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Introduction: Aging is characterized as a syndrome of deleterious, progressive, universal, and irreversible function changes affecting every structural and functional aspect of the organism and accompanied by a generalized increase in mortality. Although a substantial number of candidates for biomarkers of aging have been proposed, none has been validated or universally accepted. Human telomeres constitute hexameric repetitive DNA sequence nucleoprotein complexes that cap chromosome ends, regulating gene expression and modulating stress-related pathways. Telomere length (TL) shortening is observed both in cellular senescence and advanced age, leading to the investigation of TL as a biomarker for aging and a risk factor indicator for the development and progression of the most common age-related diseases. Objective: The present review underlines the connection between TL and the pathophysiology of the diseases associated with telomere attrition. Methods: We performed a structured search of the PubMed database for peer-reviewed research of the literature regarding leukocyte TL and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), more specifically stroke and heart disease, and focused on the relevant articles published during the last 5 years. We also applied Hill’s criteria of causation to strengthen this association. Result: We analyzed the recent literature regarding TL length, stroke, and CVD. Although approximately one-third of the available studies support the connection, the results of different studies seem to be rather conflicting as a result of different study designs, divergent methods of TL determination, small study samples, and patient population heterogeneity. After applying Hill’s criteria, we can observe that the literature conforms to them weakly, with chronology being the only Hill criterion of causality that probably cannot be contested. Conclusion: The present review attempted to examine the purported relation between leukocyte TL and age-related diseases such as CVD and more specific stroke and heart disease in view of the best established, comprehensive, medical and epidemiological criteria that have characterized the focused recent relevant research. Although several recommendations have been made that may contribute significantly to the field, a call for novel technical approaches and studies is mandatory to further elucidate the possible association.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Assessment of cardiovascular (CV) and all-cause mortality in CKD patients is of particular importance. CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75 years, diabetes, prior stroke, vascular disease, age 65–74 years, and sex) score was originally formulated to predict the annual thromboembolic risk in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). The calculation of R2CHADS2 and R2CHA2DS2VASc scores awarded an additional 2 points for CrCl

Background Stress induced hyperglycemia (SIH) is common among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), even in patients without diabetes mellitus. However, evidence regarding its role on the angiographic outcomes and the prognosis of patients presenting with STEMI is scarce. Methods This study included 309 consecutively enrolled STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Patients were diagnosed with SIH if blood glucose on admission was > 140 mg/dl. Also, patients had to fast for at least 8 hours before blood sampling. The objective was to assess whether SIH was associated with major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular (MACCE) events and explore its relationship with angiographic predictors of worse prognosis such as poor initial TIMI flow, intracoronary thrombus burden, distal embolization, and presence of residual thrombus after pPCI. Results SIH in diabetic and non-diabetic patients was associated with a higher incidence of LTB (aOR = 2.171, 95% CI 1.27–3.71), distal embolization (aOR = 2.71, 95% CI 1.51–4.86), and pre-procedural TIMI flow grade = 0 (aOR = 2.69, 95% CI 1.43–5.04) after adjusting for relevant clinical variables. Importantly, during a median follow-up of 1.7 years STEMI patients with SIH with or without diabetes experienced increased occurrence of MACCE both in univariate (HR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.19–3.01) and multivariate analysis (aHR = 1.802, 95% CI 1.01–3.21). Conclusions SIH in STEMI patients with or without diabetes was independently associated with increased MACCE. This could be attributed to the fact that SIH was strongly correlated with poor pre-procedural TIMI flow, LTB, and distal embolization. Large clinical trials need to validate SIH as an independent predictor of adverse angiographic and clinical outcomes to provide optimal individualized care for patients with STEMI.

Background:The Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Receptor (LDL-R) is a transmembrane protein playing a crucial role in effective lipid homeostasis. Various therapeutic agents have been used in the management of dyslipidemias, however, the outcome of therapeutic target is debated.Objective:The aim of this review is to summarize and fully understand the current concept regarding LDL-R and its molecular properties, metabolic pathway, factors affecting LDL-R activity and all available pharmacological interventions. Additionally, non-lipid related properties of LDL-R are also referred.Methods:Literature from the PubMed database was extracted to identify papers between 1984 to 2017 regarding LDL-R and therapeutic agents on dyslipidemia management.Results:We analyzed basic data regarding agents associated with LDL-R (Sterol Regulating Element-Binding Proteins - SREBPs, Protein ARH, IDOL, Thyroid Hormones, Haematologic Disorders, Protein convertase subtilisin kexintype 9 - PCSK-9, ApoC-III) as well as non-lipid related properties of LDL-R, while all relevant (common and novel) pharmacological interventions (statins, fibrates, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, bile acid sequestrants and PCSK- 9) are also referred.Conclusion:LDL-R and its molecular properties are involved in lipid homeostasis, so potentially sets the therapeutic goals in cardiovascular patients, which is usually debated. Further research is needed in order to fully understand its properties, as well as to find the potential pharmacological interventions that could be beneficial in cholesterol homeostasis and various morbidities in order to reach the most appropriate therapeutic goal.

Background and objectives: The circadian pattern seems to play a crucial role in cardiovascular events and arrhythmias. Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder associated with autonomic nervous system alterations and increased risk of microvascular and macrovascular disease. We sought to determine whether acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and atrial fibrillation (AF) follow a circadian pattern in diabetic patients in a Mediterranean country. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 178 diabetic patients (mean age: 67.7) with AMI or AF who were admitted to the coronary care unit. The circadian pattern of AMI and AF was identified in the 24-h period (divided in 3-h and 1-h intervals). Patients were also divided in 3 groups according to age, 40&ndash, 65 years, 66&ndash, 79 years and patients older than 80 years. A chi-square goodness-of-fit test was used for the statistical analysis. Results: AMI seems to occur more often in the midnight hours (21:00&ndash, 23:59) (p &lt, 0.001). Regarding age distribution, patients between 40 and 65 years were more likely to experience an AMI compared to other age groups (p &lt, 0.001). Autonomic alterations, working habits, and social reasons might contribute to this phenomenon. AF in diabetic patients occurs more frequently at noon (12:00&ndash, 14:59) (p = 0.019). Conclusions: Diabetic patients with AMI and AF seem to follow a specific circadian pattern in a Mediterranean country, with AMI occurring most often at midnight hours and AF mostly at noon. Autonomic dysfunction, glycemic fluctuations, intense anti-diabetic treatment before lunch, and patterns of insulin secretion and resistance may explain this pattern. More studies are needed to elucidate the circadian pattern of AMI and AF in diabetic patients to contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches in this setting.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) incidence is ever-increasing and along with its microvascular and macrovascular complications is associated with a high morbidity and mortality burden globally. Major components of diabetes pathophysiology include glucotoxicity, lipotoxicity and insulin resistance, disturbing the vascular wall integrity and leading to endothelial dysfunction and platelet hyperaggregation. Objective: This review aims to identify and summarize the effect of novel anti-diabetic agents (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, sodium-glucose co-transporter -2 inhibitors) on endothelial (EF) and platelet function (PF) and evaluate the consistency with the results of cardiovascular outcomes studies. Methods: We performed a structured search of the PubMed database for peer-reviewed research of the literature between 1981 and 2020 regarding the effect of DM and novel anti-diabetic agents on EF and PF. Results: We analyzed data regarding the effect of novel anti-diabetic agents on EF and PF as well as the pathophysiological interplay between DM, PF, and EF. The available studies use different methods to evaluate these outcomes and the results of different studies are rather conflicting as a result of different study designs, combinations of drugs tested, small study samples and patient population heterogeneity. Conclusion: The currently available data do not unequivocally support a consistent effect of novel antidiabetic agents on EF and PF. Further study is required ideally with validation of the results with clinical outcomes.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is considered a significant challenge in cardiovascular medicine related to significant morbidity and mortality. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with stroke and constitutes an important risk factor for AF. However, it is still ambiguous whether OSA is independently related to stroke or systemic embolism in AF patients, and whether or not OSA should be included in CHA2DS2-VASc score. In a recent study, the presence of OSA in patients with AF was associated with higher rates of adverse events, namely stroke and systemic embolism. Patients with OSA have higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores and mean CHA2DS2-VASc scores that increase with OSA severity. The addition of OSA to CHA2DS2-VASc resulted in improved discrimination, but this improvement was modest and clinically non-significant. However, cardiovascular risk factors that accompany OSA and not OSA per se might be responsible for the increased thromboembolic risk in these patients. It is noteworthy that patients with OSA with CHA2DS2-VASc

HbA1c is a biomarker with a central role in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with diabetes, although not a perfect one. Common comorbidities encountered in patients with diabetes mellitus, such as renal insufficiency, high output states (iron deficiency anaemia, haemolytic anaemia, haemoglobinopathies and pregnancy) and intake of specific drugs could compromise the sensitivity and specificity of the biomarker. COVID-19 pandemic poses a pressing challenge for the diabetic population, since maintaining optimal blood glucose control is key to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Alternative methods for diabetes management, such as fructosamine, glycosylated albumin and device-based continuous glucose monitoring, are discussed.