Endocardial Fibroelastosis: A Comprehensive Review

Endocardial fibroelastosis emerged as a challenging clinical phenomenon in the 1940s. It is characterized by an atypical proliferation of fibrous and elastic tissue within the heart and is primarily observed in childhood, occasionally displaying familial inheritance. While the precise cause remains elusive, various factors, including genetic, infectious, metabolic, autoimmune, oncologic, and medication-related influences, appear to play a role in its pathogenesis. The coexistence of endocardial fibroelastosis with multiple cardiac structural abnormalities manifests in symptoms of congestive heart failure and rhythm abnormalities. Despite its challenging diagnosis, various findings from ECG and imaging have proven beneficial in further evaluation of this condition. Finally, the treatment approach to endocardial fibroelastosis became complex due to addressing its concurrent cardiac abnormalities. Strategies for managing and preventing this condition are still under investigation. In this review, we intend to highlight the existing knowledge and illuminate future considerations regarding the etiology, diagnosis, and management of this disease.

Overview of the cardio-metabolic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Evidence has shown that cardiometabolic disorders (CMDs) are amongst the top contributors to COVID-19 infection morbidity and mortality. The reciprocal impact of COVID-19 infection and the most common CMDs, the risk factors for poor composite outcome among patients with one or several underlying diseases, the effect of common medical management on CMDs and their safety in the context of acute COVID-19 infection are reviewed. Later on, the changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine on the general population's lifestyle (diet, exercise patterns) and metabolic health, acute cardiac complications of different COVID-19 vaccines and the effect of CMDs on the vaccine efficacy are discussed. Our review identified that the incidence of COVID-19 infection is higher among patients with underlying CMDs such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Also, CMDs increase the risk of COVID-19 infection progression to severe disease phenotypes (e.g. hospital and/or ICU admission, use of mechanical ventilation). Lifestyle modification during COVID-19 era had a great impact on inducing and worsening of CMDs. Finally, the lower efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines was found in patients with metabolic disease.

Underrepresentation of Women in Late-Breaking Cardiovascular Clinical Trials

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality for women and men. Prior studies have demonstrated the underrepresentation of women in published clinical trials, but no study to date has assessed inclusion of women in late-breaking clinical trials (LBCTs) presented at national meetings. Objectives: To characterize the inclusion of women participants in LBCT presented at the 2021 American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) annual meetings and identify trial characteristics associated with improved inclusion. Methods: LBCT presented at the 2021 ACC, AHA, and ESC meetings were identified and the inclusion of women as participants was assessed. The inclusion to prevalence ratio (IPR) was calculated by dividing the percentage of women participants by the percentage of women in the disease population. IPRs <1 indicate underenrollment of women. Of the 68 LBCT, 3 trials were excluded due to lack of subject matter relevance. Results: Inclusion of women ranged from 0% to 71%. Only 47.1% of trials reported sex-specific analyses. The average IPR was 0.76 for all trials and did not vary based on conference, trial center, geographic region, or funding source. The average IPR varied based on subspecialty, with a statistical difference between interventional cardiology and heart failure (0.65 vs. 0.88, p = 0.02). The average IPR was significantly lower for procedural studies compared with medication trials (0.61 vs. 0.78, p = 0.008), as well as for studies with mean age <65 and trial size <1500 participants. There was no difference in IPR based on female authorship. Conclusions: LBCT can impact novel drug and device approval, intervention indications, and patient management. Nonetheless, most LBCT underenroll women, particularly, procedural LBCT. In 2021, sex-based enrollment disparities persist, highlighting the need to engage key stakeholders, including funding organizations, national governing bodies, editorial board members, and medical societies, in the creation of a coordinated strategic initiative to advance gender parity. These findings warrant further investigation to increase inclusion of women in trials, including potential enrollment requirements for consideration as LBCT by meeting organizers.

Benefit and risk evaluation of quinapril hydrochloride

INTRODUCTION

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a mainstay of antihypertensive therapy. Quinapril hydrochloride, a less commonly used, and less-studied ACE inhibitor has been approved for its primary use in hypertension. Studies also indicate its off-label use for congestive heart failure and diabetic nephropathy. The ANDI and TREND trials have been pivotal in demonstrating the effectiveness of quinapril.

AREAS COVERED

The authors conducted a review of the literature analyzing the clinical efficacy and safety profile of quinapril. This review discusses the development of quinapril, provides an updated summary of the indications and contraindications, and presents a comparison with other ACE inhibitors.

EXPERT OPINION

Quinapril is a safe and well-tolerated antihypertensive medication with a favorable safety profile compared to other ACE inhibitors. However, a lack of ample recent clinical trials and post-marketing data investigating the efficacy of quinapril in large cohorts has resulted in limited use in clinical practice. Quinapril may be an effective antihypertensive option for elderly populations as well as those who cannot tolerate the side effects profiles of other ACE inhibitors and as an additional treatment option for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Is attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder increased in patients with celiac disease?

Background

Some studies have shown that neurological and mental disorders in children with celiac disease are higher than in the general population. The aim of this study is to find frequency of ADHD in celiac patients.

Result

The findings of the study showed that the frequency of ADHD in males was 6 cases (22.2%) and 6 cases (18.2%) in females, and although the ADHD score was higher in males, there was no significant difference in sex (P = 0.697). The frequency of ADHD in terms of age group also showed that there were no hyperactive children in the age group under 5 years of age; in the age group of 5–9 years old, 8 cases (28.6%); in the age group of 10 to 14 years old, 4 cases (19%); and in the age group of 15 and older, no one was diagnosed with ADHD. The chi-square test showed that the frequency of ADHD in terms of age group was not significantly different (P = 0.26). It should be noted that according to Pearson correlation test, there was a reverse correlation between the age and ADHD, but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.33).

Conclusions

The frequency of ADHD among boys and girls with celiac disease was 22.2% and 18.2%, respectively.