Risk assessment for cardiovascular patients

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Low-sodium oxybate (LXB; calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybates; Xywav) contains the same active moiety as high-sodium oxybates (sodium oxybate [SXB; Xyrem] and fixed-dose sodium oxybate [Lumryz]), with 92% less sodium, and is approved in the US for treatment of cataplexy or excessive daytime sleepiness in patients 7 years of age and older with narcolepsy, and idiopathic hypersomnia in adults. Patients with narcolepsy have increased cardiovascular risk relative to people without narcolepsy...

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery disease is prevalent among patients with coronary heart disease. The concomitant severe lesions in the carotid and coronary arteries may necessitate either simultaneous or staged revascularization involving coronary bypass and carotid endarterectomy. However, there is presently a lack of consensus on the optimal choice of surgical treatment tactics for patients with significant stenoses in both carotid and coronary arteries. The aim of the current study was to compare the 30-day and long-term outcomes of coronary and carotid artery revascularization surgery based on the simultaneous or staged surgical tactics...

BACKGROUND: Advanced coronary plaque analysis by cardiac computed tomography (CT) has recently emerged as a promising technique for better prognostic stratification. However, this evaluation application in clinical practice is still uncertain. CASE SUMMARY: In the present case, we described the clinical picture of a 44-year-old tennis player with ectopic ventricular beats in which cardiac CT enabled the identification of a non-obstructive but high-risk plaque on proximal left anterior descendent artery...

Advances in pediatric cardiac surgery have resulted in a recent growing epidemic of children and young adults with congenital heart diseases (CHDs). In these patients, congenital defects themselves, surgical operations and remaining lesions may alter cardiac anatomy and impact the mechanical performance of both ventricles. Cardiac function significantly influences outcomes in CHDs, necessitating regular patient follow-up to detect clinical changes and relevant risk factors. Echocardiography remains the primary imaging method for CHDs, but clinicians must understand patients' unique anatomies as different CHDs exhibit distinct anatomical characteristics affecting cardiac mechanics...

The progressive nature of Parkinson's disease and its associated motor and non-motor symptoms can lead to various complications when patients experience immobilization, exacerbating existing motor impairments and potentially giving rise to secondary health issues. The variability, progression, and management of tremors in PD can be challenging. Due to low bone mass density, patients with Parkinson's disease are susceptible to vitamin D deficiency. The lack of movement can worsen muscle rigidity and stiffness, leading to contractures and a decreased range of motion in joints...

REVIEW: Saudi Arabia has a high metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence. Having MetS increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), CVD mortality, and myocardial infarction (MI). There is a lack of information regarding MetS and electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities in Saudi Arabian populations. Further, it is unclear to what extent MetS components are associated with abnormal ECGs in Saudi populations. AIM: We investigated whether ECG abnormalities and MetS are associated with Saudi adults...

IMPORTANCE: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is thought to be closely related to arterial stenotic or occlusive disease caused by atherosclerosis. However, there is still no definitive clinical evidence to confirm that patients with diabetes have a higher risk of restenosis. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect of DM on restenosis among patients undergoing endovascular treatment, such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or stenting...

BACKGROUND: The present study was performed to assess the association between the neutrophil-to-apolipoprotein A1 ratio (NAR) and outcomes in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) at different glucose metabolism states. METHODS: We recruited 1233 patients with ADHF who were admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from December 2014 to October 2019. The endpoints were defined as composites of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal ischemic stroke and exacerbation of chronic heart failure...

PURPOSE: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to former lymphoma treatment. In 2013, cardiovascular screening for 5-year HL survivors according to national guidelines was implemented in Dutch survivorship clinics. We aim to assess the following: (1) adherence to screening guidelines and (2) the yield of (risk factors for) CVD in the screening program. METHODS: The study population consisted of 5-year HL survivors who received survivorship care at three University Medical Centers from 2013 to 2016 through 2021...

Heart failure (HF) can cause metabolic imbalances, leading to anabolic resistance and increased energy expenditure, which often results in weight loss and cachexia. Comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR), including exercise, nutritional support, and risk management, is crucial for enhancing the health and quality of life of patients with HF and is expected to play a central role in the prevention and treatment of HF-associated cachexia. However, the prevalence of cachexia in patients with HF undergoing comprehensive outpatient CR is currently unknown, and the detailed characteristics including of motor function of such patients remain undefined...

OBJECTIVE: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) stands as a leading cause of death and disability globally. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors linked with AIS in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and to create and validate nomogram models. METHODS: We examined the medical records of 314 patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD5) undergoing MHD, who sought neurology outpatient department consultation for suspected AIS symptoms between January 2018 and December 2023...

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular conditions (eg, cardiac and coronary conditions, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and cardiomyopathies) were the leading cause of maternal mortality between 2017 and 2019. The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income nation, disproportionately impacting those who identify as non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic. Novel clinical approaches to the detection and diagnosis of cardiovascular conditions are therefore imperative. Emerging research is demonstrating that machine learning (ML) is a promising tool for detecting patients at increased risk for hypertensive disorders during pregnancy...

AIM: There is an emerging trend of using wearable digital technology to monitor patient activity levels in acute care contexts. However, the overall extent and quality of evidence for their use in acute cardiac surgery care is unclear. The purpose of this systematic scoping review was to evaluate current literature regarding the use of wearable activity trackers/accelerometers to monitor patient activity levels in the first 30-days following cardiac surgery. METHOD: A systematic scoping review was conducted...

STUDY OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the impact of APAP therapy on vascular behavior and its potential to lower cardiovascular risk in patients with OSA, as well as differentiating APAP therapy heterogeneity. METHODS: All participants were diagnosed with OSA by portable monitoring, and pulse wave parameters and cardiac risk composite parameter index (CRI) were obtained by photoplethysmography before and after APAP. Clustering analysis of pulse wave parameters before APAP in the high-risk population was performed using k-means clustering...

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Secondary prevention is essential, as it reduces the risk of further coronary events. Mobile health (mHealth) technology could become a useful tool to improve lifestyles. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an mHealth intervention on people with coronary heart disease who received percutaneous coronary intervention. Improvements in lifestyle regarding diet, physical activity, and smoking; level of knowledge of a healthy lifestyle and the control of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs); and therapeutic adherence and quality of life were analyzed...

Recent evidence suggests that an exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response to standing (ERTS) is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, both in young and old individuals. In addition, ERTS has been shown to be an independent predictor of masked hypertension. In the vast majority of studies reporting on the prognostic value of orthostatic hypertension (OHT), the definition was based only on systolic office BP measurements. This consensus statement provides recommendations on the assessment and management of individuals with ERTS and/or OHT...

BACKGROUND: After COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, people started to travel again. Each year, thousands of Poles travel internationally, and many travel to tropical or subtropical destinations in Asia, Africa or South America. The aim of this article was to describe the characteristics of Polish travellers based on the information from a retrospective 12-month review of the medical records of Polish patients seeking pre-travel advice at the largest diagnostic and treatment travel medicine centre in Poland in 2023...

INTRODUCTION: Improving dietary patterns using medical nutrition therapy delivered via telehealth could make an effective contribution to reducing cardiovascular disease burden in rural Australia. However, it is important that medical nutrition therapy programmes are developed in collaboration with rural stakeholders, to increase feasibility for the rural context and the likelihood of successful implementation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary feasibility outcomes of integration (implementation), practicality, acceptability, demand, and preliminary effectiveness at the 3-month timepoint of the Healthy Rural Hearts randomised control trial...

Background Chemotherapy correlates to acute and long-term cardiotoxicity, is reflected clinically by myocardial and vascular endothelial dysfunction, and can cause cardiovascular complications. Thus, early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in cancer patients undergoing anti-cancer treatment is necessary to enhance long-term survival. Our principal objective in this study was to discern the impact of specific anti-cancer chemotherapeutics and biologics on arterial stiffness alterations before and after the administration...

OBJECTIVE: Anticoagulation is crucial for patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the optimal anticoagulation regimen needs further exploration. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of diverse anticoagulation dosage dosages for COVID-19. METHODS: An updated meta-analysis was performed to assess the effect of thromboprophylaxis (standard, intermediate, and therapeutic dose) on the incidence of VTE, mortality and major bleeding among COVID-19 patients...