Genetic contributions to cardiovascular disease: The blurred lines between monogenic and polygenic traits
Understanding the genetic contribution to cardiovascular disease has been a research focus for decades. From ascertaining the numerous variants that each contribute to a small proportion of a polygenic trait such as coronary artery disease (CAD), to careful tracking of a single pathogenic variant through a large pedigree, like in autosomal dominantly inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). CAD is one of the leading causes of death globally [1] and the underlying pathophysiology involves numerous environmental and genetic factors. (Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - April 11, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Jodie Ingles, J. Martijn Bos Source Type: research
Importance of triglycerides
The relationship between low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is clear both epidemiologically and genetically, from the clinical course of Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Moreover the randomized controlled intervention trials in CVD prevention using statins [1] and most recently with evolocumab, a proprotein convertase subtilisin –kexin type 9 inhibitor [2] show a consistent and graded effect between LDL lowering and CVD event reduction. The same clear understanding is not present for the relationship between the plasma triglyceride concentration and disease. (Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - April 11, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Alan F. Jones Source Type: research
Here today, gone tomorrow: The laa and stroke
Stroke prevention in the setting of non-valvular atrial fibrillation continues to attract great clinical interest,[1,2] the result of several known issues including: 1) the high morbidity and mortality associated with stroke which is the number one cause of death and disability, 2) the frequency of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and its association with an increased incidence of stroke – greater than 20% of strokes particularly in elderly patients are related to the NVAF, 3) the findings that approximately 90% of strokes in this setting are related to thrombus in the left atrial appendage (LAA),[3] 4) anticoagul...
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - April 11, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Paul Friedman, David R. Holmes Source Type: research
Editorial commentary: Improving our understanding of type 2 myocardial infarction and myocardial injury
Type 2 myocardial infarction, an increasingly recognized condition, occurs in instances of myocardial injury with necrosis plus evidence of myocardial ischemia where a condition other than an acute atherothrombotic event leads to an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and/or demand [1 –3]. In this issue of Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, Mihatov et al. [4] summarize the evidence to date on type 2 myocardial infarction and address several common clinical scenarios in which one must distinguish between myocardial injury and myocardial infarction. (Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - March 28, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Yader Sandoval Source Type: research
Improving our understanding of type 2 myocardial infarction and myocardial injury
Type 2 myocardial infarction, an increasingly recognized condition, occurs in instances of myocardial injury with necrosis plus evidence of myocardial ischemia where a condition other than an acute atherothrombotic event leads to an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and/or demand [1 –3]. In this issue of Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, Mihatov and colleagues summarize the evidence to date on type 2 myocardial infarction and address several common clinical scenarios in which one must distinguish between myocardial injury and myocardial infarction [4]. (Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - March 28, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Yader Sandoval Source Type: research
Genetic association studies in cardiovascular diseases: Do we have enough power?
Genetic association studies have a long history of delivering insightful results for cardiovascular disease (CVD) research. Beginning with early candidate gene studies, to genome-wide association studies, and now on to newer whole-genome sequencing studies, research in human genetics has enriched our understanding of the pathobiology of CVD. As these studies continue to expand, the issue of statistical power plays an important role in study design as well as the interpretation of results. We provide an overview of the component parts that determine statistical power and preview the future of CVD genetic association studies...
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - March 24, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Paul L. Auer, Nathan O. Stitziel Source Type: research
LAA occluder device for stroke prevention: Data on WATCHMAN and other LAA occluders
NOAC therapy has become the standard for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. Yet some patients suffer extracranial bleeding events or have other reasons to seek non-pharmacologic stroke protection. LAA occlusion with the WATCHMAN device has been proven safe and effective for such patients and is now recommended in current guidelines for this patient group; other devices also seek approval. (Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - March 24, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Martin W. Bergmann Source Type: research
Ed Board
(Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - March 21, 2017 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Table of Contents
(Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - March 21, 2017 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Triglycerides: A reappraisal
Elevated cholesterol levels are clearly independently associated with adverse cardiovascular events. Another class of lipid particles, triglycerides, is also abundant in the human body and has been found in atherosclerotic plaques. Recent observational studies have demonstrated an association between elevated triglyceride levels and increased risk for future cardiovascular events. With this knowledge and the discovery of effective agents to lower triglyceride levels, the management of triglycerides is currently undergoing a renaissance. (Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - March 19, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Philipp Wiesner, Karol E. Watson Source Type: research
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition: A novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a complex biological process in which endothelial cells lose their specific markers and acquire a mesenchymal or myofibroblastic phenotype. Similar to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), EndMT can be induced by multiple stimulants such as cytokines and metabolic factors that play crucial roles in the development of the cardiovascular system. Recent studies have demonstrated that EndMT may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and may represent a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular remodeling and fibrotic disorders. (So...
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - March 15, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Ampadu O. Jackson, Jingjing Zhang, Zhisheng Jiang, Kai Yin Source Type: research
Endothelial to mesenchymal transition: A novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases
Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a complex biological process in which endothelial cells lose their specific markers and acquire a mesenchymal or myofibroblastic phenotype. Similar to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), EndMT can be induced by multiple stimulants such as cytokines and metabolic factors that play crucial roles in the development of the cardiovascular system. Recent studies have demonstrated that EndMT may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and may represent a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular remodeling and fibrotic disorders. (Sourc...
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - March 14, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Ampadu O. Jackson, Jingjing Zhang, Zhisheng Jiang, Kai Yin Source Type: research
Type 2 myocardial infarction due to supply –demand mismatch
This article, now in its third iteration, defines MI as myocardial cell death due to prolonged myocardial ischemia. It further delineates an increasingly incident subclassification of MI known as type 2 MI (T2MI). T2MI identifies instances of myocardial necrosis in which an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and/or demand occurs for reasons other than atherosclerotic plaque disruption. (Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - March 12, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Nino Mihatov, James L. Januzzi, Hanna K. Gaggin Source Type: research
Type 2 myocardial infarction due to supply-demand mismatch
The best-accepted definition of myocardial infarction (MI) is provided by statements from the Universal Definition of MI Global Task Force. This document, now in its third iteration, defines MI as myocardial cell death due to prolonged myocardial ischemia [1], and is further classified into five different subtypes based on pathologic and clinical differences (Table 1). (Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - March 11, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Nino Mihatov, James L. Januzzi, Hanna K. Gaggin Source Type: research
Editorial commentary: Cardiac rehabilitation: Major benefits and minor risks
In the current issue of Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, McMahon and colleagues provide a detailed overview of the major benefits and minor risks of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), especially in the post-acute care of coronary artery disease (CAD), valvular heart disease, cardiac transplant, and heart failure. They opine that employment of a CR regimen increases the maximal amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during exercise (VO2max), which helps to promote weight loss and decrease blood pressure, and has also been associated with improvement in endothelial function. (Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine)
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - March 8, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Jennifer G. Foster, Steven F. Lewis, Charles H. Hennekens Source Type: research
