Heart failure after myocardial infarction: incidence and predictors

Multiple delivery strategies of nanocarriers for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: current strategies and future prospective

Acute myocardial infarction, characterized by high morbidity and mortality, has now become a serious health hazard for human beings. Conventional surgical interventions to restore blood flow can rapidly relieve acute myocardial ischemia, but the ensuing myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) and subsequent heart failure have become medical challenges that researchers have been trying to overcome. The pathogenesis of MI/RI involves several mechanisms, including overproduction of reactive oxygen species, abnormal mitochondrial function, calcium overload, and other factors that induce cell death and inflammatory responses. These mechanisms have led to the exploration of antioxidant and inflammation-modulating therapies, as well as the development of myocardial protective factors and stem cell therapies. However, the short half-life, low bioavailability, and lack of targeting of these drugs that modulate these pathological mechanisms, combined with liver and spleen sequestration and continuous washout of blood flow from myocardial sites, severely compromise the expected efficacy of clinical drugs. To address these issues, employing conventional nanocarriers and integrating them with contemporary biomimetic nanocarriers, which rely on passive targeting and active targeting through precise modifications, can effectively prolong the duration of therapeutic agents within the body, enhance their bioavailability, and augment their retention at the injured myocardium. Consequently, these approaches significantly enhance therapeutic effectiveness while minimizing toxic side effects. This article reviews current drug delivery systems used for MI/RI, aiming to offer a fresh perspective on treating this disease.

A coronary CT angiography-derived myocardial radiomics model for predicting adverse outcomes in chronic myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The prognostic efficacy of a coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-derived myocardial radiomics model in patients with chronic myocardial infarction (MI) is unclear.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, a cohort of 236 patients with chronic MI who underwent both CCTA and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) examinations within 30 days were enrolled and randomly divided into training and testing datasets at a ratio of 7:3. The clinical endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as all-cause death, myocardial reinfarction and heart failure hospitalization. The entire three-dimensional left ventricular myocardium on CCTA images was segmented as the volume of interest for the extraction of radiomics features. Five models, namely the clinical model, CMR model, clinical+CMR model, CCTA-radiomics model, and clinical+CCTA-radiomics model, were constructed using multivariate Cox regression. The prognostic performances of these models were evaluated through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and the index of concordance (C-index).

RESULTS

Fifty-one (20.16%) patients experienced MACE during a median follow-up of 1439.5 days. The predictive performance of the CCTA-radiomics model surpassed that of the clinical model, CMR model, and clinical+CMR model in both the training (area under the curve (AUC) of 0.904 vs. 0.691, 0.764, 0.785; C-index of 0.88 vs. 0.71, 0.75, 0.76, all p values <0.001) and testing (AUC of 0.893 vs. 0.704, 0.851, 0.888; C-index of 0.86 vs. 0.73, 0.85, 0.85, all p values <0.05) datasets.

CONCLUSIONS

The CCTA-based myocardial radiomics model is a valuable tool for predicting adverse outcomes in chronic MI, providing incremental value to conventional clinical and CMR parameters.

Regulation of optimized new Shengmai powder on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis in ischemic heart failure rats: The mediating role of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/tumor protein 53 signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Optimized New Shengmai Powder (ONSMP) is a sophisticated traditional Chinese medicinal formula renowned for bolstering vital energy, optimizing blood circulation, and mitigating fluid retention. After years of clinical application, ONSMP has shown a significant impact in improving myocardial injury and cardiac function and has a positive effect on treating heart failure. However, many unknowns exist about the molecular biological mechanisms of how ONSMP exerts its therapeutic effects, which require further research and exploration.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Exploring the potential molecular biological mechanisms by which ONSMP ameliorates cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis in ischemic heart failure (IHF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, we constructed a rat model of IHF by inducing acute myocardial infarction through surgery and using echocardiography, organ coefficients, markers of heart failure, antioxidant markers, and histopathological examination to assess the effects of ONSMP on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis in IHF rats. Next, we used bioinformatics analysis techniques to analyze the active components, signaling pathways, and core targets of ONSMP and calculated the interactions between core targets and corresponding elements. Finally, we detected the positive expression of apoptosis and ferroptosis markers and core indicators of signaling pathways by immunohistochemistry; detected the mean fluorescence intensity of core indicators of signaling pathways by immunofluorescence; detected the protein expression of signaling pathways and downstream effector molecules by western blotting; and detected the mRNA levels of p53 and downstream effector molecules by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

ONSMP can activate the Ser83 site of ASK by promoting the phosphorylation of the PI3K/AKT axis, thereby inhibiting the MKK3/6-p38 axis and the MKK4/7-JNK axis signaling to reduce p53 expression, and can also directly target and inhibit the activity of p53, ultimately inhibiting p53-mediated mRNA and protein increases in PUMA, SAT1, PIG3, and TFR1, as well as mRNA and protein decreases in SLC7A11, thereby inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis, effectively improving cardiac function and ventricular remodeling in IHF rat models.

CONCLUSION

ONSMP can inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis through the PI3K/AKT/p53 signaling pathway, delaying the development of IHF.

Role of deubiquitinase USP47 in cardiac function alleviation and anti-inflammatory immunity after myocardial infarction by regulating NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptotic signal pathways

Myocardial infarction (MI) is an event of heart attack due to the formation of plaques in the interior walls of the arteries. This study is conducted to explore the role of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 47 (USP47) in cardiac function and inflammatory immunity. MI mouse models were established, followed by an appraisal of cardiac functions, infarct size, pathological changes, and USP47 and NLRP3 levels. MI cell models were established in HL-1 cells using anoxia. Levels of cardiac function-associated proteins, USP7, interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), platelet factor-4 (CXCL4), pyroptotic factors, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were determined. The bindings of IRF1 to USP47 and the CXCL4 promoter and the ubiquitination of IRF1 were analyzed. USP47 was upregulated in myocardial tissues of MI mice. USP47 inhibition alleviated cardiac functions, and decreased infarct size, pro-inflammatory cytokines, NETs, NLRP3, and pyroptosis. The ubiquitination and expression levels of IRF1 were increased by silencing USP47, and IRF1 bound to the CXCL4 promoter to promote CXCL4. Overexpression of IRF1 or CXCL4 in vitro and injection of Nigericin in vivo reversed the effect of silencing USP47 on alleviating pyroptosis and cardiac functions. Collectively, USP47 stabilized IRF1 and promoted CXCL4, further promoting pyroptosis, impairing cardiac functions, and aggravating immune inflammation through NLRP3 pathways.

Intracoronary thrombolysis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite restoration of epicardial blood flow in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), inadequate microcirculatory perfusion is common and portends a poor prognosis. Intracoronary (IC) thrombolytic therapy can reduce microvascular thrombotic burden; however, contemporary studies have produced conflicting outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjunctive IC thrombolytic therapy at the time of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among patients with STEMI.

METHODS

Comprehensive literature search of six electronic databases identified relevant randomised controlled trials. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The pooled risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95% CI were calculated.

RESULTS

12 studies with 1915 patients were included. IC thrombolysis was associated with a significantly lower incidence of MACE (RR=0.65, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.82, I2=0%, p<0.0004) and improved left ventricular ejection fraction (WMD=1.87; 95% CI 1.07 to 2.67; I2=25%; p<0.0001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in MACE for trials using non-fibrin (RR=0.39, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.78, I2=0%, p=0.007) and moderately fibrin-specific thrombolytic agents (RR=0.62, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.83, I2=0%, p=0.001). No significant reduction was observed in studies using highly fibrin-specific thrombolytic agents (RR=1.10, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.96, I2=0%, p=0.75). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in mortality (RR=0.91; 95% CI 0.48 to 1.71; I2=0%; p=0.77) or bleeding events (major bleeding, RR=1.24; 95% CI 0.47 to 3.28; I2=0%; p=0.67; minor bleeding, RR=1.47; 95% CI 0.90 to 2.40; I2=0%; p=0.12).

CONCLUSION

Adjunctive IC thrombolysis at the time of primary PCI in patients with STEMI improves clinical and myocardial perfusion parameters without an increased rate of bleeding. Further research is needed to optimise the selection of thrombolytic agents and treatment protocols.

Where Are We With Treatment and Prevention of Heart Failure in Patients Post-Myocardial Infarction?

As a result of the widespread use of reperfusion therapies and secondary prevention over the last 30 years, there has been a dramatic reduction in the risk of mortality and development of heart failure (HF) following acute myocardial infarction (MI). Despite this, the development of chronic HF remains a common occurrence in the days, months, and years following MI. Neurohormonal inhibition remains the mainstay of pharmacologic prevention of HF following MI, with recent trials showing an additive benefit of a neprilysin inhibitor or a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor in reducing the risk of development of HF but no significant effect on mortality. Novel imaging tools may help refine risk stratification in high-risk patients and allow greater targeting of preventative therapies in patients most likely to benefit. Research is ongoing into novel therapies aiming to minimize the degree of myocardial damage and prevention of progressive adverse remodeling following MI.

Microvascular Obstruction and Intramyocardial Hemorrhage in Reperfused Myocardial Infarctions: Pathophysiology and Clinical Insights From Imaging

Microvascular injury immediately following reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction (MI) has emerged as a driving force behind major adverse cardiovascular events in the postinfarction period. Although postmortem investigations and animal models have aided in developing early understanding of microvascular injury following reperfusion, imaging, particularly serial noninvasive imaging, has played a central role in cultivating critical knowledge of progressive damage to the myocardium from the onset of microvascular injury to months and years after in acute MI patients. This review summarizes the pathophysiological features of microvascular injury and downstream consequences, and the contributions noninvasive imaging has imparted in the development of this understanding. It also highlights the interventional trials that aim to mitigate the adverse consequences of microvascular injury based on imaging, identifies potential future directions of investigations to enable improved detection of disease, and demonstrates how imaging stands to play a major role in the development of novel therapies for improved management of acute MI patients.

Meteorin‑like/meteorin‑β protects against cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction in mice by inhibiting autophagy

Meteorin-β (Metrnβ) is a protein that is secreted by skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, and participates in cardiovascular diseases. However, its role in myocardial infarction (MI) has not been fully elucidated to date. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of Metrnβ in MI. In the present study, mice were subjected to left coronary ligation to induce a MI model before being injected with adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-Metrnβ to overexpress Metrnβ. Mice were subjected to echocardiography and pressure-volume measurements 2 weeks after ligation. Cardiac injury was measured from the levels of cardiac troponin T and pro-inflammatory factors, which were detected using ELISA kits. Cardiac remodelling was determined from the cross-sectional areas detected using H&E and wheat germ agglutinin staining as well as from the transcriptional levels of hypertrophic and fibrosis markers detected using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Cardiac function was detected using echocardiography and pressure-volume measurements. In addition, H9c2 cardiomyocytes were transfected with Ad-Metrnβ to overexpress Metrnβ, before being exposed to hypoxia to induce ischaemic injury. Apoptosis was determined using TUNEL staining and caspase 3 activity. Cell inflammation was detected using ELISA assays for pro-inflammatory factors. Autophagy was detected using LC3 staining and assessing the protein level of LC3II using western blotting. H9c2 cells were also treated with rapamycin to induce autophagy. It was revealed that Metrnβ expression was reduced in both mouse serum and heart tissue 2 weeks post-MI. Metrnβ overexpression using AAV9-Metrnβ delivery reduced the mortality rate, decreased the infarction size and reduced the extent of myocardial injury 2 weeks post-MI. Furthermore, Metrnβ overexpression inhibited cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and inflammation post-MI. In ischaemic H9c2 cells, Metrnβ overexpression using adenovirus also reduced cell injury, cell death and inflammatory response. Metrnβ overexpression suppressed MI-induced autophagy in vitro. Following autophagy activation using rapamycin in vitro, the protective effects induced by Metrnβ were reversed. Taken together, these results indicated that Metrnβ could protect against cardiac dysfunction post-MI in mice by inhibiting autophagy.

CCR2+ monocytes promote white matter injury and cognitive dysfunction after myocardial infarction

Survivors of myocardial infarction are at increased risk for vascular dementia. Neuroinflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia, yet little is known about the cellular and molecular mediators of neuroinflammation after myocardial infarction. Using a mouse model of myocardial infarction coupled with flow cytometric analyses and immunohistochemistry, we discovered increased monocyte abundance in the brain after myocardial infarction, which was associated with increases in brain-resident perivascular macrophages and microglia. Myeloid cell recruitment and activation was also observed in post-mortem brains of humans that died after myocardial infarction. Spatial and single cell transcriptomic profiling of brain-resident myeloid cells after experimental myocardial infarction revealed increased expression of monocyte chemoattractant proteins. In parallel, myocardial infarction increased crosstalk between brain-resident myeloid cells and oligodendrocytes, leading to neuroinflammation, white matter injury, and cognitive dysfunction. Inhibition of monocyte recruitment preserved white matter integrity and cognitive function, linking monocytes to neurodegeneration after myocardial infarction. Together, these preclinical and clinical results demonstrate that monocyte infiltration into the brain after myocardial infarction initiate neuropathological events that lead to vascular dementia.

The Influence of Metabolic Risk Factors on the Inflammatory Response Triggered by Myocardial Infarction: Bridging Pathophysiology to Treatment

Myocardial infarction (MI) sets off a complex inflammatory cascade that is crucial for effective cardiac healing and scar formation. Yet, if this response becomes excessive or uncontrolled, it can lead to cardiovascular complications. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the tightly regulated local inflammatory response triggered in the early post-MI phase involving cardiomyocytes, (myo)fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and infiltrating immune cells. Next, we explore how the bone marrow and extramedullary hematopoiesis (such as in the spleen) contribute to sustaining immune cell supply at a cardiac level. Lastly, we discuss recent findings on how metabolic cardiovascular risk factors, including hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes, and hypertension, disrupt this immunological response and explore the potential modulatory effects of lifestyle habits and pharmacological interventions. Understanding how different metabolic risk factors influence the inflammatory response triggered by MI and unraveling the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms may pave the way for developing personalized therapeutic approaches based on the patient's metabolic profile. Similarly, delving deeper into the impact of lifestyle modifications on the inflammatory response post-MI is crucial. These insights may enable the adoption of more effective strategies to manage post-MI inflammation and improve cardiovascular health outcomes in a holistic manner.

Exploring the role non-coding RNAs during myocardial cell fate

Myocardial cell fate specification takes place during the early stages of heart development as the precardiac mesoderm is configured into two symmetrical sets of bilateral precursor cells. Molecular cues of the surrounding tissues specify and subsequently determine the early cardiomyocytes, that finally matured as the heart is completed at early postnatal stages. Over the last decade, we have greatly enhanced our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of cardiac development and thus of myocardial cell fate. The recent discovery of a novel layer of gene regulation by non-coding RNAs has flourished their implication in epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of cardiac development. In this review, we revised the current state-of-the-art knowledge on the functional role of non-coding RNAs during myocardial cell fate.

Design and Rationale of the CLEAR SYNERGY (OASIS 9) Trial: A 2x2 Factorial Randomized Controlled Trial of Colchicine versus placebo and Spironolactone versus placebo in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Patients experiencing myocardial infarction (MI) remain at high risk of future major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). While low-dose colchicine and spironolactone have been shown to decrease post-MI MACE, more data are required to confirm their safety and efficacy in an unselected post-MI population. Therefore, we initiated the CLEAR SYNERGY (OASIS 9) trial to address these uncertainties.

METHODS

The CLEAR SYNERGY trial is a 2 × 2 factorial randomized controlled trial of low-dose colchicine 0.5 mg daily versus placebo and spironolactone 25 mg daily versus placebo in 7,062 post-MI participants who were within 72 hours of the index percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We blinded participants, healthcare providers, research personnel, and outcome adjudicators to treatment allocation. The primary outcome for colchicine is the first occurrence of the composite of cardiovascular death, recurrent MI, stroke, or unplanned ischemia-driven revascularization. The co-primary outcomes for spironolactone are (1) the composite of the total numbers of cardiovascular death or new or worsening heart failure and (2) the first occurrence of the composite of cardiovascular death, new or worsening heart failure, recurrent MI or stroke. We finished recruitment with 7,062 participants from 104 centers in 14 countries on November 8, 2022, and plan to present the results in the fall of 2024.

CONCLUSIONS

CLEAR SYNERGY is a large international randomized controlled trial that will inform the effects of low-dose colchicine and spironolactone in largely unselected post-MI patients who undergo PCI. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03048825).

Acute myocardial infarction prognosis prediction with reliable and interpretable artificial intelligence system

OBJECTIVE

Predicting mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is crucial for timely prescription and treatment of AMI patients, but there are no appropriate AI systems for clinicians. Our primary goal is to develop a reliable and interpretable AI system and provide some valuable insights regarding short, and long-term mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We propose the RIAS framework, an end-to-end framework that is designed with reliability and interpretability at its core and automatically optimizes the given model. Using RIAS, clinicians get accurate and reliable predictions which can be used as likelihood, with global and local explanations, and "what if" scenarios to achieve desired outcomes as well.

RESULTS

We apply RIAS to AMI prognosis prediction data which comes from the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry. We compared FT-Transformer with XGBoost and MLP and found that FT-Transformer has superiority in sensitivity and comparable performance in AUROC and F1 score to XGBoost. Furthermore, RIAS reveals the significance of statin-based medications, beta-blockers, and age on mortality regardless of time period. Lastly, we showcase reliable and interpretable results of RIAS with local explanations and counterfactual examples for several realistic scenarios.

DISCUSSION

RIAS addresses the "black-box" issue in AI by providing both global and local explanations based on SHAP values and reliable predictions, interpretable as actual likelihoods. The system's "what if" counterfactual explanations enable clinicians to simulate patient-specific scenarios under various conditions, enhancing its practical utility.

CONCLUSION

The proposed framework provides reliable and interpretable predictions along with counterfactual examples.

Exploring the role of pericardial miRNAs and exosomes in modulating cardiac fibrosis

The potential of the pericardial space as a therapeutic delivery tool for cardiac fibrosis and heart failure (HF) treatment has yet to be elucidated. Recently, miRNAs and exosomes have been discovered to be present in human pericardial fluid (PF). Novel studies have shown characteristic human PF miRNA compositions associated with cardiac diseases and higher miRNA expressions in PF compared to peripheral blood. Five key studies found differentially expressed miRNAs in HF, angina pectoris, aortic stenosis, ventricular tachycardia, and congenital heart diseases with either atrial fibrillation or sinus rhythm. As miRNA-based therapeutics for cardiac fibrosis and HF showed promising results in several in vivo studies for multiple miRNAs, we hypothesize a potential role of miRNA-based therapeutics delivered through the pericardial cavity. This is underlined by the favorable results of the first phase 1b clinical trial in this emerging field. Presenting the first human miRNA antisense drug trial, inhibition of miR-132 by intravenous administration of a novel antisense oligonucleotide, CDR132L, established efficacy in reducing miR-132 in plasma samples in a dose-dependent manner. We screened the literature, provided an overview of the miRNAs and exosomes present in PF, and drew a connection to those miRNAs previously elucidated in cardiac fibrosis and HF. Further, we speculate about clinical implications and potential delivery methods.

Association between triglyceride glucose-body mass index and all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with acute myocardial infarction: retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-IV database

Background

Insulin resistance (IR) is closely related to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Triglyceride-glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) has been proven to be a reliable surrogate of IR, but the relationship between TyG-BMI and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is unknown. The present study aims to determine the effects of TyG-BMI on the clinical prognosis of critically ill patients with AMI.

Methods

The data of AMI patients were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. All patients were divided into four groups according to the TyG-BMI quartile. Outcomes were defined as 30-, 90-, 180-, and 365-day all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curve was used to compare survival rate between groups. Meanwhile, Cox regression analysis and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to explore the relationship between TyG-BMI index and outcome events.

Results

A total of 1,188 critically ill patients with AMI were included in this study. They were divided into four groups according to TyG-BMI quartiles, there were significant differences in 90-, 180-, and 365-day all-cause mortality while there was no difference in 30-day all-cause mortality. Interestingly, with the increase of TyG-BMI, the 90-, 180-, and 365-day survival rate increased first and then gradually decreased, but the survival rate after decreasing was still higher than that in the group with the lowest TyG-BMI. U-shaped relationships between TyG-BMI index and 90-, 180-, and 365-day all-cause mortality were identified using RCS curve and the inflection point was 311.1, 316.5, and 320.1, respectively, whereas the TyG-BMI index was not non-linearly associated with 30-day all-cause mortality. The results of Cox proportional hazard regression analysis are consistent with those of RCS analysis.

Conclusion

U-shaped relationships are existed between the TyG-BMI index and 90-, 180-, and 365-day all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with AMI, but not 30-day all-cause mortality. The TyG-BMI index can be used as an effective index for early prevention of critically ill patients with AMI.

Establishment and validation of nomogram model for predicting major adverse cardiac events in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction based on glycosylated hemoglobin A1c to apolipoprotein A1 ratio: An observational study

The objective of the current study is to assess the usefulness of HbA1cAp ratio in predicting in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) among acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients that have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Further, the study aims to construct a ratio nomogram for prediction with this ratio. The training cohort comprised of 511 STEMI patients who underwent emergency PCI at the Huaibei Miners' General Hospital between January 2019 and May 2023. Simultaneously, 384 patients treated with the same strategy in First People's Hospital of Hefei formed the validation cohort during the study period. LASSO regression was used to screen predictors of nonzero coefficients, multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the independent factors of in-hospital MACE in STEMI patients after PCI, and nomogram models and validation were established. The LASSO regression analysis demonstrated that systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, D-dimer, urea, and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)/apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) were significant predictors with nonzero coefficients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was further conducted to identify systolic blood pressure, D-dimer, urea, and HbA1c/ApoA1 as independent factors associated with in-hospital MACE after PCI in STEMI patients. Based on these findings, a nomogram model was developed and validated, with the C-index in the training set at 0.77 (95% CI: 0.723-0.817), and the C-index in the validation set at 0.788 (95% CI: 0.734-0.841), indicating excellent discrimination accuracy. The calibration curves and clinical decision curves also demonstrated the good performance of the nomogram models. In patients with STEMI who underwent PCI, it was noted that a higher HbA1c of the ApoA1 ratio is significantly associated with in-hospital MACE. In addition, a nomogram is constructed having considered the above-mentioned risk factors to provide predictive information on in-hospital MACE occurrence in these patients. In particular, this tool is of great value to the clinical practitioners in determination of patients with a high risk.

Butyrate attenuates sympathetic activation in rats with chronic heart failure by inhibiting microglial inflammation in the paraventricular nucleus

Sympathetic activation is a hallmark of heart failure and the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Butyrate is generated by gut microbiota and influences numerous physiological and pathological processes in the host. The present study aims to investigate whether the intestinal metabolite butyrate reduces sympathetic activation in rats with heart failure (HF) and the underlying mechanisms involved. Sprague-Dawley rats (220‒250 g) are anaesthetized with isoflurane, and the left anterior descending artery is ligated to model HF. Then, the rats are treated with or without butyrate sodium (NaB, a donor of butyrate, 10 g/L in water) for 8 weeks. Blood pressure and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) are recorded to assess sympathetic outflow. Cardiac function is improved (mean ejection fraction, 22.6%±4.8% vs 38.3%±5.3%; P<0.05), and sympathetic activation is decreased (RSNA, 36.3%±7.9% vs 23.9%±7.6%; P<0.05) in HF rats treated with NaB compared with untreated HF rats. The plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of norepinephrine are decreased in HF rats treated with NaB. The infusion of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus of HF model rats increases sympathetic nervous activity by upregulating the NMDA receptor. Microglia polarized to the M2 phenotype and inflammation are markedly attenuated in the PVN of HF model rats after NaB administration. In addition, HF model rats treated with NaB exhibit enhanced intestinal barrier function and increased levels of GPR109A, zona occludens-1 and occludin, but decreased levels of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and zonulin. In conclusion, butyrate attenuates sympathetic activation and improves cardiac function in rats with HF. The improvements in intestinal barrier function, reductions in microglia-mediated inflammation and decreases in NMDA receptor 1 expression in the PVN are all due to the protective effects of NaB.

Vago-splenic signal transduction of cardioprotection in humans

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The spleen serves as an important relay organ that releases cardioprotective factor(s) upon vagal activation during remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) in rats and pigs. The translation of these findings to humans was attempted.

METHODS

Remote ischaemic conditioning or electrical auricular tragus stimulation (ATS) were performed in 10 healthy young volunteers, 10 volunteers with splenectomy, and 20 matched controls. Venous blood samples were taken before and after RIC/ATS or placebo, and a plasma dialysate was infused into isolated perfused rat hearts subjected to global ischaemia/reperfusion.

RESULTS

Neither left nor right RIC or ATS altered heart rate and heart rate variability in the study cohorts. With the plasma dialysate prepared before RIC or ATS, respectively, infarct size (% ventricular mass) in the recipient rat heart was 36 ± 6% (left RIC), 34 ± 3% (right RIC) or 31 ± 5% (left ATS), 35 ± 5% (right ATS), and decreased with the plasma dialysate from healthy volunteers after RIC or ATS to 20 ± 4% (left RIC), 23 ± 6% (right RIC) or to 19 ± 4% (left ATS), 26 ± 9% (right ATS); infarct size was still reduced with plasma dialysate 4 days after ATS and 9 days after RIC. In a subgroup of six healthy volunteers, such infarct size reduction was abrogated by intravenous atropine. Infarct size reduction by RIC or ATS was also abrogated in 10 volunteers with splenectomy, but not in their 20 matched controls.

CONCLUSIONS

In humans, vagal innervation and the spleen as a relay organ are decisive for the cardioprotective signal transduction of RIC and ATS.

Multi-Modality Deep Infarct: Non-invasive identification of infarcted myocardium using composite in-silico-human data learning

Myocardial infarction (MI) continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide. The precise quantification of infarcted tissue is crucial to diagnosis, therapeutic management, and post-MI care. Late gadolinium enhancement-cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) is regarded as the gold standard for precise infarct tissue localization in MI patients. A fundamental limitation of LGE-CMR is the invasive intravenous introduction of gadolinium-based contrast agents that present potential high-risk toxicity, particularly for individuals with underlying chronic kidney diseases. Herein, we develop a completely non-invasive methodology that identifies the location and extent of an infarct region in the left ventricle via a machine learning (ML) model using only cardiac strains as inputs. In this transformative approach, we demonstrate the remarkable performance of a multi-fidelity ML model that combines rodent-based in-silico-generated training data (low-fidelity) with very limited patient-specific human data (high-fidelity) in predicting LGE ground truth. Our results offer a new paradigm for developing feasible prognostic tools by augmenting synthetic simulation-based data with very small amounts of in-vivo human data. More broadly, the proposed approach can significantly assist with addressing biomedical challenges in healthcare where human data are limited.

Multi-Modality Deep Infarct: Non-invasive identification of infarcted myocardium using composite in-silico-human data learning

Myocardial infarction (MI) continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide. The precise quantification of infarcted tissue is crucial to diagnosis, therapeutic management, and post-MI care. Late gadolinium enhancement-cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) is regarded as the gold standard for precise infarct tissue localization in MI patients. A fundamental limitation of LGE-CMR is the invasive intravenous introduction of gadolinium-based contrast agents that present potential high-risk toxicity, particularly for individuals with underlying chronic kidney diseases. Herein, we develop a completely non-invasive methodology that identifies the location and extent of an infarct region in the left ventricle via a machine learning (ML) model using only cardiac strains as inputs. In this transformative approach, we demonstrate the remarkable performance of a multi-fidelity ML model that combines rodent-based in-silico-generated training data (low-fidelity) with very limited patient-specific human data (high-fidelity) in predicting LGE ground truth. Our results offer a new paradigm for developing feasible prognostic tools by augmenting synthetic simulation-based data with very small amounts of in-vivo human data. More broadly, the proposed approach can significantly assist with addressing biomedical challenges in healthcare where human data are limited.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and pulmonary echography are predictors of acute heart failure needing early mechanical ventilation in acute coronary syndrome

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine the best clinical predictors of acute heart failure needing mechanical ventilation (MV) in the first 48 h of evolution of patients admitted because of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

We analyzed a cohort of patients admitted for ACS between February 2017 and February 2018. A pulmonary ultrasound was performed on admission and was considered positive (PE+) when there were three or more B-lines in two quadrants or more of each hemithorax. It was compared with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), peak troponin T-us value GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events), CRUSADE (Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable angina patients Suppress ADverse outcomes with Early implementation of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines - Bleeding Score), CACS (Canada Acute Coronary Syndrome risk score), and HAMIOT (Heart Failure after Acute Myocardial Infarction with Optimal Treatment score) scores, shock index, ejection fraction, chest X-ray, and Killip class at admission as predictors of MV in the first 48 h of admission.

RESULTS

A total of 119 patients were included: 54.6% with ST elevation and 45.4% without ST elevation. Twelve patients (10.1%) required MV in the first 48 h of evolution. The sensitivity of PE+ was 100% (73.5-100%), specificity 91.6% (84.6-96.1%), and area under the curve was 0.96 (0.93-0.96). The sensitivity of an NT-proBNP value more than 3647 was 88.9% (51.9-99.7%), specificity 92.1% (84.5-96.8%), and area under the curve was 0.905 (0.793-1). The κ statistic between both predictors was 0.579. All the other scores were significantly worse than PE + .

CONCLUSION

Lung ultrasound and a high NT-proBNP (3647 ng/L in our series) on admission are the best predictors of acute heart failure needing MV in the first 48 h of ACS. The agreement between both tests was only moderate.

Left ventricular shape index and eccentricity index with ECG-gated Nitrogen-13 ammonia PET/CT in patients with myocardial infarction, ischemia, and normal perfusion

BACKGROUND

LV geometry with shape index (SI) and eccentricity index (EI) measured by myocardial perfusion positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) may allow the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) adverse remodeling. This first study aims to explore the relationship of SI and EI values acquired by Nitrogen-13 ammonia PET/CT in patients with normal perfusion, ischemia, and myocardial infarction. And evaluate the correlations between the variables of LV geometry, and with the variables of LV function.

METHODS AND RESULTS

One hundred and forty patients who underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated PET/CT were selected and classified into 4 groups according to ischemia or infarction burden (normal perfusion, mild ischemia, moderate-severe ischemia, and infarction). The variables were automatically retrieved using dedicated software (QPS/QGS; Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA, USA). On multicomparison analysis (one-way ANOVA and Dunnett's Test), subjects in the infarction group had significant higher values of SI end-diastolic rest (P < 0.001), and stress (P = 0.003), SI end-systolic rest (P = 0.002) and stress (P < 0.001) as well as statistically significant lower values of EI rest (P < 0.001) and stress (P < 0.001) when compared with all other groups. Regarding Pearson correlation, in the infarcted group all the variables of SI and EI were significantly correlated (P < 0.001) with strong correlation coefficients (>0.60). SI end-systolic correlated significantly with the variables of LV function independently of the group of patients (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Shape and eccentricity indices differ in patients with myocardial infarction as compared to patients with ischemia or normal perfusion. This encourage further research in their potential for detecting LV adverse remodeling.

Adipose Dysfunction Indices as a Key to Cardiometabolic Risk Assessment-A Population-Based Study of Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients

Anthropometric indices, such as the BMI (body mass index), WC (waist circumference), and WHR (waist-hip ratio) are commonly used for cardiometabolic risk assessment. Consequently, in the context of evaluating cardiometabolic risk in the post-MI population, it is worthwhile to consider indices such as the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and Body Adiposity Index (BAI), which have emerged as valuable risk assessment tools in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the importance of anthropometric indices and body composition analysis in evaluating the cardiometabolic risk among post-myocardial infarction patients. In the pursuit of this objective, this study involved assessing the BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR, VAI, BAI, and body composition in a population of patients. This study enrolled a total of 120 patients hospitalised at the Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases (SCCS) due to MI, and body composition analysis evaluated various parameters including the percentage of adipose tissue (FatP) [%], total adipose tissue (FatM) [kg], fat-free mass (FFM) [kg], muscle mass (PMM) [kg], total body water (TBW) [kg], and visceral adipose tissue (VFAT). The mean BMI for the entire group was 27.76 ± 4.08, with women exhibiting a significantly lower value compared with men (26.66 ± 3.33 vs. 28.16 ± 4.27). The mean values obtained for the WHR, WHtR, BAI, and VAI were 0.97 ± 0.08, 0.59 ± 0.07, 28.37 ± 5.03, and 3.08 ± 3.50, respectively. Based on the visceral adiposity index (VAI), in 47.5% patients, there was no adipose tissue dysfunction, with a higher proportion among women (71.88%) compared with men (38.64%). What raises concern is that 32.50% of patients had acute ATD, with a significantly higher prevalence among men (38.64%) compared with women (15.63%). Conclusion: The study results suggest that the BMI, WC, and WHR have their limitations, whereas the WHtR, VAI, and BAI provide a more comprehensive view of cardiometabolic risk, especially in the context of adipose tissue distribution and its metabolic consequences. Incorporating the WHtR, VAI, and BAI into routine clinical practice may enhance the management of cardiometabolic risk, especially among post-MI patients.

Therapeutic application of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction in myocardial infarction

The insufficiency of natural regeneration processes in higher organisms, including humans, underlies myocardial infarction (MI), which is one of the main causes of disability and mortality in the population of developed countries. The solution to this problem lies in the field of revealing the mechanisms of regeneration and creating on this basis new technologies for stimulating endogenous regenerative processes or replacing lost parts of tissues and organs with transplanted cells. Of great interest is the use of the so-called stromal vascular fraction (SVF), derived from autologous adipose tissue. It is known that the main functions of SVF are angiogenetic, antiapoptotic, antifibrotic, immune regulation, anti-inflammatory, and trophic. This study presents data on the possibility of using SVF, targeted regulation of its properties and reparative potential, as well as the results of research studies on its use for the restoration of damaged ischemic tissue after MI.

Pyroptosis inhibitors MCC950 and VX-765 mitigate myocardial injury by alleviating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in acute myocardial hypoxia

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a prevalent cardiovascular disease with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of programmed cell death that has been linked to various pathological conditions. However, its exact contribution to the onset and progression of heart injury in AMI has not yet fully elucidated. Herein, we established mouse AMI model by ligating the left anterior descending artery and performed transcriptome analysis during the early phase of AMI. Mouse HL-1 and human AC-16 cardiomyocytes were subjected to hypoxia to simulate ischemic injury in vitro. Our results revealed a significant activation of the inflammatory response at 3 h post-ligation, as confirmed by RNA sequencing. We identified the occurrence of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in the cardiac tissues of human cases with AMI, as well as in mouse models of AMI and hypoxia-induced cardiomyocytes, using immunohistochemistry staining and Western blotting assays. Concurrently, pharmacological inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis with MCC950 and VX-765 effectively decreased hypoxia-induced cardiomyocytes injury, while mitigating myocardial oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation caused by hypoxia. Moreover, the circulating levels of gasdermin D (GSDMD), the pyroptosis executor, were remarkably elevated in the plasma of mice with early AMI and in the supernatant of hypoxia-exposed cardiomyocytes in a time-dependent manner using ELISA and Western blotting. Furthermore, the change in circulating GSDMD positively correlated with Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB) in the plasma of early-stage AMI mouse. In summary, these findings indicated a critical role for NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in the progression of AMI, the administration of MCC950 and VX-765 may be attractive candidate therapeutic approaches for cardiac injury caused by acute hypoxia or even AMI. Additionally, the circulating GSDMD exhibits potential as a newly diagnostic biomarker for AMI.

Leg strength and incidence of heart failure in patients with acute coronary syndrome

AIMS

The risk of developing heart failure (HF) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains high. It is unclear whether skeletal muscle strength, in addition to existing risk factors, is a predictor for developing HF after ACS. We aimed to clarify the relationship between quadriceps isometric strength (QIS), a skeletal muscle strength indicator, and the risk of developing HF in patients with ACS.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included 1053 patients with ACS without a prior HF or complications of HF during hospitalization. The median (interquartile range) age was 67 (57-74) years. The patients were classified into two groups-high and low QIS-using the sex-specific median QIS. The endpoint was HF admissions. During a mean follow-up period of 4.4 ± 3.7 years, 75 (7.1%) HF admissions were observed. After multivariate adjustment, a high QIS was associated with a lower risk of HF [hazard ratio: 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.32-0.87]. Hazard ratio (95% CI) per 5% body weight increment increase of QIS for HF incidents was 0.87 (0.80-0.95). Even when competing risks of death were taken into account, the results did not change. The inclusion of QIS was associated with increases in net reclassification improvement (0.26; 95% CI: 0.002-0.52) and an integrated discrimination index (0.01; 95% CI: 0.004-0.02) for HF.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that a higher level of QIS was strongly associated with a lower risk of developing HF after ACS. These findings suggest that skeletal muscle strength could be one of the factors contributing to the risk of developing HF after ACS.

Impact of Sex in the Incidence of Heart Failure in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review examines the available evidence concerning the incidence of heart failure in patients with chronic coronary syndrome, with a focus on gender differences.

RECENT FINDINGS

The incidence of heart failure in the context of chronic coronary syndrome presents conflicting data. Most of the available information stems from studies involving stable patients' post-acute coronary syndrome, revealing a wide range of incidence rates, from less than 3% to over 20%, observed over 5 years of follow-up. Regarding the gender differences in heart failure incidence, there is no consensus about whether women exhibit a higher incidence, particularly in the presence of evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease. However, in cases where obstructive coronary artery disease is absent, women may face a more unfavourable prognosis due to a higher prevalence of microvascular disease and heart failure with preserved ventricular function. The different profile of ischaemic heart disease in women difficult to establish differences in prognosis independently associated with female sex. Targeted investigations are essential to discern the incidence of heart failure in chronic coronary syndrome and explore potential gender-specific associations.

Abnormal circulating steroids refine risk of progression to heart failure in ischemic heart disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) experience a high incidence of progression to heart failure (HF) despite current therapies. We speculated that steroid hormone metabolic disorders distinct adverse phenotypes and contribute to HF.

METHODS

We measured 18 steroids using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in 2023 patients from the Registry Study of Biomarkers in Ischemic Heart Disease (BIOMS-IHD), including 1091 patients with IHD in a retrospective discovery set and 932 patients with IHD in a multicentre validation set. Our outcomes included incident HF after a median follow-up of 4 years.

RESULTS

We demonstrated steroid-based signatures of inflammation, coronary microvascular dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy that were associated with subsequent HF events in patients with IHD. In both cohorts, patients with a high steroid-heart failure score (SHFS) (>1) exhibited a greater risk of incident HF than patients with a low SHFS (≤1). The SHFS further improved the prognostic accuracy beyond clinical variables (net reclassification improvement of 0.628 in the discovery set and 0.299 in the validation set) and demonstrated the maximal effect of steroid signatures in patients with IHD who had lower B-type natriuretic peptide levels (pinteraction = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

A steroid-based strategy can simply and effectively identify individuals at higher HF risk who may derive benefit from more intensive follow-ups.

Feasibility and prognostic significance of ventricular-arterial coupling after myocardial infarction: the RIGID-MI cohort

AIMS

The clinical significance and feasibility of the recently described non-invasive parameters exploring ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) remain uncertain. This study aimed to assess VAC parameters for prognostic stratification in stable patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥40% following myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Between 2018 and 2021, patients with LVEF ≥40% were evaluated 1 month following MI using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and arterial tonometry at rest and after a handgrip test. VAC was studied via the ratio between arterial elastance (Ea) and end-systolic LV elastance (Ees) and between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). Patients were followed for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE): all-cause death, acute heart failure, stroke, AMI, and urgent cardiovascular hospitalization. Among the 374 patients included, Ea/Ees and PWV/GLS were obtained at rest for 354 (95%) and 253 patients (68%), respectively. Isometric exercise was workable in 335 patients (85%). During a median follow-up of 32 months (interquartile range: 16-42), 41 (11%) MACE occurred. Patients presenting MACE were significantly older and had a higher prevalence of peripheral arterial disease, lower GLS, higher Ea, PWV, and PWV/GLS ratio. The Ea/Ees ratio and standard TTE parameters during isometric exercise were not associated with MACE. After adjustment, the PWV/GLS ratio was the only VAC parameter independently associated with outcome. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified a PWV/GLS ratio >0.70 (Youden's index = 0.37) as the best threshold to identify patients developing MACE: hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.2 (1.14-4.27), P = 0.02.

CONCLUSION

The PWV/GLS ratio, assessed 1 month after MI, identifies a group of patients at higher risk of MACE providing additional value on top of conventional non-invasive parameters.

Levels of Small Extracellular Vesicles Containing hERG-1 and Hsp47 as Potential Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Diseases

The diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still limited. Therefore, this study demonstrates the presence of human ether-a-go-go-related gene 1 (hERG1) and heat shock protein 47 (Hsp47) on the surface of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in human peripheral blood and their association with CVD. In this research, 20 individuals with heart failure and 26 participants subjected to cardiac stress tests were enrolled. The associations between hERG1 and/or Hsp47 in sEVs and CVD were established using Western blot, flow cytometry, electron microscopy, ELISA, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The results show that hERG1 and Hsp47 were present in sEV membranes, extravesicularly exposing the sequences 430AFLLKETEEGPPATE445 for hERG1 and 169ALQSINEWAAQTT- DGKLPEVTKDVERTD196 for Hsp47. In addition, upon exposure to hypoxia, rat primary cardiomyocytes released sEVs into the media, and human cardiomyocytes in culture also released sEVs containing hERG1 (EV-hERG1) and/or Hsp47 (EV-Hsp47). Moreover, the levels of sEVs increased in the blood when cardiac ischemia was induced during the stress test, as well as the concentrations of EV-hERG1 and EV-Hsp47. Additionally, the plasma levels of EV-hERG1 and EV-Hsp47 decreased in patients with decompensated heart failure (DHF). Our data provide the first evidence that hERG1 and Hsp47 are present in the membranes of sEVs derived from the human cardiomyocyte cell line, and also in those isolated from human peripheral blood. Total sEVs, EV-hERG1, and EV-Hsp47 may be explored as biomarkers for heart diseases such as heart failure and cardiac ischemia.

Prognostic impact of heart failure admission in survivors of acute myocardial infarction

AIMS

The incidence and prognosis of symptomatic heart failure following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the primary percutaneous coronary intervention era have rarely been reported in the literature. This study aimed to (i) determine the incidence of heart failure admission among AMI survivors, (ii) compare 1 year outcomes between patients with heart failure admission and those without, and (iii) identify the independent risk factors associated with heart failure admission.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The Japan Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry is a prospective multicentre registry from which data on consecutively enrolled patients with AMI from 50 institutions between 2015 and 2017 were obtained. Among the 3411 patients enrolled, 3226 who survived until discharge were included in this study. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events (defined as cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal cerebral infarction) and major bleeding events corresponding to Bleeding Academic Research Consortium Type 3 or 5. Clinical outcomes were compared between the patients who were and were not admitted for heart failure. Over a median follow-up of 12 months, 124 patients (3.8%) were admitted due to heart failure. Independent risk factors for heart failure admission included older age, female sex, Killip class ≥2 on admission, left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL/min/1.73 m2, a history of malignancy, and non-use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors at discharge. The cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the heart failure admission group than in the no heart failure admission group (11.3% vs. 2.5%, P < 0.001). The rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (16.9% vs. 2.7%, P < 0.001) and major bleeding (6.5% vs. 1.6%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the heart failure admission group. Heart failure admission was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality, even after adjusting for potential confounders (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.33-4.39, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Utilizing real-world data of the contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention era from the Japan Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry database, this study demonstrates that the heart failure admission of AMI survivors was significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality rates.

The Essence of Lipoproteins in Cardiovascular Health and Diseases Treated by Photodynamic Therapy

Lipids, together with lipoprotein particles, are the cause of atherosclerosis, which is a pathology of the cardiovascular system. In addition, it affects inflammatory processes and affects the vessels and heart. In pharmaceutical answer to this, statins are considered a first-stage treatment method to block cholesterol synthesis. Many times, additional drugs are also used with this method to lower lipid concentrations in order to achieve certain values of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Recent advances in photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a new cancer treatment have gained the therapy much attention as a minimally invasive and highly selective method. Photodynamic therapy has been proven more effective than chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy alone in numerous studies. Consequently, photodynamic therapy research has expanded in many fields of medicine due to its increased therapeutic effects and reduced side effects. Currently, PDT is the most commonly used therapy for treating age-related macular degeneration, as well as inflammatory diseases, and skin infections. The effectiveness of photodynamic therapy against a number of pathogens has also been demonstrated in various studies. Also, PDT has been used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and hyperplasia of the arterial intima. This review evaluates the effectiveness and usefulness of photodynamic therapy in cardiovascular diseases. According to the analysis, photodynamic therapy is a promising approach for treating cardiovascular diseases and may lead to new clinical trials and management standards. Our review addresses the used therapeutic strategies and also describes new therapeutic strategies to reduce the cardiovascular burden that is induced by lipids.

Cardiovascular Outcomes Among Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes and Diabetes: Results from ACS QUIK Trial in India

Background

Despite cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death in India, limited data exist regarding the factors associated with outcomes in patients with diabetes who suffer acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods

We examined 21,374 patients with AMI enrolled in the ACS QUIK trial. We compared in-hospital and 30-day major adverse cardiac events including death, re-infarction, stroke, or major bleeding in those with and without diabetes. The associations between diabetes and cardiac outcomes were adjusted for presentation and in-hospital management using logistic regression.

Results

Mean ± SD age was 60.1 ± 12.0 years, 24.3% were females, and 44.4% had diabetes. Those with diabetes were more likely to be older, female, hypertensive, and have higher Killip class but less likely to present with STEMI. Patients with diabetes had longer symptoms onset-to-arrival (median 225 vs 290 min; P < 0.001) and, in case of STEMI, longer door-to-balloon times (median, 75 vs 91 min; P < 0.001). Diabetes was independently associated with higher in-hospital death (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.46; 95% CI, 1.12-1.89), in-hospital reinfarction (aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.15-2.02), 30-day MACE (aOR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.14-1.55) and 30-day death (aOR, 1.40; 95%CI, 1.16-1.69) but not 30-day stroke or 30-day major bleeding.

Conclusion

Among patients presenting with AMI in Kerala, India, a considerable proportion has diabetes and are at increased risk for in-hospital and 30-day adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Increased awareness of the increased cardiovascular risk and attention to the implementation of established cardiovascular therapies are indicated for patients with diabetes in lower-middle-income countries who develop AMI.

Clinical Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Unique identifier: NCT02256658.

Differential Prognostic Impact of Risk-Prediction Models for Heart Failure in Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Original and Revised Heart Failure Time-Points

Background: We previously developed a risk-scoring system for heart failure (HF) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), namely "HF time-points (HFTPs)". In the original HFTPs, the presence of HF on admission, during hospitalization, and at short-term follow-up was individually scored. This study examined whether the revised HFTPs, with additional scoring of previous HF, provide better predictivity. Methods: This multicenter registry included a total of 1331 patients with acute MI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. HF was evaluated at four time-points before and after acute MI onset: (1) a history of HF; (2) elevated natriuretic peptide levels on admission; (3) in-hospital HF events; and (4) elevated natriuretic peptide levels at a median of 31 days after the onset. When HF was present at each time-point, one point was assigned to a risk scoring system, namely the original and revised HFTPs, ranging from 0 to 3 and from 0 to 4. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death and HF rehospitalization after discharge. Results: Of the 1331 patients, 65 (4.9%) had the primary outcome events during a median follow-up period of 507 (interquartile range, 335-1106) days. The increase in both original and revised HFTPs was associated with an increased risk of the primary outcomes in a stepwise fashion with similar diagnostic ability. Conclusions: The original and revised HFTPs were both predictive of long-term HF-related outcomes in patients with acute MI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Yet, the original HFTPs may be sufficient to estimate HF risks after MI.

The redox-active defensive Selenoprotein T as a novel stress sensor protein playing a key role in the pathophysiology of heart failure

Maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy contributes to the development of heart failure (HF). The oxidoreductase Selenoprotein T (SELENOT) emerged as a key regulator during rat cardiogenesis and acute cardiac protection. However, its action in chronic settings of cardiac dysfunction is not understood. Here, we investigated the role of SELENOT in the pathophysiology of HF: (i) by designing a small peptide (PSELT), recapitulating SELENOT activity via the redox site, and assessed its beneficial action in a preclinical model of HF [aged spontaneously hypertensive heart failure (SHHF) rats] and against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced hypertrophy in rat ventricular H9c2 and adult human AC16 cardiomyocytes; (ii) by evaluating the SELENOT intra-cardiomyocyte production and secretion under hypertrophied stimulation. Results showed that PSELT attenuated systemic inflammation, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage M1 polarization, myocardial injury, and the severe ultrastructural alterations, while counteracting key mediators of cardiac fibrosis, aging, and DNA damage and restoring desmin downregulation and SELENOT upregulation in the failing hearts. In the hemodynamic assessment, PSELT improved the contractile impairment at baseline and following ischemia/reperfusion injury, and reduced infarct size in normal and failing hearts. At cellular level, PSELT counteracted ISO-mediated hypertrophy and ultrastructural alterations through its redox motif, while mitigating ISO-triggered SELENOT intracellular production and secretion, a phenomenon that presumably reflects the extent of cell damage. Altogether, these results indicate that SELENOT could represent a novel sensor of hypertrophied cardiomyocytes and a potential PSELT-based new therapeutic approach in myocardial hypertrophy and HF.

FBXL8 inhibits post-myocardial infarction cardiac fibrosis by targeting Snail1 for ubiquitin-proteasome degradation

Abnormal cardiac fibrosis is the main pathological change of post-myocardial infarction (MI) heart failure. Although the E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXL8 is a key regulator in the cell cycle, cell proliferation, and inflammation, its role in post-MI ventricular fibrosis and heart failure remains unknown. FBXL8 was primarily expressed in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and remarkably decreased in CFs treated by TGFβ and heart subjected to MI. The echocardiography and histology data suggested that adeno-associated viruses (AAV9)-mediated FBXL8 overexpression had improved cardiac function and ameliorated post-MI cardiac fibrosis. In vitro, FBXL8 overexpression prevented TGFβ-induced proliferation, migration, contraction, and collagen secretion in CFs, while knockdown of FBXL8 demonstrated opposite effects. Mechanistically, FBXL8 interacted with Snail1 to promote Snail1 degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system and decreased the activation of RhoA. Moreover, the FBXL8ΔC3 binding domain was indispensable for Snail1 interaction and degradation. Ectopic Snail1 expression partly abolished the effects mediated by FBXL8 overexpression in CFs treated by TGFβ. These results characterized the role of FBXL8 in regulating the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of Snail1 and revealed the underlying molecular mechanism of how MI up-regulated the myofibroblasts differentiation-inducer Snail1 and suggested that FBXL8 may be a potential curative target for improving post-MI cardiac function.

Complications in Emergency Department Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome with Contemporary Care

INTRODUCTION

With the implementation of early reperfusion therapy, the number of complications in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has diminished significantly. However, ACS patients are still routinely admitted to units with high-level monitoring such as the coronary or intensive care unit (CCU/ICU). The cost of these admissions is high and there is often a shortage of beds. The aim of this study was to analyze the complications in contemporary emergency department (ED) patients with ACS and to map patient management.

METHODS

This observational study was a secondary analysis of data collected in the ESC-TROP trial (NCT03421873) that included 26,545 consecutive chest pain patients ≥18 years at five Swedish EDs. Complications were defined as the following within 30 days: death, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, pulmonary edema, severe ventricular arrhythmia, high-degree atrioventricular (AV) block that required a pacemaker, and mechanical complications such as papillary muscle rupture, cardiac tamponade, or ventricular septum defects (VSDs). Complications were identified via diagnosis and/or intervention codes in the database, and manual chart review was performed in cases with complications.

RESULTS

Of all 26,545 patients, 2,463 (9.3%) were diagnosed with ACS, and 151 of these (6.1%) suffered any complication within 30 days. Mean age was higher in patients with (79.2 years) than without (69.4 years) complications, and more were female (39.7% vs. 33.0%). Eighty-four (3.4% of all ACS patients) patients died, 33 (1.3%) had cardiac arrest, 22 (0.9%) respiratory failure, 13 (0.5%) high-degree AV block, 10 (0.4%) cardiogenic shock, 12 (0.5%) severe ventricular arrhythmia, and 2 each (<0.1%) had VSD or cardiac tamponade. Almost 30% of the complications were present already at the ED, and 40% of patients with complications were not admitted to the CCU/ICU. Only 80 (53%) of the patients with complications underwent coronary angiography and 62 (41%) were revascularized with percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting.

CONCLUSION

With current care, serious complications occurred in only 6 out of 100 ACS patients, and 2 of these complications were present already at the ED. Four out of 10 ACS patients with complications were not admitted to the CCU/ICU and about half did not undergo coronary angiography. Further research is needed to improve risk assessment in ED ACS patients, which may allow more effective use of cardiac monitoring and hospital resources.

A follow-up program in patients after hospitalization for heart failure: long-term health related quality of life and associated factors

Background

The well-being of individuals with chronic heart failure (HF) is significantly influenced by their health-related quality of life (HRQoL), which serves as a crucial measure indicating how HF affects their daily activities. Monitoring programs aimed at reducing the number of hospitalizations and improving functional conditions are currently being offered to patients with chronic HF.

The objective

To examine the long-term health-related quality of life changes in patients with heart failure enrolled in a follow-up program after hospitalization and to evaluate the factors associated with quality of life of patients with heart failure.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted between 2019 and 2020 at the Department of Cardiology of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I consisted of 71 patients (60.2%) where the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score decreased by more than 10 points at 4th visit if compared to the 1st one; and Group II consisted of 47 patients (39.8%) where the MLHFQ score remained unchanged or increased by less than 10 points at the 4th visit if compared to the 1st visit.

Results

Statistically significant differences were observed between groups. In Group II, a history of myocardial infarction was more frequent (p = 0.038), and there was a significantly higher occurrence of significant coronary artery disease (p = 0.006). Laboratory parameters indicating liver function exhibited statistically significant deterioration among patients in Group II. Specifically, AST (p = 0.050), ALT (p = 0.010), and GGT (p = 0.031) levels significantly increased. Upon analyzing the echocardiographic data, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups in relation to the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p = 0.043) and TAPSE (p = 0.031). An analysis of changes in dimensions related to QoL was conducted during the long-term follow-up program, which revealed statistically significant differences between groups in overall changes based on the MLHFQ (p < 0.001). This difference was also observed across all dimensions, including the emotional, physical, and social aspects (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients who had a higher LVEF at baseline, as well as those with an etiology of ischemic heart disease (IHD), better liver function, and fewer manifestations of edema, demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in their quality of life throughout the course of the patient monitoring program.

Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1RA) on Cardiac Structure and Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized-Controlled Trials

PURPOSE

Recent trials suggest glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) may have a cardioprotective role by reducing major adverse cardiac events, stroke mortality and heart failure-related hospitalisations. We examined whether and how GLP-1RAs affect cardiac function in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart failure and post-myocardial infarction.

METHODS

In this PRISMA-adherent systematic review and meta-analysis, three databases were searched from inception to July 2021 and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021259661).

RESULTS

20 reports of 19 randomized placebo-controlled trials including 2062 participants were meta-analyzed. Among type 2 diabetes patients, GLP-1RA resulted in improved systolic function measured by circumferential strain (mean difference [MD]= -5.48; 95% CI: -10.47 to -0.49; P= 0.03; I2= 89%) and diastolic dysfunction measured by E / A (MD= -0.15; 95% CI: -0.25 to -0.05; P= 0.003; I2= 0%). For post-myocardial infarction patients, GLP-1RA reduced infarct size (g) (MD= -5.36; 95% CI: -10.68 to -0.04; P= 0.05; I2= 78%). Liraglutide, but not exenatide, demonstrated improved systolic function, by increasing left ventricular ejection fraction (MD= 4.89; 95% CI: 3.62 to 6.16; P< 0.00001; I2= 0%) and reducing left ventricular end-systolic volume (MD= -4.15; 95% CI: -7.49 to -0.81; P = 0.01; I2= 0%). Among heart failure patients, no significant changes were noted.

CONCLUSION

GLP-1RA drugs may improve systolic and diastolic function in type 2 diabetes and reduce infarct size post-acute myocardial infarction with no demonstrable effect on cardiac function in heart failure. Tailored recommendations for the use of GLP-1RAs for cardioprotection should be considered for each patient's condition.

Remodelers of the vascular microenvironment: The effect of biopolymeric hydrogels on vascular diseases

Vascular disease is the leading health problem worldwide. Vascular microenvironment encompasses diverse cell types, including those within the vascular wall, blood cells, stromal cells, and immune cells. Initiation of the inflammatory state of the vascular microenvironment and changes in its mechanics can profoundly affect vascular homeostasis. Biomedical materials play a crucial role in modern medicine, hydrogels, characterized by their high-water content, have been increasingly utilized as a three-dimensional interaction network. In recent times, the remarkable progress in utilizing hydrogels and understanding vascular microenvironment have enabled the treatment of vascular diseases. In this review, we give an emphasis on the utilization of hydrogels and their advantages in the various vascular diseases including atherosclerosis, aneurysm, vascular ulcers of the lower limbs and myocardial infarction. Further, we highlight the importance and advantages of hydrogels as artificial microenvironments.

Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of Activated Protein C (APC) in Mitigating Reperfusion Injury and Cardiac Ischemia: a Promising Avenue for Novel Therapeutic Interventions

Ischemic heart disease, which results from plaque formation in the coronary arteries, hinders the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart, leading to ischemia. Reperfusion injury remains a significant challenge for researchers, and the mechanisms underlying myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) are not entirely understood. The review directs future research into potential targets in clinical treatment based on our present understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of MIRI. The study provides insights into the mechanisms underlying MIRI and offers direction for future research in this area. The use of targeted therapies may hold promise in improving cardiac function in the elderly and minimizing the adverse effects of revascularization therapies. The purpose of this review is to analyze the role of activated protein C (APC) in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and discuss the potential of APC-based therapeutics.

Left atrial strain analysis and new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: A prospective echocardiography study

BACKGROUND

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is a well-known complication of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), probably due to left atrial (LA) remodelling. LA strain (LAS) can predict NOAF in several cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether LAS predicts NOAF in sinus rhythm patients with STEMI during hospitalization.

METHODS

Adults with a STEMI and transthoracic echocardiography performed within 48hours of admission were included. LAS analysis, performed by automated software, recorded LAS during the reservoir phase (LASr), the conduit phase (LAScd) and the contraction phase (LASct).

RESULTS

From May 2021 to November 2022, 175 patients were included, 21 (12%) of whom developed NOAF. NOAF patients were older (median [Q1-Q3]: 67 [59-80] vs 59 [51-67]years; P=0.006) and had a higher Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction scores (4 [2-7] vs 3 [1-4]; P=0.005). All LAS parameters were significantly impaired in NOAF patients, especially LASr (13.0% [10.5-28.4] vs 36.6% [29.0-44.9]; P=0.001). An LASr cut-off of 27% had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 80% to identify patients with NOAF. In a multivariable model, LASr was significantly associated with NOAF (odds ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.26; P=0.003). The cumulative risk of NOAF during hospital stay was 30% (18-43 with LASr<27% and 4% [1.5-8.5] with LASr≥27% [P<0.0001]).

CONCLUSION

NOAF is a frequent complication of STEMI. LASr seems helpful for identifying patients at high risk of NOAF during hospitalization.

Silencing of METTL3 suppressed ferroptosis of myocardial cells by m6A modification of SLC7A11 in a YTHDF2 manner

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the main cause of heart failure (HF). N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is associated with the progression of HF. The study aimed to explore whether METTL3 regulates ferroptosis of cardiomyocytes in HF. We evaluated ferroptosis by detecting lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release, lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS), Fe2+, glutathione (GSH), and malonaldehyde (MDA) levels. M6A methylation was assessed using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation assay. The binding relationship was assessed using RNA immunoprecipitation assays. The mRNA stability was assessed using actinomycin D treatment. The results showed that METTL3 was upregulated in oxygen glucose deprivation/recovery (OGD/R) cells, which knockdown suppressed OGD/R-induced ferroptosis. Moreover, METTL3 could bind to SLC7A11, promoting m6A methylation of SLC7A11. Silencing of SLC7A11 abrogated the suppression of ferroptosis induced by METTL3 knockdown. Additionally, YTHDF2 was the reader that recognized the methylation of SLC7A11, reducing the stability of SLC7A11. The silencing of METTL3 inhibited OGD/R-induced ferroptosis by suppressing the m6A methylation of SLC7A11, which is recognized by YTHDF2. The findings suggested that METTL3-mediated ferroptosis might be a new strategy for MI-induced HF therapy.

Wireless Battery-free and Fully Implantable Organ Interfaces

Advances in soft materials, miniaturized electronics, sensors, stimulators, radios, and battery-free power supplies are resulting in a new generation of fully implantable organ interfaces that leverage volumetric reduction and soft mechanics by eliminating electrochemical power storage. This device class offers the ability to provide high-fidelity readouts of physiological processes, enables stimulation, and allows control over organs to realize new therapeutic and diagnostic paradigms. Driven by seamless integration with connected infrastructure, these devices enable personalized digital medicine. Key to advances are carefully designed material, electrophysical, electrochemical, and electromagnetic systems that form implantables with mechanical properties closely matched to the target organ to deliver functionality that supports high-fidelity sensors and stimulators. The elimination of electrochemical power supplies enables control over device operation, anywhere from acute, to lifetimes matching the target subject with physical dimensions that supports imperceptible operation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the basic building blocks of battery-free organ interfaces and related topics such as implantation, delivery, sterilization, and user acceptance. State of the art examples categorized by organ system and an outlook of interconnection and advanced strategies for computation leveraging the consistent power influx to elevate functionality of this device class over current battery-powered strategies is highlighted.

Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibition in Patients With STEMI vs NSTEMI

BACKGROUND

Patients who sustain an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), including ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), remain at high risk for heart failure (HF), coronary events, and death. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been shown to significantly decrease the risk for cardiovascular events in both STEMI and NSTEMI patients.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives were to determine whether angiotensin-receptor blockade and neprilysin inhibition with sacubitril/valsartan, compared with ramipril, has impact on reducing cardiovascular events according to the type of AMI.

METHODS

The PARADISE-MI (Prospective ARNI versus ACE inhibitor trial to DetermIne Superiority in reducing heart failure Events after Myocardial Infarction) trial enrolled patients with AMI complicated by left ventricular dysfunction and/or pulmonary congestion and at least 1 risk-enhancing factor. Patients were randomized to either sacubitril/valsartan or ramipril. The primary endpoint was death from cardiovascular causes or incident HF. In this prespecified analysis, we stratified patients according to AMI type.

RESULTS

Of 5,661 enrolled patients, 4,291 (75.8%) had STEMI. These patients were younger and had fewer comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors than NSTEMI patients. After adjustment for potential confounders, the risk for the primary outcome was marginally higher in NSTEMI vs STEMI patients (adjusted HR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.00-1.41), with borderline statistical significance (P = 0.05). The primary composite outcome occurred at similar rates in patients randomized to sacubitril/valsartan vs ramipril in STEMI (10% vs 12%; HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.73-1.04; P = 0.13) and NSTEMI patients (17% vs 17%; HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.75-1.25; P = 0.80; P interaction = 0.53).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with ramipril, sacubitril/valsartan did not significantly decrease the risk for cardiovascular death and HF in patients with AMI complicated by left ventricular dysfunction, irrespective of the type of AMI. (Prospective ARNI vs ACE Inhibitor Trial to Determine Superiority in Reducing Heart Failure Events After MI; NCT02924727).

Anatomical and functional organization of cardiac fibers in the porcine cervical vagus nerve allows spatially selective efferent neuromodulation

Cardiac disease progression reflects the dynamic interaction between adversely remodeled neurohumoral control systems and an abnormal cardiac substrate. Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is an attractive neuromodulatory option to dampen this dynamic interaction; however, it is limited by off-target effects. Spatially-selective VNS (sVNS) offers a promising solution to induce cardioprotection while mitigating off-target effects by specifically targeting pre-ganglionic parasympathetic efferent cardiac fibers. This approach also has the potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes by eliminating time-consuming titration required for optimal VNS. Recent studies have demonstrated the independent modulation of breathing rate, heart rate, and laryngeal contraction through sVNS. However, the spatial organization of afferent and efferent cardiac-related fibers within the vagus nerve remains unexplored. By using trial-and-error sVNS in vivo in combination with ex vivo micro-computed tomography fascicle tracing, we show the significant spatial separation of cardiac afferent and efferent fibers (179±55° SD microCT, p<0.05 and 200±137° SD, p<0.05 sVNS - degrees of separation across a cross-section of nerve) at the mid-cervical level. We also show that cardiac afferent fibers are located in proximity to pulmonary fibers consistent with recent findings of cardiopulmonary convergent neurons and circuits. We demonstrate the ability of sVNS to selectively elicit desired scalable heart rate decrease without stimulating afferent-related reflexes. By elucidating the spatial organization of cardiac-related fibers within the vagus nerve, our findings pave the way for more targeted neuromodulation, thereby reducing off-target effects and eliminating the need for titration. This, in turn, will enhance the precision and efficacy of VNS therapy in treating cardiac pathology, allowing for improved therapeutic efficacy.