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- Alabas, Oras A., et al.
(author)
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Statistics on mortality following acute myocardial infarction in 842 897 Europeans
- 2020
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In: Cardiovascular Research. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 0008-6363 .- 1755-3245. ; 116:1, s. 149-157
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: To compare ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) mortality between Sweden and the UK, adjusting for background population rates of expected death, case mix, and treatments.Methods and results: National data were collected from hospitals in Sweden [n = 73 hospitals, 180 368 patients, Swedish Web-system for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-based care in Heart disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies (SWEDEHEART)] and the UK [n = 247, 662 529 patients, Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP)] between 2003 and 2013. There were lower rates of revascularization [STEMI (43.8% vs. 74.9%); NSTEMI (27.5% vs. 43.6%)] and pharmacotherapies at time of hospital discharge including [aspirin (82.9% vs. 90.2%) and (79.9% vs. 88.0%), beta-blockers (73.4% vs. 86.4%) and (65.3% vs. 85.1%)] in the UK compared with Sweden, respectively. Standardized net probability of death (NPD) between admission and 1 month was higher in the UK for STEMI [8.0 (95% confidence interval 7.4-8.5) vs. 6.7 (6.5-6.9)] and NSTEMI [6.8 (6.4-7.2) vs. 4.9 (4.7-5.0)]. Between 6 months and 1 year and more than 1 year, NPD remained higher in the UK for NSTEMI [2.9 (2.5-3.3) vs. 2.3 (2.2-2.5)] and [21.4 (20.0-22.8) vs. 18.3 (17.6-19.0)], but was similar for STEMI [0.7 (0.4-1.0) vs. 0.9 (0.7-1.0)] and [8.4 (6.7-10.1) vs. 8.3 (7.5-9.1)].Conclusion: Short-term mortality following STEMI and NSTEMI was higher in the UK compared with Sweden. Mid- and longer-term mortality remained higher in the UK for NSTEMI but was similar for STEMI. Differences in mortality may be due to differential use of guideline-indicated treatments.
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- Alexander, Y, et al.
(author)
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Endothelial function in cardiovascular medicine: a consensus paper of the European Society of Cardiology Working Groups on Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology, Aorta and Peripheral Vascular Diseases, Coronary Pathophysiology and Microcirculation, and Thrombosis
- 2021
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In: Cardiovascular research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1755-3245 .- 0008-6363. ; 117:1, s. 29-42
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Endothelial cells (ECs) are sentinels of cardiovascular health. Their function is reduced by the presence of cardiovascular risk factors, and is regained once pathological stimuli are removed. In this European Society for Cardiology Position Paper, we describe endothelial dysfunction as a spectrum of phenotypic states and advocate further studies to determine the role of EC subtypes in cardiovascular disease. We conclude that there is no single ideal method for measurement of endothelial function. Techniques to measure coronary epicardial and micro-vascular function are well established but they are invasive, time-consuming, and expensive. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial arteries provides a non-invasive alternative but is technically challenging and requires extensive training and standardization. We, therefore, propose that a consensus methodology for FMD is universally adopted to minimize technical variation between studies, and that reference FMD values are established for different populations of healthy individuals and patient groups. Newer techniques to measure endothelial function that are relatively easy to perform, such as finger plethysmography and the retinal flicker test, have the potential for increased clinical use provided a consensus is achieved on the measurement protocol used. We recommend further clinical studies to establish reference values for these techniques and to assess their ability to improve cardiovascular risk stratification. We advocate future studies to determine whether integration of endothelial function measurements with patient-specific epigenetic data and other biomarkers can enhance the stratification of patients for differential diagnosis, disease progression, and responses to therapy.
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- Back, M, et al.
(author)
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From organic and inorganic phosphates to valvular and vascular calcifications
- 2021
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In: Cardiovascular research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1755-3245 .- 0008-6363. ; 117:9, s. 2016-2029
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Calcification of the arterial wall and valves is an important part of the pathophysiological process of peripheral and coronary atherosclerosis, aortic stenosis, ageing, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. This review aims to better understand how extracellular phosphates and their ability to be retained as calcium phosphates on the extracellular matrix initiate the mineralization process of arteries and valves. In this context, the physiological process of bone mineralization remains a human model for pathological soft tissue mineralization. Soluble (ionized) calcium precipitation occurs on extracellular phosphates; either with inorganic or on exposed organic phosphates. Organic phosphates are classified as either structural (phospholipids, nucleic acids) or energetic (corresponding to phosphoryl transfer activities). Extracellular phosphates promote a phenotypic shift in vascular smooth muscle and valvular interstitial cells towards an osteoblast gene expression pattern, which provokes the active phase of mineralization. A line of defense systems protects arterial and valvular tissue calcifications. Given the major roles of phosphate in soft tissue calcification, phosphate mimetics, and/or prevention of phosphate dissipation represent novel potential therapeutic approaches for arterial and valvular calcification.
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- Benz, Alexander P., et al.
(author)
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Stroke risk prediction in patients with atrial fibrillation with and without rheumatic heart disease
- 2021
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In: Cardiovascular Research. - : Oxford University Press. - 0008-6363 .- 1755-3245. ; 118:1, s. 295-304
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), especially mitral stenosis, are assumed to be at high risk of stroke, irrespective of other factors. We aimed to re-evaluate stroke risk factors in a contemporary cohort of AF patients. Methods and results We analysed data of 15 400 AF patients presenting to an emergency department and who were enrolled in the global RE-LY AF registry, representing 47 countries from all inhabited continents. Follow-up occurred at 1 year after enrolment. A total of 1788 (11.6%) patients had RHD. These patients were younger (51.4 +/- 15.7 vs. 67.8 +/- 13.6 years), more likely to be female (66.2% vs. 44.7%) and had a lower mean CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score (2.1 +/- 1.7 vs. 3.7 +/- 2.2) as compared to patients without RHD (all P<0.001). Significant mitral stenosis (average mean transmitral gradient 11.5 +/- 6.5 mmHg) was the predominant valve lesion in those with RHD (59.6%). Patients with RHD had a higher baseline rate of anticoagulation use (60.4% vs. 45.2%, P<0.001). Unadjusted stroke rates at 1 year were 2.8% and 4.1% for patients with and without RHD, respectively. The performance of the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score was modest in both groups [stroke at 1 year, c-statistics 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60-0.78 and 0.63, 95% CI 0.61-0.66, respectively]. In the overall cohort, advanced age, female sex, prior stroke, tobacco use, and non-use of anticoagulation were predictors for stroke (all P<0.05). Mitral stenosis was not associated with stroke risk (adjusted odds ratio 1.07, 95% CI 0.67-1.72, P=0.764). Conclusion The performance of the CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score was modest in AF patients both with and without RHD. In this cohort, moderate-to-severe mitral stenosis was not an independent risk factor for stroke.
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- Berg, Jonathan, et al.
(author)
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Mild hypothermia attenuates ischemia/reperfusion injury - insights from serial non-invasive pressure-volume loops
- 2023
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In: Cardiovascular Research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1755-3245 .- 0008-6363. ; 119:12, s. 2230-2243
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Mild hypothermia, 32-35°C, reduces infarct size in experimental studies, potentially mediating reperfusion injuries, but human trials have been ambiguous. To elucidate the cardioprotective mechanisms of mild hypothermia, we analyzed cardiac performance in a porcine model of ischemia/reperfusion, with serial cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging throughout one week using non-invasive pressure-volume loops.METHODS AND RESULTS: Normothermia and Hypothermia groups sessions (n=7+7 pigs, nonrandom allocation) were imaged with CMR at baseline and subjected to 40 minutes of normothermic ischemia by catheter intervention. Thereafter, the Hypothermia group was rapidly cooled (mean 34.5°C) for 5 minutes before reperfusion. Additional CMR sessions at two hours, 24 hours, and seven days acquired ventricular volumes and ischemic injuries (unblinded analysis).Stroke volume (-24%; p=0.029; Friedmans test) and ejection fraction (-20%; p=0.068) were notably reduced at 24h in the Normothermia group compared to baseline. In contrast, the decreases were ameliorated in the Hypothermia group (stroke volume: -6%; p=0.77; ejection fraction: -6%; p=0.13). Mean arterial pressure remained stable in Normothermic animals (-3%, p=0.77) but dropped two hours post-reperfusion in hypothermic animals (-18%, p=0.007). Both groups experienced a decrease and partial recovery pattern for PV loop-derived variables over one week, but the adverse effects tended attenuated in the Hypothermia group. Infarct sizes were 10±8% in Hypothermic and 15±8% in Normothermic animals (p=0.32). Analysis of covariance at 24 hours indicated that hypothermia has cardioprotective properties incremental to reducing infarct size, such as higher external power (p=0.061) and lower arterial elastance (p=0.015).CONCLUSION: Using non-invasive pressure-volume loops by CMR, we observed that mild hypothermia at reperfusion alleviates the heart's work after ischemia/reperfusion injuries during the first week and preserves short-term cardiac performance. This hypothesis-generating study suggests hypothermia to have cardioprotective properties, incremental to reducing infarct size. The primary cardioprotective mechanism was likely an afterload reduction acutely unloading the left ventricle.
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- Berg, M, et al.
(author)
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3-Hydroxyanthralinic acid metabolism controls the hepatic SREBP/lipoprotein axis, inhibits inflammasome activation in macrophages, and decreases atherosclerosis in Ldlr-/- mice
- 2020
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In: Cardiovascular research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1755-3245 .- 0008-6363. ; 116:12, s. 1948-1957
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimsAtherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease involving immunological and metabolic processes. Metabolism of tryptophan (Trp) via the kynurenine pathway has shown immunomodulatory properties and the ability to modulate atherosclerosis. We identified 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA) as a key metabolite of Trp modulating vascular inflammation and lipid metabolism. The molecular mechanisms driven by 3-HAA in atherosclerosis have not been completely elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether two major signalling pathways, activation of SREBPs and inflammasome, are associated with the 3-HAA-dependent regulation of lipoprotein synthesis and inflammation in the atherogenesis process. Moreover, we examined whether inhibition of endogenous 3-HAA degradation affects hyperlipidaemia and plaque formation.Methods and resultsIn vitro, we showed that 3-HAA reduces SREBP-2 expression and nuclear translocation and apolipoprotein B secretion in HepG2 cell cultures, and inhibits inflammasome activation and IL-1β production by macrophages. Using Ldlr−/− mice, we showed that inhibition of 3-HAA 3,4-dioxygenase (HAAO), which increases the endogenous levels of 3-HAA, decreases plasma lipids and atherosclerosis. Notably, HAAO inhibition led to decreased hepatic SREBP-2 mRNA levels and lipid accumulation, and improved liver pathology scores.ConclusionsWe show that the activity of SREBP-2 and the inflammasome can be regulated by 3-HAA metabolism. Moreover, our study highlights that targeting HAAO is a promising strategy to prevent and treat hypercholesterolaemia and atherosclerosis.
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- Bosmans, Laura A., et al.
(author)
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Myeloid CD40 deficiency reduces atherosclerosis by impairing macrophages’ transition into a pro-inflammatory state
- 2023
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In: Cardiovascular Research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0008-6363 .- 1755-3245. ; 119:5, s. 1146-1160
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims CD40 and its ligand, CD40L, play a critical role in driving atherosclerotic plaque development. Disrupted CD40-signalling reduces experimental atherosclerosis and induces a favourable stable plaque phenotype. We recently showed that small molecule-based inhibition of CD40-tumour necrosis factor receptor associated factor-6 interactions attenuates atherosclerosis in hyperlipidaemic mice via macrophage-driven mechanisms. The present study aims to detail the function of myeloid CD40 in atherosclerosis using myeloid-specific CD40-deficient mice. Method and Cd40flox/flox and LysM-cre Cd40flox/flox mice on an Apoe−/− background were generated (CD40wt and CD40mac−/− , respect-Results ively). Atherosclerotic lesion size, as well as plaque macrophage content, was reduced in CD40mac−/− compared to CD40wt mice, and their plaques displayed a reduction in necrotic core size. Transcriptomics analysis of the CD40mac−/− atherosclerotic aorta revealed downregulated pathways of immune pathways and inflammatory responses. Loss of CD40 in macrophages changed the representation of aortic macrophage subsets. Mass cytometry analysis revealed a higher content of a subset of alternative or resident-like CD206+CD209b− macrophages in the atherosclerotic aorta of CD40mac−/− compared to CD40wt mice. RNA-sequencing of bone marrow-derived macrophages of CD40mac−/− mice demonstrated upregulation of genes associated with alternatively activated macrophages (including Folr2, Thbs1, Sdc1, and Tns1). Conclusions We here show that absence of CD40 signalling in myeloid cells reduces atherosclerosis and limits systemic inflammation by preventing a shift in macrophage polarization towards pro-inflammatory states. Our study confirms the merit of macrophage-targeted inhibition of CD40 as a valuable therapeutic strategy to combat atherosclerosis.
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- Chen, Qiao Sen, et al.
(author)
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A machine learning based approach to identify carotid subclinical atherosclerosis endotypes
- 2023
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In: Cardiovascular Research. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 0008-6363 .- 1755-3245. ; 119:16, s. 2594-2606
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims To define endotypes of carotid subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods and results We integrated demographic, clinical, and molecular data (n = 124) with ultrasonographic carotid measurements from study participants in the IMPROVE cohort (n = 3340). We applied a neural network algorithm and hierarchical clustering to identify carotid atherosclerosis endotypes. A measure of carotid subclinical atherosclerosis, the c-IMTmean-max, was used to extract atherosclerosis-related features and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to reveal endotypes. The association of endotypes with carotid ultrasonographic measurements at baseline, after 30 months, and with the 3-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk was estimated by linear (& beta;, SE) and Cox [hazard ratio (HR), 95% confidence interval (CI)] regression models. Crude estimates were adjusted by common cardiovascular risk factors, and baseline ultrasonographic measures. Improvement in ASCVD risk prediction was evaluated by C-statistic and by net reclassification improvement with reference to SCORE2, c-IMTmean-max, and presence of carotid plaques. An ensemble stacking model was used to predict endotypes in an independent validation cohort, the PIVUS (n = 1061). We identified four endotypes able to differentiate carotid atherosclerosis risk profiles from mild (endotype 1) to severe (endotype 4). SHAP identified endotype-shared variables (age, biological sex, and systolic blood pressure) and endotype-specific biomarkers. In the IMPROVE, as compared to endotype 1, endotype 4 associated with the thickest c-IMT at baseline (& beta;, SE) 0.36 (0.014), the highest number of plaques 1.65 (0.075), the fastest c-IMT progression 0.06 (0.013), and the highest ASCVD risk (HR, 95% CI) (1.95, 1.18-3.23). Baseline and progression measures of carotid subclinical atherosclerosis and ASCVD risk were associated with the predicted endotypes in the PIVUS. Endotypes consistently improved measures of ASCVD risk discrimination and reclassification in both study populations. Conclusions We report four replicable subclinical carotid atherosclerosis-endotypes associated with progression of atherosclerosis and ASCVD risk in two independent populations. Our approach based on endotypes can be applied for precision medicine in ASCVD prevention.
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