Cardiovascular Reviews

Analysis of the Predictive Value of Neutrophil-to- Albumin Ratio on the Prognosis of Patients with Acute Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

2025-10-22T08:50:11+08:00

Objective: To explore the predictive value of neutrophil-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) on the prognosis of patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 506 NSTEMI patients admitted between January 2018 and October 2024. The general information, laboratory test results, and prognosis of the two groups were compared. The NPAR value was calculated, and patients were divided into high, medium, and low NPAR groups based on tertiles. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between NPAR and prognosis, and ROC curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive performance of NPAR. Results: The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiac function) was significantly higher in the high NPAR group than in the medium and low NPAR groups (P < 0.05). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that significant changes in NPAR in the high NPAR group were important predictors of prognosis for NSTEMI patients. The results of this study indicate that significant changes in NPAR values in the high NPAR group are associated with mortality. Conclusion: NPAR serves as a significant prognostic predictor in NSTEMI patients. Elevated NPAR levels are strongly associated with increased mortality risk, supporting its utility in early risk stratification and clinical decision-making.

Antithrombotic Strategies and Complication Management in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Complicated by Mesenteric Artery Embolism: A Case Report and Literature Review of an Elderly Patient

2025-10-22T08:50:09+08:00

Objective: To explore antithrombotic strategy selection and bleeding complication management in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) complicated by acute mesenteric artery embolism (AME). Methods: The diagnosis and treatment process of an 84-year-old patient with AF complicated by AME was reviewed, and the balancing strategy between antithrombotic therapy and reperfusion injury was analyzed in conjunction with the literature. Results: The patient developed intestinal bleeding and abdominal wall hematoma after interventional thrombectomy, and the risks of thrombosis and bleeding were ultimately controlled through a dual antithrombotic regimen of rivaroxaban combined with clopidogrel. Conclusion: For AF complicated by AME, individualized weighing of thromboembolic and bleeding risks is necessary, and multidisciplinary collaboration and dynamic monitoring are crucial for optimizing treatment.

The Application Value of Speckle Tracking Imaging in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease without Regional Wall Motion Abnormalities

2025-10-22T08:50:03+08:00

Objective: To delve into the merit of employing speckle tracking imaging (STI) for procuring left ventricular function metrics in assessing coronary artery disease (CAD) without regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA). Methods: A combined tally of 175 patients subjected to coronary angiography (CAG) in the Central Hospital of Dalian University of Technology from December 2023 to August 2024 were selected. As suggested by the findings derived from CAG, the patients were divided into three groups by the Gensini scoring system: the mild stenosis group (n = 58, Gensini score ≤ 28), the moderate stenosis group (n = 54, Gensini score > 28 and < 55), and the severe stenosis group (n = 63, Gensini score ≥ 55). In addition to conventional ultrasound measurements of cardiac parameters, global work efficiency (GWE), global myocardial work index (GWI), global longitudinal strain (GLS) were measured. Results: No statistical contrast came to light in the general baseline specifics among mild, moderate, and severe stenosis groupings (all P-values exceed 0.05); Data validated striking divergences in LVEF, GLS, GWI, and GWE across the three groups (all P-values below 0.05), the absolute values of these parameters demonstrated a significant reduction in the severe stenosis group (P-value below 0.05). GWE, GWI, GLS, and LVEF illustrated a dramatic link with the Gensini score (P-value below 0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that GLS had better sensitivity, while GWE exhibited higher specificity. Conclusion: STI can evaluate left ventricular function without RWMA in CAD patients, and has predictive value for severe CAD.

Analysis of the Improvement of Inflammatory Factor Levels in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and Hyperlipidemia Treated with Alirocumab and Atorvastatin

2025-10-22T08:50:07+08:00

Objective: To explore the efficacy of atorvastatin combined with alirocumab in the treatment of patients with coronary heart disease and hyperlipidemia. Methods: The study period was from June 2024 to June 2025. Patients with coronary heart disease and hyperlipidemia (n = 506) who received diagnosis and treatment in our hospital during this time period were included as the study subjects. The observation group and the control group were divided based on a random number table, with 253 patients in each group. Clinical treatment indicators were compared between the groups. Results: The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, there were significant differences in blood lipid levels, cardiac function indicators, coronary microcirculation, and inflammatory factor levels between the groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of atorvastatin and alirocumab in the treatment of patients with coronary heart disease and hyperlipidemia is not only beneficial for improving cardiac function and blood lipid symptoms, but also has a prominent effect on coronary microcirculation and anti-inflammatory ability. The treatment is effective and safe, and can be promoted.

Twenty-Five Years of Strain Imaging in Cardiac Function Assessment: Bibliometrics and Emerging Frontiers (2000–2025)

2025-10-22T08:50:01+08:00

Objective: To perform a bibliometric analysis of global research trends in strain imaging for cardiac function assessment between 2000 and 2025. Methods: Publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection using terms related to “strain imaging” and “cardiac function.” Only English-language articles and reviews were included. A total of 2,890 publications were analyzed with VOSviewer to assess publication trends, key contributors, journals, keywords, and collaboration networks. Results: Annual publications increased exponentially, peaking in 2024, with nearly 2,400 cumulative papers by 2025. Chinese scholars, led by Mingxing Xie and Li Zhang, dominated in publication output, whereas international authors such as Thomas H. Marwick achieved higher citation impact. Huazhong University of Science and Technology ranked first in output, while the University of Oslo showed the highest average citation rate. Echocardiography was the most prolific journal, whereas Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging and JACC achieved the greatest impact. Keyword analysis revealed a shift from methodological innovation to clinical applications and guideline-driven standardization. Collaboration networks highlighted the United States and China as global hubs, with Europe forming dense clusters. Conclusion: Strain imaging research has rapidly expanded and matured into an evidence-based clinical tool. Future efforts should focus on standardization, AI integration, disease-specific thresholds, and international collaboration.

Causal Association Between Immune Cells and Cardiac Arrest: A Mendelian Randomization Study

2025-10-22T08:50:05+08:00

Objective: To analyze the potential causal association between 731 immune cell phenotypes and cardiac arrest (CA) using the Mendelian randomization (MR) method. Methods: GWAS statistical data (GCST90001391–GCST90002121) for 731 immune cell phenotypes were obtained from the GWAS Catalog database, and cardiac arrest data were obtained from the FinnGen genomics research project dataset (I9_CARDARR). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used as instrumental variables for MR analysis. To assess the causal link between 731 immune cell phenotypes and CA, we employed several Mendelian randomization (MR) techniques, including inverse variance weighted, MR-Egger regression, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode, reporting odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The Cochran Q test was used to assess heterogeneity, MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO tests were used to assess horizontal pleiotropy, and the “leave-one-out” method was used to assess the sensitivity of individual SNPs to causal estimation results. Results: MR analysis revealed a causal association between 33 immune cell phenotypes and CA (P < 0.05), with significant positive causal associations (P < 0.01) observed for Natural Killer %lymphocyte [OR = 1.080, 95%CI (1.023, 1.140), P < 0.01], CD3 on T cell [OR = 1.058, 95%CI (1.104, 1.103), P < 0.01], and CD127 on granulocyte [OR = 1.120, 95%CI (1.044, 1.202), P < 0.01] with CA. There is a significant negative causal relationship (P < 0.01) between the percentage of CD39+ secreting CD4 regulatory T cells among CD4 regulatory T cells [OR = 0.940, 95%CI (0.897, 0.984), P < 0.01], the percentage of CD8+ and CD8dim T cells among leukocytes [OR = 0.825, 95%CI (0.726, 0.939), P < 0.01], the percentage of CD39+ CD8+ T cells among CD8+ T cells [OR = 0.919, 95%CI (0.866, 0.975), P < 0.01], and CD3 on Effector Memory CD8+ T cells [OR = 0.888, 95%CI (0.826, 0.955), P < 0.01] and cardiac arrest (CA). The absence of significant heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy was confirmed by the Cochran Q test, MR-Egger regression, and MR-PRESSO test (all P > 0.05), supporting the validity of the inferred causal relationship between the immune cell phenotypes and CA. The results of the reverse MR analysis were not statistically significant (P > 0.05), supporting a unidirectional causal relationship between immune cell phenotypes and CA. Conclusion: Natural Killer %lymphocyte, CD3 on T cell, and CD127 on granulocyte may be risk factors for CA, while CD39+ secreting CD4 regulatory T cell %CD4 regulatory T cell, CD8+ and CD8dim T cell %leukocyte, CD39+ CD8+ T cell %CD8+ T cell, and CD3 on Effector Memory CD8+ T cell may have a protective effect against CA.

Colchicine and Cardiovascular Disease: Mechanisms, Clinical Evidence, and Therapeutic Perspectives

2025-10-22T09:41:54+08:00

Colchicine, a long-established anti-inflammatory agent, has recently drawn growing interest due to its possible therapeutic roles in cardiovascular disorders. By modulating inflammatory pathways, colchicine has been shown to enhance clinical outcomes in patients with pericarditis, coronary artery involvement, as well as postoperative atrial fibrillation, and to lower the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. Nevertheless, its underlying pharmacological mechanisms and sustained benefits still warrant comprehensive evaluation. This review summarizes current understanding of colchicine’s mechanisms, clinical evidence, and prospective applications, offering updated perspectives for its use in cardiovascular medicine.