Category: News & Events

Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation to Recover Memory and Learning Trial (AFFIRMING): Rationale and Design of a Multi-center, Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal.   People with atrial fibrillation (AF) have elevated risk of developing cognitive impairment. At present, there is a dearth of randomized controlled trials investigating cognitive impairment management in patients with AF. The Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation to Recover Memory and learning (AFFIRMING) study is aimed at evaluating the potential for computerized cognitive training to improve cognitive function in patients with AF.

This study is a multi-center, double-blind, randomized controlled study using a 1:1 parallel design. A total of 200 patients with AF and mild cognitive decline without dementia are planned to be recruited. The intervention group will use the adaptive training software with changes in difficulty, whereas the positive control group will use basic training software with minimal or no variation in difficulty level. At the end of 12 weeks, the participants will be unblinded, and the positive control group will stop training. The intervention group will be rerandomized 1:1 to stop training or continue training. All participants will be followed up until 24 weeks. The primary endpoint is the proportion of the improvement of the global cognitive function at week 12 compared with baseline, using the Basic Cognitive Ability Test (BCAT).

https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.15212/CVIA.2023.0080

CVIA is available on the ScienceOpen platform and at Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications. Submissions may be made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. There are no author submission or article processing fees. Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications is indexed in the EMBASE, EBSCO, ESCI, OCLC, Primo Central (Ex Libris), Sherpa Romeo, NISC (National Information Services Corporation), DOAJ, Index Copernicus, Research4Life and Ulrich’s web Databases. Follow CVIA on Twitter @CVIA_Journal; or Facebook.

Zhiyan Wang, Yiqun Zhang and Chao Jiang et al. Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation to Recover Memory and Learning Trial (AFFIRMING): Rationale and Design of a Multi-center, Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. CVIA. 2024. Vol. 9(1). DOI: 10.15212/CVIA.2023.0080

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Successful TAVI Despite Sudden Low Output and Ventricular Fibrillation in a Patient with Cardiac Amyloidosis

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Management of patients with cardiac amyloidosis and concomitant high-grade aortic stenosis is challenging. This article reports the case of a 79-year-old man with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) complicated by low cardiac output during release of a Medtronic Evolut R 34 mm valve. After initiation of mechanical circulatory support, the TAVI valve was successfully implanted despite ongoing ventricular fibrillation. The ventricular fibrillation was successfully treated with injection of potassium into the aorta, with subsequent defibrillation and ventricular pacing. Moreover, pharmacological management of transient severe LV dysfunction and high-grade mitral regurgitation finally led to a favourable course.

https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.15212/CVIA.2023.0078

CVIA is available on the ScienceOpen platform and at Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications. Submissions may be made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. There are no author submission or article processing fees. Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications is indexed in the EMBASE, EBSCO, ESCI, OCLC, Primo Central (Ex Libris), Sherpa Romeo, NISC (National Information Services Corporation), DOAJ, Index Copernicus, Research4Life and Ulrich’s web Databases. Follow CVIA on Twitter @CVIA_Journal; or Facebook.

Peter Ong, Stephan Hill and Dominik Bierbaum et al. Successful TAVI Despite Sudden Low Output and Ventricular Fibrillation in a Patient with Cardiac Amyloidosis. CVIA. 2023. Vol. 8(1). DOI: 10.15212/CVIA.2023.0078

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Research Progress in Heart Rate Variability Applications in Exercise Rehabilitation for Cardiovascular Diseases

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Heart rate variability (HRV) is an important marker for assessing the balance of the autonomic nervous system and clinical prognosis, because it can be non-invasively and easily measured, and the results are accurate and valuable. HRV is widely applied in cardiovascular disease fields. Exercise training is an important part of cardiac rehabilitation. Personalized sports rehabilitation therapy can effectively prevent the emergence of cardiovascular diseases, decrease the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events, and ameliorate dysfunction, as well as limitations in life, work, and social participation, caused by adverse cardiovascular events. However, sports rehabilitation can have drawbacks, in that improper training can cause injury, excessive fatigue, or even harmful cardiovascular events. To support future applications, this article reviews recent applications of HRV in sports rehabilitation for cardiovascular diseases.

https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.15212/CVIA.2023.0071

CVIA is available on the ScienceOpen platform and at Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications. Submissions may be made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. There are no author submission or article processing fees. Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications is indexed in the EMBASE, EBSCO, ESCI, OCLC, Primo Central (Ex Libris), Sherpa Romeo, NISC (National Information Services Corporation), DOAJ, Index Copernicus, Research4Life and Ulrich’s web Databases. Follow CVIA on Twitter @CVIA_Journal; or Facebook.

Zhaoxin Zhu, Jianying Shen and Yan Zhang et al. Research Progress in Heart Rate Variability Applications in Exercise Rehabilitation for Cardiovascular Diseases. CVIA. 2023. Vol. 8(1). DOI: 10.15212/CVIA.2023.0071

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Heart Failure Guideline Directed Medical Therapy: Which One and When?

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Over the past several decades, major strides have been made in the management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guidelines recommend four drug classes in all patients with symptomatic HFrEF. This guideline directed therapy (GDMT) includes renin angiotensin receptor (RAAS) blockade, preferentially with angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI), beta blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), and sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors (SGLT2i). An optimal GDMT regimen has been estimated to achieve greater than 70% mortality benefit. Unfortunately, most patients with HFrEF are not taking the appropriate medications or doses. Several clinical challenges and questions arise when attempting to initiate and titrate these medications. Although the guidelines offer several suggestions for this process, each patient’s hemodynamic profile varies markedly, thus making development of a uniform algorithm difficult. As new trials are performed, greater emphasis is being placed on more aggressive titration of GDMT. Most importantly, initiation of GDMT should start during hospitalization and continue with close outpatient follow-up. Identifying each patient profile, defined by volume status, blood pressure, heart rate, and kidney function, dictates the order and timing of GDMT titration.

https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.15212/CVIA.2023.0077

CVIA is available on the ScienceOpen platform and at Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications. Submissions may be made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. There are no author submission or article processing fees. Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications is indexed in the EMBASE, EBSCO, ESCI, OCLC, Primo Central (Ex Libris), Sherpa Romeo, NISC (National Information Services Corporation), DOAJ, Index Copernicus, Research4Life and Ulrich’s web Databases. Follow CVIA on Twitter @CVIA_Journal; or Facebook.

Michelle Dimza and Juan M. Aranda. Heart Failure Guideline Directed Medical Therapy: Which One and When?. CVIA. 2023. Vol. 8(1). DOI: 10.15212/CVIA.2023.0077

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Population-Based Clinical Studies Using Routinely Collected Data in Hong Kong, China: A Systematic Review of Trends and Established Local Practices

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Routinely collected health data are increasingly used in clinical research. No study has systematically reviewed the temporal trends in the number of publications and analyzed different aspects of local research practices and their variations in Hong Kong, China, with a specific focus on research ethics governance and approval.

PubMed was systematically searched from its inception to March 28, 2023, for studies using routinely collected healthcare data from Hong Kong.

A total of 454 studies were included. Between 2000 and 2009, 32 studies were identified. The number of publications increased from 5 to 120 between 2010 and 2022. Of the investigator-led studies using the Hospital Authority (HA)’s cross-cluster data (n = 393), 327 (83.2%) reported receiving ethics approval from a single cluster/university-based REC, whereas 50 studies (12.7%) did not report approval from a REC. For use of the HA Data Collaboration Lab, approval by a single hospital-based or University-based REC is accepted. Repeated submission of identical ethics applications to different RECs is estimated to cost HK$4.2 million yearly.

Most studies reported gaining approval from a single cluster REC before retrieval of cross-cluster HA data. Substantial cost savings would result if repeated review of identical ethics applications were not required.

https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.15212/CVIA.2023.0073

CVIA is available on the ScienceOpen platform and at Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications. Submissions may be made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. There are no author submission or article processing fees. Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications is indexed in the EMBASE, EBSCO, ESCI, OCLC, Primo Central (Ex Libris), Sherpa Romeo, NISC (National Information Services Corporation), DOAJ, Index Copernicus, Research4Life and Ulrich’s web Databases. Follow CVIA on Twitter @CVIA_Journal; or Facebook.

Derek Wu, Ronald Nam and Keith Sai Kit Leung et al. Population-Based Clinical Studies Using Routinely Collected Data in Hong Kong, China: A Systematic Review of Trends and Established Local Practices. CVIA. 2023. Vol. 8(1). DOI: 10.15212/CVIA.2023.0073

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Long-term Effects of Nicorandil Combined with Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A Real-world Observational Study

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. This study was aimed at investigating whether the addition of nicorandil to a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (DHP-CCB) regimen might decrease the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

A multicenter, retrospective, real-world study was conducted. Between August 2002 and March 2020, 7413 eligible patients with CHD were divided into DHP-CCB plus nicorandil combination (n = 1843) and DHP-CCB (n = 5570) treatment groups. The primary outcome was MACE, defined as a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, and all-cause mortality. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for confounding factors.

After propensity score matching, combination therapy, compared with DHP-CCBs alone, was associated with a lower risk of MACE (HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67–0.97). The combination group also had a lower risk of stroke (HR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.44–0.69), but not myocardial infarction (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.91–1.61) or all-cause mortality (HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 0.63–2.44). Subgroup analysis revealed more prominent benefits of the combined treatment on MACE in patients with than without diabetes.

The combination of nicorandil and DHP-CCBs may be more beneficial than DHP-CCBs alone in decreasing long-term risks of MACE and stroke in patients with CHD.

https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.15212/CVIA.2023.0072

CVIA is available on the ScienceOpen platform and at Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications. Submissions may be made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. There are no author submission or article processing fees. Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications is indexed in the EMBASE, EBSCO, ESCI, OCLC, Primo Central (Ex Libris), Sherpa Romeo, NISC (National Information Services Corporation), DOAJ, Index Copernicus, Research4Life and Ulrich’s web Databases. Follow CVIA on Twitter @CVIA_Journal; or Facebook.

Jia Cheng, Zixuan Zhang and Hongyang Shu et al. Long-term Effects of Nicorandil Combined with Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A Real-world Observational Study. CVIA. 2023. Vol. 8(1). DOI: 10.15212/CVIA.2023.0072

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Clinical Relevance of Uric Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamine and Severe Abdominal Aortic Calcification in a National Survey of the United States

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. This cross-sectional study is the first investigation of the relationships among uric tobacco-specific nitrosamine (TSNA), N′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in adults in the United States.

The final sample (2713 participants 40 years of age and older) was obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2014. The risk of severe AAC according to uric NNN, the dose–response relationship between uric NNN and severe AAC, and the threshold effect were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression models, a cubic spline model, and a two-piecewise linear regression model, respectively.

In the fully adjusted model, the odds ratio (and 95% confidence interval) of severe AAC for participants in the high uric NNN group with respect to the low uric NNN group was 2.39 (1.59–3.61) (P < 0.001). After adjustment for multiple covariates, the risk of severe AAC increased 1.515-fold for every 1 ng/dL increase in uric NNN when the concentration of uric NNN was below 1.354 ng/dL. The association between uric NNN and severe AAC was stable among various subgroups.

In a sample of United States civilians, uric NNN levels positively correlated with the risk of severe AAC.

https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.15212/CVIA.2023.0075

CVIA is available on the ScienceOpen platform and at Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications. Submissions may be made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. There are no author submission or article processing fees. Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications is indexed in the EMBASE, EBSCO, ESCI, OCLC, Primo Central (Ex Libris), Sherpa Romeo, NISC (National Information Services Corporation), DOAJ, Index Copernicus, Research4Life and Ulrich’s web Databases. Follow CVIA on Twitter @CVIA_Journal; or Facebook.

Fang Wang and Jingang Zheng. Clinical Relevance of Uric Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamine and Severe Abdominal Aortic Calcification in a National Survey of the United States. CVIA. 2023. Vol. 8(1). DOI: 10.15212/CVIA.2023.0075

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Associations Among Microvascular Dysfunction, Fatty Acid Metabolism, and Diabetes

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels resulting from impaired insulin secretion or insulin resistance. Diabetes poses a major global health concern, because of its increasing prevalence and substantial morbidity and mortality. This review explores the relationships between altered fatty acid metabolism and microcirculatory impairments in diabetes. Dysregulation of fatty acid metabolism in diabetes leads to changes in fatty acid profiles, abnormal lipid accumulation, and increased oxidative stress. These changes contribute to microvascular dysfunction through mechanisms such as endothelial dysfunction, impaired nitric oxide availability, inflammation, and oxidative damage. Understanding this intricate interplay is essential for identifying novel therapeutic strategies to alleviate vascular complications in diabetes. By targeting specific pathways involved in fatty acid metabolism and microvascular dysfunction, interventions can be developed to improve patient outcomes. This article is aimed at contributing to future research and the development of effective strategies for preventing and managing diabetes-associated microcirculatory impairments, to ultimately enhance the quality of life for people living with diabetes.

https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.15212/CVIA.2023.0076

CVIA is available on the ScienceOpen platform and at Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications. Submissions may be made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. There are no author submission or article processing fees. Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications is indexed in the EMBASE, EBSCO, ESCI, OCLC, Primo Central (Ex Libris), Sherpa Romeo, NISC (National Information Services Corporation), DOAJ, Index Copernicus, Research4Life and Ulrich’s web Databases. Follow CVIA on Twitter @CVIA_Journal; or Facebook.

Jianjun Wu, Youqi Zhang and Liu Ji et al. Associations Among Microvascular Dysfunction, Fatty Acid Metabolism, and Diabetes. CVIA. 2023. Vol. 8(1). DOI: 10.15212/CVIA.2023.0076

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Access to Cardiac Rehabilitation: Hurdles and Hopes for Improvement

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal.

Consistent evidence gathered over many years supports the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation, including decreases in mortality and hospitalizations, and increase in quality of life. In one study of 601,099 Medicare patients older than 65 years with coronary disease, 5-year mortality was lower in patients who participated in cardiac rehabilitation than those who did not (16.3% versus 24.6%, respectively, P < 0.0001). Another study has shown significantly fewer hospitalizations for heart failure among patients who participated in cardiac rehabilitation than those who did not: the patients who underwent cardiac rehabilitation had 11 admissions for a total of 41 hospitalized days over a 24 week period, whereas those who did not had 33 admissions for a total of 187 hospitalized days (P < 0.001). The clinical benefits of cardiac rehabilitation, as documented in both young and older participants, include increased exercise capacity, energy and total quality of life.

Although cardiac rehabilitation is a class 1 indication for patients who have sustained acute coronary syndrome as well as those with heart failure, it is grossly underused. In one study, only 24.4% of a cohort of 366,103 Medicare patients with a qualifying diagnosis for cardiac rehabilitation assessed from 2016 to 2017 participated in cardiac rehabilitation. Of those who participated, only 26.9% completed the program. A closer evaluation of the barriers preventing referral, enrolment and completion of cardiac rehabilitation is needed to better understand the limitations and to promote solutions to these problems.

https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.15212/CVIA.2023.0074

CVIA is available on the ScienceOpen platform and at Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications. Submissions may be made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. There are no author submission or article processing fees. Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications is indexed in the EMBASE, EBSCO, ESCI, OCLC, Primo Central (Ex Libris), Sherpa Romeo, NISC (National Information Services Corporation), DOAJ, Index Copernicus, Research4Life and Ulrich’s web Databases. Follow CVIA on Twitter @CVIA_Journal; or Facebook.

Natalie J. Bracewell and Ellen C. Keeley. Access to Cardiac Rehabilitation: Hurdles and Hopes for Improvement. CVIA. 2023. Vol. 8(1). DOI: 10.15212/CVIA.2023.0074

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Berberine Ameliorates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in Mice by Decreasing Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress

Announcing a new article publication for Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications journal. Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a multifaceted complication of diabetes that lacks effective treatments. Berberine (BBR), a bioactive compound from Rhizoma coptidis, has potential therapeutic implications, but its precise role in diabetic cardiomyopathy remains to be defined.

In this study, a diabetic cardiomyopathy model was established by administration of a high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection to C57BL/6J mice. Concurrently, the mice received BBR treatment daily for a duration of 8 weeks. After the treatment period, myocardial injury, cardiac function, and the levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis were assessed.

BBR significantly ameliorated cardiac dysfunction and histopathological damage caused by diabetic cardiomyopathy. This treatment also elevated serum superoxide dismutase levels while decreasing malondialdehyde levels. The anti-apoptotic activity of BBR was evidenced by a decrease in TUNEL-positive cells and the percentage of apoptotic cells, as determined by flow cytometry, in conjunction with diminished levels of BCL2-associated X protein/B cell lymphoma 2 (BAX/BCL2) in heart tissues. Mechanistically, BBR was found to ameliorate diabetic cardiomyopathy by upregulating the expression of myocardial methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) and concurrently suppressing cardiac CaMKII oxidation.

BBR alleviates diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting myocardial apoptosis and oxidative stress through the MsrA and CaMKII signaling pathways.

https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.15212/CVIA.2023.0064

CVIA is available on the ScienceOpen platform and at Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications. Submissions may be made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. There are no author submission or article processing fees. Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications is indexed in the EMBASE, EBSCO, ESCI, OCLC, Primo Central (Ex Libris), Sherpa Romeo, NISC (National Information Services Corporation), DOAJ, Index Copernicus, Research4Life and Ulrich’s web Databases. Follow CVIA on Twitter @CVIA_Journal; or Facebook.

Xiaoqiang Sun, Zhuqing Li and Li Wang et al. Berberine Ameliorates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in Mice by Decreasing Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress. CVIA. 2023. Vol. 8(1). DOI: 10.15212/CVIA.2023.0064

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