Sexual minority populations and disparities in cardiovascular healthcare.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading global cause of death and significant cardiovascular health disparities have been documented. There is growing evidence that sexual minority (SM; e.g.

Epidemiological and Economic Factors in Facelift Surgery in the USA: A Retrospective Multi-center Analysis.

Background: The demand for surgical facial rejuvenation procedures, such as facelifts, has risen in recent decades. However, limited research has addressed the epidemiological and economic aspects of these procedures. This study examines trends in facelift surgeries using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.

Aspirin in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome Receiving Oral Anticoagulation.

Background: The appropriate antithrombotic regimen for patients with chronic coronary syndrome who are at high atherothrombotic risk and receiving long-term oral anticoagulation remains unknown.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in France involving patients with chronic coronary syndrome who had undergone a previous stent implantation (>6 months before enrollment) and were at high atherothrombotic risk and currently receiving long-term oral anticoagulation. The patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive aspirin (100 mg once daily) or placebo; all the patients continued to receive their current oral anticoagulation therapy.

Prevalence, Determinants, and Time Trends of Cardiovascular Health in the WHO African Region.

Importance: The distribution and determinants of cardiovascular health (CVH) in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region have been limited to single-country studies.

Objective: To estimate the distribution and determinants of CVH score in the WHO African Region, which comprises Algeria and countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The secondary objective was to estimate time trends in CVH over 20 years.

Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy with Immediate Breast Reconstruction: The Laterothoracic Approach without Robotic Assistance.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) has gained significant popularity in breast cancer surgery because of its superior aesthetic and psychological benefits compared with traditional mastectomy procedures. To enhance cosmetic outcomes, robot-assisted surgery has introduced laterothoracic incisions, which offer improved precision, flexibility, and the ability to conceal scars. Despite these advantages, widespread adoption of robot-assisted NSM has been limited.

Defining early vascular aging in youth: an expert consensus document from the youth vascular consortium.

The concept of early vascular aging (EVA) was introduced to identify adults at risk of developing premature cardiovascular disease. EVA, or the dissociation between chronologic and biologic age of large arteries, is an evolving concept. In this review, we propose that EVA in youth characterizes the early life biological and environmental risk factors that precede overt EVA.

Association of human immunodeficiency virus with acute myocardial infarction and presumed sudden cardiac death.

Background: While extensive evidence linking human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to acute myocardial infarction (AMI), several studies have also suggested an association between HIV and presumed sudden cardiac death (PSCD). Our objective was to evaluate the association between HIV and PSCD compared to AMI. Understanding whether HIV confers differential risks for distinct cardiovascular outcomes is essential to guide prevention strategies and risk stratification in this population.

Complement in antiphospholipid syndrome, time to target?

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired autoimmune thrombophilia. Complement system, which shares common actors with the coagulation cascade, is nowadays well established to be implicated in APS pathophysiology by different mechanisms. In APS, complement activation assessment is not included in the routine care despite numerous studies showing the presence of activation fragments (C4d, C3d, and C5b9) at a systemic level in sera and blood cells' surface but also in affected arterial walls, kidneys, placentas, or heart valves.

Optimizing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation delivery for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a Monte Carlo simulation study.

Background: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) can improve outcomes in refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), but access is limited by geographic and system constraints. We aimed to compare the potential impact of different ECPR delivery strategies in an urban setting using simulation modeling.

Methods: We performed a Monte Carlo simulation using historical OHCA data (2015-2019) from Montreal's sole EMS.

Radial versus femoral access in ST-elevation myocardial infarction complicated by out of hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: Out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is the most concerning complication of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and is associated with a poor prognosis. Immediate coronary angiography (CAG) and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are recommended to restore myocardial perfusion. However, there is limited data on the preferred vascular access for these patients, who are at higher risk of both hemorrhagic and thrombotic events.

Understanding Aortic Stenosis and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Women.

The impact of sex on the baseline characteristics, morphology, and clinical presentation of degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) is well-documented but remains poorly understood. Unlike valve surgery, for which patients have been predominantly male, percutaneous treatment of AS has shown balanced representation of both sexes, with women demonstrating greater benefit from transfemoral aortic valve replacement compared to surgical treatment. This review explores sex-specific differences in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, treatment approaches, and clinical outcomes of degenerative AS.

Sickle Cell Diastolic Cardiomyopathy and Mortality Risk: A Novel Echocardiographic Framework for Prognostic Stratification.

Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of mortality in sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients. While extensive data have identified diastolic dysfunction (DD) to increase morbidity and mortality, the unique hemodynamic conditions inherent to SCA challenge the current recommendations to assess diastolic function. Thus, there is an urgent need to refine the echocardiographic definition of DD to improve risk stratification and therapeutic strategies in SCA patients.

Pathology-oriented multiplexing enables integrative disease mapping.

The expression and location of proteins in tissues represent key determinants of health and disease. Although recent advances in multiplexed imaging have expanded the number of spatially accessible proteins, the integration of biological layers (that is, cell structure, subcellular domains and signalling activity) remains challenging. This is due to limitations in the compositions of antibody panels and image resolution, which together restrict the scope of image analysis.

What are the functional outcomes of total laryngeal transplantation? A systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies.

Purpose: This systematic review aims to evaluate the functional outcomes of total laryngeal transplantation by synthesizing findings from both preclinical and clinical studies. It focuses on assessing postoperative functional recovery, including swallowing, airway patency, phonation, and speech, while also considering the associated morbidities and immunosuppressive strategies.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted for functional outcomes of total laryngeal transplantation through PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Deep neck surgery in deep plane facelifts - learning from evidence and experience.

Deep plane facelifts have gained popularity for their natural and long-lasting results, prompting increased focus on advanced neck rejuvenation techniques. Both clinical experience and literature support refined strategies to address platysmal laxity, glandular prominence, and fat distribution. Midline corset platysmaplasty and lateral platysma repositioning improve structural support and jawline definition.

Expert Perspectives on Incorporating GLP-1 RA in Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease - Challenges and Opportunities.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex and progressive condition ultimately leading to premature death. Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease worldwide. Up till 2024, international clinical guidelines have established three therapeutic pillars to delay CKD progression in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D): renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, and the non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone.

Regulatory T Cells Boost Efficacy of Post-Infarction Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiovascular Progenitor Cell Transplants.

Cell therapy is promising for heart failure treatment, with growing interest in cardiovascular progenitor cells (CPCs) from pluripotent stem cells. A major challenge is managing the immune response, due to their allogeneic source. Regulatory T cells (Treg) offer an alternative to pharmacological immunosuppression by inducing immune tolerance.

Defibrillation Testing During Implantation of Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators.

Background: Defibrillation testing (DT) remains recommended during subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) implantation due to limited supporting evidence.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term impact of DT during S-ICD implantation.

Methods: The HONEST (coHOrte fraNcaise des dEfibrillateurs Sous cuTanés) study is a nationwide, ongoing observational study, including all S-ICD recipients in France (2012-2019).

Association of epinephrine and outcome in cardiac arrest with refractory shockable rhythm: a population-based, propensity-score matched analysis.

Background: Epinephrine use in cardiac arrest is increasingly controversial, with contrasting results according to initial rhythm. We assessed the association between epinephrine use and favorable neurological outcome among patients with out of hospital cardiac arrest with refractory shockable arrest.

Methods: In this multicentric population-based prospective registry, we included all patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, with persistent ventricular fibrillation after at least 3 defibrillations from 15/05/2011 to 31/12/2021 in Paris and its suburbs.

Impact of Tafamidis on survival in elderly patients: Insights from the Healthcare European Amyloidosis Registry.

Background: Cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) is a life-threatening cardiomyopathy. Tafamidis has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment. Our aim was to analyze clinical characteristics and survival of patients with ATTR-CM aged ≥80 years diagnosed after November 2018, treated with tafamidis 80/61 mg, and compare them with a non-treated group diagnosed before that date.

How to facilitate seamless translation from basic concepts to new heart failure drugs. A scientific statement of the Heart Failure Association of the ESC.

A rift has opened and is widening between basic research (bench) and clinical research and patients (bed) who need their new treatments, diagnostics and preventive strategies. This problem involving the 'translation' of basic scientific findings into clinical applications and potential treatments or biomarkers for a condition like heart failure is widely recognized both in academia and industry. Despite the attempts that have been made by both sides to improve this situation, the high attrition rates of drug development and the problem with reproducibility and translatability of preclinical findings to human applications still persist.

Invasive group A streptococcus infections in the intensive care unit: an unsupervised cluster analysis of a multicentric retrospective cohort.

Background: Invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) infection incidence is rising. These infections have been studied as a whole but can be associated with critical illness in a population with a wide array of underlying conditions, sites of infection and clinical presentations. Using an unsupervised clustering approach, we aimed to identify specific clinical phenotypes regarding presentation, management and outcome.

Management of bleeding and invasive procedures in patients treated with anti-factor XI(a) anticoagulants: proposals from the French Working Group on Perioperative Haemostasis and French Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

Background: Several anti-FXI(a) agents with distinct mechanisms of action and pharmacological properties are currently under clinical development. While these anticoagulants are not yet available, there is a need to address bleeding risk management for patients already enrolled in phase III trials. These patients may face elective or unplanned invasive procedures and bleeding events in anticipation of marketing authorization.