Aldosterone and aldosterone synthase inhibitors in cardiorenal disease.

Modulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is a foundation of therapy for cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Excess aldosterone plays an important role in cardiovascular disease, contributing to inflammation, fibrosis, and dysfunction in the heart, kidneys, and vasculature through both genomic and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)-mediated as well as nongenomic mechanisms. MR antagonists have been a key therapy for attenuating the pathologic effects of aldosterone but are associated with some side effects and may not always adequately attenuate the nongenomic effects of aldosterone.

Mechanisms of benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

For decades, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) proved an elusive entity to treat. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have recently been shown to reduce the composite of heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular death in patients with HFpEF in the landmark DELIVER and EMPEROR-Preserved trials. While improvements in blood sugar, blood pressure, and attenuation of kidney disease progression all may play some role, preclinical and translational research have identified additional mechanisms of these agents.

Wearable Cardiac Rhythm Monitoring Device for Detection of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation.

Purpose: This study evaluated the use of a wearable, patch-based cardiac rhythm monitoring device in detecting postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) among cardiac surgical patients within 30 days after hospital discharge.

Description: From the SEARCH-AF (The Post-Surgical Enhanced Monitoring for Cardiac Arrhythmias and Atrial Fibrillation) CardioLink-1 trial, this study examined rates of POAF according to surgery type and the incremental value of continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring among patients who underwent valve surgery. The primary outcome was cumulative atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter lasting for ≥6 minutes detected by continuous monitoring or atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter documented by a 12-lead electrocardiogram within 30 days of randomization.

Left ventricular mass predicts cardiac reverse remodelling in patients treated with empagliflozin.

Background: The cardiovascular (CV) benefits of sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors have been attributed, in part, to cardiac reverse remodelling. The EMPA-HEART CardioLink-6 study reported that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibition for 6 months with empagliflozin was associated with a significant reduction in left ventricular mass indexed to body surface area (LVMi). In this sub-analysis, we evaluated whether baseline LVMi may influence how empagliflozin affects cardiac reverse remodelling.

The Impact of Statins on Postdischarge Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery: Secondary Analysis from a Randomized Trial.

Background: Whether statins reliably reduce the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery remains controversial. We sought to determine the impact of statin use on new-onset postdischarge POAF in the Post-urgical nhnced Monitoing for ardiac Arrythmias and trial ibrillation (SEARCH-AF) CardioLink-1 randomized controlled trial.

Methods: We randomized 336 patients with risk factors for stroke (CHADS-VASc score ≥ 2) and no history of preoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) to 30-day continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring after discharge from cardiac surgery with a wearable, patched-based device or to usual care.

Investigating the protective effects of estrogen on β-cell health and the progression of hyperglycemia-induced atherosclerosis.

Sex differences in the prevalence and development of diabetes and associated cardiometabolic complications are well established. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of estrogen on the maintenance of β-cell health/function and atherosclerosis progression, using a mouse model of hyperglycemia-induced atherosclerosis, the : mouse. : mice exhibit sexual dimorphism in the control of blood glucose levels.

Risk Factors for Postrepair Elevated Mitral Gradient: A Post-hoc Analysis of a Randomized Trial.

Background: Predischarge elevated mean mitral gradients (>5 mm Hg) may occur after repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation. We sought to identify risk factors associated with elevated gradients and to evaluate its impact on functional outcomes at 12 months in this subanalysis of the Canadian Mitral Research Alliance CardioLink-2 trial.

Methods: One hundred four patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation undergoing mitral repair were randomized to either a leaflet resection or preservation strategy.

Non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in cardiorenal disease.

Despite existing treatments, patients with heart failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain at high risk for adverse outcomes and progression to end-stage disease. Steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) such as spironolactone and eplerenone reduce mortality but remain under-prescribed due to the perceived risk of hyperkalaemia and hormonal side effects. The discovery of non-steroidal MRAs represents a major new dimension in cardiorenal disease therapy.

Association of Eligibility for a Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor and Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) reduce heart failure (HF) in a broad range of populations, but they have not been studied specifically in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to examine the association between SGLT2i eligibility and cardiovascular events in patients with AF to evaluate the potential utility of SGLT2is for AF management.

Methods: We pooled data from 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of patients with AF (RE-LY and ACTIVE-W).

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in heart failure with reduced or preserved ejection fraction: a meta-analysis.

Aims: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been shown to be an effective therapy in improving heart failure outcomes. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors in heart failure patients with either a reduced or preserved ejection fraction.

Methods And Results: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for large (≥1000 patients) randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors compared with placebo in the setting of heart failure until September 2021.

Efficacy and safety of low intensity vitamin K antagonists in Western and East-Asian patients with left-sided mechanical heart valves.

The optimal INR target in patients with mechanical heart valves is unclear. Higher INR targets are often used in Western compared with East Asian countries. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the evidence for the efficacy and safety of lower versus higher INR targets in Western and East Asian left-sided mechanical heart valve patients.

Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter Inhibitors and Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background Sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT) inhibitors reduce cardiovascular outcomes including mortality in several populations; however, their effect on atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) remains unclear. Our objective was to determine whether SGLT inhibitors reduce AF and whether a history of AF modifies the effect of SGLT inhibitors on the composite of heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular death. Methods and Results We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL to March 2021.

Lower versus Standard INR Targets in Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background:  Western guidelines recommend an international normalized ratio (INR) range of 2 to 3 when using warfarin for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF), but lower INR ranges are frequently used in East Asia. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in AF patients comparing the effect of lower versus standard INR targets on thromboembolism, major bleeding, and mortality.

Methods:  We searched Western databases including Cochrane CENTRAL, Medline, and Embase as well as Chinese databases including SinoMed, CNKI, and Wanfang Data.