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Current Problems in Cardiology Dec 2023Myocardial regeneration has been a topic of interest in literature and research in recent years. An evolving approach reported is glucocorticoid (GC) receptor antagonism... (Review)
Review
Myocardial regeneration has been a topic of interest in literature and research in recent years. An evolving approach reported is glucocorticoid (GC) receptor antagonism and its role in the regeneration of cardiomyocytes. The authors of this study aim to explore the reported literature on GC receptor antagonism and its effects on cardiomyocyte remodeling, hypertrophy, scar formation, and ongoing cardiomyocyte death following cardiac injury. This article overviews cellular biology, mechanisms of action, clinical implications, challenges, and future considerations. The authors of this study conducted a systematic review utilizing the Cochrane methodology and PRISMA guidelines. This study includes data collected and interpreted from 30 peer-reviewed articles from 3 databases with the topic of interest. The mammalian heart has regenerative potential during its embryonic and fetal phases which is lost during its developmental processes. The microenvironment, intrinsic molecular mechanisms, and systemic and external factors impact cardiac regeneration. GCs influence these aspects in some cases. Consequently, GC receptor antagonism is emerging as a promising potential target for stimulating endogenous cardiomyocyte proliferation, aiding in cardiomyocyte regeneration following a cardiac injury such as a myocardial infarction (MI). Experimental studies on neonatal mice and zebrafish have shown promising results with GC receptor ablation (or brief pharmacological antagonism) promoting the survival of myocardial cells, re-entry into the cell cycle, and cellular division, resulting in cardiac muscle regeneration and diminished scar formation. Transient GC receptor antagonism has the potential to stimulate cardiomyocyte regeneration and help prevent the dreaded complications of MI. More trials based on human populations are encouraged to justify their applications and weigh the risk-benefit ratio.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Humans; Myocytes, Cardiac; Receptors, Glucocorticoid; Zebrafish; Cicatrix; Regeneration; Myocardial Infarction; Mammals
PubMed: 37481215
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101986 -
The American Journal of Cardiology Feb 2023Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital variant in which a segment of a coronary artery follows an atypical intramural course under a "bridge" of myocardium and is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital variant in which a segment of a coronary artery follows an atypical intramural course under a "bridge" of myocardium and is notably common in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This systematic review and meta-analysis explored the clinical consequences of MB in patients with HCM. A total of 3 outcome domains were investigated: cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal adverse cardiac events, and investigative indicators of myocardial ischemia. A meta-analysis was performed on 10 observational studies comparing outcomes in patients with HCM with and without MB. Studies were identified through a systematic search of 4 databases (PubMed, Scopus, Medline Complete, and Web of Science). The quality of the studies was assessed using a modified version of the Downs and Black tool, from which studies could score a maximum of 23 points. The mean score was 17.5 ± 1.3 (good). The meta-analysis showed that MB was not associated with cardiovascular mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56 to 5.15, p = 0.35) or nonfatal adverse cardiac events (OR 1.80, 95% CI 0.98 to 3.28, p = 0.06) but was associated with myocardial ischemia (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.44, p = 0.04). In conclusion, the potential prognostic implications of MB in HCM, especially in those with hemodynamically significant bridges and/or severe underlying disease, should not be ignored. The focus of future studies should be to establish functional and morphologic thresholds, by which MB may adversely influence prognosis by corroborating imaging findings with clinical outcome data.
Topics: Humans; Myocardial Bridging; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Myocardium; Myocardial Ischemia
PubMed: 36512852
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2022.10.059 -
Obesity Surgery Nov 2023Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a visceral fat depot located between the myocardium and visceral epicardium. Emerging evidence suggests that excessive EAT is linked... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a visceral fat depot located between the myocardium and visceral epicardium. Emerging evidence suggests that excessive EAT is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular conditions and other metabolic diseases. A literature search was conducted from the earliest studies to the 26th of November 2022 on PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane. All the studies evaluating changes in EAT, pericardial adipose tissue (PAT), or total cardiac fat loss before and after BS were included. From 623 articles, 35 were eventually included in the systematic review. Twenty-one studies showed a significant reduction of EAT after BS, and only one study showed a non-significant reduction (p = 0.2).
Topics: Humans; Obesity, Morbid; Bariatric Surgery; Adipose Tissue; Cardiovascular Diseases; Pericardium
PubMed: 37801237
DOI: 10.1007/s11695-023-06848-0 -
Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.) Jul 2021Myocardial bridges are anatomical entities characterized by myocardium covering segments of coronary arteries. In some patients, the presence of a myocardial bridge is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Myocardial bridges are anatomical entities characterized by myocardium covering segments of coronary arteries. In some patients, the presence of a myocardial bridge is benign and is only incidentally found on autopsy. In other patients, however, myocardial bridges can lead to compression of the coronary artery during systolic contraction and delayed diastolic relaxation, resulting in myocardial ischemia. This ischemia in turn can lead to myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Myocardial bridges have also been linked to an increased incidence of atherosclerosis, which has been attributed to increased shear stress and the presence of vasoactive factors. Other studies however, demonstrated the protective roles of myocardial bridges. In this study, using systematic review and a meta-analytical approach we investigate the prevalence and morphology of myocardial bridges in both clinical imaging and cadaveric dissections. We also discuss the pathophysiology, clinical significance, and management of these anatomical entities.
Topics: Animals; Cadaver; Humans; Myocardial Bridging; Prevalence
PubMed: 33078444
DOI: 10.1002/ca.23697 -
Fortschritte Der Neurologie-Psychiatrie Nov 2018Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy (TTC) is an acute, reversible disease of the myocardium. It seems to be caused by an excess of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine....
BACKGROUND
Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy (TTC) is an acute, reversible disease of the myocardium. It seems to be caused by an excess of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. Psychological or physiological stress is considered as a risk factor. Several cases of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy in the context of seizures and electroconvulsive therapy have been reported.
METHODS
We describe the case of a 63-year-old patient who developed TTC during a second series of ECT applications with etomidate anaesthesia and continued antidepressant medication with tranylcypromine. Potential pathophysiological correlations are discussed on the basis of the available literature. Given the increased risk of TTC recurrence, the question on reinitiation of ECT treatment after remission of the heart disease is also addressed.
RESULTS
At least in theory, depressive disorders, ECT applications with seizures, the application of the anaesthetic etomidate, as well as tranylcypromine treatment may all be causally related to the development of TTC. Etomidate is known to interfere with cortisol synthesis, resulting in sympathomimetic and pro-inflammatory effects. To date, 19 cases of TTC in conjunction with ECT applications have been published. As in our patient, ECT was reinitiated successfully without complications in eight of them.
DISCUSSION
ECT-related TTC seems to be caused by multiple factors. Circumstantial evidence in our case as well as published data does not support the conclusion that a single risk factor can be held responsible for the development of TTC. Based on theoretical considerations and preliminary findings on a potential role of a relative cortisol deficit, future studies should be encouraged to provide relevant evidence. If careful risk-benefit considerations are done and specific precautions are taken, previous TTC does not exclude reinitiation of ECT.
Topics: Electroconvulsive Therapy; Etomidate; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Male; Middle Aged; Recurrence; Risk Factors; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
PubMed: 30654402
DOI: 10.1055/a-0653-7063 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2023Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a complex clinical problem that often leads to further myocardial injury. Curcumin is the main component of turmeric,...
Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a complex clinical problem that often leads to further myocardial injury. Curcumin is the main component of turmeric, which has been proved to have many cardioprotective effects. However, the cardioprotective potential of curcumin remains unclear. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical and preclinical (animal model) evidence regarding the effect of curcumin on myocardial I/R injury. Eight databases and three register systems were searched from inception to 1 November 2022. Data extraction, study quality assessment, data analyses were carried out strictly. Then a fixed or random-effects model was applied to analyze the outcomes. SYRCLE's-RoB tool and RoB-2 tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. RevMan 5.4 software and stata 15.1 software were used for statistical analysis. 24 animal studies, with a total of 503 animals, and four human studies, with a total of 435 patients, were included in this study. The meta-analysis of animal studies demonstrated that compared with the control group, curcumin significantly reduced myocardial infarction size ( < 0.00001), and improved the cardiac function indexes (LVEF, LVFS, LVEDd, and LVESd) ( < 0.01). In addition, the indexes of myocardial injury markers, myocardial oxidation, myocardial apoptosis, inflammation, and other mechanism indicators also showed the beneficial effect of curcumin ( < 0.05). In terms of clinical studies, curcumin reduced the incidence of cardiac dysfunction, myocardial infarction in the hospital and MACE in the short term, which might be related to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative property. Dose-response meta-analysis predicted, 200 mg/kg/d bodyweight was the optimal dose of curcumin in the range of 10-200 mg/kg/d, which was safe and non-toxic according to the existing publications. Our study is the first meta-analysis that includes both preclinical and clinical researches. We suggested that curcumin might play a cardioprotective role in acute myocardial infarction in animal studies, mainly through anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis, and anti-fibrosis effects. In addition, from the clinical studies, we found that curcumin might need a longer course of treatment and a larger dose to protect the myocardium, and its efficacy is mainly reflected on reducing the incidence of myocardial infarction and MACE. Our finding provides some meaningful advice for the further research.
PubMed: 36969839
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1111459 -
Cardiovascular Revascularization... Feb 2023Myocardial viability assessment is used to select patients who will derive the greatest benefit from revascularization. It remains controversial whether... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Myocardial viability assessment is used to select patients who will derive the greatest benefit from revascularization. It remains controversial whether revascularization only benefits patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who have viable myocardium. The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare mortality between patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and non-viable myocardium who underwent revascularization and those who underwent medical therapy alone.
METHODS
The MEDLINE database was searched using PubMed to retrieve studies published up to December 2021. Inclusion criteria were 1. studies that evaluated the impact of revascularization (revascularization group) versus medical therapy alone (control group) following myocardial viability assessment; 2. patients who had coronary artery disease that was amenable to coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention; and 3. patients who had non-viable myocardium. The main outcome measure was all-cause mortality.
RESULTS
A total of 12 studies were included, evaluating 1363 patients with non-viable myocardium, of whom 501 patients underwent revascularization and 862 patients received medical therapy alone. There was a significant reduction in all-cause mortality (RR 0.76, 95 % CI: 0.62-0.93, I = 0) in the revascularization group compared to the control group. There was no association between the type of viability imaging modality and the risk of all-cause mortality (P-interaction = 0.58).
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this meta-analysis suggest a benefit from revascularization compared to medical therapy in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy despite the lack of myocardial viability.
Topics: Humans; Stroke Volume; Myocardial Ischemia; Myocardium; Coronary Artery Disease; Cardiomyopathies; Myocardial Revascularization
PubMed: 36055939
DOI: 10.1016/j.carrev.2022.08.032 -
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Jun 2021Elevated myocardial T-mapping and extracellular volume (ECV) measured on cardiac MR (CMR) imaging is associated with myocardial abnormalities such as oedema or fibrosis.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Elevated myocardial T-mapping and extracellular volume (ECV) measured on cardiac MR (CMR) imaging is associated with myocardial abnormalities such as oedema or fibrosis. This meta-analysis aims to provide a summary of T-mapping and ECV values in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and compare their values with controls.
METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science in August 2020. We included CMR studies reporting T-mapping or ECV values in adults with any type of PAH. We calculated the mean difference of T-values and ECV between PAH and controls.
RESULTS
We included 12 studies with 674 participants. T-values were significantly higher in PAH with the highest mean difference (MD) recorded at the RV insertion points (RVIP) (108 milliseconds (ms), 95% confidence intervals (CI) 89 to 128), followed by the RV free wall (MD 91 ms, 95% CI 56 to 126). The pooled mean T-value in PAH at the RVIP was 1084, 95% CI (1071 to 1097) measured using 1.5 Tesla Siemens systems. ECV was also higher in PAH with an MD of 7.5%, 95% CI (5.9 to 9.1) at the RV free wall.
CONCLUSION
T mapping values in PAH patients are on average 9% higher than healthy controls when assessed under the same conditions including the same MRI system, magnetic field strength or sequence used for acquisition. The highest T and ECV values are at the RVIP. T mapping and ECV values in PH are higher than the values reported in cardiomyopathies and were associated with poor RV function and RV dilatation.
Topics: Adult; Cardiomyopathies; Contrast Media; Fibrosis; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; Myocardium; Predictive Value of Tests; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
PubMed: 33745961
DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2021.03.011 -
European Radiology Jan 2014To provide an overview of recent research in fractal analysis of tissue perfusion imaging, using standard radiological and nuclear medicine imaging techniques including... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To provide an overview of recent research in fractal analysis of tissue perfusion imaging, using standard radiological and nuclear medicine imaging techniques including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and to discuss implications for different fields of application.
METHODS
A systematic review of fractal analysis for tissue perfusion imaging was performed by searching the databases MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE (via Ovid) and ISI Web of Science.
RESULTS
Thirty-seven eligible studies were identified. Fractal analysis was performed on perfusion imaging of tumours, lung, myocardium, kidney, skeletal muscle and cerebral diseases. Clinically, different aspects of tumour perfusion and cerebral diseases were successfully evaluated including detection and classification. In physiological settings, it was shown that perfusion under different conditions and in various organs can be properly described using fractal analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
Fractal analysis is a suitable method for quantifying heterogeneity from radiological and nuclear medicine perfusion images under a variety of conditions and in different organs. Further research is required to exploit physiologically proven fractal behaviour in the clinical setting.
KEY POINTS
• Fractal analysis of perfusion images can be successfully performed. • Tumour, pulmonary, myocardial, renal, skeletal muscle and cerebral perfusion have already been examined. • Clinical applications of fractal analysis include tumour and brain perfusion assessment. • Fractal analysis is a suitable method for quantifying perfusion heterogeneity. • Fractal analysis requires further research concerning the development of clinical applications.
Topics: Cerebrovascular Disorders; Fractals; Humans; Nuclear Medicine; Perfusion Imaging
PubMed: 23974703
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-013-2977-9 -
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging :... Apr 2018Although cardiac MR and T mapping are increasingly used to diagnose diffuse fibrosis based cardiac diseases, studies reporting T values in healthy and diseased... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Although cardiac MR and T mapping are increasingly used to diagnose diffuse fibrosis based cardiac diseases, studies reporting T values in healthy and diseased myocardium, particular in nonischemic cardiomyopathies (NICM) and populations with increased cardiovascular risk, seem contradictory.
PURPOSE
To determine the range of native myocardial T value ranges in patients with NICM and populations with increased cardiovascular risk.
STUDY TYPE
Systemic review and meta-analysis.
POPULATION
Patients with NICM, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and patients with myocarditis (MC), iron overload, amyloidosis, Fabry disease, and populations with hypertension (HT), diabetes mellitus (DM), and obesity. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: (Shortened) modified Look-Locker inversion-recovery MR sequence at 1.5 or 3T.
ASSESSMENT
PubMed and Embase were searched following the PRISMA guidelines.
STATISTICAL TESTS
The summary of standard mean difference (SMD) between the diseased and a healthy control populations was generated using a random-effects model in combination with meta-regression analysis.
RESULTS
The SMD for HCM, DCM, and MC patients were significantly increased (1.41, 1.48, and 1.96, respectively, P < 0.01) compared with healthy controls. The SMD for HT patients with and without left-ventricle hypertrophy (LVH) together was significantly increased (0.19, P = 0.04), while for HT patients without LVH the SMD was zero (0.03, P = 0.52). The number of studies on amyloidosis, iron overload, Fabry disease, and HT patients with LVH did not meet the requirement to perform a meta-analysis. However, most studies reported a significantly increased T for amyloidosis and HT patients with LVH and a significant decreased T for iron overload and Fabry disease patients.
DATA CONCLUSIONS
Native T mapping by using an (Sh)MOLLI sequence can potentially assess myocardial changes in HCM, DCM, MC, iron overload, amyloidosis, and Fabry disease compared to controls. In addition, it can help to diagnose left-ventricular remodeling in HT patients.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:891-912.
Topics: Cardiomyopathies; Cardiovascular Diseases; Heart; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Myocardium; Reference Values; Risk Factors
PubMed: 29131444
DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25885