Endothelium-Derived Relaxing Factors and Endothelial Function: A Systematic Review.

Background: The endothelium plays a pivotal role in homeostatic mechanisms. It specifically modulates vascular tone by releasing vasodilatory mediators, which act on the vascular smooth muscle. Large amounts of work have been dedicated towards identifying mediators of vasodilation and vasoconstriction alongside the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species on the endothelium.

Thromboembolic Disease and Cardiac Thrombotic Complication in COVID-19: A Systematic Review.

The coronavirus 2019 pandemic has affected many healthcare systems worldwide. While acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been well-documented in COVID-19, there are several cardiovascular complications, such as myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, and pulmonary embolism, leading to disability and death. The link between COVID-19 and increasing thrombogenicity potentially occurs due to numerous different metabolic mechanisms, ranging from endothelial damage for direct virus infection, associated excessive formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), pathogenic activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), direct myocardial injury, and ischemia induced by respiratory failure, all of which have measurable biomarkers.

Patients with Bicuspid Aortopathy and Aortic Dilatation.

(1) Background: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most frequent congenital cardiac disease. Alteration of ascending aorta diameter is a consequence of shear stress alterations due to haemodynamic abnormalities developed from inadequate valve cusp coaptation. (2) Objective: This narrative review aims to discuss anatomical, pathophysiological, genetical, ultrasound, and radiological aspects of BAV disease, focusing on BAV classification related to imaging patterns and flux models involved in the onset and developing vessel dilatation.

Cardiotoxicity of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CAR-T) Therapy: Pathophysiology, Clinical Implications, and Echocardiographic Assessment.

Contemporary anticancer immunotherapy with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has dramatically changed the treatment of many hematologic malignancies previously associated with poor prognosis. The clinical improvement and the survival benefit unveiled the risk of cardiotoxicity, ranging from minimal effects to severe cardiac adverse events, including death. Immunotherapy should also be proposed even in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors, thereby increasing the potential harm of cardiotoxicity.

Biomechanics of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implant.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has grown exponentially within the cardiology and cardiac surgical spheres. It has now become a routine approach for treating aortic stenosis. Several concerns have been raised about TAVI in comparison to conventional surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

miRNAs in Cardiac Myxoma: New Pathologic Findings for Potential Therapeutic Opportunities.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, contributing to all major cellular processes. The importance of miRNAs in cardiac development, heart function, and valvular heart disease has been shown in recent years, and aberrant expression of miRNA has been reported in various malignancies, such as gastric cancer and breast cancer. Different from other fields of investigation, the role of miRNAs in cardiac tumors still remains difficult to interpret due to the scarcity publications and a lack of narrative focus on this topic.

Exploring the Operative Strategy for Secondary Mitral Regurgitation: A Systematic Review.

Background: Mitral valve disease surgery is an evolving field with multiple possible interventions. There is an increasing body of evidence regarding the optimal strategy in secondary mitral regurgitation where the pathology lies within the ventricle. We conducted a systematic review to identify the benefits and limitations of each surgical option.

Percutaneous versus Surgical Intervention for Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis: A Systematic Review.

Aortic stenosis is a disease that is increasing in prevalence and manifests as decreased cardiac output, which if left untreated can result in heart failure and ultimately death. It is primarily a disease of the elderly who often have multiple comorbidities. The advent of transcatheter aortic valve therapies has changed the way we treat these conditions.

Predictors of adherence to composite therapy after acute coronary syndromes.

Aims: Adherence to medical therapy following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) affects a patient's prognosis. In this cohort study, we sought to assess the factors that could affect a patient's adherence to therapy after ACS.

Methods: We prospectively collected information from patients (N = 964) hospitalized at the coronary care unit of the Federico II University Hospital, from 1 January 2015 to 30 June 2017, for ACS.

The Choice of Pulmonary Autograft in Aortic Valve Surgery: A State-of-the-Art Primer.

The Ross procedure has long been seen as an optimal operation for a select few. The detractors of it highlight the issue of an additional harvesting of the pulmonary artery, subjecting the native PA to systemic pressures and the need for reintervention as reasons to avoid it. However, the PA is a living tissue and capable of adapting and remodeling to growth.

The Use of Radial Artery for CABG: An Update.

We used the radial artery as a second target conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting since 1971. However, randomized clinical studies have demonstrated differences in clinical outcomes between the radial artery and other grafts because these trials are underpowered. As we proceed toward 50 years of experience with radial artery grafting, we examined the literature to define the best second-best target vessel for coronary artery bypass grafting.

Heart Valve Endocarditis.

Heart valve replacement is the most common cardiac surgical operation performed worldwide for infective endocarditis (IE). Long-term durability and avoidance of infection relapse are the goals of the procedure. However, no detailed guidelines on prosthesis selection and surgical strategies are available, which should be guided by a comprehensive evaluation of the extent of the infection and its microbiological characteristics, the clinical profile of the patient and the risk of infection recurrence.

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Interventions: Current Approaches and Future Perspectives.

Tricuspid valve regurgitation is generally functional in nature due to right-sided dysfunction in the setting of left-sided concomitant cardiac disease or pulmonary hypertension. Patients living with tricuspid regurgitation often experience numerous limitations as a result of right-sided heart failure symptoms. Patients with significant tricuspid disease, whether native, repaired, or replaced valve, often present with significant symptoms but may not be ideal candidates for operation or, eventually, reoperation.