Purpose Heart failure (HF) is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with significant impact on life quality and extensive healthcare costs. Assessment of myocardial sympathetic innervation function plays a central role in prognosis assessment in HF patients. The aim of this review is to summarize the most recent evidence regarding the clinical applications of iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) imaging in patients with HF and related comorbidities. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed and Web of Science databases. Articles describing the impact of 123I-MIBG imaging on HF and related comorbidities were considered eligible for the review. Results We collected several data reporting that 123I-MIBG imaging is a safe and non-invasive tool to evaluate dysfunction of cardiac sympathetic neuronal function and to assess risk stratification in HF patients. HF is frequently associated with comorbidities that may affect cardiac adrenergic innervation. Furthermore, HF is frequently associated with comorbidities and chronic conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, kidney disease and others, that may affect cardiac adrenergic innervation. Conclusion Comorbidities and chronic conditions lead to more severe impairment of sympathetic nervous system in patients with HF, with a negative impact on disease progression and outcome. Cardiac imaging with 123I-MIBG can be a useful tool to reduce morbidity and prevent adverse events in HF patients.

Heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with relevant social and economic burden on global healthcare system. Although the development of novel diagnostic tools and the advance in therapies have deeply influenced the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, improving both prognosis and life expectancy of patients, hospitalization is still high, and mortality remains considerable. MicroRNAs are small endogenous RNA molecules that post‐transcriptionally regulate gene expression in both physiological and pathological processes. In recent years, microRNA have arisen as attractive therapeutic targets in the treatment of a wide spectrum of pathologies, including heart failure. In cardiac pathology, deregulation of microRNAs expression and function is associated to adverse outcome and heart failure progression. Circulating levels of specific microRNAs have emerged as useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of heart failure or as prognostic indicators. In the present review, we summarize the state of current research on the role of miRNAs as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in patients with heart failure and their use as potential therapeutic targets for this condition.

Background Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a rare life-threatening clinical condition that can develop in patients younger than 21 years of age with a history of infection/exposure to Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The cardiovascular system is a main target of the inflammatory process that frequently causes myocardial dysfunction, myopericarditis, coronary artery dilation, hypotension, and shock. MIS-C-associated myocarditis is usually characterized by fever, tachycardia, nonspecific ECG abnormalities and left ventricular dysfunction, but serious tachyarrhythmias may also occur. We report 2 cases of patients with MIS-C-associated myocarditis who developed severe bradycardia. Case summary Two female adolescents with recent history of COVID-19 were initially hospitalized for long-lasting high-grade fever and severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Both patients were diagnosed with MIS-C-associated myocarditis for elevation of markers of myocardial injury (mean highly-sensitive cardiac Troponin 2663 pg/ml, mean NT-pro-BNP 5097 pg/ml) and left ventricular dysfunction, which was subsequently confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance. Both patients developed a severe sinus bradycardia (lowest HR 36 and 42, respectively), that appeared refractory to the treatment with intravenous Methylprednisolone and Immunoglobulins, despite a clinical and biochemical improvement. The use of Anakinra (a recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist), was associated with a rapid improvement of cardiac rhythm and excellent clinical outcome at 6 months follow-up. Discussion In patients with MIS-C-associated myocarditis, a continuous cardiac monitoring is mandatory to promptly identify potential conduction abnormalities. Adolescents may present bradycardia as a rhythm complication. We experienced a rapid recovery after treatment with Anakinra, to be considered as add-on therapy in cases refractory to standard anti-inflammatory treatment.

BackgroundThe impact of sacubitril–valsartan on heart failure (HF) patients with preserved ejection fractions (HFpEF) is uncertain. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the clinical advantages and safety of sacubitril–valsartan in patients with HFpEF.MethodsPubMed and Web of Science were searched without any restrictions from inception to 8 May 2022 to identify valuable articles. The studies that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed.ResultsFour trials, with a total of 7008 patients were included. Compared with valsartan, sacubitril–valsartan significantly reduced the rate of HF decompensation and of the combined end point of HF decompensation and all-cause mortality. All-cause mortality, New York Heart Association class improvement and rate of hyperkalemia were not significantly different between the two groups. Regarding safety, sacubitril–valsartan was more likely to increase the risk of hypotension.ConclusionThis meta-analysis suggests that sacubitril–valsartan may be an effective strategy to reduce HF decompensation events in patients with HFpEF.Systematic Review registration: CRD42022336077.

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