Welcome to Cardiology Today – Recorded October 21, 2025. This episode summarizes 5 key cardiology studies on topics like lipid peroxidation and recurrent pericarditis. Key takeaway: H.I.V. Donors Expand Heart Transplant Pool.
Article Links:
Article 1: ALDH2/eIF3E Interaction Modulates Protein Translation Critical for Cardiomyocyte Ferroptosis in Acute Myocardial Ischemia Injury. (Circulation)
Article 2: Hypercontractility and Oxidative Stress Drive Creatine Kinase Dysfunction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. (Circulation)
Article 3: Potential Pool of Cardiothoracic Organs from Donors with HIV. (The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation)
Article 4: Outcomes of BK in Simultaneous Heart Kidney Transplant: A 3 Center Experience. (The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation)
Article 5: Comparative analysis of recurrence rates following various cessation strategies for rilonacept in recurrent pericarditis. (Heart (British Cardiac Society))
Full episode page: https://podcast.explainheart.com/podcast/h-i-v-donors-expand-heart-transplant-pool-10-21-25/
Featured Articles
Article 1: ALDH2/eIF3E Interaction Modulates Protein Translation Critical for Cardiomyocyte Ferroptosis in Acute Myocardial Ischemia Injury.
Journal: Circulation
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41111418
Summary: This study identified an interaction between acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and eukaryotic initiation factor 3 subunit E (eIF3E) that critically modulates protein translation in cardiomyocytes. This interaction plays a significant role in ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death caused by lipid peroxidation, observed in acute myocardial ischemia injury. The research reveals how the Glu504Lys polymorphism of ALDH2, which affects a substantial portion of East Asians, influences this mechanism and contributes to increased risk. Understanding this molecular pathway provides a novel therapeutic target for preventing or mitigating acute myocardial infarction.
Article 2: Hypercontractility and Oxidative Stress Drive Creatine Kinase Dysfunction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
Journal: Circulation
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41111389
Summary: This study investigated the underlying mechanisms of myocardial energy depletion in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (H.C.M.), a condition characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy and hypercontractility. The research discovered that hypercontractility and subsequent oxidative stress drive dysfunction of creatine kinase (C.K.), a key enzyme in cardiac energy homeostasis. This C.K. dysfunction exacerbates the energetic mismatch in H.C.M., where energy consumption surpasses production. These findings pinpoint specific targets for intervention, suggesting that strategies aimed at reducing hypercontractility, oxidative stress, or enhancing C.K. activity could improve cardiac energetics in H.C.M. patients.
Article 3: Potential Pool of Cardiothoracic Organs from Donors with HIV.
Journal: The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41115672
Summary: This study quantified the potential supply of cardiothoracic organs available from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (H.I.V.)-positive donors for H.I.V.-positive recipients, leveraging recent modifications to H.O.P.E. (Human Organ for Life) research guidelines. Using S.R.T.R. (Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients) data, the researchers identified a substantial pool of H.I.V.-positive donors suitable for heart and lung transplantation. This research demonstrates the expanded eligibility criteria now allow cardiothoracic programs to participate in H.O.P.E. Act transplantation. These findings highlight a significant breakthrough in expanding access to life-saving organs for H.I.V.-positive individuals, potentially reducing transplant waitlist mortality.
Article 4: Outcomes of BK in Simultaneous Heart Kidney Transplant: A 3 Center Experience.
Journal: The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41115671
Summary: This retrospective multi-center study assessed the prevalence and outcomes of B.K. polyomavirus deoxyribonucleic acidemia (D.N.A.emia) and B.K. polyomavirus D.N.A.emia-associated nephropathy in simultaneous heart-kidney transplant recipients. Analyzing data from January 2005 to June 2022, the research provided crucial insights into the rates of B.K. polyomavirus infection in this specific patient population, where information has been limited. The findings help establish risk profiles and inform management strategies for B.K. polyomavirus infection, potentially improving long-term kidney and patient survival following simultaneous heart-kidney transplantation.
Article 5: Comparative analysis of recurrence rates following various cessation strategies for rilonacept in recurrent pericarditis.
Journal: Heart (British Cardiac Society)
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41115771
Summary: This retrospective cohort study, conducted at a specialized pericardial disease center, aimed to evaluate long-term outcomes and recurrence rates after various rilonacept (R.I.) cessation strategies in adults with recurrent pericarditis (R.P.) refractory to first-line therapies. R.I., an interleukin (I.L.)-1 alpha/beta cytokine trap, has been associated with high R.P. recurrence rates upon discontinuation after 18 months. The study sought to propose preliminary strategies for safe R.I. withdrawal, providing critical data to optimize treatment duration and minimize relapse for patients managing chronic R.P.
Transcript
Today’s date is October 21, 2025. Welcome to Cardiology Today. Here are the latest research findings.
Article number one. ALDH2/eIF3E Interaction Modulates Protein Translation Critical for Cardiomyocyte Ferroptosis in Acute Myocardial Ischemia Injury. This study identified an interaction between acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and eukaryotic initiation factor 3 subunit E (eIF3E) that critically modulates protein translation in cardiomyocytes. This interaction plays a significant role in ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death caused by lipid peroxidation, observed in acute myocardial ischemia injury. The research reveals how the Glu504Lys polymorphism of ALDH2, which affects a substantial portion of East Asians, influences this mechanism and contributes to increased risk. Understanding this molecular pathway provides a novel therapeutic target for preventing or mitigating acute myocardial infarction.
Article number two. Hypercontractility and Oxidative Stress Drive Creatine Kinase Dysfunction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. This study investigated the underlying mechanisms of myocardial energy depletion in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (H.C.M.), a condition characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy and hypercontractility. The research discovered that hypercontractility and subsequent oxidative stress drive dysfunction of creatine kinase (C.K.), a key enzyme in cardiac energy homeostasis. This C.K. dysfunction exacerbates the energetic mismatch in H.C.M., where energy consumption surpasses production. These findings pinpoint specific targets for intervention, suggesting that strategies aimed at reducing hypercontractility, oxidative stress, or enhancing C.K. activity could improve cardiac energetics in H.C.M. patients.
Article number three. Potential Pool of Cardiothoracic Organs from Donors with HIV. This study quantified the potential supply of cardiothoracic organs available from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (H.I.V.)-positive donors for H.I.V.-positive recipients, leveraging recent modifications to H.O.P.E. (Human Organ for Life) research guidelines. Using S.R.T.R. (Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients) data, the researchers identified a substantial pool of H.I.V.-positive donors suitable for heart and lung transplantation. This research demonstrates the expanded eligibility criteria now allow cardiothoracic programs to participate in H.O.P.E. Act transplantation. These findings highlight a significant breakthrough in expanding access to life-saving organs for H.I.V.-positive individuals, potentially reducing transplant waitlist mortality.
Article number four. Outcomes of BK in Simultaneous Heart Kidney Transplant: A 3 Center Experience. This retrospective multi-center study assessed the prevalence and outcomes of B.K. polyomavirus deoxyribonucleic acidemia (D.N.A.emia) and B.K. polyomavirus D.N.A.emia-associated nephropathy in simultaneous heart-kidney transplant recipients. Analyzing data from January 2005 to June 2022, the research provided crucial insights into the rates of B.K. polyomavirus infection in this specific patient population, where information has been limited. The findings help establish risk profiles and inform management strategies for B.K. polyomavirus infection, potentially improving long-term kidney and patient survival following simultaneous heart-kidney transplantation.
Article number five. Comparative analysis of recurrence rates following various cessation strategies for rilonacept in recurrent pericarditis. This retrospective cohort study, conducted at a specialized pericardial disease center, aimed to evaluate long-term outcomes and recurrence rates after various rilonacept (R.I.) cessation strategies in adults with recurrent pericarditis (R.P.) refractory to first-line therapies. R.I., an interleukin (I.L.)-1 alpha/beta cytokine trap, has been associated with high R.P. recurrence rates upon discontinuation after 18 months. The study sought to propose preliminary strategies for safe R.I. withdrawal, providing critical data to optimize treatment duration and minimize relapse for patients managing chronic R.P.
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Keywords
lipid peroxidation, recurrent pericarditis, donor pool, B.K. polyomavirus, rilonacept, myocardial energy depletion, creatine kinase dysfunction, recurrence rates, H.I.V. organ transplantation, interleukin-1 alpha/beta cytokine trap, cessation strategies, transplant outcomes, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, H.O.P.E. Act, nephropathy, simultaneous heart-kidney transplant, protein translation, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2, hypercontractility, cardiothoracic organs, acute myocardial ischemia, deoxyribonucleic acidemia, oxidative stress, ferroptosis, heart transplantation.
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