COVID 19: in the eye of the cytokine storm
Comment on ‘An inflammatory cytokine signature predicts COVID-19 severity and survival’ was published inNature Medicine 2020; 26: 1636 –1643 (https//doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-1051-9).Key pointsThe study examined data from 1484 patients hospitalized for suspected or confirmed (n = 1257) COVID-19 at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York between 21 March and 28 April 2020. Serum levels of four inflammatory cytokines were analysed upon admission with a rapid multiplex test: interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)- α, and IL-1β. These results were correlated with clinical and laboratory markers of di...
Source: European Heart Journal - December 27, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
‘Heart of stone’: an unusual post-actinic sequela
A 60-year-old man with a history of Hodgkin's lymphoma was admitted to our institution for congestive heart failure. Twenty years earlier, he had received chemotherapy and radiotherapy and had developed late post-actinic sequela involving the lungs and heart. Chest X-ray and echocardiographic examination showed pulmonary congestion and fibrosis, pleural, and pericardial effusion along with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (Panel A). However, the clinical picture was predominantly characterized by evidence of severe left ventricular calcifications extending inward from the epicardium and involving the interventric...
Source: European Heart Journal - December 26, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Evolution of antithrombotic therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a 40-year journey
AbstractSince its introduction in 1977, percutaneous coronary intervention has become one of the most commonly performed therapeutic procedures worldwide. Such widespread diffusion, however, would have not been possible without a concomitant evolution of the pharmacotherapies associated with this intervention. Antithrombotic agents are fundamental throughout the management of patients undergoing coronary stent implantation, starting from the procedure itself to the long-term prevention of cardiovascular events. The last 40 years of interventional cardiology have seen remarkable improvements in both drug therapies and devic...
Source: European Heart Journal - December 26, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Peter Sleight, Emeritus Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Oxford University, Chairman of the ISIS Trials Steering Committee
Professor Peter Sleight born 27 June 1929 died peacefully aged 91 on 7 October 2020 and will be remembered as one of the most distinguished and influential cardiologists of his generation (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - December 26, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
The ESC Association for Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professionals
The Association celebrates its successes during 2020, the World Health Organisation Year of the Nurse (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - December 26, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
The Israel Heart Society
(Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - December 26, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
George H. Hitchings and Gertrude B. Elion
Mark Nicholls focuses on the work of George H. Hitchings and Gertrude B. Elion and their award —with Sir James W. Black—of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1988 ‘for their discoveries of important principles for drug treatment’ (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - December 26, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Arrhythmia-associated risk: from cardiac arrest to stroke and dementia
(Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - December 26, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction and statin intensity in myocardial infarction patients and major adverse outcomes: a Swedish nationwide cohort study
Conclusions Larger early LDL-C reduction and more intensive statin therapy after MI were associated with a reduced hazard of all CV outcomes and all-cause mortality. This supports clinical trial data suggesting that earlier lowering of LDL-C after an MI confers the greatest benefit. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - December 24, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Myocarditis-associated necrotizing coronary vasculitis: incidence, cause, and outcome
Conclusion Necrotizing coronary vasculitis is histologically detectable in 1.5% of Myocarditis. Necrotizing coronary vasculitis includes viral and immune-mediated causes. Intra-hospital mortality is 24%. The immunologic pathway is associated with beneficial response to immunosuppression. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - December 23, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Time to revisit implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation criteria in women
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) used in the primary prevention setting have been shown to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD) and reduce total mortality. However, the evidence supporting guideline recommendations for the ICD dates from the late 1990s and early 2000s. With improvements in pharmacological and device therapy, earlier and more aggressive cardiovascular prevention, and prompt coronary intervention, there has been a gradual and substantial reduction in SCD risk over the last two decades in patients with heart failure,1 limiting the absolute benefit of the ICD and increasing the number needed to tre...
Source: European Heart Journal - December 23, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Management of refractory angina: an update
AbstractDespite the use of anti-anginal drugs and/or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting, the proportion of patients with coronary artery disease who have daily or weekly angina ranges from 2% to 24%. Refractory angina refers to long-lasting symptoms (for>3 months) due to established reversible ischaemia, which cannot be controlled by escalating medical therapy with the use of 2nd- and 3rd-line pharmacological agents, bypass grafting, or stenting. While there is uncertain prognostic benefit, the treatment of refractory angina is important to improve the quality of life of the ...
Source: European Heart Journal - December 23, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Scientific integrity: what a journal can and cannot do
(Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - December 23, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Examine low-density lipoprotein, remnants, and lipoprotein(a) in parallel in high risk patients
This commentary refers to ‘2019 vs. 2016 ESC/EAS statin guidelines for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease’, by M.B. Mortensen and B.G. Nordestgaard, doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa150 and the discussion piece ‘Which biomarker to use, when to start, and how to improve adherence for reducing ASCVD ri sk?’ by K.K. Koh, on page1808. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - December 22, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Which biomarker to use, when to start, and how to improve adherence for reducing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk?
This commentary refers to ‘2019 vs. 2016 ESC/EAS statin guidelines for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease’, by M.B. Mortensen and B.G. Nordestgaard, doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa150 and the discussion piece ‘Examine low-density lipoprotein, remnants, and lipoprotein(a) in parallel in high risk pa tients’, by M.B. Mortensen and B.G. Nordestgaard, doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa969. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - December 22, 2020 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
