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Cardiac and Vascular Diseases: Pathogenesis, Pharmacological Treatments, Advances in Therapies...
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Cardiac and Vascular Diseases: Pathogenesis, Pharmacological Treatments, Advances in Therapies (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 8674

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francesco Massari

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Cardiology Department, Perinei Hospital, Bari, Italy
Interests: heart failure; cardiomyopathies; cardiac physiology; cardiorenal syndrome; cardiovascular pharmacology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Pietro Scicchitano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Cardiology Department, Perinei Hospital, Bari, Italy
Interests: noninvasive assessment; heart failure; arrhythmias; preventive cardiology; cardiovascular pharmacology; cardio-oncology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. The relationship between cardiac and vascular structures is not always considered, and these diseases are often underdiagnosed.

The focus of this Special Issue is to develop new insights into the pathogenesis of vascular alterations in cardiac diseases by outlining the complex genetic, biochemical, and molecular aspects at the center of these alterations.

Early identification of cardiac and vascular diseases as well as the correct evaluation of mechanisms and pathogenetic pathways will help to promote the development of targeted therapies.

This Special Issue also aims to cover the landscape of cardiovascular pharmacology. Authors are invited to contribute their research in the field of pharmacological approaches to cardiac and vascular diseases by outlining the most recent advances in therapies and treatments.

The combination of research in pathogenesis and pharmacology will give a comprehensive overview of cardiovascular diseases and the attempts to improve outcomes for patients.

Dr. Francesco Massari
Dr. Pietro Scicchitano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • endothelial function
  • cardiomyopathies
  • cardiovascular pharmacology
  • cardiac therapeutics
  • noninvasive vascular treatments
  • molecular cardiac biomarkers
  • molecular vascular biomarkers

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Related Special Issues

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 7534 KiB  
Article
Baicalin Mitigates Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fibrosis by Inhibiting the p85a Subunit of PI3K
by Lu He, Min Zhu, Rui Yin, Liangli Dai, Juan Chen and Jie Zhou
Biomedicines 2025, 13(1), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010232 - 19 Jan 2025
Viewed by 767
Abstract
Background: Heart failure (HF) is a serious public health concern. Baicalin is one of the major active ingredients of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Huang Qin, which is used to treat patients with chest pain or cardiac discomfort. However, the underlying mechanism(s) of [...] Read more.
Background: Heart failure (HF) is a serious public health concern. Baicalin is one of the major active ingredients of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Huang Qin, which is used to treat patients with chest pain or cardiac discomfort. However, the underlying mechanism(s) of the cardioprotective effect of baicalin are still not fully understood. Methods: Isoprenaline injection or transverse aortic constriction-induced animal models and isoprenaline or angiotensin 2 administration-induced cell models of heart failure were established. Baicalin (15 mg/kg/day or 25 mg/kg/day) was administered in vivo, and 10 μM baicalin was administered in vitro. Potential pharmacological targets of baicalin and genes related to heart failure were identified via different databases, which suggested that PI3K–Akt may be involved in the effects of baicalin. Molecular docking was carried out to reveal the effect of baicalin on p85a. Results: We observed significant antihypertrophic and antifibrotic effects of baicalin both in vivo and in vitro. The mean cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes recovered from 390 μm2 in the HF group to 195 μm2 in the baicalin-treated group. The area of fibrosis was reduced from 2.8-fold in the HF group to 1.62-fold in the baicalin-treated group. Baicalin displayed a significant cardioprotective effect via the inhibition of the PI3K signaling pathway by binding with five amino acid residues of the p85a regulatory subunit of PI3K. The combination treatment of baicalin and an inhibitor of PI3K p110 demonstrated a stronger cardioprotective effect. The mean ejection fraction increased from 54% in the baicalin-treated group to 67% in the combination treatment group. Conclusions: Our work identified baicalin as a new active herbal ingredient that is able to treat isoprenaline-induced heart dysfunction and suggests that p85a is a pharmacological target. These findings reveal the significant potential of baicalin combined with an inhibitor of PI3K p110 for the treatment of heart failure and support more clinical trials in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiac and Vascular Diseases: Pathogenesis, Pharmacological Treatments, Advances in Therapies (2nd Edition))
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25 pages, 299 KiB  
Article
Hepatitis C Infection Is Not a Cardiovascular Risk Factor in Young Adults
by Paweł Rajewski, Małgorzata Pawłowska, Dorota Kozielewicz, Dorota Dybowska, Anita Olczak and Jakub Cieściński
Biomedicines 2024, 12(10), 2400; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12102400 - 20 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1294
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death in Poland and around the world and are still an ongoing problem for modern medicine. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, both conservative and invasive, the prevention of cardiovascular [...] Read more.
Background: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death in Poland and around the world and are still an ongoing problem for modern medicine. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, both conservative and invasive, the prevention of cardiovascular disease directed at reducing risk factors remains a problem. The main classical risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease in Poland include hypertension, lipid disorders, obesity, diabetes and smoking. A new non-classical risk factor is HCV infection. Most of the studies on the impact of HCV infection on cardiovascular disease involve elderly populations with long-term infections and advanced liver fibrosis. Methods: Hence, we set out to analyze the prevalence of risk factors and cardiovascular disease in a population of young adults under 45 years of age infected with HCV, according to gender, HCV genotype and the duration of infection. The study group consisted of 217 patients of both sexes aged 21 to 45 years (mean age 36 years). Results: No cardiovascular disease was found among the young adults infected with HCV in the study group. The most common risk factor was cigarette smoking, which affected 20.7% of the subjects, followed by hypertension (12%) and diabetes mellitus (5.5%); the prevalence was lower than in the general population. Most of the patients were characterized as overweight, with a mean BMI of 26.39 kg/m2. The mean values of other metabolic parameters—total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, uric acid and glucose—were within the population norm. The mean value of CRP was 1.43, which may indicate a moderate cardiovascular risk. Conclusions: Based on the conducted research, it was found that HCV infection in young individuals was not a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and the prevalence of risk factors was similar to that in the general population. The effect of HCV on the increase in C-reactive protein requires further study. The early detection of HCV infection and treatment can be considered as a prevention of cardiovascular disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiac and Vascular Diseases: Pathogenesis, Pharmacological Treatments, Advances in Therapies (2nd Edition))
9 pages, 339 KiB  
Article
Adverse Drug Reactions of Cardiovascular Classes of Medicines—Data for Bulgarian Population
by Zornitsa Mitkova, Anita Dimova, Guenka Petrova and Maria Dimitrova
Biomedicines 2024, 12(10), 2163; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12102163 - 24 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1061
Abstract
Objective: Hypertensionis one of the most common chronic diseases, affecting more than 20% of the population. The side effects experienced due to antihypertensive medications, such as tiredness, muscle pain, and insomnia, are often a significant predictor of poor adherence to therapy. The goal [...] Read more.
Objective: Hypertensionis one of the most common chronic diseases, affecting more than 20% of the population. The side effects experienced due to antihypertensive medications, such as tiredness, muscle pain, and insomnia, are often a significant predictor of poor adherence to therapy. The goal of the current study is to present the frequency, type, seriousness, and severity of adverse drug reactions reported to the BDA via Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) and following differentiation of messages found in more than one patient. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported in the Bulgarian Drug Agency database after treatment with antihyperlipidemic medicines, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and sartans for the period 2017–2021. Each ICSR form was observed, and data for suspected medicine and type of adverse reaction was analyzed. Results: The total number of processed notifications for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) included in the database is 142. The highest number of ADRs was reported for ARB (58), followed by antihyperlipidemic medicines (55) and ACE inhibitors (29). Most of the assessed adverse events experienced by more than one patient fall into the probable and related categories based on the Global Introspection method classification. Therefore, they have been investigated and are consistent with exposure in the population. Conclusions: Cardiovascular medicines from the groups of ACE inhibitors, sartans, and statins have a high share of reported ADRs in the BDA system. Some of them are severe and need further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiac and Vascular Diseases: Pathogenesis, Pharmacological Treatments, Advances in Therapies (2nd Edition))
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Review

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13 pages, 2419 KiB  
Review
Prevention of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)-Associated Vein Thrombosis in Cancer: A Narrative Review
by Agnese Maria Fioretti, Pietro Scicchitano, Daniele La Forgia, Raffaele De Luca, Elena Campello, Carlo Gabriele Tocchetti, Marcello Di Nisio and Stefano Oliva
Biomedicines 2025, 13(4), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13040786 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 467
Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is considered the most common and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular complication in cancer and the second leading cause of death after cancer progression itself. In recent years, the steadily increasing rate of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) seems mainly related to amelioration in [...] Read more.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is considered the most common and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular complication in cancer and the second leading cause of death after cancer progression itself. In recent years, the steadily increasing rate of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) seems mainly related to amelioration in imaging techniques and the placements of central venous catheters (CVCs). The pivotal role of CVCs in the switch from hospital to home care is offset by its high thrombotic burden. The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) offers advantages (convenience, fast access, and cost-effectiveness) in comparison to centrally inserted devices (PORT), but increased thrombotic risk is reported. The aim of this narrative review was to offer a comprehensive overview of the existing literature about PICC-related thrombosis (PICC-VTE) by analyzing the current knowledge and related gaps. We further discussed advancements in insertion techniques, underscored the role of the novel PICC-PORT lines, and provided a “head-to-head” comparison among major guidelines on primary thromboprophylaxis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiac and Vascular Diseases: Pathogenesis, Pharmacological Treatments, Advances in Therapies (2nd Edition))
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17 pages, 1603 KiB  
Review
Hypertensive Response to Exercise as an Early Marker of Disease Development
by Wojciech Kosowski and Krzysztof Aleksandrowicz
Biomedicines 2025, 13(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010030 - 26 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1207
Abstract
Arterial hypertension is one of the world’s leading risk factors for death and disability. With the number of people living with this disease doubling between 1990 and 2019 from 650 million to 1.3 billion, it is a global burden that increases mortality from [...] Read more.
Arterial hypertension is one of the world’s leading risk factors for death and disability. With the number of people living with this disease doubling between 1990 and 2019 from 650 million to 1.3 billion, it is a global burden that increases mortality from cardiovascular and kidney diseases. It is extremely important to use all possible diagnostic methods, indicating the possibility of early detection that subsequently leads to effective prevention of disease development. The phenomenon called hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) is one such method. The HRE is defined as a pathological, excessive increase in blood pressure as a result of exposure to the stressor, which is physical exercise. There is no consensus about precise cutoffs in the definition of this condition, which is most commonly diagnosed based on systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 210 mm Hg in men and ≥190 mm Hg in women at peak exercise intensity. The fact that exercise hypotension is a pathologic sign is universally accepted. Accumulating data deliver the information that HRE is also connected to higher overall cardiovascular risk. It was demonstrated that HRE is associated with functional and structural impairment of the left ventricle and the future development of hypertension. HRE should act as a warning signal of increased cardiovascular risk, leading to the need for profound clinical care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiac and Vascular Diseases: Pathogenesis, Pharmacological Treatments, Advances in Therapies (2nd Edition))
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22 pages, 1508 KiB  
Review
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Special Focus on Mavacamten and Its Future in Cardiology
by Ewelina Młynarska, Ewa Radzioch, Bartłomiej Dąbek, Klaudia Leszto, Alicja Witkowska, Witold Czarnik, Weronika Jędraszak, Jacek Rysz and Beata Franczyk
Biomedicines 2024, 12(12), 2675; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12122675 - 24 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1706
Abstract
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heterogeneous group of heart muscle disorders that affects millions, with an incidence from 1 in 500 to 1 in 200. Factors such as genetics, age, gender, comorbidities, and environmental factors may contribute to the course of this disease. [...] Read more.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heterogeneous group of heart muscle disorders that affects millions, with an incidence from 1 in 500 to 1 in 200. Factors such as genetics, age, gender, comorbidities, and environmental factors may contribute to the course of this disease. Diagnosis of HCM has improved significantly in the past few decades from simple echocardiographic evaluations to a more complex, multimodal approach embracing advanced imaging, genetic, and biomarker studies. This review focuses on Mavacamten, a selective allosteric inhibitor of cardiac myosin, as a pharmacological treatment for HCM. Patients with HCM experience pathological actomyosin interactions, leading to impaired relaxation and increased energy expenditure. Mavacamten decreases available myosin heads, reducing actomyosin cross-bridges during systole and diastole. By reducing the number of bridges left ventricular outflow tract pressure is normalized and cardiac cavities are filled. This mechanism enhances patient performance and alleviates symptoms such as chest pain and dyspnea. The results suggest the potential for Mavacamten to transform the treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Studies to date have shown significant improvement in exercise capacity, symptom relief, and a reduction in the need for invasive procedures such as septal myectomy. Further studies are needed to confirm the clinical results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiac and Vascular Diseases: Pathogenesis, Pharmacological Treatments, Advances in Therapies (2nd Edition))
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Other

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12 pages, 2909 KiB  
Case Report
Upper Vascular Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Case Study
by Agnieszka Wierciak-Rokowska, Agnieszka Sliwka, Mikolaj Maga, Mateusz Gajda, Katarzyna Bogucka, Pawel Kaczmarczyk and Pawel Maga
Biomedicines 2024, 12(8), 1829; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12081829 - 12 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1410
Abstract
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is recognised in approximately 8% of the population. Vascular presentation is rare and diagnosis is often elusive due to its rarity. As episodes of TOS in the upper extremities are rare, proven protocols for rehabilitation management are lacking. The [...] Read more.
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is recognised in approximately 8% of the population. Vascular presentation is rare and diagnosis is often elusive due to its rarity. As episodes of TOS in the upper extremities are rare, proven protocols for rehabilitation management are lacking. The purpose of our article is to present a clinical examination protocol and a treatment protocol for patients after an episode of venous thrombosis in the upper limb (VTOS). We report the case of a middle-aged woman with right venous TOS with pain in the right upper extremity, accompanied by oedema and mild violet discolouration. The results after 10 sessions of physiotherapy were as follows: a reduction in symptoms of approximately 40%, an improvement of approximately 15% in sports performance, and an improvement of approximately 25% in work. There was also an improvement in the results of TOS provocation tests, i.e., a 50–100% improvement in pulse rate and about 30% less discolouration in the extremity. Additionally, there was a significant improvement in posture between the two sides of the upper quadrant. The results after 10 physiotherapy sessions are surprising due to chronic disease after the thrombosis episode. It appears that even after a long period of time since diagnosis, improvement is possible. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiac and Vascular Diseases: Pathogenesis, Pharmacological Treatments, Advances in Therapies (2nd Edition))
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