European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2024
Review Meta AnalysisThe acute effect of exercise on the endothelial glycocalyx in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
In recent years, it has been demonstrated that when the endothelial glycocalyx, composed of proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins, is altered or modified, this property is lost, playing a fundamental role in cardiovascular pathologies. Cardiovascular risk factors can destroy the endothelial glycocalyx layer. Exercise has a positive effect on cardiovascular risk factors, but little is known about its direct effect on the integrity of the endothelial layer. ⋯ In a healthy population, various types of exercise showed an acute improvement of the endothelial glycocalyx and its individual components.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2024
ReviewManaging hypertriglyceridemia for cardiovascular disease prevention: Lessons from the PROMINENT trial.
Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that hypertriglyceridemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, large clinical studies on triglyceride-lowering therapy have yielded inconsistent results. In the current review, we reassess the importance of triglyceride-lowering therapy in preventing CVD based on previous literature and the recently published findings of the PROMINENT trial. ⋯ Although the PROMINENT trial did not demonstrate the significance of pemafibrate as a triglyceride-lowering therapy in a specific population, it does not necessarily negate the potential benefits of treating hypertriglyceridemia in reducing CVD events. It is necessary to explore appropriate populations that could benefit from this therapy, utilize data from the PROMINENT trial and other databases, and validate findings in real-world settings.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2024
ReviewNew insights into the therapeutic options to lower lipoprotein(a).
Elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] represent a risk factor for cardiovascular disease including aortic valve stenosis, myocardial infarction and stroke. While the patho-physiological mechanisms linking Lp(a) with atherosclerosis are not fully understood, from genetic studies that lower Lp(a) levels protect from CVD independently of other risk factors including lipids and lipoproteins. Hereby, Lp(a) has been considered an appealing pharmacological target. ⋯ If the results from the cardiovascular outcome trials, designed to demonstrate whether the reduction of Lp(a) of more than 80% as observed with pelacarsen, olpasiran or lepodisiran translates into the decrease of cardiovascular mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events, will be positive, lowering Lp(a) will become a new additional target in the management of patients with elevated cardiovascular risk.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2024
Review Meta AnalysisIncreased prevalence of high-risk coronary plaques in metabolic dysfunction associated stetatotic liver disease patients: A meta-analysis.
Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography (CTCA) can assess both the extent and the features of coronary plaques. We aimed to gather evidence about the prevalence and features of coronary plaques among MASLD patients. ⋯ Patients with MASLD are at increased risk of developing critical coronary stenosis and coronary plaques characterized by high-risk features as detected by CTCA.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2024
Review Meta AnalysisPredictive value of quality of life as measured by KCCQ in heart failure patients: A meta-analysis.
Studies on the predictive ability of disease-specific health quality of life (QoL) in patients with heart failure (HF) have produced conflicting results. To address these gaps in knowledge, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the predictive value of QoL measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) in patients with HF. ⋯ Poor health-related QoL as determined by the lower KCCQ score, was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalisation in patients with HF. Measuring disease-specific health-related QoL using the KCCQ score may provide valuable predictive information for HF patients.