Joana Ferreira, A. Longatto-Filho, Ana Dionísio, Margarida Correia-Neves, Pedro Cunha, Armando Mansilha
{"title":"Peri-Carotid Adipose Tissue and Atherosclerosis at Carotid Bifurcation","authors":"Joana Ferreira, A. Longatto-Filho, Ana Dionísio, Margarida Correia-Neves, Pedro Cunha, Armando Mansilha","doi":"10.3390/jcdd11020058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11020058","url":null,"abstract":"Vulnerable carotid plaques are responsible for 20% of the ischemic strokes. The identification of these asymptomatic carotid plaques that will become symptomatic is essential but remains unclear. Our main goal was to investigate whether the amount of the peri-carotid adipose tissue, estimated by the extra-media thickness (EMT), is associated with the atherosclerotic characteristics at the carotid bifurcation in patients with PAD. An observational, prospective, single-center, longitudinal study was conducted. Overall, 177 patients were subjected to carotid Doppler ultrasound at the study admission. The following data were collected: EMT, intima-media thickness (IMT), the presence of carotid plaques, the area of the highest plaque, the presence of “acute culprit” carotid stenosis, and the grade of internal carotid stenosis. “Acute culprit” carotid stenosis was defined as a significant atherosclerotic plaque that leads to a neurologic event within 15 days. From each carotid bifurcation, a right and a left EMT were determined. We analyzed both the mean EMTs (calculated as the mean between the right and the left EMT) and the EMT ipsilateral to the carotid bifurcation. The presence of carotid plaques was associated with a higher mean EMT [Median = 1.14; IQR = 0.66 versus Median = 0.97; IQR = 0.40; p = 0.001]. A positive correlation was found between the mean EMT and IMT (right: ρ = 0.20; p = 0.010; left: ρ = 0.21; p = 0.007) and between the mean EMT and the area of the largest carotid plaque (right: ρ = 0.17; p = 0.036; left: ρ = 0.22; p = 0.004). Left carotid stenosis ≥ 70% was associated with higher ipsilateral EMT [Median = 1.56; IQR = 0.70 versus Median = 0.94; IQR = 0.42; p = 0.009]. Patients with “acute culprit” carotid stenosis had a higher ipsilateral EMT [left ipsilateral EMT: Median = 1.46; IQR = 0.63; “non-acute”: Median = 0.94; IQR = 0.43; p = 0.009; right ipsilateral EMT: Median = 2.25; IQR = 0.62; “non-acute”: Median = 1.00; IQR = 0.51; p = 0.015]. This difference was not found in the contra-lateral EMT. Six months after the neurologic event, EMT ipsilateral to an “acute culprit” carotid stenosis decreased (p = 0.036). The amount of peri-carotid adipose tissue, estimated with EMT, was associated with atherosclerosis at the carotid arteries. The mean EMT was associated with the features of chronic atherosclerosis lesions: the presence of carotid plaques, IMT, and the area of the highest plaque. Ipsilateral EMT was linked with “acute culprit” atherosclerotic plaque.","PeriodicalId":502527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease","volume":"63 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139845906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joana Ferreira, A. Longatto-Filho, Ana Dionísio, Margarida Correia-Neves, Pedro Cunha, Armando Mansilha
{"title":"Peri-Carotid Adipose Tissue and Atherosclerosis at Carotid Bifurcation","authors":"Joana Ferreira, A. Longatto-Filho, Ana Dionísio, Margarida Correia-Neves, Pedro Cunha, Armando Mansilha","doi":"10.3390/jcdd11020058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11020058","url":null,"abstract":"Vulnerable carotid plaques are responsible for 20% of the ischemic strokes. The identification of these asymptomatic carotid plaques that will become symptomatic is essential but remains unclear. Our main goal was to investigate whether the amount of the peri-carotid adipose tissue, estimated by the extra-media thickness (EMT), is associated with the atherosclerotic characteristics at the carotid bifurcation in patients with PAD. An observational, prospective, single-center, longitudinal study was conducted. Overall, 177 patients were subjected to carotid Doppler ultrasound at the study admission. The following data were collected: EMT, intima-media thickness (IMT), the presence of carotid plaques, the area of the highest plaque, the presence of “acute culprit” carotid stenosis, and the grade of internal carotid stenosis. “Acute culprit” carotid stenosis was defined as a significant atherosclerotic plaque that leads to a neurologic event within 15 days. From each carotid bifurcation, a right and a left EMT were determined. We analyzed both the mean EMTs (calculated as the mean between the right and the left EMT) and the EMT ipsilateral to the carotid bifurcation. The presence of carotid plaques was associated with a higher mean EMT [Median = 1.14; IQR = 0.66 versus Median = 0.97; IQR = 0.40; p = 0.001]. A positive correlation was found between the mean EMT and IMT (right: ρ = 0.20; p = 0.010; left: ρ = 0.21; p = 0.007) and between the mean EMT and the area of the largest carotid plaque (right: ρ = 0.17; p = 0.036; left: ρ = 0.22; p = 0.004). Left carotid stenosis ≥ 70% was associated with higher ipsilateral EMT [Median = 1.56; IQR = 0.70 versus Median = 0.94; IQR = 0.42; p = 0.009]. Patients with “acute culprit” carotid stenosis had a higher ipsilateral EMT [left ipsilateral EMT: Median = 1.46; IQR = 0.63; “non-acute”: Median = 0.94; IQR = 0.43; p = 0.009; right ipsilateral EMT: Median = 2.25; IQR = 0.62; “non-acute”: Median = 1.00; IQR = 0.51; p = 0.015]. This difference was not found in the contra-lateral EMT. Six months after the neurologic event, EMT ipsilateral to an “acute culprit” carotid stenosis decreased (p = 0.036). The amount of peri-carotid adipose tissue, estimated with EMT, was associated with atherosclerosis at the carotid arteries. The mean EMT was associated with the features of chronic atherosclerosis lesions: the presence of carotid plaques, IMT, and the area of the highest plaque. Ipsilateral EMT was linked with “acute culprit” atherosclerotic plaque.","PeriodicalId":502527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease","volume":"109 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139785906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Inclusion of Underrepresented Populations in Cardiovascular Genetics and Epidemiology","authors":"Elias Chappell, Laura Arbour, Zachary Laksman","doi":"10.3390/jcdd11020056","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11020056","url":null,"abstract":"Novel genetic risk markers have helped us to advance the field of cardiovascular epidemiology and refine our current understanding and risk stratification paradigms. The discovery and analysis of variants can help us to tailor prognostication and management. However, populations underrepresented in cardiovascular epidemiology and cardiogenetics research may experience inequities in care if prediction tools are not applicable to them clinically. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to outline the barriers that underrepresented populations can face in participating in genetics research, to describe the current efforts to diversify cardiogenetics research, and to outline strategies that researchers in cardiovascular epidemiology can implement to include underrepresented populations. Mistrust, a lack of diverse research teams, the improper use of sensitive biodata, and the constraints of genetic analyses are all barriers for including diverse populations in genetics studies. The current work is beginning to address the paucity of ethnically diverse genetics research and has already begun to shed light on the potential benefits of including underrepresented and diverse populations. Reducing barriers for individuals, utilizing community-driven research processes, adopting novel recruitment strategies, and pushing for organizational support for diverse genetics research are key steps that clinicians and researchers can take to develop equitable risk stratification tools and improve patient care.","PeriodicalId":502527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease","volume":"65 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139865732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Inclusion of Underrepresented Populations in Cardiovascular Genetics and Epidemiology","authors":"Elias Chappell, Laura Arbour, Zachary Laksman","doi":"10.3390/jcdd11020056","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11020056","url":null,"abstract":"Novel genetic risk markers have helped us to advance the field of cardiovascular epidemiology and refine our current understanding and risk stratification paradigms. The discovery and analysis of variants can help us to tailor prognostication and management. However, populations underrepresented in cardiovascular epidemiology and cardiogenetics research may experience inequities in care if prediction tools are not applicable to them clinically. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to outline the barriers that underrepresented populations can face in participating in genetics research, to describe the current efforts to diversify cardiogenetics research, and to outline strategies that researchers in cardiovascular epidemiology can implement to include underrepresented populations. Mistrust, a lack of diverse research teams, the improper use of sensitive biodata, and the constraints of genetic analyses are all barriers for including diverse populations in genetics studies. The current work is beginning to address the paucity of ethnically diverse genetics research and has already begun to shed light on the potential benefits of including underrepresented and diverse populations. Reducing barriers for individuals, utilizing community-driven research processes, adopting novel recruitment strategies, and pushing for organizational support for diverse genetics research are key steps that clinicians and researchers can take to develop equitable risk stratification tools and improve patient care.","PeriodicalId":502527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease","volume":"32 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139805985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Postprandial Plasma Glucose Measured from Blood Taken between 4 and 7.9 h Is Positively Associated with Mortality from Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease","authors":"Yutang Wang","doi":"10.3390/jcdd11020053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11020053","url":null,"abstract":"It is unknown whether postprandial plasma glucose measured from blood taken between 4 and 7.9 h (PPG4–7.9h) is associated with mortality from hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to investigate these associations in 4896 US adults who attended the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of PPG4–7.9h for mortality. This cohort was followed up for 106,300 person-years (mean follow-up, 21.7 years). A 1-natural-log-unit increase in PPG4–7.9h was associated with a higher risk of mortality from hypertension (HR, 3.50; 95% CI, 2.34–5.24), diabetes (HR, 11.7; 95% CI, 6.85–20.0), and CVD (HR, 2.76; 95% CI, 2.08–3.68) after adjustment for all the tested confounders except hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). After further adjustment for HbA1c, PPG4–7.9h remained positively associated with mortality from both hypertension (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.13–4.08) and CVD (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.05–2.51), but was no longer associated with diabetes mortality. Subgroup analyses showed that similar results were obtained in the sub-cohort of participants without a prior diagnosis of myocardial infarction or stroke. In conclusion, PPG4–7.9h predicts mortality from hypertension and CVD, independent of HbA1c.","PeriodicalId":502527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease","volume":"14 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139865943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Mamazhakypov, A. Maripov, A. Sarybaev, Ralf Schermuly, A. Sydykov
{"title":"Mast Cells in Cardiac Remodeling: Focus on the Right Ventricle","authors":"A. Mamazhakypov, A. Maripov, A. Sarybaev, Ralf Schermuly, A. Sydykov","doi":"10.3390/jcdd11020054","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11020054","url":null,"abstract":"In response to various stressors, cardiac chambers undergo structural remodeling. Long-term exposure of the right ventricle (RV) to pressure or volume overload leads to its maladaptive remodeling, associated with RV failure and increased mortality. While left ventricular adverse remodeling is well understood and therapeutic options are available or emerging, RV remodeling remains underexplored, and no specific therapies are currently available. Accumulating evidence implicates the role of mast cells in RV remodeling. Mast cells produce and release numerous inflammatory mediators, growth factors and proteases that can adversely affect cardiac cells, thus contributing to cardiac remodeling. Recent experimental findings suggest that mast cells might represent a potential therapeutic target. This review examines the role of mast cells in cardiac remodeling, with a specific focus on RV remodeling, and explores the potential efficacy of therapeutic interventions targeting mast cells to mitigate adverse RV remodeling.","PeriodicalId":502527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease","volume":"6 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139866118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Postprandial Plasma Glucose Measured from Blood Taken between 4 and 7.9 h Is Positively Associated with Mortality from Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease","authors":"Yutang Wang","doi":"10.3390/jcdd11020053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11020053","url":null,"abstract":"It is unknown whether postprandial plasma glucose measured from blood taken between 4 and 7.9 h (PPG4–7.9h) is associated with mortality from hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to investigate these associations in 4896 US adults who attended the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of PPG4–7.9h for mortality. This cohort was followed up for 106,300 person-years (mean follow-up, 21.7 years). A 1-natural-log-unit increase in PPG4–7.9h was associated with a higher risk of mortality from hypertension (HR, 3.50; 95% CI, 2.34–5.24), diabetes (HR, 11.7; 95% CI, 6.85–20.0), and CVD (HR, 2.76; 95% CI, 2.08–3.68) after adjustment for all the tested confounders except hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). After further adjustment for HbA1c, PPG4–7.9h remained positively associated with mortality from both hypertension (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.13–4.08) and CVD (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.05–2.51), but was no longer associated with diabetes mortality. Subgroup analyses showed that similar results were obtained in the sub-cohort of participants without a prior diagnosis of myocardial infarction or stroke. In conclusion, PPG4–7.9h predicts mortality from hypertension and CVD, independent of HbA1c.","PeriodicalId":502527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139806162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Mamazhakypov, A. Maripov, A. Sarybaev, Ralf Schermuly, A. Sydykov
{"title":"Mast Cells in Cardiac Remodeling: Focus on the Right Ventricle","authors":"A. Mamazhakypov, A. Maripov, A. Sarybaev, Ralf Schermuly, A. Sydykov","doi":"10.3390/jcdd11020054","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11020054","url":null,"abstract":"In response to various stressors, cardiac chambers undergo structural remodeling. Long-term exposure of the right ventricle (RV) to pressure or volume overload leads to its maladaptive remodeling, associated with RV failure and increased mortality. While left ventricular adverse remodeling is well understood and therapeutic options are available or emerging, RV remodeling remains underexplored, and no specific therapies are currently available. Accumulating evidence implicates the role of mast cells in RV remodeling. Mast cells produce and release numerous inflammatory mediators, growth factors and proteases that can adversely affect cardiac cells, thus contributing to cardiac remodeling. Recent experimental findings suggest that mast cells might represent a potential therapeutic target. This review examines the role of mast cells in cardiac remodeling, with a specific focus on RV remodeling, and explores the potential efficacy of therapeutic interventions targeting mast cells to mitigate adverse RV remodeling.","PeriodicalId":502527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease","volume":"34 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139806262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anmol Goyal, Maria Kiaffas, Tara Swanson, Melanie J. Kathol, Sanket Shah, Nitin Madan
{"title":"Prenatal Diagnosis of a Ductal-Dependent Branch Pulmonary Artery: Extra Vessels in the 3-Vessel and Trachea View","authors":"Anmol Goyal, Maria Kiaffas, Tara Swanson, Melanie J. Kathol, Sanket Shah, Nitin Madan","doi":"10.3390/jcdd11020055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11020055","url":null,"abstract":"Obtaining a three-vessel (3V) and three-vessel and trachea (3VT) view from the fetal upper mediastinum is now considered to be part of standard imaging protocol for routine obstetric cardiac screening examinations. We report two fetal cases of an anomalous pulmonary artery origin, utilizing the standard 3V and 3VT views. Further imaging led to a rare diagnosis of bilateral ductus arteriosus with discontinuous branch pulmonary arteries in the absence of any other congenital heart defect. We briefly discuss the imaging features, differential diagnoses, and management of this rare entity.","PeriodicalId":502527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease","volume":"46 2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139806295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anmol Goyal, Maria Kiaffas, Tara Swanson, Melanie J. Kathol, Sanket Shah, Nitin Madan
{"title":"Prenatal Diagnosis of a Ductal-Dependent Branch Pulmonary Artery: Extra Vessels in the 3-Vessel and Trachea View","authors":"Anmol Goyal, Maria Kiaffas, Tara Swanson, Melanie J. Kathol, Sanket Shah, Nitin Madan","doi":"10.3390/jcdd11020055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11020055","url":null,"abstract":"Obtaining a three-vessel (3V) and three-vessel and trachea (3VT) view from the fetal upper mediastinum is now considered to be part of standard imaging protocol for routine obstetric cardiac screening examinations. We report two fetal cases of an anomalous pulmonary artery origin, utilizing the standard 3V and 3VT views. Further imaging led to a rare diagnosis of bilateral ductus arteriosus with discontinuous branch pulmonary arteries in the absence of any other congenital heart defect. We briefly discuss the imaging features, differential diagnoses, and management of this rare entity.","PeriodicalId":502527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease","volume":"9 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139866124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}