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Cardiovascular Prevention and Epidemiology: Innovations and Insights Bridging Research and Practice for Effective Risk Reduction

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Cardiovascular Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026 | Viewed by 2470

Editors


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Guest Editor
Medical School, University of Bari, 70122 Bari, Italy
Interests: echocardiography; heart failure; hypertension; diabetes; atrial fibrillation; myocardial infarction

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Guest Editor
Cardiology Equipe, ASL Brindisi, District of Brindisi, 72100 Brindisi, Italy
Interests: cardiovascular prevention; hypertension; diabetes; atrial fibrillation; myocardial infarction; heart failure

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention strategies. Fortunately, recent advances in epidemiological research and innovative approaches to risk assessment are transforming our understanding of cardiovascular risk and its management across diverse populations. For this Special Issue, "Cardiovascular Prevention and Epidemiology: Innovations and Insights Bridging Research and Practice for Effective Risk Reduction," we are seeking contributions that unravel the complex interplay between scientific innovation and real-world application. We aim to showcase cutting-edge research, novel methodologies, and actionable insights that facilitate meaningful reductions in cardiovascular risk. By fostering dialogue between epidemiologists, clinicians, and public health experts, we aim to promote practical solutions that can be implemented in various healthcare settings. Join us in advancing the field by submitting original research and reviews that will propel cardiovascular prevention from theory to impactful practice. All perspectives—from pure research to findings based on everyday clinical practice—are welcome.

Dr. Pasquale Palmiero
Dr. Maria Maiello
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • cardiovascular prevention
  • risk reduction
  • epidemiology
  • innovations
  • risk stratification
  • population health

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 6223 KB  
Article
Admission C-Reactive Protein and Mortality After STEMI: A Retrospective Cohort Study Identifying Subgroup-Specific Risk Thresholds
by Kristen Kopp, Magdalena Leitner, Nikolaus Clodi, Michael Lichtenauer, Matthias Hammerer, Uta C. Hoppe, Elke Boxhammer and Mathias C. Brandt
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(8), 2864; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15082864 - 9 Apr 2026
Viewed by 501
Abstract
Background: Inflammation is central to myocardial injury and repair after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). C-reactive protein (CRP) is an established biomarker of systemic inflammation, but its prognostic thresholds across patient subgroups are not well defined. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, [...] Read more.
Background: Inflammation is central to myocardial injury and repair after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). C-reactive protein (CRP) is an established biomarker of systemic inflammation, but its prognostic thresholds across patient subgroups are not well defined. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, admission CRP was analyzed in 958 consecutive STEMI patients admitted to University Hospital Salzburg 2018–2020 and categorized into four groups (Serum CRP < 5.0, 5.0–9.9, 10.0–15, and >15.0 mg/dL). Mortality was assessed during short- (30, 90, and 180 days) and long-term (1, 3, and 5 years) follow-up. Kaplan–Meier analyses compared survival, Cox regression tested associations, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves determined discriminatory value and optimal cut-offs. Results: Elevated admission CRP was associated with larger infarct size, impaired left ventricular function, and increased mortality. Kaplan–Meier curves showed progressively poorer survival with higher CRP, with worst outcomes at >15 mg/dL. At 30, 90, and 180 days, CRP demonstrated moderate discrimination (AUC 0.628, 0.653, and 0.654; all p < 0.001), with predictive cut-offs 11–15 mg/dL in the overall cohort. Subgroup analyses revealed markedly lower thresholds in vulnerable populations. Diabetic patients showed cut-offs 5–6 mg/dL with the highest AUC values (up to 0.714). Younger patients and smokers exhibited thresholds near 9–10 mg/dL, while subacute STEMI presentations demonstrated lower cut-offs compared with acute infarction. These findings indicate that the prognostic value of CRP is context-dependent rather than uniform. Conclusions: Admission CRP predicts short-term mortality after STEMI, with subgroup-specific cut-offs emerging below conventional thresholds, highlighting profiles where modest inflammatory activation carries disproportionate risk. Full article
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12 pages, 639 KB  
Article
Incidence of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Hungary: A Nationwide Study
by Klára Rácz, Gábor Tóth, Elek Dinya and János Németh
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(6), 2318; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15062318 - 18 Mar 2026
Viewed by 546
Abstract
Background/Objective: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common, life-threatening condition and represents a substantial disease burden in Hungary. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of AMI in Hungary. Methods: This nationwide, retrospective, longitudinal study used data from the National [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common, life-threatening condition and represents a substantial disease burden in Hungary. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of AMI in Hungary. Methods: This nationwide, retrospective, longitudinal study used data from the National Health Insurance Fund and included patients aged ≥15 years who were newly diagnosed with AMI (ICD-10 codes I21 or I22) between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2023. Age-standardized incidence rates and their regional distributions were calculated using the European Standard Population from 2013. Results: A total of 16,171 and 14,797 patients with AMI were identified in 2019 and 2023, respectively, showing a declining trend (−1.60%; 95% CI: −2.10% to −1.10%; p < 0.0001). Age-standardized incidence rates varied between 144.22 and 166.63/100,000 person-years (PYs) during the analyzed period. The highest age-standardized incidence was detected among men (235.75/100,000 PYs) in 2019. The annual decrease in AMI incidence was significantly greater (p = 0.003) among women (−2.60%; 95% CI: −3.39% to −1.80%) than among men (−1.06%; 95% CI: −1.71% to −0.41%). Conclusions: The incidence of AMI in Hungary was in line with findings from other studies conducted in Central and Eastern European countries. AMI incidence showed a decreasing trend during the analyzed period. Men had higher incidence rates, and the declining trend was more pronounced among women. Full article
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11 pages, 521 KB  
Article
Beyond Sleep: The Cardiovascular Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
by Pasquale Palmiero, Francesca Amati, Lucrezia Bombini, Marco Matteo Ciccone and Maria Maiello
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(3), 1239; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15031239 - 4 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1076
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a chronic disorder characterized by repeated upper airway obstruction during sleep, leading to intermittent hypoxia and elevated sympathetic activity. OSAS is strongly linked to cardiovascular comorbidities such as hypertension, arrhythmias, heart failure, and atherosclerosis, contributing [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a chronic disorder characterized by repeated upper airway obstruction during sleep, leading to intermittent hypoxia and elevated sympathetic activity. OSAS is strongly linked to cardiovascular comorbidities such as hypertension, arrhythmias, heart failure, and atherosclerosis, contributing to structural and functional cardiac alterations. Methods: This study enrolled 105 consecutive patients diagnosed with OSAS and a control group of 100 patients without the syndrome. All participants underwent a comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation using Doppler imaging to assess cardiac structure and function. Results: Hypertension was significantly more prevalent in the OSAS group (81%) compared to controls (74%). Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction occurred in 56.2% of OSAS patients versus 26% of controls. Left atrial enlargement and left ventricular hypertrophy were also more frequent in the OSAS group (21% and 51.4%, respectively) compared to controls (13% and 5%). Permanent atrial fibrillation was present in 17.1% of OSAS patients, significantly higher than the 7% observed in controls. These findings highlight the pronounced cardiac remodeling and arrhythmic burden associated with OSAS. Conclusions: The data confirm that OSAS is associated with increased cardiovascular abnormalities detectable by echocardiography, underscoring the need for routine cardiovascular screening in OSAS patients. Given the systemic implications of OSAS beyond sleep disturbances, a multidisciplinary approach is essential for early diagnosis and optimized management, aiming to mitigate cardiovascular risk and improve outcomes. OSAS is a significant cardiovascular risk factor requiring comprehensive clinical attention. Full article
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