Twelve regulated cell death programs have been described. We review in detail the basic biology of nine including death receptor-mediated apoptosis, death receptor-mediated necrosis (necroptosis), ...mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, mitochondrial-mediated necrosis, autophagy-dependent cell death, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, parthanatos, and immunogenic cell death. This is followed by a dissection of the roles of these cell death programs in the major cardiac syndromes: myocardial infarction and heart failure. The most important conclusion relevant to heart disease is that regulated forms of cardiomyocyte death play important roles in both myocardial infarction with reperfusion (ischemia/reperfusion) and heart failure. While a role for apoptosis in ischemia/reperfusion cannot be excluded, regulated forms of necrosis, through both death receptor and mitochondrial pathways, are critical. Ferroptosis and parthanatos are also likely important in ischemia/reperfusion, although it is unclear if these entities are functioning as independent death programs or as amplification mechanisms for necrotic cell death. Pyroptosis may also contribute to ischemia/reperfusion injury, but potentially through effects in non-cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocyte loss through apoptosis and necrosis is also an important component in the pathogenesis of heart failure and is mediated by both death receptor and mitochondrial signaling. Roles for immunogenic cell death in cardiac disease remain to be defined but merit study in this era of immune checkpoint cancer therapy. Biology-based approaches to inhibit cell death in the various cardiac syndromes are also discussed.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to elicit cardio-protective effects in sepsis. However, the underlying mechanism remains obscure. While recent studies have indicated that miR-223 is ...highly enriched in MSC-derived exosomes, whether exosomal miR-223 contributes to MSC-mediated cardio-protection in sepsis is unknown. In this study, loss-of-function approach was utilized, and sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). We observed that injection of miR-223-KO MSCs at 1 h post-CLP did not confer protection against CLP-triggered cardiac dysfunction, apoptosis and inflammatory response. However, WT-MSCs were able to provide protection which was associated with exosome release. Next, treatment of CLP mice with exosomes released from miR-223-KO MSCs significantly exaggerated sepsis-induced injury. Conversely, WT-MSC-derived-exosomes displayed protective effects. Mechanistically, we identified that miR-223-KO exosomes contained higher levels of Sema3A and Stat3, two known targets of miR-223 (5p &3p), than WT-exosomes. Accordingly, these exosomal proteins were transferred to cardiomyocytes, leading to increased inflammation and cell death. By contrast, WT-exosomes encased higher levels of miR-223, which could be delivered to cardiomyocytes, resulting in down-regulation of Sema3A and Stat3. These data for the first time indicate that exosomal miR-223 plays an essential role for MSC-induced cardio-protection in sepsis.
The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk ...factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).
The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update. The 2021 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. This year's edition includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, adverse pregnancy outcomes, vascular contributions to brain health, the global burden of cardiovascular disease, and further evidence-based approaches to changing behaviors related to cardiovascular disease.
Each of the 27 chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.
The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policy makers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.
A cohort of 11,168 adolescent soccer players in the United Kingdom underwent cardiac screening. Diseases associated with sudden cardiac death were identified in 42 (0.38%). The incidence of sudden ...cardiac death was 1 per 14,800 person-years, or 6.8 per 100,000 athletes.
To study the relationship between clinical indexes and the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), and to explore its role in predicting the severity of COVID‐19. Clinical data of 443 ...patients with COVID‐19 admitted to our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, which were divided into nonsevere group (n = 304) and severe group (n = 139) according to their condition. Clinical indicators were compared between different groups. The differences in sex, age, the proportion of patients with combined heart disease, leukocyte, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, D‐dimer, C‐reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, lactate dehydrogenase, and albumin on admission between the two groups were statistically significant (P < .05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed NLR and CRP were independent risk factors for severe COVID‐19. Platelets were independent protective factors for severe COVID‐19. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated area under the curve of NLR, platelet, CRP, and combination was 0.737, 0.634, 0.734, and 0.774, respectively. NLR, CRP, and platelets can effectively assess the severity of COVID‐19, among which NLR is the best predictor of severe COVID‐19, and the combination of three clinical indicators can further predict severe COVID‐19.
Research Highlight
We aim to study the relationship between clinical parameters and severity of COVID‐19 to explore its role in predicting the severity of COVID‐19.
NLR, CRP and platelets can effectively assess the severity of COVID‐19, among which NLR is the best predictor of severe COVID‐19.
Abstract Over the last decades exercise training has evolved into an established evidence-based therapeutic strategy with prognostic benefits in many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs): In stable ...coronary artery disease (CAD) exercise training attenuates disease progression by beneficially influencing CVD risk factors (i.e., hyperlipidemia, hypertension) and coronary endothelial function. In heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) training prevents the progressive loss of exercise capacity by antagonizing peripheral skeletal muscle wasting and by promoting left ventricular reverse remodeling with reduction in cardiomegaly and improvement of ejection fraction. Novel areas for exercise training interventions include HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), pulmonary hypertension, and valvular heart disease. In HFpEF, randomized studies indicate a lusitropic effect of training on left ventricular diastolic function associated with symptomatic improvement of exercise capacity. In pulmonary hypertension, reductions in pulmonary artery pressure were observed following endurance exercise training. Recently, innovative training methods such as high-intensity interval training, resistance training and others have been introduced. Although their prognostic value still needs to be determined, these approaches may achieve superior improvements in aerobic exercise capacity and gain in muscle mass, respectively. In this review, we give an overview of the prognostic and symptomatic benefits of exercise training in the most common cardiac disease entities. Additionally, key guideline recommendations for the initiation of training programs are summarized.
Abstract
Aims
To investigate the characteristics and clinical significance of myocardial injury in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods and results
We enrolled 671 ...eligible hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 from 1 January to 23 February 2020, with a median age of 63 years. Clinical, laboratory, and treatment data were collected and compared between patients who died and survivors. Risk factors of death and myocardial injury were analysed using multivariable regression models. A total of 62 patients (9.2%) died, who more often had myocardial injury (75.8% vs. 9.7%; P < 0.001) than survivors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of initial cardiac troponin I (cTnI) for predicting in-hospital mortality was 0.92 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.87–0.96; sensitivity, 0.86; specificity, 0.86; P < 0.001. The single cut-off point and high level of cTnI predicted risk of in-hospital death, hazard ratio (HR) was 4.56 (95% CI, 1.28–16.28; P = 0.019) and 1.25 (95% CI, 1.07–1.46; P = 0.004), respectively. In multivariable logistic regression, senior age, comorbidities (e.g. hypertension, coronary heart disease, chronic renal failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and high level of C-reactive protein were predictors of myocardial injury.
Conclusion
The risk of in-hospital death among patients with severe COVID-19 can be predicted by markers of myocardial injury, and was significantly associated with senior age, inflammatory response, and cardiovascular comorbidities.
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now a global pandemic with millions affected and millions more at risk for contracting the infection. The COVID-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2, affects multiple organ ...systems, especially the lungs and heart. Elevation of cardiac biomarkers, particularly high-sensitivity troponin and/or creatine kinase MB, is common in patients with COVID-19 infection. In our review of clinical analyses, we found that in 26 studies including 11,685 patients, the weighted pooled prevalence of acute myocardial injury was 20% (ranged from 5% to 38% depending on the criteria used). The plausible mechanisms of myocardial injury include, 1) hyperinflammation and cytokine storm mediated through pathologic T-cells and monocytes leading to myocarditis, 2) respiratory failure and hypoxemia resulting in damage to cardiac myocytes, 3) down regulation of ACE2 expression and subsequent protective signaling pathways in cardiac myocytes, 4) hypercoagulability and development of coronary microvascular thrombosis, 5) diffuse endothelial injury and ‘endotheliitis’ in several organs including the heart, and, 6) inflammation and/or stress causing coronary plaque rupture or supply-demand mismatch leading to myocardial ischemia/infarction. Cardiac biomarkers can be used to aid in diagnosis as well as risk stratification. In patients with elevated hs-troponin, clinical context is important and myocarditis as well as stress induced cardiomyopathy should be considered in the differential, along with type I and type II myocardial infarction. Irrespective of etiology, patients with acute myocardial injury should be prioritized for treatment. Clinical decisions including interventions should be individualized and carefully tailored after thorough review of risks/benefits. Given the complex interplay of SARS-CoV-2 with the cardiovascular system, further investigation into potential mechanisms is needed to guide effective therapies. Randomized trials are urgently needed to investigate treatment modalities to reduce the incidence and mortality associated with COVID-19 related acute myocardial injury.
Because cancer patients survive longer, the impact of cardiotoxicity associated with the use of cancer treatments escalates. The present study investigates whether early alterations of myocardial ...strain and blood biomarkers predict incident cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer during treatment with anthracyclines, taxanes, and trastuzumab.
Eighty-one women with newly diagnosed human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer, treated with anthracyclines followed by taxanes and trastuzumab were enrolled to be evaluated every 3 months during their cancer therapy (total of 15 months) using echocardiograms and blood samples. Left ventricular ejection fraction, peak systolic longitudinal, radial, and circumferential myocardial strain were calculated. Ultrasensitive troponin I, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and the interleukin family member (ST2) were also measured. Left ventricular ejection fraction decreased (64 ± 5% to 59 ± 6%; P<0.0001) over 15 months. Twenty-six patients (32%, 22%-43%) developed cardiotoxicity as defined by the Cardiac Review and Evaluation Committee Reviewing Trastuzumab; of these patients, 5 (6%, 2%-14%) had symptoms of heart failure. Peak systolic longitudinal myocardial strain and ultrasensitive troponin I measured at the completion of anthracyclines treatment predicted the subsequent development of cardiotoxicity; no significant associations were observed for left ventricular ejection fraction, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and ST2. Longitudinal strain was <19% in all patients who later developed heart failure.
In patients with breast cancer treated with anthracyclines, taxanes, and trastuzumab, systolic longitudinal myocardial strain and ultrasensitive troponin I measured at the completion of anthracyclines therapy are useful in the prediction of subsequent cardiotoxicity and may help guide treatment to avoid cardiac side-effects.
Stem cell therapy provides immense hope for regenerating the pathological heart, yet has been marred by issues surrounding the effectiveness, unclear mechanisms, and survival of the donated cell ...population in the ischemic myocardial milieu. Poor survival and engraftment coupled to inadequate cardiac commitment of the adoptively transferred stem cells compromises the improvement in cardiac function. Various alternative approaches to enhance the efficacy of stem cell therapies and to overcome issues with cell therapy have been used with varied success. Cell-free components, such as exosomes enriched in proteins, messenger RNAs, and miRs characteristic of parental stem cells, represent a potential approach for treating cardiovascular diseases. Recently, exosomes from different kinds of stem cells have been effectively used to promote cardiac function in the pathological heart. The aim of this review is to summarize current research efforts on stem cell exosomes, including their potential benefits and limitations to develop a potentially viable therapy for cardiovascular problems.
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