Abstract Although low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is central to the development and progression of atherosclerosis, the role of inflammation in the atherosclerotic process is becoming better understood and appreciated. Chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, HIV infection, and inflammatory bowel disease have all been shown to be associated with an increased blood levels of inflammatory biomarkers and increased risk of cardiovascular events. Evidence from observational studies suggests that anti-inflammatory therapy decreases this risk in these conditions. Clinical trials […]

Abstract Recently, gut microbiota has emerged as an important mediator of several diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, obesity, cancers and neuropsychiatric diseases including Alzheimer, autism and depression. Intestinal microbiota is formed by bacteria, fungi and viruses and its main function is to facilitate the absorption and metabolism of foods (protein, fat and carbohydrate). One example of the multiple actions of the gut microbiota is the bidirectional relationship between the intestine and the brain, the so-called “gut/brain axis”. Furthermore, […]

Abstract Recent evidence suggests that dysfunction of the gut-brain axis may be an important factor contributing to many diseases of the nervous system. Increased gut permeability associated with chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction, as well as changes in the composition of the gut microbiota could contribute to exposure of the enteric and central nervous system to pathogens and its metabolites, including endotoxins and pro-inflammatory cytokines. As a consequence, dysfunction of the host’s immune system could contribute to an abnormal immunological response leading […]

Abstract Aortic stenosis is an insidious disease of rapid progression after the onset of symptoms. Aortic valve replacement surgery is a well-established therapy that reduces symptoms and increases survival rates. However, the procedure may be associated with high operative mortality rates and promote comorbidity. Depending on the local reality, the prevalence of patients considered inoperable (due to medical comorbidities and age) may achieve 30%. For these patients, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was initially indicated; over time, the method has […]

Introduction Systemic sarcoidosis (SS) was first described more than a century ago by the Norwegian dermatologist Caesar Boeck. He correlated skin nodules with epithelioid cells with large nuclei and giant cells as “multiple benign sarcoid of the skin”, for their resemblance with sarcoma. Today, the cause of the disease remains unknown, but evidence points toward immunological response to an unidentified antigenic trigger in individuals with genetic susceptibility. The estimation of the prevalence of SS in the population varies in the […]

18-fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) and singlephoton emission computed tomography (SPECT) using radiolabeled white blood cells (WBC) are non-invasive techniques widely used in the diagnosis of infections, like endocarditis. The aim of our paper was to provide a systematic review of the published data on the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT and SPECT in infective endocarditis (IE). A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed/ MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane library databases was conducted to find relevant published articles about […]

During the American Heart Association (AHA)’s scientific sessions held in November 2018, the new ultisociety Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol was presented to the cardiology community emphasizing some previous key recommendations and new concepts in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) prevention. The main updates of these guidelines are: […]

Currently, the association between obesity and heart failure (HF) is increasingly known. Patients with advanced obesity who suffer from HF without an identifiable cause can be diagnosed as having obesity-associated cardiomyopathy. Although data suggest that obesity may reduce mortality in HF, weight loss, especially in the presence of morbid obesity, reduces symptoms and improves the quality of life of those patients. Bariatric surgery is the major treatment available for sustained weight loss in morbid obesity. Observational studies have demonstrated an […]