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The article explores the use of lipid-lowering therapy in heart failure patients. It acknowledges that while it is recommended as part of treatment, there is inconclusive evidence regarding its effectiveness, particularly in advanced cases. The article also discusses the potential benefits and risks of statin use, including its impact on muscle strength and energy metabolism. It highlights the need for further research to better understand the role of lipid-lowering therapy in heart failure patients. Additionally, the article mentions new treatments that may be beneficial for hyperlipidemic patients with heart failure. Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of modifying lipid levels in heart failure patients for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. [Extracted from the article]

Background Continuous ultrafiltration consists a decongestion method for patients with refractory decompensated heart failure with diuretic resistance as it enables the energetic withdrawal of isotonic fluid under controlled rate according to the patient's vital signs, offering decongestion without exceeding plasma refill rate. Case summary A 62-year-old male with history of Holt–Oram syndrome with Eisenmenger physiology presented with worsening dyspnoea. Patient initial clinical and laboratory examination, renal vein ultrasound, and echocardiogram were consistent with significant congestion. A combined strategy of intravenous furosemide with early initiation of continuous ultrafiltration at an adjustable rate for 4 days was finally selected. Patient remained haemodynamically stable during the total treatment time and exhibited significant clinical and laboratory improvement. Consecutive renal vein ultrasounds and echocardiograms demonstrated a continuous and steady recession of congestion. During the 4 days of ultrafiltration, total fluid loss was estimated at 42 L. Patient remained asymptomatic without signs of worsened congestion at 1, 3, and 5 months follow-up. Discussion Our case depicts that continuous ultrafiltration without exceeding plasma refill rate allows an impaired right ventricle to maintain significant preload. This suggests that it might be considered for patients in whom a session of short classic ultrafiltration might have detrimental results regarding cardiac output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute heart failure (HF) presents a significant mortality burden, necessitating continuous therapeutic advancements. Temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is crucial in managing cardiogenic shock (CS) secondary to acute HF, serving as a bridge to recovery or durable support. Currently, MCS options include the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP), TandemHeart (TH), Impella, and Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA-ECMO), each offering unique benefits and risks tailored to patient-specific factors and clinical scenarios. This review examines the clinical implications of recent advancements in temporary MCS, identifies knowledge gaps, and explores promising avenues for future research and clinical application. Understanding each device's unique attributes is crucial for their efficient implementation in various clinical scenarios, ultimately advancing towards intelligent, personalized support strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential interplay between a carbohydrate diet and inflammation in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) development. ATTICA is a prospective observational study of 3042 adults free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) who were recruited in 2002 and followed for 20 years. Baseline data on carbohydrate intake and inflammatory biomarker levels were collected. Participants were stratified by carbohydrate intake (low vs. high: 190 g/day) and carbohydrate quality. At the 20-year follow-up in 2022, 1988 participants had complete data for CVD assessment. The overall quantity and quality of carbohydrate intake did not show a significant association with CVD incidence; inflammatory markers were positively correlated with an increased risk of CVD (p-values < 0.05). Chronic systemic inflammation seems to affect the CVD risk of participants who had a higher carbohydrate intake more substantially, as compared to those with low intake. Additionally, individuals with higher high carbohydrate/low fiber intake experienced a higher risk of inflammation-related CVD, compared to those with high carbohydrate/high fiber intake. The presented findings revealed that the effect of inflammation markers on the CVD risk is influenced both by the amount and quality of carbohydrate intake, irrespective of overall dietary habits and clinical and lifestyle characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the association between irrational beliefs and the 10‐year cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence among apparently healthy adults. The ATTICA study is a population‐based, prospective cohort (2002–2012) consisting of 853 participants without evidence of CVD (453 men and 400 women) who underwent psychological evaluations. Participants completed the Irrational Beliefs Inventory (IBI, range 0–88), a self‐reported measure consistent with the Ellis model of psychological disturbance. We conducted a factor analysis to develop irrational beliefs factors to evaluate the association between subcategories of irrational beliefs and CVD incidence. Demographic characteristics, detailed medical history, other psychological factors, and dietary and other lifestyle habits were also evaluated. The incidence of CVD was defined according to the International Coding Diseases (ICD)‐10 criteria. The identified dominant irrational beliefs factor, "cognitive vulnerability to anxiety," consisted of demandingness, perfectionism, emotional irresponsibility, anxious overconcern, dependence on others, and overconcern for the welfare of others, was strongly associated with an increased 10‐year CVD risk. Nested multi‐adjusted regression analysis revealed that anxiety, as well as negative physical well‐being, mediated this relationship, and subset of irrational beliefs predicted CVD risk directly and indirectly through anxiety and negative physical well‐being. These findings further map the path through which irrational beliefs can contribute to CVDs and provide insights in favor of preventive healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Food Compass Score (FCS) is a novel nutrient profiling system, which evaluates food and diet quality. The present study aimed to prospectively assess the relationship of FCS with short‐term (10 years) and long‐term (20 years) cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and to explore whether this relationship is modified by long‐term adherence to a Mediterranean type diet (MTD). Methods: Volunteers of the ATTICA cohort study, with complete data for the calculation of FCS and incident CVD were included (n = 759). Development of CVD was determined at 10 and 20 years after baseline. Dietary intake was assessed through a validated food frequency questionnaire. The FCS was calculated for each participant based on the published algorithm. Long‐term adherence to a MTD was evaluated through MedDietScore. Results: FCS was inversely associated with CVD incidence (hazard ratio [HR] for 20‐year follow‐up = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.95–0.99; HR for 10‐year follow‐up = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.96–1.01) in the total sample, as well as in those with a high baseline adherence to a MTD (HR for 20‐year follow‐up = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.93–0.99; HR for 10‐year follow‐up = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.95–1.02). FCS was also inversely associated with CVD risk in those who went away from the MTD (HR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.96–0.99). Conclusions: FCS, a novel tool for assessing overall diet quality, was also found to be useful in identifying potential CVD candidates in a long‐term period, even in populations with good background dietary habits, such as those following a MTD. Key points: Food Compass Score (FCS) was inversely related to incident cardiovascular disease.FCS was shown to be a useful tool for assessing overall diet quality.FCS could be used to identify potential cardiovascular disease candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]