Transcardiac gradients of pro-cholecystokinin, cholecystokinin, and gastrin in patients with and without heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Background: Cholecystokinin (CCK) is secreted from the intestines in response to food intake. We previously reported that the CCK gene is also expressed in the mammalian heart, and it has been hypothesized that proCCK could be a novel cardiac biomarker. However, it is not known whether cardiac gene expression leads to secretion in humans.

Near-universal prevalence of central adiposity in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: the PARAGON-HF trial.

Background And Aims: An expansion of fat mass is an integral feature of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). While body mass index (BMI) is the most common anthropometric measure, a measure of central adiposity-the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)-focuses on body fat content and distribution; is not distorted by bone or muscle mass, sex, or ethnicity; and may be particularly relevant in HFpEF.

Methods: The PARAGON-HF trial randomized 4796 patients with heart failure and ejection fraction ≥45% to valsartan or sacubitril/valsartan.

Dynamics of troponins and 30-day mortality in hospitalized patients with pulmonary embolism.

Background: In patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), the impact of repeated troponin I or T (TnI/TnT) measurements remains unclear.

Methods: Using Danish national registries, we identified PE patients (≥18 years) hospitalized between 2013 and 2018 with initial TnI or TnT measurement within -1/+1 day from admission and >1 repeated measurement within three days. Trajectories of TnI and TnT were identified using latent class trajectory modeling.

The risks of adverse events with mirtazapine for adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Background: Mirtazapine is used to treat depression worldwide, and the effects of mirtazapine on depression rating scales are well-known. Our primary objective was to assess the risks of adverse events with mirtazapine for major depressive disorder.

Methods: We searched relevant sources from inception to 7 March 2024 for randomised clinical trials comparing mirtazapine versus placebo in adults with major depressive disorder.

Health Shock Effects on Diet: More Severe Shock-Stronger Response?

We investigate whether the severity of lifestyle-related health shocks affects the response in dietary patterns. Using data from official patient registers in Denmark, we analyze the effects from strong health shock (SHS) occurrences (cardiovascular disease) and mild health shock (MHS) occurrences (arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolemia). These data are combined with scanner data on food purchases obtained from a consumer panel.

Effect of empagliflozin on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in type 2 diabetes and heart failure - Empire HF and SIMPLE.

Objective: Beyond glucose-lowering, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have cardioprotective effects with unclear mechanisms. We examined changes in an extensive panel of plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins and whether these changes were independent of weight loss, hemoglobin A1c, and hematocrit in patients treated with empagliflozin versus placebo to better understand the observed cardioprotective effects.

Methods: Post-hoc analyses of two double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, the Empire HF trial including 190 patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction and the SIMPLE trial including 90 patients with type 2 diabetes randomized to, respectively, 10 mg and 25 mg empagliflozin daily or placebo for 12 weeks.

Clinical Phenotype and Prognosis of Asymptomatic Patients With Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloid Infiltration.

Importance: Patients with transthyretin (ATTR) cardiac amyloid infiltration are increasingly diagnosed at earlier disease stages with no heart failure (HF) symptoms and a wide range of cardiac amyloid infiltration.

Objective: To characterize the clinical phenotype and natural history of asymptomatic patients with ATTR cardiac amyloid infiltration.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study analyzed data of all patients at 12 international centers for amyloidosis from January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2023.

Healthcare use in 12-18-year-old adolescents vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 versus unvaccinated in a national register-based Danish cohort.

Healthcare use among adolescents after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is unknown. In a real-life register-based cohort study (trial NCT04786353), healthcare use was compared among Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated 12-18-year-olds. First-dose-vaccinated (between 1 May and 30 September 2021) adolescents were sex and age matched 1:1 with unvaccinated adolescents.

Long-term incidence of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: analysis of appropriate and inappropriate interventions.

Background: Treatment with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) effectively prevents sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Identifying patients most likely to benefit from a primary prevention ICD remains challenging. We aimed to investigate the long-term incidence of ICD therapy in patients with HCM according to SCD-risk at baseline.

Relaxin mimetic in pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease: Design and rationale of Re-PHIRE.

Aims: Despite receiving guideline-directed medical heart failure (HF) therapy, patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD) experience higher mortality and hospitalization rates than the general HF population. AZD3427 is a functionally selective, long-acting mimetic of relaxin, a hormone that has the potential to induce vasodilation and prevent fibrosis. In a phase 1b study conducted in patients with HF, AZD3427 demonstrated a favourable safety and pharmacokinetic profile.

Socioeconomic position and sudden cardiac death: A Danish nationwide study.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine differences in incidence rates of all-cause mortality (ACM) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in persons of differing socioeconomic position (SEP).

Methods: All deaths in Denmark from 01-01-2010 to 31-12-2010 (1 year) were included. Autopsy reports, death certificates, discharge summaries and nationwide health registries were reviewed to identify cases of SCD.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Undergoing 3 Aortic Valve Interventions: The THIRD Multicenter Registry.

Background: Lifetime treatment of aortic valve disease is a matter of increasing debate. Although the risks of a second aortic valve intervention are recognized, little attention has been given to the challenges of a third.

Objectives: This study delves into the clinical characteristics, indications, and outcomes of patients undergoing 3 aortic valve interventions.

Coronary artery calcification progression and renal involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a longitudinal cohort study.

To investigate if progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with renal and traditional cardiovascular risk factors as well as incidence of myocardial infarctions. CAC progression was evaluated by cardiac computed tomography (CT) at baseline and after 5 years. Multivariable Poisson regression was applied to investigate associations between CAC progression and baseline values for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, CAC, SLE disease duration, lupus nephritis, and renal function.

Sex differences in the prognosis of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia detected on Holter recording.

Background: Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) is a common finding during cardiac evaluation and has been linked to increased mortality. While some studies report a sex difference, most data stem from research cohorts.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of NSVT in a real-life outpatient clinic, focusing on sex differences in mortality.

Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry.

Background And Aims: Overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population, but their prevalence in individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and whether they confer additional risk of ASCVD independent of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) remains unclear.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 35 540 patients with HeFH across 50 countries, in the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry. Prevalence of World Health Organization-defined body mass index categories was investigated in adults (n = 29 265) and children/adolescents (n = 6275); and their association with prevalent ASCVD.

Effects of population-based screening for atrial fibrillation on quality of life.

Background: Screening for atrial fibrillation is rising and may worsen or improve quality of life.

Methods: We assessed quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) data in 6,004 participants with stroke risk factors randomised to usual care (n=4,503) or implantable loop recorder with anticoagulation upon detection of atrial fibrillation (n=1,501). Five domains (mobility, selfcare, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression) each scored from one to five were calculated into individual index scores (worst=-0.

Bacteraemia after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a nationwide cohort study.

Background: Bacteraemia and infective endocarditis (IE) are rare but severe complications of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Limited data exist on the incidence and microbiological profile of early bacteraemia in this population. This study aimed to evaluate the 6-month incidence of bacteraemia, IE and associated mortality following TAVI.

Maternal autoimmune systemic connective tissue disease and vasculitis and electrocardiographic findings in the offspring.

Introduction: Maternal autoimmune systemic connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and their related antibodies have been associated with adverse fetal outcomes, including complete heart block. In this study, we assessed the association between maternal CTD or vasculitis and neonatal electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters.

Methods: Our study population was drawn from the Copenhagen Baby Heart Study (CBHS), a prospective, population-based cohort study open to all neonates born in the Copenhagen area.

Obese Hypertensive Men Have Fasting Serum Concentrations of Leptin Similar to Those of Obese Normotensive Men.

Background: Leptin is a hormone which is secreted by the adipocytes. In the circulation, leptin levels are directly proportional to the body fat percentage. Studies have shown that higher leptin levels are associated with an increased risk of hypertension after adjusting for body mass index (BMI).