Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Pleiotropic effects of bempedoic acid on endothelial function and arterial stiffness: a preliminary study.","authors":"Angelica Cersosimo, Riccardo Rovelli, Andrea Drera, Elio Gorga, Elisa Brangi, Marco Metra, Enrico Vizzardi","doi":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001873","DOIUrl":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001873","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Bempedoic acid is a novel lipid-lowering agent that reduces circulating low- density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels by inhibiting ATP citrate lyase, a key enzyme upstream of HMG-CoA reductase. While other lipid-lowering therapies such as statins and PCSK9 inhibitors have demonstrated pleiotropic vascular benefits, including improvements in endothelial function and aortic stiffness, these effects have not been thoroughly evaluated for bempedoic acid in clinical settings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This observational, longitudinal, single-center study enrolled statin-intolerant patients eligible for bempedoic acid therapy based on predefined clinical criteria.The enrollment period spanned April 2023 to September 2024. The study's primary endpoints were the consistency and extent of LDL reduction after 3 months of therapy, and the effect of bempedoic acid on vascular function parameters. Endothelial function was assessed using the Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI) via peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT), while aortic stiffness was evaluated using pulse wave velocity (PWV), measured with the SphygmoCor system. Baseline measurements were compared with follow-up values at 3 months.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seventy-five patients with hypercholesterolemia (mean age 71.4 ± 7.9 years; 60% men) were enrolled. At 3-month follow-up, bempedoic acid had significantly improved the lipid parameters: LDL decreased from 157.6 ± 19.2 to 77.4 ± 24.9 mg/dl (Δ = -80.2 ± 36.4, P < 0.001), HDL increased from 50 ± 9.2 to 54 ± 8.8 mg/dl (Δ = +4 ± 2.3, P < 0.001), triglycerides decreased from 160.8 ± 26.6 to 77.6 ± 14.9 mg/dl (Δ = -83.2 ± 30.9, P < 0.001), and total cholesterol from 239 ± 21 to 145 ± 39 mg/dl (Δ = -94 ± 45, P < 0.001). Endothelial function (RHI), improved from 1.36 ± 0.47 to 1.77 ± 0.40 (Δ = +0.41 ± 0.6, P < 0.001), and arterial stiffness (PWV) decreased from 10.1 ± 1.21 to 9.2 ± 1.26 m/s (Δ = -0.9 ± 0.4, P < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that ΔRHI was inversely associated with ΔLDL reduction (r = -0.391, P = 0.001) and ΔTC reduction (r = -0.359, P = 0.002), and positively associated with HDL increase (r = 0.367, P = 0.001). Similarly, ΔPWV correlated positively with ΔLDL (r = 0.260, P = 0.024) and ΔTC reductions (r = 0.342, P = 0.003), and inversely with HDL increase (r = -0.423, P < 0.001). No significant changes in creatinine, uric acid, or glycemic parameters were observed, supporting the short-term safety of bempedoic acid.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Bempedoic acid therapy significantly improved endothelial function and reduced arterial stiffness, in parallel with lipid profile improvement. These vascular benefits were achieved without adverse changes in renal function or uric acid levels, supporting the efficacy and short-term safety of bempedoic acid as a therapeutic option, particularly for statin-intolerant patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":15228,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine","volume":"27 5","pages":"379-388"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13566412/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148031070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Severe pericardial effusion as the initial manifestation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.","authors":"Matteo Brusamolino, Giorgio Agati, Flavia Nicoli, Rocco Mollace, Erika Bertella","doi":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001868","DOIUrl":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001868","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15228,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"417-418"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147503660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Desmin c.322G>A variant is associated with cardiomyopathy: a case series.","authors":"Giacomo Antonioli, Natascia Cerrato, Massimiliano Cecconi, Domenico Coviello, Italo Porto, Marco Canepa, Pietro Ameri, Edoardo Bertero","doi":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001866","DOIUrl":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001866","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Desmin is a critical intermediate filament protein in muscle cells that maintains myofibril integrity and proper force transmission. Rare variants in the DES gene are known to cause cardiomyopathy with or without concomitant skeletal myopathy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified the c.322G>A p.(Glu108Lys) variant in the DES gene (NM_001927.4) in three unrelated patients, all of whom exhibited arrhythmic manifestations and progressive left ventricular (LV) dysfunction over time. Additionally, two other patients harboring the same variant presented with a nondilated left ventricular cardiomyopathy (NDLVC) phenotype defined by the presence of nonischemic LV scarring or global LV hypokinesia in the absence of LV dilatation.</p><p><strong>Major findings: </strong>The classification of the DES c.322G>A p.(Glu108Lys) variant has been debated. However, the clinical features observed in the reported cases strengthen the evidence supporting its likely pathogenic role in cardiomyopathy.</p>","PeriodicalId":15228,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"408-413"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147987655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Erratum: Inclisiran safety and efficacy in real-world clinical practice: results of a retrospective observational investigation.","authors":"","doi":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001900","DOIUrl":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001900","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15228,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine","volume":"27 5","pages":"422"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148031019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physiology-guided percutaneous coronary intervention using drug-coated balloon versus drug-eluting stent: a propensity-matched analysis.","authors":"Domenico Galante, Ciro Pollio Benvenuto, Simona Todisco, Andrea Viceré, Chiara Giuliana, Vincenzo Viccaro, Pierpaolo Tarzia, Cristina Aurigemma, Enrico Romagnoli, RoccoA Montone, Carlo Trani, Francesco Burzotta, Filippo Crea, Antonio Maria Leone","doi":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001884","DOIUrl":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001884","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Physiology-guided drug eluting stent percutaneous coronary intervention (ph DES-PCI) improves cardiovascular outcomes; however, the clinical benefit of ph drug coated balloon PCI (ph DCB-PCI) remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A propensity-matched analysis of 39 patient pairs (ph DCB-PCI versus ph DES-PCI) from the PROPHET-FFR registry was performed. At 13  months, the MACE rate was similar between the groups (5.1 versus 7.6%, P = 0.644), principally driven by target-vessel revascularization (2.6 versus 7.6%, P = 0.305). A single periprocedural myocardial infarction occurred in the ph DCB-PCI group (P = 0.314).</p><p><strong>Major findings: </strong>Ph DCB-PCI appears feasible in selected patients, with no apparent signal of worse outcomes compared with ph DES-PCI, supporting a potential role for physiological assessment in stentless revascularization strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":15228,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine","volume":"27 5","pages":"362-365"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148031035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of intravenous sodium ferric gluconate complex (Ferrlecit) on outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a prospective randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Omer Bar, Robert Zukermann, Basheer Halhal, Erez Marcusohn","doi":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001867","DOIUrl":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001867","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>The aim of this trial was to evaluate whether intravenous sodium ferric gluconate could provide benefit beyond transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with severe aortic stenosis.</p><p><strong>Methods and results: </strong>Between 1 October 2020 and 1 July 2023, we conducted an investigator-initiated, single-center, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolling patients electively admitted for TAVI due to severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenous sodium ferric gluconate or a placebo before the procedure and were followed for up to 3 months. After screening, 44 patients were included: 20 patients randomized to intravenous sodium ferric gluconate complex treatment and 24 patients to placebo. There was no difference in the baseline-adjusted 6-min walk distance between the two treatment arms ( P  = 0.215). Quality-of-life measures such as Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score and New York Heart Association class did not differ between the treatment arms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Treatment with intravenous sodium ferric gluconate did not provide clinical benefit beyond TAVI in patients with severe aortic stenosis.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04797832.</p>","PeriodicalId":15228,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"389-397"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147503724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The stentless temptation: drug-coated balloons between evidence, enthusiasm, and historical caution.","authors":"Andrea Mariani, Domenico Simone Castiello","doi":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001888","DOIUrl":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001888","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15228,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine","volume":"27 5","pages":"366-369"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148031025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Robustness of highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid trials and their cardiovascular outcomes.","authors":"Marco Zuin, Claudio Bilato","doi":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001857","DOIUrl":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001857","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>Despite contemporary statin therapy, patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk experience a residual risk of major adverse events. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has been evaluated for additional cardiovascular risk reduction, but the consistency and robustness of trial results remain uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the robustness of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of highly purified EPA for cardiovascular outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>MEDLINE and Scopus were searched for phase 3/4 RCTs of EPA published through June 2025. Eligible studies were randomized and placebo-controlled, and reported dichotomous cardiovascular outcomes. Three trials met the inclusion criteria: REDUCE-IT, RESPECT-EPA, and JELIS. Primary and secondary cardiovascular endpoints were extracted. Conventional effect estimates (hazard ratios, relative risk reduction, number needed to treat) were calculated, and robustness was evaluated using the fragility index and fragility quotient.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>EPA significantly reduced the primary composite endpoint in REDUCE-IT (17.2 vs. 22.0%; hazard ratio 0.75; fragility index 123, fragility quotient 0.01), RESPECT-EPA (9.1 vs. 12.6%; hazard ratio 0.71; fragility index 49, fragility quotient 0.01), and JELIS (2.8 vs. 3.5%; hazard ratio 0.81; fragility index 15, fragility quotient 0.01). Secondary endpoints showed consistent but heterogeneous reductions in nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and revascularization, with robustness highest in REDUCE-IT and more fragile results in RESPECT-EPA and JELIS. Differences in population phenotypes, background statin therapy, trial design, and endpoint definitions contributed to variability in the effect size and fragility.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>EPA added to statins lowers cardiovascular events, most robustly in high-risk patients with elevated triglycerides. Trial design, endpoints, and patient characteristics drive heterogeneity, while fragility analyses complement conventional metrics in interpreting outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":15228,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"398-407"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147503719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Richard Van Praagh (1930-2025): the man who gave a language to the heart. Memories of two Italian fellows.","authors":"Gaetano Thiene, Giuseppe Calcaterra, Pier Paolo Bassareo","doi":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001871","DOIUrl":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001871","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15228,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine","volume":"27 5","pages":"419-421"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148031076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A hemodynamic and biomarker study of pulmonary hypertension associated with heart failure: DISCOVER PH-HF.","authors":"Roberto Manni, Henri Xhakupi, Suela Vani, Soulef Bouakkaz, Monica Marchese, Paola Visconti, Fabio Pescetelli, Matteo Toma, Gaetano Maria De Ferrari, Marianna Adamo, Pietro Ameri, Italo Porto","doi":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001872","DOIUrl":"10.2459/JCM.0000000000001872","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>The pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension associated with heart failure (PH-HF) is partially understood. To advance knowledge in this regard, the investigator-initiated, public-funded, prospective, translational stuDy to dISseCt remOdeling of capillaries and Veins in pulmonary hypErtension associated with heaRt failure (DISCOVER PH-HF) will assess biomarkers of PH-HF in pulmonary capillary and venous (PCV) and peripheral venous blood taken during right heart catheterization (RHC). This report presents the design of DISCOVER PH-HF and the baseline characteristics of the included patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>DISCOVER PH-HF enrolled heart failure patients scheduled for transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of severe mitral regurgitation. PCV and peripheral venous whole blood was collected during RHC within 48 h before mitral regurgitation (MR)-TEER, and processed into plasma/serum aliquots and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) pellets. Then, the samples were centralized to a core biobank. Follow-up entails visits at 90 ± 10 and 180 ± 10 days and - optionally - a second RHC with collection of PCV and peripheral venous blood within 30 days from the second follow-up evaluation. A proteomic analysis of part of the PCV and peripheral plasma is already planned.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven patients without pulmonary hypertension at RHC, 12 patients with isolated postcapillary pulmonary hypertension, and 18 patients with combined postcapillary and precapillary pulmonary hypertension were recruited, leading to a total of 148 PCV and 148 peripheral plasma aliquots, 111 PCV and 111 peripheral serum aliquots, and 37 PBMC pellets.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>DISCOVER PH-HF has generated a limited-size, but unique biobank of RHC-derived PCV and peripheral venous blood samples and PBMCs, linked to clinical and hemodynamic phenotyping, which will allow the exploration of biomarkers of PH-HF and its subtypes.</p>","PeriodicalId":15228,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"370-378"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13236024/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147987664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}