Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Angelica Carandina, Giulia Lazzeri, Davide Villa, Alessio Di Fonzo, Sara Bonato, Nicola Montano, Eleonora Tobaldini
Summary: Ischemic stroke is a major global cause of death and disability, with recent research focusing on the bidirectional relationship between autonomic nervous system dysfunction and acute ischemic stroke to identify prognostic factors and potential therapeutic approaches such as vagus nerve stimulation. Preclinical studies have shown promising results in terms of neuroprotection and therapeutic possibilities, indicating the potential of neuromodulation as a first-line therapeutic approach in the early management of stroke.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Emily Allen, Pott Pongpaopattanakul, Reshma A. Chauhan, Kieran E. Brack, G. Andre Ng
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve at varying parameters on NO release and cardiac electrophysiology using the isolated innervated rabbit heart preparation.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ahmed Banibella Abdelmagied Elamin, Kowthar Forsat, Solomon Silas Senok, Nandu Goswami
Summary: This systematic review focuses on the role of vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) in cardioprotective therapy, specifically selective vagus nerve stimulators (sVNS) and their functional capabilities. The review demonstrates that VNS can improve arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and heart failure. The application of transcutaneous VNS shows the best clinical outcome with minimal side effects. VNS presents a potential method for future cardiovascular treatment, but further research is needed for better understanding.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Konstantin G. Heimrich, Thomas Lehmann, Peter Schlattmann, Tino Prell
Summary: Recent evidence suggests that autonomic dysfunction, particularly in the vagus nerve, plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Heart rate variability analysis can be used to investigate cardiac activity regulation. Studies have shown that there may be decreased parasympathetic tone in patients with Parkinson's disease based on heart rate variability analysis.
Review
Psychology, Biological
Edwin W. Taylor, Tobias Wang, Cleo A. C. Leite
Summary: Mammals exhibit respiratory sinus arrhythmia, which refers to the changes in heart rate associated with lung ventilation. This is controlled by the parasympathetic arm of the autonomic nervous system through inhibitory control exerted on the heart. This mechanism is also observed in other vertebrates and plays a role in cardiorespiratory interactions.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Peter Hanna, Eric Buch, Stavros Stavrakis, Christian Meyer, John D. Tompkins, Jeffrey L. Ardell, Kalyanam Shivkumar
Summary: The cardiac autonomic nervous system is crucial in cardiac physiology and disease, with therapies targeting the cardiac neuraxis showing promising results in pre-clinical and clinical studies.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Kamal Sharma, Rajendra K. Premchand, Sanjay Mittal, Rufino Monteiro, Imad Libbus, Lorenzo A. DiCarlo, Jeffrey L. Ardell, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. KenKnight, Inder S. Anand
Summary: The ANTHEM-HF pilot study showed that autonomic regulation therapy (ART) utilizing cervical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) was associated with sustained improvements in left ventricular function and heart failure symptoms at 6 and 12 months. Long-term follow-up of 42 months demonstrated that ART was durable, safe, and had beneficial effects on LVEF and 6-min walk distance in patients with HFrEF. This suggests that chronic, open-loop ART continued to be well-tolerated in this population, with further evaluation underway in the ANTHEM-HFrEF Pivotal Study.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu-Long Li
Summary: Heart failure is a significant global public health issue, with coronary heart disease-induced HF being the most common type, accounting for over 50%. Cardiac sympathetic overactivation is a major cause of mortality in HF patients and involves complex regulatory mechanisms at multiple levels of the nervous system.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Ali Gholamrezaei, Ilse Van Diest, Qasim Aziz, Johan W. S. Vlaeyen, Lukas Van Oudenhove
Summary: The study did not support the hypothesis that adding an inspiratory load to slow, deep breathing enhances its hypoalgesic effects. While pain intensity was slightly lower during SDB with load compared to normal-frequency controlled breathing, the difference was minimal. Heart rate variability was higher during SDB, but emotional responses were less favorable when using load.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Deshan Ma, Li Li, Wenbin Shi, Mengwei Li, Jian Zhang, Yong Fan, Yu Kang, Xiu Zhang, Pengming Yu, Qing Zhang, Zhengbo Zhang, Chien-Hung Yeh
Summary: Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is a significant characteristic of congestive heart failure patients. This study introduced HRV and MMCA-derived parameters to quantify ANS function in CHF patients and compared their clinical efficacy. The results showed that most parameters improved after treatment in SRHF patients, while only a few showed significant differences in ARHF patients. PNS function and ANS balance were recovered in all CHF patients after treatment. These metrics can be used for prognosis and therapeutic efficacy monitoring.
BIOMEDICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING AND CONTROL
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marius Keute, Kathrin Machetanz, Levan Berelidze, Robert Guggenberger, Alireza Gharabaghi
Summary: This study investigated physiological candidate biomarkers for transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) and found that taVNS had effects on heart rate and heart rate variability scores during stimulation, indicating parasympathetic activation. However, these effects were short-lived, and baseline neuro-cardiac coupling scores may predict individual responses to taVNS.
Review
Neurosciences
Francesco Cerritelli, Martin G. Frasch, Marta C. Antonelli, Chiara Viglione, Stefano Vecchi, Marco Chiera, Andrea Manzotti
Summary: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a crucial role in regulating the body's physiology, especially during fetal and perinatal development. The vagus nerve, in particular, is involved in various vital processes and is recognized as the primary pathway for transmitting information from organs to the brain. Understanding the impact of different factors on vagus nerve development during critical windows can help clinicians monitor fetal development and reduce potential adverse effects on long-term ANS health. Studying fetal heart rate variability (fHRV) offers a non-invasive way to assess ANS development and overall fetal health.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Guido Grassi, Fosca Quarti-Trevano, Murray D. Esler
Summary: Conclusive evidence demonstrates that activation of the sympathetic nervous system is a hallmark of congestive heart failure, early in the disease course and potentiated by comorbidities. Neuromodulatory therapeutic interventions targeting adrenergic overdrive are crucial in managing the cardiovascular consequences associated with sympathetic activation in heart failure. Additional studies are needed to better understand the impact of these interventions on the clinical course of the disease.
HEART FAILURE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Rhian Stavely, Ahmed A. Rahman, Lauren Sahakian, Monica D. Prakash, Ainsley M. Robinson, Majid Hassanzadeganroudsari, Rhiannon T. Filippone, Sarah Fraser, Rajaraman Eri, Joel C. Bornstein, Vasso Apostolopoulos, Kulmira Nurgali
Summary: This study used mouse models of moderate and severe colitis to investigate the relationship between autonomic and neuroimmune signaling with inflammation. The findings suggest that increased cholinergic markers may correlate with an anti-inflammatory profile in the spleen, while enhanced sympathetic signaling could be an adaptive mechanism to mitigate the progression of intestinal inflammation.
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Imad Libbus, Scott R. Stubbs, Scott T. Mazar, Scott Mindrebo, Bruce H. KenKnight, Lorenzo A. DiCarlo
Summary: In a study involving normal swine, implantable VNS systems were found to be immune to high-energy defibrillation shocks delivered by ICD, S-ICD, and ECD devices. The systems continued to function properly without any parameter shifts or failures, and there were no anatomical changes observed in the vagus nerve.
JOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Carlotta Ronchi, Joyce Bernardi, Manuela Mura, Manuela Stefanello, Beatrice Badone, Marcella Rocchetti, Lia Crotti, Paul Brink, Peter J. Schwartz, Massimiliano Gnecchi, Antonio Zaza
Summary: The study suggests that NOS1AP single-nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with cardiac sudden death in patients with long QT syndrome type 1, possibly through NOS1 dysfunction and interaction with prolonged action-potential duration. Inhibition of NOS1 in cardiomyocytes prolonged APD and enhanced currents, while hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes exhibited a phenotype consistent with NOS1 deficiency.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Federica Dagradi, Carla Spazzolini, Silvia Castelletti, Matteo Pedrazzini, Maria-Christina Kotta, Lia Crotti, Peter J. Schwartz
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Peter J. Schwartz
Summary: The author has been dedicated to exploring the long QT syndrome for 50 years, from the earliest cases to genetic discoveries, genotype-phenotype correlations, modifier genes, and exploring various treatment strategies. The author emphasizes the fascination and attraction of the unknown, which drives his relentless pursuit in this field.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2021)
Editorial Material
Pediatrics
Peter J. Schwartz
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Timothy F. Spracklen, Graham Chakafana, Peter J. Schwartz, Maria-Christina Kotta, Gasnat Shaboodien, Ntobeko A. B. Ntusi, Karen Sliwa
Summary: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a condition characterized by heart failure and systolic dysfunction occurring late in pregnancy or within months following delivery. Approximately 20% of PPCM patients screened for cardiomyopathy genes have an identified pathogenic mutation, with TTN truncations being most commonly implicated. Molecular chaperones such as heat shock proteins may play a role in modulating PPCM pathogenesis.
Letter
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Daniel J. Clemens, Belinda Gray, Richard D. Bagnall, David J. Tester, John R. Giudicessi, Joseph J. Maleszewski, Lia Crotti, Peter J. Schwartz, Emma Matthews, Christopher Semsarian, Elijah R. Behr, Michael J. Ackerman
CIRCULATION-GENOMIC AND PRECISION MEDICINE
(2020)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Massimiliano Gnecchi, Luca Sala, Peter J. Schwartz
Summary: Precision Medicine (PM) is an innovative approach aiming at improving risk stratification and identifying patient-specific management through the use of large datasets, patients' genetics, and advanced technologies. The field of cardiac channelopathies is increasingly incorporating PM and benefiting from targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, particularly in cases like long QT syndrome. As scientists and clinicians work together to enhance medical care innovatively, it is crucial to continuously monitor and assess whether PM approaches are truly making a difference in patient outcomes and if they are superior to established therapies.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Peter J. Schwartz, Cristina Moreno, Maria-Christina Kotta, Matteo Pedrazzini, Lia Crotti, Federica Dagradi, Silvia Castelletti, Kristina H. Haugaa, Isabelle Denjoy, Maria A. Shkolnikova, Paul A. Brink, Marshall J. Heradien, Sandrine R. M. Seyen, Roel L. H. M. G. Spatjens, Carla Spazzolini, Paul G. A. Volders
Summary: Mutations surrounding the A341V mutation in the KCNE1 gene increase the risk of arrhythmias, and the specific loss of PKA-dependent I-Ks enhancement in A341V correlates with its phenotypic severity.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Peter J. Schwartz, Hanno L. Tan
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Luca Sala, Vladislav Leonov, Manuela Mura, Federica Giannetti, Aleksandr Khudiakov, Alessandra Moretti, Lia Crotti, Massimiliano Gnecchi, Peter J. Schwartz
Summary: During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of drug repurposing to find compounds for improving the prognosis of symptomatic patients was common. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was one of the first drugs used for COVID-19 treatment, but its effectiveness is debated and it may cause electrocardiographic abnormalities. By studying human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs), researchers found that HCQ had proarrhythmic effects and could potentially distinguish symptomatic from asymptomatic mutation carriers.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Peter J. Schwartz, Michael J. Ackerman
Summary: Proper management of patients with genetic disorders causing life-threatening arrhythmias is crucial for their quality of life and societal impact. This review focuses on long QT syndrome and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, emphasizing the clinical impact of left cardiac sympathetic denervation.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Domenico Corrado, Mark S. Link, Peter J. Schwartz
Summary: Many previously unexplained life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) in young individuals are now recognized to be genetic in nature and are ascribed to a growing number of distinct inherited arrhythmogenic diseases. Risk assessment for SCD in patients with inherited arrhythmogenic diseases is challenging due to their lower frequency compared to coronary disease. Semi-automated systems are increasingly being used to dictate therapeutic choices, but their tendency to favour implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation may not always be justified.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Peter J. Schwartz, Paolo Pantaleo, Gian Paolo Bezante
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Simone Savastano, Peter J. Schwartz
Summary: This article reviews the mechanism of action of pharmacologic stellate ganglion block (SGB) in interrupting electrical storms and discusses current approaches and their limitations. It also proposes a practical solution to increase the availability of SGB to more patients.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lia Crotti, Carla Spazzolini, Mette Nyegaard, Michael T. Overgaard, Maria-Christina Kotta, Federica Dagradi, Luca Sala, Takeshi Aiba, Mark D. Ayers, Anwar Baban, Julien Barc, Cheyenne M. Beach, Elijah R. Behr, J. Martijn Bos, Marina Cerrone, Peter Covi, Bettina Cuneo, Isabelle Denjoy, Birgit Donner, Adrienne Elbert, Hakan Eliasson, Susan P. Etheridge, Megumi Fukuyama, Francesca Girolami, Robert Hamilton, Minoru Horie, Maria Iascone, Juan Jimenez Jaimez, Henrik Kjaerulf Jensen, Prince J. Kannankeril, Juan P. Kaski, Naomasa Makita, Carmen Munoz-Esparza, Hans H. Odland, Seiko Ohno, John Papagiannis, Alessandra Pia Porretta, Christopher Prandstetter, Vincent Probst, Tomas Robyns, Eric Rosenthal, Ferran Roses-Noguer, Nicole Sekarski, Anoop Singh, Georgia Spentzou, Fridrike Stute, Jacob Tfelt-Hansen, Jan Till, Kathryn E. Tobert, Jeffrey M. Vinocur, Gregory Webster, Arthur A. M. Wilde, Cordula M. Wolf, Michael J. Ackerman, Peter J. Schwartz
Summary: The International Calmodulinopathy Registry (ICalmR) is an international collaborative study that aims to understand the clinical manifestations and molecular mechanisms of calmodulinopathy caused by CALM gene mutations. The registry has enrolled 140 patients, mainly presenting with CALM-LQTS and CALM-CPVT, with some patients also exhibiting neurological symptoms. The study shows a reduced frequency and severity of cardiac events in recent years.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
