Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: current understanding and future prospects.

The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), part of the steroid hormone receptor subfamily within nuclear hormone receptors, is found in the kidney and various non-epithelial tissues, including the heart and blood vessels. When improperly activated, it can contribute to heart failure processes such as cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, stiffening of arteries, inflammation, and oxidative stress. MR antagonists (MRAs) have shown clear clinical benefits in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Carbohydrate antigen 125 combined with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in the prediction of acute heart failure following ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

The value of serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) combined with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the evaluation of acute heart failure (AHF) after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of CA125 combined with NT-proBNP in predicting AHF following STEMI. A total of 233 patients with STEMI were evaluated, including 39 patients with Killip II-IV and 194 patients with Killip I.

How is Ambulatory Electrocardiogram Predictive of Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation Patients?

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a significant stroke risk factor. Further research is needed to clarify whether higher atrial fibrillation burden (AFB) link to the elevated risk of ischemic embolism, and how AF burden could combine with CHADS-VASc score to improve the anticoagulation strategy. We aim to evaluate if the AF burden characterized using 24-hours Holter ECG monitoring is associated with the risk of ischemic stroke.

Analysis of cognitive dysfunction and its risk factors in patients with hypertension.

To observe whether obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) can aggravate the cognitive dysfunction of patients with hypertension (HTN), and to explore other risk factors.One hundred one hypertensive patients were selected for information collection. After the polysomnography test, they were divided into HTN-obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and HTN groups.

Effects of body mass index and gender on left atrial size in Chinese hypertensive patients.

Background: Left atrial enlargement (LAE) is a common cardiac structural change in patients with hypertension, and obesity could further promote LAE. However, little is known about the effect of overweight on left atrial size, and if there is a gender difference of the effect. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different body mass index (BMI) grades (normal weight, overweight, and obesity) on left atrial size in both male and female patients with hypertension.

Prognostic value of carbohydrate antigen 125 combined with N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with acute heart failure.

Background: The objective was to explore the value of serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) combined with N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in predicting the clinical prognosis of patients with acute heart failure (AHF).

Methods: We prospectively observed 213 patients with AHF. CA125 (U/ml) and NT-proBNP (pg/ml) were dichotomised based on ROC curve analysised prognostic cutpoints, and a variable with four groups was formed (CA125 and NT-proBNP): C1 = CA125 < 47.