A novel method for left anterior coronary artery flow velocity assessment by transthoracic echocardiography at the peak of a supine bicycle test.

Background: Assessment of coronary flow is only performed during pharmacological tests. Supine bicycle tests permit the visualization of coronary flow assessments during exercise.

Purpose: To assess the parameters of coronary flow in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) during exercise, which could be a sign of significant LAD narrowing.

Is there a way out for the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Western Africa?

The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, primarily affecting Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, has exceeded all previous Ebola outbreaks in the number of cases and in international response. Although infections only occur frequently in Western Africa, the virus has the potential to spread globally and is classified as a category A pathogen that could be misused as a bioterrorism agent. This review aims (i) to discuss the latest data to aid our current recommendations for the prevention and control of the Ebola virus infection, (ii) to review its pathophysiology as well as offering insights on the most current data available about Ebola vaccine progress and potential use.

B-type natriuretic peptide and heart failure: what can we learn from clinical trials?

The B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) may favour natriuresis and diuresis, making it an ideal drug to aid in diuresing a fluid-overloaded patient with poor or worsening renal function. Several randomized clinical trials have tested the hypothesis that infusions of pharmacological doses of BNP to acute heart failure (HF) patients may enhance decongestion and preserve renal function in this clinical setting. Unfortunately, none of these has resulted in a better outcome.

Mechanisms of renal hyporesponsiveness to BNP in heart failure.

The B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a member of the family of vasoactive peptides, is a potent natriuretic, diuretic, and vasodilatory peptide that contributes to blood pressure and volume homeostasis. These attributes make BNP an ideal drug that could aid in diuresing a fluid-overloaded patient who had poor or worsening renal function. Despite the potential benefits of BNP, accumulating evidence suggests that simply increasing the amount of circulating BNP does not necessarily increase natriuresis in patients with heart failure (HF).

The effect of the sphingosine-1-phosphate analogue FTY720 on atrioventricular nodal tissue.

The sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator, fingolimod (FTY720), has been used for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, but atrioventricular (AV) conduction block have been reported in some patients after the first dose. The underlying mechanism of this AV node conduction blockade is still not well-understood. In this study, we hypothesize that expression of this particular arrhythmia might be related to a direct effect of FTY720 on AV node rather than a parasympathetic mimetic action.

BNP and Heart Failure: Preclinical and Clinical Trial Data.

The B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a member of the family of vasoactive peptides, has emerged as an important diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tool in patients with heart failure (HF). The rapid incorporation into clinical practice of bioassays to BNP concentrations and pharmacological agents that augment the biological actions of this peptide such as nesiritide or vasopeptidase inhibitors has shown the potential for translational research to improve patient care. Despite the indirect evidence in support of a potential benefit from raising BNP, accumulating evidence suggests that simply increasing the amount of circulating BNP does not necessarily confer cardiovascular benefits in patient with HF.

Activation of sphingosine-1-phosphate signalling as a potential underlying mechanism of the pleiotropic effects of statin therapy.

The mechanisms by which statins are beneficial are incompletely understood. While the lowering of low-density lipoprotein concentration is associated with regression of atherosclerosis, the observed benefit of statin therapy begins within months after its initiation, making regression an unlikely cause. Although LDL-C lowering is the main mechanism by which statin therapy reduces cardiovascular events, evidence suggests that at least some of the beneficial actions of statins may be mediated by their pleiotropic effects.

HDL quality or cholesterol cargo: what really matters--spotlight on sphingosine-1-phosphate-rich HDL.

Purpose Of Review: The absolute level of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) may not be the only criterion contributing to their antiatherothrombotic effects. This review focuses on evidence in support of the concept that HDL-bound sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) plays a role in different HDL atheroprotective properties and may represent a potential target for therapeutic interventions.

Recent Findings: Recent large randomized clinical trials testing the hypothesis of raising HDL-C with niacin and dalcetrapib in statin-treated patients failed to improve cardiovascular outcomes.

The potential role of sphingolipid-mediated cell signaling in the interaction between hyperglycemia, acute myocardial infarction and heart failure.

Introduction: Patients with acute myocardial infarction or heart failure frequently have abnormalities of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, both of which are associated with a poor outcome. Sphingolipids are a class of lipids, which play important roles in cellular biological processes including insulin resistance and myocardial ischemia.

Areas Covered: This review examines the available evidence linking abnormalities in sphingolipids, glucose tolerance and insulin resistance to acute myocardial infarction and heart failure.

A review of thiazide-induced hyponatraemia.

There are numerous reports of thiazide-induced hyponatraemia (TIH) and its incidence is growing as a result of increasing prescription after guidelines recommending thiazides as first-line treatment of essential hypertension have been introduced. Thiazide diuretics are a common cause of severe hyponatraemia that is usually induced within two weeks of starting the thiazide diuretic, but it can occur any time and very rapidly in susceptible patients. Despite several relevant reports and years of clinical experience, TIH remains a very common clinical scenario.

FTY720 prevents ischemia/reperfusion injury-associated arrhythmias in an ex vivo rat heart model via activation of Pak1/Akt signaling.

Recent studies demonstrated a role of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in the protection against the stress of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. In experiments reported here, we have investigated the signaling through the S1P cascade by FTY720, a sphingolipid drug candidate displaying structural similarity to S1P, underlying the S1P cardioprotective effect. In ex vivo rat heart and isolated sinoatrial node models, FTY720 significantly prevented arrhythmic events associated with I/R injury including premature ventricular beats, VT, and sinus bradycardia as well as A-V conduction block.