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1.
Managing Diabetes and Preventing Heart Disease: Have We Found a Safe and Effective Agent?
Cheng, JWM, Colucci, VJ, Kalus, JS, Spinler, SA
The Annals of pharmacotherapy. 2019;(5):510-522
Abstract
OBJECTIVE While improving glycemic control with antihyperglycemics has been demonstrated to reduce microvascular complications, the benefits of reduction in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have not been demonstrated with older agents. This article reviews current evidence of the CV outcomes of newer antihyperglycemics approved since 2008. DATA SOURCES Peer-reviewed articles were identified from MEDLINE (1966 to October 31, 2018) using search terms exenatide, liraglutide, lixisenatide, dulaglutide, semaglutide, alogliptin, linagliptin, saxagliptin, sitagliptin, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), and stroke. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION A total of 12 pertinent double-blinded randomized controlled trials were included. DATA SYNTHESIS Liraglutide, empagliflozin, and canagliflozin have been shown in patients with CV diseases and high risk of developing CV disease to be superior to placebo in improving CV outcomes. Saxagliptin and alogliptin have both been demonstrated to increase HF hospitalization, whereas sitagliptin has not. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: In contrast to older-generation antihyperglycemics, selected new antihyperglycemic agents have been shown to be superior to placebo in improving CV outcomes. Clinicians may now be able to provide high-risk patients agents that not only help in providing glycemic control, but also prevent both macrovascular and microvascular complications. CONCLUSION Liraglutide, empagliflozin, and canagliflozin have been shown to be superior to placebo in improving CV outcomes. However, there are differences among agents in terms of HF and peripheral arterial disease outcomes. Future studies should focus on evaluating other clinical CV outcomes in patients without existing CVD and perhaps single drug regimens for diabetes.
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2.
Renal Complications Following Lung Transplantation and Heart Transplantation.
Puttarajappa, CM, Bernardo, JF, Kellum, JA
Critical care clinics. 2019;(1):61-73
Abstract
Renal complications are common following heart and/or lung transplantation and lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Renal dysfunction is also associated with increased mortality for patients on the transplant wait list. Dialysis dependence is a relative contraindication for heart or lung transplantation at most centers, and such patients are often listed for a simultaneous kidney transplant. Several factors contribute to the impaired renal function in patients undergoing heart and/or lung transplantation, including the interplay between cardiopulmonary and renal hemodynamics, complex perioperative issues, and exposure to nephrotoxic medications, mainly calcineurin inhibitors.
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3.
Standardized Feeding Protocols to Reduce Risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Fragile Infants Born Premature or with Congenital Heart Disease: Implementation Science Needed.
Gephart, SM, Moore, EF, Fry, E
Critical care nursing clinics of North America. 2018;(4):457-466
Abstract
Although a unit-adopted standardized feeding protocol (SFP) for neonates is standard of care, implementation strategies for SFPs vary across neonatal and pediatric intensive care. Besides improving growth and reducing feeding interruptions, SFPs reduce risk for necrotizing enterocolitis in infants with heart disease or born premature. The purpose of this article is to bridge the gap between recommended and actual care using SFPs.
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4.
Dietary Cholesterol, Serum Lipids, and Heart Disease: Are Eggs Working for or Against You?
Blesso, CN, Fernandez, ML
Nutrients. 2018;(4)
Abstract
The relationship between blood cholesterol and heart disease is well-established, with the lowering of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol being the primary target of preventive therapy. Furthermore, epidemiological studies report lower risk for heart disease with higher concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. There has also been considerable interest in studying the relationship between dietary cholesterol intake and heart disease risk. Eggs are one of the richest sources of cholesterol in the diet. However, large-scale epidemiological studies have found only tenuous associations between the intake of eggs and cardiovascular disease risk. Well-controlled, clinical studies show the impact of dietary cholesterol challenges via egg intake on serum lipids is highly variable, with the majority of individuals (~2/3 of the population) having only minimal responses, while those with a significant response increase both LDL and HDL-cholesterol, typically with a maintenance of the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio. Recent drug trials targeting HDL-cholesterol have been unsuccessful in reducing cardiovascular events, and thus it is unclear if raising HDL-cholesterol with chronic egg intake is beneficial. Other important changes with egg intake include potentially favorable effects on lipoprotein particle profiles and enhancing HDL function. Overall, the increased HDL-cholesterol commonly observed with dietary cholesterol feeding in humans appears to also coincide with improvements in other markers of HDL function. However, more investigation into the effects of dietary cholesterol on HDL functionality in humans is warranted. There are other factors found in eggs that may influence risk for heart disease by reducing serum lipids, such as phospholipids, and these may also modify the response to dietary cholesterol found in eggs. In this review, we discuss how eggs and dietary cholesterol affect serum cholesterol concentrations, as well as more advanced lipoprotein measures, such as lipoprotein particle profiles and HDL metabolism.
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5.
Heart Toxicity Related to Herbs and Dietary Supplements: Online Table of Case Reports. Part 4 of 5.
Brown, AC
Journal of dietary supplements. 2018;(4):516-555
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this review was to create an online research summary table of heart toxicity case reports related to dietary supplements (DS; includes herbs). METHODS Documented PubMed case reports of DS appearing to contribute to heart-related problems were used to create a "Toxic Table" that summarized the research (1966 to April, 2016, and cross-referencing). Keywords included "herb," "dietary supplement," and cardiac terms. Case reports were excluded if they were herb combinations (some exceptions), Chinese herb mixtures, teas of mixed herb contents, mushrooms, poisonous plants, self-harm (e.g. suicide), excess dose (except vitamins/minerals), drugs or illegal drugs, drug-herbal interactions, and confounders of drugs or diseases. The spectrum of heart toxicities included hypertension, hypotension, hypokalemia, bradycardia, tachycardia, arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, heart attack, cardiac arrest, heart failure, and death. RESULTS Heart related problems were associated with approximately seven herbs: Four traditional Chinese medicine herbs - Don quai (Angelica sinensis), Jin bu huan (Lycopodium serratum), Thundergod vine or lei gong teng (Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F), and Ting kung teng (Erycibe henryi prain); one an Ayruvedic herb - Aswagandha, (Withania somnifera); and two North American herbs - blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), and Yohimbe (Pausinystalia johimbe). Aconitum and Ephedra species are no longer sold in the United States. The DS included, but are not limited to five DS - bitter orange, caffeine, certain energy drinks, nitric oxide products, and a calming product. Six additional DS are no longer sold. Licorice was the food related to heart problems. CONCLUSION The online "Toxic Table" forewarns clinicians, consumers and the DS industry by listing DS with case reports related to heart toxicity. It may also contribute to Phase IV post marketing surveillance to diminish adverse events that Government officials use to regulate DS.
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6.
Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Complications of Pregnancy and Maternal Risk Factors for Offspring Cardio-Metabolic Disease.
Phang, M, Skilton, MR
Marine drugs. 2018;(5)
Abstract
Marine omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are important nutrients during periods of rapid growth and development in utero and infancy. Maternal health and risk factors play a crucial role in birth outcomes and subsequently offspring cardio-metabolic health. Evidence from observational studies and randomized trials have suggested a potential association of maternal intake of marine n-3 PUFAs during pregnancy with pregnancy and birth outcomes. However, there is inconsistency in the literature on whether marine n-3 PUFA supplementation during pregnancy can prevent maternal complications of pregnancy. This narrative literature review summarizes recent evidence on observational and clinical trials of marine n-3 PUFA intake on maternal risk factors and effects on offspring cardio-metabolic health. The current evidence generally does not support a role of maternal n-3 PUFA supplementation in altering the incidence of gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, or pre-eclampsia. It may be that benefits from marine n-3 PUFA supplementation are more pronounced in high-risk populations, such as women with a history of complications of pregnancy, or women with low marine n-3 PUFA intake. Discrepancies between studies may be related to differences in study design, dosage, fatty acid interplay, and length of treatment. Further prospective double-blind studies are needed to clarify the impact of long-chain marine n-3 PUFAs on risk factors for cardio-metabolic disease in the offspring.
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7.
Dual-Energy Computed Tomography in Cardiothoracic Vascular Imaging.
De Santis, D, Eid, M, De Cecco, CN, Jacobs, BE, Albrecht, MH, Varga-Szemes, A, Tesche, C, Caruso, D, Laghi, A, Schoepf, UJ
Radiologic clinics of North America. 2018;(4):521-534
Abstract
Dual energy computed tomography is becoming increasingly widespread in clinical practice. It can expand on the traditional density-based data achievable with single energy computed tomography by adding novel applications to help reach a more accurate diagnosis. The implementation of this technology in cardiothoracic vascular imaging allows for improved image contrast, metal artifact reduction, generation of virtual unenhanced images, virtual calcium subtraction techniques, cardiac and pulmonary perfusion evaluation, and plaque characterization. The improved diagnostic performance afforded by dual energy computed tomography is not associated with an increased radiation dose. This review provides an overview of dual energy computed tomography cardiothoracic vascular applications.
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8.
[Analysis on "component-target-pathway" of Paeonia lactiflora in treating cardiac diseases based on data mining].
Liu, Y, Zhang, FB, Tang, SH, Wang, P, Li, S, Su, J, Zhou, RR, Zhang, JQ, Sun, HF
Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica. 2018;(7):1310-1316
Abstract
Based on the literature review and modern application of Paeonia lactiflora in heart diseases, this article would predict the target of drug and disease by intergrative pharmacology platform of traditional Chinese medicine (TCMIP, http://www.tcmip.cn), and then explore the molecular mechanism of P. lactiflora in treatment of heart disease, providing theoretical basis and method for further studies on P. lactiflora. According to the ancient books, P. lactiflora with functions of "removing the vascular obstruction, removing the lumps, relieving pain, diuretic, nutrient qi" and other effects, have been used for many times to treat heart disease. Some prescriptions are also favored by the modern physicians nowadays. With the development of science, the chemical components that play a role in heart disease and the interrelation between these components and the body become the research hotspot. In order to further reveal the pharmacological substance base and molecular mechanism of P. lactiflora for the treatment of such diseases, TCM-IP was used to obtain multiple molecular targets and signaling pathways in treatment of heart disease. ATP1A1, a common target of drug and disease, was related to energy, and HDAC2 mainly regulated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy gene and cardiomyocyte expression. Other main drug targets such as GCK, CHUK and PRKAA2 indirectly regulated heart disease through many pathways; multiple disease-associated signaling pathways interfered with various heart diseases including coronary heart disease, myocardial ischemia and myocardial hypertrophy through influencing energy metabolism, enzyme activity and gene expression. In conclusion, P. lactiflora plays a role in protecting heart function by regulating the gene expression of cardiomyocytes directly. Meanwhile, it can indirectly intervene in other pathways of heart function, and thus participate in the treatment of heart disease. In this paper, the molecular mechanism of P. lactiflora for treatment of heart disease was in computer prediction analysis level, and the specific mechanism of action still needs further experimental verification.
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9.
The clinical benefits of perioperative antioxidant vitamin therapy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis.
Geng, J, Qian, J, Si, W, Cheng, H, Ji, F, Shen, Z
Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. 2017;(6):966-974
Abstract
The clinical benefits of perioperative antioxidant vitamin therapy in cardiac patients remain controversial. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to determine the strength of the evidence supporting the perioperative use of antioxidant vitamins in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We searched 4 databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Science Citation Index and Cochrane Library) for randomized controlled trials that reported the effects of antioxidant vitamin therapy on patients undergoing cardiac surgery until 6 June 2016. Risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) served as the summarized results. Heterogeneity among included studies was evaluated using the I2 statistic, which help determine which effect model to apply. We constructed a funnel plot to assess the existence of publication bias. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted to evaluate the robustness of the outcomes. Twelve trials with 1584 cardiac patients were included. Compared with placebo or no antioxidant vitamin therapy, administration of antioxidant vitamin therapy resulted in a reduction in postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42, 0.73, P < 0.0001), duration of hospital stay (MD -0.68, 95% CI -0.98, -0.39, P < 0.00001), intensive care unit length of stay (MD -0.21, 95% CI -0.30, -0.12, P < 0.00001) and intubation time (MD -2.41, 95% CI -3.83, -0.98, P = 0.001). Our results also showed a trend towards a decrease in postoperative complications (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.48, 1.08, P = 0.11) and duration of POAF (MD -1.950, 95% CI -3.28, 0.29, P = 0.10). This meta-analysis demonstrated that perioperative antioxidant vitamin therapy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery can reduce the incidence of POAF, duration of hospital stay, intensive care unit length of stay and intubation time.
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10.
Metabolic Modulators in Heart Disease: Past, Present, and Future.
Lopaschuk, GD
The Canadian journal of cardiology. 2017;(7):838-849
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease and heart failure are leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. They continue to be major burden on health care systems throughout the world, despite major advances made over the past 40 years in developing new therapeutic approaches to treat these debilitating diseases. A potential therapeutic approach that has been underutilized in treating ischemic heart disease and heart failure is "metabolic modulation." Major alterations in myocardial energy substrate metabolism occur in ischemic heart disease and heart failure, and are associated with an energy deficit in the heart. A metabolic shift from mitochondrial oxidative metabolism to glycolysis, as well as an uncoupling between glycolysis and glucose oxidation, plays a crucial role in the development of cardiac inefficiency (oxygen consumed per work performed) and functional impairment in ischemic heart disease as well as in heart failure. This has led to the concept that optimizing energy substrate use with metabolic modulators can be a potentially promising approach to decrease the severity of ischemic heart disease and heart failure, primarily by improving cardiac efficiency. Two approaches for metabolic modulator therapy are to stimulate myocardial glucose oxidation and/or inhibit fatty acid oxidation. In this review, the past, present, and future of metabolic modulators as an approach to optimizing myocardial energy substrate metabolism and treating ischemic heart disease and heart failure are discussed. This includes a discussion of pharmacological interventions that target enzymes involved in fatty acid uptake, fatty acid oxidation, and glucose oxidation in the heart, as well as enzymes involved in ketone and branched chain amino acid catabolism in the heart.