{"title":"Atrial Fibrillation at TAVR and the Clinical Significance of Permanent Pacing in Contemporary Practice.","authors":"Nils Grimm, Stephan Peronard Mayntz","doi":"10.1159/000549434","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000549434","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9391,"journal":{"name":"Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145602458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Huang Yanxia, Muhammad Tahir Khan, Huang Xianlin, Feng Zhiyu, Wang Min, Zhang Hong, Cui Xueyi, Hu Jinxing, Kuang Haobin
Introduction: Bedaquiline improves treatment outcomes in drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), but prolongs the QT interval; the cardiac safety must be thoroughly evaluated in clinical applications. This study aims to assess the cardiac safety and possible risk factors of bedaquiline-containing regimen in patients with DR-TB.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study assessed cardiac safety in 202 patients diagnosed with DR-TB and treated with a bedaquiline-containing regimen between March 2019 and May 2024. Follow-up was conducted from 2nd to 24th weeks after treatment, including cardiovascular-related symptoms, electrocardiogram (ECG) testing, serum electrolyte testing, combined use of medicines, etc. Results: Among 202 participants, 40 (19.80%) patients experienced an absolute change from baseline (ΔQTcF) ≥60 ms (including 1 patient QTcF >500 ms), 4 patients discontinued bedaquiline due to adverse events. QTcF prolongation peaked at the 20th week, and the average QTcF values at each monitoring time point showed significant differences compared to baseline. According to the Division of AIDS Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Pediatric Adverse Events (Corrected Version 2.1) (DAIDS AE Grading Table, v2.1), 139 (68.81%) had no adverse cardiac events, 18 (8.91%) experienced grade 1-2 events, 44 (21.78%) had grade 3 events, and 1 (0.5%) developed grade 4 events. No heart failure cases or deaths were reported. Over 1,022.7 person-months of follow-up, 45 patients experienced grade ≥3 cardiac events, corresponding to an incidence rate of 4.40 events per 100 person-months. Compared to regimens without clofazimine, the concomitant use of clofazimine was significantly associated with an increased risk of grade ≥3 cardiac adverse events (OR = 3.66, 95% CI: 1.59-8.39, p = 0.002). Patients who experienced hypokalemia (4 of 202; 1.98%) during treatment showed 24-fold higher odds of grade ≥3 adverse cardiac events compared to those without hypokalemia (OR = 24.77, 95% CI: 2.44-251.78, p = 0.007).
Conclusion: QT interval prolongation is common in patients with DR-TB treated with bedaquiline-containing regimens, but the incidence of discontinuation is low. The concomitant use of clofazimine and the occurrence of hypokalemia during treatment will increase the risk of adverse cardiac events. It is recommended routine electrolyte monitoring, aggressive potassium supplementation, and cautious co-prescription of clofazimine or other QT-prolonging drugs for DR-TB patients on bedaquiline.
{"title":"Cardiac Risk Factors in Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Patients on Bedaquiline: A Retrospective Cohort Study.","authors":"Huang Yanxia, Muhammad Tahir Khan, Huang Xianlin, Feng Zhiyu, Wang Min, Zhang Hong, Cui Xueyi, Hu Jinxing, Kuang Haobin","doi":"10.1159/000549659","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000549659","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Bedaquiline improves treatment outcomes in drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), but prolongs the QT interval; the cardiac safety must be thoroughly evaluated in clinical applications. This study aims to assess the cardiac safety and possible risk factors of bedaquiline-containing regimen in patients with DR-TB.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study assessed cardiac safety in 202 patients diagnosed with DR-TB and treated with a bedaquiline-containing regimen between March 2019 and May 2024. Follow-up was conducted from 2nd to 24th weeks after treatment, including cardiovascular-related symptoms, electrocardiogram (ECG) testing, serum electrolyte testing, combined use of medicines, etc. Results: Among 202 participants, 40 (19.80%) patients experienced an absolute change from baseline (ΔQTcF) ≥60 ms (including 1 patient QTcF >500 ms), 4 patients discontinued bedaquiline due to adverse events. QTcF prolongation peaked at the 20th week, and the average QTcF values at each monitoring time point showed significant differences compared to baseline. According to the Division of AIDS Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Pediatric Adverse Events (Corrected Version 2.1) (DAIDS AE Grading Table, v2.1), 139 (68.81%) had no adverse cardiac events, 18 (8.91%) experienced grade 1-2 events, 44 (21.78%) had grade 3 events, and 1 (0.5%) developed grade 4 events. No heart failure cases or deaths were reported. Over 1,022.7 person-months of follow-up, 45 patients experienced grade ≥3 cardiac events, corresponding to an incidence rate of 4.40 events per 100 person-months. Compared to regimens without clofazimine, the concomitant use of clofazimine was significantly associated with an increased risk of grade ≥3 cardiac adverse events (OR = 3.66, 95% CI: 1.59-8.39, p = 0.002). Patients who experienced hypokalemia (4 of 202; 1.98%) during treatment showed 24-fold higher odds of grade ≥3 adverse cardiac events compared to those without hypokalemia (OR = 24.77, 95% CI: 2.44-251.78, p = 0.007).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>QT interval prolongation is common in patients with DR-TB treated with bedaquiline-containing regimens, but the incidence of discontinuation is low. The concomitant use of clofazimine and the occurrence of hypokalemia during treatment will increase the risk of adverse cardiac events. It is recommended routine electrolyte monitoring, aggressive potassium supplementation, and cautious co-prescription of clofazimine or other QT-prolonging drugs for DR-TB patients on bedaquiline.</p>","PeriodicalId":9391,"journal":{"name":"Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145573169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Acknowledgement to Reviewers.","authors":"","doi":"10.1159/000549164","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000549164","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9391,"journal":{"name":"Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"721-724"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145548476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: Secondary tricuspid regurgitation (STR) is increasingly prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients and independently predicts adverse outcomes. This retrospective study aimed to stratify severe STR patients based on right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) and elucidate echocardiographic parameters influencing prognosis.
Method: Overall, 106 hospitalized HF patients with severe STR were analysed post-stabilization using transthoracic echocardiography. Patients were categorized into preserved RVFAC (≥35%, n = 75) and reduced RVFAC (<35%, n = 31) groups. Long-term outcomes were assessed over 60 months for cardiac-related events.
Results: Among 106 patients, those with reduced RVFAC had significantly worse outcomes than those with preserved RVFAC (log-rank test, p = 0.0016). In the preserved RVFAC group, independent predictors of cardiac events included age, prior HF hospitalization, lower TAPSE, higher RV sphericity index, and greater tricuspid tenting height. In the reduced RVFAC group, only TAPSE remained a significant prognostic factor. ROC analyses identified TAPSE ≤13.1 mm (AUC 0.897) and ≤13.9 mm (AUC 0.907) as optimal cutoffs for predicting cardiac events in preserved and reduced RVFAC groups, respectively.
Conclusion: RVFAC serves as an effective prognostic marker in severe STR patients, with additional assessment of TAPSE and morphological parameters enhancing risk stratification. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive right heart evaluation in managing STR-associated HF, facilitating tailored therapeutic strategies, and improving patient outcomes.
继发性三尖瓣反流(STR)在心力衰竭(HF)患者中越来越普遍,并独立预测不良结局。本回顾性研究旨在根据右心室分数面积变化(RVFAC)对严重STR患者进行分层,并阐明超声心动图参数对预后的影响。方法:应用经胸超声心动图对106例合并严重STR的住院HF患者进行稳定性分析。将患者分为保留RVFAC组(≥35%,n=75)和减少RVFAC组(结果:106例患者中,RVFAC减少组的预后明显差于保留RVFAC组(log-rank检验,p=0.0016)。在保留RVFAC组中,心脏事件的独立预测因素包括年龄、既往HF住院、较低的TAPSE、较高的RV球形指数和较高的三尖瓣帐篷高度。在RVFAC降低组中,只有TAPSE仍然是一个重要的预后因素。ROC分析发现,TAPSE≤13.1 mm (AUC 0.897)和≤13.9 mm (AUC 0.907)分别是预测RVFAC保存组和RVFAC减少组心脏事件的最佳截止点。结论:RVFAC可作为严重STR患者的有效预后指标,TAPSE和形态学参数的附加评估可增强风险分层。这些发现强调了全面的右心评估在str相关性心衰管理中的重要性,促进了量身定制的治疗策略和改善患者预后。
{"title":"Prognostic Determinants in Patients with Secondary Tricuspid Regurgitation Classified by Right Ventricular Systolic Function.","authors":"Rumi Hachiya, Yasuhide Mochizuki, Yui Kuroki, Yukiko Endo, Ken Oshima, Erina Kunimoto, Mamiko Yamada, Ayaka Oda, Sakiko Gohbara, Yumi Yamamoto, Saaya Ichikawa-Ogura, Eiji Toyosaki, Hiroto Fukuoka, Toshiro Shinke","doi":"10.1159/000549540","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000549540","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Secondary tricuspid regurgitation (STR) is increasingly prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients and independently predicts adverse outcomes. This retrospective study aimed to stratify severe STR patients based on right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) and elucidate echocardiographic parameters influencing prognosis.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Overall, 106 hospitalized HF patients with severe STR were analysed post-stabilization using transthoracic echocardiography. Patients were categorized into preserved RVFAC (≥35%, n = 75) and reduced RVFAC (<35%, n = 31) groups. Long-term outcomes were assessed over 60 months for cardiac-related events.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 106 patients, those with reduced RVFAC had significantly worse outcomes than those with preserved RVFAC (log-rank test, p = 0.0016). In the preserved RVFAC group, independent predictors of cardiac events included age, prior HF hospitalization, lower TAPSE, higher RV sphericity index, and greater tricuspid tenting height. In the reduced RVFAC group, only TAPSE remained a significant prognostic factor. ROC analyses identified TAPSE ≤13.1 mm (AUC 0.897) and ≤13.9 mm (AUC 0.907) as optimal cutoffs for predicting cardiac events in preserved and reduced RVFAC groups, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>RVFAC serves as an effective prognostic marker in severe STR patients, with additional assessment of TAPSE and morphological parameters enhancing risk stratification. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive right heart evaluation in managing STR-associated HF, facilitating tailored therapeutic strategies, and improving patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":9391,"journal":{"name":"Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145511692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: We aimed to review the published references regarding cardiac lead perforation subsequent to pacemaker implantation. This study evaluated the risk factors, clinical presentations, and management strategies of patients with perforated cardiac lead after pacemaker implantation.
Methods: A systematic search was performed in PubMed from its inception to September 16, 2024. The search focused on cardiac lead perforation following pacemaker implantation. The quality of the case reports and case series was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Evidence-Based Health Care Center about different types of research Quality Evaluation Tool.
Results: A total of 120 case reports and 16 case series studies with 153 participants met the inclusion criteria. We found that active bipolar lead appears to be associated with cardiac perforation. Cardiac perforation was symptomatic in 88.8% of patients and asymptomatic in 11.2%. Unremarkable clinical manifestations of delayed lead perforation may range from chest pain, dyspnea, syncope or presyncope, abdominal discomfort, phrenic nerve stimulation to nausea. Imaging findings may not be limited to pericardial effusion but also include pleural effusion, cardiac tamponade, pneumopericardium, and pneumothorax. Surgical intervention was utilized in 47.1% of all included cases for pacemaker lead perforation management.
Conclusion: The incidence of cardiac lead perforation after pacemaker implantation is often underestimated. Our findings highlight the importance of vigilant monitoring for both symptomatic and asymptomatic presentations, particularly in cases involving active bipolar leads. Critically, nearly half of all cases required surgical intervention, underscoring the severity of this complication.
{"title":"Study on the Identification and Treatment Strategy of Cardiac Perforation Caused by Pacing Lead: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Yutong Liu, Huanfu Liu, Botao Zhu, Haiwei Li, Naiyuan Cui, Feng Ye, Jianwei Gao, Xiaoping Zhang, Yongquan Wu","doi":"10.1159/000549488","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000549488","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>We aimed to review the published references regarding cardiac lead perforation subsequent to pacemaker implantation. This study evaluated the risk factors, clinical presentations, and management strategies of patients with perforated cardiac lead after pacemaker implantation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic search was performed in PubMed from its inception to September 16, 2024. The search focused on cardiac lead perforation following pacemaker implantation. The quality of the case reports and case series was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Evidence-Based Health Care Center about different types of research Quality Evaluation Tool.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 120 case reports and 16 case series studies with 153 participants met the inclusion criteria. We found that active bipolar lead appears to be associated with cardiac perforation. Cardiac perforation was symptomatic in 88.8% of patients and asymptomatic in 11.2%. Unremarkable clinical manifestations of delayed lead perforation may range from chest pain, dyspnea, syncope or presyncope, abdominal discomfort, phrenic nerve stimulation to nausea. Imaging findings may not be limited to pericardial effusion but also include pleural effusion, cardiac tamponade, pneumopericardium, and pneumothorax. Surgical intervention was utilized in 47.1% of all included cases for pacemaker lead perforation management.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The incidence of cardiac lead perforation after pacemaker implantation is often underestimated. Our findings highlight the importance of vigilant monitoring for both symptomatic and asymptomatic presentations, particularly in cases involving active bipolar leads. Critically, nearly half of all cases required surgical intervention, underscoring the severity of this complication.</p>","PeriodicalId":9391,"journal":{"name":"Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145511754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Håvard Dingen, Stina Jordal, Magnus Dalén, Sorosh Bratt, Øyvind Jakobsen, Peter Svenarud, Pål Aukrust, Rune Haaverstad, Ivar Risnes, Thor Ueland, Sahrai Saeed
Introduction: Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) are well-established predictors of adverse cardiovascular events. However, the possible association with survival in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) treated with aortic valve replacement (AVR) is underexplored. Additionally, it is important to investigate whether sex modifies these associations.
Methods: We retrospectively recruited 170 consecutive patients with IE treated with AVR from three cardiac surgery tertiary hospitals in Scandinavia. Echocardiography was performed both pre- and postoperatively. Baseline characteristics, preoperative blood samples, postoperative complications, echocardiographic, and angiographic data were compared between surviving and deceased patients at both short- (1-year) and long-term (5-year) follow-up.
Results: The mean age in the entire study population was 58.5 ± 15.1 years, and 80.0% were males. The mean LVEF was 54 ± 11% preoperatively, decreasing to 51 ± 11% postoperatively. The mean baseline LVEDd was 5.8 ± 0.9 cm in males and 5.0 ± 0.9 cm in females (p < 0.001), decreasing to 5.2 ± 0.9 cm in males and 4.7 ± 0.6 cm in females after surgery (p = 0.006). At short-term follow-up, reduced postoperative LVEF (<50%) was more common in non-survivors (46.2% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.040), with the strongest association observed in females (71.4% vs. 25.9%, p = 0.025). Similarly, during long-term follow-up, deceased female patients had a higher prevalence of reduced preoperative LVEF (<50%) compared to surviving female patients (30.0% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.033). LVEDd was significantly greater in female non-survivors compared to survivors at both short-term (5.7 ± 1.1 cm vs. 4.9 ± 0.8 cm, p = 0.043) and long-term follow-up (5.5 ± 0.9 cm vs. 4.8 ± 0.8 cm, p = 0.046), an association not observed in male patients.
Conclusion: Our study found that both pre- and postoperative LVEF, as well as preoperative LVEDd, were associated with poorer outcomes in patients with IE undergoing AVR, particularly among female patients. These results highlight the importance of tailored clinical management strategies based on sex-specific risk profiles. Further research is needed to validate these findings and develop interventions to mitigate the observed risks.
{"title":"The Impact of Left Ventricular Structure and Function on Mortality in Patients with Aortic Valve Infective Endocarditis Treated with Aortic Valve Replacement.","authors":"Håvard Dingen, Stina Jordal, Magnus Dalén, Sorosh Bratt, Øyvind Jakobsen, Peter Svenarud, Pål Aukrust, Rune Haaverstad, Ivar Risnes, Thor Ueland, Sahrai Saeed","doi":"10.1159/000549459","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000549459","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd) are well-established predictors of adverse cardiovascular events. However, the possible association with survival in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) treated with aortic valve replacement (AVR) is underexplored. Additionally, it is important to investigate whether sex modifies these associations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively recruited 170 consecutive patients with IE treated with AVR from three cardiac surgery tertiary hospitals in Scandinavia. Echocardiography was performed both pre- and postoperatively. Baseline characteristics, preoperative blood samples, postoperative complications, echocardiographic, and angiographic data were compared between surviving and deceased patients at both short- (1-year) and long-term (5-year) follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age in the entire study population was 58.5 ± 15.1 years, and 80.0% were males. The mean LVEF was 54 ± 11% preoperatively, decreasing to 51 ± 11% postoperatively. The mean baseline LVEDd was 5.8 ± 0.9 cm in males and 5.0 ± 0.9 cm in females (p < 0.001), decreasing to 5.2 ± 0.9 cm in males and 4.7 ± 0.6 cm in females after surgery (p = 0.006). At short-term follow-up, reduced postoperative LVEF (<50%) was more common in non-survivors (46.2% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.040), with the strongest association observed in females (71.4% vs. 25.9%, p = 0.025). Similarly, during long-term follow-up, deceased female patients had a higher prevalence of reduced preoperative LVEF (<50%) compared to surviving female patients (30.0% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.033). LVEDd was significantly greater in female non-survivors compared to survivors at both short-term (5.7 ± 1.1 cm vs. 4.9 ± 0.8 cm, p = 0.043) and long-term follow-up (5.5 ± 0.9 cm vs. 4.8 ± 0.8 cm, p = 0.046), an association not observed in male patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study found that both pre- and postoperative LVEF, as well as preoperative LVEDd, were associated with poorer outcomes in patients with IE undergoing AVR, particularly among female patients. These results highlight the importance of tailored clinical management strategies based on sex-specific risk profiles. Further research is needed to validate these findings and develop interventions to mitigate the observed risks.</p>","PeriodicalId":9391,"journal":{"name":"Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12695105/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145487802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hui-Juan Li, Lei-Guang Zhang, Yao-Xin Wang, Shuai Liu, Jie-Yun Liu
Introduction: This study aimed to examine the effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on cardiac structure and cardiorenal function in older adults with hypertension and pre-heart failure.
Methods: A total of 88 patients with hypertension and pre-heart failure who received care at the hospital between August 2022 and August 2024 were enrolled and randomly assigned to either a dapagliflozin group or a conventional treatment group. Changes in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), troponin I (TnI), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), procalcitonin (PCT), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), ejection fraction, left atrial volume index (LAVI), and left ventricular mass index were assessed and compared between the two groups before and after 3 months of treatment.
Results: No significant differences were observed in NT-proBNP, TnI, eGFR, IL-6, and hsCRP levels between the two groups before treatment. Additionally, there were no differences in PCT, TnI, and LVEDV between the groups at 3 months post-treatment. However, IL-6, hsCRP, and eGFR levels were significantly lower in the dapagliflozin group compared to the conventional treatment group at 3 months post-treatment (p < 0.05). Additionally, the LAVI was significantly lower in the dapagliflozin group relative to the conventional treatment group, with the difference being statistically significant (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: These findings indicate that SGLT2i therapy may contribute to early myocardial remodeling and improvement in cardiorenal function in older adults with hypertension and pre-heart failure. Furthermore, prolonged SGLT2i administration appears to exert anti-inflammatory effects.
{"title":"The Effect of Sodium-Dependent Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors on Cardiac Structural and Functional Indicators and Biochemical Markers in Older Adults with Hypertension and Pre-Heart Failure.","authors":"Hui-Juan Li, Lei-Guang Zhang, Yao-Xin Wang, Shuai Liu, Jie-Yun Liu","doi":"10.1159/000548905","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000548905","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study aimed to examine the effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on cardiac structure and cardiorenal function in older adults with hypertension and pre-heart failure.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 88 patients with hypertension and pre-heart failure who received care at the hospital between August 2022 and August 2024 were enrolled and randomly assigned to either a dapagliflozin group or a conventional treatment group. Changes in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), troponin I (TnI), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), procalcitonin (PCT), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), ejection fraction, left atrial volume index (LAVI), and left ventricular mass index were assessed and compared between the two groups before and after 3 months of treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No significant differences were observed in NT-proBNP, TnI, eGFR, IL-6, and hsCRP levels between the two groups before treatment. Additionally, there were no differences in PCT, TnI, and LVEDV between the groups at 3 months post-treatment. However, IL-6, hsCRP, and eGFR levels were significantly lower in the dapagliflozin group compared to the conventional treatment group at 3 months post-treatment (p < 0.05). Additionally, the LAVI was significantly lower in the dapagliflozin group relative to the conventional treatment group, with the difference being statistically significant (p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings indicate that SGLT2i therapy may contribute to early myocardial remodeling and improvement in cardiorenal function in older adults with hypertension and pre-heart failure. Furthermore, prolonged SGLT2i administration appears to exert anti-inflammatory effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":9391,"journal":{"name":"Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145470690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Translating Knowledge of Inflammatory Pathways to the Personalized Approach of Patients at Increased Risk of Coronary Artery Disease.","authors":"Robert Roghair","doi":"10.1159/000548789","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000548789","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9391,"journal":{"name":"Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145437179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Instruction: The aim of this study was to examine the causal relationship between blood pressure and digestive tract cancers in European and Asian populations using Mendelian randomization (MR).
Methods: Summary statistics for blood pressure traits and digestive tract cancers were obtained from large-scale genome-wide association studies in European (UK Biobank, FinnGen) and Asian (Biobank Japan, KoGES) cohorts. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary analysis, with sensitivity tests including MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR-PRESSO to assess pleiotropy and robustness.
Results: In European populations, no significant causal associations were observed between blood pressure traits and digestive tract cancers (all p > 0.05). In contrast, genetically predicted higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) was linked to increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in Asians (OR = 1.436, 95% CI: 1.102-1.869). Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of this association.
Conclusions: Elevated SBP appears to be a potential causal risk factor for CRC in Asian populations, whereas no such association was observed in Europeans. Nevertheless, the causal links between blood pressure and other digestive tract cancers, as well as the underlying biological mechanisms, remain to be verified. To advance this understanding, further studies are needed to confirm ancestry-specific mechanisms and to clarify the biological pathways underlying these findings.
{"title":"Association between Blood Pressure and Digestive Tract Cancers in European and Asian Populations: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.","authors":"Lan Deng, Weihua He, Mo Jiang","doi":"10.1159/000549231","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000549231","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Instruction: </strong>The aim of this study was to examine the causal relationship between blood pressure and digestive tract cancers in European and Asian populations using Mendelian randomization (MR).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Summary statistics for blood pressure traits and digestive tract cancers were obtained from large-scale genome-wide association studies in European (UK Biobank, FinnGen) and Asian (Biobank Japan, KoGES) cohorts. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary analysis, with sensitivity tests including MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR-PRESSO to assess pleiotropy and robustness.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In European populations, no significant causal associations were observed between blood pressure traits and digestive tract cancers (all p > 0.05). In contrast, genetically predicted higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) was linked to increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in Asians (OR = 1.436, 95% CI: 1.102-1.869). Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of this association.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Elevated SBP appears to be a potential causal risk factor for CRC in Asian populations, whereas no such association was observed in Europeans. Nevertheless, the causal links between blood pressure and other digestive tract cancers, as well as the underlying biological mechanisms, remain to be verified. To advance this understanding, further studies are needed to confirm ancestry-specific mechanisms and to clarify the biological pathways underlying these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":9391,"journal":{"name":"Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145426673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: Brain tumors may disrupt cardiac autonomic regulation, leading to arrhythmias that complicate patient management. This review aims to synthesize evidence on the relationship between brain tumor characteristics, treatments, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Methods: A systematic literature search was performed with independent screening and data extraction by two reviewers. Due to heterogeneity in study designs, tumor types, and arrhythmia outcomes, quantitative meta-analysis was not feasible; results were synthesized qualitatively.
Results: Supratentorial tumors, especially in limbic and insular regions, were frequently associated with atrial arrhythmias and ECG abnormalities. High-grade tumors showed diverse arrhythmias, including bradycardia and ventricular events, often linked to tumor progression or seizures. Surgical resection improved arrhythmias but posed perioperative risks, notably with right insular involvement. Chemotherapy effects were variable; radiation-induced arrhythmias were infrequent and dose-dependent. Arrhythmia patterns varied across pre-, peri-, and post-treatment phases, reflecting complex neurocardiac interactions.
Conclusion: Cardiac arrhythmias in brain tumor patients arise from multifactorial mechanisms influenced by tumor biology and treatment effects. Prospective, standardized studies are required to clarify underlying mechanisms and optimize arrhythmia management in neuro-oncology.
{"title":"Cardiac Arrhythmias Associated with Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Darshan Hullon, Eesha Farhan, Fatima Hussain, Abiya Ahad, Mandana Akhavan, Mahmoud H Abouelsoud","doi":"10.1159/000549272","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000549272","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Brain tumors may disrupt cardiac autonomic regulation, leading to arrhythmias that complicate patient management. This review aims to synthesize evidence on the relationship between brain tumor characteristics, treatments, and cardiac arrhythmias.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic literature search was performed with independent screening and data extraction by two reviewers. Due to heterogeneity in study designs, tumor types, and arrhythmia outcomes, quantitative meta-analysis was not feasible; results were synthesized qualitatively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Supratentorial tumors, especially in limbic and insular regions, were frequently associated with atrial arrhythmias and ECG abnormalities. High-grade tumors showed diverse arrhythmias, including bradycardia and ventricular events, often linked to tumor progression or seizures. Surgical resection improved arrhythmias but posed perioperative risks, notably with right insular involvement. Chemotherapy effects were variable; radiation-induced arrhythmias were infrequent and dose-dependent. Arrhythmia patterns varied across pre-, peri-, and post-treatment phases, reflecting complex neurocardiac interactions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Cardiac arrhythmias in brain tumor patients arise from multifactorial mechanisms influenced by tumor biology and treatment effects. Prospective, standardized studies are required to clarify underlying mechanisms and optimize arrhythmia management in neuro-oncology.</p>","PeriodicalId":9391,"journal":{"name":"Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"1-24"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145408122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}