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WEBOpen Heart is dedicated to publishing high quality, peer reviewed medical research in all disciplines and therapeutic areas of cardiovascular medicine. Research is published across all study phases and designs, from protocols to phase I trials to meta-analyses, including small or specialist studies. Opinionated discussions on controversial ...
Acute myocarditis caused by COVID-19 disease and following …
WEBCOVID-19: from subclinical myocardial injury to fulminant lethal myocarditis. SARS-CoV-2 gains entry into human cells by binding its cleaved spike protein (S1/S2 and S2ʹ sites) to the ACE2 membrane protein,1 which, can be found on ciliated columnar epithelial cells of the respiratory tract, type II pneumocytes and also cardiomyocytes.2 Since, failed human hearts have a higher percentage of ...
Authors - Open Heart
WEBOpen Heart is an online-only open access journal dedicated exclusively to publishing cardiology research. The journal aims to provide rapid publication of research through a continuous publication model. As well as publishing definitive articles, Open Heart will consider protocols. All articles published in Open Heart will have been sent for peer review.
Four pillars of heart failure: contemporary ... - Open Heart
WEBThe past two decades have heralded dramatic improvements in outcomes for people living with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).1 The more widespread implementation of disease modifying pharmacological therapies,2 supported by landmark trials of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors3 and beta-blockers4 have improved longevity despite a background of an ageing and increasingly ...
Vitamin K2—a neglected player in cardiovascular health: a …
WEBVitamin K2 serves an important role in cardiovascular health through regulation of calcium homeostasis. Its effects on the cardiovascular system are mediated through activation of the anti-calcific protein known as matrix Gla protein. In its inactive form, this protein is associated with various markers of cardiovascular disease including increased arterial stiffness, vascular and valvular ...
Moderate aortic stenosis: culprit or bystander? | Open Heart
WEBModerate AS is defined as a maximal aortic jet velocity (Vmax) of 3.0–3.9 m/s and/or mean pressure gradient (MPG) of 20–39 mm Hg and/or aortic valve area (AVA) of >1 cm 2.Patients with low forward stroke volume (eg, stroke volume index ≤35 mL/m 2) may have valve haemodynamics in the moderate range despite an AVA <1.0 cm 2.These haemodynamic characteristics are often referred to as ‘low ...
The health benefits of vitamin K - Open Heart
WEBIntroduction. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, important for the function of numerous proteins within the body, such as the coagulation factors (II, VII, IX, X and protein C and protein S), osteocalcin (a bone-forming protein) and matrix-Gla protein (MGP) (an anticalcification protein), to name a few.1–3 Vitamin K exists naturally as vitamin K 1 (phylloquinone) and vitamin K 2 ...
Transcatheter mitral valve repair: an overview of current and future ...
WEBThe field of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) for mitral regurgitation (MR) is rapidly evolving. Besides the well-established transcatheter mitral edge-to-edge repair approach, there is also growing evidence for therapeutic strategies targeting the mitral annulus and mitral valve chordae. A patient-tailored approach, careful patient selection and an experienced interventional team is ...
Mechanisms of ECG signs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
WEBObjective Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often have abnormal ECGs. Our aim was to separate the effects on ECG by airway obstruction, emphysema and right ventricular (RV) afterload in patients with COPD. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 101 patients with COPD without left heart disease and 32 healthy age-matched controls. Body mass index (BMI) was ...
The impact of an integrated heart failure service in a medium …
WEBObjectives Assessing the impact of a new integrated heart failure service (IHFS) in a medium-sized district general hospital (DGH) on heart failure (HF) mortality, readmission rates, and provision of HF care. Methods A retrospective, observational study encompassing all patients admitted with a diagnosis of HF over two 12-month periods before (2012/2013), and after (2015/2016) IHFS establishment.