Cardiovascular Effects of Stimulators of Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Administration: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Purpose Of Review: Heart failure (HF) is one of the main causes of cardiovascular mortality in the western world. Despite great advances in treatment, recurrence and mortality rates remain high. Soluble guanylate cyclase is an enzyme which, by producing cGMP, is responsible for the effects of vasodilation, reduction of cardiac pre- and after-load and, therefore, the improvement of myocardial performance.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Disease: Pathophysiology and Emerging Therapies.

Mitochondria ensure the supply of cellular energy through the production of ATP via oxidative phosphorylation. The alteration of this process, called mitochondrial dysfunction, leads to a reduction in ATP and an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondrial dysfunction can be caused by mitochondrial/nuclear DNA mutations, or it can be secondary to pathological conditions such as cardiovascular disease, aging, and environmental stress.

Celiac Trunk Mycotic Aneurysm: Diagnosis and Treatment of a Post-infective Endocarditis Complication.

Pseudoaneurysms could be the dynamic evolution of an infectious break in the arterial wall; in the post-antibiotic era they are uncommon complication following infective endocarditis (IE) and are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality especially for patients in whom a prompt diagnosis and therapeutic strategy are not performed. In this report, we describe a case of pseudoaneurysm of the celiac trunk developed as a complication of IE. Endovascular treatment is our first-line approach.

The role of nutrition in inflammaging.

Background: Old age is characterized by a peculiar low-grade, chronic, and "sterile" inflammatory state, which has been termed "inflammaging." This is believed to substantially contribute to the pathogenesis of many age-related diseases and to the progression of the ageing process. An adequate nutritional status is of great importance for maintaining proper immune system functionality and preventing frailty in the elderly.

Anderson-Fabry Disease: From Endothelial Dysfunction to Emerging Therapies.

The Anderson-Fabry disease is a rare, X-linked, multisystemic, progressive lysosomal storage disease caused by -galactosidase A total or partial deficiency. The resulting syndrome is mainly characterized by early-onset autonomic neuropathy and life-threatening multiorgan involvement, including renal insufficiency, heart disease, and early stroke. The enzyme deficiency leads to tissue accumulation of the glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide and its analogues, but the mechanisms linking such accumulation to organ damage are only partially understood.

Statin therapy and sex hormones.

Current guidelines recommend statin therapy for all adult patients with coronary artery disease irrespective of sex. Over recent years, some concerns have been raised concerning the effects of statins on endogenous steroid hormones synthesis. The aim of this review was to summarize the effects of statins on endogenous sex hormones in order to clarify their role and safety in different clinical settings.

Pathophysiological mechanisms of statin-associated myopathies: possible role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system.

Background: Statins are the cornerstone of pharmacotherapy for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. While these drugs are generally safe, treatment adherence is not optimal in a considerable proportion of patients because of the adverse effects on skeletal muscles in the forms of myopathy, myalgia, muscular pain, nocturnal muscle cramping, weakness, and rare rhabdomyolysis.

Methods: For the purpose of this narrative review, we searched for the literature suggesting the involvement of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the development of statin-induced myopathy.

Gender Differences in Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment of Hypertension.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to examine gender differences in both the epidemiology and pathophysiology of hypertension and to explore gender peculiarities on the effects of antihypertensive agents in decreasing BP and CV events.

Recent Findings: Men and women differ in prevalence, awareness, and control rate of hypertension in an age-dependent manner. Studies suggest that sex hormones changes play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of hypertension in postmenopausal women.

Climate Changes and Human Health: A Review of the Effect of Environmental Stressors on Cardiovascular Diseases Across Epidemiology and Biological Mechanisms.

Background: Climate change is rapidly affecting all the regions of our planet. The most relevant example is global warming, which impacts on the earth's ecosystems, threatening human health. Other effects include extreme variations in temperature and increases in air pollution.

Gender differences in cardiovascular prophylaxis: Focus on antiplatelet treatment.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the leading cause of death worldwide, and equally affects both sexes although women develop disease at an older age than men. A number of clinical evidence has identified the female sex as an independent factor for poor prognosis, with the rate of mortality and disability following an acute cardiovascular (CV) event being higher in women than men. It has been argued that the different level of platelet reactivity between sexes may account for a different responsiveness to anti-platelet therapy, with consequent important implications on clinical outcomes.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Between Genders Following Antihypertensive Therapy: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Numerous studies have reported sex and gender differences in the prevalence and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, sex differences in the therapy of hypertension have not been completely examined.

Objective: To estimate the gender-specific dissimilarity in outcomes among patients following antihypertensive treatment, using a meta-analysis of available studies.

Gender-related differences in pulmonary arterial hypertension targeted drugs administration.

During the last 15 years, a real "paradigm-shift" occurred, due to the development of PAH-targeted drugs, leading to crucial improvements in symptoms, exercise capacity, hemodynamics and outcome of PAH patients. In order to describe differences regarding epidemiology and therapy in PAH according to gender, we performed a review of the available literature in "PubMed" and "Web of Science" databases. In order to find relevant articles, we combined each of the following the keywords "pulmonary arterial hypertension", "gender", "sex", "men", "woman", "male", "female", "phosphodiesterase inhibitors", "endothelin receptor antagonists", "prostanoids".

Impact of statin therapy on plasma resistin and visfatin concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials.

The beneficial effects of statin therapy in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is not merely explained by the lipid-modulating effects. Although adipokines levels have been associated with cardiometabolic disorders, a few studies have explored the effect of statin on resistin and visfatin. We aimed to evaluate the impact of statin therapy on levels of resistin and visfatin through a meta-analysis of published studies.

Anti-platelet drugs attenuate the expansion of circulating CD14highCD16+ monocytes under pro-inflammatory conditions.

Aims: Levels of circulating CD14(high)CD16(+) monocytes increase in atherosclerotic patients and are predictive of future cardiovascular events. Platelet activation has been identified as a crucial determinant in the acquisition of a CD16(+) phenotype by classical CD14(high)CD16(-) cells. We tested the hypothesis that anti-platelet drugs modulate the phenotype of circulating monocytes.

Effect of monoclonal antibodies to PCSK9 on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels: a meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled treatment arms.

Aims: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are an emerging class of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering agents. In spite of their known effects on lipids, the impact of these drugs on systemic inflammation is less known. We aimed to investigate the effect of PCSK9 inhibitors on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Air Pollution Exposure and Blood Pressure: An Updated Review of the Literature.

Both high arterial blood pressure (BP) and elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution have been associated with an increased risk for several cardiovascular (CV) diseases, including stroke, heart failure, and myocardial infarction. Given that PM2.

The role of inflammatory biomarkers in developing targeted cardiovascular therapies: lessons from the cardiovascular inflammation reduction trials.

Anti-inflammatory add-on therapy to conventional cardiovascular prophylaxis has been proposed as a novel therapeutic approach to potentially reduce residual cardiovascular risk. This hypothesis has been challenged by a series of unsuccessful Phase III studies testing the impact on clinical outcomes of novel agents with immunomodulatory actions. Specifically, the apparent ability of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitors and of antioxidants to ameliorate inflammation and to reduce coronary disease in Phase II trials did not translate into improved secondary cardiovascular prevention in larger population-based studies.

Cocoa, blood pressure, and cardiovascular health.

High blood pressure is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular events worldwide. Clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that cocoa-rich products reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to this, cocoa has a high content in polyphenols, especially flavanols.