Mohammed Khanjary, Shokoh Varaei, Haitham Ibrahim Faris
{"title":"Effect of Implementation of Follow-Up Care Model on Self-Management in Patient with Chronic Heart Failure Disease.","authors":"Mohammed Khanjary, Shokoh Varaei, Haitham Ibrahim Faris","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.103120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.103120","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":" ","pages":"103120"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144561922","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}
Lweendo Muchaili , Situmbeko Liweleya , Lukundo Siame , John Nzobokela , Boas Machacha , Elletina N. Sinamwenda , Cindy Manjesani , Bislom Chikwanka Mweene , Benson M. Hamooya , Sepiso K. Masenga
{"title":"Atherosclerosis and sudden cardiac death in athletes","authors":"Lweendo Muchaili , Situmbeko Liweleya , Lukundo Siame , John Nzobokela , Boas Machacha , Elletina N. Sinamwenda , Cindy Manjesani , Bislom Chikwanka Mweene , Benson M. Hamooya , Sepiso K. Masenga","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.103123","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.103123","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Asymptomatic atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes over 35 years of age. Despite their high physical fitness, athletes in this age group remain vulnerable to undetected coronary atherosclerosis, which predisposes them to plaque rupture and acute coronary thrombosis. In contrast, congenital coronary anomalies are the predominant cause of SCD in younger athletes. While SCD accounts for over 90 % of sports-related cardiovascular mortality, identifying at-risk individuals remains challenging due to the silent progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). Current screening methods, such as electrocardiography and stress testing, have limited sensitivity for detecting asymptomatic ASCVD, underscoring the need for advanced imaging modalities like coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in high-risk populations. Risk mitigation requires a multifaceted approach: Tailored pre-participation cardiovascular screening incorporating age-specific risk factors, lifestyle interventions targeting atherosclerosis progression, education for early recognition of cardiac symptoms, and widespread availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) during athletic events. Emerging evidence supports integrating biomarkers, for instance, coronary calcium scoring and genetic testing for congenital anomalies, to enhance risk stratification. A comprehensive strategy combining targeted screening, advanced diagnostics, and evidence-based interventions is critical to reducing SCD incidence and improving outcomes in athletes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"50 9","pages":"Article 103123"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144561921","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}
Antonios A. Argyris , Alena Shantsila , Eduard Shantsila , D. Gareth Beevers , Gregory Y. H. Lip
{"title":"Characteristics and clinical outcomes in malignant phase hypertension patients using cluster analysis: A report from the West Birmingham Malignant Hypertension Registry","authors":"Antonios A. Argyris , Alena Shantsila , Eduard Shantsila , D. Gareth Beevers , Gregory Y. H. Lip","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.103121","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.103121","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Malignant hypertension (MHT) is a condition with high morbidity and mortality, necessitating a deeper understanding of its clinical heterogeneity for improved patient management. Aim of our study was to identify/characterize specific phenotypic groups and examine their associations with mortality.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data from the West Birmingham MHT Registry were used. We performed two-step cluster analysis to determine distinct groups. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the associations of clusters with mortality.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>323 patients (mean age 49±13 years; 34 % female) with a median follow-up of 11 (IQR 3-18) years were included. Four clusters were identified; Cluster 1: younger age, intermediate prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, high prevalence of renal/retinal damage; Cluster 2: older age, female, low prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, intermediate levels of organ damage; Cluster 3: intermediate age, male, high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, high retinal damage; Cluster 4: younger age, male, low prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, low prevalence of organ damage. In Kaplan Meier curves cluster 4 exhibited the lowest risk, while cluster 3 the highest risk for outcomes (log rank <em>p</em> < 0.001). In Cox regression, all clusters had higher risk of mortality compared to cluster 4; cluster 1 [HR 1.74 (1.07-2.82)], cluster 2 [HR 1.87 (1.20-2.91)], cluster 3 [HR 2.35 (1.54-3.58)].</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Four distinct phenotypic clusters were identified within our registry, having diverse associations with mortality. These clusters offer a framework for more targeted risk stratification and prognostication, with implications for individualized patient care in this high-risk hypertensive population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"50 9","pages":"Article 103121"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144522655","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":"Information for Readers","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S0146-2806(25)00133-1","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S0146-2806(25)00133-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"50 8","pages":"Article 103112"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517144","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":"Guidelines for Authors","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S0146-2806(25)00138-0","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S0146-2806(25)00138-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"50 8","pages":"Article 103117"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517131","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}
Mohamad Ghazal , Erica Jensen , Abdul Rahman Akkawi , Andrew Fancher , Emmanuel Oundo , Alexandros Briasoulis
{"title":"Cardiac amyloidosis: New insights into pathophysiology and therapeutic advances","authors":"Mohamad Ghazal , Erica Jensen , Abdul Rahman Akkawi , Andrew Fancher , Emmanuel Oundo , Alexandros Briasoulis","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.103125","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.103125","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a once underdiagnosed and often fatal condition that has evolved into a disease with expanding diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. It is characterized by the extracellular deposition of misfolded amyloid proteins within the myocardium, leading to structural and functional impairment. Advances in understanding the pathophysiology encompassing the amyloid protein misfolding, aggregation and deposition in cardiac tissue as well as the role of genetic factors have been pivotal in driving progress in diagnosis and management. The deposition of amyloid proteins can lead to significant cardiac manifestations, including constrictive cardiomyopathy, heart failure (both preserved and reduced ejection fraction), and arrhythmias particularly atrial fibrillation, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality. Diagnostic innovations, such as advanced imaging and novel biomarkers, have enabled early detection and precise subtype differentiation, underscoring the need for targeted therapies. Over the past decade, therapeutic advancements have introduced transformative medications that gained FDA approval for the management of transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) including transthyretin stabilizers and silencers. Promising strategies like gene editing, antisense oligonucleotides and monoclonal antibodies are currently under investigation. However, managing cardiac manifestations remains challenging, particularly in optimizing euvolemia and rate control in heart failure and atrial fibrillation with limitations in traditional medications. This review explores the evolving landscape of CA, from pathophysiologic insights to innovative therapies, and provides a comprehensive approach to the management of cardiac manifestations to address ongoing challenges this condition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"50 9","pages":"Article 103125"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144548386","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}
Santiago Decotto MD , Gonzalo Fernandez Villar MD , Emiliano Rossi MD , Juan Maria Iroulart MD , Mariano Bergier MD , Santiago Del Castillo MD , Diego Perez de Arenaza MD , Ezequiel Lillo MD , Ignacio M. Bluro MD , Mariano L. Falconi MD , Cesar Belziti MD , Rodolfo Pizarro MD
{"title":"Prognostic value of right ventricle–pulmonary artery uncoupling in elderly patients hospitalized for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction","authors":"Santiago Decotto MD , Gonzalo Fernandez Villar MD , Emiliano Rossi MD , Juan Maria Iroulart MD , Mariano Bergier MD , Santiago Del Castillo MD , Diego Perez de Arenaza MD , Ezequiel Lillo MD , Ignacio M. Bluro MD , Mariano L. Falconi MD , Cesar Belziti MD , Rodolfo Pizarro MD","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.103126","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.103126","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The TAPSE/PASP ratio reflects right ventricle–pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling and has prognostic value in patients with heart failure, regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of the TAPSE/PASP ratio in elderly patients hospitalized for acute heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Prospective, observational, and single-center cohort study included patients aged ≥75 years, hospitalized for HFpEF (LVEF >50 %) from September 2019 to December 2023. We excluded patients with significant left-sided valvular disease, advanced renal failure, recent myocardial infarction, and pacemaker users. We defined RV-PA uncoupling as a TAPSE/PASP ratio ≤0.40 using ROC analysis and the Youden index. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization at one year.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We included a total of 142 patients. The median age was 84 [IQR 78-88] years, and 65 % (<em>n</em> = 92) were female. The mean LVEF was 56 % (±4 %), and 37 % (<em>n</em> = 53) had RV-PA uncoupling. Patients with uncoupling had higher NT-proBNP (5300 [3107-7257] vs. 2740 [1300-5857] pg/dL; <em>p</em> = 0.01) and troponin levels (48 [32-100] vs. 33 [19-61] pg/dL; <em>p</em> = 0.02), along with worse RV function compared to patients without RV-PA uncoupling. The primary endpoint occurred more frequently in patients with RV/PA uncoupling (62 % vs. 33 %; <em>p</em> = 0.001). In the Cox multivariate analysis, RV-PA uncoupling was independently associated with the primary endpoint (HR 2.37; 95 % CI 1.38–4.07; <em>p</em> = 0.02), after adjusting for age and NT-proBNP levels.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In elderly patients hospitalized for HFpEF, RV-PA uncoupling, defined by a TAPSE/PASP ratio ≤ 0.40 was significantly associated with worse outcomes during one-year follow-up.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"50 9","pages":"Article 103126"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144522065","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":"Factors associated with heart failure severity and mortality in Butembo between 2021 and 2023","authors":"Jean-Paul Paluku Mwalitsa MD , Jean-Paulin Mbo Mukongole PhD , Zacharie Tsongo Kibendelwa PhD , Dalton Kambale Munyambalu MD , Serge Muyisa Sahika MD , François Katsuva Mbahweka MD , Fiston Nzanzu Arma MD , Roland Muhindo Muyisa MD , Ngesera Kambale MD , Adélar Nzanzu Kalima MD , Claude Kasereka Masumbuko PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.103122","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2025.103122","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Heart failure is a syndrome with high morbidity and mortality, influenced by various regional factors.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to enhance heart failure management by identifying factors that can improve the quality of life and survival of patients in eastern DR Congo.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Conducted from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023, this descriptive analytical study included 156 heart failure patients (mean age 62 ± 15), comprising 80 males and 76 females. Each patient was followed for 12 months.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The frequency of heart failure was 17.5 % (156 out of 2732 patients) at the cardiology center. Severity correlated with the use of indigenous anti-poison products (p 0.000) and valvular heart disease (p 0.000). Mortality was notably influenced by indigenous anti-poison product use (41.2 % mortality; p 0.000), duration of diabetes (≤ 1 year 7.4 %; 2-5 years 11.1 %; > 5 years 33.3 %; p 0.014), dilated cardiomyopathy (18.9 % vs. 1.2 % for non-dilated; p 0.000), and valvular heart disease (17.5 % vs. 1.3 %; p 0.003). Mortality rates varied by heart failure phenotype (HFrEF 30.9 %, HFmEF 5.1 %, HFpEF 0.0 %; p 0.000) and severity (NYHA IV 55.6 % vs. NYHA I and II 0.0 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Indigenous anti-poison products and rheumatic valvular heart disease contribute to the worsening and premature death of heart failure patients. Addressing these factors may improve patient survival in this region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51006,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cardiology","volume":"50 9","pages":"Article 103122"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144555647","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}