Echocardiographic Assessment for the Detection of Cardiotoxicity Due to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitor Therapy in Metastatic Renal Cell and Colorectal Cancers.

Background: Cardio-oncology is a recently established discipline that focuses on the management of patients with cancer who are at risk for developing cardiovascular complications as a result of their underlying oncologic treatment. In metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor (VEGF-i) therapy is commonly used to improve overall survival. Although these novel anticancer drugs may lead to the development of cardiotoxicity, whether early detection of cardiac dysfunction using serial echocardiography could potentially prevent the development of heart failure in this patient population requires further study.

Biological Activities of Stilbenoids.

Stilbenoids are a group of naturally occurring phenolic compounds found in various plant species. They share a common backbone structure known as stilbene, but differ in the nature and position of substituents. Stilbenoids are classified as phytoalexins, which are antimicrobial compounds produced de novo in plants to protect against fungal infection and toxins.

The utility of cardiac biomarkers and echocardiography for the early detection of bevacizumab- and sunitinib-mediated cardiotoxicity.

The recent introduction of novel anticancer therapies, including bevacizumab (BVZ) and sunitinib (SNT), is associated with an increased risk of cardiotoxicity. However, early identification of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction may facilitate dose modification and avoid the development of advanced heart failure. Using a murine model of BVZ- and SNT-mediated cardiotoxicity, we investigated whether cardiac biomarkers and/or tissue velocity imaging (TVI) using echocardiography can detect early changes in cardiac function, before a decrease in LV ejection fraction is identified.

The role of renin angiotensin system antagonists in the prevention of doxorubicin and trastuzumab induced cardiotoxicity.

Background: Cardio-Oncology is an evolving discipline that focuses on the management of cancer patients who develop cardiovascular complications as a result of their treatment. Although the current combination of surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy may lead to a cure in cancer patients, the administration of anti-cancer drugs, in particular Doxorubicin (DOX) and Trastuzumab (TRZ), is associated with an increased risk of cardiotoxicity. Little is known on the potential cardioprotective role of renin angiotensin system (RAS) antagonists in the prevention of DOX+TRZ mediated cardiotoxicity.

The impact of telemetry on survival of in-hospital cardiac arrests in non-critical care patients.

Objective: Since the introduction of telemetry over a half century ago, it has expanded to various units and wards within health care institutions outside of the traditional critical care setting. Little is known on whether routine telemetry use is beneficial in this patient population. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of telemetry monitoring on survival of in-hospital cardiac arrests in patients admitted to non-critical care units.

Spontaneous dissection of the coronary and vertebral arteries post-partum: case report and review of the literature.

Background: Spontaneous coronary and vertebral artery dissections are rare events occurring most commonly in otherwise healthy women during pregnancy or the post-partum period.

Case Presentation: This report describes a 35-year-old female who presented with an acute inferior ST elevation myocardial infarction 7 months post-partum secondary to spontaneous dissection of the left obtuse marginal coronary artery. Despite appropriate medical therapy with dual anti-platelet therapy, the patient presented four weeks later with a spontaneous dissection of the right vertebral artery.