Echocardiographic parameters of cardiac structure and function in the diagnosis of acute myocarditis in adult patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) plays a key role in the initial work-up of myocarditis where the identification of pathologic structural and functional changes may assist in its diagnosis and management. The aim of this systematic review was to appraise the evidence for the utility of echocardiographic parameters of cardiac structure and function in the diagnosis of myocarditis in adult populations.

Methods: A systematic literature search of medical databases was performed using PRISMA principles to identify all relevant studies assessing TTE parameters in adult patients with myocarditis (1995-2020; English only; PROSPERO registration CRD42021243598).

Incidence of immune checkpoint inhibitor mediated cardiovascular toxicity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are a novel class of anti-cancer therapy becoming increasingly associated with fatal cardiovascular toxicities (CVTs). The aim is to determine the incidence of CVTs in cohorts treated with ICIs as sole anti-cancer therapy.

Methods: A systematic literature search of scientific and medical databases was performed using PRISMA principles to identify relevant cohorts (PROSPERO registration CRD42021272470).

The utility of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of adult patients with acute myocarditis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The presence of myocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) indicates myocyte necrosis, and assists with the diagnosis of acute myocarditis (AM). Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) measures other than LGE i.e.

Does vascular endothelial dysfunction play a role in physical frailty and sarcopenia? A systematic review.

Background: Frailty is strongly associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes; however, the underlying pathophysiological processes are largely unknown. Vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) is the earliest stage of cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression and predicts long-term CVD outcomes. Both these conditions share an elevated inflammatory state as a common pathological factor.

Vascular endothelial dysfunction may be an early predictor of physical frailty and sarcopenia: A meta-analysis of available data from observational studies.

Background: Physical frailty and sarcopenia (PF & S) are major public health problems in the older population and promising predictors of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, the underlying mechanisms linking physical frailty, sarcopenia and adverse cardiovascular outcomes are not well defined. We recently published a systematic review which highlighted early-stage vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) as one of the potential underlying mechanisms of physical frailty and the role of inflammation in modulating this association.

Incidence and treatment of arrhythmias secondary to coronavirus infection in humans: A systematic review.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected millions of people worldwide resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Arrhythmias are prevalent and reportedly, the second most common complication. Several mechanistic pathways are proposed to explain the pro-arrhythmic effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Buddhist meditation for vascular function: A narrative review.

Background: High blood pressure represents an important risk factor for diseases related to cardiovascular system and is directly associated with high oxidative stress, inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Recently, there is promising data available to suggest that meditation-based low-cost and low-risk lifestyle modification strategies may provide beneficial effects on chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and maintenance of blood pressure, both in young and older adults. This review aims to summarize the evidence regarding the effectiveness of Buddhist meditation for vascular endothelial function and blood pressure.

Vitamin D supplementation lowers thrombospondin-1 levels and blood pressure in healthy adults.

Introduction: Vitamin D insufficiency, defined as 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels < 75nmol/L is associated with cardio-metabolic dysfunction. Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with inflammation and fibrosis, but it remains uncertain whether these anomalies are readily reversible. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of vitamin D supplementation on markers of: 1) nitric oxide (NO) signaling, 2) inflammation, and 3) fibrosis, in healthy volunteers with mild hypovitaminosis.

Suppression of neutrophil superoxide generation by BNP is attenuated in acute heart failure: a case for 'BNP resistance'.

Aims: The release of the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is increased in heart failure (HF), a condition associated with oxidative stress. BNP is known to exert anti-inflammatory effects including suppression of neutrophil superoxide (O2(-)) release. However, BNP-based restoration of homeostasis in HF is inadequate, and the equivocal clinical benefit of a recombinant BNP, nesiritide, raises the possibility of attenuated response to BNP.