Summary

Hypertension is a major public health concern worldwide because of its rising prevalence and concomitant risks of cardiovascular diseases. Coping strategies may encompass a full spectrum of clinical, epidemiological, experimental, and technological factors to inspire front-line practices and shape critical thinking. This entry collection aims to assemble entries of wealthy topics related to clinical, therapeutic, and population sciences of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases that could inform research scientists and healthcare professionals.

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Entries
Topic Review
Evolution of an Atherosclerotic Plaque
Atherosclerosis is a condition mediated by immune mechanisms, which is realized by the accumulation of lipoproteins in the wall of arterial vessels, leading to its focal thickening and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in medium- and large-caliber arteries. Lipids, inflammatory infiltrates, smooth muscle cells, and connective tissue composes an atherosclerotic plaque, and a fibrous cap covers it. Damage to the latter leads to the fact that the internal contents of the plaque interact directly with the blood, which can cause thrombosis, and in the case of fragmentation of both the plaque and the blood clot on its surface—embolism in the distal vascular bed.
  • 595
  • 20 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries
Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a heterogeneous group of conditions that include both atherosclerotic (coronary plaque disruption) and non-atherosclerotic (spontaneous coronary artery dissection, coronary artery spasm, coronary artery embolism, coronary microvascular dysfunction, and supply–demand mismatch) causes resulting in myocardial damage that is not due to obstructive coronary artery disease. Failure to identify the underlying cause may result in inadequate and inappropriate therapy in these patients.
  • 502
  • 20 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Desmosomal Genes
Desmosomes are mirroring, transmembrane protein chains that connect the intermediate filament networks of neighbouring cells. Each chain continuously (dis)assembles due to the turnover of five desmosomal protein types: desmoplakin, plakoglobin, plakophilins, desmocollins and desmogleins. The expression of two genes is critical to the formation of all desmosomes: namely DSP, encoding two differently spliced desmoplakin proteins (DPI and DPII) and JUP, encoding plakoglobin (PG). Meanwhile, plakophilins, desmocollins and desmogleins are expressed in a tissue-specific manner and are therefore encoded by multiple genes.
  • 857
  • 20 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Dissecting Polygenic Etiology of Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic stroke (IS), the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, is caused by many modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. This complex disease is also known for its multiple etiologies with moderate heritability. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs), which have been used to establish a common genetic basis for IS, may contribute to IS risk stratification for disease/outcome prediction and personalized management. Statistical modeling and machine learning algorithms have contributed significantly to this field. For instance, multiple algorithms have been successfully applied to PRS construction and integration of genetic and non-genetic features for outcome prediction to aid in risk stratification for personalized management and prevention measures. PRS derived from variants with effect size estimated based on the summary statistics of a specific subtype shows a stronger association with the matched subtype. The disruption of the extracellular matrix and amyloidosis account for the pathogenesis of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Pathway-specific PRS analyses confirm known and identify novel etiologies related to IS.
  • 484
  • 20 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Sphingolipids in Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis—a systemic inflammatory disease—is the number one cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. As such, the prevention of disease progression is of global interest in order to reduce annual deaths at a significant scale. Atherosclerosis is characterized by plaque formation in the arteries, resulting in vascular events such as ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction. Sphingolipids—a lipid class named after the chimeric creature sphinx—are considered to play a critical and, metaphorically, equally chimeric regulatory role in atherogenesis.
  • 373
  • 11 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Techniques to Preserve Endothelial Cells in Vein Grafts
Endothelial cells comprise the intimal layer of the vasculature, playing a crucial role in facilitating and regulating aspects such nutrient transport, vascular homeostasis, and inflammatory response. Endothelial dysfunction is believed to be a key driver for vein graft disease—a pathology in which vein grafts utilised in coronary artery bypass graft surgery develop intimal hyperplasia and accelerated atherosclerosis, resulting in poor long-term patency rates. Activation and denudation of the endothelium following surgical trauma and implantation of the graft encourage a host of immune, inflammatory, and cellular differentiation responses that risk driving the graft to failure. Several approaches have been developed to mitigate the onset and progression of this pathology both clincally and surgically, including optimisation of surgical technique, vein preservation conditions and pharma-modulation. Novel approaches are also under investigation in recent years, including the use of topical gene therapy and the utilisation of endothelial progenitor/colony-forming cells to regenerate vein grafts with the view to improving patient outcomes.
  • 480
  • 10 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Cardiorenal Protection with Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors
Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) is a family of glucose transporter proteins localized in the proximal tubule of the nephron, responsible for the majority of filtered glucose and sodium reabsorption, and SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2-Is) are novel drugs for the treatment of T2DM and heart failure.
  • 522
  • 18 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Associations between CKD, Retina, and CVD
The kidney, brain, and retina are highly metabolic organs that require specialized vascular networks to carry out their function. Cohort studies suggest that retinopathy, cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) frequently coincide. The frequently concurrent prevalence of retinopathy, CVD, and CKD suggests a common basis for pathology.
  • 493
  • 08 Oct 2022
Topic Review
The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is comprised of two main branches, with ACE2 representing a crucial component of the protective part of the complex. The ACE2/Ang (1-7) axis is well represented in the testis, heart, brain, kidney, and intestine. Infection with the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus determines downregulation of ACE2 and interrupts the equilibrium between ACE and ACE2 in these organs.
  • 790
  • 30 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Non-Pharmacological Options in Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide characterized by the deposition of lipids and fibrous elements in the form of atheroma plaques in vascular areas which are hemodynamically overloaded. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability. Prolonged survival with chronic disease explains why the prevalence, burden, and costs of the disease remain high. Given these issues, aggressive treatment should be started at the first indication and continued over several years, along with the reduction in disease risk factors such as visceral adiposity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes.
  • 916
  • 04 Oct 2022
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