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In addition to showing antidiabetic effects, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors also reduce cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In major trials of cardiovascular outcomes, SGLT2 inhibitors have been shown to improve cardiovascular and renal outcomes, including reduced rehospitalization in patients with heart failure, regardless of the presence of diabetes. A recent report showed that the benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors in terms of cardiovascular deaths/admissions caused by heart failure and reduced ejection fraction were greater in Asians than in Whites. In this review, the first part demonstrates the results of recent clinical trials and their clinical implications and outlines current trials and upcoming research areas. The second part provides a general overview of the current understanding of the mechanisms of the cardiovascular benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors., Competing Interests: Dr Shimizu has received honorariums and/or scholarship funds from Boehringer Ingelheim Co, Ltd, Daiichi Sankyo Co, Ltd, Ono Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Bayer Co, Ltd, Pfizer Co, Ltd, and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co, Ltd. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (© 2022 The Authors.)

The pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is complex and multifactorial, and inflammation plays a central role. Inflammasomes are multimeric protein complexes that are activated in a 2-step manner in response to infection or tissue damage. Upon activation the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukins-1β and -18 are released. In the last decade, the evidence that inflammasome activation plays an important role in CVD development became stronger. We discuss the role of different inflammasomes in the pathogenesis of CVD, focusing on atherosclerosis and heart failure. This review also provides an overview of existing experimental studies and clinical trials on inflammasome inhibition as a therapeutic target in these disorders., Competing Interests: This work was supported by the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority (grant 2019058 to Dr Louwe) and Throne-Holst fund (grant 511322 to Dr Belland Olsen). Dr Sokolova is currently an employee of GlaxoSmithKline. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (© 2022 The Authors.)

Objectives: The role of point-of-care testing (POCT) out of hospital, especially in home care and ambulatory care settings, is an issue meriting further research. We reviewed studies reporting cardiovascular events as a result of the implementation of B-type natriuretic peptide or N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide POCT (BNP/NT-proBNP POCT) for heart disease patients in the settings., Design: Articles were searched via a PubMed engine until May 30, 2020., Results: In total, six studies were selected. Three studies involving ambulatory care used the POCT to refer patients with suspected heart diseases to a specialist. The other three used the tests in home care to monitor patients with heart failure. In ambulatory care, the randomized controlled trials, in which referrals were made to a specialist, showed that the group using POCT had significantly fewer cardiovascular outcomes, such as hospitalizations and deaths, than the non-use group. In home care, adverse outcomes were predicted from changes in BNP levels., Conclusions: In most studies, the use of BNP/NT-proBNP POCT in home care and ambulatory care settings demonstrated favorable results regarding the cardiovascular outcomes. The utility of POCT in the settings is suggested, while more investigations are required., Competing Interests: NS; EIKEN CHEMICAL Co., Ltd. There are no conflicts of interest to be disclosed for the other authors., (© 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by nitric oxide dysregulation and an altered redox state. Oxidative stress and inflammatory markers prevail, thus promoting atherogenesis and hypertension, important risk factors for the development and progression of heart failure. There has been a reemerging interest in the role that endothelial dysfunction plays in the failing circulation. Accordingly, patients with heart failure are being clinically assessed for endothelial dysfunction via various methods, including flow-mediated vasodilation, peripheral arterial tonometry, quantification of circulating endothelial progenitor cells, and early and late endothelial progenitor cell outgrowth measurements. Although the mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction are intimately related to cardiovascular disease and heart failure, it remains unclear whether targeting endothelial dysfunction is a feasible strategy for ameliorating heart failure progression. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction, the mechanisms linking endothelial dysfunction and heart failure, and the various diagnostic methods currently used to measure endothelial function, ultimately highlighting the therapeutic implications of targeting endothelial dysfunction for the treatment of heart failure.