Current research supports the evidence that the gut microbiome (GM), which consist of gut microbiota and their biologically active metabolites, is associated with atherosclerosis development. Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite produced by the GM through trimethylamine (TMA) oxidation, significantly enhances the formation and vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques. TMAO promotes inflammation and oxidative stress in endothelial cells, leading to vascular dysfunction and plaque formation. Dimethyl-1-butanol (DMB), iodomethylcholine (IMC) and fluoromethylcholine (FMC) have been recognized for their ability to reduce plasma TMAO by inhibiting trimethylamine lyase, a bacterial enzyme involved in the choline cleavage anaerobic process, thus reducing TMA formation. Conversely, indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and trigonelline inhibit TMA oxidation by inhibiting flavin-containing monooxygenase-3 (FMO3), resulting in reduced plasma TMAO. The combined use of inhibitors of choline trimethylamine lyase and flavin-containing monooxygenase-3 could provide novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention by stabilizing existing atherosclerotic plaques. This review aims to present the current evidence of the roles of TMA/TMAO in atherosclerosis as well as its potential therapeutic prevention aspects.

Cardiac myxoma is the most common primary cardiac tumor. However, existing literature mainly consists of single-center experiences with limited subjects. This systematic review aimed to provide data on clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of cardiac myxoma. We performed a thorough literature search on May 23, 2023 on PubMed, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria were English full-text, observational studies, and included >20 subjects. From the search, 112 studies with a total of 8150 patients were included in the analysis. The mean age was 51 years (95 % confidence interval [95%CI] = 49.1-52.3), and the majority were females (64.3 % [95 % CI = 62.8-65.8 %]). The most common clinical manifestation was cardiovascular symptoms. Echocardiography can diagnose almost all cases (98.1 % [95 % CI = 95.8-99.6 %]). Cardiac myxoma was mostly prevalent in left atrium (85.3 % [95%CI = 83.3-87 %]) and predominantly with pedunculated morphology (75.6 % [95%CI = 64.1-84.3 %]). Post-tumor excision outcomes were excellent, with an early mortality of 1.27 % (95 % CI = 0.8-1.8 %), late mortality rate of 4.7 (95 % CI = 2.5-7.4) per 1000 person-years, and recurrence rate at 0.5 (95 % CI = 0.0-1.1) per 1000 person-years. Tumor excision is warranted in a timely manner once the cardiac myxoma diagnosis is established.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)-albumin ratio (CAR) is a novel prognostic biomarker that is predicted to be a more reliable indicator than CRP or albumin alone. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the role of CAR in predicting poor outcomes of heart failure (HF) patients. We conducted a literature search across ProQuest, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus. All related studies assessing CAR and reporting mortality outcomes or other adverse outcomes were assessed. A total of five studies with a total of 1821 patients were included in this review. CAR is significantly associated with all-causes in-hospital mortality and out-hospital mortality in patients with acute and chronic heart failure. CAR is associated with higher hospitalization rates, the number of hospitalizations, severe New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, and the risk of advanced HF. In conclusion, CAR is significantly associated with poor HF outcomes including all-cause mortality (cardiac and non-cardiac death).

The association between long-term systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV) and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes after being adjusted with mean blood pressure (BP) is questionable. This systematic review aims to evaluate the associations between mean BP adjusted long-term SBPV and CV outcomes. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct on January 4, 2023. A total of 9,944,254 subjects from 43 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Long-term SBPV increased the risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.21 [95%CI 1.16-1.25], I²=100%), CV mortality (HR 1.10 [95%CI 1.07-11.4], I2 = 90%), MACE (HR 1.10 [1.07-1.13], I² = 91%), cerebrovascular stroke (HR 1.22 [1.16-1.29], I²=100%), and myocardial infarction (HR 1.13 [95%CI (1.07-1.19)], I²=91%). European populations generally had higher risk compared to other continents. In conclusion, long-term SBPV is associated with all-cause mortality, CV mortality, MACE, MI, and stroke. Poor outcomes related to long-term SBPV seem more dominated by cerebrovascular than coronary events.

Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a widely accessible diagnostic tool that can easily be obtained on admission and can reduce excessive contact with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were performed to evaluate the latest evidence on the association of ECG on admission and the poor outcomes in COVID‐19.Methods: A literature search was conducted on online databases for observational studies evaluating ECG parameters and composite poor outcomes comprising ICU admission, severe illness, and mortality in COVID‐19 patients.Results: A total of 2,539 patients from seven studies were included in this analysis. Pooled analysis showed that a longer corrected QT (QTc) interval and more frequent prolonged QTc interval were associated with composite poor outcome ([WMD 6.04 [2.62‐9.45], P = .001; I²:0%] and [RR 1.89 [1.52‐2.36], P < .001; I²:17%], respectively). Patients with poor outcome had a longer QRS duration and a faster heart rate compared with patients with good outcome ([WMD 2.03 [0.20‐3.87], P = .030; I²:46.1%] and [WMD 5.96 [0.96‐10.95], P = .019; I²:55.9%], respectively). The incidence of left bundle branch block (LBBB), premature atrial contraction (PAC), and premature ventricular contraction (PVC) were higher in patients with poor outcome ([RR 2.55 [1.19‐5.47], P = .016; I²:65.9%]; [RR 1.94 [1.32‐2.86], P = .001; I²:62.8%]; and [RR 1.84 [1.075‐3.17], P = .026; I²:70.6%], respectively). T‐wave inversion and ST‐depression were more frequent in patients with poor outcome ([RR 1.68 [1.31‐2.15], P < .001; I²:14.3%] and [RR 1.61 [1.31‐2.00], P < .001; I²:49.5%], respectively).Conclusion: Most ECG abnormalities on admission are significantly associated with an increased composite poor outcome in patients with COVID‐19.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a disease characterized by atherosclerosis formation which causes sudden cardiac death. The prevalence of CAD is expected to increase by 2030. Atherosclerosis started from accumulation of LDL in the blood vessels, followed by endothelial cell activation and dysfunction. PCSK9 is a gene that plays an important role in the creation of atherosclerotic plaque through induced degradation of LDLRs. Inhibition of PCSK9 gene resulted in a decrease of LDLRs degradation and reduction in LDL-C levels. LRP6, as well as its mutation, is a coreceptor that contributes to atherosclerosis through the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway. By employing EMPs mediated miRNA-126, third-generation antisense against miR-494-3p (3 GA-494), and recombinant Wnt mouse Wnt3a (rmWnt3a), the inhibition of LRP6 could reduce VSMCs proliferation, enhancing anti-inflammatory macrophages, and diminished bioactive lipids component, respectively. Those mechanisms lead to the stabilization and reduction of atherosclerosis plaques.