Assessing ethnicity as a factor in myocardial infarction emergency response and recovery: a study from the Negev Desert.

Background: We compared short- and long-term management and outcomes between Bedouin Arabs and Jewish patients in the Negev region (Israel) to assess disparities in myocardial infarction care and subsequent impacts on patient health.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Soroka University Medical Center, Israel, spanning from 2016 to 2022. It included all cases of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) requiring urgent catheterisation.

[DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ELEVATED LIPOPROTEIN(A) IN ISRAEL: CONSENSUS STATEMENT FROM THE ISRAEL SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND ISRAEL SOCIETY FOR CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES].

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is composed of 2 major protein components, a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol-like particle containing apolipoprotein B (apo B) that is covalently bound to apolipoprotein(a). Its level is predominantly genetically determined, and it is estimated that 20% to 25% of the population have Lp(a) levels that are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Elevated Lp(a) is related to increased vascular inflammation, calcification, atherogenesis and thrombosis, and is considered an independent and potentially causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and calcified aortic valve stenosis.

Downstream Imaging Studies Do Not Significantly Improve Outcome in Most Patients with Chest Pain Who Did Not Reach Their Target Heart Rate on a Stress ECHO Study.

Echocardiographic stress tests are often used to evaluate patients who complain of chest pain. However, some patients fail to reach the target heart rate required for the test to be conclusive (usually defined as 85% of the predicted maximal heart rate based on the patient's age) and are often sent for additional imaging tests, such as myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) or cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA). Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of these additional tests in patients who present with chest pain but did not meet the heart rate requirements for a stress test.

Detection of Common Arrhythmias by the Watch-PAT: Expression of Electrical Arrhythmias by Pulse Recording.

Background: The WatchPAT (WP) device was shown to be accurate for the diagnosis of sleep apnea and is widely used worldwide as an ambulatory diagnostic tool. While it records peripheral arterial tone (PAT) and not electrocardiogram (ECG), the ability of it to detect arrhythmias is unknown and was not studied previously. Common arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (AF) or premature beats may be uniquely presented while recording PAT/pulse wave.

[UPDATED ISRAELI GUIDELINES FOR THE TREATMENT OF DYSLIPIDEMIA 2020].

Despite the impressive decline in mortality from atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD), these diseases still account for a large proportion of the overall morbidity and mortality worldwide. A vast amount of research has demonstrated the key role played by circulating lipoproteins, and especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL), in the etiology of atherosclerosis, and numerous studies have proven the efficacy of interventions that lower the atherogenic lipoproteins in reducing morbidity and mortality from ASCVD. While previous guidelines placed an emphasis on the use HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) for the treatment of dyslipidemia, recent studies have shown that other LDL cholesterol lowering drugs, including ezetimibe and the PCSK9 inhibitors, can provide additional benefit when used in combination with (and in certain cases instead of) statins.

Effect of wine on carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes: a 2-year randomized controlled trial.

Background/objectives: The progression of carotid-plaque volume in patients with type 2 diabetes is common. Previous observational studies showed an association between moderate alcohol and reduced risk of coronary disease. We examined whether consuming moderate wine affects the progression of carotid atherosclerosis.

Effect of Distinct Lifestyle Interventions on Mobilization of Fat Storage Pools: CENTRAL Magnetic Resonance Imaging Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: We aimed to assess whether distinct lifestyle strategies can differentially affect specific body adipose depots.

Methods: We performed an 18-month randomized controlled trial among 278 sedentary adults with abdominal obesity (75%) or dyslipidemia in an isolated workplace with a monitored provided lunch. Participants were randomized to isocaloric low-fat or Mediterranean/low-carbohydrate (MED/LC) diet+28 g walnuts/day with/without added moderate physical activity (PA; 80% aerobic; supervised/free gym membership).

Dynamics of intrapericardial and extrapericardial fat tissues during long-term, dietary-induced, moderate weight loss.

In view of evidence linking pericardial fat accumulation with increased cardiovascular disease risk, strategies to reduce its burden are needed. Data comparing the effects of specific long-term dietary interventions on pericardial fat tissue mobilization are sparse. We sought to evaluate intrapericardial-fat (IPF) and extrapericardial-fat (EPF) changes during weight-loss interventions by different dietary regimens.

Molecular genetics of familial hypercholesterolemia in Israel-revisited.

Background And Aims: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations in the genes for LDL receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein B (APOB) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type9 (PCSK9). The purpose of the current investigation was to define the current spectrum of mutations causing FH in Israel.

Methods: New families were collected through the MEDPED (Make Early Diagnosis Prevent Early Death) FH program.

Effects of initiating moderate wine intake on abdominal adipose tissue in adults with type 2 diabetes: a 2-year randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To generate evidence-based conclusions about the effect of wine consumption on weight gain and abdominal fat accumulation and distribution in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Design: In the 2-year randomized controlled CASCADE (CArdiovaSCulAr Diabetes & Ethanol) trial, patients following a Mediterranean diet were randomly assigned to drink 150 ml of mineral water, white wine or red wine with dinner for 2 years. Visceral adiposity and abdominal fat distribution were measured in a subgroup of sixty-five participants, using abdominal MRI.

Abdominal fat sub-depots and energy expenditure: Magnetic resonance imaging study.

Background & Aims: We aimed to assess the association between the distinct abdominal sub-depots and resting energy expenditure (REE).

Methods: We performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify abdominal visceral-adipose-tissue (VAT), deep-subcutaneous-adipose-tissue (deep-SAT), and superficial-subcutaneous-adipose-tissue (superficial-SAT). We measured REE by indirect-calorimetry.

Effects of Initiating Moderate Alcohol Intake on Cardiometabolic Risk in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A 2-Year Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Background: Recommendations for moderate alcohol consumption remain controversial, particularly in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Long-term randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) are lacking.

Objective: To assess cardiometabolic effects of initiating moderate alcohol intake in persons with T2DM and whether the type of wine matters.

Differential Effect of Initiating Moderate Red Wine Consumption on 24-h Blood Pressure by Alcohol Dehydrogenase Genotypes: Randomized Trial in Type 2 Diabetes.

Aims: Observational studies report inconsistent associations between moderate alcohol intake and blood pressure (BP). In a sub-study of a larger randomized controlled trial, we assessed the effect of initiating moderate red wine consumption on 24-h BP recordings and the effect of a common genetic variant of alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Fifty-four type 2 diabetes, alcohol abstainers were randomized to consume 150 ml/dinner dry red wine or mineral water.

Diets and morbid tissues--history counts, present counts.

Body fat distribution, especially visceral fat accumulation, may contribute more than total fat mass per se to the development of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Early prevention highly improves health outcomes later in life, especially when considering such cumulative conditions as atherosclerosis. However, as these processes emerge to be partly reversible, dietary and lifestyle interventions at any age and health condition are greatly beneficial.

Higher visceral adiposity is associated with an enhanced early thermogenic response to carbohydrate-rich food.

Background: Studies examining the dynamics of the thermic effect of feeding (TEF) of specific food items and the relationship of TEF to visceral adiposity are limited.

Methods: We measured resting energy expenditure (REE) and early-TEF (40-min postprandial, e-TEF) after 8-h fast by indirect calorimetry in 40 obese men, and imaged abdominal fat tissues by magnetic resonance imaging. Each participant was examined on two occasions, 3-weeks apart.

Metabolic changes in immigrants from Africa to a Western country: time-lag effects of 20 years since immigration.

Background: An increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus occurs in immigrants from developing regions to Western countries. However, the dynamics of these transitions in relation to the duration of residence in the new environment are not clearly defined.

Methods: Data concerning cardiovascular risk factors were retrospectively extracted from medical charts of 736 Ethiopian immigrants and 575 randomly-chosen, age and sex matched non-Ethiopian subjects ("reference group").

Attenuated predictive power of a normal myocardial perfusion scan in young smokers.

Background: The negative predictive value of a normal myocardial perfusion image (MPI) for myocardial infarction or cardiac death is very high. However, it is unclear whether a normal MPI, reflecting non-compromised blood flow in the stable state, would have the same prognostic implications in smokers as in patients who do not smoke.

Methods: The incidence of total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and myocardial infarction was evaluated in 11,812 subjects (14.

Nutritional recommendations for cardiovascular disease prevention.

Lifestyle factors, including nutrition, play an important role in the etiology of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). This position paper, written by collaboration between the Israel Heart Association and the Israel Dietetic Association, summarizes the current, preferably latest, literature on the association of nutrition and CVD with emphasis on the level of evidence and practical recommendations. The nutritional information is divided into three main sections: dietary patterns, individual food items, and nutritional supplements.

Renal function following three distinct weight loss dietary strategies during 2 years of a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: This study addressed the long-term effect of various diets, particularly low-carbohydrate high-protein, on renal function on participants with or without type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: In the 2-year Dietary Intervention Randomized Controlled Trial (DIRECT), 318 participants (age, 51 years; 86% men; BMI, 31 kg/m(2); mean estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], 70.5 mL/min/1.

[Participation in cardiac rehabilitation after coronary bypass surgery: good news, bad news].

Cardiac rehabilitation programs have the potential to decrease morbidity and mortality and increase quality of life after acute coronary events and coronary bypass surgery (CABG). Unfortunately, the proportion of eligible patients that participate in cardiac rehabilitation remains low, despite coverage of such programs by the Israeli National Health Insurance. A low participation rate is especially prominent in women, elderly, minorities and low socioeconomic classes.

Briefly trained medical students can effectively identify rheumatic mitral valve injury using a hand-carried ultrasound.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is common and remains a major cause of morbidity, particularly in developing countries. Its diagnosis relies on expertise-dependent echocardiographic studies. We evaluated the accuracy of briefly trained examiners in identifying RHD utilizing a hand-carried cardiac ultrasound (HCU) device.

[Prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases].

Atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality world-wide and specifically in Israel. These guidelines update the previous guidelines of the Israeli Society for Research, Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis, published in 2005. The need for an update is based on new scientific data published in recent years necessitating changes in the recommendations for preventing and treating atherosclerosis.

Effect of beta blocker therapy on survival of patients with heart failure and preserved systolic function following hospitalization with acute decompensated heart failure.

Background: The importance of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is being increasingly recognized. However, there is a paucity of data about effective treatment for this condition. The present study investigated the impact of beta blocker therapy for 3 months before admission on the two-year survival of patients with heart failure and preserved systolic function hospitalized due to decompensated heart failure.

Abdominal superficial subcutaneous fat: a putative distinct protective fat subdepot in type 2 diabetes.

Objective: Unlike visceral adipose tissue (VAT), the association between subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and obesity-related morbidity is controversial. In patients with type 2 diabetes, we assessed whether this variability can be explained by a putative favorable, distinct association between abdominal superficial SAT (SSAT) (absolute amount or its proportion) and cardiometabolic parameters.

Research Design And Methods: We performed abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 73 patients with diabetes (mean age 58 years, 83% were men) and cross-sectionally analyzed fat distribution at S1-L5, L5-L4, and L3-L2 levels.