Altered myocardial response in patients with diabetic retinopathy: an exercise echocardiography study

Additional file 1. Multivariable analysis for individual echocardiography parameters

Impact of glycemic control on circulating endothelial progenitor cells and arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) have increased risk of endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. Levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are also reduced in hyperglycemic states. However, the relationships between glycemic control, levels of EPCs and arterial stiffness are unknown.Methods: We measured circulating EPCs and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in 234 patients with type 2 DM and compared them with 121 age- and sex-matched controls.Results: Patients with DM had significantly lower circulating Log CD34/KDR + and Log CD133/KDR + EPC counts, and higher Log baPWV compared with controls (all P < 0.05). Among those 120/234 (51%) of DM patients with satisfactory glycemic control (defined by Hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c < 6.5%), they had significantly higher circulating Log CD34/KDR + and Log CD133/KDR + EPC counts, and lower Log baPWV compared with patients with poor glycemic control (all P < 0.05). The circulating levels of Log CD34/KDR + EPC (r = -0.46, P < 0.001) and Log CD133/KDR + EPC counts (r = -0.45, P < 0.001) were negatively correlated with Log baPWV. Whilst the level of HbA1c positively correlated with Log baPWV (r = 0.20, P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with circulating levels of Log CD34/KDR + EPC (r = -0.40, P < 0.001) and Log CD133/KDR + EPC (r = -0.41, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that HbA1c, Log CD34/KDR + and Log CD133/KDR + EPC counts were independent predictors of Log baPWV (P < 0.05).Conclusions: In patients with type 2 DM, the level of circulating EPCs and arterial stiffness were closely related to their glycemic control. Furthermore, DM patients with satisfactory glycemic control had higher levels of circulating EPCs and were associated with lower arterial stiffness. © 2011 Yue et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.published_or_final_versio

Prognostic implications of surrogate markers of atherosclerosis in low to intermediate risk patients with type 2 diabetes.

published_or_final_versio

High-frequency low-tidal volume ventilation improves long-term success in radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis

Aims High-frequency low-tidal volume (HFLTV) ventilation may improve catheter stability and enhance procedural success in radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Long-term findings remained unclear. Methods and results We conducted a meta-analysis that included all studies that directly compared AF patients who underwent RF ablation under HFLTV compared with standard ventilation. Primary outcomes included acute first-pass pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and long-term recurrence of AF/atrial arrhythmias after 12 months. Secondary outcomes included total procedure duration, ablation time, and RF time, with pooled standardized mean difference derived using the inverse variance method. Five cohort studies (publication period: 2019-2024) were identified and included in the meta-analysis (final sample: HFLTV n = 460 vs. standard ventilation n = 705). High-frequency low-tidal volume ventilation was significantly associated with lower risk of AF recurrence after 12 months {pooled odds ratio (OR) = 0.62 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42-0.92]}, as well as total atrial arrhythmia [OR = 0.59 (95% CI: 0.42-0.81)], with no between-study heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). Acutely, HFLTV was associated with higher probability of first-pass PVI with borderline statistical significance [OR = 1.24 (95% CI: 0.94-1.63)]. Furthermore, HFLTV was associated with significant reductions in total procedure time [-0.71 (95% CI: -1.00 to -0.42), unit in standard deviation], ablation time [-0.83 (95% CI: -1.07 to -0.59)], and total RF time [-0.72 (95% CI: -0.85 to -0.59)] (heterogeneity I2 = 76%). Notably, there was no effect modification by paroxysmal or persistent AF (P > 0.05). All studies reported no major complications in either group. Conclusion High-frequency low-tidal volume ventilation is associated with improved long-term success of arrhythmia control in AF patients who undergo RF catheter ablation, regardless of paroxysmal or persistent status.published_or_final_versio

Effect of Gender on Atrial Electrophysiologic Changes Induced by Rapid Atrial Pacing and Elevation of Atrial Pressure

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74798/1/j.1540-8167.2001.00986.x.pd

Strategies for the prevention of ischemic stroke in atrial fibrillation in East Asia: clinical features, changes and challenges

East Asian populations exhibit a high burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) and AF-related ischemic strokes. The countries/regions in East Asia have diversities regarding patient characteristics and varying patient care represented by different adherence rates to the ABC (Atrial Fibrillation Better Care) pathway. Two changes, "from non-anticoagulation to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)" and "from lower dosing to appropriate dosing DOACs", have been identified in East Asia and have been temporally linked to improved clinical outcomes in AF patients. Additional efforts are necessary to further reduce the stroke risk among AF patients, including increased communication with other specialists/societies, the initiation of prospective studies or clinical trials in Asia, and the implementation of evidence-based holistic or integrated care management based on the ABC pathway.</p

Effects of Simultaneous Atrioventricular Pacing on Atrial Refractoriness and Atrial Fibrillation Inducibility: Role of Atrial Mechanoelectrical Feedback

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74794/1/j.1540-8167.2001.00043.x.pd

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and cardiac arrhythmias:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors noticed an error in the second author’s name. The name of the second author, "Gregory Y. H. Lip", was incorrectly written as "Gregory-Y H Lip". This has been corrected with this erratum. The original article [1] has been corrected

Role of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in atrial fibrillation and heart failure: molecular and clinical aspects

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) is a rising global health concern. In addition to direct hepatic complications, extra-hepatic complications, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic kidney disease and some malignancies, are increasingly recognized. CVD, including atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF), is the leading cause of death in patients with MASLD. External factors, including excess energy intake, sedentary lifestyle and xenobiotic use, induce inflammation-related complications. MASLD, AF, and HF are associated with immune system activation, including the reprogramming of immune cells and the establishment of immune memory. Emerging evidence suggests that the heart and the liver cross-talk with each other through the diverse spectrum of autocrine, paracrine and endocrine mechanisms. Pro-inflammatory cytokines produced from the liver and the heart circulate systemically to orchestrate metabolic derangements that promote the systematic immune dysregulation in the heart-liver axis and the development of end-organ complications. Cardio-hepatic syndrome describes the clinical and biochemical evidence of hepatic dysfunction and cardiac pathology due to the interaction between the heart and the liver. Activation of inflammatory cascades, oxidative stress and immune system dysregulation underlie key mechanisms in bringing about such pathological changes. This review focuses on the current clinical and molecular evidence about the heart-liver cross-talk. It summarizes the epidemiological and pathophysiological associations of MASLD, AF and HF. In addition, we will discuss how repurposing currently available and emerging pharmacotherapies may help tackle the cardiovascular risks resulting from MASLD

Triglyceride levels and its association with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes among patients with heart failure

Remnant cholesterol, identified by triglyceride-rich lipoprotein, is a significant causal risk factor for ischemic heart diseases. The association of triglyceride levels with all-cause and cause-specific outcomes in heart failure (HF) remains unexplored. Using a previously validated territory-wide clinical information registry, all eligible patients diagnosed with HF (N = 127124) from 2000 to 2020 were included. In this population-based cohort (mean age: 71.4 ± 12.2 years, 51.8% male), the association between triglyceride levels and risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease was a U-shapedḍ curve. High triglyceride levels (≥3.0 mmol/L) were associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease admission or death; conversely, lower triglyceride levels (&lt;1.2 mmol/L) were associated with higher risks of HF readmission or death. The risk of adjusted all-cause mortality reached a nadir between triglyceride levels of 1.2 mmol/L and 3.0 mmol/L. Results were externally validated in BIOSTAT-CHF. Our findings have important implications for defining the role of triglyceride levels in contributing to the diverse outcomes in patients with HF.</p