Psychological Distress and Cardiovascular Health in Pregnancy: Findings From the U.S. National Health Interview Survey.

Background: The relationship between psychological health and cardiovascular health (CVH) during pregnancy is not well characterized.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to perform a cross-sectional analysis in order to assess the relationships between psychological distress and CVH among pregnant individuals in the United States.

Methods: U.

High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: To Measure or Not to Measure?

Inflammation and dyslipidemia are central to the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). While lipid-lowering therapies are the cornerstone of ASCVD prevention and treatment, there are other emerging targets, including inflammation (which has been dubbed the 'residual inflammatory risk'), that can be addressed after LDL cholesterol thresholds have been reached. Research over the past 20 years has identified C-reactive protein (CRP) as a key marker of inflammation with atherosclerosis.

Urgent Transcatheter Mitral Edge-to-Edge Repair Is Associated With Worse in-Hospital Outcomes: A Nationwide Analysis.

Background: To assess in-hospital outcomes in patients undergoing urgent versus non-urgent transcatheter mitral edge-to-edge repair (TEER).

Methods: We used the NIS database 2016-2019 to include admissions who underwent TEER. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to compare urgent versus non-urgent groups.

Visit-to-visit Lipid Variability, Coronary Artery Calcification, Inflammation, and Mortality in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Aims: This study aimed to explore relationships between visit-to-visit lipid variability, coronary artery calcification (CAC), inflammation, and long-term mortality, which may be prognostically relevant.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis with available plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides from all three initial exams who underwent computed tomography CAC quantification at the third (index) exam. Visit-to-visit variability (coefficient of variation) was calculated from all three initial exams.

Social Determinants of Health, Cardiovascular Health, and Mortality in Sexual Minority Individuals in the United States.

Background: Despite recent efforts to address health disparities regarding social determinants of health (SDOH), the intersection between SDOH and cardiovascular health (CVH) outcomes in sexual minority (SM) individuals remain largely underexplored.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate associations between SDOH profile and CVH and mortality outcomes among SM individuals in the United States.

Methods: All participants aged ≥18 years surveyed in the 2013 to 2017 National Health Interview Survey were included, except those with missing data on SM status, any CVH or SDOH domain, or any other covariate.

Should We Use Aspirin or P2Y Inhibitor Monotherapy in Stable Ischemic Heart Disease?

Purpose Of Review: To summarize the recent evidence and guideline recommendations on aspirin or P2Y inhibitor monotherapy in patients with stable ischemic heart disease and provide insights into future directions on this topic, which involves transition to a personalized assessment of bleeding and thrombotic risks.

Recent Findings: It has been questioned whether the evidence for aspirin as the foundational component of secondary prevention in patients with coronary artery disease aligns with contemporary pharmaco-invasive strategies. The recent HOST-EXAM study randomized patients who had received dual antiplatelet therapy for 6 to 18 months without ischemic or major bleeding events to either clopidogrel or aspirin for a further 24 months, and demonstrated that the patients in the clopidogrel arm had significantly lower rates of both thrombotic and bleeding complications compared to those in the aspirin arm.

Catheter Ablation for Channelopathies: When Is Less More?

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a common cause of sudden cardiac death in patients with channelopathies, particularly in the young population. Although pharmacological treatment, cardiac sympathectomy, and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) have been the mainstay in the management of VF in patients with channelopathies, they are associated with significant adverse effects and complications, leading to poor quality of life. Given these drawbacks, catheter ablation has been proposed as a therapeutic option for patients with channelopathies.

Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Maternal Cardiovascular Health.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the number-one cause of maternal mortality, with over two-thirds of cases being preventable. Social determinants of health (SDoH) encompass the nonmedical social and environmental factors that an individual experiences that have a significant impact on their health. These stressors disproportionately affect socially disadvantaged and minority populations.

Frailty assessment: An emerging concept in aged People Living with HIV (PLHIV).

Introduction: As the life expectancy of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) has improved with effective antiretroviral treatment (ART), they now face the challenges of accelerated ageing. Frailty is an emerging concept in the management of PLHIV and up to 28% of PLHIV are identified as frail. Frailty is a determinant of adverse clinical outcomes and is a complex clinical endpoint that has not been studied in India.

The impact of hospitalization on mortality in patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease: a medical records review study.

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) remains one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with Connective Tissue Diseases (CTD). This study evaluated the impact of hospitalization on mortality in an ethnically and racially diverse cohort of CTD-ILD patients.

Methods: We conducted a medical records review study at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY.

Incidence and Prognostic Implications of Cardiac-Implantable Device-Associated Tricuspid Regurgitation: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression Analysis.

New-onset or worsening tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a well-established complication encountered after cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). However, there are limited and conflicting data on the true incidence and prognostic implications of this complication. This study aimed to bridge this current gap in the literature.

Significance of Kidney Disease in Cardiovascular Disease Patients.

Cardiorenal syndrome is a condition where is a bidirectional and mutually detrimental relationship between the heart and kidneys. The mechanisms underlying cardiorenal syndrome are multifactorial and complex. Patients with kidney disease exhibit increased cardiovascular risk, presenting as coronary and peripheral artery disease, structural heart disease, arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death, largely occurring because of a systemic proinflammatory state, causing myocardial and vascular remodeling, manifesting as atherosclerotic lesions, vascular and valvular calcification, and myocardial fibrosis, particularly among those with advanced disease.

Antiplatelet therapy for coronary artery disease in 2023: current status and future prospects.

Introduction: Antiplatelet therapy is the cornerstone for prevention and management of ischemic complications among patients with coronary artery disease. Over the past decades, advancement in stent technologies and increasing awareness about the prognostic impact of major bleeding have led to evolving priorities in the management of antithrombotic regimens, from exclusive concerns regarding recurrent ischemic events to an individualized equipoise between ischemic and bleeding risk through a patient-centered comprehensive approach.

Areas Covered: The purpose of this review is to highlight the current evidence that supports the various management strategies for antiplatelet therapy and discuss future directions of pharmacological regimens for coronary syndromes.

Impact of COVID-19 Infection on the Clinical Outcomes of Pulmonary Embolism Hospitalizations : A Nationwide Analysis.

There is an increased risk of venous thromboembolism among patients with COVID-19 infection, with the risk being higher among those needing the intensive level of care. Existing data is, however, limited regarding the outcomes of patients admitted with concurrent COVID-19 infection and pulmonary embolism (PE). All acute PE admissions were identified from the National Inpatient Sample database during 2020 using ICD-10 codes.