Journal of cardiovascular medicine
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Sep 2020
ReviewFocus on clinical practice: angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and corona virus disease 2019: pathophysiology and clinical implications.
: ACE2 receptor has a broad expression pattern in the cellular membrane and provides a protective action against the development of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, this enzyme has become of extreme interest during the pandemic infection of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). This virus invades alveolar epithelium and cardiomyocytes using ACE2 as a transmembrane receptor. ⋯ However, this aspect has raised many concerns about the use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs in infected patients or patients at risk of infection. It appears that cellular infection leads to a reduction in ACE2 expression and an increase in the activity of the Ang II--AT1 axis, which leads to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, ARDS, myocarditis, and hypercoagulability with the possibility of exacerbation of acute coronary syndrome, induction of pulmonary embolism, or appearance of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Therefore, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blocker drugs should be continued in infected patients, as their discontinuation can increase Ang II activity and induce injury to the lungs or cardiovascular system.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Sep 2020
Lombardy regional urgent reorganization for congenital cardiac patients following the Covid-19 pandemic.
By the end of February 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic infection had spread in Northern Italy, with thousands of patients infected. In Lombardy, the most affected area, the majority of public and private hospitals were dedicated to caring for COVID-19 patients and were organized following the 'Hub-and-Spoke' model for other medical specialties, like cardiac surgery and interventional procedures for congenital cardiac disease (CHD). Here, we report how the congenital cardiac care system was modified in Lombardy and the first results of this organization. ⋯ Our preliminary data suggest that the model adopted met the immediate needs with a good outcome without increased mortality, nor COVID-19 exposure for the patients who underwent procedures.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Sep 2020
Multicenter Study Observational StudyThe atrial FibriLlatiOn real World management registry in the Middle East and Africa: design and rationale.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, affecting 33.5 million patients globally. It is associated with increased morbidity, leading to significant clinical and economic burden. There exist only limited data in the Middle Eastern region from the existing registries. The goal of the FLOW-AF (atrial FibriLlatiOn real World management registry in the Middle East and Africa) registry is to evaluate the characteristics, treatment patterns, and clinical and economic outcomes associated with anticoagulation among patients newly diagnosed with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in Egypt, Lebanon, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. ⋯ The FLOW-AF registry will provide information on the uptake of oral anticoagulants, treatment patterns, clinical outcomes, and healthcare utilization and costs among newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients in the Middle Eastern region.