Association of cobalt exposure with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in U.S. adults.

Background: Cobalt exposure is recognized as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the impact of cobalt exposure on mortality, particularly concerning CVD-related deaths, in the U.S.

Influence of depression trajectories in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fractions: a secondary analysis of adverse outcomes in the TOPCAT trial.

Background: Long-term patterns of depressive symptoms among patients with heart failure, specifically those with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and their relationship with prognoses are not well studied.

Methods: This analysis included 609 participants from the TOPCAT (Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist) trial. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at baseline and at 1-year, 2-year and 3-year intervals.

Beta-blockers and 1-year clinical outcomes in hospitalized heart failure patients with atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To assess the association between beta-blockers and 1-year clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and further explore this association that differs by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) level.

Methods: We enrolled hospitalized HF patients with AF from China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events Prospective Heart Failure Study. COX proportional hazard regression models were employed to calculate hazard ratio of beta-blockers.

Association between paced QRS duration and atrial fibrillation after permanent pacemaker implantation: A retrospective observational cohort study.

Right ventricular pacing often results in prolonged QRS duration (QRSd) as the result of right ventricular stimulation, and atrial fibrillation (AF) may result. The association of pacing-induced prolonged QRSd and AF in patients with permanent pacemakers is unknown.We selected 180 consecutive patients who underwent pacemaker implantation for complete/advanced atrioventricular block.

AMPK attenuates ventricular remodeling and dysfunction following aortic banding in mice via the Sirt3/Oxidative stress pathway.

Although recent findings have suggested that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) exerts inhibitory effects on cardiac remodeling secondary to hypertension, the mechanism and optimal duration of treatment remain unknown. Mice with descending aortic banding (AB) or subjected to sham operation received subcutaneous injection of either AICAR (0.5mggday) or vehicle over 4 week periods.

Real role of β-blockers in regression of left ventricular mass in hypertension patients: Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is commonly present in patients with hypertension (HT). According to the expert consensus document from American, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) were recommended as 1st-line therapeutic drugs. However, none noticed the different efficacy between fat-soluble and selective β1-receptor blockers (FS-β-B) and other β-blockers on regression of LVH before.

A meta-analysis of low-dose dopamine in heart failure.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a major health problem worldwide with no proven therapy. Low-dose dopamine (LDD) has been applied to patients with HF to enhance diuresis and preserve renal function since the last century. However, the efficacy of LDD in HF has been questioned by several studies recently.