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Clinical Medicine Insights. Cardiology 2020The impact of coronavirus disease, 2019 (COVID-19), has been profound. Though COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, it has also been associated with a wide... (Review)
Review
The impact of coronavirus disease, 2019 (COVID-19), has been profound. Though COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, it has also been associated with a wide range of cardiovascular (CV) manifestations portending extremely poor prognosis. The principal hypothesis for CV involvement is through direct myocardial infection and systemic inflammation. We conducted a systematic review of the current literature to provide a foundation for understanding the CV manifestations and outcomes of COVID-19. PubMed and EMBASE databases were electronically searched from the inception of the databases through 27 April 2020. A second literature review was conducted to include major trials and guidelines that were published after the initial search but before submission. The inclusion criteria for studies to be eligible were case reports, case series, and observation studies reporting CV outcomes among patients with COVID-19 infection. This review of the current COVID-19 disease and CV outcomes literature revealed a myriad of CV manifestations with potential avenues for treatment and prevention. Future studies are required to understand on a more mechanistic level the effect of COVID-19 on the myocardium and thus provide avenues to improve mortality and morbidity.
PubMed: 33312009
DOI: 10.1177/1179546820977196 -
Cells Mar 2022microRNAs (miRNA, miRs) play crucial roles in cardiovascular disease regulating numerous processes, including inflammation, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and cell... (Review)
Review
microRNAs (miRNA, miRs) play crucial roles in cardiovascular disease regulating numerous processes, including inflammation, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and cell death. Herein, we present an updated and comprehensive overview of the functional involvement of miRs in the regulation of cardiomyocyte death, a central event in acute myocardial infarction, ischemia/reperfusion, and heart failure. Specifically, in this systematic review we are focusing on necrosis, apoptosis, and autophagy.
Topics: Apoptosis; Autophagy; Humans; MicroRNAs; Myocardial Infarction; Myocytes, Cardiac
PubMed: 35326433
DOI: 10.3390/cells11060983 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2013Myocarditis is defined as inflammation of the myocardium accompanied by myocellular necrosis. Experimental evidence suggests that autoimmune mechanisms follow viral... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Myocarditis is defined as inflammation of the myocardium accompanied by myocellular necrosis. Experimental evidence suggests that autoimmune mechanisms follow viral infection, resulting in inflammation and necrosis in the myocardium. However, the use of corticosteroids as immunosuppressives for this condition remains controversial.
OBJECTIVES
The existing review was updated. The primary objective of this review is to assess the beneficial and harmful effects of treating acute or chronic viral myocarditis with corticosteroids. The secondary objective is to determine the best dose regimen.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Issue 7 of 12, 2012) on The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE OVID (1946 to July Week 2, 2012), EMBASE OVID (1980 to Week 29, 2012), BIOSIS Previews (1969 to 20 July 2012), ISI Web of Science (1970 to 20th July, 2012), and LILACS (from its inception to 25 July, 2012) , Chinese Biomed Database, CNKI and WANFANG Databases (from their inception to 31 December 2012). We applied no language restrictions.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of corticosteroids for viral myocarditis compared with no intervention, placebo, supportive therapy, antiviral agents therapy or conventional therapy, including trials of corticosteroids plus other treatment versus other treatment alone, irrespective of blinding, publication status, or language.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors extracted data independently. Results were presented as risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MDs), both with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
MAIN RESULTS
Eight RCTs (with 719 participants) were included in this update. The trials were small in size and methodological quality was poor. Viral detection was performed in 38% of participants, among whom 56% had positive results. Mortality between corticosteroids and control groups was non-significant (RR, 0.93, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.24). At 1 to 3 months follow-up, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was higher in the corticosteroids group compared to the control group (MD 7.36%, 95% CI 4.94 to 9.79), but there was substantial heterogeneity. Benefits were observed in LVEF in two trials with 200 children given corticosteroids (MD 9.00%, 95% CI 7.48 to 10.52). New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and left ventricular end-stage systole diameter (LVESD) were not affected. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) (MD -104.00 U/L, 95% CI -115.18 to -92.82), Isoenzyme of creatine phosphate MB (CKMB) (MD 10.35 U/L, 95% CI 8.92 to 11.78), were reduced in the corticosteroids group compared to the control group, although the evidence is limited to small participant numbers. There were insufficient data on adverse events.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
For people diagnosed with viral myocarditis and low LVEF, corticosteroids do not reduce mortality. They may improve cardiac function but the trials were of low quality and small size so this finding must be regarded as uncertain. High-quality, large-scale RCTs should be careful designed to determine the role of corticosteroid treatment for viral myocarditis. Adverse events should also be carefully evaluated.
Topics: Acute Disease; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Azathioprine; Child; Chronic Disease; Cyclosporine; Humans; Myocarditis; Prednisone; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 24136037
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004471.pub3 -
Clinical and Translational Science Aug 2022Aortic stenosis (AS) is the commonest valve lesion requiring surgery in the Western world. The presence of myocardial fibrosis is associated with mortality even after... (Review)
Review
Aortic stenosis (AS) is the commonest valve lesion requiring surgery in the Western world. The presence of myocardial fibrosis is associated with mortality even after valve replacement. MicroRNAs could serve as biomarkers of fibrosis and risk stratify patients for earlier intervention. This study aimed to systematically review reports of micro-RNA (miR) associated with fibrosis in AS and identify potential biomarkers. We searched EMBASE, Medline, and Web of Science up to May 2020. Studies that reported on the role of miRs in AS and cardiac fibrosis were included. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Of 4230 reports screened, 25 were included. All studies were of low to moderate quality. MiRs were analyzed in myocardial tissue (n = 10), aortic valve tissue (n = 5), plasma (n = 5), and serum (n = 5). A total of 365 miRs were reported, of which only a few were reported in more than one paper (3 in the myocardium, 5 in the aortic valve, and 1 in plasma). miR-21 was upregulated in plasma and myocardial tissue. MiR-19b was downregulated in the myocardium. Papers reporting myocardial miR-1 contradicted each other, and miR-133a was associated with increased left ventricular mass regression post-surgery. In the aortic valve, miRs-665, 602 and 939 were downregulated, and miRs-193b and 214 were upregulated. The data on miR in fibrosis in AS is scarce and of low to moderate quality. Further studies are needed to identify novel miRs as biomarkers, especially at an earlier asymptomatic phase of the disease.
Topics: Aortic Valve Stenosis; Biomarkers; Fibrosis; Humans; MicroRNAs; Myocardium
PubMed: 35579611
DOI: 10.1111/cts.13303 -
Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira... 2015the conditions of obesity and overweight pose a major risk for a number of comorbidities, including clinical syndromes resulting from atherosclerotic disease. Recent... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
the conditions of obesity and overweight pose a major risk for a number of comorbidities, including clinical syndromes resulting from atherosclerotic disease. Recent studies strongly indicate that adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ that secretes bioactive factors such as adipokines. Adiponectin appears to have a regulatory role in the mechanism of insulin resistance and in the development of atherosclerosis. This systematic review aims to evaluate the anti-atherogenic effects of adiponectin and its properties to improve and mimic metabolic and vascular actions of insulin and its influence on endothelial function.
METHODS
a qualitative, exploratory and literature review was performed in the PubMed, Portal Capes and Scielo databases using as key-words "adiponectin", "obesity", "insulin resistance", "anti-inflammatory", "therapeutic strategies" and "future prospects".
RESULTS
evidence suggests that adiponectin has anti-atherogenic properties with anti-inflammatory effects on the vascular wall. Moreover, it modifies the vascular intracellular signaling and has indirect antioxidant effects on the human myocardium. On the other hand, there are studies suggesting that increased levels of adiponectin are paradoxically associated with a worse prognosis in heart failure syndrome, although the mechanisms are not clear.
CONCLUSION
it is not clear whether adiponectin levels have any clinical significance for risk stratification in cardiovascular disease or if they simply reflect the activation of complex underlying mechanisms. Changes in lifestyle and some drug treatments for hypertension and coronary heart disease have shown significant effect to increase adiponectin levels, and simultaneously decrease in insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction.
Topics: Adiponectin; Adipose Tissue; Cardiovascular Diseases; Female; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Life Style; Male; Obesity; Receptors, Adiponectin; Risk Factors
PubMed: 25909213
DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.61.01.072 -
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery May 2017Better visualisation, accurate resection and avoidance of ventriculotomy associated with use of endoscopic devices during intracardiac surgery has led to increasing... (Review)
Review
Better visualisation, accurate resection and avoidance of ventriculotomy associated with use of endoscopic devices during intracardiac surgery has led to increasing interest in their use. The possibility of combining a cardio-endoscopic technique with either minimally invasive or totally endoscopic cardiac surgery provides an incentive for its further development. Several devices have been used, however their uptake has been limited due to uncertainty around their impact on patient outcomes. A systematic review of the literature identified 34 studies, incorporating 54 subjects undergoing treatment of left ventricular tumours, thrombus or hypertrophic myocardium using a cardio-endoscopic technique. There were no mortalities (0%; 0/47). In 12 studies, the follow-up period was longer than 30 days. There were no post-operative complications apart from one case of atrial fibrillation (2.2%; 1/46). Complete resection of left ventricular lesion was achieved in all cases (100%; 50/50). These successful results demonstrate that the cardio-endoscopic technique is a useful adjunct in resection of left ventricular tumours, thrombus and hypertrophic myocardium. This approach facilitates accurate resection of pathological tissue from left ventricle whilst avoiding exposure related valvular damage and adverse effects associated with ventriculotomy. Future research should focus on designing adequately powered comparative randomised trials focusing on major cardiac and cerebrovascular morbidity outcomes in both the short and long-term. In this way, we may have a more comprehensive picture of both the safety and efficacy of this technique and determine whether such devices could be safely adopted for routine use in minimal access or robotic intra-cardiac surgery.
Topics: Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Endoscopy; Heart Diseases; Heart Ventricles; Humans; Male
PubMed: 28545585
DOI: 10.1186/s13019-017-0599-z -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2021Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can potentially affect all organs owing to the ubiquitous diffusion of the angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptor-binding... (Review)
Review
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can potentially affect all organs owing to the ubiquitous diffusion of the angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptor-binding protein. Indeed, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is capable of causing heart disease. This systematic review can offer a new perspective on the potential consequences of COVID-19 through an analysis of the current literature on cardiac involvement. This systematic review, conducted from March 2020 to July 2021, searched the current literature for postmortem findings in patients who were positive for SARS-CoV-2 by combining and meshing the terms "COVID-19", "postmortem", "autopsy", and "heart" in titles, abstracts, and keywords. The PubMed database was searched following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Sixteen papers met the inclusion criteria (case reports and series, original research, only English-written). A total of 209 patients were found (mean age (interquartile range (IQR)), 60.17 years (IQR, 54.75-70.75 years); 122 men (58.37%, ratio of men to women of 1:0.7%)). Each patient tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Death was mainly the result of respiratory failure. The second most common cause of death was acute heart failure. Few patients specifically died of myocarditis. Variables such as pathological findings, immunohistochemical data, and previous clinical assessments were analyzed. Main cardiac pathological findings were cardiac dilatation, necrosis, lymphocytic infiltration of the myocardium, and small coronary vessel microthrombosis. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed an inflammatory state dominated by the constant presence of CD3+ and CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes and CD68+ macrophages. COVID-19 leads to a systemic inflammatory response and a constant prothrombotic state. The results of our systematic review suggest that SARS-CoV-2 was able to cause irreversible changes in several organs, including the heart; this is reflected by the increased cardiac risk in patients who survive COVID-19. Postmortem analysis (including autopsy, histologic, and immunohistochemical examination) is an indispensable tool to better understand pathological changes caused by emerging diseases such as COVID-19. Our results may provide more information on the involvement of the heart in COVID-19 patients.
PubMed: 34573988
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11091647 -
Annali Dell'Istituto Superiore Di Sanita 2012The use of a complementary medicine approach, and specifically of the popular medicine Oscillococcinum, for the treatment of influenza-like syndromes remains... (Review)
Review
The use of a complementary medicine approach, and specifically of the popular medicine Oscillococcinum, for the treatment of influenza-like syndromes remains controversial. This brief paper analyses the currently available literature on this homeopathic preparation and the Cochrane Collaboration's 2006 systematic review, along with other recent studies, in order to clarify certain fundamental aspects of its use in the treatment of influenza. In the light of the reported findings, and applying the rigorous criteria of evidence-based medicine, we suggest that this medicine should be placed in category "BI".
Topics: Absenteeism; Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Child; Complex Mixtures; Double-Blind Method; Ducks; Female; Fever; Homeopathy; Humans; Influenza, Human; Liver; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardium; Pain; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tissue Extracts; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 22456024
DOI: 10.4415/ANN_12_01_17 -
PloS One 2017Multiple inducers of in vitro Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NET) formation (NETosis) have been described. Since there is much variation in study design and results, our... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Multiple inducers of in vitro Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NET) formation (NETosis) have been described. Since there is much variation in study design and results, our aim was to create a systematic review of NETosis inducers and perform a standardized in vitro study of NETosis inducers important in (cardiac) wound healing.
METHODS
In vitro NETosis was studied by incubating neutrophils with PMA, living and dead bacteria (S. aureus and E. coli), LPS, (activated) platelets (supernatant), glucose and calcium ionophore Ionomycin using 3-hour periods of time-lapse confocal imaging.
RESULTS
PMA is a consistent and potent inducer of NETosis. Ionomycin also consistently resulted in extrusion of DNA, albeit with a process that differs from the NETosis process induced by PMA. In our standardized experiments, living bacteria were also potent inducers of NETosis, but dead bacteria, LPS, (activated) platelets (supernatant) and glucose did not induce NETosis.
CONCLUSION
Our systematic review confirms that there is much variation in study design and results of NETosis induction. Our experimental results confirm that under standardized conditions, PMA, living bacteria and Ionomycin all strongly induce NETosis, but real-time confocal imaging reveal different courses of events.
Topics: Escherichia coli; Extracellular Traps; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Myocardium; Staphylococcus aureus; Wound Healing
PubMed: 28486563
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176472 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jan 2023: The heart is the organ with the highest metabolic demand in the body, and it relies on high ATP turnover and efficient energy substrate utilisation in order to... (Review)
Review
: The heart is the organ with the highest metabolic demand in the body, and it relies on high ATP turnover and efficient energy substrate utilisation in order to function normally. The derangement of myocardial energetics may lead to abnormalities in cardiac metabolism, which herald the symptoms of heart failure (HF). In addition, phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (P MRS) is the only available non-invasive method that allows clinicians and researchers to evaluate the myocardial metabolic state in vivo. This review summarises the importance of myocardial energetics and provides a systematic review of all the available research studies utilising P MRS to evaluate patients with a range of cardiac pathologies. : We have performed a systematic review of all available studies that used P MRS for the investigation of myocardial energetics in cardiovascular disease. : A systematic search of the Medline database, the Cochrane library, and Web of Science yielded 1092 results, out of which 62 studies were included in the systematic review. The P MRS has been used in numerous studies and has demonstrated that impaired myocardial energetics is often the beginning of pathological processes in several cardiac pathologies. : The P MRS has become a valuable tool in the understanding of myocardial metabolic changes and their impact on the diagnosis, risk stratification, and prognosis of patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Topics: Humans; Phosphorus; Cardiovascular Diseases; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Myocardium; Heart Failure; Energy Metabolism
PubMed: 36676798
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59010174