Abstract Right heart failure (RHF) is a serious condition characterized by the inability of the right ventricle (RV) to generate sufficient output for pulmonary circulation, leading to systemic congestion and hypoperfusion. Proper management of RHF is essential to improve prognosis and quality of life, requiring individualized treatment based on hemodynamic assessment. This article reviews pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic options for RHF, including strategies for preload optimization, afterload reduction, and advanced circulatory support. Additionally, it presents a clinical case of a […]

Abstract Filamin C is an essential protein for the integrity of the sarcomere and cytoskeleton of cardiomyocytes. Pathogenic variants in the FLNC gene are associated with a wide range of cardiomyopathies and may present distinct phenotypes depending on the type of genetic alteration. Truncated variants are frequently associated with dilated and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, while missense variants are more related to hypertrophic and restrictive forms. These phenotypic differences reflect the molecular and structural impact of the FLNC variant on filamin C […]

Abstract Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices have evolved significantly over the past decades and play a vital role in managing end-stage heart failure, especially as a bridge to heart transplantation. From the pioneering heart-lung machines to third-generation ventricular assist devices (VADs), MCS technology has advanced to provide more durable, efficient, and safer options for both short- and long-term support. This review outlines the historical development of mechanical assist devices, the types of available supports – ranging from intra-aortic balloon pumps […]

Abstract Filamin C (FLNC) plays a critical role in maintaining the structural integrity of muscle cells, particularly within the cardiac sarcomere. Pathogenic variants in the FLNC gene are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to a diverse range of cardiomyopathies, including dilated (DCM), hypertrophic (HCM), arrhythmogenic (ACM), and restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). This review explores the genotype-phenotype correlations in FLNC-related cardiomyopathies, emphasizing how the type and location of genetic variants influence the clinical presentation. Truncating variants are primarily associated with DCM and […]

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently coexist in clinical practice, with both conditions negatively affecting individuals’ functional capacity, often measured using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic impairments may influence the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD). Objective This study aims to identify and analyze the critical determinants of the 6MWD among subjects with HF-COPD overlap. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. Individuals underwent the 6MWT. Respiratory muscle strength was assessed by measuring […]

Abstract Cardiomyopathies are pathological conditions associated with progressive dysfunction of cardiomyocytes, excluding situations in which other concomitant diseases may justify such progression. Their presentations can evolve with several phenotypes, the main ones being hypertrophic, dilated, restrictive, non-compacted, and arrhythmogenic phenotypes of the right ventricle (). Regarding this topic’s relevance, dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies have a genetic origin in 30 to 50% of cases, evaluating these etiologies is a crucial tool in patient management. Assessing the risk of genetic transmission and […]

Introduction Heart failure (HF) is a chronic and progressive clinical syndrome caused by a structural or functional cardiac abnormality, whose symptoms include dyspnea and fatigue and are accompanied by physical signs such as peripheral edema, pulmonary rales, and jugular venous distension. The natural history of HF often involves rapid worsening of symptoms and signs, leading to severe manifestations at rest, characterizing acute decompensated HF (AHF), usually requiring hospitalization for its control. AHF is responsible for a large part of the […]

Abstract The MYH7 gene, which encodes the beta-myosin heavy chain, is a critical component in the structural and functional integrity of cardiac and skeletal muscle cells. Variants in MYH7 are among the most common genetic causes of cardiomyopathies, particularly hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and have also been implicated in restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) and left ventricular hypertrabeculation (LVHT). This review explores the molecular mechanisms by which MYH7 variants lead to these diverse phenotypes, focusing on the genotype-phenotype correlations […]

Abstract Among the inotropic agents used in the management of heart failure, levosimendan, in particular, has a selective venodilator property that appears to explain its clinical benefit during pulmonary hypertension (PH). Most of the evidence refers to patients with group 2 PH and consequent right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. In this scenario, the observed benefits may be due to the effect of levosimendan on RV contractility and pulmonary vessel dilation, or to the improvement of left ventricular function and consequent reduction […]

Abstract The treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has always represented a challenge in clinical management. The discovery of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) as efficient cardiac protectors brought the possibility of treating HFpEF, a topic driven by robust studies such as EMPEROR-Preserved and DELIVER. The present work aims to identify the main studies on SGLT2i and primary outcomes in HFpEF. The qualified search was carried out in the BVS and Pubmed indexed databases, with the inclusion […]