1,721,023 research outputs found
In ®Entresto we trust
No full textSacubitril/Valsartan (S/V) is a novel and remarkably effective opportunity to treat heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, patients with HFrEF induced by cancer therapy were a priori excluded from the registration study. The value of S/V in this important subgroup of patients needs to be firmly established. In this issue of Cardio-Oncology, Gregorietti et al. report on the effects of S/V in a small group of cancer patients, primarily women with breast cancer treated with anthracyclines. The data are limited but seem to confirm the encouraging results of prior studies, paving the way to foster the use of S/V in cardio-oncology patients and hopefully, to design ad hoc prospective studies in this highly vulnerable population
Interleukin-1 and the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Pericardial Disease
No full textPericarditis is a generally benign disease, although complications and/or recurrences may occur in up to 30% of cases. New evidence on the pathophysiology of the disease has accumulated in recent years
Direct Oral Anticoagulants versus Vitamin K Antagonists for the treatment of Left Ventricular Thrombosis: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis
Full text linkDiagnostic work-up and therapeutic implications in MINOCA: need for a personalized approach
No full textMyocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronaryartery(MINOCA) diseaserepresents a heterogeneous clinical conundrum accounting for about 6% of all acute myocardial infarction (MI) cases. Initially believed to be a benign condition, is now becoming clear that MINOCA is associated with a non-negligible risk of mortality, rehospitalization, disability and angina burden at follow-up, with high socioeconomic costs. To date, there are no prospective clinical trials in this population and cannot be assumed that benefits observed in patients suffering from MI with obstructive coronary artery disease maysuccessfully translate to this syndrome. Herein, we comment on the importance of the multimodality assessment to properly identify and treat the specific causes of MINOCA, in order to improve prognosis and the qualityof life in these patients
Inflammation in coronary atherosclerosis: diagnosis and treatment
No full textCoronary atherosclerosis is a chronic condition characterised by the development of an atherosclerotic plaque in the inner layer of the coronary artery, mainly associated with cholesterol accumulation and favoured by endothelial dysfunction related to other cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking, diabetes and hypertension. A key actor in this process is the systemic inflammatory response, which can make plaques either grow slowly over the course of years (like a âmountain'), obstructing coronary flow, and causing stable coronary artery disease, or make them explode (like a âvolcano') with subsequent abrupt thrombosis causing an acute coronary syndrome. This central role of inflammation in coronary atherosclerosis has led to its consideration as a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor and a therapeutic target. Classic anti-inflammatory drugs have been tested in clinical trials with some encouraging results, and new drugs specifically designed to tackle inflammation are currently being under investigation in ongoing trials. The objectives of this review are to (1) summarise the role of inflammatory biomarkers and imaging techniques to detect inflammation at each stage of plaque progression, and (2) explore currently available and upcoming anti-inflammatory therapies
Optimal Stent Design for High Bleeding Risk Patients: Evidence From a Network Meta-Analysis
No full textObjective: To determine the best stent design for high bleeding risk (HBR) patients. Background: Polymer-free (PF) drug eluting stent (DES) devices have a proven benefit over bare-metal stent (BMS) devices in previous trials. It is unknown, however, whether polymer-based (PB)-DES devices are as safe as PF-DES devices. Methods: A network meta-analysis including all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared different stent technology in HBR patients with a 1-month course of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was performed. The main efficacy outcome was major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate, defined as the composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and target-lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary efficacy events included all-cause and cardiac mortality, MI, stroke, TLR, and target-vessel revascularization (TVR). Safety outcomes included all bleeding, major bleeding, and stent thrombosis (ST). Results: A total of 4 RCTs with 6456 patients were included. PF-DES and PB-DES yielded a reduced rate of MACE, MI, TLR, and TVR events compared with BMS (all P<.05). ST events were reduced in PB-DES compared with BMS (P=.01). No differences were found in all-cause death, cardiac death, or stroke events in PF-DES and PB-DES compared with BMS. Furthermore, no differences were found between PF-DES and PB-DES regarding any of the outcomes. Conclusion: DES devices were associated with lower MACE and TVR rates compared with BMS, whereas there were no statistical differences in other efficacy endpoints. Also, PB-DES were associated with fewer ST events compared with BMS. There were no statistical differences between PB-DES and PF-DES with regard to any of the endpoints
Recurrent asymptomatic Takotsubo syndrome after 20 years: are we looking at the tip of the iceberg only?
No full textTakotsubo syndrome (TS) is an acute and reversible form of myocardial stunning preceded by emotional or physical stress, not explained by an obstruction of an epicardial coronary artery as in acute coronary syndrome. Over the last decades, TS is receiving growing attention, leading to an increase in awareness and diagnostic rate. Chest pain and dyspnea are the most common presenting symptoms; however, nonspecific presentations make the diagnosis challenging for clinicians. Here, we present the case of a 76-year-old female who experienced two completely asymptomatic episodes of TS 20 years apart
The Evolving Features of Takotsubo Syndrome
No full textPurpose of the ReviewTakotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a transient form of left ventricular dysfunction, typically affecting post-menopausal females, often preceded by emotional or physical stressful events that act as triggers. Initially believed to be a rare and benign condition for its reversible nature, TTS has recently emerged as a complex multifaceted clinical entity, with heterogenous clinical presentations and a non-negligible risk of serious in-hospital complications, including acute heart failure, arrhythmias and death.Recent FindingsEmerging pathophysiological hypotheses, ranging from microvascular dysfunction to systemic inflammation, offer new insights into the underlying mechanisms of TTS. Moreover, increasing awareness of potential complications during the acute phase of the disease underscores its significant prognostic implications and emphasizes the need for randomized clinical trials to guide the therapeutic management of TTS.SummaryIn this narrative review article, we aim to discuss the recent insights on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, treatment and prognosis of patients affected by TTS discussing the emerging evidence and the remaining knowledge gap in the field
Optimal stent design for high bleeding risk patients. Evidence from a network meta-analysis
No full textObjective: To determine the best stent design for high bleeding risk (HBR) patients. Background: Polymer-free (PF) drug eluting stent (DES) devices have a proven benefit over bare-metal stent (BMS) devices in previous trials. It is unknown, however, whether polymer-based (PB)-DES devices are as safe as PF-DES devices. Methods: A network meta-analysis including all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared different stent technology in HBR patients with a 1-month course of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was performed. The main efficacy outcome was major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate, defined as the composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and target-lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary efficacy events included all-cause and cardiac mortality, MI, stroke, TLR, and target-vessel revascularization (TVR). Safety outcomes included all bleeding, major bleeding, and stent thrombosis (ST). Results: A total of 4 RCTs with 6456 patients were included. PF-DES and PB-DES yielded a reduced rate of MACE, MI, TLR, and TVR events compared with BMS (all P<.05). ST events were reduced in PB-DES compared with BMS (P=.01). No differences were found in all-cause death, cardiac death, or stroke events in PF-DES and PB-DES compared with BMS. Furthermore, no differences were found between PF-DES and PB-DES regarding any of the outcomes. Conclusion: DES devices were associated with lower MACE and TVR rates compared with BMS, whereas there were no statistical differences in other efficacy endpoints. Also, PB-DES were associated with fewer ST events compared with BMS. There were no statistical differences between PB-DES and PF-DES with regard to any of the endpoints
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