Wastewater Monitoring During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Veneto Region, Italy: Longitudinal Observational Study.

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic has affected populations around the world, there has been substantial interest in wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) as a tool to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This study investigates the use of WBE to anticipate COVID-19 trends by analyzing the correlation between viral RNA concentrations in wastewater and reported COVID-19 cases in the Veneto region of Italy.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the cumulative sum (CUSUM) control chart method in detecting changes in SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater and its potential as an early warning system for COVID-19 outbreaks.

Malperfusion in Patients with Acute Type A Aortic Dissection: A Nationwide Analysis.

Background: This study describes in detail the clinical burden of malperfusion associated with acute Type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) in a large, national cohort and the effect of treatment strategy on outcomes.

Methods: All patients undergoing repair of ATAAD between 2017 and 2020 in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery Database were studied. Malperfusion was defined using STS definitions based on imaging or surgeon's evaluation.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy After Resection of Localized Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Following Preoperative FOLFIRINOX.

Importance: The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy following resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma after preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX (combination leucovorin calcium [folinic acid], fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride, and oxaliplatin in full or modified dosing) chemotherapy on overall survival (OS) is unclear because current studies do not account for the number of cycles of preoperative chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy regimen.

Objective: To investigate the association of adjuvant chemotherapy following resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma after preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX with OS, taking into account the number of cycles of preoperative chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy regimen.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective cohort study included patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with 2 to 11 cycles of preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX followed by resection across 48 centers in 20 countries from 2010 to 2018.

Elevated Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Prognosis in Acute Myocarditis.

Background: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an easy-to-use inflammatory biomarker. Baseline NLR is independently associated with incident cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. However, whether this applies to acute myocarditis (AM) has not been evaluated.

Multiscale Three-Dimensional Evaluation and Analysis of Murine Lung Vasculature From Macro- to Micro-Structural Level.

The pulmonary vasculature plays a pivotal role in the development and progress of chronic lung diseases. Due to limitations of conventional two-dimensional histological methods, the complexity and the detailed anatomy of the lung blood circulation might be overlooked. In this study, we demonstrate the practical use of optical serial block face imaging (SBFI), ex vivo microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), and nondestructive optical tomography for visualization and quantification of the pulmonary circulation's 3D architecture from macro- to micro-structural levels in murine lung samples.

Evolving perspectives on aortic stenosis: the increasing importance of evaluating the right ventricle before aortic valve intervention.

Aortic stenosis (AS) was historically considered a disease of the left side of the heart, with the main pathophysiological impact being predominantly on the left ventricle (LV). However, progressive pressure overload in AS can initiate a cascade of extra-valvular myocardial remodeling that could also precipitate maladaptive alterations in the structure and function of the right ventricle (RV). The haemodynamic and clinical importance of these changes in patients with AS have been largely underappreciated in the past.

Mitochondrial NAD deficiency in vascular smooth muscle impairs collagen III turnover to trigger thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm poses a substantial mortality risk in adults, yet many of its underlying factors remain unidentified. Here, we identify mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)⁺ deficiency as a causal factor for the development of aortic aneurysm. Multiomics analysis of 150 surgical aortic specimens indicated impaired NAD salvage and mitochondrial transport in human thoracic aortic aneurysm, with expression of the NAD transporter SLC25A51 inversely correlating with disease severity and postoperative progression.

Safety and efficacy of early initiation of sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitors 2 in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Aims: Data on the early use of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in patients with acute heart failure (HF) are conflicting, and mostly evaluating soft endpoints (i.e., indices of congestion, renal function, ejection fraction, and diuresis).

Activating transcription factor-3 orchestrates the modulation of vascular anti-contractile activity and relaxation by governing the secretion of HDL-bound sphingosine-1-phosphate in perivascular adipose tissue.

Background And Purpose: Perivascular adipose tissues (PVATs) play a critical role in modulating vascular homeostasis and protecting against cardiovascular dysfunction-mediated blood pressure dysregulation. We demonstrated that the activating transcription factor-3 (Atf3) gene in the PVAT is crucial for improving vascular wall tension abnormalities; however, its protective mechanism remains unclear. Herein, we aim to determine whether ATF3 regulates PVAT-derived relaxing factor (PVDRF) biosynthesis and if its secretion contributes to vasorelaxation.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Berry Syndrome by Fetal Echocardiography.

Berry syndrome is a rare combination of cardiac malformations, which is characterized by the following malformations, including the aortopulmonary window, aortic right pulmonary origin, interrupted aortic arch or hypoplastic aortic arch or coarctation of the aorta, and an intact ventricular septum. There are few reviews on prenatal diagnosis of Berry syndrome by fetal echocardiography. We used sequential cross-sectional scanning from apex to bottom of the heart to find aortic right pulmonary origin, aortopulmonary window, and hypoplastic aortic arch.

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.

Ascending aortic replacement versus aortic root replacement in patients with type A aortic dissection involving the aortic root.

Background: Extensive surgical resection of the thoracic aorta in patients with type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is thought to reduce the risk of late aortic wall degeneration and the need for repeat aortic operations.

Objectives: We evaluated the early and late outcomes after aortic root replacement and supracoronary ascending aortic replacement in patients with TAAD involving the aortic root.

Design: Retrospective, multicenter cohort study.

How to perform and evaluate a myocardial perfusion imaging by computed tomography.

Stress computed tomography perfusion (CTP) delivers a comprehensive evaluation of both the anatomical and functional aspects in a single examination. It stands out as the only non-invasive technique capable of quantifying coronary stenosis and assessing its functional impact, offering a consolidated diagnostic and management approach for patients with confirmed or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). This very practical review ('How to.

A constellation of anatomical variation: middle scalene, wrist extensor, and aortic arch variants share embryological origins in cervical somites.

During dissection of a 70-year-old male donor, several anatomical variations were observed, highlighted by a bilateral variant middle scalene muscle in the superolateral thoracic wall. The variant scalene muscle was traced from the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae to the fourth rib with a pronounced fascial slip. The elongated middle scalene muscle was thick in girth and abnormally wide at its insertion (56.

Cardiovascular Complications During Delivery Hospitalization in Patients With Psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes. However, there are limited data on this subject.

Objectives: The purpose of our study was to investigate the association between psoriasis and related cardiovascular complications during delivery.

Visualization of Right Adrenal Vein in Non-Contrast-Enhanced MDCT and Its Guiding Role for Right Adrenal Venous Sampling.

This study aimed to evaluate the visualization of right adrenal vein (RAV) in non-contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and its guiding role for right adrenal venous sampling (AVS) in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). A total of 237 patients diagnosed with PA who underwent successful AVS procedures from January 2020 to March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The non-contrast-enhanced MDCT image features of RAV included the degree of visualization and the position of RAV orifice.

Awake video-assisted surgical lung biopsy for the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease.

In patients with suspected interstitial lung disease, diagnostic confirmation can be achieved through an awake video-assisted surgical lung biopsy. This procedure enables the collection of a substantial amount of parenchymal tissue for diagnostic purposes while minimizing perioperative complications associated with mechanical ventilation with the patient under general anaesthesia, given the impaired lung function due to the underlying condition.

Emirates consensus recommendations on cardiovascular risk management in type 2 diabetes.

Background: The combination of cardiovascular disease and diabetes is a highly prevalent condition in the United Arab Emirates. Development and dissemination of evidence-based regional recommendations for optimal screening, treatment and referrals of people with diabetes and high cardiovascular risk is an important priority.

Consensus Panel: An expert panel of diabetologists, endocrinologists and cardiologists from the Emirates Cardiac Society and Emirates Diabetes and Endocrine Society as well as different entities in the UAE, discussed and reviewed evidence and also a consensus report from the American Diabetes Association to formulate contextualized recommendations that could be applied for optimal management of cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes in the UAE.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage triggered by spinal cord vascular malformation in a pediatric patient: case report and review of literature.

Background: Spinal cord vascular malformations (SCVMs) in children are relatively rare and present unique challenges due to their distinct physiological characteristics. These malformations often manifest with nonspecific clinical symptoms, increasing the likelihood of misdiagnosis. The treatment of pediatric SCVMs requires a tailored approach, with the choice between microsurgical intervention and endovascular embolization depending on the specific type of malformation and individual patient factors.

The risk of failure of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy: from PRAETORIAN score to clinical practice.

Background: The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) is an alternative to traditional ICDs. The PRAETORIAN score, based on chest radiographs, has been validated to predict the probability of successful S-ICD defibrillation testing by assessing factors like fat thickness between the coil and sternum and generator placement.

Objective: This study evaluated the correlation between the PRAETORIAN score and clinical characteristics, as well as implantation variables.

Fatal complications of aortoesophageal fistula caused by pseudoaneurysm following esophageal stent placement: A case report.

Rationale: Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is an exceedingly rare yet critically life-threatening condition, with mortality rates nearing 100% if not addressed promptly. AEF often develops in the context of thoracic aortic aneurysms, esophageal malignancies, or as a complication of foreign body ingestion and prior thoracic aortic surgeries. This study reports an exceptionally severe and clinically rare case of AEF associated with a pseudaneurysm induced by esophageal stenting.

Emergency interventions for cardiogenic shock due to decompensated aortic stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) induced by severe aortic stenosis (AS) is a life-threatening condition with high mortality. Despite advancements in emergency interventions, the optimal treatment approach remains uncertain.

Aim: This study aimed to systematically review and analyse the existing evidence on outcomes of emergency transcatheter aortic valve implantation (eTAVI) and emergency balloon aortic valvuloplasty (eBAV) in CS patients.

TRAF6 promotes abdominal aortic aneurysm development by activating macrophage pyroptosis via the NLRP3/Caspase1/GSDMD pathway.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm represents a critical pathology of the aorta that currently lacks effective pharmacological interventions. TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) has been established to be involved in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart failure. However, its role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains unclear.