Exercise and Atrial Fibrillation: Current Evidence, Knowledge Gaps, and Future Directions.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The relationship between physical exercise and AF is complex, with studies showing both beneficial and potentially adverse effects. Moreover, evidence suggests a U-shaped association between exercise intensity and AF risk.

Temporal and Geographical Disparities in Amyloid and Heart Failure-Related Mortality: An Epidemiological Study 1999-2020.

Introduction: Amyloidosis complicated by heart failure (HF) poses significant mortality. We sought to identify trends in comorbid amyloidosis and HF mortality in the recent 22- year period.

Methods: Mortality due to amyloid and HF as contributors of death were queried from death certificates using the CDC database from 1999 to 2020.

SGLT2 Inhibitors and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Real-World Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a prevalent global health issue associated with increased cardiovascular risk. SGLT2 inhibitors offer cardioprotective benefits and may improve MASLD-related outcomes. We aimed to investigate the association between SGLT2 inhibitors use and cardio-hepatic events in patients with MASLD.

SGLT2 inhibitors and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with left ventricular assist devices.

Introduction: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) provide critical support for patients with advanced heart failure (HF), but complications and suboptimal outcomes remain challenges. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have shown promise in HF, but their role in patients with LVADs is not well established. We aimed to evaluate the association of SGLT2 inhibitors with clinical outcomes and heart transplantation rates in patients with LVADs.

Delayed Tamponade After Transseptal Puncture: Focus on the Mechanism of a Rare But Life-Threatening Complication.

Transseptal puncture (TSP) has evolved into a key step during various percutaneous interventions. We present a case of delayed TSP-related tamponade, which underscores the importance of vigilance even during commonly performed procedures. TSP is safest when the puncture is through the fossa ovalis, with increased risk in patients with certain anatomic features (eg, small or diminutive fossa).

Incidence of arrhythmias in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and overlap syndrome: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: New-onset arrhythmias are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, scarce data exist regarding arrhythmia risk in overlap syndrome (OS), encompassing COPD and OSA.

Objective: We compared the incidence of new-onset atrial and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with COPD, OSA, and OS.

Large Free-Floating Left Atrial Ball Thrombus With Intermittent Mitral Valve Occlusion.

An 83-year-old man with known history of atrial fibrillation presented for preoperative evaluation for elective left nephrectomy for cancer. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a large, free-floating, left atrial mass. Further profiling with transesophageal echocardiogram showed a free-floating mass intermittently obstructing the mitral valve.

Disparities in cardiac arrest mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease: A US-based epidemiological analysis.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases cardiac arrest (CA) risk because of renal and cardiovascular interactions.

Methods: Using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data from 1999 to 2020, we analyzed CKD-related CA mortality and the impact of social vulnerability index (SVI).

Results: We identified 336 494 CKD-related CA deaths, with stable age-adjusted mortality rates over time.

Age matters when improving symptoms of anxiety, depression, and sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with continuous positive airway pressure.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder linked to significant daytime sleepiness and mood disturbances. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the standard treatment for OSA, but its effects on mental health outcomes, are not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of CPAP on daytime sleepiness, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms while assessing how improvements vary with age.

A comparative study of depressive and anxiety symptoms, insomnia, and sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, or both (CO-ROSA): preliminary findings from a retrospective study.

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), restless legs syndrome (RLS), or both may exhibit varied manifestations of depressive and anxiety symptomatology, reflecting the complex interplay between sleep disturbances, neurotransmitter imbalances, and psychosocial stressors in these often overlapping conditions. The aim of this study was to compare depressive and anxiety symptomatology, insomnia severity, and sleepiness in these conditions. Patients were enrolled and subdivided into those with OSA, RLS, and OSA + RLS.

Disparities in Peripheral Artery Disease-related Mortality in Chronic Inflammatory Disease in the United States from 1999 to 2020.

Introduction: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a marker of significant atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and is associated with greater healthcare burden and worse prognosis in individuals with chronic inflammatory disease (CID). We aimed to investigate temporal trends and disparities of PAD-related mortality in populations with CID from 1999-2020 across six common CIDs (i.e.

Burden of Hyperlipidemia, Cardiovascular Mortality, and COVID-19: A Retrospective-Cohort Analysis of US Data.

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor, but there are limited data on its mortality trends in CVD over time. We assessed annual hyperlipidemia-related CVD mortality trends in the United States, including the COVID-19 pandemic's impact.

Methods And Results: Mortality data were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention repository between 1999 and 2020 among patients ≥15 years old, using () codes for hyperlipidemia (E78.

Age matters: association between age and depression severity at the time of OSA diagnosis and PAP adherence in adult patients.

Study Objectives: Numerous studies have shown an association and symptom overlaps between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and depression. However, data are limited on the association between age, sex, the severity of depression at the time of OSA diagnosis, and its impact on positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a validated depression screening and severity scoring tool recommended by the (fifth edition).

Coronary flow abnormalities in chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Coronary vasomotion abnormalities have been described in small studies but not studied systematically. We aimed to review the present literature and analyze it to improve our understanding of chronic kidney disease (CKD) related-coronary microvascular dysfunction.

Objective: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) is a well-known measure of coronary vasomotion.

Modeling the Cost and Health Impacts of Diagnostic Strategies in Patients with Suspected Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Background Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CMP) is an increasingly recognized and treatable cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Multimodality cardiac imaging is recommended for ATTR-CMP diagnosis, but its cost-effectiveness in current clinical practice has not been well studied. Methods and Results Using a microsimulation model, we compared the cost-effectiveness of a combination of strategies involving technetium pyrophosphate (PYP), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and endomyocardial biopsy for the diagnosis of ATTR-CMP.

Paget-Schroetter Syndrome (PSS) and Adjunctive Treatment With Mechanical Aspiration Thrombectomy and Catheter Directed Thrombolysis: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome, also known as venous thoracic outlet syndrome, is primarily an effort-induced thrombosis of the subclavian and axillary veins. Treatment modalities involve systemic anticoagulation, catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), and surgical decompression. Early endovascular intervention is noted to improve outcomes and result in symptomatic relief.

Native valve emphysematous enterococcal endocarditis: expanding the differential diagnosis.

Introduction: Emphysematous endocarditis is caused by the gas-forming organisms , , species, and . We report the first case of emphysematous endocarditis caused by .

Case Report: An 82-year-old man presented with fever and rapidly progressive shortness of breath.

Treatment Considerations for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Pediatric Down Syndrome.

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) compared to children without DS. The negative impact of OSA on health, behavior, and cognitive development in children with DS highlights the importance of timely and effective treatment. Due to the higher prevalence of craniofacial and airway abnormalities, obesity, and hypotonia in patients with DS, residual OSA can still occur after exhausting first-line options.

Marijuana Use and Stress Cardiomyopathy in the Young.

Background Increased accessibility, recreational use, and regional legalization of marijuana (cannabis) have been paralleled by widespread recognition of its serious cardiovascular complications (acute myocardial infarction, stroke, sudden death) particularly in the young. We aimed to examine trends in hospital admissions and outcomes of adults with stress cardiomyopathy (SC) in temporal relation to marijuana use. Methods and results A search of the 2003-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIIS) database identified 33,343 admissions for SC of which 210 (0.

Evaluation of Shear Peel Bond Strength of Different Adhesive Cements Used for Fixed Space Maintainer Cementation: An Study.

Aim And Objective: This study aims to compare the retentive strength of different adhesive cements used for band cementation of fixed space maintainer by comparing the shear peel bond strength and mode of failure for each adhesive material using three different adhesive cements.

Materials And Methods: Eighty intact extracted teeth were used to assess the shear peel bond strength. Preformed bands were adapted to each tooth.

Research article expression of surfactant protein-A and D, and CD9 in lungs of 1 and 30 day old foals.

Background: Respiratory diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the horses of all ages including foals. There is limited understanding of the expression of immune molecules such as tetraspanins and surfactant proteins (SP) and the regulation of the immune responses in the lungs of the foals. Therefore, the expression of CD9, SP-A and SP-D in foal lungs was examined.

Multimodality Imaging Assessment of Myocardial Fibrosis.

Myocardial fibrosis, seen in ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathies, is associated with adverse cardiac outcomes. Noninvasive imaging plays a key role in early identification and quantification of myocardial fibrosis with the use of an expanding array of techniques including cardiac magnetic resonance, computed tomography, and nuclear imaging. This review discusses currently available noninvasive imaging techniques, provides insights into their strengths and limitations, and examines novel developments that will affect the future of noninvasive imaging of myocardial fibrosis.

Statin-Induced Triad of Autoimmune Myocarditis, Myositis, and Transaminitis.

Despite well-established cardiovascular benefits, statins have been associated with myopathic side effects ranging from myalgias to rhabdomyolysis and autoimmune necrotizing myositis. Statins have not been previously shown to cause myocarditis. Our case highlights this rare entity.