Welcome to Cardiology Today – Recorded September 28, 2025. This episode summarizes 5 key cardiology studies on topics like longitudinal study and cardiac electrophysiology. Key takeaway: Methadone’s Pro-Arrhythmic Cardiac Risks Confirmed.
Article Links:
Article 1: Methadone Blockade of Inward Rectifier Potassium Current Promotes Both Early and Delayed Repolarization Arrhythmias: Mechanistic Insights From Computational Modeling. (Journal of the American Heart Association)
Article 2: Interventional Partial Cavopulmonary Connection: Initial Clinical Experience With Acute Procedural up to Midterm Results. (Journal of the American Heart Association)
Article 3: Trends and Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Maternal Cardiovascular Health in California. (Journal of the American Heart Association)
Article 4: Design of Black Impact: A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Mechanisms Underlying Psychosocial Stress Reduction in a Cardiovascular Health Intervention. (Journal of the American Heart Association)
Article 5: Static and Dynamic Effects of Stroke Onset on Depressive Symptoms in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Evidence Across 21 Countries. (Journal of the American Heart Association)
Full episode page: https://podcast.explainheart.com/podcast/methadones-pro-arrhythmic-cardiac-risks-confirmed-09-28-25/
Featured Articles
Article 1: Methadone Blockade of Inward Rectifier Potassium Current Promotes Both Early and Delayed Repolarization Arrhythmias: Mechanistic Insights From Computational Modeling.
Journal: Journal of the American Heart Association
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40996098
Summary: This computational modeling study reveals that methadone’s blockade of the inward rectifier potassium current and other ion channels promotes both early and delayed repolarization arrhythmias. By simulating methadone’s effects on cardiac electrophysiology, the study highlights the complex proarrhythmic mechanisms associated with methadone use, offering insights into its potential cardiac risks. These findings suggest that methadone-induced arrhythmias are not solely due to delayed repolarization, warranting careful E.C.G. monitoring in vulnerable patients.
Article 2: Interventional Partial Cavopulmonary Connection: Initial Clinical Experience With Acute Procedural up to Midterm Results.
Journal: Journal of the American Heart Association
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40996081
Summary: This study evaluates the initial clinical experience with interventional creation of a partial cavopulmonary connection in patients with isolated right-sided heart failure or cyanosis. The procedure was found to improve exercise capacity and facilitate activities of daily living in patients with deteriorated clinical condition. While surgical partial cavopulmonary connection creation may be a high-risk procedure in this patient group, the interventional approach offers a less invasive alternative.
Article 3: Trends and Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Maternal Cardiovascular Health in California.
Journal: Journal of the American Heart Association
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40996078
Summary: This analysis of California birth records from 2007 to 2019 reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal cardiovascular health, specifically hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The study found variations in the prevalence and trends of these disorders among different racial and ethnic groups. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities and improve maternal cardiovascular outcomes.
Article 4: Design of Black Impact: A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Mechanisms Underlying Psychosocial Stress Reduction in a Cardiovascular Health Intervention.
Journal: Journal of the American Heart Association
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40996070
Summary: This article describes the design of the Black Impact randomized controlled trial, a 24-week cardiovascular health intervention developed for Black men. The study aims to evaluate the mechanisms by which psychosocial stress reduction improves cardiovascular health outcomes in this population, as measured by the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 metrics. The trial is conducted through an academic-community-government-industry partnership.
Article 5: Static and Dynamic Effects of Stroke Onset on Depressive Symptoms in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Evidence Across 21 Countries.
Journal: Journal of the American Heart Association
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40996069
Summary: This pooled multicohort study across 21 countries examined the relationship between stroke and depressive symptoms in adults aged 50 years and older. The study found that stroke is associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for integrated mental health care following stroke. Both the initial stroke event and subsequent changes over time were found to impact depressive symptoms.
Transcript
Today’s date is September 28, 2025. Welcome to Cardiology Today. Here are the latest research findings.
Article number one. Methadone Blockade of Inward Rectifier Potassium Current Promotes Both Early and Delayed Repolarization Arrhythmias: Mechanistic Insights From Computational Modeling. This computational modeling study reveals that methadone’s blockade of the inward rectifier potassium current and other ion channels promotes both early and delayed repolarization arrhythmias. By simulating methadone’s effects on cardiac electrophysiology, the study highlights the complex proarrhythmic mechanisms associated with methadone use, offering insights into its potential cardiac risks. These findings suggest that methadone-induced arrhythmias are not solely due to delayed repolarization, warranting careful E.C.G. monitoring in vulnerable patients.
Article number two. Interventional Partial Cavopulmonary Connection: Initial Clinical Experience With Acute Procedural up to Midterm Results. This study evaluates the initial clinical experience with interventional creation of a partial cavopulmonary connection in patients with isolated right-sided heart failure or cyanosis. The procedure was found to improve exercise capacity and facilitate activities of daily living in patients with deteriorated clinical condition. While surgical partial cavopulmonary connection creation may be a high-risk procedure in this patient group, the interventional approach offers a less invasive alternative.
Article number three. Trends and Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Maternal Cardiovascular Health in California. This analysis of California birth records from 2007 to 2019 reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal cardiovascular health, specifically hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The study found variations in the prevalence and trends of these disorders among different racial and ethnic groups. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities and improve maternal cardiovascular outcomes.
Article number four. Design of Black Impact: A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Mechanisms Underlying Psychosocial Stress Reduction in a Cardiovascular Health Intervention. This article describes the design of the Black Impact randomized controlled trial, a 24-week cardiovascular health intervention developed for Black men. The study aims to evaluate the mechanisms by which psychosocial stress reduction improves cardiovascular health outcomes in this population, as measured by the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 metrics. The trial is conducted through an academic-community-government-industry partnership.
Article number five. Static and Dynamic Effects of Stroke Onset on Depressive Symptoms in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Evidence Across 21 Countries. This pooled multicohort study across 21 countries examined the relationship between stroke and depressive symptoms in adults aged 50 years and older. The study found that stroke is associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for integrated mental health care following stroke. Both the initial stroke event and subsequent changes over time were found to impact depressive symptoms.
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Keywords
longitudinal study, cardiac electrophysiology, preeclampsia, arrhythmia, cavopulmonary connection, psychosocial stress, Black men, public health, cardiovascular health, Life’s Essential 8, maternal cardiovascular health, exercise capacity, racial disparities, community intervention, potassium current, mental health, ethnic disparities, repolarization, depression, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, stroke, right heart failure, methadone, interventional procedure, cyanosis.
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