Exploration of Cardiology

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Perspective

Alcohol zero: the end, the beginning of the end, or just the end of the beginning?

Alcohol drinks, especially wine, have been described since 6,000 B.C. For many years in modern medicine, wine in moderation has been considered healthy for cardiovascular prevention, i.e., recommend [...] Read more.

Miodrag Ostojic ... Dusko Vulic

Published: August 31, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:35–41
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00005

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Open Access

Original Article

Normal physiologic coronary flow velocity gradient across the left anterior descending artery in healthy asymptomatic subjects

Aim: Coronary flow velocity (CFV) can be obtained with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). The physiologic flow velocity gradient across th [...] Read more.

Fausto Rigo ... Maurizio Agnoletto

Published: August 31, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:42–48
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00006

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Open Access

Original Article

Ejection fraction, B-lines, and global longitudinal strain evaluated with rest transthoracic echocardiography to assess prognosis in patients with chronic coronary syndromes

Aim: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the first-line imaging test for patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) and the cornerstone of risk stratification is left ventricular (LV) ejec [...] Read more.

Lauro Cortigiani ... Francesco Bovenzi

Published: September 18, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:49–58
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00007

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Review

Cardiovascular imaging in COVID-19: insights into features and complications

The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 which mainly involve the respiratory system may however affect also cardiovascular system. There are a lot and still increasing numbers of reports revealing c [...] Read more.

Iwona Duraj ... Karina Wierzbowska-Drabik

Published: October 30, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:59–71
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00008

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Review

Mitral valve prolapse—arrhythmic faces of the valve disease

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a relatively common mitral valvulopathy and the most common cause of isolated primary mitral regurgitation (MR) requiring surgical repair. It affects about 1–3% of t [...] Read more.

Maria Możdżan ... Karina Wierzbowska-Drabik

Published: October 31, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:72–87
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00009
This article belongs to the special issue Common cardiovascular target for a wide gamut of contemporary health problems – thrombotic and arrhythmic sides of an inflammatory coin

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Review

Echocardiographic predictors of outcomes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The use of echocardiography, a straightforward and widely available technique, allows for a comprehensive assessment of the patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) under both resting and stre [...] Read more.

Annamaria Del Franco ... Iacopo Olivotto

Published: October 31, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:88–102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00010
This article belongs to the special issue Common cardiovascular target for a wide gamut of contemporary health problems – thrombotic and arrhythmic sides of an inflammatory coin

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Original Article

Coronary external diameter index for assessing coronary artery involvement in Kawasaki disease

Aim: Transthoracic echocardiography is commonly used to assess coronary artery dilatation in Kawasaki disease (KD). However, existing criteria often miss early abnormalities. This study examines [...] Read more.

Andrea Azzarelli ... Francesco Vierucci

Published: October 31, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:103–113
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00011

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Editorial

Exploration of Cardiology: a new journal is born

Eugenio Picano

Published: July 01, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:1–3
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00001

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Original Article

In search of heart barometer—advantage of left atrial dimension over electrocardiographic indices of left ventricular hypertrophy in arterial hypertension

Aim: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) is a common and relevant complication of arterial hypertension (AH) and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is widely used for its preliminary assessment. [...] Read more.

Bogusława Nowak ... Karina Wierzbowska-Drabik

Published: July 14, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:4–14
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00002
This article belongs to the special issue Common cardiovascular target for a wide gamut of contemporary health problems – thrombotic and arrhythmic sides of an inflammatory coin

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Review

Alcohol—dose question and the weakest link in a chemical interplay

The deleterious consequences of alcohol consumption are extensively documented across various dimensions of human health, encompassing somatic disorders such as nervous system impairments, digestive [...] Read more.

Piotr Hamala, Karina Wierzbowska-Drabik

Published: August 18, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:15–25
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00003
This article belongs to the special issue Common cardiovascular target for a wide gamut of contemporary health problems – thrombotic and arrhythmic sides of an inflammatory coin

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Open Access

Review

Toxic metals in pregnancy and congenital heart defects. Insights and new perspectives for a technology-driven reduction in food sources

Congenital heart defects (CHD) represent the most frequent congenital anomalies among newborns, as well as the leading cause of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, neonatal and infant death. CHD have [...] Read more.

Francesca Gorini, Alessandro Tonacci

Published: November 13, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:114–140
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00012
This article belongs to the special issue Environmental Cardiology

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Open Access

Commentary

Low-doses ionizing radiation exposure: an emerging causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease

Maria Grazia Andreassi

Published: December 11, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:141–147
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00013
This article belongs to the special issue Environmental Cardiology

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Review

Viral infections in cardiometabolic risk and disease between old acquaintances and new enemies

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease, characterized by chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and lipid deposition in the vessel. Although many major, well-identified risk factors for athero [...] Read more.

Cristina Vassalle

Published: December 27, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:148–179
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00014
This article belongs to the special issue Environmental Cardiology

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Open Access

Review

Why and when should be lipoprotein(a) level measured?

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is composed of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and glycoprotein (a)—apo(a). The size and concentration of Lp(a) in serum can vary among individuals and is determined by gene [...] Read more.

Miłosz Broncel, Marlena Broncel

Published: December 29, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:180–192
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2023.00015
This article belongs to the special issue Common cardiovascular target for a wide gamut of contemporary health problems – thrombotic and arrhythmic sides of an inflammatory coin

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Perspective

Coronary vasospasm testing: escape from the cath lab!

Coronary vasospasm stands as a widely acknowledged and frequent culprit behind chest pain, acute coronary syndrome, and sudden cardiac death, yet it remains a challenging diagnosis. Current guidelin [...] Read more.

Ana Djordjevic Dikic ... Vojislav Giga

Published: February 04, 2024 Explor Cardiol. 2024;2:1–8
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2024.00016

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Original Article

Feasibility of coronary flow velocity reserve during semi-supine exercise echocardiography: a single center study of 3,014 patients

Aim: There is a lack of studies that analyzed factors influencing on feasibility of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) during exercise stress echocardiography (SE). The aim of the study was to [...] Read more.

Angela Zagatina ... Elena Kalinina

Published: February 04, 2024 Explor Cardiol. 2024;2:9–18
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2024.00017

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Review

Laboratory markers of metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is known as a non-communicable disease (NCD) that affects more and more individuals. MetS is closely related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD [...] Read more.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is known as a non-communicable disease (NCD) that affects more and more individuals. MetS is closely related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity and inflammation. It is associated with T2DM due to the disturbance in insulin secretion/effect, eventually leading to insulin resistance (IR). The link between MetS and CVD is due to accelerated atherosclerosis in response to chronic inflammation. This literature review was based on a search in the PubMed database. All selected articles are written in English and cover a period of approximately 10 years (January 2014 to May 2023). The first selection used MeSH terms such as: “metabolic syndrome”, “type 2 diabetes mellitus”, “obesity”, “inflammation”, and “insulin resistance” and different associations between them. Titles and abstracts were analyzed. In the end, 44 articles were selected, 4 of which were meta-analysis studies. Currently, an individual is considered to have MetS if they present 3 of the following changes: increased waist circumference, increased triglycerides (TG), reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), increased fasting blood glucose and hypertension. We believe this can often lead to a false diagnosis. The objective of this paper is to compile what we consider to be an appropriate panel of MetS indicators. The markers that stand out in this review are the lipid profile, anti- and pro-inflammatory function and oxidative stress. Considering the research, we believe that a complete panel, to correlate the most characteristic conditions of MetS, should include the following markers: TG/HDL-C ratio, small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SdLDL-C), lipid peroxidation markers, leptin/adiponectin ratio, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), activin-A and ferritin levels. Finally, it is important to expand research on the pathophysiology of MetS and confirm the most appropriate markers as well as discover new ones to correctly diagnose this condition.

Filipa Morgado ... Leonel Pereira

Published: June 24, 2024 Explor Cardiol. 2024;2:114–133
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2024.00026
This article belongs to the special issue Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Aging

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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is known as a non-communicable disease (NCD) that affects more and more individuals. MetS is closely related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity and inflammation. It is associated with T2DM due to the disturbance in insulin secretion/effect, eventually leading to insulin resistance (IR). The link between MetS and CVD is due to accelerated atherosclerosis in response to chronic inflammation. This literature review was based on a search in the PubMed database. All selected articles are written in English and cover a period of approximately 10 years (January 2014 to May 2023). The first selection used MeSH terms such as: “metabolic syndrome”, “type 2 diabetes mellitus”, “obesity”, “inflammation”, and “insulin resistance” and different associations between them. Titles and abstracts were analyzed. In the end, 44 articles were selected, 4 of which were meta-analysis studies. Currently, an individual is considered to have MetS if they present 3 of the following changes: increased waist circumference, increased triglycerides (TG), reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), increased fasting blood glucose and hypertension. We believe this can often lead to a false diagnosis. The objective of this paper is to compile what we consider to be an appropriate panel of MetS indicators. The markers that stand out in this review are the lipid profile, anti- and pro-inflammatory function and oxidative stress. Considering the research, we believe that a complete panel, to correlate the most characteristic conditions of MetS, should include the following markers: TG/HDL-C ratio, small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SdLDL-C), lipid peroxidation markers, leptin/adiponectin ratio, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), activin-A and ferritin levels. Finally, it is important to expand research on the pathophysiology of MetS and confirm the most appropriate markers as well as discover new ones to correctly diagnose this condition.

Open Access

Review

Reinforcing the aneurysmal aorta by additional layering: old and new strategies to prevent rupture

Adventitial crosslinking is a method in current investigational stage for preventing the rupture of aortic aneurysms. It is based on the photochemical crosslinking of adventitial collagen by [...] Read more.

Traian V. Chirila

Published: June 24, 2024 Explor Cardiol. 2024;2:134–147
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2024.00027

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Case Report

Cardiac tamponade after thrombectomy

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third leading cause of cardiovascular mortality worldwide. Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy is indicated in patients with contraindications to thrombolysis. Compli [...] Read more.

Shruthi Sivakumar ... Suzette Graham-Hill

Published: July 17, 2024 Explor Cardiol. 2024;2:148–157
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/ec.2024.00028

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