Given the widespread occurrence of insulin resistance, a key factor in metabolic syndrome and a distinct condition altogether, there is a clear need for effective, surrogate markers. The triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein (TG/HDL) ratio stands out as a viable option, indicative of changes in lipid metabolism associated with insulin resistance, offering a cost-effective and straightforward alternative to traditional, more complex biomarkers. This review, in line with PRISMA guidelines, assesses the TG/HDL ratio’s potential as an indirect indicator of insulin resistance. Analysing 32 studies over 20 years, involving 49,782 participants of diverse ethnic backgrounds, including adults and children, this review primarily uses a cross-sectional analysis with the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) to gauge insulin resistance. It reveals the TG/HDL ratio’s varied predictive power across ethnicities and sexes, with specific thresholds providing greater accuracy for Caucasians, Asians, and Hispanics over African Americans and for men over women. Valid across different weights and ages, for adults and children, it suggests average cutoffs of 2.53 for women and 2.8 for men. The analysis supports the TG/HDL ratio as a simple, accessible marker for insulin resistance, though it advises further research on tailored cutoffs reflecting ethnic and gender differences.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a complex clinical syndrome that encompasses acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and unstable angina (UA). Its underlying mechanism refers to coronary plaque disruption, with consequent platelet aggregation and thrombosis. Inflammation plays an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis by mediating the removal of necrotic tissue following myocardial infarction and shaping the repair processes that are essential for the recovery process after ACS. As a chronic inflammatory disorder, atherosclerosis is characterized by dysfunctional immune inflammation involving interactions between immune (macrophages, T lymphocytes, and monocytes) and vascular cells (endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells). New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is one of the most common arrhythmic complications in the setting of acute coronary syndromes, especially in the early stages, when the myocardial inflammatory reaction is at its maximum. The main changes in the atrial substrate are due to atrial ischemia and acute infarcts that can be attributed to neurohormonal factors. The high incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) post-myocardial infarction may be secondary to inflammation. Inflammatory response and immune system cells have been involved in the initiation and development of atrial fibrillation. Several inflammatory indexes, such as C-reactive protein and interleukins, have been demonstrated to be predictive of prognosis in patients with ACS. The cell signaling activation patterns associated with fibrosis, apoptosis, and hypertrophy are forms of cardiac remodeling that occur at the atrial level, predisposing to AF. According to a recent study, the presence of fibrosis and lymphomononuclear infiltration in the atrial tissue was associated with a prior history of AF. However, inflammation may contribute to both the occurrence/maintenance of AF and its thromboembolic complications.

Radial artery spasm (RAS) is a common complication associated with transradial access (TRA) for coronary interventions, particularly affecting elderly patients in whom radial access is preferred due to its benefits in reducing bleeding complications, improving clinical outcomes, and lowering long-term costs. This review examines the incidence, prevention, and treatment of RAS. Methods included an online search of PubMed and other databases in early 2024, analyzing meta-analyses, reviews, studies, and case reports. RAS is characterized by a sudden narrowing of the radial artery due to psychological and mechanical factors with incidence reports varying up to 51.3%. Key risk factors include patient characteristics like female sex, age, and small body size as well as procedural factors such as emergency procedures and the use of multiple catheters. Preventive measures include using distal radial access, hydrophilic sheaths, and appropriate catheter sizes. Treatments involve the intraarterial administration of nitroglycerine and verapamil as well as mechanical methods like balloon-assisted tracking. This review underscores the need for standardizing RAS definitions and emphasizes the importance of operator experience and patient management in reducing RAS incidence and improving procedural success.

Mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) was a widely used and simple M-mode echocardiographic parameter for determining the left ventricle (LV) longitudinal systolic function. The purpose of this review is to analyze the use of MAPSE as a simple LV systolic function marker in different clinical scenarios, especially given the recent paradox of choices in ultrasound markers assessing cardiac performance. Recent data on the use of MAPSE in the assessment of LV function in different settings seem to be relatively scarce, given the wide variety of possible causes of cardiovascular pathology. There remain significant possible clinical applications of MAPSE utilization. This review included all major articles on the topic of mitral annular plane systolic excursion published and indexed in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. We analyzed the potential implications of using simpler ultrasonographical tools in heart failure diagnosis, prediction, and treatment. MAPSE is a dependable, robust, and easy-to-use parameter compared to ejection fraction (EF) or global longitudinal strain (GLS) for the quick assessment of LV systolic function in various clinical settings. However, there may be a gap of evidence in certain scenarios such as conventional cardiac pacing.

Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and increasingly are recognized as a continuum of interconnected conditions rather than isolated entities. Methods: A structured narrative literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for publications from 2015 to 2025 using combinations of different keywords: “cardiovascular disease spectrum”, “multi-omics”, “precision cardiology”, “machine learning”, and “artificial intelligence in cardiology”. Results: Evidence was synthesized across seven major clusters of cardiovascular conditions, and across these domains, common biological pathways were mapped onto heterogeneous clinical phenotypes, and we summarize how multi-omics integration, AI-enabled imaging and digital tools contribute to improved risk prediction and more informed clinical decision-making within this spectrum. Conclusions: Interpreting cardiovascular conditions as components of a shared disease spectrum clarifies cross-disease interactions and supports a shift from organ- and syndrome-based classifications toward mechanism- and data-driven precision cardiology. The convergence of multi-omics, and AI offers substantial opportunities for earlier detection, individualized prevention, and tailored therapy, but requires careful attention to data quality, equity, interpretability, and practical implementation in routine care.

The rising prevalence of cardiovascular disease underscores the growing significance of heart failure (HF). Pathophysiological insights into HF highlight the dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), characterized by sympathetic overactivity and diminished vagal tone, impacting cardiovascular function. Heart rate recovery (HRR), a metric measuring the heart’s ability to return to its baseline rate post-exertion, plays a crucial role in assessing cardiovascular health. Widely applied across various cardiovascular conditions including HF, coronary artery disease (CAD), and arterial hypertension (HTN), HRR quantifies the difference between peak and recovery heart rates. Given its association with elevated sympathetic tone and exercise, HRR provides valuable insights into the perspective of HF, beyond effort tolerance, reaching toward prognostic and mortality indicators. Incorporating HRR into cardiovascular evaluations enhances our understanding of autonomic regulation in HF, offering potential implications for prognostication and patient management. This review addresses the significance of HRR in HF assessment, analyzing recently conducted studies, and providing a foundation for further research and clinical application.