Cardiovascular & Haematological Disorders - Drug Targets - Volume 21, Issue 3, 2021

Cardiovascular disease continues to rise at an alarming rate, and research focuses on possible therapies to reduce the risk and slow down its progression. Several epidemiological studies have indicated that dietary modifications, such as increased consumption of fruits and vegetables play an important role in reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors. Food sources rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic properties are thought to ameliorate the progression of cardiovascular disease and serve as a potential treatment mode. Many in vivo and in vitro studies using turmeric, cinnamon, mango, blueberries, red wine, chocolate, and extra virgin olive oil have demonstrated significant improvements in cholesterol profiles, toxic reactive oxygen species, inflammation, obesity, and hypertension. In this review, we summarize recent evidence on the cardioprotective effect of different food groups, outline their potential mechanisms involved in slowing down the progression of cardiovascular disease, and highlight the beneficial effects associated with increased consumption.

In people with hemophilia, hematological prophylaxis during childhood and adolescence could elude the occurrence of musculoskeletal complications (in joints and muscles) if the concentration of the defective factor is averted from decreasing under 1% of normal. Prompt management is of capital significance as the juvenile skeleton is hypersensitive to the adverse events of the disease; intense structural defects might appear rapidly. Important, articular bleeds and inveterate hypertrophy of the articular synovial membrane must be treated vigorously to preclude joint degeneration (hemophilic arthropathy). At the moment that extreme joint disease is in place with intense affliction, the goal must be to reestablish activity whilst at the same time reducing the peril to the patient. Arthroscopic articular debridement is an efficacious surgical technique to accomplish this goal, particularly around the knee or ankle, and maybe contemplated to be a backup to ankle arthrodesis or ankle or knee replacement in patients of younger age. Eventually, joint replacement can commonly reestablish both articular mobility and function in an unhealthy articulation.

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition resulting from a tear in the intimal layer of the aorta, requiring emergent diagnosis and prompt multi-disciplinary management strategy for best patient outcomes. While type A dissection involving ascending aorta is best managed surgically due to high early mortality, Type B Aortic Dissection (TBAD) involving descending aorta generally has better outcomes with conservative management and medical therapy as a primary strategy is favored. However, there has been a recent paradigm shift in the management of TBAD due to late aneurysmal degeneration of TBAD, increasing morbidity and mortality in the long term. Late surgical intervention can be prevented by early endovascular intervention when combined with optimal medical therapy. In this narrative review, we explore available literature on different endovascular therapies for TBAD in different populations of patients.

Background: During Covid-19 pandemic, the Italian National Healthcare Service has faced increasing pressure, especially in Northern Italy. Even in less-affected regions, such as Tuscany, the changes in the healthcare system to prevent Covid-19 spread resulted in difficulty in treating time-dependent disorders like ischemic stroke rapidly. Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the outcome after acute ischemic stroke treatments during the Covid-19 spread in comparison with a similar period of the previous year in Siena-Hospital (Hub center in the South-East Tuscany). Methods: We enrolled all patients admitted to Siena-Hospital for ischemic stroke and submitted them to acute treatments (intravenous and/or mechanical thrombolysis) between February 21st and May 18th, 2020 (study group, n:38) and compared the results with ischemic strokes acutely treated in a similar period in 2019 (control group, n:39). The modified Rankin scale score was assessed at 90 days to evaluate a 3-month clinical outcome. Results: In the study group, the time from symptoms onset to hospital arrival and the door-to-groin puncture time were significantly more prolonged than in the control group. In moderate-severe strokes, the 3-month mortality was significantly higher in the study group (31% vs. 6%; p=0.01), and the number of patients with poor functional outcomes was significantly higher in the study group (73% vs. 44%; p=0.03). Conclusion: During the lockdown period due to Covid-19 pandemic, patients with acute ischemic stroke had a worse prognosis. These findings suggest the need to improve the health system organization to guarantee an appropriate treatment during the pandemic, including the patients that are not affected by Covid-19.

Background: The understanding of pathogenesis is necessary for the development of effective treatment for COVID-19. Various studies have postulated that there is a complex interplay of mediators of coagulation and inflammation responsible for the pathogenesis of COVID-19. We did this study on coagulation parameters and inflammatory markers and their effect on outcome in patients with COVID-19. Methods: This was a single centre observational cross-sectional study. Procoagulants [Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), D-dimer, lupus anticoagulant (LA), fibrinogen, factor-VIII (F-VIII)]; anticoagulants [protein-C (PC), protein-S (PS), antithrombin] and inflammatory markers [interleukin-6 (IL-6) and highly sensitive – C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)] were measured at the time of hospitalization and correlated with the severity of the disease. Results: A total of 230 patients were enrolled, of which 61.3%, 20.0%, and 18.7% had asymptomatic/ mild, moderate, or severe disease, respectively. COVID-19 disease severity was associated with rising trends with coagulation parameters (PT, APTT, D-Dimer; p value 0.01, <0.0001, <0.0001, respectively). Falling trends of anticoagulant (PC, Antithrombin; p value <0.0001, 0.003 respectively) and rising trends of procoagulant (fibrinogen, F-VIII; p value 0.004, <0.0001 respectively) were observed with increasing COVID-19 disease severity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that advanced age, high D-Dimer, and high hs-CRP (p value 0.035, 0.018, <0.0001 respectively) were independent predictors of mortality in COVID-19. Procoagulant parameters (D-dimer, APTT, Factor VIII) were positively correlated with anticoagulant parameters (PC and PS) and inflammatory parameters (hs-CRP). Conclusion: This study revealed increased levels of coagulation and inflammatory parameters, which correlated with the severity of COVID-19. Age, D-dimer, IL-6, hs-CRP, APTT, fibrinogen, and Factor VIII were significantly higher in patients with moderate and severe disease as compared to asymptomatic/mild disease. Advanced age, high D-dimer, and high hs-CRP were significantly associated with poor outcomes.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is chiefly characterized by atherosclerosis and plaque formation in coronary arteries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of coronary anatomy as a predictor of restenosis and stent thrombosis in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients 5 years after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: In this prospective study, 1070 patients with stent restenosis or stent thrombosis over past 5 years were enrolled. Coronary angiography was performed to evaluate coronary restenosis and stent thrombosis 5 years after PCI. Stent restenosis was defined as >50% angiographic in-stent lumen reduction. Stent thrombosis was defined as sudden complete occlusion of stent presenting with acute myocardial infarction in that territory. Demographic data, clinical features and anatomic factors were prospectively reviewed. Baseline, procedural, and post-procedural characteristics of patients were recorded for analysis. Results: Among demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension and diabetes mellitus) and anatomic factors were predictive risk factors for restenosis/thrombosis, p=0.001. The most common site for stent restenosis was proximal to the mid part of the LAD artery, followed by RCA and LCX. A greater diameter of LCX, a greater angle of LM-LAD than LM-LCX and left dominancy increase the incidence of LAD stent restenosis/thrombosis. In this study, the least common restenosis/thrombosis rate in relation to the total number of PCI was in the Ramus intermedius artery. Conclusion: The outcomes of the study indicated that anatomic factors can predict increased risk of restenosis among CAD patients who underwent PCI.

Background: Right atrial thrombus is a rare phenomenon, and its incidence is not well- defined. It usually occurs in the presence of predisposing factors like tricuspid stenosis or following central venous catheterization. Isolated right atrial thrombus without any predisposing factors occurs rarely. Case Presentation: We herein report a 30-year-old male patient, a known case of rheumatic heart disease with mitral regurgitation, presented with severe breathlessness and orthopnea. He was diagnosed with acute pulmonary oedema with biventricular dysfunction and congestive symptoms. On transthoracic 2D echocardiography, he was found to have severe mitral and severe tricuspid regurgitation. All cardiac chambers were dilated, and an incidental finding of right atrial thrombus was noted. Patient The patient was managed conservatively, but he succumbed to his worsening heart failure. Conclusion: Treating physicians should be aware of the possibility of right atrial thrombus in rheumatic mitral valve disease because of its clinical implications, like life life-threatening pulmonary embolization and need of surgical management.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has taken a great toll on the health care system worldwide. Along with the pandemic, there is also a concern regarding post COVID-19 complications in recovered patients. Thromboembolism (TE) has been reported as a fatal complication in recovered patients with COVID-19. There is still a great dilemma in post-discharge TE prophylaxis and its long-term benefits. Case Description: We reported three cases of post COVID-19 with complications related to both diseases as well as post discharge anticoagulant therapy. The first case is about a 60-yr-old male who developed Covid-19 pneumonia (moderate disease) and was discharged on rivaroxaban after initial improvement. 3 weeks later, the patient was readmitted with lower gastro-intestinal bleeding. The other two cases developed pulmonary thromboembolism within a span of 2-3 months (after recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia). Both these patients were not prescribed anticoagulants for TE prophylaxis. Conclusion: There is an imperative need for effective guidelines for post discharge TE prophylaxis in COVID-19.