Oral GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss.

With the increasing prevalence of obesity and the advent of new and highly effective antiobesity medications, there is renewed interest in novel antiobesity pharmacotherapy. Currently, the most effective medications for obesity are injectable medicines. There is a need to develop equally efficacious oral drugs to increase availability to patients.

Right Ventricular Myocardial Infarctions.

Acute isolated right ventricular (RV) myocardial infarctions are relatively uncommon in clinical practice; more frequently, RV infarctions occur in association with inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions. Recent advances in diagnostic tools and methods have significantly improved our ability to detect RV infarctions in both scenarios. For this reason, it is critical for physicians to understand the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic criteria for RV infarctions to initiate treatment and optimize the outcomes of patients.

Cardiovascular Effect of Drugs Used to Treat Alzheimer's Disease.

This review examines the cardiovascular effects of the mainstay drugs used to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD), namely cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and memantine. ChEIs represent the current first-line treatment for AD. Memantine is typically reserved for moderate to severe AD.

The Effects of Metformin on Weight Loss, Cardiovascular Health, and Longevity.

Metformin, a biguanide derived from Galega officinalis, was first synthesized by Werner and Bell in 1922. Metformin was approved for the treatment of diabetes by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1994. It has since become the most widely used oral antidiabetic agent.

Implementing a Comprehensive CPR Education in New York State Public High Schools: Ideas, Drawbacks, & Future Directions.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving skill that can be employed when people experience cardiac arrest. While the benefits of CPR on survival are well known, much of the American population remains uneducated on how to perform it. There are many reasons for this, ranging from the cost of CPR courses to fear of making mistakes in emergency situations.

Comprehensive Guide to Paravalvular Leak: Symptoms, Effects, and Treatments.

Paravalvular leak (PVL) represents a common complication often encountered following valve replacement surgeries, posing significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges within the field of cardiology. The condition, characterized by an abnormal flow of blood around the edges of a prosthetic valve, can lead to a spectrum of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic states to severe heart failure or hemolysis. Its relevance is underscored by its contribution to morbidity and mortality among affected individuals, necessitating a deeper understanding of its etiology, diagnosis, and management.

Scar-Related Ventricular Tachycardia: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management.

Scar-related ventricular tachycardia (VT) commonly results from scarring in the myocardium, principally produced by antecedent myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, or prior cardiac surgery. The resultant arrhythmogenic substrate from scarred tissue and the alteration of normal cardiac electrical conduction predispose patients to reentrant circuits, followed by VT. This literature review synthesizes current research on pathophysiology, diagnostic methods, and treatment modalities of scar-related VT.

Revolutionizing Cardiac Care: The Role of Gene Therapy in Treating Cardiomyopathy.

Gene therapy presents a method for addressing types of cardiomyopathies that play a substantial role in heart failure. This innovative approach, leveraging technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 for modifying genomes, holds promise for lasting treatments or potential cures that go beyond therapies. It is essential to grasp the workings of gene therapy, including gene silencing, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats genome editing, and enhancing sarcomere function to effectively apply it to treating cardiomyopathy.

Pulmonary Artery Denervation: An Emerging Treatment for Pulmonary Hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a debilitating disease with a poor overall prognosis. Pulmonary artery denervation (PADN) has emerged as a promising new treatment which has been shown to improve hemodynamics, functionality, and REVEAL scores for patients with PH. This article reviews notable updates in the management of PH since the 6th World Symposium on PH, the pathophysiology of PH, how PADN may work given the pathophysiology of PH, and focuses on evidence from the eleven studies supporting the use of PADN from trials that include human participants.

Cardiac Manifestations of Lyme Disease.

Lyme disease (LD) is an inflammatory disorder caused by an infectious bacterial agent and is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States and Europe. About 1.5-10% of adults infected with LD develop cardiac complications.

Ultrasound Therapy as a Treatment for Valvular Aortic Stenosis: A Review.

Calcific aortic stenosis is the most common form of aortic stenosis, and offers a poor prognosis in affected patients. Current treatment methods for aortic stenosis, including open surgical aortic valve repair and transcatheter aortic valve replacement, are invasive, and require the patient to undergo open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Ultrasound therapy offers a potential solution for patients ineligible for traditional surgical treatment.

Curbside Consults Salt-Free Potassium-Enriched Substitute Versus Salt-Free Diet in Hypertension: Which Is Better?

This article examines the potential benefits of using potassium-enriched salt and following a salt-free diet to control hypertension, a prevalent global condition and a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. The article explores the impact of sodium on high blood pressure, explains what potassium-fortified salt is, and includes personal experiences. The article also examines the scientific proof backing potassium-fortified salt, evaluating its advantages and constraints.

Discontinuation of Cardiac Devices at or Near an Adult Patient's End of Life.

Advances in medical technology have begun to blur the lines between life and death as well as the lines between appropriate and inappropriate therapy. This review addresses the charged issue of the management of cardiac devices at or near the end of a patient's life, provides a summary of prior and current opinion with some historical context, and attempts to provide some modest guidance as to how to approach the various options to the patient's best advantage. Modalities to be addressed include indwelling electronic devices, the left ventricular assistance device, and extracorporeal mechanical oxygenation, and includes available outcome data as well as ethical analysis from a number of commentators.

Cardiac Complications of Multiple Myeloma Treatments.

Multiple myeloma (MM) arises in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. The cancerous plasma cells produce monoclonal immunoglobulins in the bone marrow. The extent of proliferation in the malignant state can manifest in many complications including osteopenia, osteolytic lesions, pathologic fractures, hypercalcemia, anemia, and kidney dysfunction.

The Influence of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension In Pregnancy: A Review.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe condition characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricular failure. This review examines the intersection of PAH and pregnancy, highlighting the significant physiological, hemodynamic, and hormonal changes that exacerbate PAH during gestation. Pregnancy is contraindicated in PAH patients due to high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality rates.

Hematological Complications From Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): Recognition and Treatment.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a pivotal intervention for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high or prohibitive surgical risk. Although TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure, it is linked to serious hematological problems, most notably thrombosis and bleeding. Numerous factors, such as procedural features, patient comorbidities, and anticoagulation management techniques, contribute to these complications.

Ninerafaxstat in the Treatment of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Nonobstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Ninerafaxstat is a novel mitotrope under investigation in 2 large clinical trials: IMPROVE-DiCE (a phase IIa trial investigating ninerafaxstat) and IMPROVE-hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). IMPROVE-DiCE is a single-center, open-label, phase 2a trial investigating the effectiveness of ninerafaxstat in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Ninerafaxstat significantly improved phosphocreatine/adenosine triphosphate median by 32% (P < 0.

Exploring Atrial Shunt Therapy for Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Review of the Atrial Coronary Sinus Shunt.

Heart failure is a prevalent and severe medical condition characterized by the heart's inability to pump blood efficiently, leading to poor circulation and symptoms such as pulmonary congestion. Despite advancements in medical treatments, many patients continue to experience significant symptoms with reduced quality of life. This article explores the left atrial coronary sinus shunt as an innovative interventional strategy to address hemodynamic issues in heart failure.

Cardiac Manifestations of Hemochromatosis.

Cardiac hemochromatosis, a consequence of primary or secondary iron-overload conditions, poses a threat to patient health, leading to cardiomyopathy and heart failure. This review aims to compile comprehensive information on cardiac hemochromatosis, elucidating its pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management strategies. Primary and secondary hemochromatosis, genetic and acquired forms, can result in cardiotoxicity by means of iron dysregulation.

A Comprehensive Guide to Aortic Atheroma: Delving in Its Causes, Detection, and Treatment.

Aortic atheroma, a common disease, is characterized by the formation and accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the aorta. The disease manifestations range from asymptomatic conditions to life-threatening complications like stroke or aortic dissection. The severity of this condition necessitates a detailed look at its pathophysiology, diagnostics, and management options.