Peripheral vascular disease:

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that BMP9 protects against MI by fine-tuning the multiorgan cross-talk among the liver, lymph, and the heart.

CONCLUSIONS: Unfavorable functional outcomes despite successful vessel recanalization were frequent in acute ischemic stroke patients with low NIHSS scores on admission. We provide patient-specific risk factors that indicate an increased risk of FR and should be considered when treating patients with minor stroke.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) have emerged as crucial regulators of post-transcriptional processes, influencing the fate of RNA. This review delves into the biological functions of RBPs and their role in alternative splicing concerning atherosclerosis (AS), highlighting their participation in essential cellular processes. Our goal is to offer new insights for cardiovascular disease research and treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Our survey reveals significant heterogeneity in approaches to EVT for CVT, and provides a comprehensive characterization of indications, techniques and long-term management used by clinicians internationally. This resource will aid in optimizing patient selection and endovascular treatments for future trials.

PURPOSE: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are biomarkers of neurovascular repair in cerebral vascular disease (CVD). Low quantification of EPCs and/or their dysfunction has been associated with stroke severity and post-stroke functionality. This systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis aimed to analyze whether EPC quantification contributes to stroke severity and functional prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is recommended for secondary prevention of cryptogenic stroke. However, data on long-term results are limited. We aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of transcatheter PFO closure and predict neurologic recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS: In cells, mice, and humans, activation of hexosamine biosynthesis pathway by glucosamine in peripheral arterial disease induces an "exercise-like" angiogenesis and offers a promising novel therapeutic pathway to treat this challenging disorder.

Cardiac arrhythmias are commonly noted in patients during infections with and recovery from COVID-19. Arrhythmic manifestations span the spectrum of innocuous and benign to life-threatening and deadly. Various pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed. Debate continues on the impact of incident and exacerbated arrhythmias on the acute and chronic (recovery) phase of the illness. COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocardial inflammation and autonomic disruption remain concerns. As the pandemic has transformed to an endemic, with discovery of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, updated vaccines, and potent antiviral drugs, vigilance for COVID-19-associated arrhythmic and dysautonomic manifestations remains. The objective of this American Heart Association scientific statement is to review the available evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of cardiac arrhythmias and autonomic dysfunction in patients infected with and recovering from COVID-19 and to provide evidence-based guidance. The writing committee's consensus on implications for clinical practice, gaps in knowledge, and directions for future research are highlighted.

Vascular inflammation is a hallmark of both primary systemic vasculitis and atherosclerosis. As such, cardiovascular events are common in patients with vasculitis and likely due to both direct vascular inflammation and accelerated atherosclerosis. Direct cardiac involvement is possible in all vasculitides, though more commonly described in Takayasu arteritis, polyarteritis nodosa, and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Accelerated atherosclerosis has been described in Takayasu arteritis and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, though there remains a paucity of data in other forms of vasculitis. Multiple screening and management approaches for cardiovascular risk in people with vasculitis have been proposed, though evidence-based guidelines are lacking. In this review, we discuss the latest evidence in epidemiology, mechanisms, and screening for atherosclerosis in patients with primary systemic vasculitides.

CONCLUSIONS: In the first 6 months after successful PFO closure, AA (≥30 seconds) occurred in 28.5% of cases, mostly in the first month after the procedure. Flecainide did not prevent AA after PFO closure.

BACKGROUND: Whether prehospital blood pressure control improves outcomes among patients with acute ischemic stroke is uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of prehospital blood pressure reduction treatment in patients with ischemic stroke.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic, multifactorial inflammatory disorder of large and medium-size arteries, which is the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity worldwide. Although platelets in cardiovascular disease have mainly been studied for their crucial role in the thrombotic event triggered by atherosclerotic plaque rupture, over the last two decades it has become clear that platelets participate also in the development of atherosclerosis, owing to their ability to interact with the damaged arterial wall and with leukocytes. Platelets participate in all phases of atherogenesis, from the initial functional damage to endothelial cells to plaque unstabilization. Platelets deposit at atherosclerosis predilection sites before the appearance of manifest lesions to the endothelium and contribute to induce endothelial dysfunction, thus supporting leukocyte adhesion to the vessel wall. In particular, platelets release matrix metalloproteinases, which interact with protease-activated receptor 1 on endothelial cells triggering adhesion molecule expression. Moreover, P-selectin and glycoprotein Ibα expressed on the surface of vessel wall-adhering platelets bind PSGL-1 and β2 integrins on leukocytes, favoring their arrest and transendothelial migration. Platelet-leukocyte interactions promote the formation of radical oxygen species which are strongly involved in the lipid peroxidation associated with atherosclerosis. Platelets themselves actively migrate through the endothelium toward the plaque core where they release chemokines that modify the microenvironment by modulating the function of other inflammatory cells, such as macrophages. While current antiplatelet agents seem unable to prevent the contribution of platelets to atherogenesis, the inhibition of platelet secretion, of the release of MMPs, and of some specific pathways of platelet adhesion to the vessel wall may represent promising future strategies for the prevention of atheroprogression.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Dyslipidemia is a casual risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). There is an unmet need for more effective treatments for patients with dyslipidemias. Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) and ANGPTL8 play key roles in triglyceride trafficking and energy balance in humans. We review the functional role of these ANGPTL proteins in the regulation of lipoprotein metabolism, and recent clinical trials targeting ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL3/8 with monoclonal antibody and/or nucleic acid therapies, including antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA.

CONCLUSIONS: Andexanet causes heparin resistance due to redistribution of UFH-bound AT. If andexanet cannot be avoided before heparinization and direct thrombin inhibitors are undesirable, our in vitro study suggests excess UFH should be considered as a potential strategy before AT supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS: S100A1ct is a promising lead for the development of novel peptide-based therapeutics against heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Accuracy in diagnoses recorded using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding is the most important element ensuring the foundation of research using real-world data analyses.

CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with microvascular angina, short-term treatment with a relatively high dose (10 mg daily) of zibotentan was not beneficial. Target-related adverse effects were common.

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with underlying stenosis who achieved reperfusion with mechanical thrombectomy, adjunct emergent stenting was associated with better functional outcome without a significantly increased risk of symptomatic hemorrhage.

No abstract available

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is a growing recognition of plaque erosion as a cause of acute coronary syndrome. This review aims to examine the potential involvement of T cells in this process.