High Risk Of Cardiovascular Complications Research Articles

Abstract 4113486: Cardiovascular Benefits of Sotagliflozin in Diabetic Populations: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Sotagliflozin, an inhibitor of both SGLT1 and SGLT2, is under investigation for potential cardioprotective effects in diabetic patients. Aims: This study assesses the efficacy and cardiovascular benefits of sotagliflozin in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk or with diagnosed heart failure. Methods: We systematically searched digital databases including ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, Medline, and Embase, using a PICOS-based strategy and the PRISMA framework for data reporting. Randomized controlled trials comparing sotagliflozin against placebo over a minimum duration of eight weeks were analyzed using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4.1. Results: Our meta-analysis included 7 studies with 16,315 participants with all studies comparing either 200 or 400 mg sotagliflozin to placebo. The meta analaysis revealed significant improvements in reduction the total number of cardiovascular deaths [OR= 0.70 (95% CI (0.51- 0.95)), p = 0.02]; reduction in Non-fatal MI [OR=0.76 (95% CI (0.70- 0.84)), p < 0.00001]; reduction in the incidence of hospitalizations due to HF [OR=0.54 (95% CI (0.44, 0.66)), p < 0.00001]; reduction In urgent hospitalizations [OR=0.66 (95% CI (0.53, 0.83)), p=0.0004]; improvement in LVEF>50% [ OR= 0.41 (95%CI (0.34, 0.51)), p<0.0001] and reduction in systolic blood pressure mean reduction of -0.81 (95% CI (1.36, -0.25)), p=0.005]. However there was no statistically significant reduction in all cause mortality [0.73 (95% CI (0.42, 1.26)), p=0.26] . Conclusion: Sotagliflozin significantly reduces the incidence of cardiovascular deaths, adverse events, and hospitalizations in diabetic patients at high risk of cardiovascular complications.

ФИБРИЛЛЯЦИЯ ПРЕДСЕРДИЙ: ТЕРАПЕВТИЧЕСКИЕ ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ ВОССТАНОВЛЕНИЯ И УДЕРЖАНИЯ СИНУСОВОГО РИТМА

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), especially those with frequent paroxysms, have a high risk of cardiovascular complications. AF is associated with increased mortality, stroke and other thromboembolic events, hospitalizations, heart failure, diminished quality of life, decreased exercise capacity, and left ventricular dysfunction. The article presents the possible ways of restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with paroxysmal AF.

Serum endocan (ESM-1) as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)

Endothelial-cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1) also called endocan is a well-known biomarker for detecting inflammation, endothelial dysfunction (ED), and cardiovascular (CV) risk in COVID-19 patients. Upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, a small percentage of children develop Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C). Whether endocan can be used as a biomarker of MIS-C is unknown. In this study, we assessed ESM-1 levels in MIS-C (n = 19) and healthy controls (HC; n = 17). We observed a significant increase in serum ESM-1 levels in MIS-C vs HC (p = 0.0074). In addition, ROC curve analysis demonstrated that this factor has a reasonable discriminatory power between MIS-C patients and HC (AUC of 0.7585). Notably, after one week of hospitalization and care, ESM-1 levels decreased, and this reduction was observed also for other inflammatory and pro-thrombotic markers like C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and ferritin, suggesting a general recovery trend in MIS-C patients. In fact, we observed that serum ESM-1 levels positively correlated with procalcitonin (PCT) (r = 0.468; p = 0.043). Finally, logistic regression analysis demonstrated an association between endocan levels and cardiac complications like myocarditis. Therefore, this study suggests that ESM-1 is a valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in patients with MIS-C that may help identify those MIS-C patients at higher risk for cardiovascular complications and guide treatment strategies.

Relationship between coronary atherosclerotic lesion and arterial stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract Introduction Some of the previous studies demonstrated that arterial stiffness independently predicts mortality and morbidity associated with CAD. Purpose to evaluate the relationship between coronary atherosclerosis severity and arterial stiffness. Material and methods The study included 158 people aged 40 to 70 years: control group – 25 people (mean age 61,7±6,6 years; 21 men and 4 women) without cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and 133 patients (mean age 62,5±6,9 years; 80 men and 53 women) with CAD, confirmed by coronary angiography (CAG). Arterial stiffness was assessed using applanation tonometry (AT). Аssessment of the coronary calcium (CC) was performed with computer tomography (CT). Results In 133 patients with CAD, the results of AT were compared with the degree of atherosclerotic lesion according to CT and CAG data. All patients were divided into groups depending on the CC value. Group I included 19 people with a CC value of 0, group II - 55 people with a CC of up to 400, and group III - 59 patients with a CC of more than 400. With an increase in the degree of the atherosclerotic lesion, the values of peripheral and central pulse pressure (PP), augmentation index (AIx), additional augmentation index normalised for heart rate of 75 bpm (AIx@HR75) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) statistically significantly increased (Table 1). Indicators characterising augmentation of сentral PP and arterial stiffness also increased. Conclusion Increases in Pulse Pressure, Augmentation Index, and Pulse Wave Velocity reflect the worsening of atherosclerosis in coronary arteries, thereby indicating a higher risk of cardiovascular complications. Monitoring of these parameters can be crucial for early diagnosis and prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events.

Right ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling assessed by two-dimensional strain predicts in- hospital complications in takotsubo syndrome

Abstract Background and purpose Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) may lead to serious in-hospital complications. Our study aims to investigate the prognostic impact of right ventricular-to-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling in patients with TTS. Methods Consecutive TTS patients were prospectively enrolled. RV function was evaluated by RV global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) and RV free wall strain (RVFWS) and RV-PA coupling was measured as the ratio of either tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RVGLS or RVFWS to pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). Data about in-hospital complications (defined as acute heart failure, life-threatening arrhythmias and death from any cause) were collected. Results A total of 80 patients were analysed (71±11 years, female 77.5%) and in-hospital complications occurred in 33 (41%). Patients who experienced in-hospital complications had lower LV ejection fraction (LVEF), lower TAPSE/PASP, RVFWS/PASP and RVGLS/PASP and higher left atrial volume indexed (LAVi) values. LVEF (OR 0.913, 95% CI [0.858–0.971], p=0.004) and RVGLS/PASP (OR 0.098, 95% CI [0.012–0.788], p= 0.029) were independent predictors of in-hospital complications. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.696 (95% CI [0.57–0.82], p= 0.002) of RVGLS/PASP for the prediction of in-hospital complications. A cut-off value of RVGLS/PASP of ≤ 0.48 %/mmHg showed a sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 60%, and allowed to identify 24% of patients who experienced in-hospital complications despite a preserved LVEF (≥50%). Conclusion RV-PA coupling assessed by RVGLS/PASP may help identifying TTS patients at higher risk of cardiovascular complications with an additional prognostic value to LVEF alone.

Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Treatment of Patients with Resistant Hypertension: A Single-Center Study.

Resistant hypertension (HTN) is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular complications. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and treatment of patients with resistant HTN. We screened 4340 consecutive cardiovascular patients hospitalized in our clinic and identified 3762 with HTN. Of them, 128 fulfilled criteria for resistant HTN and were included in our study. We matched these patients to 128 hospitalized patients with controlled HTN. Resistant HTN patients comprised 3.4% of all hypertensive individuals. Most of these patients (67.2%) were at high or very high cardiovascular risk compared to controlled HTN patients (40.6%); p < 0001. Resistant HTN patients more commonly had concomitant chronic kidney disease (CKD) (60.9%), overweight/obesity (52.3%), dyslipidemias (35.2%), smoking (27.3%), and diabetes (21.9%) compared to controlled HTN patients (37.5%, 29.7%, 28.1%, 14.1%, and 7.8%, respectively); p < 0.001. Regression analysis showed the strongest association of resistant HTN with CKD (OR 6.64), stage III HTN (OR 3.07), and obesity/overweight (OR 2.60). In contrast, single-pill combinations (SPCs) were associated with a lower likelihood of uncontrolled HTN (OR 0.58). Resistant HTN represented a small proportion of all hypertensives in our study, but it was characterized by high/very high cardiovascular risk. Optimized therapy including increased use of SPCs could improve blood pressure control and long-term prognosis for these patients.

Risk of cardiovascular events after influenza infection-related hospitalizations in adults with congenital heart disease: A nationwide population based study

BackgroundCardiovascular complications due to viral infection pose a significant risk in vulnerable patients such as those with congenital heart disease (CHD). Limited data exists regarding the incidence of influenza and its impact on cardiovascular outcomes among this specific patient population. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was designed using the Canadian Congenital Heart Disease (CanCHD) database - a pan-Canadian database of CHD patients with up to 35 years of follow-up. CHD patients aged 40 to 65 years with influenza virus-associated hospitalizations between 2010 and 2017 were identified and 1:1 matched with CHD patients with limb fracture hospitalizations on age and calendar time. Our primary endpoint was cardiovascular complications: heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, atrial arrhythmia, ventricular arrhythmia, heart block, myocarditis, and pericarditis. ResultsOf the 303 patients identified with incident influenza virus-associated hospitalizations, 255 were matched to 255 patients with limb fracture hospitalizations. Patients with influenza virus-related hospitalizations showed significantly higher cumulative probability of cardiovascular complications at one year (0.16 vs. 0.03) and five years (0.33 vs. 0.15) compared to patients hospitalized with bone fracture. Time-dependent hazard function modeling demonstrated a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular complications within nine months post-discharge for influenza-related hospitalizations. This association was confirmed by Cox regression model (average hazard ratio throughout follow-up: 2.48; 95% CI: 1.59 – 3.84). ConclusionsThis pan-Canadian cohort study of adults with CHD demonstrated an association between influenza virus-related hospitalization and risk of cardiovascular complications during the nine months post discharge. This data is essential in planning surveillance strategies to mitigate adverse outcomes and provides insights into interpreting complication rates of other emerging pathogens, such as COVID-19.

ГИПЕРТОНИЧЕСКИЕ КРИЗЫ: ЭВОЛЮЦИЯ ВЗГЛЯДОВ, ЛЕЧЕБНАЯ ТАКТИКА

Рatients with arterial hypertension have a high risk of cardiovascular complications, especially in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, the course of which is often accompanied by the development of hypertensive crises. The article resents the evolution of views on the classification of hypertensive crises and treatment depending on the complications that have developed.

Diagnosis and management of patients with pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma: Consensus of experts of the Russian Medical Society for Arterial Hypertension and the Multidisciplinary Group for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumors

The understanding of the nature of catecholamine-secreting tumors has changed significantly in recent years, affecting terminology and classification. Phaeochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PCC/PG) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor from chromaffin tissue that produces and secretes catecholamines. The incidence of PCC/PG is relatively low, with 2-8 cases per 1 million population per year; among patients with arterial hypertension, their prevalence is 0.2-0.6%. However, delayed diagnosis of PCC/PG is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular complications and a high mortality rate. The consensus presents the clinical manifestations of the disease with an emphasis on the course of arterial hypertension as the most common symptom in PCC/PG; modern ideas about the features of diagnosis, aspects of preoperative preparation, treatment, and follow-up of patients with PCC/PG are considered.

Hyaluronic Acid-Based Nanoparticles Loaded with Rutin as Vasculo-Protective Tools against Anthracycline-Induced Endothelial Damages.

Anthracycline-based therapies exert endothelial damages through peroxidation and the production of proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in a high risk of cardiovascular complications in cancer patients. Hyaluronic acid-based hybrid nanoparticles (LicpHA) are effective pharmacological tools that can target endothelial cells and deliver drugs or nutraceuticals. This study aimed to prepared and characterized a novel LicpHA loaded with Rutin (LicpHA Rutin), a flavonoid with high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, to protect endothelial cells against epirubicin-mediated endothelial damages. LicpHA Rutin was prepared using phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, poloxamers, and hyaluronic acid by a modified nanoprecipitation technique. The chemical-physical characterization of the nanoparticles was carried out (size, zeta potential, morphology, stability, thermal analysis, and encapsulation efficiency). Cytotoxicity studies were performed in human endothelial cells exposed to epirubicin alone or in combination with Free-Rutin or LicpHA Rutin. Anti-inflammatory studies were performed through the intracellular quantification of NLRP-3, MyD-88, IL-1β, IL-6, IL17-α, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-4 using selective ELISA methods. Morphological studies via TEM and image analysis highlighted a heterogeneous population of LicpHA particles with non-spherical shapes (circularity equal to 0.78 ± 0.14), and the particle size was slightly affected by Rutin entrapment (the mean diameter varied from 179 ± 4 nm to 209 ± 4 nm). Thermal analysis and zeta potential analyses confirmed the influence of Rutin on the chemical-physical properties of LicpHA Rutin, mainly indicated by the decrease in the surface negative charge (from -35 ± 1 mV to -30 ± 0.5 mV). Cellular studies demonstrated that LicpHA Rutin significantly reduced cell death and inflammation when compared to epirubicin alone. The levels of intracellular NLRP3, Myd-88, and proinflammatory cytokines were significantly lower in epirubicin + LicpHA Rutin-exposed cells when compared to epirubicin groups (p < 0.001). Hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles loaded with Rutin exerts significant vasculo-protective properties during exposure to anthracyclines. The overall picture of this study pushes towards preclinical and clinical studies in models of anthracycline-induced vascular damages.

Risk of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis following COVID-19: a nationwide cohort study.

Recent studies elucidate that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients may face a higher risk of cardiovascular complications. This study aimed to evaluate association of COVID-19 with the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study included Korean adult citizens between January 2021 and March 2022 from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency COVID-19 National Health Insurance Service cohort. The Fine and Gray's regression with all-cause death as a competing event was adopted to evaluate PE and DVT risks after COVID-19. This study included a total of 1,601,835 COVID-19 patients and 14,011,285 matched individuals without COVID-19. The risk of PE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 6.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.67-10.66; p<0.001) and DVT (aHR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.75-5.29; p<0.001) was higher in COVID-19 group in individuals without complete COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, individuals with complete COVID-19 vaccination still had a higher risk of COVID-19-related PE (aHR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.15-1.88; p<0.001). However, COVID-19 was not a significant risk factor for DVT among those with complete COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 was identified as an independent factor that elevated PE and DVT risks, especially for individuals without complete COVID-19 vaccination.

A study of baseline data from SPRINT: Exploring lipid profile changes in middle-aged and elderly patients.

The elderly population is at a higher risk of cardiovascular complications, and dyslipidemia plays a significant role as a contributing factor. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are prone to lipid abnormalities, further increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications. We aimed to investigate the lipid profile characteristics of the middle-aged and elderly population, particularly CKD patients. We conducted a cross-sectional study using baseline data from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT). It was examined how lipid profiles are affected by age within the general population, and how BMI and lipid characteristics are affected by CKD subtype. Among 8746 participants, we observed a decreasing trend in LnTAG (natural logarithm of Triacylglycerol) and total Cholesterol (CHR) levels with increasing age, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels increased with age. In the CKD and non-CKD subgroups created through propensity score matching based on age, sex, and race, CKD individuals exhibited significantly higher average LnTAG levels across all age groups compared to the non-CKD group. Multivariable linear regression analysis, controlling for confounding variables, revealed a negative correlation between LnTAG and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r = -0.002, p < 0.001). HDL-C showed a positive correlation with eGFR (r = 0.001, p < 0.001). [Correction added on 1 July 2024, after first online publication: The value of r in the preceding sentence has been updated to r = 0.001.] That is, in the middle-aged and elderly population, age demonstrated a negative correlation with total CHR and TAG levels, while exhibiting a positive correlation with HDL-C levels. CKD patients exhibited relatively higher TAG levels, which were positively associated with CKD progression.

Acute myocardial infarction in patients with concomitant hypothyroidism: clinical features and heart rate variability during inpatient treatment

Objective: to evaluate the features of the clinical course, as well as heart rate variability (HRV) during inpatient treatment in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and concomitant newly diagnosed hypothyroidism.Materials and methods: the study included 133 patients with STEMI aged 40 to 88 years who were admitted to the cardiology department. Depending on the presence of newly diagnosed hypothyroidism syndrome, all patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 consisted of patients with STEMI without hypothyroidism syndrome (n=57), group 2A — patients with STeMI and subclinical hypothyroidism (n=42) and group 2B — patients with STeMI and manifest hypothyroidism (n=34). Clinical symptoms and complications in the acute period of MI were evaluated in all patients, and Holter ECG monitoring (XM ECG) was performed.Results: during hospital treatment, patients with concomitant manifest hypothyroidism showed more frequent development of cardiac arrhythmias such as paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) (p&lt;0.05), supraventricular extrasystole (NE), paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (LVT) (p&lt;0,05). When assessing the risk of early complications in the acute period of MI, higher scores were recorded in patients with manifest hypothyroidism (p&lt;0.05). The analysis of HRV indicators showed that in the studied patients with concomitant manifest hypothyroidism, despite the presence of an acute period of MI, activation of the parasympathetic link of the ANS (autonomic nervous system) prevails in the regulation of heart rhythm, unlike in patients of the control group and the group with subclinical hypothyroidism, in whom, on the contrary, the influence of the sympathetic link of the ANS prevails.Conclusion: during hospitalization, patients with manifest hypothyroidism were statistically significantly more likely to develop supraventricular cardiac arrhythmias, and a higher risk of cardiovascular complications in the acute period of MI was determined compared with both the control group and the group of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. In patients with concomitant manifest hypothyroidism, the activation of the parasympathetic link of the ANS in the regulation of heart rhythm is more pronounced, in contrast to patients in the control group and the group with subclinical hypothyroidism, in whom, on the contrary, the influence of the sympathetic link of the ANS prevails.

ENAMPT is a novel therapeutic target for mitigation of coronary microvascular disease in type 2 diabetes

Aims/hypothesisIndividuals with diabetes are at high risk of cardiovascular complications, which significantly increase morbidity/mortality. Coronary microvascular disease (CMD) is recognised as a critical contributor to the increased cardiac mortality observed in people with diabetes. Therefore, there is an urgent need for treatments that are specific to CMD. eNAMPT (extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase) is a damage-associated molecular pattern and TLR4 ligand, whose plasma levels are elevated in people with diabetes. This study was thus designed to investigate the pathogenic role of intracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (iNAMPT) and eNAMPT in promoting the development of CMD in a preclinical murine model of type 2 diabetes.MethodsAn inducible type 2 diabetic mouse model was generated by a single injection of low-dose streptozocin (75 mg/kg, i.p.) combined with a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. The in vivo effects of i/eNAMPT inhibition on cardiac endothelial cell (CEC) function were evaluated by using Nampt+/− heterozygous mice, chronic administration of eNAMPT-neutralising monoclonal antibody (mAb) or use of an NAMPT enzymatic inhibitor (FK866).ResultsAs expected, diabetic wild-type mice exhibited significantly lower coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), a determinant of coronary microvascular function, compared with control wild-type mice. eNAMPT plasma levels or expression in CECs were significantly greater in diabetic mice than in control mice. Furthermore, in comparison with diabetic wild-type mice, diabetic Nampt+/− heterozygous mice showed markedly improved CFVR, accompanied by increased left ventricular capillary density and augmented endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) in the coronary artery. NAMPT inhibition by FK866 or an eNAMPT-neutralising mAb significantly increased CFVR in diabetic mice. Furthermore, administration of the eNAMPT mAb upregulated expression of angiogenesis- and EDR-related genes in CECs from diabetic mice. Treatment with either eNAMPT or NAD+ significantly decreased CEC migration and reduced EDR in coronary arteries, partly linked to increased production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species.Conclusions/interpretationThese data indicate that increased i/eNAMPT expression contributes to the development of diabetic coronary microvascular dysfunction, and provide compelling support for eNAMPT inhibition as a novel and effective therapeutic strategy for CMD in diabetes.Graphical

#1575 Cardio-renal syndrome in patients with Fabry disease on enzyme replacement therapy

Abstract Background and Aims Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder in which mutations of the GLA gene cause a decreased or absent activity of the alpha-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) and intracellular accumulation of globotriaosylceramide and other sphingolipids [1]. FD causes a variety of symptoms, including heart and kidneys damage - cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) type 5. In patients with FD, CRS is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular events and death [2]. The aim of our study was to assess renal function and outcomes in patients with FD and CRS receiving enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Method We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 10 patients (pts) from 7 unrelated families with established diagnosis of FD and cardiac and renal involvement. Pts #1 and #3 are siblings, pt # 10 is their mother; pt #9 is mother of pt #8 (Table 1). The diagnosis was confirmed by DNA diagnostics in all plus levels of α-Gal A enzymatic activity, globotriaosylsphingosine concentrations in some patients. All the patients underwent ERT. Seven out of 10 patients received blockers of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, 3 - did not receive due to contraindications. Results All 10 patients, including 3 women, had left ventricular hypertrophy - left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) ≥ 1.2 cm. (Table 1). Average LVWT was 1.850 ± 0.097 cm. Two patients had atrial fibrillation. None of the patients had proteinuria 1 g/24 h or higher. In all еGFR was below 60 ml/min/1,73 m2: 4 patients had CKD-G3a, 4 – G3b, 1 – G4 and 1 – G5. Average еGFR was 41,111 ± 8.069 ml/min/1,73 m2 excluding hemodialysis (HD) patient. There were 4 unfavorable outcomes in our group: death occurred in 3 patients from cardiac pathology (congestive heart failure), one patient reached CKD-G5 at 25 years of age and started HD treatment. Patient on HD, brother of deceased pt #1, began receiving ERT after the start of renal replacement therapy. The death of pt #1, who had a very high Lyso-Gb3 level - 118.36 ng/ml (normal 0.05-3.0 ng/ml), appears to be related to the late diagnosis and delayed start of ERT. Conclusion Patients with FD and CRS are likely to have a high risk of cardiovascular complications, loss of kidney function and death, especially with a late start of enzyme replacement and cardio-renoprotective therapy. Early diagnosis of FD and timely initiation of treatment are important in preventing the serious complications and death.

Daytime plasma cortisol and cortisol response to dexamethasone suppression are associated with a prothrombotic state in hypertension.

A prothrombotic state was demonstrated in patients with Cushing's syndrome and is involved in the development and progression of cardiovascular and renal damage in hypertensive patients. This study was designed to examine the relationships between cortisol secretion and the hemostatic and fibrinolytic systems in hypertension. In 149 middle-aged, nondiabetic, essential hypertensive patients free of cardiovascular and renal complications, we measured hemostatic markers that express the spontaneous activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems and assessed daily cortisol levels (8 AM, 3 PM, 12 AM; area under the curve, AUC-cortisol) together with the cortisol response to dexamethasone overnight suppression (DST-cortisol). Plasma levels of D-dimer (D-dim), prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were progressively and significantly higher across tertiles of AUC-cortisol and DST-cortisol, whereas no differences were observed in fibrinogen, tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, antithrombin III, protein C, and protein S. D-dim, F1+2, and vWF were significantly and directly correlated with age and both AUC-cortisol and DST-cortisol. Multivariate regression analysis showed that both AUC-cortisol and DST-cortisol were related to plasma D-dim, F1+2, and vWF independently of age, body mass index, blood pressure, and renal function. Greater daily cortisol profile and cortisol response to overnight suppression are independently associated with a prothrombotic state in hypertensive patients and might contribute to the development of organ damage and higher risk of cardiovascular complications.

Long-term global longitudinal strain abnormalities in paediatric patients after multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children correlate with cardiac troponin T: a single-centre cohort study.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is an inflammatory syndrome related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 with a high risk of cardiovascular complications (vasoplegia, cardiac shock). We investigated the cardiac outcomes in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, focusing on the identification of predictors for late cardiac function impairment. Clinical characteristics, conventional echocardiography (left ventricle ejection fraction, fractional shortening), 4-chamber left ventricular global longitudinal strain, and cardiac MRI of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children patients (n = 48) were collected during admission, 6 weeks, 6 months, >12-≤18 months, and >18-≤24 months post-onset. Paired over-time patterns were assessed and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify predictors for late global longitudinal strain impairment. In total, 81.3% of patients had acute cardiac dysfunction (left ventricle ejection fraction <50% and/or fractional shortening <28%). The left ventricle ejection fraction and fractional shortening reached a plateau level ≤6 weeks, while the global longitudinal strain continued to decrease in the first 6 months post-onset (median -17.3%, P < 0.001 [versus acute]). At 6 months, 35.7% of the patients still had an abnormal global longitudinal strain, which persisted in 5/9 patients that underwent echocardiography >12-≤18 months post-onset and in 3/3 patients >18-≤24 months post-onset. In a multivariable analysis, soluble troponin T (>62.0 ng/L [median]) was associated with reduced global longitudinal strain at 6 months. Our cardiac MRI findings indicated acute myocardial involvement (increased T1/T2 value) in 77.8% (7/9), which recovered quickly without signs of fibrosis on convalescent cardiac MRIs. Late global longitudinal strain impairment is seen in some multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children patients up to one-year post-onset. Careful cardiac follow-up in patients with elevated troponin in the acute phase and patients with persistent abnormal global longitudinal strain is warranted until resolution of the global longitudinal strain since the long-term implications of such abnormalities are still unclear.

Role of bioenergetic hypoxia in the morphological transformation of the myocardium during vibration disease

BACKGROUND: Analysis of literature on the structural changes in the heart in patients with vibration disease using echocardiographic research methods revealed a concentric type of remodeling of the left ventricular chambers, which is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular complications, including sudden cardiac death, in people of working age.&#x0D; AIM: To determine the role of bioenergetic hypoxia in the development of morphological transformation of the myocardium to substantiate the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for vibration disease.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The energy production activity of cellular systems of heart tissue in vitro was analyzed by the polarographic method using a closed galvanic-type oxygen sensor (Clark electrode). The stressful effects of vibration were confirmed by the dynamics of the morphohistological picture of changes in the myocardial tissue of the left ventricle in the apical region after standard alcohol–paraffin wiring and staining of histological preparations with hematoxylin and eosin.&#x0D; RESULTS: Evaluation of the morphometric and bioenergetic parameters of cardiomyocytes under various experimental vibration modes (7, 21, and 56 sessions with a frequency of 8 and 44 Hz) confirmed the relationship between the provision of tissue with energy potential and morphological signs of pathological structural changes in the myocardial tissue, such as hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes, development of fibrosis, restructuring of the vascular bed, and necrosis.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: Analysis of the relationship between energy metabolism and morphohistological transformation of heart tissue allows us to resolve the role of universal and specific mechanisms in cardiac remodeling in the presence of vibration and pathogenetically substantiate the choice of drugs that not only have a vibration-protective effect but also inhibit pathological structural changes in the myocardial tissue.

Prognostic influence of fibroblast growth factor 23 on the course of coronary heart disease in patients with chronic kidney disease

Objective: to study the prognostic impact of the level of fibroblast growth factors 23 on coronary heart disease depending on the stage of chronic kidney disease. Materials and methods: the study included 108 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), stable angina (stress), functional class 1–3, chronic kidney disease (CKD) C1–C4, average age was 67,62±12,51 years (55 men and 53 women). The level of fibroblast growth factor 23 was assessed using the Biomedica FGF 23 multimatrix enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After 12 months of follow-up, the presence of a cumulative endpoint including the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome, stroke, transient ischemic attack, heart failure and death. Differences in data and correlations between them were considered statistically significant at p&lt;0.05. Results: the developed prognostic model to determine the likelihood of cardiovascular complications in patients with coronary artery disease and CKD found that the FGF 23 level is equal to 27.9 with a sensitivity of 62.7% and specificity of 62.5% to distinguish patients with ischemic heart disease and CKD in whom a cumulative endpoint will occur over 12 months of follow-up. Conclusions: to identify patients at high risk of cardiovascular complications in coronary artery disease and CKD, it is advisable to use determination of FGF 23 level.

Genetic, clinical and imaging implications of a noncompaction phenotype population with preserved ejection fraction.

The genotype of symptomatic left ventricular noncompaction phenotype (LVNC) subjects with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and its effect on clinical presentation are less well studied. We aimed to characterize the genetic, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and clinical background, and genotype-phenotype relationship in LVNC with preserved LVEF. We included 54 symptomatic LVNC individuals (LVEF: 65 ± 5%) whose samples were analyzed with a 174-gene next-generation sequencing panel and 54 control (C) subjects. The results were evaluated using the criteria of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Medical data suggesting a higher risk of cardiovascular complications were considered "red flags". Of the LVNC population, 24% carried pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P) mutations; 56% carried variants of uncertain significance (VUS); and 20% were free from cardiomyopathy-related mutations. Regarding the CMR parameters, the LVNC and C groups differed significantly, while the three genetic subgroups were comparable. We found a significant relationship between red flags and genotype; furthermore, the number of red flags in a single subject differed significantly among the genetic subgroups (p = 0.002) and correlated with the genotype (r = 0.457, p = 0.01). In 6 out of 7 LVNC subjects diagnosed in childhood, P or VUS mutations were found. The large number of P mutations and the association between red flags and genotype underline the importance of genetic-assisted risk stratification in symptomatic LVNC with preserved LVEF.