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Background Cardiooncology is a relatively new subspeciality, investigating the side effects of cytoreductive therapies on the cardiovascular (CV) system. Gender differences are well known in oncological and CV diseases, but are less elucidated in cardiooncological collectives. Methods Five hundred and fifty-one patients (278 male, 273 female) with diagnosed cancer who underwent regular cardiological surveillance were enrolled in the ' MA nnheim R egistry for C ardio O ncology' and followed over a median of 41 (95% confidence interval: 40–43) months. Results Female patients were younger at the time of first cancer diagnosis [median 60 (range 50–70) vs. 66 (55–75), P  = 0.0004], while the most common tumour was breast cancer (49.8%). Hyperlipidaemia was more often present in female patients (37% vs. 25%, P  = 0.001). Male patients had a higher cancer susceptibility than female patients. They suffered more often from hypertension (51% vs. 67%, P  = 0.0002) or diabetes (14% vs. 21%, P  = 0.02) and revealed more often vitamin D deficiency [(U/l) median 26.0 (range 17–38) vs. 16 (9–25), P  = 0.002] and anaemia [(g/dl) median 11.8 (range 10.4–12.9) vs. 11.7 (9.6–13.6), P  = 0.51]. During follow-up, 140 patients died (male 77, female 63; P  = 0.21). An increased mortality rate was observed in male patients (11.4% vs. 14%, P  = 0.89), with even higher mortality rates of up to 18.9% vs. 7.7% (P  = 0.02) considering tumours that can affect both sexes compared. Conclusions Although female patients were younger at the time of first cancer diagnosis, male patients had both higher cancer susceptibility and an increased mortality risk. Concomitant CV diseases were more common in male patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A substantial aspect of health literacy is the knowledge of prescribed medication. In chronic heart failure, incomplete intake of prescribed drugs (medication non-adherence) is inversely associated with clinical prognosis. Therefore, we assessed medication knowledge in a cohort of patients with decompensated heart failure at hospital admission and after discharge in a prospective, cross-sectional study. Methods: One hundred and eleven patients presenting at the emergency department with acute decompensated heart failure were included (mean age 78.4±9.2, 59% men) in the study. Patients' medication knowledge was assessed during individual interviews at baseline, course of hospitalization, and 3 months after discharge. Individual responses were compared with the medical records of the referring general practitioner. Results: Median N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide plasma concentration in the overall population at baseline was 4,208 pg/mL (2,023-7,101 pg/mL [interquartile range]), 20 patients died between the second and third interview. The number of prescribed drugs increased from 8±3 at baseline to 9±3 after 3 months. The majority of patients did not know the correct number of their drugs. Medication knowledge decreased continuously from baseline to the third interview. At baseline, 37% (n=41) of patients stated the correct number of drugs to be taken, whereas only 18% (n=16) knew the correct number 3 months after discharge (P=0.008). Knowledge was inversely related to N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide levels. Conclusion: Medication knowledge of patients with acute decompensated heart failure is poor. Despite care in a university hospital, patients' individual medication knowledge decreased after discharge. The study reveals an urgent need for better strategies to improve and promote the knowledge of prescribed medication in these very high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) correlates to cognitive decline and incident dementia. The effects of heart rate (HR), visit to visit HR variation, and visit to visit SBP variation are less well established. Patients without preexisting cognitive dysfunction (N=24 593) were evaluated according to mean SBP, SBP visit to visit variation (coefficient of variation [standard deviation/mean×100%], CV), mean HR, and visit to visit HR variation (HR-CV) in the Ongoing Telmisartan Alone and in Combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial and the Telmisartan Randomized Assessment Study in ACE Intolerant Subjects with Cardiovascular Disease. Cognitive function was assessed with mini mental state examination. Cognitive dysfunction (fall in mini mental state examination ≤24 points), important cognitive decline (drop of ≤5 points), and cognitive deterioration (drop of >1 point per year or decline to <24 points) were assessed. SBP and HR were measured over 10.7±2.2 (mean±SD) visits. Mean SBP, mean HR, and SBP-CV were associated with cognitive decline, dysfunction, and deterioration (all P<0.01, unadjusted). After adjustment, only SBP-CV (P=0.0030) and mean HR (P=0.0008) remained predictors for cognitive dysfunction (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals], 1.32 [1.10-1.58] for 5th versus 1st quintile of SBP-CV and 1.40 [1.18-1.66] for 5th versus 1st quintile of mean HR). Similar effects were observed for cognitive decline and deterioration. SBP-CV and mean HR showed additive effects. In conclusion, SBPCV and mean HR are independent predictors of cognitive decline and cognitive dysfunction in patients at high CV risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart rate is a predictor of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the general population and in patients with cardiovascular disease. Increased resting heart rate multiplies risk and interferes at all stages of the cardiovascular disease continuum initiating from endothelial dysfunction and continuing via atherosclerotic lesion formation and plaque rupture to end-stage cardiovascular disease. As a therapeutic target, heart rate is accessible via numerous pharmacological interventions. The concept of selective heart rate reduction by the I(f) current inhibitor ivabradine provides an option to intervene effectively along the chain of events and to define the specific and prognostic role of heart rate for patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure. Future interventional studies will further clarify the significance of heart rate and targeted heart rate reduction for primary and secondary prevention in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the study "Impact of Resting Heart Rate on Mortality, Disability and Cognitive Decline in Patients After Ischemic Stroke," by Daniel Cotton et al. It reveals the association between psychosocial risk factors and risk of acute myocardial infarction. It compares telmisartan and placebo in the prevention of recurrent stroke.

This review summarizes the current literature and the open questions regarding the physiology and pathophysiology of the mechanical effects of heart rate on the vessel wall and the associated molecular signaling that may have implications for patient care. Epidemiological evidence shows that resting heart rate is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population and in patients with cardiovascular disease. As a consequence, increased resting heart rate has emerged as an independent risk factor both in primary prevention and in patients with hypertension, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction. Experimental and clinical data suggest that sustained elevation of heart rate—independent of the underlying trigger—contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular disease. In animal studies, accelerated heart rate is associated with cellular signaling events leading to vascular oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and acceleration of atherogenesis. The underlying mechanisms are only partially understood and appear to involve alterations of mechanic properties such as reduction of vascular compliance. Clinical studies reported a positive correlation between increased resting heart rate and circulating markers of inflammation. In patients with coronary heart disease, increased resting heart rate may influence the clinical course of atherosclerotic disease by facilitation of plaque disruption and progression of coronary atherosclerosis. While a benefit of pharmacological or interventional heart rate reduction on different vascular outcomes was observed in experimental studies, prospective clinical data are limited, and prospective evidence determining whether modulation of heart rate can reduce cardiovascular events in different patient populations is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To determine the effect of heart rate reduction with ivabradine on atherosclerotic lesions and erectile dysfunction. Methods: Two different treatment regimes with ivabradine were applied in wild-type (C57/B6) and ApoE−/−-mice to study effects of ivabradine on erectile function and atherosclerosis in animals with and without present endothelial dysfunction. Preventive effects of ivabradine were evaluated in animals fed a high-cholesterol diet in parallel to treatment with ivabradine (orally via chow, 10mg/kg per day). The other treatment regime started treatment with a high-cholesterol diet for 4 weeks to induce endothelial dysfunction. Thereafter, treatment with ivabradine (orally via chow, 15mg/kg per day) was started in ApoE−/− mice for 3 months. Vital parameters were measured using the tail-cuff method. Erectile function was assessed by pharmacological stimulation of corpora cavernosa in organ bath chambers. Atherosclerotic plaque formation, oxidative stress, eNOS and collagen content were determined. Results: Treatment with ivabradine significantly reduced heart rate (p <0.01), with no effect on blood pressure. Aortic atherosclerotic lesion size decreased with ivabradine in both treatment regimes (p <0.05). Endothelium-dependent relaxation of corpora cavernosa significantly decreased in ApoE−/−-mice with a restoration by ivabradine in prevention and reversal. Dihydroethidium-stained penile sections (p <0.05) and lipid peroxidase assay (p <0.05) revealed a reduction in superoxide production in ivabradine-treated animals. Penile eNOS-expression increased and collagen content significantly decreased (p <0.01) in ivabradine-treated animals. Conclusion: Ivabradine improves penile endothelial function by reduction of oxidative stress and penile fibrosis. Beneficial effects were achieved in prevention and manifest endothelial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to the pathogenesis of myocardial hypertrophy. NADPH oxidase is a major source of ROS production. The small GTPase Rac1 mediates the activation of NADPH oxidase; however, the mechanism of Rac1 activation is incompletely understood. Methods and results: Transaortic constriction (TAC, C57/Bl6 mice, 360 μm, 21 days) increased the ratio of heart to body weight from [‰] SHAM 4.16±0.09 to TAC 7.1±0.37, p <0.01. Treatment with rosuvastatin prevented pressure-induced cardiac hypertrophy (5.5±0.18, p <0.05). TAC induced a 4-fold up-regulation of myocardial NADPH oxidase activity as well as Rac1 activity; both effects were absent in statin-treated animals. In cultured rat cardiomyocytes, treatment with angiotensin II (AngII) increased translocation of Rac1 to cell membranes and Rac1 activity. AngII altered neither expression nor tyrosine phosphorylation of GTPase activating protein GAP-p190 and the guanine nucleotide exchange factors Vav and Tiam. Transaortic constriction as well as AngII increased the binding of Rho guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (RhoGDIα) to Rac1. The association of RhoGDIα with Rac1 was mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and depended on geranylgeranylation. Statin treatment inhibited RhoGDIα–Rac1 binding both in cultured cardiomyocytes and during myocardial hypertrophy in vivo. Transfection with RhoGDIα siRNA constructs potently reduced RhoGDIα protein expression, decreased AngII-induced superoxide production and lipid peroxidation, and inhibited AngII-induced leucine incorporation. Conclusions: Myocardial hypertrophy is characterized by activation of Rac1 and NADPH oxidase. The association of the regulatory protein RhoGDIα with Rac1 represents a necessary step in the Rac1-dependent release of ROS. Rac1–RhoGDIα binding may represent a target for anti-hypertrophic pharmacologic interventions, potentially by statin treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Epidemiologic studies suggest that elevated postprandial triglycerides (ppTG) are associated with future cardiovascular events. Monocyte activation plays an important role in vascular diseases. Omega-3 fatty acids (n3-FA) lower fasting TG levels. The effects of n3-FA on ppTG and the role of ppTG for monocyte activation are insufficiently understood. Methods and results: 23 healthy volunteers and 30 non-diabetic patients with documented coronary artery disease were subjected to an oral TG tolerance test (OTTT) consisting of 80 g cream fat or to water as control (H2O). Patients were treated with 4 g n3-FA/day or placebo for 3 weeks in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study. Relative postprandial TG increase reached its maximum 4 h after fat intake (185.1 ± 10.9% of baseline). n3-FA reduced fasting TG from 137.1 ± 12.9 to 112.2 ± 8.6 mg/dl (p < 0.05), and maximum ppTG concentrations from 243.6 ± 24.6 to 205.8 ± 17.1 mg/dl (p < 0.05), while relative TG increase (192.8 ± 12.7%) was comparable to placebo. Relative monocytopenia and neutrophilia were detected following fat intake, which was unaffected by n3-FA and also detectable in the H2O group. Serum chemotactic cytokine (MCP1 and fractalkine) concentrations and monocyte migration were not affected by fat intake or n3-FA. Monocyte activation markers CD11b and CD14, monocyte subpopulations CD16+CD14high and CD16+CD14low, sICAM serum levels and markers of oxidative stress remained unchanged by fat intake or n3-FA. Conclusion: The postprandial TG increase does not stimulate monocytes beyond their circadian activation patterns. n3-FA reduce fasting TG and the postprandial TG increase. n3-FA may therefore allow to prospectively study whether selected patients benefit from TG-lowering independent of LDL- and HDL-cholesterol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: COVID-19 comprises several severity stages ranging from oligosymptomatic disease to multi-organ failure and fatal outcomes. The mechanisms why COVID-19 is a mild disease in some patients and progresses to a severe multi-organ and often fatal disease with respiratory failure are not known. Biomarkers that predict the course of disease are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate a large spectrum of established laboratory measurements., Patients and Methods: Patients from the prospective PULMPOHOM and CORSAAR studies were recruited and comprised 35 patients with COVID-19, 23 with conventional pneumonia, and 28 control patients undergoing elective non-pulmonary surgery. Venous blood was used to measure the serum concentrations of 79 proteins by Luminex multiplex immunoassay technology. Distribution of biomarkers between groups and association with disease severity and outcomes were analyzed., Results: The biomarker profiles between the three groups differed significantly with elevation of specific proteins specific for the respective conditions. Several biomarkers correlated significantly with disease severity and death. Uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) analysis revealed a significant separation of the three disease groups and separated between survivors and deceased patients. Different models were developed to predict mortality based on the baseline measurements of several protein markers. A score combining IL-1ra, IL-8, IL-10, MCP-1, SCF and CA-9 was associated with significantly higher mortality (AUC 0.929)., Discussion: Several newly identified blood markers were significantly increased in patients with severe COVID-19 (AAT, EN-RAGE, myoglobin, SAP, TIMP-1, vWF, decorin) or in patients that died (IL-1ra, IL-8, IL-10, MCP-1, SCF, CA-9). The use of established assay technologies allows for rapid translation into clinical practice., Competing Interests: Prof Dr Thomas Volk reports grants from BBraun, grants from Sedana medical, outside the submitted work. Prof Dr Robert Bals reports grants from Myriad, grants from State of Saarland, grants from Schwiete Stiftung, during the conduct of the study; grants, personal fees from various, outside the submitted work. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work., (© 2021 Herr et al.)

Objectives: We assessed left ventricular (LV) function and central hemodynamic effects in patients with a heart rate (HR) at rest of ≥70 beats per minute (bpm) and chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) after long-term treatment with ivabradine compared to placebo by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging., Methods and Results: In a randomized, double-blinded, prospective cross-over design, 23 patients (18 male, 5 female) were treated with ivabradine (7.5 mg bid) or placebo for 6 months. CMR imaging was performed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months to determine LV functional parameters.Mean resting HR on treatment with ivabradine was 58 ± 8.2 bpm and 70.2 ± 8.3 bpm during placebo (p < 0.0001).There was no difference in systolic LV ejection fraction (ivabradine 57.4 ± 11.2% vs placebo 53.0 ± 10.9%, p = 0.18), indexed end-diastolic (EDVi) or end-systolic volumes (ESVi). Indexed stroke volume (SVi) (ml/m 2 ) remained unchanged after treatment with ivabradine. Volume time curve parameters reflecting systolic LV function (peak ejection rate and time) were unaffected by ivabradine, while both peak filling rate (PFR) and PFR/EDV were significantly increased. Mean aortic velocity (cm/s) was significantly reduced during treatment with ivabradine (ivabradine 6.7 ± 2.7 vs placebo 9.0 ± 3.4, p = 0.01). Aortic flow parameters were correlated to parameters of vascular stiffness. The strongest correlation was revealed for mean aortic velocity with aortic distensibility (AD) (r = -0.86 [-0.90 to -0.85], p < 0.0001)., Conclusion: Long-term reduction of HR with ivabradine in patients with CCS improved diastolic function and reduced mean aortic flow velocity., Competing Interests: 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., (© 2021 The Authors.)

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are atherogenic and represent a strong cardiovascular risk factor. Therefore, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) remains the primary target in lipid lowering therapy. However, since many cardiovascular events occur despite an optimal LDL-C, it is necessary to focus on the remaining cardiovascular risk. Treatment of low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and high triglycerides (TG) are options to achieve cardiovascular risk reduction beyond LDL. HDL mediates reverse cholesterol transport and exerts several other athero-protective effects. Epidemiologic evidence has shown that low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) is a strong and independent cardiovascular risk marker. However, since the anti-atherogenic effects of HDL particles rather depend on their functionality rather than on their cholesterol content, an increase in HDL-C concentration does not always have to result in a clinical benefit. Besides established strategies to increase HDL-C, e.g. with fibrates and nicotinic acid, CETP (Cholesteryl ester transfer protein)-inhibition is a promising new therapeutic option. The failure of torcetrapib, the first CETP-inhibitor, seems to be attributed to "off-target" effects. Treatment with the newer CETP-inhibitors dalcetrapib and anacetrapib has been shown to be efficacious and safe - but their usefulness in clinical practice remains to be determined in ongoing clinical endpoint trials. TG concentrations have been shown to correlate with cardiovascular risk. However, interpretation of plasma TG concentrations remains difficult due to considerable intra-individual variability of plasma concentrations. Post-prandial triglyceride concentrations may be better predictors of cardiovascular risk than fasting TG. In patients with hypertriglyceridemia, achievement of the LDL-C goal remains the primary lipid target. The basis of therapy in patients with hypertriglyceridemia are life style modifications. In addition, non-HDL-C should be addressed. For selected patients, treatment with fibrates, nicotinic acid or omega-3 fatty acids are available to lower TG concentrations. In summary, the focus of lipid therapy is the reduction of cardiovascular risk rather than the modification of lipoprotein sub-fractions. Ongoing research points towards a shift of the focus from the HDL-C concentrations to parameters of HDL function and from fasting TG to TG kinetics.

Angiotensin receptor blockers enhance endothelial function and are suggested to improve erectile function. The effects and underlying mechanisms of treatment with the angiotensin receptor blocker irbesartan on penile endothelial function in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)(-/-) mice were determined. Wild-type (C57/B6) and ApoE(-/-) mice were fed with a high-fat, cholesterol-rich diet for 7 weeks and treated with irbesartan (50 mg/kg . day) or hydralazine (250 mg/l). Vital parameters were measured with the tail-cuff method. Endothelial (aortic rings) and erectile function (corpora cavernosa) were assessed by pharmacological stimulation in an organ bath chamber. Oxidative stress and angiotensin receptor expression were determined. Blood pressure was significantly decreased in irbesartan- and hydralazine-treated ApoE(-/-) mice (p < 0.05) compared with controls and wild-type mice. Endothelial function of the aorta and corpus cavernosum was significantly impaired in ApoE(-/-) mice (p < 0.05) and could be restored by treatment with irbesartan (p < 0.05). Consistently, nitric oxide production of corpora cavernosa was impaired in ApoE(-/-) mice (p < 0.01), with a restoration in irbesartan- but not hydralazine-treated mice. Dihydroethidium-stained sections and lipid peroxidase assay revealed a reduction of superoxide production in irbesartan (p < 0.05) compared with hydralazine-treated and control ApoE(-/-) mice. In summary, irbesartan improves penile endothelial function in ApoE(-/-) mice by reduction of vascular and cavernosal oxidative stress. This result emphasizes the beneficial effect of inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system even in terms of erectile function.

Background: Elevated heart rate is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity. We hypothesized that selective heart rate reduction may influence endothelial function and atherogenesis and tested the effects of the I(f) current inhibitor ivabradine in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice., Methods and Results: Male apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed a high-cholesterol diet were treated with ivabradine (10 mg . kg(-1) . d(-1)) or vehicle for 6 weeks (n=10 per group). Ivabradine reduced heart rate by 13.4% (472+/-9 versus 545+/-11 bpm; P<0.01) but did not alter blood pressure or lipid levels. Endothelium-dependent relaxation of aortic rings was significantly improved in ivabradine-fed animals (P<0.01). Ivabradine decreased atherosclerotic plaque size in the aortic root by >40% and in the ascending aorta by >70% (P<0.05). Heart rate reduction by ivabradine had no effect on the number of endothelial progenitor cells and did not alter aortic endothelial nitric oxide synthase, phosphorylated Akt, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, or intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression but decreased monocyte chemotactic protein-1 mRNA and exerted potent antioxidative effects. Ivabradine reduced vascular NADPH oxidase activity to 48+/-6% and decreased markers of superoxide production and lipid peroxidation in the aortic wall (P<0.05). The in vivo effects of ivabradine were absent at a dose that did not lower heart rate, in aortic rings treated ex vivo, and in cultured vascular cells. In contrast to ivabradine, treatment with hydralazine (25 mg . kg(-1) . d(-1) for 6 weeks) reduced blood pressure (-15%) but increased heart rate (37%) and did not improve endothelial function, atherosclerosis, or oxidative stress., Conclusions: Selective heart rate reduction with ivabradine decreases markers of vascular oxidative stress, improves endothelial function, and reduces atherosclerotic plaque formation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.