Chronobiological variation in takotsubo syndrome: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) might exhibit particular chronobiological patterns in its onset, characterized by variations according to time of the day, day of the week, and month of the year. The aim of this study was to fully explore the temporal patterns (circadian, weekly and seasonal) in the onset of TTS. A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature were conducted for studies (2006-2024) reporting the temporal patterns (circadian, weekly and/or seasonal) in the onset of TTS.

Vitamin D: A Bridge between Kidney and Heart.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are highly prevalent conditions, each significantly contributing to the global burden of morbidity and mortality. CVD and CKD share a great number of common risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking, among others. Their relationship extends beyond these factors, encompassing intricate interplay between the two systems.

A Novel Combination of High-Load Omega-3 Lysine Complex (AvailOm) and Anthocyanins Exerts Beneficial Cardiovascular Effects.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to exert several beneficial effects in the prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effects of a novel high-load omega-3 lysine complex, AvailOm, its related constituents and a novel mixture of AvailOm with specific vasoactive anthocyanins on vascular function in mice resistance artery. Pressure myograph was used to perform vascular reactivity studies.

Importance of Echocardiography and Clinical "Red Flags" in Guiding Genetic Screening for Fabry Disease.

Introduction: Aim of this study was to evaluate, in a metropolitan area not already explored, the prevalence of Anderson-Fabry disease, by genetic screening, in patients with echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) of unknown origin and "clinical red flags".

Methods: From August 2016 to October 2017, all consecutive patients referring to our echo-lab for daily hospital practices with echocardiographic evidence of LVH of unknown origin in association with history of at least one of the classical signs and symptoms related to Fabry disease (FD) (neuropathic pain, anhidrosis/hypohidrosis, angiokeratomas, gastrointestinal problems, chronic kidney disease, or cerebrovascular complications) were considered eligible for the FD genetic screening program. Through dried blood spot testing, α-Galactosidase A (α-Gal A) activity and analysis of the gene were performed.

Targeting the ASMase/S1P pathway protects from sortilin-evoked vascular damage in hypertension.

Sortilin has been positively correlated with vascular disorders in humans. No study has yet evaluated the possible direct effect of sortilin on vascular function. We used pharmacological and genetic approaches coupled with study of murine and human samples to unravel the mechanisms recruited by sortilin in the vascular system.

Measurement of the QT interval using the Apple Watch.

The inherited and acquired long QT is a risk marker for potential serious cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Smartwatches are becoming more popular and are increasingly used for monitoring human health. The present study aimed to assess the feasibility and reliability of evaluating the QT interval in lead I, lead II, and V2 lead using a commercially available Apple Watch.

Therapy with RAS inhibitors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China. The global number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has surpassed 28,285,700 with mortality that appears higher than for seasonal influenza. About 20% of COVID-19 patients have experienced cardiac involvement and myocardial infarction in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 had a worse prognosis.

Fast-track ruling in/out SARS-CoV-2 infection with rapid 0/1.5 h molecular test in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Aims: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) often arrive in the catheterization (cath) lab directly from the field or an emergency department without an accurate triage for Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.Although in the pandemic period the treatment in the cath laboratory of high-risk ACS should not be delayed because the operators wear special protection systems, the subsequent risk of contagion in a non-Covid coronary care unit could be high in the case of patients positive for SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: We tested the possibility of a fast-track protocol in 51 consecutive patients (mean age 65 ± 12 years) transferred from spokes centres or from the field to our HUB centre and admitted to our coronary care unit (CCU).

Multichannel Electrocardiograms Obtained by a Smartwatch for the Diagnosis of ST-Segment Changes.

Importance: Acute coronary syndromes are the leading cause of death worldwide and the leading cause of disease burden in high-income countries. Quick and accurate diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes is essential to avoid fatal events, for timely intervention, and to improve the prognosis.

Objective: To prospectively investigate the feasibility and accuracy of a smartwatch in recording multiple electrocardiographic (ECG) leads and detecting ST-segment changes associated with acute coronary syndromes compared with a standard 12-lead ECG.

New Nutraceutical Combination Reduces Blood Pressure and Improves Exercise Capacity in Hypertensive Patients Via a Nitric Oxide-Dependent Mechanism.

Background High blood pressure (BP) has long been recognized as a major health threat and, particularly, a major risk factor for stroke, cardiovascular disease, and end-organ damage. However, the identification of a novel, alternative, integrative approach for the control of BP and cardiovascular protection is still needed. Methods and Results Sixty-nine uncontrolled hypertension patients, aged 40 to 68 years, on antihypertensive medication were enrolled in 2 double-blind studies.

PTX3: an inflammatory protein modulating ultrastructure and bioenergetics of human endothelial cells.

Background: Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), an acute-phase inflammation protein produced by several cell types, has long been described as a possible biomarker for age-related cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Although several mechanisms of action have been identified to date in the vascular and immune systems, the direct effects of PTX3 on isolated endothelial cells at morphological and metabolic levels remain unknown.

Findings: PTX3 induced cytoplasmic vacuolization and dilution of mitochondrial matrix in isolated, human endothelial cells.

Novel Potent Decameric Peptide of Spirulina platensis Reduces Blood Pressure Levels Through a PI3K/AKT/eNOS-Dependent Mechanism.

Considered as a superfood of the future, Spirulina platensis matrix has been extensively used because of its beneficial effect on the management of cardiovascular diseases. However, its nutraceutical properties, bioactive compounds, and molecular mechanisms are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that S platensis matrix processed in vitro by simulated gastrointestinal digestion induces direct endothelial nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasorelaxation of resistance vessels in mice.

The Main Determinants of Diabetes Mellitus Vascular Complications: Endothelial Dysfunction and Platelet Hyperaggregation.

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease that affects 3⁻5% of the general population in Italy. In some countries of northern Europe or in North America, it can even affect 6⁻8% of the population. Of great concern is that the number of cases of diabetes is constantly increasing, probably due to the increase in obesity and the sedentary nature of the population.

Hypertension: Focus on autoimmunity and oxidative stress.

Understanding the causal role of the immune and inflammatory responses in hypertension has led to questions regarding the links between hypertension and autoimmunity. Immune pathology in primary hypertension mimics several autoimmune mechanisms observed in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis. More importantly, the prevalence of hypertension in patients with these autoimmune diseases is significantly increased, when compared to control populations.

Uncoupling Protein 2: A Key Player and a Potential Therapeutic Target in Vascular Diseases.

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is an inner mitochondrial membrane protein that belongs to the uncoupling protein family and plays an important role in lowering mitochondrial membrane potential and dissipating metabolic energy with prevention of oxidative stress accumulation. In the present article, we will review the evidence that UCP2, as a consequence of its roles within the mitochondria, represents a critical player in the predisposition to vascular disease development in both animal models and in humans, particularly in relation to obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. The deletion of the UCP2 gene contributes to atherosclerosis lesion development in the knockout mice, also showing significantly shorter lifespan.