Vascular Endothelial Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The mechanism of how sacubitril/valsartan improves outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is still incompletely understood.

Objectives: The aim of this trial was to delineate the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on endothelial function, retinal microvascular function, and arterial stiffness in HFrEF.

Methods: This double-blind controlled trial randomized 79 stable HFrEF patients with NYHA class II-IV on guideline-recommended therapy (mean age: 59.

Endocrine hormone imbalance in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: Sustained neurohormonal activation plays a central role in the progression of heart failure (HF). Other endocrine axes may also be affected. It was the aim of this study to examine the endocrine profile (thyroid, parathyroid, glucocorticoid, and sex hormones) in a contemporary sample of patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (EF) on established disease-modifying therapy.

Eyes on amyloidosis: microvascular retinal dysfunction in cardiac amyloidosis.

Aims: Cardiac involvement in systemic amyloidosis is a marker of particularly poor prognosis. Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is characterized by extracellular amyloid deposits inducing heart failure and symptoms of cardiac microvascular disease. While amyloid deposition is most common in the myocardium but also seen in pericardium and endocardium, atria, and vasculature, the role of (micro-)vascular dysfunction in CA pathophysiology remains still elusive.