Cardiac remodeling at the population level—risk factors, screening, and outcomes

4-Hydroxychalcone attenuates AngII-induced cardiac remodeling and dysfunction via regulating PI3K/AKT pathway

Cardiac remodeling encompasses structural alterations such as hypertrophy, fibrosis, and dilatation, alongside numerous cellular and molecular functional aberrations, constituting a pivotal process in the advancement of heart failure (HF). 4-Hydroxychalcone (4-HCH) is a class of naturally occurring compounds with variable phenolic structures, and has demonstrated the preventive efficacy in hyperaldosteronism, inflammation and renal injury. However, the role of 4-HCH in the regulation of cardiac remodeling remains uncertain. A cardiac remodeling model was established in male C57BL/6 J mice via subcutaneous Ang II (1000 or 300 ng/kg/min) for 2 weeks. Mice were treated with 4-HCH (20 or 40 mg/kg/day) or vehicle control. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured using a tail-cuff method, and echocardiography assessed cardiac function. Histopathological staining evaluated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation, and superoxide production. Network pharmacology analysis identified potential core targets and pathways mediating the effects of 4-HCH. Expression of inflammatory cytokines and proteins related to hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. Our results indicated that 4-HCH significantly ameliorated Ang II-induced hypertension, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibroblast activation, fibrosis, inflammation, superoxide production, and cardiac function. Network pharmacology analysis identified the PI3K-AKT pathway as a crucial mechanism underlying the effects of 4-HCH, with experimental verification demonstrating that it inhibits cardiac remodeling by downregulating this pathway and its downstream effectors, including mTOR/ERK, TGF-β/Smad2/3, NF-κB, and NOX1 independent of its blood pressure-lowering effects. These results reveal for the first time that 4-HCH alleviates cardiac remodeling, emphasizing its potential as a therapeutic agent for HF.

Explainable AI associates ECG aging effects with increased cardiovascular risk in a longitudinal population study

Aging affects the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and correlates with cardiovascular disease (CVD). AI-ECG models estimate aging effects as a novel biomarker but have only been evaluated on single ECGs-without utilizing longitudinal data. We validated an AI-ECG model, originally trained on Brazilian data, using a German cohort with over 20 years of follow-up, demonstrating similar performance (r2 = 0.70) to the original study (0.71). Incorporating longitudinal ECGs revealed a stronger association with cardiovascular risk, increasing the hazard ratio for mortality from 1.43 to 1.65. Moreover, aging effects were associated with higher odds ratios for atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and mortality. Using explainable AI methods revealed that the model aligns with clinical knowledge by focusing on ECG features known to reflect aging. Our study suggests that aging effects in longitudinal ECGs can be applied on population level as a novel biomarker to identify patients at risk early.

Role of Autophagy in Myocardial Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction

ABSTRACT

Autophagy is the process of reusing the body's senescent and damaged cell components, which can be regarded as the cellular circulatory system. There are 3 distinct forms of autophagy: macroautophagy, microautophagy, and chaperone-mediated autophagy. In the heart, autophagy is regulated mainly through mitophagy because of the metabolic changes of cardiomyocytes caused by ischemia and hypoxia. Myocardial remodeling is characterized by gradual heart enlargement, cardiac dysfunction, and extraordinary molecular changes. Cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction is almost inevitable, which is the leading cause of heart failure. Autophagy has a protective effect on myocardial remodeling improvement. Autophagy can minimize cardiac remodeling by preventing misfolded protein accumulation and oxidative stress. This review summarizes the nestest molecular mechanisms of autophagy and myocardial remodeling, the protective effects, and the new target of autophagy medicine in cardiac remodeling. The future development and challenges of autophagy in heart disease are also summarized.

Astragali Radix-Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma medicine pair prevents cardiac remodeling by improving mitochondrial dynamic balance

Astragali Radix (AR) and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma (NR) are frequently employed in cardiovascular disease treatment. However, the efficacy of the AR-NR medicine pair (AN) in improving cardiac remodeling and its underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate AN's cardioprotective effect and potential mechanism on cardiac remodeling using transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice and angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) and fibroblasts in vitro. High-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) characterized 23 main components of AN. AN significantly improved cardiac function in the TAC-induced mice. Furthermore, AN considerably reduced the serum levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin T (CTn-T), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and mitigated inflammatory cell infiltration. Post-AN treatment, TAC-induced heart size approached normal. AN decreased cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area and attenuated the upregulation of cardiac hypertrophy marker genes (ANP, BNP, and MYH7) in vivo and in vitro. Concurrently, AN alleviated collagen deposition in TAC-induced mice. AN also reduced the expression of fibrosis-related indicators (COL1A1 and COL3A1) and inhibited the activation of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3) pathway. Thus, AN improved TAC-induced cardiac remodeling. Moreover, AN downregulated p-dynamin-related protein (Drp1) (Ser616) expression and upregulated mitogen 2 (MFN-2) and optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) expression in vivo and in vitro, thereby restoring mitochondrial fusion and fission balance. In conclusion, AN improves cardiac remodeling by regulating mitochondrial dynamic balance, providing experimental data for the rational application of Chinese medicine prescriptions with AN as the main component in clinical practice.

Left ventricle remodeling by CMR in treated patients with primary aldosteronism and primary systemic arterial hypertension

BACKGROUND

Increased cardiac after load and multiple non-hemodynamic stimuli implicate in adverse left ventricular remodeling (LVR). This is particularly identifiable in treatment-resistant and secondary hypertension contexts, like primary hyperaldosteronism (PA), however little data exists on post-treatment residual LVR in these individuals.

METHODS

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with T1 mapping were performed in 14 patients with treated PA matched with 15 treated patients with primary hypertension (PH) and 15 healthy individuals. Blood pressure (BP) control was defined as < 140 x 90mmHg.

RESULTS

Treated PA and PH patients had similar indexed left ventricular, extracellular matrix and intracellular masses (respectively 68 ± 12g/m2, 17 ± 3g/m2 and 52 ± 10g/m2 for PA vs 63 ± 18g/m2, 16 ± 5g/m2 and 47 ± 14g/m2 for PH, p > 0.05 for all), that were significantly higher than normal individuals (47 ± 8g/m2, 11 ± 2g/m2 and 36 ± 6g/m2, respectively, p < 0.05 for all). Patients with uncontrolled BP exhibited greater cardiomyocyte hypertrophy than those controlled (55 ± 11 g/m2 vs 43 ± 11 g/m2, p = 0.01), regardless of the cause of hypertension. PH individuals had strong correlations between BP measurements and LVR parameters of the CMR, while in PA correlations were weaker.

CONCLUSIONS

In treated patients with PA and PH, CMR detected similar residual tissue LVR in both groups. Uncontrolled BP was more related to the observed LVR than to the etiology of hypertension. BP levels were more strongly correlated to CMR LVR parameters in PH than PA patients.

Progress in diagnosis and treatment of hypertension combined with left ventricular hypertrophy

BACKGROUND

Hypertension, a worldwide cardiovascular issue, is known to result in significant damage to the left ventricle. Left ventricular hypertrophy refers to an increase in ventricular mass, which is not only the primary independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease onset but also independently related to the risk of death.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to synthesize the existing literature on the occurrence and correlation between hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy and the progress.

METHODS

A scoping review was performed based on the methodological framework developed by Arksey & O'Malley. Search in the Pubmed database with no language restrictions, as of September 1, 2024.

RESULTS

Of the 8110 articles retrieved, 110 were finally included. The selected articles were published between 1987 and 2024, with 55.5% (61/110) of the studies in the last five years and 14.5% (16/110) of 2024. The studies covered diagnosis, epidemiology, pathophysiology, prognosis, and treatment of hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy.

CONCLUSION

The literature reviewed suggests that studies on hypertension combined with left ventricular hypertrophy covered a variety of clinical progress, especially the clinical trial results of some new drugs that may bring great hope for treatment.

Prognostic value of estimated plasma volume status at discharge in acute myocardial infarction

AIMS

Congestive heart failure (HF) is a common complication in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The estimated plasma volume status [ePVS = (100 - haematocrit)/haemoglobin] is used as the blood plasma volume index to determine the presence of congestion in patients with HF. However, the clinical impact of ePVS at discharge in patients with AMI remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether ePVS at discharge could determine the long-term prognosis in patients with AMI.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively identified patients with AMI with ePVS measured at discharge between January 2012 and December 2020. The primary endpoint was post-discharge all-cause death. The patients were divided into two groups according to an ePVS cut-off value of 5.5%, which is commonly used in HF. In total, 1012 patients with AMI were included. The median age was 70 years (range, 61-78 years), and 76.4% of the patients were male. The ePVS > 5.5% (high-ePVS) group included 365 patients (36.1%), and the all-cause mortality rate in the total cohort was 17.7%. The log-rank test revealed that the high-ePVS group had a significantly higher rate of all-cause death than the ePVS ≤ 5.5% (low-ePVS) group (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis revealed that high ePVS was associated with post-discharge all-cause death, independent of other risk factors (hazard ratio = 1.879; 95% confidence interval = 1.343-2.629, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

High ePVS at discharge was independently associated with high post-discharge all-cause mortality in patients with AMI. Our study suggests that ePVS at discharge in patients with AMI could serve as a novel prognostic marker.

Left Ventricular Geometric Pattern Impacts QT Dispersion in Males Athletes and Sedentary Men

AIM

To (1) compare QT dispersion (QTd) and echocardiographic features between athletes with concentric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, athletes with eccentric LV hypertrophy, and sedentary controls with a normal LV geometric pattern and (2) quantify associations between QTd and echocardiographic features within these groups.

METHODS

Male athletes competing in different sports and sedentary men were stratified into groups according to their LV geometric pattern. These groups included eccentric LV hypertrophy (LV index > 115 g/m2, relative wall thickness [RWT] < 0.42) consisting of 38 athletes, concentric LV hypertrophy (LV index > 115 g/m2, RWT > 0.42) consisting of 40 athletes, and normal LV geometric pattern (LV index < 115 g/m2, RWT < 0.42) consisting of 40 sedentary controls. Following a cross-sectional design, participants underwent electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic screening. Data were compared between groups using one-way analyses of variance with Bonferroni post hoc tests. Associations between corrected QTd and echocardiographic variables were quantified using Pearson correlations.

RESULTS

Alongside structural disparities between groups, corrected QTd was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in athletes with eccentric LV hypertrophy compared to athletes with concentric LV hypertrophy and sedentary controls. Significant, moderate-to-very-large correlations were found between corrected QTd and interventricular septal wall thickness in athletes with concentric (r = 0.416, p = 0.008) or eccentric LV hypertrophy (r = 0.734, p < 0.001), and sedentary controls (r = 0.464, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

The provided comparative and relationship data may inform the development of more precise approaches for ECG and echocardiographic screening in athletes, particularly in those with concentric LV hypertrophy who may be at greater risk for developing prolonged QTd.

Association of biological age acceleration with cardiac morphology, function, and incident heart failure: insights from UK Biobank participants

AIMS

Advanced age is associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. The relationship between biological age acceleration (BAA), cardiac size, cardiac function, and heart failure (HF) is not well-defined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Utilizing the UK Biobank cohort, we assessed biological age using the Klemera-Doubal and PhenoAge methods. BAA was quantified by residual analysis compared with chronological age. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging provided detailed insights into cardiac structure and function. We employed multivariate regression to examine links between BAA and CMR-derived cardiac phenotypes. Cox proportional hazard regression models analysis was applied to explore the causative relationship between BAA and HF. Additionally, Mendelian randomization was used to investigate the genetic underpinnings of these associations. A significant correlation was found between increased BAA and deleterious changes in cardiac structure, such as diminished left ventricular mass, lower overall ventricular volume, and reduced stroke volumes across ventricles and atria. Throughout a median follow-up of 13.8 years, participants with greater biological aging showed a heightened risk of HF [26% per standard deviation (SD) increase in KDM-BA acceleration, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 23-28%; 33% per SD increase in PhenoAge acceleration, 95% CI: 32-35%]. Mendelian randomization analysis suggests a likely causal link between BAA, vital cardiac metrics, and HF risk.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, accelerated biological aging may serve as a risk indicator for altered cardiac dimensions, functionality, and the onset of heart failure among middle-aged and elderly adults. It holds promise as a focal point for evaluating risk and developing targeted interventions.

Supersulfide catabolism participates in maladaptive remodeling of cardiac cells

The atrophic myocardium resulting from mechanical unloading and nutritional deprivation is considered crucial as maladaptive remodeling directly associated with heart failure, as well as interstitial fibrosis. Conversely, myocardial hypertrophy resulting from hemodynamic loading is perceived as compensatory stress adaptation. We previously reported the abundant presence of highly redox-active polysulfide molecules, termed supersulfide, with two or more sulfur atoms catenated in normal hearts, and the supersulfide catabolism in pathologic hearts after myocardial infarction correlated with worsened prognosis of heart failure. However, the impact of supersulfide on myocardial remodeling remains unclear. Here, we investigated the involvement of supersulfide metabolism in cardiomyocyte remodeling, using a model of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) receptor-stimulated atrophy and endothelin-1 receptor-stimulated hypertrophy in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Results revealed contrasting changes in intracellular supersulfide and its catabolite, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), between cardiomyocyte atrophy and hypertrophy. Stimulation of cardiomyocytes with ATP decreased supersulfide activity, while H2S accumulation itself did not affect cardiomyocyte atrophy. This supersulfide catabolism was also involved in myofibroblast formation of neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts. Thus, unraveling supersulfide metabolism during myocardial remodeling may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies to improve heart failure.

Structural and functional cardiac parameters across occupations: a cross-sectional study in differing work environments

Previous investigations have highlighted notable variations in cardiovascular risk indicators associated with various professional categories. However, only a few studies have examined structural and functional cardiac parameters using echocardiography within distinct occupational groups. Hence, this study endeavored to assess cardiac structural and functional parameters in three additional occupations: firefighters (FFs), police officers (POs), and office workers (OWs). This prospective study encompassed 197 male participants (97 FFs, 54 POs, and 46 OWs) from Germany. All participants underwent 2D and Doppler echocardiography in resting conditions; standard parasternal and apical axis views were employed to evaluate structural (diastolic and systolic) and functional (systolic and diastolic function, and strain) cardiac parameters. All three occupational groups exhibited a tendency towards septal hypertrophy. Notably, OWs exhibited the largest diastolic interventricular septum diameter (IVSd), at 1.33 ± 0.25 cm. IVSd significantly varied between POs and OWs (p = 0.000) and between POs and FFs (p = 0.025). Additionally, during diastole a substantially larger left ventricular posterior wall diameter (LVPWd) was observed in OWs compared to FFs (p = 0.001) and POs (p = 0.013). The left ventricular diastolic cavity diameter (LVIDd) and the left ventricular systolic cavity diameter (LVIDs) were significantly higher in POs than they were in FFs (LVIDd: p = 0.001; LVIDs: p = 0.009), and the LVIDd was notably higher in FFs (p = 0.015) and POs compared to OWs (p = 0.000). FFs exhibited significantly better diastolic function, indicated by higher diastolic peak velocity ratios (MV E/A ratio) and E/E' ratios, compared to POs (E/A ratio: p = 0.025; E/E' ratio: p = 0.014). No significant difference in diastolic performance was found between OWs and FFs. Significantly higher E'(lateral) values were noted in POs compared to FFs (p = 0.003) and OWs (p = 0.004). Ejection fraction did not significantly differ among FFs, POs, and OWs (p > 0.6). The left ventricular mass (LV Mass) was notably higher in POs than it was in FFs (p = 0.039) and OWs (p = 0.033). Strain parameter differences were notably improved in two- (p = 0.006) and four-chamber (p = 0.018) views for FFs compared to POs. Concentric remodeling was the predominant change observed in all three occupational groups. Significant differences in the presence of various forms of hypertrophy were observed in FFs, POs, and OWs (exact Fisher test p-values: FFs vs. OWs = 0.021, POs vs. OWs = 0.002). OWs demonstrated notably higher rates of concentric remodeling than FFs did (71.77% vs. 47.9%). This study underscores disparities in both functional and structural parameters in diverse occupational groups. Larger prospective studies are warranted to investigate and delineate differences in structural and functional cardiac parameters across occupational groups, and to discern their associated effects and risks on the cardiovascular health of these distinct professional cohorts.

Investigating the Mechanistic of Danhong Injection in Brain Damage Caused by Cardiac I/R Injury via Bioinformatics, Computer Simulation, and Experimental Validation

OBJECTIVE

Cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury has negative effects on the brain and can even lead to the occurrence of ischemic stroke. Clinical evidence shows that Danhong injection (DHI) protects the heart and brain following ischemic events. This study investigated the mechanisms and key active compounds underlying the therapeutic effect of DHI against brain damage induced by cardiac I/R injury.

METHODS

The gene expression omnibus database provided GSE66360 and GSE22255 data sets. The R programming language was used to identify the common differentially expressed genes (cDEGs). Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis were performed, and protein-protein interaction network was constructed. Active compounds of DHI were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were performed. The MMPBSA method was used to calculate the binding-free energy. The pkCSM server and DruLiTo software were used for Absorption, Distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analysis and drug-likeness analysis. Finally, in vitro experiments were conducted to validate the results.

RESULTS

A total of 27 cDEGs had been identified. The PPI and enrichment results indicated that TNF-α was considered to be the core target. A total of 80 active compounds were retrieved. The molecular docking results indicated that tanshinone I (TSI), tanshinone IIA (TSIIA), and hydroxyl safflower yellow A (HSYA) were selected as core active compounds. Molecular dynamics verification revealed that the conformations were relatively stable without significant fluctuations. MMPBSA analysis revealed that the binding energies of TSI, TSIIA, and HSYA with TNF-α were -36.01, -21.71, and -14.80 kcal/mol, respectively. LEU57 residue of TNF-α has the highest contribution. TSI and TSIIA passed both the ADMET analysis and drug-likeness screening, whereas HSYA did not. Experimental verification confirmed that DHI and TSIIA reduced the expression of TNF-α, NLRP3, and IL-1β in the injured H9C2 and rat brain microvascular endothelial cells.

CONCLUSION

TNF-α can be considered to be a key target for BD-CI/R. TSIIA in DHI exerts a significant inhibitory effect on the inflammatory damage of BD-CI/R, providing new insights for future drug development.

Multimodality Risk Assessment of Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease Using Deep Learning Models Applied to Electrocardiograms and Chest X-rays

Comprehensive management approaches for patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) are important aids for prognostication and treatment planning. While single-modality deep neural networks (DNNs) have shown promising performance for detecting cardiac abnormalities, the potential benefits of using DNNs for multimodality risk assessment in patients with IHD have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of multimodality risk assessment in patients with IHD using a DNN that utilizes 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) and chest X-rays (CXRs), with the prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) being of particular concern.DNN models were applied to detection of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) on ECGs and identification of cardiomegaly findings on CXRs. A total of 2107 patients who underwent elective percutaneous coronary intervention were categorized into 4 groups according to the models' outputs: Dual-modality high-risk (n = 105), ECG high-risk (n = 181), CXR high-risk (n = 392), and No-risk (n = 1,429).A total of 342 MACEs were observed. The incidence of a MACE was the highest in the Dual-modality high-risk group (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox hazards analysis for predicting MACE revealed that the Dual-modality high-risk group had a significantly higher risk of MACE than the No-risk group (hazard ratio (HR): 2.370, P < 0.001), the ECG high-risk group (HR: 1.906, P = 0.010), and the CXR high-risk group (HR: 1.624, P = 0.018), after controlling for confounding factors.The results suggest the usefulness of multimodality risk assessment using DNN models applied to 12-lead ECG and CXR data from patients with IHD.

Impact of Recurrent Mitral Regurgitation on Left Ventricular Mass Regression and Cardiac Events following Mitral Valve Repair

BACKGROUND

Mitral valve regurgitation results in volume overload, followed by left ventricular remodeling. Variation of reverse remodeling following mitral repair influences the clinical outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the association between recurrent mitral regurgitation and mass regression following mitral valve repair and the impact on major adverse cardiovascular events.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 164 consecutive patients with severe mitral regurgitation who underwent elective mitral valve repair. Subgroups were classified based on the presence of recurrent mitral regurgitation exceeding moderate severity. The hemodynamic parameters were evaluated according to geometry, mass, and function with Doppler echocardiography before and after surgery. Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between hemodynamics and mass regression and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

The results for MR indicated 110 cases with non-recurrent MR and 54 with recurrent MR, along with 31 major adverse cardiovascular events. The tracked echocardiographic results revealed less reduction in dimension and volume, along with less mass regression in the recurrent MR subgroup. Significant differences were revealed in the relative change of the LV end-diastolic volume index and relative mass regression between subgroups. The relative change in the LVEDVI was proportionally correlated with relative mass regression. Cox regression analysis identified correlations with major adverse cardiovascular events, including suture annuloplasty, recurrent mitral regurgitation, tracked LV mass, relative LV mass regression, and systolic dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

LV mass regression and relative change of the LV end-diastolic volume could be risk predictors of recurrent mitral regurgitation. The extent of LV mass regression is correlated with adverse cardiac events.

The predictive value of coronary microvascular dysfunction for left ventricular reverse remodelling in dilated cardiomyopathy

Aims

To evaluate the degree of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) first-pass perfusion parameters and to examine the correlation between myocardial perfusion and left ventricle reverse remodelling (LVRR).

Methods

In this study, 94 DCM patients and 35 healthy controls matched for age and sex were included. Myocardial perfusion parameters, including upslope, time to maximum signal intensity (Timemax), maximum signal intensity (SImax), baseline signal intensity (SIbaseline), and the difference between maximum and baseline signal intensity (SImax-baseline) were measured. Additionally, left ventricular (LV) structure, function parameters, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were also recorded. The parameters were compared between healthy controls and DCM patients. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the predictors of LVRR.

Results

With a median follow-up period of 12 months [interquartile range (IQR), 8-13], 41 DCM patients (44%) achieved LVRR. Compared with healthy controls, DCM patients presented CMD with reduced upslope, SIbaseline, and increased Timemax (all p < 0.01). Timemax, SImax, and SImax-baseline were further decreased in LVRR than non-LVRR group (Timemax: 60.35 [IQR, 51.46-74.71] vs. 72.41 [IQR, 59.68-97.70], p = 0.017; SImax: 723.52 [IQR, 209.76-909.27] vs. 810.92 [IQR, 581.30-996.89], p = 0.049; SImax-baseline: 462.99 [IQR, 152.25-580.43] vs. 551.13 [IQR, 402.57-675.36], p = 0.038). In the analysis of multivariate logistic regression, Timemax [odds ratio (OR) 0.98; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95-1.00; p = 0.032)], heart rate (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.08; p = 0.029), LV remodelling index (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.06-3.00; p = 0.038) and LGE extent (OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.73-0.96; p = 0.021) were independent predictors of LVRR.

Conclusions

CMD could be found in DCM patients and was more impaired in patients with non-LVRR than LVRR patients. Timemax at baseline was an independent predictor of LVRR in DCM.

The potential predictive value of cardiac mechanics for left ventricular reverse remodelling in dilated cardiomyopathy

AIMS

Left ventricular reverse remodelling (LVRR) is an important objective of optimal medical management for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients, as it is associated with favourable long-term outcomes. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can comprehensively assess cardiac structure and function. We aimed to assess the CMR parameters at baseline and investigate independent variables to predict LVRR in DCM patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Nighty-eight initially diagnosed DCM patients who underwent CMR and echocardiography examinations at baseline were included. CMR parameters and feature tracking (FT) based left ventricular (LV) global strain (nStrain) and nStrain indexed to LV cardiac mass index (rStrain) were measured. The predictors of LVRR were determined by multivariate logistic regression analyses. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of CMR parameters and were compared by the DeLong test. At a median follow-up time of 9 [interquartile range, 7-12] months, 35 DCM patients (36%) achieved LVRR. The patients with LVRR had lower LV volume, mass, LGE extent and stroke volume index (LVSVi) and higher left ventricular remodelling index (LVRI), nStrains, rStrains, and peak systolic strain rate (PSSR) in the longitudinal direction and rStrains in the circumferential direction at baseline (all P < 0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, LVRI [per SD, odds ratio (OR) 1.79; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-2.98; P = 0.024] and the ratio of global longitudinal peak strain (rGLPS) (per SD, OR 1.88; 95% CI 1.18-3.01; P = 0.008) were independent predictors of LVRR. The combination of LVSVi, LVRI, and rGLPS had a greater area under the curve (AUC) than the combination of LVSVi and LVRI (0.75 vs. 0.68), but not significantly (P = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with LVRR had a lower LV volume index, lower LVSV index, lower LGE extent, higher LVRI, and preserved myocardial deformation in the longitudinal direction at baseline. LVRI and rGLPS at baseline were independent determinants of LVRR.

The link between obesity and aging - insights into cardiac energy metabolism

Obesity and aging are well-established risk factors for a range of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Given the escalating prevalence of obesity, the aging population, and the subsequent increase in cardiovascular diseases, it is crucial to investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. Both aging and obesity have profound effects on the energy metabolism through various mechanisms, including metabolic inflexibility, altered substrate utilization for energy production, deregulated nutrient sensing, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In this review, we aim to present and discuss the hypothesis that obesity, due to its similarity in changes observed in the aging heart, may accelerate the process of cardiac aging and exacerbate the clinical outcomes of elderly individuals with obesity.

Measuring cardiomyocyte cellular characteristics in cardiac hypertrophy using diffusion-weighted MRI

PURPOSE

This paper presents a hierarchical modeling approach for estimating cardiomyocyte major and minor diameters and intracellular volume fraction (ICV) using diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) data in ex vivo mouse hearts.

METHODS

DWI data were acquired on two healthy controls and two hearts 3 weeks post transverse aortic constriction (TAC) using a bespoke diffusion scheme with multiple diffusion times (Δ $$ \Delta $$ ), q-shells and diffusion encoding directions. Firstly, a bi-exponential tensor model was fitted separately at each diffusion time to disentangle the dependence on diffusion times from diffusion weightings, that is, b-values. The slow-diffusing component was attributed to the restricted diffusion inside cardiomyocytes. ICV was then extrapolated atΔ = 0 $$ \Delta =0 $$ using linear regression. Secondly, given the secondary and the tertiary diffusion eigenvalue measurements for the slow-diffusing component obtained at different diffusion times, major and minor diameters were estimated assuming a cylinder model with an elliptical cross-section (ECS). High-resolution three-dimensional synchrotron X-ray imaging (SRI) data from the same specimen was utilized to evaluate the biophysical parameters.

RESULTS

Estimated parameters using DWI data were (control 1/control 2 vs. TAC 1/TAC 2): major diameter-17.4μ $$ \mu $$ m/18.0μ $$ \mu $$ m versus 19.2μ $$ \mu $$ m/19.0μ $$ \mu $$ m; minor diameter-10.2μ $$ \mu $$ m/9.4μ $$ \mu $$ m versus 12.8μ $$ \mu $$ m/13.4μ $$ \mu $$ m; and ICV-62%/62% versus 68%/47%. These findings were consistent with SRI measurements.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method allowed for accurate estimation of biophysical parameters suggesting cardiomyocyte diameters as sensitive biomarkers of hypertrophy in the heart.

The microtubule signature in cardiac disease: etiology, disease stage, and age dependency

Employing animal models to study heart failure (HF) has become indispensable to discover and test novel therapies, but their translatability remains challenging. Although cytoskeletal alterations are linked to HF, the tubulin signature of common experimental models has been incompletely defined. Here, we assessed the tubulin signature in a large set of human cardiac samples and myocardium of animal models with cardiac remodeling caused by pressure overload, myocardial infarction or a gene defect. We studied levels of total, acetylated, and detyrosinated α-tubulin and desmin in cardiac tissue from hypertrophic (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients with an idiopathic (n = 7), ischemic (n = 7) or genetic origin (n = 59), and in a pressure-overload concentric hypertrophic pig model (n = 32), pigs with a myocardial infarction (n = 28), mature pigs (n = 6), and mice (n = 15) carrying the HCM-associated MYBPC32373insG mutation. In the human samples, detyrosinated α-tubulin was increased 4-fold in end-stage HCM and 14-fold in pediatric DCM patients. Acetylated α-tubulin was increased twofold in ischemic patients. Across different animal models, the tubulin signature remained mostly unaltered. Only mature pigs were characterized by a 0.5-fold decrease in levels of total, acetylated, and detyrosinated α-tubulin. Moreover, we showed increased desmin levels in biopsies from NYHA class II HCM patients (2.5-fold) and the pressure-overload pig model (0.2-0.3-fold). Together, our data suggest that desmin levels increase early on in concentric hypertrophy and that animal models only partially recapitulate the proliferated and modified tubulin signature observed clinically. Our data warrant careful consideration when studying maladaptive responses to changes in the tubulin content in animal models.

The Role of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathways in Different Models of Cardiac Hypertrophy in Rats

Cardiac hypertrophy develops following different triggers of pressure or volume overload. In several previous studies, different hypertrophy types were demonstrated following alterations in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway activation. In the current study, we studied two types of cardiac hypertrophy models in rats: eccentric and concentric hypertrophy. For the eccentric hypertrophy model, iron deficiency anemia caused by a low-iron diet was implemented, while surgical aortic constriction was used to induce aortic stenosis (AS) and concentric cardiac hypertrophy. The hearts were evaluated using echocardiography, histological sections, and scanning electron microscopy. The expression of ERK1/2 was analyzed using Western blot. During the study period, anemic rats developed eccentric hypertrophy characterized by an enlarged left ventricle (LV) cavity cross-sectional area (CSA) (59.9 ± 5.1 mm2 vs. 47 ± 8.1 mm2, p = 0.002), thinner septum (2.1 ± 0.3 mm vs. 2.5 ± 0.2 mm, p < 0.05), and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (52.6% + 4.7 vs. 60.3% + 2.8, p < 0.05). Rats with AS developed concentric hypertrophy with a thicker septum (2.8 ± 0.6 vs. 2.4 ± 0.1 p < 0.05), increased LV muscle cross-sectional area (79.5 ± 9.33 mm2 vs. 57.9 ± 5.0 mm2, p < 0.001), and increased LVEF (70.3% + 2.8 vs. 60.0% + 2.1, p < 0.05). ERK1/2 expression decreased in the anemic rats and increased in the rats with AS. Nevertheless, the p-ERK and the p-MEK did not change significantly in all the examined models. We concluded that ERK1/2 expression was altered by the type of hypertrophy and the change in LVEF.

Imaging Early Life Cardiovascular Phenotype

The growing epidemics of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, in addition to worsening environmental factors such as air pollution, water scarcity, and climate change, have fueled the continuously increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This has caused a markedly increasing burden of CVDs that includes mortality and morbidity worldwide. Identification of subclinical CVD before overt symptoms can lead to earlier deployment of preventative pharmacological and nonpharmacologic strategies. In this regard, noninvasive imaging techniques play a significant role in identifying early CVD phenotypes. An armamentarium of imaging techniques including vascular ultrasound, echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, noninvasive computed tomography angiography, positron emission tomography, and nuclear imaging, with intrinsic strengths and limitations can be utilized to delineate incipient CVD for both clinical and research purposes. In this article, we review the various imaging modalities used for the evaluation, characterization, and quantification of early subclinical cardiovascular diseases.

Ginsenoside Rd promotes omentin secretion in adipose through TBK1-AMPK to improve mitochondrial biogenesis via WNT5A/Ca2+ pathways in heart failure

Ginsenoside Rd is an active ingredient in Panax ginseng CA Mey and can be absorbed into the adipose tissue. Adipokines play an important role in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, the potential benefit of Rd on heart failure (HF) and the underlying mechanism associated with the crosstalk between adipocytes and cardiomyocytes remains to be illustrated. Here, the results identified that Rd improved cardiac function and inhibited cardiac pathological changes in transverse aortic constriction (TAC), coronary ligation (CAL) and isoproterenol (ISO)-induced HF mice. And Rd promoted the release of omentin from the adipose tissue and up-regulated omentin expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Further, Rd could increase TBK1 and AMPK phosphorylation in adipocytes. And also, the TBK1-AMPK signaling pathway regulated the expression of omentin in LPS-induced adipocytes. Moreover, the omentin mRNA expression was significantly decreased by TBK1 knockdown in LPS-induced 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Additionally, molecular docking and SPR analysis confirmed that Rd had a certain binding ability with TBK1, and co-treatment with TBK1 inhibitors or TBK1 knockdown partially abolished the effect of Rd on increasing the omentin expression and the ratio of p-AMPK to AMPK in adipocytes. Moreover, we found that circulating omentin level diminished in the HF patients compared with healthy subjects. Meanwhile, the adipose tissue-specific overexpression of omentin improved cardiac function, reduced myocardial infarct size and ameliorated cardiac pathological features in CAL-induced HF mice. Consistently, exogenous omentin reduced mtROS levels and restored ΔψM to improve oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cardiomyocytes injury. Further, omentin inhibited the WNT5A/Ca²⁺ signaling pathway and promoted mitochondrial biogenesis function to ameliorate myocardial ischemia injury. However, WNT5A knockdown inhibited the impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis and partially counteracted the cardioprotective effect of omentin in vitro. Therefore, this study indicated that Rd promoted omentin secretion from adipocytes through the TBK1-AMPK pathway to improve mitochondrial biogenesis function via WNT5A/Ca²⁺ signaling pathway to ameliorate myocardial ischemia injury, which provided a new therapeutic mechanism and potential drugs for the treatment of HF.

The Synthetic Flavonoid Hidrosmin Improves Endothelial Dysfunction and Atherosclerotic Lesions in Diabetic Mice

In diabetes, chronic hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to the progression of macro/microvascular complications. Recently, benefits of the use of flavonoids in these conditions have been established. This study investigates, in two different mouse models of diabetes, the vasculoprotective effects of the synthetic flavonoid hidrosmin on endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis. In a type 2 diabetes model of leptin-receptor-deficient (db/db) mice, orally administered hidrosmin (600 mg/kg/day) for 16 weeks markedly improved vascular function in aorta and mesenteric arteries without affecting vascular structural properties, as assessed by wire and pressure myography. In streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, hidrosmin treatment for 7 weeks reduced atherosclerotic plaque size and lipid content; increased markers of plaque stability; and decreased markers of inflammation, senescence and oxidative stress in aorta. Hidrosmin showed cardiovascular safety, as neither functional nor structural abnormalities were noted in diabetic hearts. Ex vivo, hidrosmin induced vascular relaxation that was blocked by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition. In vitro, hidrosmin stimulated endothelial NOS activity and NO production and downregulated hyperglycemia-induced inflammatory and oxidant genes in vascular smooth muscle cells. Our results highlight hidrosmin as a potential add-on therapy in the treatment of macrovascular complications of diabetes.

Extent of Left Ventricular Mass Regression and Impact of Global Left Ventricular Afterload on Cardiac Events and Mortality after Aortic Valve Replacement

Patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) causes a high transvalvular pressure gradient and residual left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, consequently influencing long-term results. This study aimed to find the relationships between hemodynamic parameters and LV mass regression and determine the risk predictors of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE) after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis. Methods and Results: Preoperative and postoperative Doppler echocardiography data were evaluated for 120 patients after AVR. The patients' mean age was 67.7 years; 55% of the patients were male. Forty-four (37%) patients suffered from MACCE during a mean follow-up period of 3.6 ± 2 years. The following hemodynamic parameters at follow-up were associated with lower relative indexed LV mass (LVMI) regression: lower postoperative indexed effective orifice area, greater mean transvalvular pressure gradient (MPG), greater stroke work loss (SWL), and concentric or eccentric LV remodeling mode. The following hemodynamic parameters at follow-up were associated with a higher risk of MACCE: higher valvuloarterial impedance (Z_VA), greater SWL, greater MPG, greater relative wall thickness, greater LVMI, and hypertrophic LV remodeling mode. Lower relative LVMI regression was associated with a higher risk of MACCE (hazard ratio, 1.01: 95% confidence interval, 1.003-1.03). The corresponding cutoff of relative LVMI regression was -14%. Conclusions: Changes in hemodynamic parameters were independently associated with relative LVMI regression. Impaired reverse remodeling and persistent residual LV hypertrophy were independent risk predictors of MACCE. An LVMI regression lower than 14% indicated higher MACCE. A postoperative Z_VA greater than 3.5 mmHg/mL/m² was an independent risk predictor of cardiac events and mortality after AVR. Preventive strategies should be used at the time of the operation to avoid PPM.

Role of Cardiac Natriuretic Peptides in Heart Structure and Function

Cardiac natriuretic peptides (NPs), atrial NP (ANP) and B-type NP (BNP) are true hormones produced and released by cardiomyocytes, exerting several systemic effects. Together with C-type NP (CNP), mainly expressed by endothelial cells, they also exert several paracrine and autocrine activities on the heart itself, contributing to cardiovascular (CV) health. In addition to their natriuretic, vasorelaxant, metabolic and antiproliferative systemic properties, NPs prevent cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies, counteracting the development and progression of heart failure (HF). Moreover, recent studies revealed that a protein structurally similar to NPs mainly produced by skeletal muscles and osteoblasts called musclin/osteocrin is able to interact with the NPs clearance receptor, attenuating cardiac dysfunction and myocardial fibrosis and promoting heart protection during pathological overload. This narrative review is focused on the direct activities of this molecule family on the heart, reporting both experimental and human studies that are clinically relevant for physicians.

Omentin1 ameliorates myocardial ischemia-induced heart failure via SIRT3/FOXO3a-dependent mitochondrial dynamical homeostasis and mitophagy

Background

Adipose tissue-derived adipokines are involved in various crosstalk between adipose tissue and other organs. Omentin1, a novel adipokine, exerts vital roles in the maintenance of body metabolism, insulin resistance and the like. However, the protective effect of omentin1 in myocardial ischemia (MI)-induced heart failure (HF) and its specific mechanism remains unclear and to be elucidated.

Methods

The model of MI-induced HF mice and oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)-injured cardiomyocytes were performed. Mice with overexpression of omentin1 were constructed by a fat-specific adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector system.

Results

We demonstrated that circulating omentin1 level diminished in HF patients compared with healthy subjects. Furthermore, the fat-specific overexpression of omentin1 ameliorated cardiac function, cardiac hypertrophy, infarct size and cardiac pathological features, and also enhanced SIRT3/FOXO3a signaling in HF mice. Additionally, administration with AAV-omentin1 increased mitochondrial fusion and decreased mitochondrial fission in HF mice, as evidenced by up-regulated expression of Mfn2 and OPA1, and downregulation of p-Drp1(Ser616). Then, it also promoted PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy. Simultaneously, treatment with recombinant omentin1 strengthened OGD-injured cardiomyocyte viability, restrained LDH release, and enhanced the mitochondrial accumulation of SIRT3 and nucleus transduction of FOXO3a. Besides, omentin1 also ameliorated unbalanced mitochondrial fusion-fission dynamics and activated mitophagy, thereby, improving the damaged mitochondria morphology and controlling mitochondrial quality in OGD-injured cardiomyocytes. Interestingly, SIRT3 played an important role in the improvement effects of omentin1 on mitochondrial function, unbalanced mitochondrial fusion-fission dynamics and mitophagy.

Conclusion

Omentin1 improves MI-induced HF and myocardial injury by maintaining mitochondrial dynamical homeostasis and activating mitophagy via upregulation of SIRT3/FOXO3a signaling. This study provides evidence for further application of omentin1 in cardiovascular diseases from the perspective of crosstalk between heart and adipose tissue.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03642-x.

Peri-event plasma PCSK9 and hsCRP after an acute myocardial infarction correlate with early deterioration of left ventricular ejection fraction: a cohort study

Background

It is important to identify patients at increased risk of worsening of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after a myocardial infarction (MI). We aimed to identify the association of various potential biomarkers with LVEF impairment after an MI in South American patients.

Methods

We studied adult patients admitted to a University Hospital and diagnosed with an acute MI. Plasma concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and heart-type fatty-acid-binding protein (FABP3) were determined in samples drawn shortly after the event. Participants had a follow-up visit at least 45 days after the event. The primary endpoint was defined as any decline in LVEF at follow-up relative to baseline.

Results

The study included 106 patients (77.4% men, 22.6% women), mean age was 64.1, mean baseline LVEF was 56.6, 19% had a prior MI. We obtained a follow-up evaluation in 100 (94.4%) of participants, mean follow-up time was 163 days. There was a significant correlation between baseline PCSK9 and hsCRP (r = 0.39, p < 0.001). Baseline hsCRP concentrations were higher in patients who developed the endpoint than in those who did not (32.1 versus 21.2 mg/L, p = 0.066). After multivariate adjustment, baseline PCSK9, male sex and age were significantly associated with impairment in LVEF. The absolute change in LVEF was inversely correlated with baseline hsCRP (standardized coefficient = − 0.246, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

High plasma levels of PCSK9 and hsCRP were associated with early decreases in LVEF after an MI in Latin American patients.

Pulmonary Artery Diameter (PAD) and the Pulmonary Artery to Aorta Ratio (PAD/AAD) as Assessed by Non-contrast Cardiac CT: The Association with Left Ventricular (LV) Remodeling and the LV Function

Objective Dilatation of the pulmonary artery itself (PAD: pulmonary artery diameter) or in relation to the ascending aorta (PAD/AAD: pulmonary artery diameter to ascending aortic diameter ratio) has been reported to be associated with pulmonary hypertension and with a prognostic outcome of either heart failure or cardiovascular events. We herein aimed to assess the correlations between pulmonary hypertension-related parameters PAD (or PAD/AAD) and left ventricular (LV) remodeling and LV function. Methods This retrospective study included 193 patients (ages: 67±12 years) who underwent both coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and echocardiography. The PAD and the AAD were measured on a transaxial non-contrast CCTA image at the level of the pulmonary artery bifurcation. Left ventricular mass (LVM), relative wall thickness ratio (RWT), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left atrial volume (LAV), and early mitral inflow velocity to mitral annular early diastolic velocity ratio (E/e') were evaluated by echocardiography. The relationships between PAD (or PAD/AAD) and echocardiography parameters were assessed, and adjusted for the demographic data and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors by a multivariable linear regression analysis. Results PAD (mean±SD: 2.6±0.4 cm) was positively correlated with LVM (r=0.34, p<0.001), LAV (r=0.41, p<0.001), and E/e' (r=0.29, p<0.001). PAD/AAD (mean±SD: 0.76±0.12 cm) was positively correlated with LVM (r=0.12, p=0.09), LAV (r=0.24, p<0.001), and E/e' (r=0.15, p=0.04). These correlations remained significant after adjusting for demographic data and CVD risk factors. PAD (or PAD/AAD) did not correlate with LVEF or RWT (p>0.05). Conclusion Greater PAD or PAD/AAD is significantly associated with LV remodeling and an impaired LV function.

Coronary microvascular function and visceral adiposity in patients with normal body weight and type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to assess whether diabetes affects coronary microvascular function in individuals with normal body weight.

METHODS

Seventy-five participants (30 patients with type 2 diabetes [T2D] who were overweight [O-T2D], 15 patients with T2D who were lean [LnT2D], 15 healthy volunteers who were lean [LnHV], and 15 healthy volunteers who were overweight [O-HV]) without established cardiovascular disease were recruited. Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging for assessment of subcutaneous, epicardial, and visceral adipose tissue areas, adenosine stress myocardial blood flow (MBF), and cardiac structure and function.

RESULTS

Stress MBF was reduced only in the O-T2D group (mean [SD], LnHV = 2.07 [0.47] mL/g/min, O-HV = 2.08 [0.42] mL/g/min, LnT2D = 2.16 [0.36] mL/g/min, O-T2D = 1.60 [0.28] mL/g/min; p ≤ 0.0001). Accumulation of visceral fat was evident in the LnT2D group at similar levels to the O-HV group (LnHV = 127 [53] cm² , O-HV = 181 [60] cm² , LnT2D = 182 [99] cm² , O-T2D = 288 [72] cm² ; p < 0.0001). Only the O-T2D group showed reductions in left ventricular ejection fraction (LnHV = 63% [4%], O-HV = 63% [4%], LnT2D = 60% [5%], O-T2D = 58% [6%]; p = 0.0008) and global longitudinal strain (LnHV = -15.1% [3.1%], O-HV= -15.2% [3.7%], LnT2D = -13.4% [2.7%], O-T2D = -11.1% [2.8%]; p = 0.002) compared with both control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with T2D and normal body weight do not show alterations in global stress MBF, but they do show significant increases in visceral adiposity. Patients with T2D who were overweight and had no prior cardiovascular disease showed an increase in visceral adiposity and significant reductions in stress MBF.

Calpains as Potential Therapeutic Targets for Myocardial Hypertrophy

Despite advances in its treatment, heart failure remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, evidencing an urgent need for novel mechanism-based targets and strategies. Myocardial hypertrophy, caused by a wide variety of chronic stress stimuli, represents an independent risk factor for the development of heart failure, and its prevention constitutes a clinical objective. Recent studies performed in preclinical animal models support the contribution of the Ca²⁺-dependent cysteine proteases calpains in regulating the hypertrophic process and highlight the feasibility of their long-term inhibition as a pharmacological strategy. In this review, we discuss the existing evidence implicating calpains in the development of cardiac hypertrophy, as well as the latest advances in unraveling the underlying mechanisms. Finally, we provide an updated overview of calpain inhibitors that have been explored in preclinical models of cardiac hypertrophy and the progress made in developing new compounds that may serve for testing the efficacy of calpain inhibition in the treatment of pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

Prevalence and Prognosis of HFimpEF Developed From Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) is classified as a new type of heart failure, and its prevalence and prognosis are not consistent in previous studies. There is no systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the prevalence and prognosis of the HFimpEF. Method: A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library from inception to May 22, 2021 (PROSPERO registration: CRD42021260422). Studies were included for analysis if the prognosis of mortality or hospitalization were reported in HFimpEF or in patients with heart failure with recovered ejection fraction (HFrecEF). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Cardiac hospitalization, all-cause hospitalization, and composite events of mortality and hospitalization were considered as secondary outcomes. Result: Nine studies consisting of 9,491 heart failure patients were eventually included. During an average follow-up of 3.8 years, the pooled prevalence of HFimpEF was 22.64%. HFimpEF had a lower risk of mortality compared with heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (adjusted HR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.33-0.60). HFimpEF was also associated with a lower risk of cardiac hospitalization (HR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.20-0.82) and the composite endpoint of mortality and hospitalization (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.44-0.73). Compared with patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), HFimpEF was associated with a moderately lower risk of mortality (HR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.32-0.55) and hospitalization (HR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58-0.92). Conclusion: Around 22.64% of patients with HFrEF would be treated to become HFimpEF, who would then obtain a 56% decrease in mortality risk. Meanwhile, HFimpEF is associated with lower heart failure hospitalization. Further studies are required to explore how to promote left ventricular ejection fraction improvement and improve the prognosis of persistent HFrEF in patients. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021260422, identifier: CRD42021260422.

PKM2 promotes angiotensin-II-induced cardiac remodelling by activating TGF-β/Smad2/3 and Jak2/Stat3 pathways through oxidative stress

Hypertensive cardiac remodelling is a common cause of heart failure. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating cardiac remodelling remain unclear. Pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2) is a key regulator of the processes of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, but the roles in cardiac remodelling remain unknown. In the present study, we found that PKM2 was enhanced in angiotensin II (Ang II)-treated cardiac fibroblasts and hypertensive mouse hearts. Suppression of PKM2 by shikonin alleviated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis in Ang-II-induced cardiac remodelling in vivo. Furthermore, inhibition of PKM2 markedly attenuated the function of cardiac fibroblasts including proliferation, migration and collagen synthesis in vitro. Mechanistically, suppression of PKM2 inhibited cardiac remodelling by suppressing TGF-β/Smad2/3, Jak2/Stat3 signalling pathways and oxidative stress. Together, this study suggests that PKM2 is an aggravator in Ang-II-mediated cardiac remodelling. The negative modulation of PKM2 may provide a promising therapeutic approach for hypertensive cardiac remodelling.

Diabetes, Heart Failure, and COVID-19: An Update

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was declared a pandemic by the WHO in March 2020. As of August 2021, more than 220 countries have been affected, accounting for 211,844,613 confirmed cases and 4,432,802 deaths worldwide. A new delta variant wave is sweeping through the globe. While previous reports consistently have demonstrated worse prognoses for patients with existing cardiovascular disease than for those without, new studies are showing a possible link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and an increased incidence of new-onset heart disease and diabetes, regardless of disease severity. If this trend is true, with hundreds of millions infected, the disease burden could portend a potentially troubling increase in heart disease and diabetes in the future. Focusing on heart failure in this review, we discuss the current data at the intersection of COVID, heart failure, and diabetes, from clinical findings to potential mechanisms of how SARS-CoV-2 infection could increase the incidence of those pathologies. Additionally, we posit questions for future research areas regarding the significance for patient care.

Metformin Attenuates Postinfarction Myocardial Fibrosis and Inflammation in Mice

Diabetes is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease with a higher incidence of myocardial infarction. This study explores the role of metformin, a first-line antihyperglycemic agent, in postinfarction fibrotic and inflammatory remodeling in mice. Three-month-old C57BI/6J mice were submitted to 30 min cardiac ischemia followed by reperfusion for 14 days. Intraperitoneal treatment with metformin (5 mg/kg) was initiated 15 min after the onset of reperfusion and maintained for 14 days. Real-time PCR was used to determine the levels of COL3A1, αSMA, CD68, TNF-α and IL-6. Increased collagen deposition and infiltration of macrophages in heart tissues are associated with upregulation of the inflammation-associated genes in mice after 14 days of reperfusion. Metformin treatment markedly reduced postinfarction fibrotic remodeling and CD68-positive cell population in mice. Moreover, metformin resulted in reduced expression of COL3A1, αSMA and CD68 after 14 days of reperfusion. Taken together, these results open new perspectives for the use of metformin as a drug that counteracts adverse myocardial fibroticand inflammatory remodeling after MI.

Hydrogen gas inhalation ameliorates cardiac remodelling and fibrosis by regulating NLRP3 inflammasome in myocardial infarction rats

It is noteworthy that prolonged cardiac structural changes and excessive fibrosis caused by myocardial infarction (MI) seriously interfere with the treatment of heart failure in clinical practice. Currently, there are no effective and practical means of either prevention or treatment. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches are critical for the long‐term quality of life of individuals with myocardial ischaemia. Herein, we aimed to explore the protective effect of H₂, a novel gas signal molecule with anti‐oxidative stress and anti‐inflammatory effects, on cardiac remodelling and fibrosis in MI rats, and to explore its possible mechanism. First, we successfully established MI model rats, which were then exposed to H₂ inhalation with 2% concentration for 28 days (3 hours/day). The results showed that hydrogen gas can significantly improve cardiac function and reduce the area of cardiac fibrosis. In vitro experiments further proved that H₂ can reduce the hypoxia‐induced damage to cardiomyocytes and alleviate angiotensin II‐induced migration and activation of cardiac fibroblasts. In conclusion, herein, we illustrated for the first time that inhalation of H₂ ameliorates myocardial infarction‐induced cardiac remodelling and fibrosis in MI rats and exert its protective effect mainly through inhibiting NLRP3‐mediated pyroptosis.

Predictors for intraoperative heart failure in children undergoing foreign-body removal

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the predictors for intraoperative heart failure (HF) in children undergoing foreign-body removal. The clinical data of all children with tracheobronchial foreign-body aspiration admitted to the First, Second, and Fourth Affiliated Hospitals of Harbin Medical University between January 1996 and September 2018 were analyzed. The variables with significant difference in univariate analysis were involved into the multivariate Logistic model to determine the predictors for intraoperative tachycardia. In total, 300 tracheobronchial foreign-body aspiration children were eligible for the study, among whom 60 cases (20%) suffered from HF during the operation. Between the children HF and those without HF, the differences were pronounced in history of allergy, history of asthma, congenital heart disease, preoperative respiratory infection, retention time of foreign bodies, duration of operation, and poor anesthesia effect (P < .05). Multivariate analysis results showed that history of allergy (odds ratio [OR]: 1.395, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.202-1.620, P < .001), congenital heart disease [OR: 3.071, 95% CI: 1.141-8.264, P < .001], preoperative respiratory infection [OR: 2.345, 95% CI: 1.027-5.355, P = .043], retention time of foreign bodies [OR: 1.013, 95% CI: 1.010-1.016, P < .001], duration of operation [OR: 1.030, 95% CI: 1.027-1.033, P < .001], and poor anesthesia effect [OR: 1.125, 95% CI: 1.117-1.134, P < .001] were identified as the influencing factors for intraoperative HF. In conclusions, for children undergoing foreign-body removal, history of allergy, congenital heart disease, preoperative respiratory infection, retention time of foreign bodies, duration of operation, and poor anesthesia effect are associated with an increased risk of intraoperative HF.

SLC7A11/xCT Prevents Cardiac Hypertrophy by Inhibiting Ferroptosis

PURPOSE

Systemic hypertension may induce adverse hypertrophy of the left cardiac ventricle. Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a common cause of heart failure. We investigated the significance of ferroptosis repressor xCT in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

METHODS

xCT expression in angiotensin II (Ang II)-treated mouse hearts and rat cardiomyocytes was determined using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Cardiac hypertrophy was induced by Ang II infusion in xCT knockout mice and their wildtype counterparts. Blood pressure, cardiac pump function, and pathological changes of cardiac remodeling were analyzed in these mice. Cell death, oxidative stress, and xCT-mediated ferroptosis were examined in Ang II-treated rat cardiomyocytes.

RESULTS

After Ang II infusion, xCT was downregulated at day 1 but upregulated at day 14 at both mRNA and protein levels. It was also decreased in Ang II-treated cardiomyocytes, but not in cardiofibroblasts. Inhibition of xCT exacerbated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and boosted the levels of ferroptosis biomarkers Ptgs2, malondialdehyde, and reactive oxygen species induced by Ang II, while overexpression of xCT opposed these detrimental effects. Furthermore, knockout of xCT aggravated Ang II-mediated mouse cardiac fibrosis, hypertrophy, and dysfunction. Ferrostatin-1, a ferroptosis inhibitor, alleviated the exacerbation of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy caused by inhibiting xCT in cultured rat cells or ablating xCT in mice.

CONCLUSION

xCT acts as a suppressor in Ang II-mediated cardiac hypertrophy by blocking ferroptosis. Positive modulation of xCT may therefore represent a novel therapeutic approach against cardiac hypertrophic diseases.

Decoding the complexity of circular RNAs in cardiovascular disease

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of covalently circularized noncoding RNAs widely expressed in the human heart. Emerging evidence suggests they have a regulatory role in a variety of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This review's current focus includes our understanding of circRNA classification, biogenesis, function, stability, degradation mechanisms, and their roles in various cardiovascular disease conditions. Our knowledge of circRNA, the relatively recent member of the noncoding RNA family, is still in its infancy; however, recent literature proposes circRNAs may be promising targets for the understanding and treatment of CVD.

Cardiac reverse remodelling and health status in patients with chronic heart failure

AIMS

This study aims to assess long-term changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) together with echocardiographic markers of cardiac remodelling and their association with prognosis and patient-reported quality of life (QoL).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of serial echocardiograms performed between January 2009 and December 2019 in 1089 patients (median age 63 years, 71.0% men) enrolled in the Mazankowski Heart Function Clinic Registry who had at least two echocardiograms separated by ≥12 months. We classified the patients into four subgroups by their baseline and LVEF trajectories: persistent heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (persistent HFrEF, n = 364), recovered ejection fraction (HFrecEF, n = 325), transient recovery in ejection fraction (HFtrecEF, n = 117), and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, n = 283); 4490 echocardiograms were included in the present analysis, with 4.1 ± 1.8 echocardiograms available per patient during follow-up. Reductions in echocardiographic markers of cardiac remodelling, including LVIDd [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75-2.86], LVIDs (aOR: 2.44, 95% CI 2.00-2.94), left ventricular mass index (aOR: 1.15, 95% CI 1.09-1.22), E/e' ratio (aOR: 1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.30), left atrial volume index (aOR: 1.10, 95% CI 1.03-1.16), along with an increase in the maximum recommended daily dose of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (aOR: 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07) and mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonists (aOR: 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.11) at 2 years, strongly predicted the HFrecEF classification, which was further sustained at 5 years of follow-up. However, changes in these parameters were mostly absent in patients experiencing only a transient recovery in LVEF (HFtrecEF), closely resembling patients with persistent HFrEF. In the multivariable analysis, HFrecEF patients had lower risk of all-cause mortality alone [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.46, 95% CI 0.23-0.93], and composite all-cause (aHR: 0.59, 95% CI 0.49-0.73), cardiovascular (aHR: 0.47, 95% CI 0.36-0.61), and heart failure (aHR: 0.50, 95% CI 0.35-0.70) related hospitalizations with mortality than patients with persistent HFrEF. QoL assessed through the shortened Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12 at the end of follow-up was greater in patients with HFrecEF by 5.2, 12.4, and 9.4 points than persistent HFrEF, HFtrecEF, and HFpEF, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with HFrecEF experienced progressive normalization in echocardiographic markers of cardiac remodelling characterized by reductions in left ventricular dimensions and mass in tandem with reductions in left atrial volume and E/e' ratio, which is associated with better prognosis and QoL.

Natural history and prognostic implications of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: an analysis of the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) II randomized controlled trial

Background

The aim of the current study is to assess the natural history and prognostic value of elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after reperfusion with thrombolysis; we utilize data from the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) II study.

Methods

A total of 3339 patients were randomized to either an invasive (n = 1681) or a conservative (n = 1658) strategy in the TIMI II study following thrombolysis. To make the current cohort as relevant as possible to modern pharmaco-invasively managed cohorts, patients in the invasive arm with TIMI flow grade ≥ 2 (N = 1201) at initial catheterization are included in the analysis. Of these, 259 patients had a second catheterization prior to hospital discharge, and these were used to define the natural history of LVEDP in reperfused STEMI.

Results

The median LVEDP for the whole cohort was 18 mmHg (IQR: 12–23). Patients were divided into quartiles by LVEDP measured during the first cardiac catheterization. During a median follow up of 3 (IQR: 2.1–3.2) years, quartile 4 (highest LVEDP) had the highest incidence of mortality and heart failure admissions. In the cohort with paired catheterization data, the LVEDP dropped slightly from 18 mmHg (1QR: 12–22) to 15 mmHg (IQR: 10–20) (p = 0.01) from the first to the pre-hospital discharge catheterization.

Conclusions

LVEDP remains largely stable during hospitalisation post-STEMI. Elevated LVEDP is a predictor of death and heart failure hospitalization in STEMI patients undergoing successful thrombolysis.

Graphic abstract

On the Left Ventricular Remodeling of Patients with Stenotic Aortic Valve: A Statistical Shape Analysis

The left ventricle (LV) constantly changes its shape and function as a response to pathological conditions, and this process is known as remodeling. In the presence of aortic stenosis (AS), the degenerative process is not limited to the aortic valve but also involves the remodeling of LV. Statistical shape analysis (SSA) offers a powerful tool for the visualization and quantification of the geometrical and functional patterns of any anatomic changes. In this paper, a SSA method was developed to determine shape descriptors of the LV under different degrees of AS and thus to shed light on the mechanistic link between shape and function. A total of n=86 patients underwent computed tomography (CT) for the evaluation of valvulopathy were segmented to obtain the LV surface and then were automatically aligned to a reference template by rigid registrations and transformations. Shape modes of the anatomical LV variation induced by the degree of AS were assessed by principal component analysis (PCA). The first shape mode represented nearly 50% of the total variance of LV shape in our patient population and was mainly associated to a spherical LV geometry. At Pearson's analysis, the first shape mode was positively correlated to both the end-diastolic volume (p<0.01, R=0.814) and end-systolic volume (p<0.01, and R=0.922), suggesting LV impairment in patients with severe AS. A predictive model built with PCA-related shape modes achieved better performance in stratifying the occurrence of adverse events with respect to a baseline model using clinical demographic data as risk predictors. This study demonstrated the potential of SSA approaches to detect the association of complex 3D shape features with functional LV parameters.

Parametric-based feature selection via spherical harmonic coefficients for the left ventricle myocardial infarction screening

Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) of heart diseases using machine learning techniques has recently received much attention. In this study, we present a novel parametric-based feature selection method using the three-dimensional spherical harmonic (SHs) shape descriptors of the left ventricle (LV) for intelligent myocardial infarction (MI) classification. The main hypothesis is that the SH coefficients of the parameterized endocardial shapes in MI patients are recognizable and distinguishable from healthy subjects. The SH parameterization, expansion, and registration of the LV endocardial shapes were performed, then parametric-based features were extracted. The proposed method performance was investigated by varying considered phases (i.e., the end-systole (ES) or the end-diastole (ED) frames), the spatial alignment procedures based on three modes (i.e., the center of the apical (CoA), the center of mass (CoM), and the center of the basal (CoB)), and considered orders of SH coefficients. After applying principal component analysis (PCA) on the feature vectors, support vector machine (SVM), K-nearest neighbors (K-NN), and random forest (RF) were trained and tested using the leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV). The proposed method validation was performed via a dataset containing healthy and MI subjects selected from the automated cardiac diagnosis challenge (ACDC) database. The promising results show the effectiveness of the proposed classification model. SVM reached the best performance with accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and F-score of 97.50%, 95.00%, 100.00%, and 97.56%, respectively, using the introduced optimum feature set. This study demonstrates the robustness of combining the SH coefficients and machine learning techniques. We also quantify and notably highlight the contribution of different parameters in the classification and finally introduce an optimal feature set with maximum discriminant strength for the MI classification task. Moreover, the obtained results confirm that the proposed method performs more accurately than conventional point-based methods and also the current start-of-the-art, i.e., clinical measures. We showed our method's generalizability using employing it in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) detection and achieving promising results too. Parametric-based feature selection via spherical harmonics coefficients for the left ventricle myocardial infarction screening.

Variation in left ventricular cardiac magnetic resonance normal reference ranges: systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

To determine population-related and technical sources of variation in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) reference ranges for left ventricular (LV) quantification through a formal systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42019147161). Relevant studies were identified through electronic searches and assessed by two independent reviewers based on predefined criteria. Fifteen studies comprising 2132 women and 1890 men aged 20-91 years are included in the analysis. Pooled LV reference ranges calculated using random effects meta-analysis with inverse variance weighting revealed significant differences by age, sex, and ethnicity. Men had larger LV volumes and higher LV mass than women [LV end-diastolic volume (mean difference = 6.1 mL/m2, P-value = 0.014), LV end-systolic volume (MD = 4 mL/m2, P-value = 0.033), LV mass (mean difference = 12 g/m2, P-value = 7.8 × 10-9)]. Younger individuals had larger LV end-diastolic volumes than older ages (20-40 years vs. ≥65 years: women MD = 14.0 mL/m2, men MD = 14.7 mL/m2). East Asians (Chinese, Korean, Singaporean-Chinese, n = 514) had lower LV mass than Caucasians (women: MD = 6.4 g/m2, P-value = 0.016; men: MD = 9.8 g/m2, P-value = 6.7 × 10-5). Between-study heterogeneity was high for all LV parameters despite stratification by population-related factors. Sensitivity analyses identified differences in contouring methodology, magnet strength, and post-processing software as potential sources of heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

There is significant variation between CMR normal reference ranges due to multiple population-related and technical factors. Whilst there is need for population-stratified reference ranges, limited sample sizes and technical heterogeneity precludes derivation of meaningful unified ranges from existing reports. Wider representation of different populations and standardization of image analysis is urgently needed to establish such reference distributions.

Inorganic arsenic induces sex-dependent pathological hypertrophy in the heart

Arsenic exposure though drinking water is widespread and well associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, yet the pathophysiological mechanisms by which iAS induces these effects are largely unknown. Recently, an epidemiological study in an American population with a low burden of cardiovascular risk factors found that iAS exposure was associated with altered left ventricular geometry. Considering the possibility that iAS directly induces cardiac remodeling independently of hypertension, we investigated the impact of an environmentally relevant iAS exposure on the structure and function of male and female hearts. Adult male and female C56BL/6J mice were exposed to 615 μg/L iAS for 8 wk. Males exhibited increased systolic blood pressure via tail cuff photoplethysmography, left ventricular wall thickening via transthoracic echocardiography, and increased plasma atrial natriuretic peptide via enzyme immunoassay. RT-qPCR revealed increased myocardial RNA transcripts of Acta1, Myh7, and Nppa and decreased Myh6, providing evidence of pathological hypertrophy in the male heart. Similar changes were not detected in females, and nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms of cardioprotection in the heart appeared to remain intact. Further investigation found that Rcan1 was upregulated in male hearts and that iAS activated NFAT in HEK-293 cells via luciferase assay. Interestingly, iAS induced similar hypertrophic gene expression changes in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, which were blocked by calcineurin inhibition, suggesting that iAS may induce pathological cardiac hypertrophy in part by targeting the calcineurin-NFAT pathway. As such, these results highlight iAS exposure as an independent cardiovascular risk factor and provide biological impetus for its removal from human consumption.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This investigation provides the first mechanistic link between an environmentally relevant dose of inorganic arsenic (iAS) and pathological hypertrophy in the heart. By demonstrating that iAS exposure may cause pathological cardiac hypertrophy not only by increasing systolic blood pressure but also by potentially activating calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T cells and inducing fetal gene expression, these results provide novel mechanistic insight into the theat of iAS exposure to the heart, which is necessary to identify targets for medical and public health intervention.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in the UK Biobank: a major international health research resource

The UK Biobank (UKB) is a health research resource of major international importance, incorporating comprehensive characterization of >500 000 men and women recruited between 2006 and 2010 from across the UK. There is prospective tracking of health outcomes for all participants through linkages with national cohorts (death registers, cancer registers, electronic hospital records, and primary care records). The dataset has been enhanced with the UKB imaging study, which aims to scan a subset of 100 000 participants. The imaging protocol includes magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, heart, and abdomen, carotid ultrasound, and whole-body dual X-ray absorptiometry. Since its launch in 2015, over 48 000 participants have completed the imaging study with scheduled completion in 2023. Repeat imaging of 10 000 participants has been approved and commenced in 2019. The cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scan provides detailed assessment of cardiac structure and function comprising bright blood anatomic assessment (sagittal, coronal, and axial), left and right ventricular cine images (long and short axes), myocardial tagging, native T1 mapping, aortic flow, and imaging of the thoracic aorta. The UKB is an open access resource available to health researchers across all scientific disciplines from both academia and industry with no preferential access or exclusivity. In this paper, we consider how we may best utilize the UKB CMR data to advance cardiovascular research and review notable achievements to date.

Association of antecedent cardiovascular risk factor levels and trajectories with cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived cardiac function and structure

BACKGROUND

The association of longitudinal trajectories of cardiovascular risk factors with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-measures of cardiac structure and function in the community is not well known. Therefore we aimed to relate risk factor levels from different examination cycles to CMR-measures of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle in a population-based cohort.

METHODS

We assessed conventional cardiovascular disease risk factors in 349 participants (143 women; aged 25-59 years) at three examination cycles (Exam 1 [baseline], at Exam 2 [7-years follow-up] and at Exam 3 [14-years follow-up]) of the KORA S4 cohort and related single-point measurements of individual risk factors and longitudinal trajectories of these risk factors to various CMR-measures obtained at Exam 3.

RESULTS

High levels of diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and LDL-cholesterol at the individual exams were associated with worse cardiac function and structure. Trajectory clusters representing higher levels of the individual risk factors were associated with worse cardiac function and structure compared to low risk trajectory clusters of individual risk factors. Multivariable (combining different risk factors) trajectory clusters were associated with different cardiac parameters in a graded fashion (e.g. decrease of LV stroke volume for middle risk cluster β = - 4.91 ml/m2, 95% CI - 7.89; - 1.94, p < 0.01 and high risk cluster β = - 7.00 ml/m2, 95% CI - 10.73; - 3.28, p < 0.001 compared to the low risk cluster). The multivariable longitudinal trajectory clusters added significantly to explain variation in CMR traits beyond the multivariable risk profile obtained at Exam 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiovascular disease risk factor levels, measured over a time period of 14 years, were associated with CMR-derived measures of cardiac structure and function. Longitudinal multivariable trajectory clusters explained a greater proportion of the inter-individual variation in cardiac traits than multiple risk factor assessed contemporaneous with the CMR exam.

The protective effect of isosteviol sodium on cardiac function and myocardial remodelling in transverse aortic constriction rat

Pathological hypertrophy contributes to heart failure and there is not quite effective treatment to invert this process. Isosteviol has been shown to protect the heart against ischaemia-reperfusion injury and isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy, but its effect on pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy is still unknown. Pressure overload induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) causes cardiac hypertrophy in rats to mimic the pathological condition in human. This study examined the effects of isosteviol sodium (STVNa) on cardiac hypertrophy by the TAC model and cellular assays in vitro. Cardiac function test, electrocardiogram analysis and histological analysis were conducted. The effects of STVNa on calcium transient of the adult rat ventricular cells and the proliferation of neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts were also studied in vitro. Cardiac hypertrophy was observed after 3-week TAC while the extensive cardiac dysfunction and electronic remodelling were observed after 9-week TAC. Both STVNa and sildenafil (positive drug) treatment reversed the two process, but STVNa appeared to be more superior in some aspects and did not change calcium transient considerably. STVNa also reversed TAC-induced cardiac fibrosis in vivo and TGF-β1-induced fibroblast proliferation in vitro. Moreover, STVNa, but not sildenafil, reversed impairment of the autonomic nervous system induced by 9-week TAC.