Prevalence of Diabetes and Dyslipidemia Patterns amongst Hypertensive Patients in a Tertiary Cardiac Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal

Background: Dyslipidemia and hypertension are independent cardiovascular risk factors that are linked by insulin resistance and they require follow-up and more aggressive therapeutic strategies. Hence, the present study was done to study the prevalence of Diabetes and Dyslipidemia patterns in hypertensive patients. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was done on patients with hypertension for duration of one year, i.e. from Feb 2022 to January 2023. A total of 726 hypertensive Patients were included. All calculations and statistical analyses were processed by SPSS 25.0. Results: A Total of 726 patients with a history of hypertension were included;the average age was 55, with 24.2% of patients belonging to the age group 51 - 60;55.8% were males and 44.2% were females. In the present study, the prevalence of diabetes was 29.06% and 35.5% of patients in the prediabetic stage. The most frequent dyslipidaemic form was reduced HDL, seen in 96.1% and 94% of new and old respectively;followed by elevated LDL, 86% and 48.2% in new and old respectively. It was followed by elevated TG level and Total cholesterol levels. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of diabetes, pre-diabetes as well as dyslipidemia in hypertensive patients.

Heart failure after myocardial infarction in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention:Mechanisms,incidence and identification of patients at risk

Myocardial infarction(MI) remains the most common cause of heart failure(HF) worldwide. For almost 50 years HF has been recognised as a determinant ofadverse prognosis after MI, but efforts to promote myocardial repair have failed to translate into clinical therapies. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PPCI) has driven improved early survival after MI, but its impact on the incidence of downstream HF is debated. The effects of PPCI are confounded by the changing epidemiology of MI and HF, with an ageing patient demographic, an increasing proportion of non-STelevation myocardial infarction, and the recognition of HF with preserved ejection fraction. Herein we review the mechanisms of HF after MI and discuss contemporary data on its incidence and outcomes. We review current and emerging strategies for early detection of patients at risk of HF after MI, with a view to identification of patient cohorts for novel therapeutic agents.

Serum uric acid as an index of impaired renal function in congestive heart failure

BackgroundHyperuricemia 经常是在有心失败的病人的现在。许多病理学的条件例如织物局部缺血，肾的功能缺陷，心脏的功能缺陷，新陈代谢的症候群，和煽动性的地位，可以影响尿酸(UA ) 新陈代谢。这研究是回顾地在心 failure.MethodsWe 估计他们的潜在的关系到 UA 新陈代谢估计的临床的特征， echocardiological ，肾，与充血的心失败在随机选择的成年人的一个大队在心血管的疾病和 UA 新陈代谢根据他们的参与的以前的证据选择的新陈代谢、煽动性的变量( n = 553 )。由索引聚类，那些变量用因素 analysis.ResultsIn 因素分析被探索，尿酸(SUA ) 形成了的浆液包括了浆液 creatinine (SCr ) 和血脲氮(甜面包) 的肾的功能的变量的主要的簇的部分。在有充血的心失败的病人的变量之间的 Univariate 关联系数证明为 SUA 的最强壮的关联与甜面包(r = 0.48， P &#x0003c；0.001 ) 并且 SCr (r = 0.47， P &#x0003c；0.001 ).ConclusionsThere 是在 SUA 层次和在有充血的心失败的病人的肾的功能的措施之间的一种反的关系。在 SUA 和 SCr 和甜面包层次之间的强壮的关联建议提高的 SUA 集中在心失败反映肾的功能的一个缺陷。

Atrial fibrillation in heart failure: The sword of damocles revisited

Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexist and have emerged as major cardiovascular epidemics. There is growing evidence that AF is an independent prognostic marker in HF and affects patients with both reduced as well as preserved LV systolic function. There has been a general move in clinical practice from a rhythm control to a rate control strategy in HF patients with AF, although recent data suggests that rhythm control strategies may provide better outcomes in selected subgroups of HF patients. Furthermore, various therapeutic modalities including pace and ablate strategies with cardiac resynchronisation or radio-frequency ablation have become increasingly adopted, although their role in the management of AF in patients with HF remains uncertain. This article presents an overview of the multidimensional impact of AF in patients with HF. Relevant literature is highlighted and the effect of various therapeutic modalities on prognosis is discussed. Finally, while novel anticoagulants usher in a new era in thromboprophylaxis, research continues in avariety of new pathways including selective atrial anti-arrhythmic agents and genomic polymorphisms in AF with HF.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the transplanted pediatric heart as a potential predictor of rejection

AIM To evaluate cardiac magnetic resonance imaging(CMR) as a non-invasive tool to detect acute cellular rejection(ACR) in children after heart transplant(HT).METHODS Thirty pediatric HT recipients underwent CMR at the time of surveillance endomyocardial biopsy(EMB) and results were compared to 14 non-transplant controls. Biventricular volumes, ejection fractions(EFs), T2-weighted signal intensities, native T1 times, extracellular volumes(ECVs) and presence of late gadolinium enhancement(LGE) were compared between patients and controls and betweenpatients with International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation(ISHLT) grade ≥ 2R rejection and those with grade 0/1R. Heart rate(HR) and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) were assessed as potential biomarkers.RESULTS Significant ACR(ISHLT grade ≥ 2R) was an infrequent event in our population(5/30, 17%). Ventricular volumes,EFs, LGE prevalence, ECVs, native T1 times, T2 signal intensity ratios, HR and BNP were not associated with the presence of ≥ 2R ACR.CONCLUSION In this pilot study CMR did not reliably identify ACRrelated changes in pediatric HT patients.

Does Coronary Endarterectomy Increase Early Mortality and Morbidity Compared with Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Alone-Single Centre Experience

Background: With increasing incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Saudi Arabia and its fatal co-morbidity, this has resulted in a more complex pool of cases referred to cardiac surgeons. In selected cases, achieving optimal revascularization of diffuse CAD necessitates adjunctive techniques such as coronary endarterectomy (CE). The aim of our study is to evaluate the early mortality and post-operative morbidity related to CE. Method: Retrospective study from Jan 2009 to Dec 2010. Inclusion of 186 patients: 38 patients had CABG with CE and 148 patients had CABG alone. Results: Pre-operative percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was higher in the CE with CABG group (25.8%) compared with CABG alone (8.9%) (p = 0.009). Intra-operative data showed a higher mean cardiopulmonary bypass time (CBT) of 160 minutes and a mean cross-clamp time (XCT) of 109 minutes in the CE with CABG, compared to a mean CBT of 129 minutes and a mean XCT of 87 minutes in the CABG alone group (p = 0.001). The most common vessel endarterectomized was left anterior descending artery (LAD) (47%) followed by right coronary artery (RCA) (22%). Post-operatively, the mortality amongst the CE with CABG group (7.9%) was higher than CABG only group (1.4%), however it wasn’t statistically significant (p = 0.06). With regards to morbidity, hemodynamic instability requiring intra aortic balloon pump (HIR-IABP) was higher in the CE with CABG group (10.5%) compared to the CABG only group (1.4%) (p = 0.018). Conclusion: Our study showed that CE when combined with CABG wasn’t associated with a higher mortality rate when compared with CABG alone.

Chronotropic incompetence is more frequent in obese adolescents and relates to systemic inflammation and exercise intolerance

Background:Adults with obesity may display disturbed cardiac chronotropic responses during cardiopulmonary exercise testing,which relates to poor cardiometabolic health and an increased risk for adverse cardiovascular events.It is unknown whether cardiac chronotropic incompetence(CI)during maximal exercise is already present in obese adolescents and,if so,how that relates to cardiometabolic health.Methods:Sixty-nine obese adolescents(body mass index standard deviation score=2.23±0.32,age=14.1±1.2 years;mean±SD)and 29lean adolescents(body mass index standard deviation score=-0.16±0.84,age=14.0±1.5 years)performed a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing from which indicators for peak performance were determined.The resting heart rate and peak heart rate were used to calculate the maximal chronotropic response index.Biochemistry(lipid profile,glycemic control,inflammation,and leptin)was studied in fasted blood samples and during an oral glucose tolerance test within obese adolescents.Regression analyses were applied to examine associations between the presence of CI and blood or exercise capacity parameters,respectively,within obese adolescents.Results:CI was prevalent in 32 out of 69 obese adolescents(46%)and 3 out of 29 lean adolescents(10%).C-reactive protein was significantly higher in obese adolescents with CI compared to obese adolescents without CI(p=0.012).Furthermore,peak oxygen uptake and peak cycling power output were significantly reduced(p<0.05)in obese adolescents with CI vs.obese adolescents without CI.The chronotropic index was independently related to blood total cholesterol(standardized coefficientβ=-0.332;p=0.012)and C-reactive protein concentration(standardized coefficientβ=-0.269;p=0.039).Conclusion:CI is more common in the current cohort of obese adolescents,and is related to systemic inflammation and exercise intolerance.

App-based assessment of memory functions in patients after transfemoral aortic valve replacement

BACKGROUND Transfemoral aortic valve replacement(TAVR)is the standard treatment for elderly patients with aortic valve stenosis.Although safe and well-established,there is a risk of intraprocedural hemodynamic instability and silent cerebral embolism,which can lead to a decline in neurocognitive function and dementia.In clinical practice,comprehensive cognitive testing is difficult to perform.AI-assisted digital applications may help to optimize diagnosis and monitoring.METHODS Neurocognitive function was assessed by validated psychometric tests using“Δelta-App”,which uses artificial intelligence and computational linguistic methods for extraction and analysis.Memory function was assessed using the‘Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease’(CERAD)word list and digit span task(DST)before TAVR and before hospital discharge.The study is registered in the German Register of Clinical Trials(https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00020813).RESULTS From October 2020 until March 2022,141 patients were enrolled at University Hospital Heart Centre Brandenburg.Mean age was 81±6 years,42.6%were women.Time between the pre-and post-interventional test was on average 6±3 days.Memory function before TAVR was found to be below average in relation to age and educational level.The pre-post TAVR comparison showed significant improvements in the wordlist repeat,P<0.001 and wordlist recall test of CERAD,P<0.001.There were no changes in the digital span test.CONCLUSIONS Despite impaired preoperative memory function before TAVR,no global negative effect on memory function after TVAR was detected.The improvements shown in the word list test should be interpreted as usual learning effects in this task.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Closure in Outlet-Type Ventricular Septal Defect after 1 Year

Background:Ventricular septal defect(VSD)is the most common congenital heart disease.Transcatheter VSD closure is an effective treatment for patients with muscular and perimembranous VSD.However,there is a limit data for outlet VSD,especially impact to the aortic valve leaflet after transcatheter closure.This study aims to assess the outcomes of transcatheter closure of the outlet-type ventricular septal defect(OVSD)after 1 postoperative year.Methods:A retrospective study was performed including 50 patients who underwent transcatheter(n=25)and surgical(n=25)OVSD closure during the exact time frame at two medical centres.Results:The median age and body weight of patients in the transcatheter group were significantly higher than those of patients in the surgical group(7.0 vs.2.8 years;27.0 vs.11.4 kg;p<0.01).The defect size in the surgical group was significantly larger than that in the transcatheter group(5.0 vs.3.0 mm;p<0.01).All OVSD patients have successful transcatheter closure(100%)as effective as surgical closure.Less than small residual shunt was present 20%and 8%immediately after the procedure in the transcatheter and surgical groups(p=0.50),which decreased to 12%and 4%at the 1-year follow-up(p=0.61),respectively.No incidence of complete atrioventricular block and other complications was observed in both groups,and no significant differences were noted in the new onset or worsening of the aortic regurgitation in both groups(p=1.0).Conclusions:Transcatheter treatment could be effectively and safely achieved for OVSD closure at 1-year follow-up.

Age-related outcomes in patients with cardiogenic shock stratified by etiology

BACKGROUND As a result of improved and novel treatment strategies,the spectrum of patients with cardiovascular disease is consistently changing.Overall,those patients are typically older and characterized by increased burden with comorbidities.Limited data on the prognostic impact of age in cardiogenic shock(CS)is available.Therefore,this study investigates the prognostic impact of age in patients with CS.METHODS From 2019 to 2021,consecutive patients with CS of any cause were included.The prognostic value of age(i.e.,60-80 years and>80 years)was investigated for 30-day all-cause mortality.Spearman’s correlations,Kaplan-Meier analyses,as well as multivariable Cox proportional regression analyses were performed for statistics.Subsequent risk assessment was performed based on the presence or absence of CS related to acute myocardial infarction(AMI).RESULTS 223 CS patients were included with a median age of 77 years(interquartile range:69-82 years).No significant difference in 30-day all-cause mortality was observed for both age-groups(54.6%vs.63.4%,log-rank P=0.169;HR=1.273,95%CI:0.886-1.831,P=0.192).In contrast,when analyzing subgroups stratified by CS-etiology,AMI-related CS patients of the group>80 years showed an increased risk of 30-day all-cause mortality(78.1%vs.60.0%,log-rank P=0.032;HR=1.635,95%CI:1.000-2.673,P=0.050),which was still evident after multivariable adjustment(HR=2.072,95%CI:1.174-3.656,P=0.012).CONCLUSIONS Age was not associated with 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with CS of mixed etiology.However,increasing age was shown to be a significant predictor of increased mortality-risk in the subgroup of patients presenting with AMI-CS.

Improved lifestyle is associated with improved depression,anxiety and wellbeing over time in UK healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic:insights from the CoPE-HCP cohort study

Background One potential modifiable factor to improve the mental health of healthcare professionals(HCPs)during the pandemic is lifestyle.Aims This study aimed to assess whether an improved lifestyle during the pandemic is associated with improved mental health symptoms and mental well-being in HCPs over time.Methods This was a cohort study involving an online survey distributed at two separate time points during the pandemic(baseline(July–September 2020)and follow-up(December 2020–March 2021))to HCPs working in primary or secondary care in the UK.Both surveys assessed for major depressive disorder(MDD)(Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9)),generalised anxiety disorder(GAD)(Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7)),mental well-being(Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Score(SWEMWBS))and self-reported lifestyle change(compared with the start of the pandemic)on multiple domains.Cumulative scores were calculated to estimate overall lifestyle change compared with that before the pandemic(at both baseline and follow-up).At each time point,separate logistic regression models were constructed to relate the lifestyle change score with the presence of MDD,GAD and low mental well-being.Linear regression models were also developed relating the change in lifestyle scores from baseline to follow-up to changes in PHQ-9,GAD-7 and SWEMWBS scores.Results 613 HCPs completed both baseline assessment and follow-up assessment.Consistent significant cross-sectional associations between increased lifestyle change scores and a reduced risk of MDD,GAD and low mental well-being were observed at both baseline and follow-up.Over the study period,a whole unit increase in the change in novel scores(ie,improved overall lifestyle)over 4 months was inversely associated with changes in PHQ-9(adjusted coefficient:−0.51,95%confidence interval(CI):−0.73 to−0.30,p<0.001)and GAD-7 scores(adjusted coefficient:−0.32,95%CI:−0.53 to−0.10,p=0.004)and positively associated with the change in SWEMWBS scores(adjusted coefficient:0.37,95%CI:0.18 to 0.55,p<0.001).Conclusions Improved lifestyle over time is associated with improved mental health and mental well-being in HCPs during the pandemic.Improving lifestyle could be a recommended intervention for HCPs to help mitigate the mental health impact during the current and future pandemics.

Impact of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Morbidity and Mortality in Patients with Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction Presenting to a Tertiary Care Center of Nepal

Introduction: In comparison to anterior wall myocardial infarction, inferior wall myocardial infarction is generally regarded as a low risk event. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of right ventricular (RV) myocardial involvement in patients with inferior wall myocardial infarction (IWMI). Methods: This is an observational study of 82 consecutive IWMI patients admitted and treated in Manmohan Cardiothoracic, Vascular and Transplant Center (MCVTC) from May 15 2018 to June 15 2019. The clinical characteristics, risk factors profile, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, including RV function and angiographic characteristics, complications and in-hospital deaths were analyzed. Results: The mean age of patients presenting with IMWI was 64.8 ± 13.8 years with predominance of male (67%). Right ventricular myocardial infarction was present in 34.1% of patient with RV dysfunction in 25.6% patients. Mean Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE), RV tricuspid annulus (S') and RV Fractional area change (FAC) in patients with RV dysfunction vs patients without RV dysfunction were 12.2 ± 3.3 mm vs 22.5 ± 3.5 mm (p < 0.001), 7.54 ± 0.91 cm/s vs. 12.79 ± 2.16 cm/s respectively (p Conclusion: In inferior wall myocardial infarction, RV involvement with RV dysfunction is an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality along with advanced age, complete atrioventricular block, higher Killip class, delayed hospital presentation, left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% and angiographic evidence of triple vessel disease.

Congenital Absence of Pericardium:The Largest Systematic Review in the Field on 247 Worldwide Cases(1977-Now)

Background:Congenital absence of pericardium(CAP),also known as pericardial agenesis,represents an uncommon cardiac abnormality and mostly incidental finding.It can be subdivided into complete and partial(left or right-sided)forms.Because of its infrequency,just case reports and a few case series have been released so far.This paper represents the largest systematic review in the field.Nine features(age at diagnosis,type,gender,clinical presentation,electrocardiography,imaging(ultrasounds,CT/MRI),concomitant cardiac defects,and outcome)were analysed.Methods:The electronic database PubMed was investigated from its establishment up to July 15th,2023.Just case reports and case series were included.Animal studies,papers that were not in English,Spanish,and Italian,and those manuscripts not reporting at least seven of the nine analysed features.were ruled out.The analysed data were reported mostly in terms of percentage.Results:One hundred eighty studies were included encompassing 247 patients.More than half of reviewed CAP cases were in males(63.2%).The mean age at diagnosis was 31.8±19.3 years;a range of 32 weeks of gestation-81 years).23.5%of the patients did not report any symptoms.The most common clinical presentations were chest pain(35.2%)and dyspnoea(29.2%).The most commonly seen ECG changes were right axis deviation(28.7%)and right bundle branch block(23.9%).CAP was suspected or diagnosed by echocardiography in 20.1%of cases.The diagnosis was made by CT and/or MRI in 61.9%of cases.CAP was left-sided in 71.2%,complete in 23.1%,and right-sided in 5.7%.A concomitant congenital heart defect was found in 22.7%,especially in the form of atrial septal defect(6.5%)and patency of ductus arteriosus(2.8%).The pericardial repair was required in 12.9% of the incomplete forms of the disease.Never did the complete form require surgical correction.The outcome appeared favourable in the vast majority of cases,with just 18 deaths(7.3%).Discussion:The main limitation of this systematic review is that it is based just on case reports and case series,due to the lack of large studies on CAP.However,it represents the largest analysis in the field.Due to the rarity of CAP establishing an International Registry is recommended.

经桡动脉穿刺冠状动脉复杂病变的介入治疗

目的 探讨复杂冠状动脉病变经桡动脉穿刺途径行介入治疗的成功率和并发症。方法 184例复杂冠状动脉病变的冠心病心绞痛患者中 ,经桡动脉穿刺组 4 6例 ,对照组为经股动脉穿刺者 138例 ,观察两组手术成功率、术后并发症等情况。结果 经桡动脉组手术成功率为 92 .2 % ,与经股动脉组 (94 .9% )相比无明显差异 (P>0 .0 5 )。但术后与穿刺有关的并发症发生率 ,经桡动脉组明显少于经股动脉组 (10 .8% vs 2 8.3% ,P<0 .0 5 ) ;术后卧床时间也明显短于经股动脉穿刺组 (P<0 .0 1)。而经桡动脉组从穿刺开始至指引导管放置成功所需的时间长于经股动脉组(P<0 .0 5 )。结论 经选择的冠状动脉复杂病变经桡动脉途径介入治疗具有较高的成功率。经桡动脉途径术后与穿刺有关的并发症发生率低。

射频消融治疗快速性心律失常的并发症及预防

目的 探讨快速性心律失常经导管射频消融治疗过程中的并发症及预防。方法 DSA下经导管射频消融治疗 314例快速性心律失常。其中室上性心动过速 2 4 2例 ,房颤 2 1例 ,室性心动过速 14例 ,心房扑动 35例。结果 所有病例经射频消融治疗后总成功率为 91.8% ,发生Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞 2例 ,总发生率为 0 .6 3% ,Ⅰ度房室传导阻滞 2例 ,发生率 0 .6 3% ,气胸 4例 ,发生率 1.2 4 % ,下肢动脉栓塞1例 ,发生率 0 .32 % ,术中或术后发生迷走亢进 (表现心率减慢、出汗、血压下降、恶心、呕吐 ) 6例 ,发生率为 1.9%。结论 射频消融治疗快速性心律失常的并发症不可能完全避免。但前 10 0例患者出现的并发症明显高于 10 0例后的病例 (11/ 4 )。手术者丰富的心脏电生理和心脏影像学结构知识 。

经桡动脉穿刺的冠状动脉介入治疗

目的 探讨经桡动脉穿刺行冠状动脉介入治疗的可行性和安全性。方法 116例冠心病患者 (男 96例 ,女 2 0例 ,平均年龄 5 7 44± 9 40岁 )经桡动脉穿刺行冠状动脉介入治疗。结果 5例桡动脉穿刺失败改行股动脉穿刺 ,2例桡动脉穿刺虽成功但试行球囊扩张失败 ,其余患者均取得穿刺和介入治疗成功。共扩张病变血管 135支 (前降支 6 9支 ,回旋支 2 6支 ,右冠状动脉 39支 ,静脉桥血管1支 ) ,治疗病变 148处 (A型 15处 ,B型 10 6处 ,C型 2 7处 )。 98例患者的 10 5支血管植入支架共 110个 ,1例行旋磨术 ,1例行冠状动脉内超声检查。 2 5例患者术中须更换导引导管。术后穿刺局部大量出血需输血者 1例 ,局部较大血肿 2例 ,肘动脉分支穿孔 1例。结论 经桡动脉穿刺行冠状动脉介入治疗在临床上可行 ,但穿刺较困难 ,导引导管支撑力较差 ,应警惕局部血管损伤的可能。

直接冠状动脉内支架术在急性冠状动脉综合征中的应用

目的 探讨急性冠状动脉综合征 (ACS)患者直接冠状动脉支架术治疗的可行性和安全性。方法 选择 ACS患者 6 8例 ,依据冠状动脉造影的结果采取直接支架术。用定量冠状动脉造影分析支架术前和术后即刻的造影结果 ,并随访观察术后近期临床疗效。结果 直接支架置入术成功率为 94 .1%。其中不稳定型心绞痛者成功率为96 .0 % ,急性心肌梗死成功率 88.9%。支架术后血管狭窄程度较术前明显减轻。慢复流的发生率为 7.8%。未发生与介入操作相关的严重并发症。术后近期随访无严重心血管事件发生。结论 对经选择的 ACS患者采取直接支架术治疗成功率高 ,并发症低 。

成年大鼠心肌细胞高效激光共聚焦显微镜钙成像方法

目的建立高效易行的测定心肌细胞钙成像方法。方法 Langendorff灌流获取成年大鼠心室肌细胞。大鼠心肌细胞经Fluo-4染色后分别加入玻璃底的6孔培养板中,连接Ion C-PaceEP刺激器,于激光共聚焦显微镜下测定胞内钙离子浓度的动态变化。结果约80%的细胞跟随所设频率规律的收缩。激光共聚焦显微镜记录到与刺激器频率相同的有规则的细胞钙瞬变。加入咖啡因后钙释放增加,提示此为钙库的钙释放。结论利用新型的刺激装置,结合激光共聚焦显微技术,我们成功地获得了高效易行的成年大鼠心肌细胞Ca2+成像方法。此法也可用于其他实验动物心肌细胞,易于记录细胞内钙离子浓度的动态变化。

在心血管的疾病的先进 glycation 结束产品的角色

Advanced glycation end products(AGEs) are produced through the non enzymatic glycation and oxidation of proteins,lipids and nucleic acids.Enhanced formation of AGEs occurs particularly in conditions associated with hyperglycaemia such as diabetes mellitus(DM).AGEs are believed to have a key role in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease in patients with DM through the modif ication of the structure,function and mechanical properties of tissues through crosslinking intracellular as well as extracellular matrix proteins and through modulating cellular processes through binding to cell surface receptors [receptor for AGEs(RAGE)].A number of studies have shown a correlation between serum AGE levels and the development and severity of heart failure(HF).Moreover,some studies have suggested that therapies targeted against AGEs may have therapeutic potential in patients with HF.The purpose of this review is to discuss the role of AGEs in cardiovascular disease and in particular in heart failure,focussing on both cellular mechanisms of action as well as highlighting how targeting AGEs may represent a novel therapeutic strategy in the treatment of HF.