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Open Access Case Report
Diagnosis of acute myocarditis with myocardial delayed enhancement on CTA: a case report
The diagnosis of acute myocarditis requires the exclusion of coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary CTA (computed tomography angiography) is usually used to evaluate the coronary arteries in young patients. However, the use of coronary CTA for the diagnosis of myocarditis has been rarely reported. Here we present a Han male clinical myocarditis patient who was 18 years old, had a focus of enhancement in the subcardia, and predominantly involving the lateral wall of the left ventricle with iodinated contrast in coronary CTA. The patient was diagnosed with myocarditis. Immunoglobulin, vitamin C antioxidant, and myocardial nutrition were given to the patient for treatment. During follow-up, the patient’s myocardial enzymes gradually decreased to normal, and the original symptoms disappeared. As a non-invasive rapid examination method that can evaluate coronary artery and myocardial lesions at the same time, the utility of myocardial delayed enhancement on CTA may warrant further investigation.
Open Access Systematic Review
Emerging cardiac CT biomarkers: a systematic review of diagnostic and prognostic utility in cardiovascular disease
Background: Cardiac computed tomography (CT) has evolved from an anatomic test to a platform that quantifies functional, inflammatory, and tissue-characterization biomarkers. We synthesized evidence on the diagnostic and prognostic value of CT-based biomarkers. Methods: Systematic review of 29 human studies (2015–2025) appraising low-attenuation plaque (LAP), perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI/PCAT), total/non-calcified plaque burden, epicardial adipose tissue, CT-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR-CT), and CT myocardial perfusion. Study quality was assessed with risk of bias (RoB) 2.0, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and AMSTAR 2. Results: CT biomarkers extended risk assessment beyond stenosis severity. LAP burden > 4% predicted myocardial infarction (MI) [hazard ratio (HR) 4.65; 95% CI 2.06–10.5] and per-doubling LAP predicted MI (HR 1.60; 95% CI 1.10–2.34). Perivascular FAI/PCAT showed independent prognostic value: high FAI was associated with ~2-fold higher cardiac mortality (derivation HR 2.15, validation HR 2.06), and RCA PCAT ≥ −70.5 Hounsfield unit (HU) predicted MI (HR 2.45) with additive risk when combined with high-risk plaque (HRP) features (reported up to ~6-fold vs. reference). FFR-CT achieved up to 81% diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity ~86%, specificity ~79%) vs. invasive FFR, improving specificity over CTA alone. Emerging metrics (e.g., total plaque volume, CT perfusion) demonstrated incremental discrimination in selected cohorts, though standardization remains variable. Discussion: CT-based biomarkers provide measurable diagnostic and prognostic information on coronary anatomy, function, inflammation, and tissue health. Priorities include standardized acquisition/analysis, multicenter validation, and integration into decision pathways to optimize individualized risk stratification and therapy.
Open Access Review
Comparison of short-term and long-term effects of peroral L-carnitine intake: clinical implications of elevated TMAO levels in cardiovascular complications
L-Carnitine (LC) is integral to energy production and fatty acid metabolism, facilitating the transport of long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for β-oxidation. It modulates metabolic pathways, including pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, proteolysis, and protein synthesis, while also having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. LC can be commonly applied to win the battle against HIV and cancer cachexia. Also, it can be recruited with the aim of improving physical and cognitive functions in athletes and the elderly. Despite these benefits, long-term LC administration has been associated to cardiovascular risks due its conversion to trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) by the gut microbiota. Elevated TMAO levels are linked to atherosclerosis, oxidative stress, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Managing TMAO levels using dietary treatments and gut microbiota-targeting techniques, such as probiotics, may reduce these risks. This comprehensive review presents the state-of-the-art information on LC’s dual role, emphasizing the balance between its therapeutic potential and the risks of prolonged supplementation. It aims to guide clinicians and researchers in optimizing LC’s benefits while addressing its long term cardiovascular safety concerns.

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Open Access Case Report
EKOS failure with INARI salvage in massive pulmonary embolism: a literature review and case report
Ahmad Jalil ... Aiman Rehman
Published: January 05, 2026 Explor Cardiol. 2026;4:101285
123 10 0
Open Access Systematic Review
Long-term cardiovascular sequelae of COVID-19 in patients with pre-existing heart failure: a systematic review
Razieh Parizad ... Bishav Mohan
Published: January 04, 2026 Explor Cardiol. 2026;4:101284
178 16 0
Open Access Review
Multimodality cardiac imaging and management of infective endocarditis: a review
Tess Calcagno ... Tom Kai Ming Wang
Published: November 19, 2025 Explor Cardiol. 2025;3:101282
930 64 0
Open Access Original Article
Burden of premature atrial contraction as a predictor of recurrence after atrial fibrillation ablation
Ruben Hoffmann ... Pieter Koopman
Published: November 13, 2025 Explor Cardiol. 2025;3:101281
1381 62 0
Open Access Perspective
Lung water and coronary flow as complementary signals in aortic valve replacement
Marco Fabio Costantino ... Gianpaolo D’Addeo
Published: November 11, 2025 Explor Cardiol. 2025;3:101280
753 67 0
Open Access Review
Why and when should be lipoprotein(a) level measured?
Miłosz Broncel, Marlena Broncel
Published: December 29, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:180–192
20501 82 1
Open Access Review
Comparison of short-term and long-term effects of peroral L-carnitine intake: clinical implications of elevated TMAO levels in cardiovascular complications
Harsahaj Singh Wilkhoo ... Adnan Akhtar Shaikh
Published: February 10, 2025 Explor Cardiol. 2025;3:101250
19366 355 3
Open Access Review
Oxidized low-density lipoproteins and their contribution to atherosclerosis
Abdullatif Taha Babakr
Published: January 17, 2025 Explor Cardiol. 2025;3:101246
This article belongs to the special issue Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Aging
12721 341 1
Open Access Editorial
Who is the author: genuine, honorary, ghost, gold, and fake authors?
Eugenio Picano
Published: May 13, 2024 Explor Cardiol. 2024;2:88–96
12424 205 7
Open Access Review
B-lines by lung ultrasound in cardiology
Marco Antonio Rodrigues Torres, Natália Moraes de Quevedo
Published: November 14, 2024 Explor Cardiol. 2024;2:265–279
This article belongs to the special issue Multimodality Imaging in Ischemic Heart Disease
11369 268 2
Open Access Review
Fungal endocarditis: microbial insights, diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in the modern era
Sudeep Edpuganti
Published: July 23, 2025 Explor Cardiol. 2025;3:101264
11195 210 3
Open Access Review
Echocardiographic Management of papillary muscle rupture during acute myocardial infarction
Paolo G. Pino ... Federico Nardi
Published: January 10, 2025 Explor Cardiol. 2025;3:101242
9252 366 0
Open Access Review
Comparison of short-term and long-term effects of peroral L-carnitine intake: clinical implications of elevated TMAO levels in cardiovascular complications
Harsahaj Singh Wilkhoo ... Adnan Akhtar Shaikh
Published: February 10, 2025 Explor Cardiol. 2025;3:101250
19366 355 3
Open Access Editorial
Who is a reviewer? The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly phenotypes
Eugenio Picano
Published: January 23, 2025 Explor Cardiol. 2025;3:101248
6134 345 0
Open Access Review
Oxidized low-density lipoproteins and their contribution to atherosclerosis
Abdullatif Taha Babakr
Published: January 17, 2025 Explor Cardiol. 2025;3:101246
This article belongs to the special issue Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Aging
12721 341 1
Open Access Original Article
Heart rate variability in soccer players and the application of unsupervised machine learning
Wollner Materko ... Carlos Alberto Machado de Oliveira Figueira
Published: January 10, 2025 Explor Cardiol. 2025;3:101241
This article belongs to the special issue Exploring Exercise Cardiology: from Molecules to Humans
5345 322 1
Open Access Review
Noninvasive identification and therapeutic implications of supernormal left ventricular contractile phenotype
Yi Wang, Lixue Yin
Published: June 17, 2024 Explor Cardiol. 2024;2:97–113
4537 52 8
Open Access Review
Laboratory markers of metabolic syndrome
Filipa Morgado ... Leonel Pereira
Published: June 24, 2024 Explor Cardiol. 2024;2:114–133
This article belongs to the special issue Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Aging
9920 201 8
Open Access Editorial
Who is the author: genuine, honorary, ghost, gold, and fake authors?
Eugenio Picano
Published: May 13, 2024 Explor Cardiol. 2024;2:88–96
12424 205 7
Open Access Original Article
Normal physiologic coronary flow velocity gradient across the left anterior descending artery in healthy asymptomatic subjects
Fausto Rigo ... Maurizio Agnoletto
Published: August 31, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:42–48
4296 50 4
Open Access Review
Toxic metals in pregnancy and congenital heart defects. Insights and new perspectives for a technology-driven reduction in food sources
Francesca Gorini, Alessandro Tonacci
Published: November 13, 2023 Explor Cardiol. 2023;1:114–140
This article belongs to the special issue Environmental Cardiology
5954 61 4
Open Access Original Article
Nanoparticles loaded with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor SGI-1027 decrease murine atherosclerosis and inflammation in cultured human macrophages
Ana Cristina Márquez-Sánchez ... Silvio Zaina
Published: April 10, 2024 Explor Cardiol. 2024;2:49–66
4025 45 4

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