Effects of oral semaglutide on cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and/or chronic kidney disease: Design and baseline characteristics of SOUL, a randomized trial.

Aim: To describe the design of the SOUL trial (Semaglutide cardiOvascular oUtcomes triaL) and the baseline clinical data of its participants.

Materials And Methods: In SOUL, the effects of oral semaglutide, the first oral glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, on the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in individuals with type 2 diabetes and established atherosclerotic CV disease (ASCVD) and/or chronic kidney disease (CKD) will be assessed. SOUL is a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled CV outcomes trial comparing oral semaglutide (14 mg once daily) with placebo, both in addition to standard of care, in individuals aged ≥50 years with type 2 diabetes and evidence of ASCVD (coronary artery disease [CAD], cerebrovascular disease, symptomatic peripheral arterial disease [PAD]) and/or CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.

Prevalence of Baseline Cardiac Arrhythmias in Participants with Overweight or Obesity in Phase 1 Clinical Trials: Analysis of 24-Hour Holter Electrocardiogram Recordings.

Although estimates of the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in healthy volunteers exist, there is a lack of baseline data in other specific populations, such as people living with overweight and obesity, who are increasingly involved in clinical trials. This study investigated the baseline prevalence of arrhythmias in participants with overweight or obesity in 2 phase 1 trials of weight management medications (NCT03661879, NCT03308721). Participants aged 18-55 years, without a history of cardiovascular disease, and with body mass index (BMI) of 25.

A State of Natriuretic Peptide Deficiency.

Measurement of natriuretic peptides (NPs) has proven its clinical value as biomarker, especially in the context of heart failure (HF). In contrast, a state of partial NP deficiency appears integral to several conditions in which lower NP concentrations in plasma presage overt cardiometabolic disease. Here, obesity and type 2 diabetes have attracted considerable attention.

IL-6 inhibition with ziltivekimab in patients at high atherosclerotic risk (RESCUE): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

Background: IL-6 has emerged as a pivotal factor in atherothrombosis. Yet, the safety and efficacy of IL-6 inhibition among individuals at high atherosclerotic risk but without a systemic inflammatory disorder is unknown. We therefore addressed whether ziltivekimab, a fully human monoclonal antibody directed against the IL-6 ligand, safely and effectively reduces biomarkers of inflammation and thrombosis among patients with high cardiovascular risk.

Increased plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and markers of inflammation related to atherosclerosis in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Objective: Increased risk of cardiovascular disease has been reported in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The aim of this study was to evaluate novel plasma risk markers of cardiovascular disease in patients with PHPT.

Design: PHPT patients were evaluated with a control group.

Natriuretic peptide response to dynamic exercise in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) information regarding exercise release of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is sparse and data on plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) response to exercise is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma ANP and BNP response to exercise in patients with permanent AF and to assess if the response was different from the response in healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects.

Methods: Plasma venous concentrations of ANP and BNP were determined at rest, at peak exercise and 30 min from the end of exercise in 38 patients with permanent AF and in 43 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects.

Inflammation in the genesis and perpetuation of atrial fibrillation.

The prevalence and persistence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and the relative inefficacy of the currently available pharmacotherapy requires development of new treatment strategies. Recent findings have suggested a mechanistic link between inflammatory processes and the development of AF. Epidemiological studies have shown an association between C-reactive protein and both the presence of AF and the risk of developing future AF.

T-lymphocyte subsets, thymic size and breastfeeding in infancy.

We followed the changes in concentration of T-lymphocyte subsets (CD4+ and CD8+ cells) in peripheral blood and thymus size during infancy. Previous studies have found increased thymus size in breastfed infants. The present study analyzed the association between breastfeeding and the number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells.

Quality of life in nonpharmacologic treatment of atrial fibrillation.

The mainstay of treatment for atrial fibrillation, AF, remains pharmacologic control, either by maintaining sinus rhythm or by controlling the ventricular rate and allowing AF to continue. In patients where pharmacologic therapy i not effective, not tolerated or contraindicated, nonpharmacologic treatment may be beneficial. In the last two decades the number of nonpharmacologic treatment options (catheter ablation, cardiac pacing, internal defibrillation, and dysrhythmia surgery) for AF have markedly increased and the number of patients undergoing such treatment is steadily increasing.