Journal of Clinical Cardiology

Research Article Open Access

External Validation of Four Cardiovascular Risk Prediction Models

Alauddin Bhuiyan, Arun Govindaiah, R Theodore Smith

Background and Purpose: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death and disability in the world. Many CVD risk prediction models have been created, but those most widely used in clinical settings have not been externally validated, a significant gap addressed herein. Methods: Using the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), we have externally validated the Framingham Risk Score, ASSIGN (Assessing the cardiovascular disease risk using SIGN) risk score, Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) risk score, and the European SCORE model, which were selected based on popularity among clinicians and frequency of clinical use.

Short Communication Open Access

Beta 3-Adrenergic Receptor (β3-AR) Activation at the End of Sustained Ischemia and/or Early Reperfusion may Prove to be a Valuable Cardioprotective Strategy

Ruduwaan Salie, Erna Marais, Amanda Lochner

The contribution of β3-AR activation towards ischemiareperfusion (IR) damage largely depends on the disease stage, severity, experimental model as well as drug specificities which should be considered when investigating β3-AR pharmacology for potential therapeutic applications. These conceptions largely contribute to the discrepancies of the subsequent role of β3-AR activation in the cardiovascular disease process. 

Commentary Open Access

COVID-19 Delays Presentation and Management of Acute Coronary Syndrome

Michael Y. Henein, Matteo Cameli, Maria Concetta Pastore, Giulia Elena Mandoli

The COVID-19 pandemic started at the end of 2019 and remains carrying a health threat and significant economic consequences. Over the last two years, COVID-19 has been the main Public Health issue, and has impacted regular healthcare systems, with significant build-up of waiting lists and delay in optimum management of other serious medical conditions including heart diseases and cancer.

Mini Review Open Access

Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Family Protein Inhibitors: A Potentially New Therapy for Heart Disease

Jing Mu, Ming-Hui Zou

Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is a member of the mammalian bromo- and extra-terminal domain (BET) protein family, which also comprises BRD2, BRD3, and testis-specific BRDt.

Commentary Open Access

Preparing for a More Public Health-Aware Practice of Medicine in Response to COVID-19

Kari Fitzmorris Brisolara, Dean G. Smith

After one year in a pandemic, we mourn the loss of over half a million lives in the United States, and over four million worldwide, and remain concerned over the challenges facing the families of 35 million people in the United States, and 200 million worldwide, who have suffered from cases of COVID-19.

Commentary Open Access

Beneficial Effects of Surgical Closure of Atrial Septal Defect Outweigh Potential Complications in Sick Infants

Takeshi Tsuda, Abdul M. Bhat

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart disease diagnosed during childhood. Persistently increased pulmonary blood flow and dilated right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV) result in multiple symptoms and morbidities in adulthood; untreated adults may develop exercise intolerance, congestive heart failure, atrial tachyarrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension (PH), embolic stroke, or even death.

Short Communication Open Access

Body Mass Index and Treatment Response in Patients with Cardiac Light-Chain Amyloidosis

So Yeon Kim, Raymond Comenzo, Amanda R. Vest, Nauman Saleem Siddiqui, Cindy Varga

Elevated body mass index (BMI) has been associated with an increased risk of cancer and has been shown to have a negative impact on survival in patients with breast, prostate, oral cancer, and leukemia. In plasma cell dyscrasias, obesity has not only been shown to be a risk factor for the development of multiple myeloma, but also has been associated with a higher rate of progression from monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) to multiple myeloma, and if intervened on, has bee