Characteristics, outcomes and the necessity of continued guideline-directed medical therapy in patients with heart failure with improved ejection fraction.

Background: Much remains to be learned about patients with heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF).

Objective: This study sheds light on the characteristics and clinical outcomes of HFimpEF patients, including the consequences of halting guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT).

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who underwent a second echocardiogram at least 6 months apart between January 2009 and February 2023.

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Valvular Heart Disease, 1990 to 2021.

Background: Valvular heart disease poses an escalating global health challenge with an increasing impact on mortality and disability. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the global burden of valvular heart disease.

Methods And Results: Using the Global Burden of Disease 2021 data, we analyzed the prevalence and disability-adjusted life years, examining implications across demographics and geographic regions.

Atrial and ventricular functional mitral regurgitation: prevalence, characteristics, outcomes, and disease progression.

Aims: Limited data exist on the natural history of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR), including atrial (AFMR), ventricular (VFMR), and dual FMR. This study examined the prevalence, characteristics, outcomes, and progression of these FMR subtypes.

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients with ≥mild to moderate FMR were included and classified as AFMR, VFMR, or dual FMR.

Erratum: Burden of disease attributable to high body mass index: an analysis of data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.

Global burden of disease attributable to metabolic risk factors in adolescents and young adults aged 15-39, 1990-2021.

Background: Metabolic risk factors are a significant cause of global burden among adolescents and young adults, but there is a lack of attention to the burden attributable to these metabolic risk factors globally.

Aims: This study aims to provide comprehensive estimates of five important metabolic risk factors and the attributable disease burden in people aged 15-39 years from 1990 to 2021, based on the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) database.

Methods: Global total deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were used to describe the burden attributable to five common metabolic risk factors, including high fasting plasma glucose (FPG), high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high systolic blood pressure (SBP), high body mass index (BMI), and kidney dysfunction, in adolescents and young adults.

Global burden of metabolic diseases, 1990-2021.

Background: Common metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), have become a global health burden in the last three decades. The Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) data enables the first insights into the trends and burdens of these metabolic diseases from 1990 to 2021, highlighting regional, temporal and differences by sex.

Methods: Global estimates of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and deaths from GBD 2021 were analyzed for common metabolic diseases (T2DM, hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and MASLD).

Clinical characteristics and prognostic importance of anticoagulant use in ischemic left ventricular aneurysm: a retrospective cohort study.

There is insufficient data on systemic embolic events (SSEs) in patients with ischemic left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) concerning the impact of anticoagulation therapy. In this retrospective cohort study with 1043 patients with ischemic LVA, SSEs occurred in 7.2% over 2.

Serum bile acid profiles are associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: An exploratory study.

Aim: To analyse the association between serum bile acid (BA) profile and heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).

Methods: We enrolled 163 individuals with biopsy-proven MAFLD undergoing transthoracic echocardiography for any indication. HFpEF was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction >50% with at least one echocardiographic feature of HF (left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, abnormal left atrial size) and at least one HF sign or symptom.

Obesity Paradox in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: Is Malnutrition the Answer?

Background: Obesity paradox has been reported in patients with cardiovascular disease, showing an inverse association between obesity as defined by BMI (in kg/m) and prognosis. Nutritional status is associated with systemic inflammatory response and affects cardiovascular disease outcomes.

Objectives: This study sought to examine the influence of obesity and malnutrition on the prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Is Associated With Heart Failure Hospitalization in Patients With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and Normal Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Undergoing Coronary Angiography.

Background: Systemic chronic inflammation plays a role in the pathophysiology of both heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. This study aimed to investigate whether serum hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) levels were associated with the future risk of heart failure (HF) hospitalization in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and a normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

Methods And Results: The study enrolled consecutive individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and normal left ventricular ejection fraction who underwent coronary angiography for suspected coronary heart disease.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Whether heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with an increased risk of developing systolic dysfunction and a poor prognosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients is unknown.

Objective: We aimed to assess risk factors for the development of end-stage (ES) heart failure (HF) (ejection fraction < 50%) and compare the prognosis of different HF phenotypes.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on patients with HCM in China between January 2009 and February 2023.

Clinical Outcome After Left Ventricular Thrombus Resolution: Who Needs Long-Term or Lifetime Use of Anticoagulants?

Background Patients with left ventricular thrombus (LVT) resolution can have LVT recurrence and risk for thromboembolism. However, these outcomes after LVT resolution are not well known. We aimed to assess the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes for LVT recurrence in patients with LVT resolution to inform follow-up and treatment.

Reduced- or Half-Dose Rivaroxaban Following Left Atrial Appendage Closure: A Feasible Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients at High Risk of Bleeding?

The optimal antithrombotic strategy after percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has not yet been established. The advisability of administering low-dose direct oral anticoagulation after LAAC to patients at high risk of bleeding is uncertain. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the safety and effectiveness of reduced-(15 mg) or half-dose rivaroxaban (10 mg) versus warfarin regarding real-world risks of thromboembolism, bleeding, and device-related thrombosis (DRT) after LAAC.

infection with atrophic gastritis: An independent risk factor for colorectal adenomas.

Background: The significance of () infection and atrophic gastritis (AG) in the prevalence of colorectal adenomas has been examined in a limited number of studies. However, these studies reported disputed conclusions.

Aim: To investigate whether infection, AG, and -related AG increase the risk of colorectal adenomas.

Association between Hemoglobin Glycation Index and NAFLD in Chinese Nondiabetic Individuals.

Purpose: Limited studies have preliminarily identified a positive association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hemoglobin glycation index (HGI). However, this association has not been fully established. We aim to investigate the association between NAFLD and HGI in Chinese nondiabetic individuals and to construct a risk score based on HGI to predict a person's risk of NAFLD.

Peripheral Arterial Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Is Associated with an Increase in Fibrinogen Levels.

Background: The present study is undertaken to investigate the fibrinogen levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its relation to peripheral artery disease (PAD) based on a more accurate and applied noninvasive measurements of duplex ultrasonography.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study including 1096 T2DM patients (474 males and 622 females). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were presented to show the association between PAD and fibrinogen in the subjects divided by fibrinogen levels quarterly.

Role of sLOX-1 in intracranial artery stenosis and in predicting long-term prognosis of acute ischemic stroke.

Objective: The role of sLOX-1 in acute ischemic stroke still remains unclear. This study aims to demonstrate the value of sLOX-1 in evaluating degrees of intracranial artery stenosis and to predict prognosis in stroke.

Methods: Two hundred and seventy-two patients were included in this study and basic data were collected within 72 hr on admission.

Remodeling the model for end-stage liver disease for predicting mortality risk in critically ill patients with cirrhosis and acute kidney injury.

Serum creatinine measurement demonstrates a poor specificity and sensitivity for the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with cirrhosis. The existing model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score reveals multiple pitfalls in critically ill patients with cirrhosis and acute kidney injury (CAKI). The aim of this study was to re-evaluate the role of creatinine values in the existing MELD score and to develop a novel score for CAKI, named the "acute kidney injury-model for end-stage liver disease score" (AKI-MELD score).

Impact of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and smoking on colorectal polyps.

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and smoking have similar mechanisms of promoting colorectal polyps. The potential link between NAFLD and smoking in men and colorectal polyps has not been adequately evaluated. The aim is to investigate this association.

Sex-influenced association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with colorectal adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and colorectal adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 3686 individuals undergoing health checkups (2430 males and 1256 females). All subjects underwent laboratory testing, abdominal ultrasonography, colonoscopy, and an interview to ascertain the baseline characteristics and general state of health.