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Complex congenital heart disease (CCHD) is a group of heart defects present at birth. Some imaging methods can support the diagnosis of these pathologies, such as echocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. This study aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis of the top 100 articles cited on CCHD. Articles from 2013 to 2023 found in Scopus were scanned using 15 CCHD topics titles crossed with echocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Duplicated manuscripts were eliminated using Microsoft Excel software, and the publications were ranked according to their citation count. This study selected and analyzed the top 100 most cited English-language papers. The top 100 most cited publications accumulated 16,563 citations. The manuscript with the most citations obtained 1086, representing 6.55% of the total citations. The year 2014 had the highest number of publications, with 27 papers. The first authors had affiliations from 44 countries; the United States was the country that contributed the most, with 54 manuscripts. Boston Children's Hospital was the institution that provided more articles to the top 100. Finally, the Ebstein anomaly was the topic with the highest number of citations. This study identified the 100 most cited on CCHD, and the results obtained can provide practical guidance to clinicians and researchers to familiarize themselves with the most influential publications in this field., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is frequently associated with conduction abnormalities and arrhythmias. In this study, we aim to evaluate racial disparities in the frequency of arrhythmias, and associated co-morbidities, among patients with CS., Methods: White and African American (AA) patients diagnosed with CS were identified and compared from the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database whilst adjusting for confounders via logistic regression models., Results: A total of 7,935 patients with CS were included in the study. The propensity-matched sample comprised of 5,570 patients, of whom 2,785 were White and 2,785 were AA. AA patients had a longer mean length of hospital stay (LOS) (7.84 vs. 6.94, p<0.01), a higher mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score (3.10 vs. 2.84, p<0.01), and significantly higher incidences of cardiogenic shock [(9.2% vs 6.3%, p<0.01), aOR 1.45 (95% CI 1.17-1.78), p<0.01] and acute kidney injury (AKI) [(34.3% vs. 26.9%, p<0.01), aOR 1.41 (95% CI 1.24-1.61), p<0.01]. From an arrhythmia perspective, AA CS patients were shown to have a lower frequency of: (1) ventricular tachycardia (32.5% vs. 37.9%, p<0.01), (2) ventricular fibrillation (5.4% vs.7.2%, p<0.01), (3) first-degree AV block (1.8% vs. 4.1%, p<0.01), (4) complete AV block (6.3% vs. 14.2%, p<0.01), and (5) atrial fibrillation (31.8% vs. 34.8%, p=0.016) when compared to Whites with CS. Mortality remained higher for AAs (3.8% vs. 2.7%, p=0.024)., Conclusion: Our study demonstrates a higher incidence of cardiac arrhythmias among White patients but a higher incidence of cardiogenic shock, AKI, mean LOS, and mortality among AA patients with cardiac sarcoidosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We aim to summarize selected late-breaking science on hypertension management strategies and disease presented at the 2023 American Heart Association (AHA) conference. The trials discussed below encompass stricter goals of blood pressure management and were expanded into different population groups from different countries with varied socioeconomic backgrounds and settings, collectively advancing our understanding of hypertension treatment and its impact on public health. We summarized the china rural health care project (CRHCP), a four-year study involving over 34,000 participants in rural China, emphasizing the potential of stricter blood pressure goals in lowering the incidence of all-cause dementia and cognitive impairment. Next, we explore the US-based CARDIA-SSBP study, which highlights the impact of dietary sodium on systolic blood pressure in middle-aged individuals. Through a randomized-order cross-over design, the study provides compelling evidence supporting the effectiveness of sodium reduction as a non-pharmacological approach to blood pressure control. The UK-based POP-HT trial offers critical insights into postpartum women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy. The trial emphasizes the benefits of self-monitoring and physician-optimized antihypertensive titration, showcasing significant blood pressure reductions in the intervention group. Furthermore, the KARDIA-1 study introduces us to Zilebesiran, an innovative RNA interference drug. This phase 2 study highlights its potential for achieving sustained blood pressure reductions and its favorable safety profile, marking a significant step forward in hypertension treatment. Lastly, we expand the practical application of the previously conducted landmark SPRINT trial, which showed cardiovascular benefit with intensive SBP control to less than 120 mm Hg in high-risk non-diabetic patients with hypertension compared with routine BP control to <140 mm Hg. The ESPRIT trial and the IMPACTS trial build upon the SPRINT trial, demonstrating the effects of intensive blood pressure lowering in Asian hypertensive patients and in 36 health care clinics in medically underserved states in the US: Louisiana and Mississippi. The IMPACTS trial and the "Hypertension Treatment in Nigeria Program" demonstrate the effectiveness of implementing comprehensive blood pressure control strategies in real-world settings. These studies highlight the feasibility and scalability of such interventions, especially in low-resource environments, and their potential to significantly improve public health outcomes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This investigation meticulously explores the evolving landscape of Covid-19-related mortality in the United States from 2020 to 2023. Leveraging the comprehensive CDC WONDER database, the study conducts a detailed analysis of age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs), considering various demographic and regional parameters. The identified pattern illustrates an initial surge in AAMRs from 2020 to 2021, followed by a subsequent decline until 2023. Notably, there is a discernible reduction in AAMRs for both the elderly (85 years and older) and infants (below one year). Within specific demographic segments, heightened AAMRs are observed among NH American Indian or Alaska Native individuals, men, and residents in particular states and regions. Emphasizing the significant impact of Covid-19 on cardiovascular health, the study underscores increased mortality rates associated with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. AAMR rates were standardized per 100,000 population, providing a comparative metric. Noteworthy states with elevated AAMRs include Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kentucky, New Mexico, and Alabama, with the Southern region exhibiting the highest AAMR. The research sheds light on demographic and regional disparities in Covid-19-related mortality, calling for intensified efforts in prevention and treatment strategies. These findings, offering nuanced insights, serve as a guide for strategic public health initiatives to mitigate the multifaceted repercussions of the pandemic, especially among vulnerable populations., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In the United States, a patient succumbs to cardiovascular disease (CVD) every 33 seconds and costs the healthcare system close to $240 billion dollars annually. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are key factors responsible in structuring the well-being of individuals and communities. It significantly influences health outcomes and is reliant on several factors such as economic stability, education, healthcare access, community composition, and governmental policies. This review explores the impact of SDOH on the escalating global burden of CVD and identifies potential modifiable risk factors that contribute to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among underserved communities. In addition, it also addresses the necessity for interventions to narrow healthcare related disparities ensuring improvement in CVD outcomes in this subgroup of population., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

In this retrospective study, spanning from 1999 to 2020, we examined mortality trends related to SICM (substance-induced cardiomyopathy) among individuals aged 75 and older. A total of 473,408 SICM-related deaths were identified, with detailed data on the place of death available for 454,632 cases, revealing that a significant proportion occurred in medical facilities (45.43 %), nursing homes (24.67 %), hospices (4.21 %), and at home (25.69 %). Our analysis of age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) showed an overall decline from 1999 to 2020, decreasing from 14.5 to 7.7 per 10,000 population, with an initial increase from 1999 to 2001 followed by a subsequent decline. Gender-based analysis indicated consistently higher AAMRs for elderly men compared to elderly women. Moreover, we observed variations in AAMRs based on race and ethnicity, with NH Black or African American individuals having the highest AAMRs. Geographic disparities were notable, with states like Delaware having AAMRs twice as high as Utah. The Southern region consistently exhibited the highest AAMR, followed by the Midwestern, Northeastern, and Western regions. Furthermore, metropolitan areas consistently had higher AAMRs than nonmetropolitan areas, although both showed declining trends over the study period. These findings provide valuable insights into SICM-related mortality patterns among the elderly population, emphasizing the importance of considering demographic and geographic factors in public health planning and interventions., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

National estimates of deaths related to both heart failure (HF) and sleep apnea (SA) are not known. We evaluated the trends in HF and SA related mortality using the CDC-WONDER database in adults aged ≥25 years in the US. All deaths related to HF and SA as contributing or underlying causes of death were queried. Between 1999 and 2019, there were a total of 6,484,486 deaths related to HF, 204,824 deaths related to SA, and 53,957 deaths related to both. There was a statistically significant increase in the age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) for both SA-related (average annual percent change [AAPC] 8.2%) and combined HF and SA- related (AAPC 10.1 %) deaths. Men had consistently higher AAMRs compared with women, and both groups had a similar increasing trend in AAMR. Non-Hispanic (NH) Black individuals had the highest HF and SA-related AAMR, followed by NH White and Hispanic/Latino individuals. Adults aged >75 years consistently had the highest AAMR with the steepest increase (AAPC 11.1%). In conclusion, HF and SA-related mortality has significantly risen over the past two decades with the elderly, men, and NH Black at disproportionately higher risk., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Air pollution is responsible worldwide for 9-12 million deaths annually. The major contributor to air pollution is particulate matter ≤2.5 µg per cubic meter of air (PM2.5) from vehicles, industrial emissions, and wildfire smoke. United States ambient air standards recommend annual average PM2.5 concentrations of ≤12 μg/m³ while European standards allow an average annual PM2.5 concentration of ≤20 μg/m 3 . However, significant PM2.5 cardiovascular and pulmonary health risks exist below these concentrations. Chronic PM2.5 exposure significantly increases major cardiovascular and pulmonary event risks in Americans by 8 to more than 20% for each 10-μg/m 3 increase in PM2.5. PM2.5-induced increases in lipid peroxidation, induction of vascular inflammation and endothelial cell injury initiate and propagate respiratory diseases, coronary and carotid atherosclerosis. PM2.5 can cause atherosclerotic vascular plaque rupture and myocardial infarction and stroke by activating metalloproteinases. This article discusses PM2.5 effects on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, specific PM2.5 pathophysiologic mechanisms contributing to cardiopulmonary disease, and preventive measures to limit the cardiovascular and pulmonary effects of PM2.5., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The author declare that he has no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)