Probiotics: A Potential Strategy for Preventing and Managing Cardiovascular Disease.

Probiotics are gaining recognition as a viable strategy for mitigating cardiovascular risk factors. Specifically, recent studies highlight their potential benefits in managing cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and inflammation, which are critical components in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the impact of probiotic consumption on major cardiovascular risk factors, including individuals with hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, hypercholesterolemia, and in secondary prevention in coronary artery disease.

Cardioprotection exerted by intravenous statin at index myocardial infarction event attenuates cardiac damage upon recurrent infarction.

Aims: Recurrent acute myocardial infarction (RE-AMI) is a frequent complication after STEMI, and its association with stent thrombosis can be life-threatening. Intravenous atorvastatin (IV-atorva) administration during AMI has been shown to limit infarct size and adverse cardiac remodeling. We determined by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) whether the cardioprotection exerted by IV-atorva at the index AMI event translates into a better prognosis upon RE-AMI in dyslipidemic pigs.

Inter-organ communication: pathways and targets to cardioprotection and neuro-protection. A report from the 12th Hatter Cardiovascular Institute workshop.

A long-standing aim in the setting of various pathologies including acute myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and ischaemic stroke, has been to identify successful approaches to augment cellular and organ protection. Although the continual evolution and refinement of ideas over the past few decades has allowed the field to progress, we are yet to realise successful clinical translation of this concept. The 12th Hatter Cardiovascular Workshop identified a number of important points and key questions for future research relating to cardio- and neuro-protection and interorgan communication.

Interplay between platelets and coagulation: from protective haemostasis to pathological arterial thrombosis.

Haemostasis refers to the physiological process aimed at repairing vessel injury and preventing bleeding. It involves four interlinked stages culminating in the formation of a platelet-fibrin haemostatic plug that is eventually dissolved once the vessel heals. In contrast, arterial thrombosis is a pathological condition resulting from atheroma exposure, triggering the formation of a platelet-rich thrombus that may obstruct blood flow, leading to the clinical manifestations of ischaemic cardiovascular disease.

Small Extracellular Vesicles in the Pericardium Modulate Macrophage Immunophenotype in Coronary Artery Disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major health issue. This study focused on pericardial macrophages and small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in CAD. The macrophages in CAD patients showed reduced expression of protective markers and unchanged levels of proinflammatory receptors.