The impact of left ventricular ejection fraction on cardiovascular and renal outcome in hypertensive patients with nondialysis chronic kidney disease.

Objectives: Identification of nondialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients at a higher risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or adverse cardiovascular events is the first essential step to optimize management. We evaluated the role of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in predicting cardiac and renal outcome in CKD.

Methods: We prospectively studied 580 consecutive patients with nondialysis CKD followed in two Italian renal clinics in order to evaluate the association between LVEF as either continuous variable or categories (>60, 50-60 and <50%) and adjusted risks (hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval) of either cardiovascular (composite of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events) or renal events (composite of ESKD and all-cause death before ESKD).

[Diastolic Dysfunction in CKD: Cause or Effect?s].

Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction (LVDD) describes changes in the heart's structure and function, leading to impaired ventricular relaxation and increased filling pressures during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle. In the context of isolated LVDD, the left ventricular end-diastolic volume, global contractility, and ejection fraction (EF) are normal, with EF being 50% or higher. However, as filling pressures progressively increase, diastolic dysfunction worsens.

ANOCA, INOCA, MINOCA: The New Frontier of Coronary Syndromes.

The growing prevalence in the diagnosis of INOCA (Ischemia with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries), ANOCA (Angina with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries), and MINOCA (Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries) highlights the need to reassess their clinical relevance. Historically regarded as benign syndromes, emerging evidence suggests that these conditions may cause serious cardiovascular events and considerable long-term disability. Additionally, emerging studies suggest that non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) may have a higher prevalence compared to traditional obstructive forms of CAD.

Advancing Cardiovascular Diagnostics: The Expanding Role of CMR in Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathies.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has become a cornerstone in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly heart failure (HF) and cardiomyopathies. Renowned as the gold standard for non-invasive quantification of ventricular volumes and ejection fraction, CMR delivers superior spatial and temporal resolution with excellent tissue-blood contrast. Recent advancements, including T1, T2, and T2* mapping, extracellular volume quantification, and late gadolinium enhancement, enable precise tissue characterization, allowing early detection of myocardial changes such as fibrosis, edema, and infiltration.

[Conservative Therapy in CKD: New Frontiers].

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an increasingly prevalent pathological condition. The global rise in the number of individuals affected by CKD is dependent on the ageing, as well as on the growing prevalence of obesity, diabetes and hypertension. The need for treatment strategies aimed at preventing the onset of CKD and slowing its progression has led to the implementation of combination therapy, consisting of a Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System inhibitor (RAASi) and a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i), which has demonstrated efficacy in slowing CKD progression and reducing the occurrence of cardiovascular events.

Implementation of guideline-directed medical therapy in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (OpTIMa-HF Registry).

Aims: The last released European guidelines on the management of heart failure (HF) recommend in patients with chronic HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) a pharmacological approach based on four fundamental drugs to be rapidly implemented and then uptitrated to modify disease progression. The aim of the Optimization of Therapy in the Italian Management of Heart Failure (OPTIMA-HF) registry is to collect data on chronic HF outpatients in different settings of care. In the present analysis, we report the first analysis of the OPTIMA-HF registry, focusing on the real-life use of guideline-directed medical therapy in patients affected by HFrEF.

Cardiovascular disease and psychiatric disorders: An-up-to date review.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and mental health disorders (MHD) are respectively the first and second most prevalent diseases in high-income countries and the two most relevant causes of disability worldwide. The close association between the two conditions has been known for a long time and research has been able to document how the co-morbidity between cardiovascular disorders and mental health disorders is a negative prognostic factor for both conditions. This strong connection and the relevance of the impact of the association have led to define a new branch of cardiology, known as behavioral cardiology.

Artificial intelligence in cardiology: a peek at the future and the role of ChatGPT in cardiology practice.

Artificial intelligence has increasingly become an integral part of our daily activities. ChatGPT, a natural language processing technology developed by OpenAI, is widely used in various industries, including healthcare. The application of ChatGPT in healthcare is still evolving, with studies exploring its potential in clinical decision-making, patient education, workflow optimization, and scientific literature.

Efficacy and Safety of Oral Supplementation with Liposomal Iron in Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients with Iron Deficiency.

Introduction: Iron deficiency is common in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD). Oral iron supplementation is recommended in these patients, but it is associated with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions. Liposomal iron therapy has been proposed as a new iron formulation, improving iron bioavailability with less side effects; however, few data are available in patients with NDD-CKD.

Novel Strategies in Diagnosing Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Comprehensive Literature Review.

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a prevalent global condition affecting approximately 50% of the HF population. With the aging of the worldwide population, its incidence and prevalence are expected to rise even further. Unfortunately, until recently, no effective medications were available to reduce the high mortality and hospitalization rates associated with HFpEF, making it a significant unmet need in cardiovascular medicine.

Novel potassium binders to optimize RAASi therapy in heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: Hyperkalemia often occurs among heart failure (HF) patients, particularly when treated with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi). Even modest potassium levels variations raise the risk of mortality and prompt patients to discontinue disease-modifying treatment, as RAASi. Novel potassium binders (NPB), patiromer and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate, are effective in reducing potassium levels and are approved for the treatment of hyperkalemia in HF, but whether their use results in a real optimization of HF treatment remains to be seen.

Depression in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction, an Undervalued Comorbidity: An Up-To-Date Review.

: Depression is a common and severe comorbidity among individuals with heart failure (HF). Up to a third of all HF patients are depressed, and an even higher proportion have symptoms of depression. : In this review, we evaluate the relationship between HF and depression, explain the pathophysiology and epidemiology of both diseases and their relationship, and highlight novel diagnostic and therapeutic options for HF patients with depression.

Left atrium decompression devices across the spectrum of ejection fraction in heart failure: an updated systematic review and meta-regression analysis.

Background: In patients affected by heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), pharmacological treatments have been proven to alleviate symptoms and improve prognosis, while no treatment other than sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors have demonstrated significant effects in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Left atrium decompression devices (LADd) have been recently investigated as a new interventional approach in patients with HFpEF.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of LADd on soft endpoints in HF patients across the spectrum of ejection fraction.

β3AR-Dependent Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Generation Limits Chronic Postischemic Heart Failure.

Background: Loss of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/TrkB (tropomyosin kinase receptor B) signaling accounts for brain and cardiac disorders. In neurons, β-adrenergic receptor stimulation enhances local BDNF expression. It is unclear if this occurs in a pathophysiological relevant manner in the heart, especially in the β-adrenergic receptor-desensitized postischemic myocardium.

Efficacy, safety, adherence and persistence of PCSK9 inhibitors in clinical practice: A single country, multicenter, observational study (AT-TARGET-IT).

Background And Aims: Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) are recommended in patients at high and very-high cardiovascular (CV) risk, with documented atherosclerotic CV disease (ASCVD), and for very-high risk patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia not achieving LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) goal while receiving maximally tolerated dose of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). However, single country real-life data, reporting the use of PCSK9i in clinical practice, are limited. Therefore, we designed AT-TARGET-IT, an Italian, multicenter, observational registry on the use of PCSK9i in clinical practice.

Sacubitril/valsartan reduces cardiac decompensation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a meta-analysis.

Background: The impact of sacubitril-valsartan on heart failure (HF) patients with preserved ejection fractions (HFpEF) is uncertain. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the clinical advantages and safety of sacubitril-valsartan in patients with HFpEF.

Methods: PubMed and Web of Science were searched without any restrictions from inception to 8 May 2022 to identify valuable articles.

MicroRNAs: diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic role in heart failure-a review.

Heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with relevant social and economic burden on global healthcare system. Although the development of novel diagnostic tools and the advance in therapies have deeply influenced the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, improving both prognosis and life expectancy of patients, hospitalization is still high, and mortality remains considerable. MicroRNAs are small endogenous RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression in both physiological and pathological processes.

I-MIBG imaging in heart failure: impact of comorbidities on cardiac sympathetic innervation.

Purpose: Heart failure (HF) is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with significant impact on life quality and extensive healthcare costs. Assessment of myocardial sympathetic innervation function plays a central role in prognosis assessment in HF patients. The aim of this review is to summarize the most recent evidence regarding the clinical applications of iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (I-MIBG) imaging in patients with HF and related comorbidities.

Serum galectin-3 and aldosterone: potential biomarkers of cardiac complications in patients with COVID-19.

Background: Despite severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-Coronavirus (CoV-2) primarily targeting the lungs, the heart represents another critical virus target. Thus, the identification of SARS-CoV-2 disease of 2019 (COVID-19)-associated biomarkers would be beneficial to stratify prognosis and the risk of developing cardiac complications. Aldosterone and galectin-3 promote fibrosis and inflammation and are considered a prognostic biomarker of lung and adverse cardiac remodeling.

Infective Endocarditis: A Focus on Oral Microbiota.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an inflammatory disease usually caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream and settling in the heart lining valves or blood vessels. Despite modern antimicrobial and surgical treatments, IE continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Thus, primary prevention and enhanced diagnosis remain the most important strategies to fight this disease.