Acta Cardiologica Sinica

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a significant public health problem worldwide. Death and rehospitalization rates are similar across different HF phenotypes. However, the existing Taiwanese HF registries mainly enrolled inpatients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) before 2019, so their results may not apply to outpatients or patients with HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) phenotypes. METHODS: The Taiwan Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Registry 2020 is a prospective, multicenter, observational registry that will enroll patients with HF from 27 hospitals in Taiwan between 2020 and 2022 and will be followed for two years...

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Recently, increasing evidence has demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, diabetic cardiomyopathy, aortic dissection, and more. LncRNA H19 was the first to be described as a non-protein-coding mRNA-like molecule. A large number of studies have found that lncRNA H19 is related to the pathophysiological processes of cardiovascular diseases, and it is emerging as a potential key regulator of various heart diseases...

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among patients on hemodialysis, with approximately 40% of the cardiovascular deaths linked to acute coronary syndrome. We aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of acute coronary syndrome in patients undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: Patients undergoing hemodialysis were prospectively enrolled from January 2018. Data regarding hospitalization due to acute coronary syndrome were collected at 3-month intervals through December 31, 2021...

BACKGROUND: Transradial access (TRA) is accepted as the safest route for coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention. Radial artery stenosis (RAS) prevents use of the radial artery in various clinical situations, even in cases without hand ischemia. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the amount of air supplied to the radial artery compression device [transradial (TR) band] and RAS. METHODS: The population in this single-center retrospective study consisted of patients who underwent CAG via TRA under elective conditions between March 1st , 2020 and May 1st , 2022...

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Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a multi-organ systemic syndrome that involves cardiac and extra-cardiac pathophysiological abnormalities. Its growing prevalence causes a major public concern worldwide. HFpEF is usually associated with multiple comorbidities, and non-cardiovascular death is common in patients with HFpEF. In Asia, patients with HFpEF has a younger age, higher prevalence of diabetes and chronic kidney disease than Western countries. A 2-step diagnostic algorithm is recommended in this guideline...

BACKGROUND: Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) and galectin-3 have been shown to protect the heart against fibrosis. However, their impacts on radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis (RIMF) remain to be elucidated. To deepen this understanding, the current study sought to explore the effects of SIRT2 and galectin-3 on RIMF and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Galectin-3 knockout mice were obtained, and a radiation-induced heart damage (RIHD) mouse model was induced by local radiation exposure to the heart...

OBJECTIVES: The transradial route is used in most coronary procedures today. Although this method seems to be advantageous in terms of bleeding complications and patient comfort, the small radial artery diameter brings with it complications such as radial artery spasm and occlusion. It has been demonstrated in previous studies that subcutaneous nitrate administration dilates the radial artery. The Glidesheath Slender, which has a thinner outer wall than conventional sheaths, is another method that has been shown to reduce complications by reducing friction on the radial artery wall...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrosis is an important factor leading to atrial fibrillation, and the transforming growth factor-β1/Smad pathway is a key factor in inducing atrial fibrosis. Sirt1 is a member of the histone deacetylase (sirtuin) family, and recent studies have proven its cardioprotective effects. OBJECTIVES: This study explored the effect of Sirt1 on atrial fibrosis through the transforming growth factor-β1/Smad pathway. METHODS: We analyzed human right atrial appendage tissues and explored the relationship between Sirt1 and atrial fibrosis at the morphological, functional and molecular levels by Masson trichrome staining, immunofluorescence, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis...

BACKGROUND: The influence of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) on reverse electrical remodeling (RER) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) post-cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is unknown. This study examines the effect of iron replacement using intravenous FCM on RER in CRT-implanted HFrEF patients with iron deficiency anemia. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 65 patients with successful CRT-defibrillator between March 2017 and January 2020, all with iron deficiency anemia at implantation...

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on mechanical efficiency. METHODS: A total of 46 patients (25 females) with an average age of 83 ± 6.4 years underwent TAVI using the CoreValve system. During the same hospitalization, we conducted a comprehensive comparison of the patients before and after TAVI without inotropic support using echocardiography. The parameters encompassed left ventricular (LV) geometry, valvular load, global LV afterload and ventricular hemodynamics...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

OBJECTIVES: CentriMag® (Abbott, Pleasanton, CA, USA) is indicated for temporary circulatory support for up to 30 days. Extended support is not uncommon, and the results vary considerably. Herein, we review our experience on extended support. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 19 patients supported with CentriMag as a bridge to recovery, long-term ventricular assist device or transplantation from September 2011 to October 2021. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (16 men and 3 women; mean age 51...

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of the left atrial (LA) expansion index (LAEI) to predict cerebral ischemic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. METHODS: We enrolled 177 patients with AF (88 with paroxysmal AF and 89 with persistent AF) and a baseline CHA2 DS2 -VASc score (at enrollment) of 3.6 ± 2.3. Comprehensive echocardiography was performed at enrollment. The LAEI was calculated as (Volmax - Volmin ) × 100%/Volmin , where Volmax and Volmin denoted maximal and minimal LA volumes, respectively...

BACKGROUND: Venoarterial (V-A) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after cardiac arrest often predisposes patients to acute brain injury (ABI), which affects survival and neurological performance. The investigation of the predictors of ABI will be beneficial for further management. OBJECTIVES: To explore the predictors and outcomes of ABI and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in patients experiencing cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with V-A ECMO support...

BACKGROUND: Left atrial strain can usefully reflect left atrial function. The follow-up periods in previous studies assessing left atrial strain as a survival predictor have been relatively short, and few studies have examined the ability of left atrial strain to predict mortality in patients with borderline diastolic function. This study sought to investigate the survival predictive value of left atrial strain with a longer follow-up duration. In addition, we also evaluated the survival predictive value of left atrial strain in patients with borderline diastolic function...

BACKGROUND: Serum albumin (SA), a multifunction protein, contributes to maintaining a variety of physiological functions. Studies have linked SA to atherosclerosis with possible mechanisms including a response to inflammation. The contribution of albumin to cardiovascular (CV) mortality in elderly patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear. METHODS: We investigated 321 elderly patients with stable CAD undergoing coronary angiography between 2003 and 2006...

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the usability of ranolazine (Rn) as a neuroprotective during cardiac surgeries and carotid artery interventions where cerebral blood flow is interrupted. METHODS: Female Wistar albino rats were used. The rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each. The first group (Group 1) was the control group. Group 2 underwent ischemia induction but was not treated with Rn. Group 3 received 25 mg/kg/day and Group 4 50 mg/kg/day Rn intraperitoneally, starting 3 days before ischemia induction...