Current Cardiology Reports

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Outline the growing suite of novel genome editing tools powered by CRISPR-Cas9 technology that are rapidly advancing towards the clinic for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: A diversity of new genome editors and modulators are being developed for therapies across myriad human diseases. Recent breakthroughs have improved the efficacy, safety, specificity, and delivery of CRISPR-mediated therapies that could impact heart disease in the next decade, though several challenges remain...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss the evolution in the approach to pericardial effusions and drainage from a historical perspective, the present state, and pathways for future innovative therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: Incorporation of advanced imaging tools has dramatically improved the safety profile of pericardial interventions. Outcome data allow for refined approaches to management of pericardial disease in special populations, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to evaluate the potential of CRISPR-based gene editing tools, particularly prime editors (PE), in treating genetic cardiac diseases. It seeks to answer how these tools can overcome current therapeutic limitations and explore the synergy between PE and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) for personalized medicine. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent advancements in CRISPR technology, including CRISPR-Cas9, base editors, and PE, have demonstrated precise genome correction capabilities...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Body fat distribution plays a significant role in the cardiometabolic consequences of obesity. We review the impact of visceral and hepatic fat and highlight important interventions. RECENT FINDINGS: Several epidemiologic studies have established a clear association between visceral fat and cardiovascular disease. The association between hepatic fat and cardiovascular disease is less clear with discordant results. Novel evidence demonstrates sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors facilitate modest weight loss and reductions in ectopic fat depots in patient with type 2 diabetes...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally and is closely associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This review examines the interplay between obesity, T2DM, and CVD, highlighting the increasing prevalence and economic burden of these conditions. RECENT FINDINGS: Pharmacologic therapies, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, show promise in substantial weight loss and subsequent reduction of adverse cardiovascular events in obese individuals with and without diabetes...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Elevated blood pressure is the leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the US. Older individuals, Black adults, and those with comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease, have higher levels of uncontrolled and resistant hypertension. This review focuses on resistant hypertension, specifically in the US Black population, including potential benefits and limitations of current and investigational agents to address the disparate toll...

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure (HF) is a significant worldwide concern due to its substantial impact on mortality rates and recurrent hospitalizations. The relationship between recurrent hospitalizations and mortality in individuals diagnosed with heart failure has been the subject of conflicting findings in previous studies. A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the association between recurrent heart failure hospitalizations (HFHs) and mortality. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search across various online databases, such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ProQuest, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, to locate studies that examined the connection between recurrent HFHs and cardiovascular (CV) mortality as well as all-cause mortality until January 2023...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Considerable current interest is directed at pharmacological agents for producing significant weight loss. However, healthy lifestyle choices can also lead to clinically meaningful weight loss and improvements in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. RECENT FINDINGS: In this review, we summarize the recent research from our PROmoting Successful Weight Loss in Primary CarE in Louisiana (PROPEL) randomized controlled trial and review previous data on the potential benefits of cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training (CRET) programs to produce weight loss and improvements in CVD risk factors...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most common cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The goal of this review is to discuss the most up-to-date literature on epidemiology, diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of acute PE. RECENT FINDINGS: Despite an increase in annual incidence rate of PE in the United States and development of multiple advanced therapies for treatment of acute PE, PE-related mortality is not consistently decreasing across populations...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will focus on comprehensive evaluation of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), nuances in diagnostic testing and advances in medical therapies to provide improvement in patient specific outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Chronic venous insufficiency of the lower extremities represents an often underrecognized source of morbidity. Comprehensive evaluation focuses on personal and family history of deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins. Diagnostic testing is initially with a thorough duplex ultrasound, but advanced imaging with CT scan and MRV may be indicated in selected patients who might benefit from more invasive intervention...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Present an updated overview of the prevention, diagnosis, and management of infective endocarditis in adult patients with congenital heart disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Care for patients with infective endocarditis is changing in the areas of specialized teams, diagnostics, and prevention. Endocarditis teams should be involved in the care of ACHD patients. The 2023 Duke Criteria for Infective Endocarditis and the 2023 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines have updated the criteria for diagnosis including new major criteria such as CT and positron emission computed tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) scans...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cardiovascular involvement is common and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. There have been few recent updates regarding the cardiac involvement in this clinical entity. The purpose of the review is to provide an update on the role of echocardiography in the management of these patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Echocardiography remains the imaging modality of choice and should be considered even in asymptomatic patients with SLE to detect cardiac abnormalities which are frequently not clinically apparent...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review delves into recent advancements in understanding generalized and organ-specific lymphatic development. It emphasizes the distinct characteristics and critical anomalies that can impair lymphatic function. By exploring developmental mechanisms, the review seeks to illuminate the profound impact of lymphatic malformations on overall health and disease progression. RECENT FINDINGS: The introduction of genome sequencing, single-cell transcriptomic analysis, and advanced imaging technologies has significantly enhanced our ability to identify and characterize developmental defects within the lymphatic system...

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: This review aims to provide a profound overview on most recent studies on the clinical significance of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (CCT) in diagnostic and therapeutic pathways. Herby, this review helps to pave the way for a more extended but yet purposefully use in modern day cardiovascular medicine. RECENT FINDINGS: In recent years, new clinical applications of CCT have emerged. Major applications include the assessment of coronary artery disease and structural heart disease, with corresponding recommendations by major guidelines of international societies...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to explore recent advances in single-cell omics techniques as applied to various regions of the human heart, illuminating cellular diversity, regulatory networks, and disease mechanisms. We examine the contributions of single-cell transcriptomics, genomics, proteomics, epigenomics, and spatial transcriptomics in unraveling the complexity of cardiac tissues. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent strides in single-cell omics technologies have revolutionized our understanding of the heart's cellular composition, cell type heterogeneity, and molecular dynamics...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) has become the preferred treatment approach for many patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis (SsAS), particularly those who are deemed at high surgical risk. However, in low-risk surgical patients (LSRP) with SsAS, the choice between TAVR and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is often a matter of debate and depends on several clinical and anatomical considerations. RECENT FINDINGS: Midterm data show similar clinical outcomes and durability of TAVR and SAVR bioprosthetic valves in LRSP...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To examine the concept of time in target range for blood pressure (BP) management, exploring its calculation methods, implications for patient outcomes, and potential use in patient care. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent post-hoc analyses of clinical trials and observational studies highlight the importance of BP time in target range in predicting cardiovascular outcomes. Higher time in target range correlates with reduced risks of major adverse cardiovascular events including heart failure, stroke, myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality...

Cardiac amyloidosis includes a group of protein-misfolding diseases characterized by fibril accumulation within the extracellular space of the myocardium and cardiac dysfunction. Cardiac amyloidosis has high mortality. Emerging radionuclide techniques have helped us to better understand disease pathogenesis, prognostication, and treatment response in cardiac amyloidosis. PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review recent advances in molecular imaging of cardiac amyloidosis using amyloid PET radiotracers. RECENT FINDINGS: Multiple single center studies have shown that amyloid PET radiotracers allow definitive diagnosis and quantification of cardiac amyloid burden...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review seeks to describe the updates in the literature - particularly with regards to the epidemiology and diagnosis of Chagas disease. Additionally, this paper describes updates to the antiparasitic treatment for Chagas disease. RECENT FINDINGS: With regards to changing epidemiology, autochthonous cases are being found within the USA in addition to Latin America. Additionally, there appears to be more intermixing of discrete typing units-meaning, they are not confined to specific geographic regions...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Precision genetic medicine is evolving at a rapid pace and bears significant implications for clinical cardiology. Herein, we discuss the latest advancements and emerging strategies in gene therapy for cardiomyopathy and heart failure. RECENT FINDINGS: Elucidating the genetic architecture of heart failure has paved the way for precision therapies in cardiovascular medicine. Recent preclinical studies and early-phase clinical trials have demonstrated encouraging results that support the development of gene therapies for heart failure arising from a variety of etiologies...