Cardiology

Amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare systemic disease caused by plasma cell dyscrasia. These plasma cells produce excess Ig light chains, which can misfold, aggregate, and deposit in tissues, resulting in toxicity and organ dysfunction. The heart is among the most commonly affected organs and cardiac involvement is associated with significantly worse outcomes.

Obstructive HCM is a condition in which the heart has thickened walls that are not caused by blockage of the heart valves or by very high blood pressure. For the majority of patients, the cause of their disease has a genetic basis and is hereditary. A genetic test can diagnose HCM in some patients, but the results are inconclusive in others.

Despite the increasing prevalence of raised blood pressure and hypertension, many patients remain undiagnosed due to a lack of symptoms. Hypertension presents considerable risks for patients with cardiovascular diseases, and currently has limited effective interventions.

The latest edition of EMJ Cardiology is out now, sharing novel case studies and outlining key advances in scientific understanding through reviews and research articles. Featured articles include artificial intelligence in screening for heart disease, idarucizumab in emergent pericardiocentesis, and more. Reviewing the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2022 Congress, this issue covers the latest breaking news and updates in the field of cardiology.

This article discussed cigarette smoking as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Looking through the lens of toxic cigarette smoke constituents, the review described the oxidative stress and inflammatory responses induced following their entry into the bloodstream.

Highlighting a presentation that took place as part of the European Society of Cardiology’s (ESC) Heart Failure 2022 congress, this article summarised data on the efficacy and safety of aficamten in patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Speaking at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2021, Gabriel Steg and Kausik Ray discussed the residual risk of recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events that remains despite optimal standards of care for secondary prevention in the 90-day high-risk period after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

This article summarises the groundbreaking research and personalised approach to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease…