Scientists Unravel the Unusual Cell Biology Behind Toxic Algal Blooms – SciTechDaily

The researchers were able to reconstruct the three-dimensional shape of the single chloroplast from several hundred images. Credit: University of Oldenburg / General and Molecular Microbiology group

What are the cellular mechanisms within a single-celled marine algae species responsible for triggering toxic algal blooms? A research group under the direction of microbiologist Prof. Dr. Ralf Rabus from the University of Oldenburg, Germany, has conducted first detailed analyses of the unusual cell biology of Prorocentrum cordatum, a globally widespread species of the dinoflagellates group, using both advanced microscopic and proteomics approaches.

As the team reports in the science journal Plant Physiology, the photosynthesis process in these microorganisms is organised in an unusual configuration which may help them to better adapt to the changing light conditions in the oceans. The results of the study could lead to an improved understanding of the incidence of harmful algal blooms, which may be becoming more frequent due to climate change.

Dinoflagellates are important organisms in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. These unicellular organisms make up a substantial proportion of free-living phytoplankton, which forms the basis of the food web in oceans and lakes. Some species, including Prorocentrum cordatum, can proliferate in warm, nutrient-rich waters and form harmful algal blooms.

Cross-section of a cell of the microalga Prorocentrum cordatum. The nucleus with the chromosomes is on the right. A single barrel-like chloroplast takes up 40 percent of the cell volume. Credit: University of Oldenburg / General and Molecular Microbiology group

We studied this organism because despite its environmental relevance its cell biology and metabolic physiology are still poorly understood, said Rabus. In addition to studying photosynthesis in the microalgae, the researchers also examined the structure of their cell nuclei and their response to heat stress in collaboration with teams from the Universities of Hanover, Braunschweig, and Munich and set out the findings in two other recently published papers.

Using a powerful scanning electron microscope with a focused ion beam at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitt Munich, the team headed by Rabus and lead author Jana Kalvelage from the Institute of Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM) was able to reconstruct the three-dimensional architecture of the chloroplasts, where photosynthesis takes place. The scientists were able to generate around 600 image layers of a single algae cell and then combine the sections to create a three-dimensional, high-resolution spatial image of the oval-shaped single-celled organisms, which are generally around 10 to 20 thousandths of a millimeter long. The analysis revealed that Prorocentrum cordatum have only a single barrel-like chloroplast that takes up 40 percent of their cell volume.

Proteomic (protein) analyses then revealed marked differences between the photosynthetic apparatus of the microalgae and that of Arabidopsis thaliana, a well-studied model plant in genetics research. In both species, photosynthesis takes place in complex protein structures embedded in the chloroplasts extensive membrane system.

However, in Prorocentrum cordatum the team observed that the conversion of solar energy into biochemical energy takes place in a single large structure consisting of numerous proteins, known as a megacomplex, whereas in the chloroplasts of the plant species, the different steps of photosynthesis occur in spatially separated structures. The team also reported that P. cordatum uses a large number of different pigment-binding proteins to efficiently capture solar energy. This diversity is a special adaptation to the changing light conditions to which the organism is exposed in the oceans, Rabus explained.

Two other studies published last year highlight the microalgaes unusual biology: in the first a German-Australian team of which the ICBM researchers were also members found that the organisms have a very large genome with twice as many base pairs as in humans. The team also discovered that the algae change their metabolism and their rate of growth decelerates in response to heat stress. In a second publication, the team led by Rabus and Kalvelage described the cell nucleus in greater detail, reporting that P. cordatum has 62 chromosomes, an unusually high number that fills almost the entire cell nucleus. The function of a large proportion of the nuclear proteins that were identified by the researchers is currently unknown, the team observed.

We have investigated how this important microalgae functions at the molecular level. These findings form the basis for a better understanding of its role in the environment, Rabus stressed. Further investigations could provide answers to questions such as how the organisms metabolism reacts to other stress factors and why the species is able to adapt to such a wide range of environmental conditions, from those in the tropics to those in temperate climates, he explained.

Reference: Conspicuous chloroplast with light harvesting-photosystem I/II megacomplex in marine Prorocentrum cordatum by Jana Kalvelage, Lars Whlbrand, Jennifer Senkler, Julian Schumacher, Noah Ditz, Kai Bischof, Michael Winklhofer, Andreas Klingl, Hans-Peter Braun and Ralf Rabus, 08 February 2024, Plant Physiology. DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae052

The study was funded by the German Research Foundation.

More:
Scientists Unravel the Unusual Cell Biology Behind Toxic Algal Blooms - SciTechDaily

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center cardiologist to be honored by American Heart Association – American Heart Association

BOSTON The American Heart Association will present the 2024 Paul Dudley White Award to Dr. Robert E. Gerszten in recognition of his contributions to the field of cardiovascular medicine and outstanding record of mentoring the next generation of researchers, educators and health care professionals.

Dr. Gerszten is chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Herman Dana Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He will receive the award at the Boston Heart and Stroke Ball on May 4.

The Paul Dudley White Award has been presented annually since 1974 to a Boston-based medical professional who has made extraordinary contributions to cardiovascular or stroke care. It is named after one of the citys most revered cardiologists, Dr. Paul Dudley White, a founder of the American Heart Association who is regarded as the father of preventive cardiology.

Dr. Gerszten was selected to receive this years award by a committee of area physicians. In choosing Dr. Gerszten, the committee praised him for his work around predicting, preventing, and treating patients with cardiovascular disease. They also credited his more than 30 years as a volunteer for the American Heart Association and his extensive record of mentorship.

Several colleagues nominated Dr. Gerszten for the award. Among them was Dr. Robert W. Yeh, a cardiologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Smith Family Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. In his nominating letter, Dr. Yeh commended Dr. Gerszten for dedicating his life to preventing and treating cardiovascular disease.

He has done this through his groundbreaking research, through the mentorship of multiple generations of physician scientists, through a consistent presence at the bedside caring for critically ill patients, and through his leadership of one of the countrys premier cardiovascular divisions, said Dr. Yeh. He has carried out his lifes work with honesty, integrity, professionalism, grace, good humor and relentless determination.

Dr. Gersztens contributions to the scientific community are extensive. He has played a significant role in our understanding of how metabolic issues impact cardiac health. His research has consistently been published in top scientific journals, and his laboratory has continually been funded by prestigious organizations including the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Gerszten has also served in various volunteer roles for the American Heart Association throughout his career. This includes participating in working groups, grant review activities, and the coordination of community-based fundraising through the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Boston Heart Walk team. Additionally, he has played a pivotal role in planning Scientific Sessions, an annual American Heart Association conference dedicated to highlighting the latest breakthroughs in cardiovascular research.

Dr. Gerszten is also known for being an exceptional mentor, showing an unwavering commitment to training the next generation of leaders in cardiovascular science. Colleagues credit him for fostering a collaborative work environment and for being an exemplary role model.

Over the past year of working daily with Dr. Gerszten in a leadership capacity, I have found him to represent every single humanistic quality that I might imagine distinguished Paul Dudley White, said Dr. Jennifer E. Ho, a cardiologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He cares deeply about the people around him, whether they be colleagues, trainees or patients.

Dr. Gerszten received his bachelors degree from the University of Virginia and his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University. He completed his residency at the University of Pennsylvania and his clinical fellowship in cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital.

He lives in Brookline with his wife Elena. He is happiest while fishing off Marthas Vineyard, or even while losing to his two sons in tennis. His career has been deeply impacted by his parents, both of whom dedicated their lives to academic medicine as a physician educator and as a social worker.

The Boston Heart and Stroke Ball is a celebration of the year-round Heart of Boston campaign, which supports the American Heart Associations 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal to reduce barriers to health care access and quality. It will be held on Saturday, May 4, at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport.

Dr. Gersztens commitment to the mission of the American Heart Association has been instrumental in our efforts to ensure that every person has the opportunity to live a full, healthy life, said Eric Green, chair of the Heart of Boston campaign and senior vice president and head of development programs at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. We look forward to honoring his contributions to cardiology and health when we gather at the Heart and Stroke Ball in May.

For more information about the Heart and Stroke Ball, visit heart.org/BostonHB or contact Rachel Adjemian, associate vice president of development, at rachel.adjemian@heart.org.

###

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the publics health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us onheart.org,Facebook,Xor by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:

Chris Camire, Marketing Communications Director

chris.camire@heart.org

For Public Inquiries:

1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org

See more here:

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center cardiologist to be honored by American Heart Association - American Heart Association

Doctors form new coalition focused on reducing private equity’s role in cardiology, other healthcare specialties – Cardiovascular Business

Thousands of U.S. physicians have joined forces to launch the Coalition for Patient-Centered Care (CPCC), a new organization focused on reducing the involvement and influence of private equity in the American healthcare system.

CPCCs members include more than 5,000 physicians from 46 U.S. states. The OrthoForum, a Tennessee-based group of private orthopedic practices, the Association for Independent Medicine (AIM) and PELTO are also listed as founding members on the organizations website.

According to the newly formed group, it wants to eliminate tax breaks associated with private equity-funded acquisitions and close loopholes that allow private equity-backed groups to circumvent the ban on the corporate practice of medicine. The group also aims to ensure private equity-funded acquisitions of physician practices are regulated just as closely as any other healthcare merger or acquisition.

Independent physicians across specialties including radiology, anesthesiology, cardiology and more will have a better chance of influencing policy in the right direction than any one specialty standing alone, AIM President Marco Fernandez, MD, a veteran cardiac anesthesiologist and CPCC founding member, told Cardiovascular Business.

When private equity takes over, they often hire less-expensive, less-experienced providers and make them work harder, added surgeon Stephen McCollam, MD, another founding CPCC member. From what Ive seen, this results in lower quality care, higher utilization rates of expensive specialty testing due to a lack of experience and lack of confidence in their clinical abilitiesand higher burnout rates. Ultimately, these effects of private equity ownership cost the patient more while providing lower quality care.

Read more from the original source:

Doctors form new coalition focused on reducing private equity's role in cardiology, other healthcare specialties - Cardiovascular Business

Kapil Yadav, M.D., Joins UAMS to Lead Nuclear Cardiology and Vascular Medicine Program – UAMS News

View Larger Image Kapil Yadav, M.D.

March 18, 2024 | LITTLE ROCK Kapil Yadav, M.D., an established interventional cardiologist in central Arkansas, has joined the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to lead its Nuclear Cardiology and Vascular Medicine Program.

An associate professor in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine in the UAMS College of Medicines Department of Internal Medicine, Yadav will treat patients at the UAMS Neighborhood Clinic in Maumelle and at the Outpatient Center on the UAMS campus.

I am delighted that Dr. Kapil Yadav has chosen to move his practice to UAMS, said Paul Mounsey, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UAMS Division of Cardiovascular Medicine.A prominent local cardiologist with wide clinical interests, Dr. Yadav will strengthen both our noninvasive cardiology services, particularly nuclear cardiology, and our interventional cardiology group.

Mounsey added, His interest in peripheral vascular disease will add a new dimension to the cardiovascular disease management at UAMS. He will also have an important role in educating our fellows and residents about cardiology.

Yadav, an interventional and endovascular cardiologist, completed a fellowship in interventional and structural cardiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson in 2018 and a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 2017.

He completed a residency in internal medicine at Cook County Hospital in Chicago in 2014, after receiving his medical degree from SMS Medical College in India with rotations at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

UAMS has an outstanding cardiovascular team, and we are growing the program to provide a wide variety of specialized care, Yadav said.

He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology, the National Board of Echocardiography and the Board of Nuclear Cardiology.

To schedule an appointment with Yadav, call 501-686-8000 and request the location that works best for you. He will be at the Maumelle clinic on Fridays.

###

More here:

Kapil Yadav, M.D., Joins UAMS to Lead Nuclear Cardiology and Vascular Medicine Program - UAMS News

March 19 Doctors on Call Will Focus on Cardiology – KRSL

Local

Written By: Press Release Posted by David Elliott Published Date: 03-18-2024

Doctors on Call, a local production of Smoky Hills PBS, will feature Dr. David Battin with the Heart Center at Salina Regional Health Center on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 PM and will focus on cardiology.

Doctors on Call is a program that provides medical information on a variety of different topics. Medical professionals from throughout the state travel to Bunker Hill to provide information and answer questions from the viewing audience. The doctors presenting each week have expertise in the topic chosen for that program. Questions can be called in during the show or emailed prior to the broadcast.

The program airs live on Smoky Hills PBS at 7 PM on Tuesdays. You can also stream each episode live on the Smoky Hills PBS YouTube channel at http://bit.ly/StreamSmokyHillsPBS.

A schedule of programs and past episodes are available at http://www.SmokyHillsPBS.org.

To submit questions electronically on a specific topic, viewers can send an email to doctors@shptv.org. Questions submitted through email must be received by Noon on the day of the show. During the program, viewers can call 1-800-337-4788.

(Information courtesy SHPBS.)

Originally posted here:

March 19 Doctors on Call Will Focus on Cardiology - KRSL

Cardiologist shares his long journey from Libya to United States – Cardiovascular Business

Almanfi found himself starting from scratch upon arrival in the United States. The U.S. medical system is notoriously rigorous and closed, requiring foreign-trained physicians to undergo a comprehensive evaluation and certification process. This involved passing standardized exams such as the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) steps, followed by applying for residency through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

For Almanfi, this journey encompassed nearly a decade of dedicated effort, including three years of internal medicine residency and additional training in cardiology and interventional cardiology. The process demanded resilience and persistence, as foreign-trained physicians often encounter bureaucratic roadblocks and lengthy timelines in obtaining licensure and certification to practice medicine in the U.S. The requirement to meet the U.S certifications can be a significant deterrent for individuals who have already established careers in their home countries or seek expedited pathways to practice medicine in the U.S.

"I think if someone has a goal in mind and has determination to do this, maybe they can go through the process. I know it's painful, it can be long, but it can get you to your dream and get you to have a job and have a living and even become a U.S. citizen. That's probably the longest way and probably the official way," Almanfi said.

Almanfi suggests exploring alternative avenues for skill development, such as attending conferences, participating in hands-on training programs and leveraging online resources and simulators to enhance clinical proficiency.

Almanfi's own experiences underscore the significance of networking and utilizing social media platforms as valuable tools for professional advancement. As a social media ambassador for prestigious medical conferences, he has leveraged digital platforms to connect with colleagues worldwide, share insights, and collaborate on educational initiatives. Social media serves as a gateway for international physicians to engage with the global medical community, facilitating knowledge exchange, networking opportunities, and professional development.

"I think social media has became a central part of almost everything in our life nowadays. Not only in politics but also in medicine. I have been doing this for 10 years, which I think has impacted my career. And so I became more involved with physicians not only within the United States, but also outside the United States. Social media, it became like a window for the people there to look at the outside world. And so if you're traveling to the United States, you could see everything through social media, especially if you are connected with people or organizations that have a presence on social media," Almanfi explained.

Read the original post:

Cardiologist shares his long journey from Libya to United States - Cardiovascular Business

Cardiologists share historic research that led to FDA’s long-awaited approval of coronary DCB – Cardiovascular Business

Overall, clinical procedural success rates (92.1% for DCB patients vs. 88.7% for uncoated balloon patients) and technical success rates (93.4% for DCB patients vs. 89.7% for uncoated balloon patients) were similar. Bailout stents, meanwhile, were required for three patients treated with a paclitaxel-coated balloon and one patient treated with an uncoated balloon.

Target lesion failure after 12 months was seen in 17.9% of DCB patients and 28.6% of uncoated balloon patients. This difference was primarily attributed to lower rates of ischemia-driven revascularization and target vessel myocardial infarction among patients in the DCB group.

Drug-coated balloons have emerged internationally as an alternative treatment option, but despite promising international data, they have not been previously evaluated or approved for use in the United States, lead investigator Robert W. Yeh, MD, MSc, MBA, director of the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology and section chief of interventional cardiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, said in a statement. Even with advances in stent technology, patients with coronary in-stent restenosis continue to comprise approximately 10% of individuals undergoing angioplasty interventions each year. In particular, patients with multiple prior stents have very poor long-term outcomes. There's growing sentiment that drug-coated balloons could address an unmet clinical need among patients with coronary artery disease in the United States.

Click here to read the full analysis in JAMA, a journal from the American Medical Association.

When the initial positive results from AGENT IDE were presented at TCT 2023, cardiologists were thrilled that a coronary DCB could finally be on its way toward FDA approval.

Our European colleagues have had these devices for a decade, Ajay J. Kirtane, MD, an interventional cardiologist with the Columbia University Department of Medicine, said during a TCT press conference in October 2023. In the United States, we basically tell patients routinely that we can use a peripheral balloon that is too big for your coronary and try to put it in your coronary to prevent the restenosis from happening, or you can buy a ticket to London and go over there to get this treated. Its embarrassing.

American College of Cardiology President B. Hadley Wilson, MD, meanwhile, described the new analysis as a game changer.

For 25 years, weve been trying to peel back this restenosis problem, he said during the same press conference. Now we can see light at the end of the tunnel.

Boston Scientific said the Agent DCB should be available on the U.S. market in the coming months.

In addition, AGENT IDEs researchers will be tracking patient data for up to five years, so expect updates on their findings as time goes on.

Follow this link:

Cardiologists share historic research that led to FDA's long-awaited approval of coronary DCB - Cardiovascular Business

SS Innovations’ SSi Mantra Surgical Robotic System used to perform Mitral Valve Replacement – Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology

March 18, 2024 SS Innovations International, Inc., a developer of innovative surgical robotic technologies dedicated to making world class robotic surgery affordable and accessible to a global population, today announced that surgeons have successfully performed the worlds first mitral valve replacement using the Made in India, SSi Mantra Surgical Robotic System. This procedure was carried out at the Narayana Hrudayalaya Institute of Cardiac Sciences in Bengaluru, India, and represents a milestone in the treatment of heart disease using the SSi Mantra Surgical Robotic System.

The mitral valve surgery was performed by Dr. Nitin Kumar Rajput from the Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and guided by SS Innovations Founder and Chairman, Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, one of the early pioneers of robotic cardiac bypass surgery.

Considering this accomplishment, Dr. Srivastava commented, We are very proud of our team for pushing the envelope to be able to add the field of full spectrum robotic cardiac surgery to all other surgical subspecialties. 90-95% of all cardiac surgeries are still done today using large sternum splitting incisions. Since the inception of the Company, it was always our goal to address the need of offering a highly minimally invasive solution for cardiac patients.

During my practice in the US, I found that patients benefited immensely from surgical approaches which spared splitting of the sternum. Many patients would be discharged the following day and in full functional recovery in just a week to ten days later. The results were inspiring. This led me to develop more complex robotic bypass procedures that were adopted by other surgeons and would ultimately benefit more and more patients who underwent heart surgery.

We are very proud that using our Made in India, SSi Mantra Surgical Robotic System, we have performed a variety of robotic heart surgeries including, Bilateral Internal Mammary Takedowns, Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass on a beating heart, Atrial Septal Defect Repair and now a completely robotic Mitral Valve Replacement. I am very pleased that our original goal is now being met in conjunction with the highly talented surgeons at the Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences.

Dr. Nitin Kumar Rajput, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon from Narayana Health, the primary surgeon on the Mitral Valve Replacement, commented following the successful completion of the procedure, We have performed more than 60 CABGs (Heart Bypass Procedures) with the SSi Mantra Surgical Robotic System and we just did our first Robotic Mitral Valve Repair a few days back. The surgery went flawlessly, and it was wonderful operating with the Mantra System. Four ports were made for the robotic arm and a tiny 2.5 cm working port for the table side assistant. The surgery was completed quickly; the patient did well in the postoperative period and was discharged with good exercise tolerance three days post-surgery.

Dr. Srivastava said: SS Innovations is dedicated to improving patient access and optimizing surgical outcomes with our accessible and cost-effective surgical robotic system. We recognize the immense opportunity to address the significant unmet need for safe, timely, and affordable cardiac surgical care in India and around the world.

This milestone procedure is a testament to our commitment to advancing cardiac care. The successful operation opens new avenues for treating cardiac conditions, offering patients less invasive options, reduced recovery times, and better results.

The SSi Mantra embodies innovation and excellence and provides unmatched precision and control in robotic-assisted surgeries. Today's success is a proud moment for everyone at SS Innovations and our partners at Narayana Hrudayalaya, concluded Dr. Srivastava.

The mitral valve disease market size was valued at $2.5 billion in 2021 and is estimated to reach $5.7 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2022 to 2031.

The SSi Mantra Surgical Robotic System, the first surgical robotic system to be made in India, and one of the few cost-effective global options with a wide range of surgical applications, has received regulatory approval in India, Indonesia and Guatemala, and is clinically validated for over 50 different types of surgical procedures. To date, more than 800 surgical procedures have been conducted using the system. SS Innovations has initiated the regulatory approval process in the United States and the EU, with approvals anticipated in the latter half of 2024 or 2025.

For more information: http://www.ssinnovations.com

View original post here:

SS Innovations' SSi Mantra Surgical Robotic System used to perform Mitral Valve Replacement - Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology

Gilbert H. L. Tang Appointed Editor-in-Chief of JACC: Case Reports – Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology

March 15, 2024 Renowned cardiovascular surgeon Gilbert H. L. Tang, MD, has been named Editor-in-Chief ofJACC: Case Reports, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the helm of one of the top cardiovascular journals published by the American College of Cardiology.

I am both honored and humbled to be a cardiac surgeon among the Editor-in-Chiefs in theJACCfamily of journals, Tang said. It is going to be an exciting time forJACC: Case Reportsto build on a team of multidisciplinary cardiovascular practitioners with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and at different stages of their professional careers, to enhance the journals academic and educational impact globally.

Tang is currently serving as a professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the surgical director of the Structural Heart Program at the Mount Sinai Health System, and the director of Structural Heart Education at the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York.

JACC: Case Reportsis one of 10 journalsin the ACCsJACCplatform of journals. It publishes high-quality, educationally valuable case reports, case series, images, and quality improvement projects covering all aspects of cardiology. It serves as a publication vehicle for early career cardiologists and members of the cardiovascular care team, providing a forum for mentorship on the review and publication process.

Widely recognized for pioneering innovative concepts and techniques in TAVR, Tang has set contemporary standards in the field. His impressive international academic collaborations include the establishment of multiple global registries and the training of heart teams in structural heart imaging and procedures worldwide. His research centers on the comprehensive management of patients post-TAVR, transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve interventions, and advanced imaging techniques in structural heart disease.

In addition to serving on committees in the Heart Valve Collaboratory, and several clinical trials in structural heart, he has served as a member of the ACC Scientific Publications Committee. He is also a member of the ACC/STS TVT Research and Publications Committee, a four-time recipient of theJACCSimon Dack Award for Outstanding Scholarship and has served as an associate editor forCirculation: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Tang is a Diplomat and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC), Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), and the first surgeon fellow of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI). He has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles and lectures extensively worldwide.

Together with members of our editorial board and through closer collaborations with international communities and theJACCfamily of journals, we will strive to makeJACC: Case Reportsthe go-to digital resource to improve cardiovascular care and training worldwide, Tang said.

As the new Editor-in-Chief, Tang will officially assume the role of Editor in Chief on August 1, 2024,with his first issue slated for August 7, 2024.

For more information:www.jacc.org

Continued here:

Gilbert H. L. Tang Appointed Editor-in-Chief of JACC: Case Reports - Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology

Meth-Related Cardiomyopathy: Where the Biggest Clusters Are – Medpage Today

The American West has seen the biggest surge of cardiomyopathy-associated hospital admissions among methamphetamine users, based on 13 years of the latest available hospital admission data.

The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) showed that methamphetamine-related cardiomyopathy admissions spiked by 231% from 2008 to 2020 nationwide -- whereas overall admissions for heart failure increased just 12% during this period, according to Mohammad Bhuiyan, PhD, of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, and colleagues.

They reported various geographical and social disparities evident across methamphetamine-related cardiomyopathy admissions:

"Demographically, cardiomyopathy among methamphetamine users occurs predominantly in middle-aged patients and men and tends to be concentrated more in the western region of the United States," Bhuiyan's team reported in JACC: Advances.

Methamphetamine (popularly known as "meth") is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug. It is available as a prescription drug for obesity and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, while illegal versions are derived from over-the-counter drugs. An estimated 1.6 million U.S. adults reported past-year methamphetamine use in 2015-2018, the CDC estimates.

Methamphetamine has known links to cardiovascular disease (CVD), including cardiomyopathy, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and coronary artery disease.

"Given the rapidly increasing global burden of methamphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy, this work ... should be a call to action for researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers to fight this growing epidemic. Importantly, the healthcare system must also acknowledge and address its bias towards patients with substance use disorders," urged cardiologist Nisha Parikh, MD, MPH, of University of California San Francisco Health, and two colleagues.

In an accompanying editorial, the trio said the present NIS study extends prior work showing that meth-associated heart failure (MethHF) hospitalizations increased at an exponential rate between 2002 and 2014, particularly on the West Coast and among men, younger patients, and lower socioeconomic groups. Also disproportionately affected were people of Hispanic, Native American, and Asian/Pacific Islander descent.

"This work should lead us to interrogate why certain geographic areas and populations suffer a disproportionate burden of MethHF and the ways in which local public policies, differential availability of psychostimulant drugs, and socioeconomic disparities have shaped the epidemic," Parikh and colleagues wrote.

They stressed the importance of targeted interventions -- development of a pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder (MAUD), for example -- and recognition of the "competing health and life priorities relevant for this vulnerable patient population."

"We should also consider employing innovative, multidisciplinary approaches to co-manage heart failure and MAUD. For example, the development of specialty heart failure clinics that also offer contingency management -- a highly effective, evidence-based behavioral treatment for MAUD -- deserves further study and potential scale up," the editorialists wrote.

The NIS study relied on hospital records from all 50 states and captured over 12.8 million cardiomyopathy-associated hospital admissions (59.3% men, over 57% were older than 65) during the study period.

Of these admissions, 222,727 were related to methamphetamine users based on medical records (58.5% men, over 55% were ages 41-64 years). Notably, people who used methamphetamine together with other drugs were excluded from the study.

Bhuiyan's group acknowledged that the study lacked individual-level data and any postdischarge information. The authors were also uncertain how people came to be diagnosed as methamphetamine users.

"Further research is warranted to identify high-risk populations and develop strategies to prevent and mitigate CVD among methamphetamine users," they urged.

Nicole Lou is a reporter for MedPage Today, where she covers cardiology news and other developments in medicine. Follow

Disclosures

The study was supported by grants or awards from the National Institutes of Health and Louisiana State University.

Bhuiyan and Parikh had no disclosures.

Co-editorialists reported support from the NIDA and Chan Zuckerberg BioHub San Francisco.

Primary Source

JACC: Advances

Source Reference: Al-Yafeai Z, et al "Cardiomyopathy-associated hospital admissions among methamphetamine users: geographical and social disparities" JACC Adv 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2024.100840.

Secondary Source

JACC: Advances

Source Reference: Walker SL, et al "Facing a tsunami: methamphetamine heart failure demands novel approaches" JACC Adv 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2024.100838.

Read the original here:

Meth-Related Cardiomyopathy: Where the Biggest Clusters Are - Medpage Today