Taking a stand against air pollution – the impact on cardiovascular diseaseA Joint Opinion from the World Heart Federation, American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and the European Society of Cardiology
AbstractAlthough the attention of the world and the global health community specifically is deservedly focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, other determinants of health continue to have large impacts and may also interact with COVID-19. Air pollution is one crucial example. Established evidence from other respiratory viruses and emerging evidence for COVID-19 specifically indicates that air pollution alters respiratory defense mechanisms leading to worsened infection severity. Air pollution also contributes to co-morbidities that are known to worsen outcomes amongst those infected with COVID-19, and air pollution may also enh...
Source: European Heart Journal - January 28, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Emergency Room visits in the COVID-19 pandemic
The importance of safe and secure access to healthcare facilities and the value of inappropriate visits to the Emergency Room during the COVID pandemic (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - January 28, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Focus on atrial fibrillation, syncope, and arrhythmias during COVID-19 pandemic
(Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - January 28, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Russian Society of Cardiology Activities in 2020
(Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - January 27, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Temporal changes in total and hippocampal brain volume and cognitive function in patients with chronic heart failure —the COGNITION.MATTERS-HF cohort study
ConclusionIn patients with predominantly mild HF, the markedly reduced hippocampal volume observed at baseline was associated with impaired cognitive function, but no accelerated deterioration in cognition and brain atrophy became evident over a mid-term period of three years. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - January 26, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Ruptured coronary artery aneurysm mimicking as a giant mediastinal mass
A 49-year-old male with chest discomfort and suspected mediastinal mass (Panel A, pentagram) was transferred to our unit. Medical history was notable for hypertension, and work-up for vasculitis and connective tissue disorders was unremarkable. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed a large heterogeneous mass (85  mm × 52 mm) locating between the aorta and pulmonary artery, and a giant right coronary artery aneurysm (CAA; 29 mm × 19 mm, asterisk) was entrapped in this mass (Panels B andC). Further coronary angiography (Panel D) confirmed the diagnosis of a right CAA, and no additional coronary ano...
Source: European Heart Journal - January 26, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Valvular atrial fibrillation and a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1 —a statement of the ESC working group on cardiovascular pharmacotherapy and ESC council on stroke
This commentary refers to ‘2020 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)’ by G. Hindrickset al., 2021;42:373--498. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - January 26, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

β-Blocker and survival and pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary and cardiovascular disease
This commentary refers to ‘Association of β-blocker use with survival and pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis’ by Y.L. Yanget al., 2020;41:4415 –4422 and the discussion piece ‘Increase use of β-blockers in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary and cardiovascular disease’, by Y.-L. Yanget al., 2021:42:1181. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - January 25, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Cardiovascular health after menopause transition, pregnancy disorders, and other gynaecologic conditions: a consensus document from European cardiologists, gynaecologists, and endocrinologists
AbstractWomen undergo important changes in sex hormones throughout their lifetime that can impact cardiovascular disease risk. Whereas the traditional cardiovascular risk factors dominate in older age, there are several female-specific risk factors and inflammatory risk variables that influence a woman ’s risk at younger and middle age. Hypertensive pregnancy disorders and gestational diabetes are associated with a higher risk in younger women. Menopause transition has an additional adverse effect to ageing that may demand specific attention to ensure optimal cardiovascular risk profile and qual ity of life. In this posi...
Source: European Heart Journal - January 25, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Lifelong low Lp(a) levels: genetics give a green light?
This editorial refers to ‘Low lipoprotein(a) levels and risk of disease in a large contemporary, general population study’††, A. Langsteadet al., on page1147. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - January 22, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Low lipoprotein(a) levels and risk of disease in a large, contemporary, general population study
ConclusionIn a large, contemporary, general population cohort, apart from the well-established association with cardiovascular disease, low levels of lipoprotein(a) and correspondingLPA genotypes did not concordantly associate with any major disease groups including cancers and infections. There is no safety signal from our results to indicate that low levels of lipoprotein(a) are harmful. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - January 22, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Precision prevention with ICDs: can a simple score improve patient selection?
(Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - January 20, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Risk stratification and treatment of acute and chronic coronary syndromes: focus on angina without obstructive coronary arteries, refractory angina, lipids, and clonal haematopoiesis
(Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - January 20, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Anomalous origin of a grafted left internal mammary artery from the deep brachial artery
A 58-year-old patient underwent coronary bypass surgery; the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) was directed to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Postoperative course was uneventful. Two months later, the patient went to his family doctor for a routine control. During the visit, blood pressure was measured by placing the cuff around his left arm. While inflating the cuff the patient had chest pain and dizziness, which disappeared as soon as deflating the cuff. He recovered promptly. Nonetheless, he was re-admitted to hospital for more investigations, including a coronary angiogram. With great surprise, the left i...
Source: European Heart Journal - January 19, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Women who experience a myocardial infarction at a young age
This commentary refers to ‘Women who experience a myocardial infarction at a young age have worse outcomes compared with men: the Mass General Brigham YOUNG-MI registry’ by E.M. DeFilippiset al., 2020;41:4127 –4137. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - January 19, 2021 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research