Pericardial fat volume is related to endothelial-mediated coronary blood flow in women with suspected coronary microvascular dysfunction. A report from the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) study.

Background: Coronary microvascular dysfunction is prevalent in women with signs and symptoms of ischemia but no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and is associated with an adverse prognosis. Elevated pericardial fat volume predicts adverse cardiac events, but mechanistic pathways of the association are not well understood.

Methods: 118 women enrolled in the NHLBI-sponsored Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction study with suspected coronary microvascular dysfunction but no obstructive CAD underwent adenosine stress 1.

Hemodynamic and Mid-Term Outcomes for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Degenerated Internally Stented Valves.

Background: Valve-in-valve (ViV) transcatheter aortic valve replacement is indicated in patients undergoing repeat intervention for degenerative aortic valve bioprostheses. Patients with internally stented valves (ie, Mitroflow and Trifecta) are at high risk for coronary artery obstruction during ViV procedures because of valve design, as the leaflets are mounted outside the valve stent.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic and clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement within internally stented valves (ViV-IS) vs other surgical valves (ViV-OS).

The safety of early discharge following transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement under general anesthesia.

Background: There is growing evidence of the safety of same-day discharge for low-risk conscious sedated TAVR patients. However, the evidence supporting the safety of early discharge following GA-TAVR with routine transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is limited.

Aims: To assess the safety of early discharge following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using General Anesthesia (GA-TAVR) and identify predictors for patient selection.

Sex differences in aortic stenosis: Identification of knowledge gaps for sex-specific personalized medicine.

Objectives: This review summarizes sex-based differences in aortic stenosis (AS) and identifies knowledge gaps that should be addressed by future studies.

Background: AS is the most common valvular heart disease in developed countries. Sex-specific differences have not been fully appreciated, as a result of widespread under diagnosis of AS in women.

Ultra-high sensitivity cardiac troponin-I concentration and left ventricular structure and function in women with ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease.

Aims: Women are disproportionally impacted by ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA), and such women are at increased risk of developing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), however the mechanisms linking these conditions remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether ultra-high sensitivity cardiac troponin I (u-hscTnI), an indicator of cardiomyocyte injury, is associated with abnormalities in myocardial perfusion and left ventricular (LV) structure and function in women with INOCA.

Methods: 327 women with INOCA enrolled in the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) study underwent vasodilator stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) and u-hscTnI measurements (Simoa HD-1 Analyzer, Quanterix Corporation).

Ischemia and no obstructive coronary arteries in patients with stable ischemic heart disease.

A large proportion of patients with suspected obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is found to have ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA). Based on current evidence, these patients are at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, even though they have no obstructive CAD. Importantly, INOCA is associated with recurrent clinical presentations with chest pain, impaired functional capacity, reduced health-related quality of life, and high healthcare costs.

Left ventricular circumferential strain and coronary microvascular dysfunction: A report from the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) Project.

Aims: Women with ischemia but no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) often have coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). Left ventricular (LV) circumferential strain (CS) is often lower in INOCA compared to healthy controls; however, it remains unclear whether CS differs between INOCA women with and without CMD. We hypothesized that CS would be lower in women with CMD, consistent with CMD-induced LV mechanical dysfunction.

Coronary Vascular Function and Cardiomyocyte Injury: A Report From the WISE-CVD.

Objective: Women with symptoms or signs of myocardial ischemia but no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) often have coronary vascular dysfunction and elevated risk for adverse cardiovascular events. We hypothesized that u-hscTnI (ultra-high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I), a sensitive indicator of ischemic cardiomyocyte injury, is associated with coronary vascular dysfunction in women with INOCA. Approach and Results: Women (N=263) with INOCA enrolled in the WISE-CVD study (Women's Ischemic Syndrome Evaluation-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction) underwent invasive coronary vascular function testing and u-hscTnI measurements (Simoa HD-1 Analyzer; Quanterix Corporation, Lexington, MA).

Functional coronary angiography in symptomatic patients with no obstructive coronary artery disease.

Background: Patients without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) may have epicardial or microvascular dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to characterize patterns of epicardial and microvascular dysfunction in men and women with stable and unstable angina undergoing functional coronary angiography to inform medical therapy.

Methods: 163 symptomatic patients with ≤50% diameter stenosis and fractional flow reserve (FFR) > 0.

Oxidative Stress Is Associated With Diastolic Dysfunction in Women With Ischemia With No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease.

Background Women with signs and symptoms of ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease often have evidence of diastolic dysfunction. Oxidative stress (OS) is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and adverse outcomes. The relationship between systemic OS and diastolic dysfunction is unknown.

Soluble Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor and High-Sensitivity Troponin Levels Predict Outcomes in Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease.

Background Multiple biomarkers have been independently and additively associated with major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. We investigated the prognostic value of suPAR (soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor) and hsTnI (high-sensitivity troponin I) levels in symptomatic patients with no obstructive coronary artery disease. We hypothesized that high levels of these biomarkers will be associated with the risk of future adverse outcomes.

Immunohistochemical study to detect glucagon and insulin hormones in pancreas of camel and buffalo.

Background And Aim: Glucagon plays a significant role in glucose homeostasis by controlling hepatic glucose output in terms of both hypoglycemic and normoglycemic conditions. This study aimed to determine the amount and intensity of insulin and glucagon in addition to estimating the relationship between α- and β-cells for two animals, camel and buffalo.

Materials And Methods: Twenty fresh pancreas samples were collected from 10 buffalo and 10 camel adults immediately after slaughter from AL-Kut abattoir, Al- Kut, Iraq.

Rationale and design of the quantification of myocardial blood flow using dynamic PET/CTA-fused imagery (DEMYSTIFY) to determine physiological significance of specific coronary lesions.

Background: Coronary physiology assessments have been shown by multiple trials to add clinical value in detecting significant coronary artery disease and predicting cardiovascular outcomes. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) obtained during invasive coronary angiography (ICA) has become the new reference standard for hemodynamic significance detection. Absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantification by means of dynamic positron emission tomography (dPET) has high diagnostic and prognostic values.

Myocardial Infarction and Persistent Angina With No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease.

Women with myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) are increasingly recognized. Women with MINOCA are at high risk for major adverse cardiovascular events. In this case, we focus on the importance of early identification and management of MINOCA to improve patients' angina and related quality of life.

Design, methodology and baseline characteristics of the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD).

Unlabelled: A significant number of women with signs and symptoms of ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) have coronary vascular dysfunction detected by invasive coronary reactivity testing (CRT). However, the noninvasive assessment of coronary vascular dysfunction has been limited.

Methods: The Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) was a prospective study of women with suspected INOCA aimed to investigate whether (1) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) abnormalities in left ventricular morphology and function and myocardial perfusion predict CRT measured coronary microvascular dysfunction, (2) these persistent CMRI abnormalities at 1-year follow-up predict persistent symptoms of ischemia, and (3) these CMRI abnormalities predict cardiovascular outcomes.

Identification of carbon nanotube particles in liver tissue and its effects on apoptosis of birds exposed to air pollution.

Aim: This study aimed to distinguish carbon nanotube (CNT) particles and their pathological effects on the liver of birds in areas with carbon emissions.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-one domestic ducks were collected from pure farmers and exposed to different sources of air pollution. Histological stains were used to detect the accumulation of carbon particles.

Weight Gain, Hypertension, and the Emergence of a Maladaptive Cardiovascular Phenotype Among US Football Players.

Importance: Former US football athletes are at increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality compared with the general population and other professional athletes. However, responsible maladaptive CV phenotypes have not been fully characterized.

Objective: To address the emergence and progression of multiple independent factors associated with CV risk across serial years of collegiate US football participation.

Case report: assessment and management of myocardial infarction and non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA): the role of microvascular coronary vasospasm.

Women with evidence of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) and ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA), a condition associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, are becoming increasingly recognized. Underlying mechanisms of MINOCA, such as coronary microvascular spasm, represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to clinicians as there is currently neither a uniform nor comprehensive diagnostic strategy for accurate risk stratification for these patients. Diagnostic tests such as invasive coronary reactivity testing (CRT) can be useful in the diagnosis of MINOCA.

The role of coronary reactivity testing in women with no obstructive coronary artery disease.

Purpose Of Review: Two-thirds of women with signs and symptoms of ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) have abnormal coronary reactivity. These women are challenging to assess, diagnose and manage because of a lack of evidence-based guidelines. Furthermore, they are considered to be at 'low risk' by most physicians, often receive no specific therapy and tend to be dismissed from subspecialty care.

Peripheral Microvascular Function Reflects Coronary Vascular Function.

Objectives- Coronary endothelial dysfunction is a precursor of atherosclerosis and adverse outcomes. Whether endothelial dysfunction is a localized or generalized phenomenon in humans remains uncertain. We simultaneously measured femoral and coronary vascular function with the hypothesis that peripheral vascular endothelial function will be reflective of coronary endothelial function.

Impact of Abnormal Coronary Reactivity on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Women.

Background: Currently as many as one-half of women with suspected myocardial ischemia have no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), and abnormal coronary reactivity (CR) is commonly found.

Objectives: The authors prospectively investigated CR and longer-term adverse cardiovascular outcomes in women with and with no obstructive CAD in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored WISE (Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation) study.

Methods: Women (n = 224) with signs and symptoms of ischemia underwent CR testing.

Poor Glycemic Control Is Associated With Increased Extracellular Volume Fraction in Diabetes.

Objective: We assessed whether poor glycemic control is associated with an increase in myocardial fibrosis among adults with diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: We studied 47 adults with type 2 diabetes and stratified them into three groups according to their hemoglobin A1c (HbA) level: <6.5% (group 1; = 12), 6.