Cardiology and Therapy最新文献

Introduction: Cardiovascular trials often underrepresent non-White participants, women, and older individuals.

Methods: We evaluated the impact of digital recruitment on improving diversity in two large prospective cardiovascular studies: the Apple Heart Study (AHS) and the Project Baseline Health Study (PBHS). While both leveraged digital tools, their strategies differed-AHS used a passive, app-based approach followed by a direct-to-participant outreach effort, while PBHS implemented an enrollment model to reach a prespecified diversity goal.

Results: While both methods led to a cohort of participants who were comparably aligned with the US Census, we found that intentional, goal-driven digital outreach, and participant selection targeting demographic representation improved inclusion of historically underrepresented groups.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that digital tools, when paired with intentional strategy, may help support more inclusive, representative cardiovascular research.

Hypertension remains a leading global health challenge, affecting over 1.3 billion individuals worldwide and contributing significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In recent years, interventional device-based therapies have emerged as promising adjuncts by targeting sympathetic overactivity and autonomic dysregulation, key mechanisms in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Currently, the use of these interventional therapies is primarily reserved for patients with resistant hypertension (RH) who remain uncontrolled despite optimal medical therapy. This review provides an overview of the evolving landscape of interventional approaches, including renal denervation (RDN), baroreceptor activation therapy (BAT), carotid body modulation, hepatic denervation, and cardiac neuromodulation. Among these, RDN has the most robust clinical trial evidence, while other neuromodulatory strategies are being evaluated in early-phase studies. Additionally, this review underscores the importance of systematically identifying and managing secondary causes of hypertension, such as primary aldosteronism, renovascular disease, and obstructive sleep apnea, before considering procedural interventions. As the field advances, these therapies may assume a more prominent role in precision-based hypertension management.

Introduction: Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) increases the risk of developing cardiac complications and can impact long-term outcomes, necessitating appropriate treatment. However, real-world data on how patients with obstructive HCM are currently managed, especially in Japan, remain limited. This study evaluated pharmacological treatment patterns, incidence of nonpharmacological interventions, and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) associated with obstructive HCM management in Japan.

Methods: This retrospective longitudinal study analyzed claims data (N = 12,503,399) provided by insurers between April 1, 2014, and December 31, 2022. The primary objective was to describe the treatment pattern of patients with obstructive HCM. Any medication changes (beta-blockers [BBs], non-dihydropyridine [DHP] calcium channel blockers [CCBs], and sodium channel blockers [SCBs]), incidence of nonpharmacological interventions, and HCRU were assessed.

Results: Among 403 eligible patients, 72.5% were female, with a mean ± standard deviation age of 75.5 ± 11.7 years. The most common index medication was BB only (74.19%), followed by BB + SCB (10.42%), SCB (8.93%), BB + CCB (1.99%), CCB (3.72%), BB + CCB + SCB (0.5%), and CCB + SCB (0.25%). Overall, 123 (30.5%) patients experienced a treatment change within 12 months after the first prescription, of whom 5 (1.2%) switched to a different medication, 51 (12.7%) had an add-on to the index medication, and 67 (16.6%) discontinued their treatment. SCB was prescribed as initial treatment to 20.1% of patients. The discontinuation rate at 12 months was the highest for SCB (22%), followed by BB (16%) and CCB (12%). Dose reduction was the highest for SCB (22.2%), followed by BB (12%) and CCB (4%). The rate of nonpharmacological interventions (events/100 person-years) was similar for pacemaker implantation and septal ablation (2.0), followed by implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (1.2) and mitral valve replacement (1.1).

Conclusions: These findings will guide future research aimed at optimizing obstructive HCM management.

Introduction: The efficacy and safety of evolocumab have been established in clinical trials. This post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study investigated the real-world safety and effectiveness of evolocumab in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in Korea.

Methods: Patients who received evolocumab for approved indications in Korea between April 2017 and April 2023 across 43 centers were enrolled in this prospective PMS study. Safety (adverse events [AEs] and serious adverse events [SAEs]) and effectiveness (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] lowering) were assessed up to 52 weeks. AEs and SAEs were categorized by LDL-C levels at 12 weeks: < 20, 20-40, and ≥ 40 mg/dL.

Results: Overall, 539 patients (mean age 58.8 ± 11.1 years, 78.7%/21.3% male/female) were included in the safety analysis set, while 361 patients assessed for LDL-C at least once during follow-up were included in the effectiveness analysis set. The majority of patients had ASCVD (myocardial infarction [55.1%], angina [33.5%], cerebral infarction [13.2%], peripheral artery disease [4.5%]). AEs were reported by 23.9% of patients, with SAEs occurring in 7.1%. When stratified by LDL-C levels, there was no difference in the frequencies of AEs and SAEs. Among all adverse drug reactions (ADRs; 2.4%), the most common were myalgia (0.9%) and headache (0.4%), with no reports of hemorrhagic stroke or nasopharyngitis. Evolocumab significantly reduced LDL-C levels from a baseline median of 100.2 mg/dL by 70.6% at week 12 and 69.0% at 52 weeks, achieving a target LDL-C goal (< 55 mg/dL and > 50% reduction) in 68.1% and 69.2% of patients, respectively.

Conclusions: Evolocumab effectively lowered LDL-C levels and had a favorable safety profile in Korean patients with ASCVD or FH. The incidence of AEs was lower than in clinical trials, and no ADRs were observed among the SAEs. These results support the use of evolocumab as a viable therapeutic option.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a class of medications initially developed for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but found to have broader cardiometabolic impacts. In this review, we discuss the proposed mechanisms of action of SGLT2i and review important trials that have demonstrated improvements in cardiovascular outcomes. SGLT2i have demonstrated benefits in the treatment of major categories of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and have been shown to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with diabetes and CVD or renal disease. Findings have been translated into recommendations in clinical guidelines by the American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), European Society of Cardiology (ESC), and American Diabetes Association (ADA). It is important to consider a patient's comorbid conditions, as well as potential medication side effects, prior to initiating SGT2i. While large trials have established the cardiovascular (CV) and renal benefits of SGLT2i, a number of studies are now exploring their role in acute care settings and novel patient populations.

Takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy (TTC) is an uncommon acute heart failure syndrome characterized by transient hypocontractility that usually affects a circumferential segment of the myocardium along the heart's apicobasal axis and spans multiple coronary artery territories. Classically, TTC occurs after an intense physical or emotional insult and is thought to be caused by catecholamine toxicity. The most frequent anatomic variant presents with apical hypokinesis and basal hyperkinesis, but the hypocontractility may also localize to the mid-ventricle or base, also known as "reverse TTC." Here, we describe a middle-aged woman who developed profound acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and mixed cardiogenic-distributive shock after an adverse reaction to alteplase treated with high-dose epinephrine. The patient was found to have a severely depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (10-15%) with apex-sparing hypokinesis and no evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease, consistent with reverse TTC. The patient's ejection fraction recovered to the normal range within days with supportive measures. This case highlights the distinctive echocardiographic features of this rare, potentially life-threatening form of TTC.Videos are available for this article.

Introduction: Incomplete right bundle branch block (iRBBB) is a frequent electrocardiographic (ECG) finding, often considered benign. However, recent evidence suggests it may be associated with underlying structural or electrical abnormalities, particularly in selected populations.

Methods: We conducted a narrative review of population-based cohorts, mechanistic studies, and clinical trials focused on the prevalence, pathophysiological mechanisms, differential diagnosis, and prognostic implications of iRBBB.

Results: iRBBB is common in athletes and individuals with pulmonary or structural heart diseases. Although frequently asymptomatic, it may reflect right ventricular strain, pulmonary hypertension, or a predisposition to arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Specific ECG features, comorbidities, and clinical context help to differentiate benign from pathologic iRBBB.

Conclusions: iRBBB should not be routinely regarded as a harmless variant. In high-risk individuals, it may carry clinical and prognostic significance, warranting further evaluation. Standardized criteria and additional prospective studies are needed to better understand its implications. Infographic available for this article. INFOGRAPHIC.

Introduction: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a global health concern. Reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is critical in ASCVD prevention and treatment. Inclisiran, a novel RNA therapeutic agent, offers a promising solution by lowering LDL-C with twice-yearly dosing after an initial and 3-month dose. The study objective was to evaluate adherence to inclisiran and its lipid-lowering effectiveness over a year of treatment.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved patients over 18 years old with ASCVD or hyperlipidemia who initiated inclisiran between January 1, 2022, and May 17, 2023, in US outpatient clinics. LDL-C reduction was evaluated in patients with ≥ 1 pre- and post-index LDL-C measurement by comparing baseline levels to the lowest value within 12 months after initiating inclisiran.

Results: Overall, 225 patients initiated inclisiran. The mean age was 69.9 years and 50.7% were female. Most patients (81.8%) had ASCVD. Most patients (91.6%) received a second dose, and 84.5% of these received a third dose. Overall, 202 patients had ≥ 2 LDL-C measurements, with a mean baseline LDL-C of 134.8 mg/dl. Mean absolute LDL-C reduction was 66.1 (standard deviation: 45.6) mg/dl, corresponding to a 46.8% (95% confidence interval: 42.7-51.0) relative reduction, and 46.8% achieved ≥ 50% reduction. Patients on concurrent statins and those without prior anti-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibodies experienced the largest relative LDL-C reductions: 55.4% and 51.1%, respectively.

Conclusions: Inclisiran significantly reduced LDL-C. The dosing schedule promoted high adherence in a real-world setting, particularly among older adults with ASCVD. These findings indicate inclisiran may be a particularly valuable addition to lipid-lowering strategies.

Introduction: Tafamidis is approved to treat transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). Many patients with ATTR-CM present with a mixed phenotype of both cardiac and neurologic symptoms, but real-world effectiveness studies of tafamidis in this population are lacking. This study assessed survival and other outcomes in a real-world, contemporary cohort of tafamidis-treated and untreated patients with mixed-phenotype ATTR-CM.

Methods: The Transthyretin Amyloidosis Outcomes Survey (THAOS) was a longitudinal, observational, phase 4 study of patients with transthyretin amyloidosis and asymptomatic carriers of pathogenic transthyretin gene variants and was completed in June 2023. This analysis included a contemporary cohort of patients enrolled in THAOS in 2019-2023 who were characterized as having mixed-phenotype ATTR-CM at enrollment. The tafamidis-treated cohort received the approved dose of tafamidis (meglumine 80 mg/free acid 61 mg) throughout the study, and the untreated cohort never received tafamidis.

Results: In tafamidis-treated (n = 116) and untreated patients (n = 223), respectively, median age at enrollment was 77.8 and 72.8 years, and 42.2% and 77.6% had variant ATTR-CM. Survival rates at 30 months were 81.5% (95% CI 66.7-90.2) in tafamidis-treated patients and 75.1% (95% CI 66.1-82.0) in untreated patients. Median yearly incidence of cardiovascular-related hospitalizations was 0.89 for tafamidis-treated and 1.70 for untreated patients, and median duration of cardiovascular-related hospitalizations was 7.0 and 11.5 days, respectively. There were 13 (11.2%) and 40 (17.9%) deaths in the respective groups.

Conclusion: Patients with mixed-phenotype ATTR-CM treated with the approved dose of tafamidis had numerically higher survival rates, a numerically lower rate of cardiovascular-related hospitalizations, and fewer deaths than untreated patients. These data parallel recent results for patients with predominantly cardiac ATTR-CM from THAOS and extend results of ATTR-ACT to a contemporary, real-world, mixed-phenotype population.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00628745.