Polymerized Salicylic Acid Microparticles Reduce the Progression and Formation of Human Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NET)s.

Neutrophils can contribute to inflammatory disease propagation via innate mechanisms intended for inflammation resolution. For example, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are necessary for trapping pathogens but can contribute to clot formation and blood flow restriction, that is, ischemia. Currently, no therapeutics in the clinic directly target NETs despite the known involvement of NETs contributing to mortality and increased disease severity.

Cargo-free particles divert neutrophil-platelet aggregates to reduce thromboinflammation.

The combination of inflammation and thrombosis is a hallmark of many cardiovascular diseases. Under such conditions, platelets are recruited to an area of inflammation by forming platelet-leukocyte aggregates via interaction of PSGL-1 on leukocytes and P-selectin on activated platelets, which can bind to the endothelium. While particulate drug carriers have been utilized to passively redirect leukocytes from areas of inflammation, the downstream impact of these carriers on platelet accumulation in thromboinflammatory conditions has yet to be studied.

Deformable microparticles for shuttling nanoparticles to the vascular wall.

Vascular-targeted drug carriers must localize to the wall (i.e., marginate) and adhere to a diseased endothelium to achieve clinical utility.

Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk Factors, 1990-2019: Update From the GBD 2019 Study.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), principally ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, are the leading cause of global mortality and a major contributor to disability. This paper reviews the magnitude of total CVD burden, including 13 underlying causes of cardiovascular death and 9 related risk factors, using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019. GBD, an ongoing multinational collaboration to provide comparable and consistent estimates of population health over time, used all available population-level data sources on incidence, prevalence, case fatality, mortality, and health risks to produce estimates for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019.

Venous thrombosis epidemiology, pathophysiology, and anticoagulant therapies and trials in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

Objective: Infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus confers a risk of significant coagulopathy, with the resulting development of venous thromboembolism (VTE), potentially contributing to the morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the present review was to evaluate the potential mechanisms that contribute to this increased risk of coagulopathy and the role of anticoagulants in treatment.

Methods: A literature review of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and/or SARS-CoV-2 and cell-mediated inflammation, clinical coagulation abnormalities, hypercoagulability, pulmonary intravascular coagulopathy, and anticoagulation was performed.

Sequential His bundle and left ventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization.

Introduction: Fusion of left ventricular pacing with intrinsic conduction provides superior resynchronization compared to biventricular pacing. His bundle pacing (HBP) preserves intrinsic conduction and allows for constant fusion with left ventricular pacing. This study evaluated sequential His bundle and left ventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Direct His-bundle Pacing in a Patient with a Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava.

We report a case of direct His-bundle lead placement at the time of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator insertion and atrioventricular node ablation. The patient was found to have an isolated persistent left superior vena cava, and selective His-bundle pacing was successfully achieved through the use of a steerable sheath and dedicated mapping catheter.

Atrial arrhythmias in patients with left ventricular assist devices.

Purpose Of Review: Atrial arrhythmias commonly occur in patients with advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who require left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) implantation. This review summarizes the current literature regarding the incidence, prevalence, and predictors of atrial arrhythmias in LVAD patients and its impact on the clinical outcomes. Moreover, we review the mechanisms and management strategies of atrial arrhythmias in this population.

Cardiologist Participation in Accountable Care Organizations and Changes in Spending and Quality for Medicare Patients With Cardiovascular Disease.

Background: Despite widespread adoption of Medicare accountable care organizations (ACOs), healthcare spending reductions have been modest. This may relate to variable participation in ACOs by specialist physicians, who disproportionately drive spending. To examine whether specialist participation in Medicare ACOs was associated with changes in healthcare spending and clinical quality, we analyzed national Medicare data.

Use and Outcomes Associated With Perioperative Amiodarone in Cardiac Surgery.

Background In randomized controlled trials, perioperative administration of amiodarone has been shown to reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial arrhythmias and length of stay (LOS) among patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. However, little is known about the use or effectiveness of perioperative amiodarone in routine clinical practice. Methods and Results We studied patients ≥18 years old without a previous history of atrial or ventricular arrhythmias who underwent elective coronary bypass surgery between 2013 and 2014 within a network of 235 US hospitals.

Instituting a Standardized Mobility Aid in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit.

The complexity of ambulation increases when patients are challenged with acute illness in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU). The difficulties in this setting entailed limited ancillary assistance, proper equipment, and complex medical devices. It was imperative that mobility was made a priority in the CVICU despite multiple barriers.

Modified two-step emulsion solvent evaporation technique for fabricating biodegradable rod-shaped particles in the submicron size range.

Hypothesis: Though the emulsion solvent evaporation (ESE) technique has been previously modified to produce rod-shaped particles, it cannot generate small-sized rods for drug delivery applications due to the inherent coupling and contradicting requirements for the formation versus stretching of droplets. The separation of the droplet formation from the stretching step should enable the creation of submicron droplets that are then stretched in the second stage by manipulation of the system viscosity along with the surface-active molecule and oil-phase solvent.

Experiments: A two-step ESE protocol is evaluated where oil droplets are formed at low viscosity followed by a step increase in the aqueous phase viscosity to stretch droplets.

A New Educational Framework to Improve Lifelong Learning for Cardiologists.

Lifelong learning is essential for the practicing cardiologist. Present lifelong learning mechanisms are stagnant and at risk for not meeting the needs of currently practicing cardiologists. With the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease, growing complexity of patient care, and ongoing pressures of nonclinical responsibilities, educational programming must evolve to meet the demands of the contemporary cardiovascular professional.

Association of Coded Severity With Readmission Reduction After the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.

This study uses the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review file to examine whether coded severity of illness is associated with reduced rates of readmission after implementation of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.

Specialty Linens and Pressure Injuries in High-Risk Patients in the Intensive Care Unit.

Background: The cardiovascular and surgical intensive care units had the highest unit-acquired pressure injury rates at an institution. Patients in these units had multiple risk factors for pressure injuries. Various interventions had been used to minimize pressure injuries, with limited results.