The American journal of the medical sciences
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Atherosclerotic heart disease remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The past few decades have seen the emergence of chronic inflammation as a mediator of atherosclerosis. ⋯ In addition, the rapid emergence of systemic liver diseases has unraveled a pathophysiological link with heart disease with therapeutic implications. In this review, we explore the relationship between the liver and the heart in myocardial ischemia, describe epidemiological associations between various liver pathologies and coronary heart disease, and elucidate practical challenges in the clinical management of patients with concomitant coronary heart disease and hepatic abnormalities.
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The purpose of the study was to assess the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of native vertebral osteomyelitis (NVO) in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). ⋯ Atherosclerotic vascular disease was prominent in our contemporary cohort with NVO in the setting of SAB. Diabetes mellitus, tobacco consumption, older age and male sex likely contributed to this profile. Because IDU was associated with NVO, an increased number of cases should be anticipated among patients with IDU given the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States.