Purpose of Review: The nitric oxide (NO)-soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway plays an important role in the regulation of cardiovascular function, and it is disrupted in heart failure (HF), resulting in decreased protection against myocardial injury. Impaired NO-sGC-cGMP signaling in HF is secondary to reduced NO bioavailability and altered redox state of sGC, which becomes less responsive to NO. The sGC activator cinaciguat increases cGMP levels by direct NO-independent activation of sGC and may be particularly effective in conditions of increased oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, and therefore reduced NO levels, at the expense of a greater risk of hypotension. Conversely, sGC stimulators (riociguat and vericiguat) enhance sGC sensitivity to endogenous NO, thus exerting a more physiological action.Recent Findings: Clinical trials have suggested the benefit of vericiguat in patients with high-risk HF; in particular, a lower incidence of death from cardiovascular causes or HF hospitalization.Summary: Adding vericiguat may be considered in individual patients with HF, and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) particularly those at higher risk of HF hospitalization.

We hereby report a puzzling case of multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse presenting as Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Female, 42-years old, who presented herself to the Emergency Room of University Hospital “ASST Spedali Civili” of Brescia, Italy, for a severe headache and a non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiogram showed no signs of coronary atherosclerosis. Upon further neurological evaluation, a diagnosis of MS relapse, related to TTS, was made, and treatment was started accordingly. The patient was discharged after 12 days after the admission, free of symptoms, and without signs of neurological and cardiological active disease. A hallmark of TTS is its association with a preceding stressful event. It may also be connected to a wide variety of diseases, including neurological ones, such as stroke, intracranial bleeding, head trauma, migraine, and seizures. However, up to our knowledge, only few cases of MS-induced TTS were previously described. Whether it is plausible to consider TTS as an uncommon extra-neurological manifestation of MS is still debated, however all the evidence points in that direction, considering the central role of catecholamines in TTS pathogenesis. With this case report the authors hope to encourage research on this field and on the intricate topic of brain-heart connections.

(200 w) Introduction. Remote monitoring (RM) of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) diagnostics helps to identify patients potentially at risk of worsening heart failure (HF). Additionally, knowledge of patient HF-related symptoms is crucial for decision making. Patient smartphone applications may represent an ideal option to remotely collect this information. Purpose. To assess real-world HF patient access, acceptance, and adherence to use of an HF-dedicated smartphone application (HF app). Methods. In this study, 10 Italian hospitals administered a survey on smartphone/app use to HF patients with CIED. The subgroup who accepted it downloaded the HF app. Mean 1-year adherence of the HF app use was evaluated. Results. A total of 495 patients (67 ± 13 years, 79% males, 26% NYHA III–IV) completed the survey, of which 84% had access to smartphones and 85% were willing to use the HF app. In total, 311/495 (63%) downloaded the HF app. Patients who downloaded the HF app were younger and had higher school qualification. Patients who were ≥60 years old had higher mean 1-year adherence (54.1%) than their younger counterparts (42.7%; p < 0.001). Hospitals with RM-dedicated staff had higher mean 1-year patient adherence (64.0% vs. 33.5%; p < 0.001). Adherence to HF app decreased from 63.3% (weeks_1–13) to 42.2% (weeks_40–52, p < 0.001). Conclusions. High access and acceptance of smartphones/apps by HF patients with CIED allow HF app use for RM of patient signs/symptoms. Younger patients with higher school qualifications are more likely to accept HF app; however, older patients have higher long-term adherence.

The HEAD2TOES schema was introduced to identify modifiable risk factors (RF) for atrial fibrillation (AF), including heart failure (HF), physical inactivity (PA), and sleep apnea (SA). Modern implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) can detect SA, assess HF status, and measure daily PA. This study investigates the relationship between atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) and ICD-detected surrogates for these RF in HF patients. Data were collected from 411 HF patients with ICDs. The HeartLogic Index measured HF status, Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI) severe SA (≥30episodes/hour), and accelerometer detected reduced PA (≥1 h/day). Endpoints were daily AHRE burdens ≥ 5 min and ≥ 23 h. Over 26 months of median follow-up, IN-alert-HF state was 13 % of the total observation time, RDI ≥ 30 episodes/h occurred 58 % of time, and 2 % of weekly activity values were ≥ 1 h lower than usual. AHRE burden ≥ 5 min/day occurred in 139 (34 %) patients and ≥ 23 h/day in 68 (17 %). Both IN-alert-state and reduced activity were independently associated with AHRE burden (≥5 min/day and ≥ 23 h/day), while RDI ≥ 30episodes/hour was associated only with AHRE ≥ 5 min/day. We defined a score predicting AHRE burden ≥ 5 min (2*HeartLogic_IN-alert + 1*RDI ≥ 30episodes/hour + 4*Reduction_in_activity ≥ 1 h), and a score predicting AHRE burden ≥ 23 h (1*HeartLogic_IN-alert + 2*Reduction_in_activity ≥ 1 h). Lower score levels (AHRE-5 min < 4 and AHRE-23 h < 2) comprised the largest proportion of follow-up duration (98 %), with higher scores linked to higher incidence rate ratios for AHRE (6.75 [95 %CI:1.88–20.16] and 11.46 [95 %CI:3.34–31.72], respectively). In HF patients, AHRE occurrence is independently associated with ICD-detected HF status, severe SA, and decreased PA. These ICD-indexes might serve as surrogates for HEAD2TOES RF, aiding in continuous AF risk assessment.