Calcific aortic stenosis (AS), a condition marked by leaflet fibrosis and calcification, is driven by mechanical stress and biological stimuli that activate pro-inflammatory pathways. It results from a complex, progressive process that occurs over many years, and becomes increasingly prevalent with age. Aging itself is associated with a “low-grade inflammatory state”, which promotes and sustains various pathological conditions, including cardiac amyloidosis (CA), that is mostly related to wild-type transthyretin (TTR) and less commonly to variant TTR and light chain amyloidosis […]

Insulin resistance (IR) is a complex metabolic abnormality associated with genetic and environmental factors, which begins with low glucose metabolism in tissues, particularly in muscle, liver, and adipocytes, with consequent stimulation of pancreatic beta cells to increase insulin production and release.– Accumulation of lipids in a variety of tissues, including muscle, liver, and pancreas, contributes to this process in a phenomenon known as “lipotoxicity.” As IR increases, it stimulates hyperinsulinemia, and this negative cycle perpetuates a metabolic disorder that is […]

The study by Polat et al. published in the International Journal of Cardiovascular Sciences explored the association between platelet distribution width (PDW) and the severity and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This retrospective study involved a comprehensive analysis of clinical, angiographic, and laboratory data obtained from a consecutive cohort of 1043 patients diagnosed with ACS, stratified into two groups based on PDW values (> 11.8 fL and ≤ 11.8 fL), with the […]

The supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can be described as an irregular heart rhythm with an increased heart rate originating above the bundle of His. The heart rate is > 100 bpm. This condition can be particularly distressing for children and their families. The incidence estimate of SVT in children is inaccurate because symptoms are usually nonspecific, such as sweating, pallor, apathy, inappetence, and tachycardia. Furthermore, spontaneous resolution can occur in some cases. Nonetheless, studies estimate that in children without congenital heart […]

The vast majority of cardiovascular research emphasizes the high burden of heart diseases and the preponderance of these diseases in mortality., Efforts to learn how major cardiovascular diseases are managed have been led by the countries with the greatest economic power. However, a large part of the world’s population has been forgotten, because the realities of life in developing countries make it impossible to apply all the recommendations. As a result, adverse cardiovascular outcomes remain common, reducing quality of life […]

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a restrictive cardiomyopathy characterized by the extracellular deposition of proteins in the myocardium. Transthyretin (TTR) protein is predominantly synthesized in the liver and normally transports thyroxine and retinol. When TTR is misfolded, it can form amyloid fibrils deposited in different organs, such as the heart. TTR amyloidosis (ATTR) can be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait caused by variants in the TTR gene (TTRv), or by the deposition of wild-type TTR (TTRwt). […]

Recent years have seen remarkable advances in nuclear cardiology. The introduction of cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) and the development of cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) imaging systems have significantly improved diagnostic accuracy, clinical decision-making, and ultimately outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). In this issue, Giubbini and Milan review key concepts related to myocardial ischemia and explore the emerging importance of quantifying coronary flow reserve (CFR) in patients with known or suspected CAD. PET imaging has become a preeminent modality […]

In this study conducted in Brazil, a group of patients with a history of coronary artery bypass surgery with or without COVID-19 disease was analyzed to determine if their quality of life significantly changed after infection. They observed that patients with a history of COVID-19 infection had a worse quality of life during the four years of follow-up. No significant differences were found in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular events or thromboembolism, which is surprising and differs […]

Maternal mortality (MM), defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days postpartum, is a key indicator of maternal health and the quality of care provided by the health care system to prevent and manage complications during this period. In 2020, there were 287,000 maternal deaths worldwide, resulting in a maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 223 deaths per 100,000 live births. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 95% of these deaths will occur in […]

The Sustainable Health Agenda for the Americas 2018-2030 represents the highest level of strategic planning and policy framework in the Americas. Approved by the Pan American Sanitary Conference — the top authority of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) — one of its main objectives is to achieve the highest attainable standard of health care. In this context, timely, affordable, and high-quality access to urgent and emergency health care is an essential requirement. The original research by Uchimura et al. […]