Annapaola Cirillo

Effects of ranolazine in symptomatic patients with stable coronary artery disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Ranolazine (R), as add-on therapy in symptomatic patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease (CAD), has been tested in randomized clinical studies. Aim of the study was to assess in a meta-analysis the effects of R on angina, nitroglycerin consumption, functional capacity, electrocardiographic signs of ischemia and hemodynamic parameters in patients with chronic CAD. METHODS Randomized trials assessing the effects of R compared to control on exercise duration, time to onset of angina, time to 1mm ST-segment depression, weekly nitroglycerin consumption and weekly angina frequency were included in the analysis. The effects of R compared to control on heart rate and blood pressure were also analyzed. RESULTS Six trials enrolling 9223 patients were included in the analysis. At trough and peak levels, R compared to control significantly improved exercise duration, time to onset of angina and time to 1mm ST-segment depression. Additionally, R compared to control significantly reduced weekly angina frequency and weekly nitroglycerin consumption. Finally, R compared to control did not significantly reduce supine systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as heart rate, standing heart rate and diastolic blood pressure, whereas it modestly reduced standing systolic blood pressure. At sensitivity analysis, results were not influenced by concomitant background therapy. CONCLUSIONS In symptomatic patients with chronic CAD, R, added to conventional therapy, effectively reduces angina frequency and sublingual nitroglycerin consumption while prolonging exercise duration as well as time to onset of ischemia and to onset of angina with no substantial effects on blood pressure and heart rate.

Genetics of Takotsubo Syndrome

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an enigmatic disease with a multifactorial and still unresolved pathogenesis. A genetic predisposition has been suggested based on the few familial TTS cases. Conflicting results have been published regarding the role of functional polymorphisms in relevant candidate genes, such as α1-, β1-, and β2-adrenergic receptors; G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5; and estrogen receptors. Further research is required to help clarify the role of genetic susceptibility in TTS.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after acute myocardial infarction: An unusual case of possible association:

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an acute reversible clinical condition mimicking an acute myocardial infarction. Although a normal coronary artery tree is frequently detected, the concurrence of coronary artery disease is a common finding in a substantial proportion of patients. We report an unusual case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in post-menopausal women after emotional stress, occurring after inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The possible association between takotsubo cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease is discussed.

Management of pregnancy in cardiomyopathies and heart failure

Pregnancy exposes women with inherited cardiomyopathies to increased risk for arrhythmias and heart failure. In asymptomatic patients with inherited cardiomyopathies, pregnancy is generally well tolerated. Preconception evaluation, risk assessment and proper counseling by a team of experienced physicians are mandatory in managing women with inherited cardiomyopathies planning pregnancy. In this paper, we reviewed the clinical course, risk assessment and management during pregnancy of women with cardiomyopathies.

Severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a patient with atypical Anderson-Fabry disease

AIM Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is a hereditary disorder caused by a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme α-galactosidase A which causes dysfunctions in multiple organ systems. Cardiac manifestation includes left ventricular hypertrophy, thickening of the valves, conduction disturbances and in the late phase, extensive areas of myocardial fibrosis with increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Case example: A case of AFD with exclusive cardiac involvement is described. During follow-up, due to the high risk of life-threatening arrhythmic events, implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator is performed. CONCLUSION AFD patients with advanced cardiac disease might represent a subgroup of patients who may require an implantable cardioverter defibrillator for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.

Advances in Molecular Imaging: Cardiac Regeneration

In addition to the standard cardiovascular pharmacological treatment and catheter-based and surgical procedures, cardiac restorative therapy was recently introduced. Despite the encouraging results obtained in pre-clinical research, cardiac regenerative therapy is still not used in clinical practice, because of the modest effect on cardiac function. To improve cardiac regenerative strategies, the identification of non-invasive powerful tools is required. Due to availability of various radiotracers and acquisition protocols nuclear imaging is the most promising and can be used both in gene and in cell therapy. This review summarizes current status and future role of nuclear imaging in the area of myocardial regeneration.