Natriuretic peptide levels and predicting risk of developing new diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.

Aims: Define the relationship between N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide (NT-ANP) levels and incident metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus ('metabolic disease') in healthy adults and develop a risk prediction score.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective cohort study of Olmsted County Heart Function Study participants, a random sampling of county residents aged 45 years and older (n = 2042). Clinical data were collected during enrolment between 1997 and 2000 and upon follow-up 4 years later.

Transgender Women Exhibit a Distinct Stress Echocardiography Profile Compared With Age-Matched Cisgender Counterparts: The Mayo Clinic Women's Heart Clinic Experience.

Background: Stress echocardiographic (SE) testing is an important modality in cardiovascular risk stratification and obstructive coronary artery disease assessment. Binary sex-based parameters are classically used for the interpretation of these studies, even among transgender women (TGW). Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population.

The Cardiorenal Effects of Chronic Phosphodiesterase-V Inhibition in Preclinical Diastolic Dysfunction (Stage B Heart Failure).

Objective: To determine whether chronic phosphodiesterase-V (PDEV) inhibition with tadalafil will improve urinary sodium excretion, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), plasma cyclic guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cGMP), and urinary cGMP excretion in response to volume expansion (VE) in patients with preclinical diastolic dysfunction (PDD) or stage B heart failure.

Background: PDD is defined as abnormal diastolic function with normal systolic function, without clinical heart failure. PDD is predictive of development of heart failure and all-cause mortality.

Insulin Therapy is Associated With Increased Myocardial Interstitial Fibrosis and Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis in a Rodent Model of Experimental Diabetes.

The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is rising. DM is a risk factor for developing left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Insulin, commonly used to treat DM, is associated with further worsening of such outcomes.

Cardiorenal Effects of Long-Term Phosphodiesterase V Inhibition in Pre-Heart Failure.

Background Phosphodiesterase V (PDEV) is upregulated in heart failure, leading to increased degradation of cGMP and impaired natriuresis. PDEV inhibition improves the renal response to B-type natriuretic peptide in animal models. We tested the hypothesis that long-term PDEV inhibition would improve renal function and cardiorenal response after short-term volume load in subjects with pre-heart failure.

Characteristics of Transgender Women Referred to Women's Heart Clinic.

Introduction: Transgender women have been reported to have a high burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors based largely on surveys. Our aim was to describe the prevalence of CVD and associated comorbidities among a cohort of older transgender women referred to cardiology as part of their gender-affirming care.

Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of transgender women at a single institution from 2017 to 2019.

Infection Rate and Outcomes of Watchman Devices: Results from a Single-Center 14-Year Experience.

The Watchman device (WD) is a commonly used alternative strategy to oral anticoagulation for stroke risk reduction in patients with atrial fibrillation who have an increased bleeding risk. There are rare case reports of WD-related infection. Currently, there is no formal study that has systematically evaluated the incidence and outcomes WD-related infections.

Student-run free clinic volunteers: who they are and what we can learn from them.

Background: Initiatives employing medical students' volunteerism and idealism, such as the Student-Run Free Clinics (SRFC) program, are prevalent in US medical schools. Many studies evaluated various aspects of volunteering, sometimes resulting in conflicting evidence. This study simultaneously sought to identify the characteristics of volunteers vs.

Annexin A1 is a Potential Novel Biomarker of Congestion in Acute Heart Failure.

Objectives: This study sought to identify the role of annexin A1 (AnxA1) as a congestion marker in acute heart failure (AHF) and to identify its putative role in predicting clinical outcomes.

Background: AnxA1 is a protein that inhibits inflammation following ischemia-reperfusion injury in cardiorenal tissues. Because AHF is a state of tissue hypoperfusion, we hypothesized that plasma AnxA1 levels are altered in AHF.

San Antonio refugees: Their demographics, healthcare profiles, and how to better serve them.

Objective: The recent refugee crisis has resulted in the largest burden of displacement in history, with the US being the top resettlement country since 1975. Texas welcomed the second most US-bound refugees in 2016, with a large percentage arriving in San Antonio. Yet, the composition of the San Antonio refugees has not been described and their healthcare needs remain ill-defined.