Hyperpolarized [1-C] pyruvate MRSI reveals a diet-dependent metabolic shift in ZSF1 rats.

We evaluated altered cardiac metabolism in Zucker Spontaneously Hypertensive Fatty (ZSF1) rats fed an isocaloric high-fat diet versus normal chow using hyperpolarized (HP) [1-C]pyruvate MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). This technique exploits remarkable signal enhancement to track the metabolic fate of injected HP [1-C]pyruvate , allowing a simultaneous assessment of multiple metabolic pathways. The conversion of [1-C]pyruvate to [1-C]lactate (Lac) reflects anaerobic glycolysis activity, while the detection of C-bicarbonate (Bic) indicates glucose oxidation.

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and risk of incident cardiovascular events in the multi ethnic study of Atherosclerosis.

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is a gut microbiome-derived metabolite of choline, L-carnitine and lecithin, abundant in animal source foods. In experimental models, higher blood TMAO levels enhance atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However in humans, most prior studies have evaluated high risk or secondary prevention populations, and no studies have investigated relationships in a diverse, multi-ethnic population.

Challenges in advanced heart failure care in Japan: Bridging the gap in durable mechanical circulatory support utilization and heart transplantation.

In Japan, the incidence of heart failure has escalated to become a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Advanced therapeutic interventions, such as heart transplantation and durable left ventricular assist devices, have become a focus of interest in recent decades. However, the unique sociocultural landscape of Japan, coupled with a historically controversial background of organ transplantation, has impeded progress in these areas.

Adequacy of Loop Diuretic Dosing in Treatment of Acute Heart Failure: Insights from the BAN-ADHF Diuretic Resistance Risk Score.

Diuretic resistance (DR) is common among patients admitted with acute heart failure (AHF) and can be estimated by BAN-ADHF scores. Among 317 consecutive patients hospitalized for AHF, BAN-ADHF scores were compared with metrics of DR and composite endpoint of all-cause mortality, HF hospitalization, LVAD, or heart transplantation. The BAN-ADHF score was incorporated into a diuretic dosing calculator and retroactively applied to a patient's diuretic dose to categorize them as adequately dosed or under-dosed (inadequate).

Risk stratification with the Haemodynamic Gain Index and peak rate-pressure product in patients with chronic heart failure undergoing treadmill exercise testing.

Aims: We recently demonstrated the combined prognostic value of the following two simple non-invasive parameters obtained from treadmill exercise testing in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction: the Haemodynamic Gain Index (HGI) and peak rate-pressure product (RPP). However, their prognostic value is yet to be validated in patients with undifferentiated HF syndrome.

Methods And Results: We identified consecutive HF patients undergoing treadmill exercise testing for symptom evaluation between January 1991 and February 2015.

Xylitol is prothrombotic and associated with cardiovascular risk.

Background And Aims: The pathways and metabolites that contribute to residual cardiovascular disease risks are unclear. Low-calorie sweeteners are widely used sugar substitutes in processed foods with presumed health benefits. Many low-calorie sweeteners are sugar alcohols that also are produced endogenously, albeit at levels over 1000-fold lower than observed following consumption as a sugar substitute.

Changes in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Clinical Trajectories of Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis with Systolic Dysfunction.

Background: Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) is classically thought of as a progressive disease with preserved systolic function. The longitudinal clinical trajectories of ATTR-CM with impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) remain unclear.

Methods: This is a single-center retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with ATTR-CM who underwent two or more echocardiograms with baseline LVEF < 50%.

Exhaled Breath Analysis Using Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry and Disease Severity in Heart Failure.

Exhaled breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are elevated in heart failure (HF). The ability of VOCs to predict long term cardiovascular mortality and morbidity has not been independently verified. In 55 patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), we measured exhaled breath acetone and pentane levels upon admission and after 48 h of diuresis.

FAM210A regulates mitochondrial translation and maintains cardiac mitochondrial homeostasis.

Aims: Mitochondria play a vital role in cellular metabolism and energetics and support normal cardiac function. Disrupted mitochondrial function and homeostasis cause a variety of heart diseases. Fam210a (family with sequence similarity 210 member A), a novel mitochondrial gene, is identified as a hub gene in mouse cardiac remodelling by multi-omics studies.

FAM210A Regulates Mitochondrial Translation and Maintains Cardiac Mitochondrial Homeostasis.

Aims: Mitochondria play a vital role in cellular metabolism and energetics and support normal cardiac function. Disrupted mitochondrial function and homeostasis cause a variety of heart diseases. Fam210a (family with sequence similarity 210 member A), a novel mitochondrial gene, is identified as a hub gene in mouse cardiac remodeling by multi-omics studies.

Trimethylamine N-oxide is associated with long-term mortality risk: the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

Aims: Little is known about associations of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a novel gut microbiota-generated metabolite of dietary phosphatidylcholine and carnitine, and its changes over time with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the general population or in different race/ethnicity groups. The study aimed to investigate associations of serially measured plasma TMAO levels and changes in TMAO over time with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a multi-ethnic community-based cohort.

Methods And Results: The study included 6,785 adults from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Iron deficiency in pulmonary vascular disease: pathophysiological and clinical implications.

Aims: Iron deficiency is common in pulmonary hypertension, but its clinical significance and optimal definition remain unclear.

Methods And Results: Phenotypic data for 1028 patients enrolled in the Redefining Pulmonary Hypertension through Pulmonary Vascular Disease Phenomics study were analyzed. Iron deficiency was defined using the conventional heart failure definition and also based upon optimal cut-points associated with impaired peak oxygen consumption (peakVO2), 6-min walk test distance, and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) scores.

Ciclopirox Inhibition of eIF5A Hypusination Attenuates Fibroblast Activation and Cardiac Fibrosis.

Cardiac fibrosis is a primary contributor to heart failure (HF), and is considered to be a targetable process for HF therapy. Cardiac fibroblast (CF) activation accompanied by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) production is central to the initiation and maintenance of fibrotic scarring in cardiac fibrosis. However, therapeutic compounds targeting CF activation remain limited in treating cardiac fibrosis.

Predictors and outcome of electrical storm-induced cardiogenic shock.

Aim: Limited information is available about the short- and long-term outcomes in electrical storm (ES)-induced cardiogenic shock (CS) and its predictors.

Methods And Results: This is a retrospective, single-centre cohort study of consecutive patients with ES admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit between 2015 and 2020. The proportion of ES patients who developed CS was adjudicated, and clinical predictors of in-hospital ventricular arrhythmia (VA)-related mortality and 1-year all-cause mortality were investigated.

Cardiovascular Effects of Home Dialysis Therapies: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease. Currently, thrice-weekly in-center hemodialysis for 3 to 5 hours per session is the most common therapy worldwide for patients with treated kidney failure. Outcomes with thrice-weekly in-center hemodialysis are poor.

Autoantibodies and Cardiomyopathy: Focus on Beta-1 Adrenergic Receptor Autoantibodies.

Antibody response to self-antigens leads to autoimmune response that plays a determinant role in cardiovascular disease outcomes including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Although the origins of the self-reactive endogenous autoantibodies are not well-characterized, it is believed to be triggered by tissue injury or dysregulated humoral response. Autoantibodies that recognize G protein-coupled receptors are considered consequential because they act as modulators of downstream receptor signaling displaying a wide range of unique pharmacological properties.

Prognostic relevance of magnesium alterations in patients with a myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction: insights from the EPHESUS trial.

Aims: Magnesium changes are common in myocardial infarction (MI) complicated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and/or heart failure (HF). The relation between serum magnesium and clinical outcomes is insufficiently elucidated in this population.

Methods And Results: The EPHESUS trial randomized 6632 patients to either eplerenone or placebo.

Evidence of Stability in Patient-Reported Global Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives: Measures of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are collected throughout healthcare systems and used in clinical, economic, and outcomes studies to direct patient-centered care and inform health policy. Studies have demonstrated increases in stressors unique to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, their effect on HRQOL is unknown. Our study aimed to assess the change in self-reported global health during the pandemic for patients receiving care in a large healthcare system compared with 1 year earlier.

Differential expression of members of SOX family of transcription factors in failing human hearts.

The Sry-related high-mobility-group box (SOX) gene family, with 20 known transcription factors in humans, plays an essential role during development and disease processes. Several SOX proteins (SOX4, 11, and 9) are required for normal heart morphogenesis. SOX9 was shown to contribute to cardiac fibrosis.