Cardiomyocyte intercellular signalling increases oxidative stress and reprograms the global- and phospho-proteome of cardiac fibroblasts.

Pathological reprogramming of cardiomyocyte and fibroblast proteome landscapes drive the initiation and progression of cardiac fibrosis. Although the secretome of dysfunctional cardiomyocytes is emerging as an important driver of pathological fibroblast reprogramming, our understanding of the downstream molecular players remains limited. Here, we show that cardiac fibroblast activation (αSMA) and oxidative stress mediated by the secretome of TGFβ-stimulated cardiomyocytes is associated with a profound reprogramming of their proteome and phosphoproteome landscape.

Ten-Year Risk Equations for Incident Heart Failure in Established Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Populations.

Background: Ten-year risk equations for incident heart failure (HF) are available for the general population, but not for patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which is highly prevalent in HF cohorts. This study aimed to develop and validate 10-year risk equations for incident HF in patients with known ASCVD.

Methods And Results: Ten-year risk equations for incident HF were developed using the United Kingdom Biobank cohort (recruitment 2006-2010) including participants with established ASCVD but free from HF at baseline.

Using Polygenic Risk Scores for Prioritizing Individuals at Greatest Need of a Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment.

Background The aim of this study was to provide quantitative evidence of the use of polygenic risk scores for systematically identifying individuals for invitation for full formal cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment. Methods and Results A total of 108 685 participants aged 40 to 69 years, with measured biomarkers, linked primary care records, and genetic data in UK Biobank were used for model derivation and population health modeling. Prioritization tools using age, polygenic risk scores for coronary artery disease and stroke, and conventional risk factors for CVD available within longitudinal primary care records were derived using sex-specific Cox models.

Childhood Dyslipidemia and Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque in Adulthood: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.

Background Childhood exposure to dyslipidemia is associated with adult atherosclerosis, but it is unclear whether the long-term risk associated with dyslipidemia is attenuated on its resolution by adulthood. We aimed to address this question by examining the links between childhood and adult dyslipidemia on carotid atherosclerotic plaques in adulthood. Methods and Results The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study is a prospective follow-up of children that began in 1980.

Association Between Risk Factors in Childhood and Sex Differences in Prevalence of Carotid Artery Plaques and Intima-Media Thickness in Mid-Adulthood in the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study.

Background The origins of sex differences in cardiovascular diseases are not well understood. We examined the contribution of childhood risk factors to sex differences in adult carotid artery plaques and intima-media thickness (carotid IMT). Methods and Results Children in the 1985 Australian Schools Health and Fitness Survey were followed up when they were aged 36 to 49 years (2014-19, n=1085-1281).

Prognostic Value of Exercise Capacity in Kidney Transplant Candidates.

Background Exercise stress testing for cardiovascular assessment in kidney transplant candidates has been shown to be a feasible alternative to pharmacologic methods. Exercise stress testing allows the additional assessment of exercise capacity, which may have prognostic value for long-term cardiovascular outcomes in pre-transplant recipients. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of exercise capacity on long-term cardiovascular outcomes in kidney transplant candidates.

Relative Contribution of Blood Pressure in Childhood, Young- and Mid-Adulthood to Large Artery Stiffness in Mid-Adulthood.

Background Blood pressure associates with arterial stiffness, but the contribution of blood pressure at different life stages is unclear. We examined the relative contribution of childhood, young- and mid-adulthood blood pressure to mid-adulthood large artery stiffness. Methods and Results The sample comprised 1869 participants from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study who had blood pressure measured in childhood (6-18 years), young-adulthood (21-30 years), and mid-adulthood (33-45 years).

Renin-Angiotensin Aldosterone System Inhibitors and COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Revealing Critical Bias Across a Body of Observational Research.

Background Renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitor-COVID-19 studies, observational in design, appear to use biased methods that can distort the interaction between RAAS inhibitor use and COVID-19 risk. This study assessed the extent of bias in that research and reevaluated RAAS inhibitor-COVID-19 associations in studies without critical risk of bias. Methods and Results Searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases (December 1, 2019 to October 21, 2021) identifying studies that compared the risk of infection and/or severe COVID-19 outcomes between those using or not using RAAS inhibitors (ie, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II type-I receptor blockers).

Temporal Changes in Pollen Concentration Predict Short-Term Clinical Outcomes in Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Background Atmospheric changes in pollen concentration may affect human health by triggering various allergic processes. We sought to assess if changes in pollen concentrations were associated with different acute coronary syndrome (ACS) subtype presentations and short-term clinical outcomes. Methods and Results We analyzed data in consecutive patients presenting with ACS (unstable angina, non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, and ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2014 and December 2017 and enrolled in the VCOR (Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry).

Evaluation of Cardiac Function in Women With a History of Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Women with a history of preeclampsia are at increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the underlying mechanisms of disease association, and the ideal method of monitoring this high-risk group, remains unclear. This review aims to determine whether women with a history of preeclampsia show clinical or subclinical cardiac changes when evaluated with an echocardiogram.

Genetic Determinants of Circulating Glycine Levels and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease.

Background Recent studies have revealed sexually dimorphic associations between the carbamoyl-phosphate synthase 1 locus, intermediates of the metabolic pathway leading from choline to urea, and risk of coronary artery disease ( CAD ) in women. Based on evidence from the literature, the atheroprotective association with carbamoyl-phosphate synthase 1 could be mediated by the strong genetic effect of this locus on increased circulating glycine levels. Methods and Results We sought to identify additional genetic determinants of circulating glycine levels by carrying out a meta-analysis of genome-wide association study data in up to 30 118 subjects of European ancestry.

Jeopardized Myocardium Defined by Late Gadolinium Enhancement Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predicts Survival in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Impact of Revascularization.

Background The prognostic impact of jeopardized myocardium ( JM ) in patients with advanced ischemic cardiomyopathy ( ICM ) is unclear. We hypothesized that JM is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with advanced ICM . Methods and Results Patients with ICM who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging between January 2002 and January 2013 were included in our study.

K3.1 Channels Promote Cardiac Fibrosis Through Mediating Inflammation and Differentiation of Monocytes Into Myofibroblasts in Angiotensin II -Treated Rats.

Background Cardiac fibrosis is a core pathological process associated with heart failure. The recruitment and differentiation of primitive fibroblast precursor cells of bone marrow origin play a critical role in pathological interstitial cardiac fibrosis. The K3.