Cardiac mechanical synchrony couples with myocardial sympathetic innervation. A retrospective study with novel echocardiographic assessment in patients with I-mIBG imaging.

Purpose: Left ventricular (LV) mechanical synchrony is essential for efficient cardiac function, and its disruption (dyssynchrony) negatively impacts outcomes, particularly in heart failure. Although sympathetic innervation modulates electrical activation and contraction timing, its relationship with mechanical synchrony is underexplored. This study aimed to assess their association using echocardiographic synchrony indices and I-mIBG scintigraphy, introducing a novel index (AMP-sync).

ITACARE-P/SIGG/SIGOT/SICGE position paper on elderly cardiac patient referral to cardiac rehabilitation.

The Italian Association for Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention (ITACARE-P) together with the Società Italiana di Gerontologia e Geriatria (SIGG); Società Italiana di Geriatria Ospedale e Territorio (SIGOT); SICGE, Società Italiana di Cardiologia Geriatrica (SICGE) released a joint position paper to guide referrals of elderly cardiovascular patients discharged from Geriatric wards to Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) facilities. The document provides rationale and operative recommendations for appropriateness (i.e.

Effects of Oral Amino Acid Supplementation on Physical Activity, Systemic Inflammation, and Quality of Life in Adult Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: A Single-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a common, life-threatening genetic disorder that leads to progressive lung function decline, respiratory failure, and premature death. Musculoskeletal complications, affecting both peripheral and respiratory muscles, are major concerns in CF patients. Inflammatory cytokines seem to be responsible for the activation of the molecular pathways involved in the imbalance between protein synthesis and catabolism, with consequent loss of muscle mass and function.

Atrial Fibrillation as a Geriatric Syndrome: Why Are Frailty and Disability Often Confused? A Geriatric Perspective from the New Guidelines.

Atrial Fibrillation can be considered a geriatric syndrome for its prevalence and incidence, its impact on patients' quality of life, and Health Systems' economy. The European Society of Cardiology 2024 guidelines introduce a recommendation for maintaining vitamin K antagonist therapy over switching to direct oral anticoagulants in clinically stable elderly patients with atrial fibrillation. This article explores the implications of this indication for the geriatric clinical context.

[ITACARE-P/SIGG/SIGOT/SICGE position paper: referral of elderly cardiac patient from geriatrics to cardiac rehabilitation.].

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is Class IA indication in patients after an acute cardiovascular (CV) event, with efficacy confirmed even in elderly or frail CV patients CV and geriatric outcomes. However, rate of referral and admission to CR of elderly CV patients remains very low. CV patients admitted in geriatric wards are often complex, multimorbid and frail.

Role of standard echocardiography in Anderson-Fabry disease.

Cardiac involvement strongly impacts prognosis in patients with Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD). All cardiac structures, such as the left ventricle and the left atrium, the aorta, the right sections, and the heart valves can be affected by morphological and functional abnormalities. Standard echocardiography has a crucial role in the characterization of AFD cardiomyopathy.

Efficacy of cardiometabolic drugs in reduction of epicardial adipose tissue: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) plays an important role in cardiometabolic risk. EAT is a modifiable risk factor and could be a potential therapeutic target for drugs that already show cardiovascular benefits. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of cardiometabolic drugs on EAT reduction.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Cardiac Arrhythmias: Focus on Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent cardiac arrhythmia and its prevalence increases with age. AF is strongly associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart failure and cardiovascular mortality. Among the risk factors associated with AF onset and severity, obesity and inflammation play a prominent role.

Extraction-Free Absolute Quantification of Circulating miRNAs by Chip-Based Digital PCR.

Circulating microRNAs (miRNA) have been proposed as specific biomarkers for several diseases. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (RT-qPCR) is the gold standard technique currently used to evaluate miRNAs expression from different sources. In the last few years, digital PCR (dPCR) emerged as a complementary and accurate detection method.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue-Derived IL-1β Triggers Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation.

Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF), defined as new-onset AF in the immediate period after surgery, is associated with poor adverse cardiovascular events and a higher risk of permanent AF. Mechanisms leading to POAF are not completely understood and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) inflammation could be a potent trigger. Here, we aim at exploring the link between EAT-secreted interleukin (IL)-1β, atrial remodeling, and POAF in a population of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

Red Flags, Prognostic Impact, and Management of Patients With Cardiac Amyloidosis and Aortic Valve Stenosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) has been recently recognized as a condition frequently associated with aortic stenosis (AS). The aim of this study was to evaluate: the main characteristics of patients with AS with and without CA, the impact of CA on patients with AS mortality, and the effect of different treatment strategies on outcomes of patients with AS with concomitant CA.

Materials And Methods: A detailed search related to CA in patients with AS and outcomes was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Inflammation and Cardiovascular Diseases in the Elderly: The Role of Epicardial Adipose Tissue.

Human aging is a complex phenomenon characterized by a wide spectrum of biological changes which impact on behavioral and social aspects. Age-related changes are accompanied by a decline in biological function and increased vulnerability leading to frailty, thereby advanced age is identified among the major risk factors of the main chronic human diseases. Aging is characterized by a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, also referred as inflammaging.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) often occurs after cardiac surgery and is associated with increased risk of stroke and mortality. Prior studies support the important role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). It is known that an increased volume and a pro-inflammatory phenotype of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) are both associated with AF onset in non surgical context.

Personal protective equipment in Covid-19: Evidence-based quality and analysis of YouTube videos after one year of pandemic.

Background: The correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic is mandatory to minimize the contagion risk. The current study aimed to evaluate quality information of YouTube videos on PPE use during the pandemic.

Methods: Using Google Trend tool, the frequency of worldwide YouTube and Google searches for "donning and doffing" was examined.

The elderly at risk: aldosterone as modulator of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The elderly population is the most susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and develops the worst clinical phenotype with severe pneumonia and cardiac complications. Older COVID-19 patients are also at higher risk of sudden death, mainly attributable to electrolyte disorders and to an uncontrolled inflammatory response. After the identification of ACE 2 as the receptor of SARS-CoV-2 in human cells, several research studies have focused on the role of the activation of Renin Angiotensin System in COVID-19 clinical course.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue and IL-13 Response to Myocardial Injury Drives Left Ventricular Remodeling After ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Introduction: Left ventricular (LV) remodeling after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is explained only in part by the infarct size, and the inter-patient variability may be ascribed to different inflammatory response to myocardial injury. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a source of inflammatory mediators which directly modulates the myocardium. EAT increase is associated to several cardiovascular diseases; however, its response to myocardial injury is currently unknown.

The role of inflammation and metabolic risk factors in the pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve stenosis.

Given the epidemiologic increase of aged population in the world, aortic stenosis (AS) represents now the most common valvular heart disease in industrialized countries. It is a very challenging disease, representing an important cause of morbidity, hospitalization and death in the elderly population. It is widely recognized that AS is the result of a very complex active process, driven by inflammation and involving multifactorial pathological mechanisms promoting valvular calcification and valvular bone deposition.

Dendritic Cells and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Still an Unclarified Connection.

The ongoing pandemic due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has so far infected about 2.42 × 10 (as at 27 August 2020) subjects with more than 820,000 deaths. It is the third zoonotic coronavirus-dependent outbreak in the last twenty years and represents a major infective threat for public health worldwide.

Management of heart failure: an Italian national survey on fellows/specialists in geriatrics.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is often managed by geriatricians. Few data are available on their knowledge and attitudes about this condition.

Aims: To compare perceptions and knowledge on HF of specialists/fellows in geriatrics working in Italy.

Echocardiographic Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness for Risk Stratification of Patients With Heart Failure.

Background And Aims: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of heart failure (HF). In this study we aimed to explore the predictive value of echocardiographic EAT thickness on prognosis of a selected population of HF patients.

Methods: The patient population included n.

Imbalance Between Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist in Epicardial Adipose Tissue Is Associated With Non ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Introduction: Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) is crucially involved in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerotic diseases (CAD) and its inhibition has proven cardiovascular benefits. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a local source of inflammatory mediators which may negatively affect the surrounding coronary arteries. In the present study, we explored the relationship between serum and EAT levels of IL-1β and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) and recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Renal function and cardiac adrenergic impairment in patients affected by heart failure.

Although in heart failure (HF) there is a strict correlation between heart and kidney, no data are available on the potential relationship in HF between renal dysfunction (RD) and the impaired sympathetic innervation. Aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between RD and cardiac sympathetic innervation in HF patients with reduced ejection fraction. Two hundred and sixty-three patients with mild-to-severe HF underwent iodine-123 meta-iodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigraphy to assess sympathetic innervation, evaluating early and late heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratios and washout rate.