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Gastric heterotopia (GH) is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. GH of the small bowel is rare, and the duodenum is more commonly involved than the jejunum. Here, we present five cases of GH involving the duodenum and jejunum, with presentations including gastrointestinal bleeding, symptomatic anemia, and no symptoms. A 63-year-old man presented with melenic stools but could not identify an obvious bleeding source during endoscopy. He was ultimately diagnosed with jejunal GH. A 70-year-old woman with melena and severe anemia had a duodenal bulb mass detected during endoscopy, which was histopathologically diagnosed as GH. A 54-year-old woman experienced nausea, vomiting, and dysphagia. Endoscopy revealed esophagitis and a duodenal GH without malignancy. A 69-year-old woman incidentally had duodenal GH during evaluation for a lung mass, which was later diagnosed as an aggressive neuroendocrine tumor. The fifth patient was an 83-year-old woman who was admitted for profound significant anemia. Upper endoscopy showed a round, 0.3 cm ulcer in the duodenum and a duodenal polyp with a tiny ulcer, and her histopathology was consistent with GH. The exact mechanism of the action of GH remains unknown. Its clinical presentation is variable, gastrointestinal bleeding is rare, and diagnosis is based on histopathology only. Our case series emphasizes the need to include GH in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding, with or without other associated symptoms., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Matli et al.)

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic and progressive clinical disorder characterized by an inability to pump sufficient blood to meet metabolic demands. It poses a substantial global healthcare burden, leading to high morbidity, mortality, and economic impact. Current treatments for HF include lifestyle modifications, guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMT), and device interventions, but the need for novel therapeutic approaches remains significant. The introduction of vericiguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, has shown promise in improving outcomes for heart failure patients. Vericiguat addresses the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of heart failure by augmenting the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway, leading to enhanced cardiac contractility and vasodilation. Clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of vericiguat, such as the Vericiguat Global Study in Subjects with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (VICTORIA) trial, have demonstrated promising results. It has been shown that vericiguat, when added to standard therapy, reduces the risk of HF hospitalization and cardiovascular death in patients with symptomatic chronic HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The addition of vericiguat to the current armamentarium of HF treatments provides clinicians with a novel therapeutic option to further optimize patient outcomes. Its potential benefits extend beyond symptom management, aiming to reduce hospitalizations and mortality rates associated with HF. As with any new treatment, the appropriate patient selection, monitoring, and management of potential adverse effects are essential. Further research is warranted to determine the long-term benefits, optimal dosing strategies, and potential combination therapies involving vericiguat. Its ability to target the cGMP pathway provides a unique mechanism of action, offering potential benefits in improving clinical outcomes for HF patients. Continued investigation and clinical experience will further elucidate the role of vericiguat in the management of HF and its overall impact on reducing the healthcare burden associated with this debilitating condition., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Dies et al.)