe the reciprocal relationship between iron status and heart failure, and mechanistically examine the benefits of oral and intravenous iron replacement therapies.
- Samira Lakhal-Littleton
- & John G. F. Cleland
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Comment |
Ultra-processed foods and cardiovascular disease
In this Comment, we critically examine the association between the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods and their negative effect on cardiovascular health. We explore the historical evolution of food processing, the Nova food classification and the epidemiological evidence, and highlight the need for urgent public health interventions.
- Fernanda Rauber
- & Renata Bertazzi Levy
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Correspondence |
Reply to ‘Graded exercise therapy should not be recommended for patients with post-exertional malaise’
- Artur Fedorowski
- , Alessandra Fanciulli
- & Richard Sutton
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Correspondence |
Graded exercise therapy should not be recommended for patients with post-exertional malaise
- Femke Christina Ching-Chuan van Rhijn-Brouwer
- , Merel Hellemons
- & David Putrino
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Review Article |
Immune checkpoints in cardiac physiology and pathology: therapeutic targets for heart failure
In this Review, Varga and colleagues provide an overview of the evidence on immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced heart failure and cardiac dysfunction that is unrelated to myocarditis, and discuss how pharmacological targeting of immune checkpoints might be a potential strategy to treat heart failure.
- Tamás G. Gergely
- , Zsófia D. Drobni
- & Zoltán V. Varga
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Clinical Outlook |
The role of the molecular autopsy in sudden cardiac death in young individuals
A molecular autopsy is undertaken in cases of sudden cardiac death with no definitive cause found after conventional autopsy, with the aim of identifying a pathological genetic variant that could account for the death. Greater awareness of malignant arrhythmias in the absence of structural changes in inherited cardiomyopathies has increased the applicability of molecular autopsies, and resulted in improved care of families but new challenges for clinicians.
- Julia C. Isbister
- & Christopher Semsarian
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Clinical Outlook |
Partial heart transplantation: a new option for paediatric heart valve replacement
Heart valve replacement in newborn babies remains an unsolved problem because currently used heart valve implants do not grow. This lack of implant growth mandates serial re-operations until adult-size valve implants can be fitted. Partial heart transplantation is a new approach to solve this problem by transplanting only the part of the heart that contains the necessary valve.
- Taufiek K. Rajab
- , Andrew D. Vogel
- & Joseph W. Turek
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Research Highlight |
Fibroblast-like cells promote plaque stability in response to anti-IL-1β therapy
Anti-inflammatory therapy involving IL-1β inhibition might reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in individuals with clonal haematopoiesis by increasing the number of fibroblast-like cells in the fibrous cap region of atherosclerotic plaques, thereby stabilizing the plaque and reducing the likelihood of rupture.
- Gregory B. Lim
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Review Article |
Specialized pro-resolving mediators in vascular inflammation and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
In this Review, Fredman and Serhan discuss the role of specialized pro-resolving mediators, a superfamily of endogenous signalling lipids that mediate resolution of inflammation processes in atherosclerosis, and appraise the therapeutic potential of specialized pro-resolving mediators for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, and the resolution of uncontrolled vascular inflammation.
- Gabrielle Fredman
- & Charles N. Serhan
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Review Article |
Atherosclerotic plaque stabilization and regression: a review of clinical evidence
In this Review, Sarraju and Nissen summarize the clinical trial evidence for coronary atherosclerotic plaque stabilization and regression with plasma LDL-cholesterol-lowering therapy and other treatments. Invasive and non-invasive imaging modalities used to assess plaque burden and composition are discussed.
- Ashish Sarraju
- & Steven E. Nissen
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Review Article |
Improving medication adherence in cardiovascular disease
In this Review, Bosworth and colleagues describe the causes of medication non-adherence, discuss interventions that have been clinically shown to improve adherence and identify areas for future research.
- Adam J. Nelson
- , Neha J. Pagidipati
- & Hayden B. Bosworth
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Review Article |
Immune and inflammatory mechanisms in hypertension
In this Review, Guzik and colleagues discuss immune and inflammatory mechanisms of hypertension, including upstream regulators and downstream effectors as well as the complex interplay between the immune system, blood pressure regulation and end-organ damage, which can help to identify new targets for therapeutic interventions.
- Tomasz J. Guzik
- , Ryszard Nosalski
- & Grant R. Drummond