The Implication of NT-proBNP in the Assessment of the Clinical Phenotype of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Without Established Cardiovascular Disease.

: Natriuretic peptide (NP) levels have been proposed for characterization and risk stratification of heart failure (HF) among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, their role in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) has not been well studied and understood. The aim of this study was to assess phenotypical, functional characteristics and imaging parameters in relation to N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) values in T2DM patients without known CVD that may predispose to overt HF.

Association between simple, combined lipid markers and 20-year cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes: the ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022).

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between simple, combined lipid biomarkers, and 20-year cumulative incidence of new type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among adults participating in the ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022).

Methods: The present analysis included data from 2000 individuals free of T2DM at baseline (age 43 ± 13 years; 51% women). Sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, clinical, and biochemical parameters were collected at baseline and follow-up examinations; combined lipid markers were evaluated.

Prevented fractions of cardiovascular disease cases, by long-term adherence to the Mediterranean diet; the ATTICA study (2002-2022).

Background And Aims: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its related co-morbidities, i.e., type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, have an enormous burden on population health and healthcare systems.

Sex-related differences in the 20-year incidence of CVD and its risk factors: The ATTICA study (2002-2022).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine sex-related differences in the long-term (20-year) incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its determinants.

Methods: In 2002, 3,042 apparently healthy Greek adults were recruited, and in 2022, the 20-year follow-up was conducted with 2,169 participants, 1,988 of whom had completed CVD assessments. Sex-specific analyses using nested Cox proportional hazards were performed, as well as classification and regression tree (CRT) analysis modeling.

A Delphi consensus project to capture experts' opinion on hyperkalaemia management across the cardiorenal spectrum.

The main purpose of this project was to capture experts' opinion on hyperkalaemia management and form best practice recommendations for cardiorenal patients in Greece. A steering committee of nephrologists and cardiologists developed 37 statements. An online questionnaire completed by 32 experts in cardiorenal management in Greece.

Longitudinal trends in physical activity levels and lifetime cardiovascular disease risk: insights from the ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022).

Objective: To evaluate trends in physical activity levels and their associations with demographic characteristics, health status, and lifetime cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

Methods: A longitudinal analysis was conducted using data from 987 males and 1,001 females (45 ± 12 years old) participating in the ATTICA cohort study. Physical activity levels were assessed at baseline (2001-2002) and subsequent follow-ups (2006, 2012, and 2022).

The role of coronary microcirculation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: An unceasing odyssey.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) represents an entity with complex pathophysiologic pathways, among which coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is believed to be an important orchestrator. Research in the field of CMD has highlighted impaired vasoreactivity, capillary rarefaction, and inflammation as potential mediators of its development. CMD can be diagnosed via several noninvasive methods including transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and positron emission tomography.

Cutting the Gordian knot of diuretic resistance using continuous ultrafiltration in a Holt-Oram patient with decompensated heart failure and Eisenmenger syndrome: a case report.

Background: Continuous ultrafiltration consists a decongestion method for patients with refractory decompensated heart failure with diuretic resistance as it enables the energetic withdrawal of isotonic fluid under controlled rate according to the patient's vital signs, offering decongestion without exceeding plasma refill rate.

Case Summary: A 62-year-old male with history of Holt-Oram syndrome with Eisenmenger physiology presented with worsening dyspnoea. Patient initial clinical and laboratory examination, renal vein ultrasound, and echocardiogram were consistent with significant congestion.

Bridge to Life: Current Landscape of Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support in Heart-Failure-Related Cardiogenic Shock.

Acute heart failure (HF) presents a significant mortality burden, necessitating continuous therapeutic advancements. Temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is crucial in managing cardiogenic shock (CS) secondary to acute HF, serving as a bridge to recovery or durable support. Currently, MCS options include the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP), TandemHeart (TH), Impella, and Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA-ECMO), each offering unique benefits and risks tailored to patient-specific factors and clinical scenarios.

The Role of NT-proBNP Levels in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction-It Is Not Always a Hide-and-Seek Game.

Although heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has become the predominant heart failure subtype, it remains clinically under-recognized. This has been attributed to the complex pathophysiological mechanisms that accompany individuals with several co-morbidities and symptoms and signs of HFpEF. Natriuretic peptides have been recognized as playing an important role in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), but their role in HFpEF remains controversial, driven by the different pathophysiological characteristics of these patients.

The Impact of Dietary Carbohydrates on Inflammation-Related Cardiovascular Disease Risk: The ATTICA Study (2002-2022).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential interplay between a carbohydrate diet and inflammation in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) development. ATTICA is a prospective observational study of 3042 adults free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) who were recruited in 2002 and followed for 20 years. Baseline data on carbohydrate intake and inflammatory biomarker levels were collected.

Discrimination and net-reclassification of cardiovascular disease risk with Lipoprotein(a) levels: The ATTICA study (2002-2022).

Background: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a recognized as risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, its influence on clinical risk evaluations remains unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether Lp(a) improves CVD risk prediction among apparently healthy adults from the general population.

The burden of cardiovascular disease and related risk factors in Greece: the ATTICA epidemiological study (2002-2022).

Objective: The aim of this study was to present the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its related risk factors based on a 20-year observation period (2002-2022).

Methods: In 2002, 3042 Greek adults (aged: 45 (12) years) free of CVD, cancer, or any other chronic infections were enrolled. In 2022, the 20-year follow-up was performed on 2169 participants (1988 had complete data for CVD).

Management of dyslipidemia in coronary artery disease: the present and the future.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, necessitating continuous refinement in the management of dyslipidemia, one of its major risk factors, to mitigate cardiovascular risks. Previous studies have proven the critical role of immediate and robust low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction in the aftermath of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Emphasizing the evidence supporting this approach, we delve into the impact of early intervention on cardiovascular outcomes and propose optimal strategies for achieving rapid LDL-C lowering, while also providing the rationale for early proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 inhibitor use after an ACS.

Long-Term Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Reduces 20-Year Diabetes Incidence: The ATTICA Cohort Study (2002-2022).

This study aimed to evaluate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the 20-year incidence of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among adults from the ATTICA study. This study involved a prospective cohort of 3042 men and women recruited at baseline from the Attica region in Greece. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics were evaluated at baseline and follow-up examinations; adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed through the MedDietScore (range 0-55); four Mediterranean diet trajectories were identified (i.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and 20-year incidence of hypertension: the ATTICA prospective epidemiological study (2002-2022).

Background/objectives: Dietary habits are a significant predictor of hypertension (HTN). We aimed to evaluate the long-term association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and HTN incidence.

Subjects/methods: This was a prospective study among 1415 non-hypertensive adults (44% men, age: 41 ± 13 years) followed up for 20 years.

Executive summary of the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemias - 2023.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the main cause of death worldwide, and thus its prevention, early diagnosis and treatment is of paramount importance. Dyslipidemia represents a major ASCVD risk factor that should be adequately managed at different clinical settings. 2023 guidelines of the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society focus on the assessment of ASCVD risk, laboratory evaluation of dyslipidemias, new and emerging lipid-lowering drugs, as well as diagnosis and treatment of lipid disorders in women, the elderly and in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, stroke, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-invasive tools for liver steatosis and steatohepatitis predict incidence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality 20 years later: The ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022).

Background & Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or, as recently renamed, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), has common metabolic pathways with diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Non-invasive tools (NITs) for liver steatosis and steatohepatitis (MASH) were studied as potential predictors of diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality over a 20-year period.

Methods: In 2001-02, 3042 individuals from the Attica region of Greece were recruited randomly, and were stratified by subgroups of sex, age and region to reflect the general urban population in Athens, Greece.

Mediterranean Diet and Cardiovascular Disease: The Moderating Role of Adequate Sleep-Results from the ATTICA Cohort Study (2002-2022).

The relationship between diet, sleep duration and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has not been well understood. The aim of the present study was to test the potential modifying role of sleep duration in the association between adherence to the Mediterranean-type diet (MD) and CVD risk. The study consisted of = 313 initially free-of-CVD adults, from the ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022), with available information on sleep habits.

Mediterranean diet trajectories and 20-year incidence of cardiovascular disease: The ATTICA cohort study (2002-2022).

Background And Aims: Only few studies have assessed longitudinal dietary trends in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We aimed to evaluate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet, both baseline and longitudinal, and 20-year CVD incidence.

Methods And Results: This was a prospective study among 1988 Greek adults (50% men, age: 45 ± 14years).

Increased body weight and central adiposity markers are positively associated with the 20-year incidence of cardiovascular disease: The ATTICA epidemiological study (2002-2022).

Increased adiposity predisposes to cardiovascular disease (CVD). We hypothesized that the presence of obesity would be positively associated with CVD risk, and that the co-presence of central obesity would modify/enhance this association. This was a prospective study (2002-2022) among 1845 Greek adults (mean age, 44.