Intestinal Microbiota and Derived Metabolites in Myocardial Fibrosis and Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation.

The high incidence of atrial fibrillation (AFib) following cardiac surgery (postoperative atrial fibrillation, POAF) relies on specific surgical features. However, in the setting of POAF, the role of the microbiome in the modulation of cardiac fibrosis is still not clear. This study aimed to analyze the effect of the microbiome and its main metabolic product (trimethylamine-N-oxide, TMAO) in the fibrosis of myocardial tissue, to investigate its role in POAF. Patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, central atrio-caval cannulation and no history of AFib, were included. A fragment of the right atrium was analyzed for qualitative and mRNA-quantitative evaluation. A preoperative blood sample was analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 100 patients have been included, with POAF occurring in 38%. Histologically, a higher degree of fibrosis, angiogenesis and inflammation has been observed in POAF. Quantitative evaluation showed increased mRNA expression of collagen-1, collagen-3, fibronectin, and transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) in the POAF group. ELISA analysis showed higher levels of TMAO, lipopolysaccharide and TGFb in POAF, with similar levels of sP-selectin and zonulin. TMAO ≥ 61.8 ng/mL (odds ratio, OR 2.88 [1.35-6.16], p = 0.006), preoperative hemoglobin < 13.1 g/dL (OR 2.37 [1.07-5.24], p = 0.033) and impaired right ventricular function (OR 2.38 [1.17-4.83], p = 0.017) were independent predictors of POAF. Also, TMAO was significantly associated with POAF by means of increased fibrosis. Gut microbiome product TMAO is crucial for myocardial fibrosis, which is a key factor for POAF. Patients in preoperative sinus rhythm who will develop POAF have increased genetic expression of pro-fibrotic genes and enhanced fibrosis in histological staining. Elevated TMAO level (≥61.8 ng/mL) is an independent risk factor for POAF.

Treatment and Prophylaxis of Post-pericardiotomy Syndrome in Cardiac Surgery Patients: a Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Post-pericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is a common complication of cardiac surgery. This systematic review aimed to investigate the efficacy of colchicine, indomethacin, and dexamethasone in the treatment and prophylaxis of PPS. METHODS: Literature research was carried out using PubMed. Studies investigating ≥ 10 patients with clinically PPS treated with colchicine, dexamethasone, and indomethacin and compared with placebo were included. Animal or in vitro experiments, studies on < 10 patients, case reports, congress reports, and review articles were excluded. Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2) was used for the quality assessment of studies. RESULTS: Seven studies were included. Among studies with postoperative colchicine treatment, two of them demonstrated a significant reduction of PPS. In the single pre-surgery colchicine administration study, a decrease of PPS cases was registered. Indomethacin pre-surgery administration was linked to a reduction of PPS. No significant result emerged with preoperative dexamethasone intake. CONCLUSION: Better outcomes have been registered when colchicine and indomethacin were administered as primary prophylactic agents in preventing PPS and PE. Further RCT studies are needed to confirm these results.

Statin treatment and hypertrophic scarring after cardiac surgery.

Wound healing process after surgical procedure plays a crucial role to prevent blood loss and infections. Hypertrophic scars might occur after surgery and are generally associated with an inflammatory burden. Cardiac surgery is intrinsically related to a strong systemic inflammatory state that might favor hypertrophic scarring. Besides lipid-lowering effects, statins are known for their pleiotropic and anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of statins in the healing process after median sternotomy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. All patients undergoing major cardiac surgery with median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass, and subsequently evaluated in the outpatient clinic after discharge, were included in this study. A total of 930 Caucasian patients were retrospectively reviewed. At outpatient visit, 276 patients (29.7%) showed the formation of hypertrophic scars. Patients with hypertrophic scars tended to be younger (P = .001) and nonstatin users (P = .001). Logistic regression analysis confirmed the protective role of statins (odds ratio 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.29-0.53, P = .001), after adjustment for age. A dose-dependent effect was confirmed, showing a more intensive protective effect for higher doses of statins. Statin use might be correlated with reduced hypertrophic scars after cardiac surgery through median sternotomy. A dose-dependent effect has been shown, and statin effect seems to be independent of age in a selected population undergoing surgery with an elevated inflammatory burden. Although further studies are warranted to elucidate the biologic mechanisms, the concept of using statins as anti-scarring agents is novel and should be investigated with tailored studies.

Development and Test of a Portable ECG Device with Dry Capacitive Electrodes and Driven Right Leg Circuit.

The use of wearable sensors for health monitoring is rapidly growing. Over the past decade, wearable technology has gained much attention from the tech industry for commercial reasons and the interest of researchers and clinicians for reasons related to its potential benefit on patients' health. Wearable devices use advanced and specialized sensors able to monitor not only activity parameters, such as heart rate or step count, but also physiological parameters, such as heart electrical activity or blood pressure. Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring is becoming one of the most attractive health-related features of modern smartwatches, and, because cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death globally, the use of a smartwatch to monitor patients could greatly impact the disease outcomes on health care systems. Commercial wearable devices are able to record just single-lead ECG using a couple of metallic contact dry electrodes. This kind of measurement can be used only for arrhythmia diagnosis. For the diagnosis of other cardiac disorders, additional ECG leads are required. In this study, we characterized an electronic interface to be used with multiple contactless capacitive electrodes in order to develop a wearable ECG device able to perform several lead measurements. We verified the ability of the electronic interface to amplify differential biopotentials and to reject common-mode signals produced by electromagnetic interference (EMI). We developed a portable device based on the studied electronic interface that represents a prototype system for further developments. We evaluated the performances of the developed device. The signal-to-noise ratio of the output signal is favorable, and all the features needed for a clinical evaluation (P waves, QRS complexes and T waves) are clearly readable.

Advances in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Therapy in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease: Insight into Patient Selection, Management, and Future Directions.

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease is the most common congenital abnormality and is characterized by a risk of premature aortic valve disease, predominantly aortic stenosis. Surgery remains the treatment of choice for patients with symptomatic BAV disease, but, in patients who are unsuitable for surgical aortic valve replacement, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is currently used as an alternative to surgery, although there is no official recommendation for their management, since BAV patients with severe aortic stenosis have been excluded from the major TAVR randomized clinical trials. Patients with BAV stenosis present anatomic challenges for treatment with TAVR. The BAV annulus often has an elliptical shape and is larger than the tricuspid valve, and is more likely to exhibit severe eccentric calcification. In addition, BAV is often associated with a dilated, horizontal ascending aorta, and effaced sinuses. The calcified raphe may also place differential stress on the expansion of the transcatheter valve, increasing the risk of suboptimal positioning and consequently the risk of paravalvular leakage, new pacemaker implantation, new-onset left bundle branch block, and annular rupture. Moreover, coronary obstruction may occur when leaflet fusion results in a longer leaflet. Although some of these challenges have been successfully overcome using new-generation devices, the complication rate is still relatively high and requires a deeper understanding of the patient's specific complex and variable anatomy. Selection of the type and size of the transcatheter valve according to the patient's individual anatomy is critical to achieving successful results. Therefore, given the increasing frequency of BAV stenosis in younger patients, and the worldwide expansion in the application of TAVR in younger and lower surgical-risk patients, preprocedural multimodality imaging involving CT scan and three-dimensional echocardiography is mandatory to understand the complex and variable anatomy of BAV disease and improve both procedural results and short- and long-term outcomes in these patients.

3D Printing in Cardiovascular Disease: Current Applications and Future Perspectives.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is emerging as an innovative tool for a tailored approach to endovascular or open procedures. The efforts of different specialists and data analysis can be used to fabricate patient-specific implants, which might have significant impact even in life-saving procedures such as aortic dissections or aortic arch aneurysm. 3D printing is gradually changing the traditional pattern of diagnosis and treatment. This innovative approach allows a perfect match between the patient's anatomy and the prosthetic graft, ideally resulting in better hemodynamics and improved long-term patency related to reduced turbulent flow. Future applications of 3D printing in the cardiovascular field combined with tissue engineering will enhance the therapeutic features of bioprinted tissues and scaffolds for regenerative medicine. This review will summarize the clinical significance of 3D printing in cardiovascular disease, exploring current applications, translational outlooks and future perspectives.

Systolic Anterior Motion (SAM) Complicating Mitral Valve Repair: Current Concepts of Intraoperative and Postoperative Management.

Mitral valve repair is the gold standard for treatment of degenerative mitral regurgitation, such as that caused by leaflet prolapse, flail or annular dilatation. A variety of surgical techniques allow surgeons to achieve a high rate of success with mitral valve repair, even in complex cases, and mitral valve repair is associated with better long-term outcomes than valve replacement. However, in the setting of mitral valve surgical repair, systolic anterior motion (SAM) is a complication that determines the dynamic anterior movement of the mitral valve towards the interventricular septum during systole, and creates a left ventricular outflow tract obstruction associated with residual mitral regurgitation. Awareness of risk factors for SAM influences operative planning for repair. Predictors of SAM are known and can be definitively evaluated with intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, but SAM still complicates mitral valve repair and, if untreated, negatively impacts short-term and long-term outcomes. A stepwise approach in SAM correction is advocated, consisting of medical therapy with aggressive volume-loading and beta-adrenoceptor blockade, but severe or persistent SAM requires surgical revision with a second cross-clamping or a redo procedure. The correct choice of surgical technique requires a deep understanding of the anatomical substrate of SAM, as SAM can be due to different mechanisms that require tailored surgical correction to avoid ineffective or potentially dangerous procedures. This paper reviews the mechanisms and predictors of SAM and summarizes the current concepts of intraoperative and postoperative SAM management.

Deep Sternal Wound Infection (DSWI) and Mediastinitis After Cardiac Surgery: Current Approaches and Future Trends in Prevention and Management.

Median sternotomy is the most common access for cardiac surgery. Deep surgical wound infection (DSWI) and mediastinitis after median sternotomy remain significant clinical problems after cardiac surgery in terms of mortality, morbidity and healthcare-associated costs. Despite recent advances in medical management and consensus papers, their incidence ranges from 1% to 5%, and the associated mortality ranges from 20% to 50%. Recent studies in this field are providing excellent outcomes with promising results for the near future. The choice of sternal closure technique plays a crucial role in the prevention of DSWI and mediastinitis and should be tailored to the patient's characteristics, as clinical judgement and experience play a pivotal role. Early aggressive surgical debridement, vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy, muscle flap and newer technologies are revolutionizing the paradigm of treatment of DSWI. Also, recent advances in tissue engineering have been refining potential approaches to tissue regeneration or substitution for enhanced wound repair. This editorial aims to briefly summarize the current and future techniques in DSWI prevention and treatment after cardiac surgery.

Pressure ulcers in cardiac surgery: Few clinical studies, difficult risk assessment, and profound clinical implications.

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a common complication after cardiac surgery, with almost one third of patients suffering from PUs during hospitalisation. Because of the burden that PUs exert on both the patients and the health care system, prevention is of utmost importance. The first step in successful prevention, however, includes the identification of the main features that render patients prone to PU development. Cardiac surgery population is not adequately addressed in current clinical trials and studies. Few studies focused specifically on cardiac surgery patients, but the majority included cardiac surgery patients within a heterogeneous population of acute or critical care patients. Therefore, additional research is warranted to understand the unique risk profile of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Intraoperative risk factors that affect tissue tolerance have not been thoroughly investigated but are likely to play an important role, which might explain the epidemiology of a PU. Further research is also needed to better comprehend the risk of PUs among cardiac surgery patients and to design effective and tailored preventative measures with the help of newer tools for risk assessment.

Hybrid Coronary Revascularization: An Attractive Alternative Between Actual Results and Future Trends.

Optimal revascularization strategy in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease remains a matter of debate, with advantages and disadvantages in both surgical and percutaneous procedures. A combined approach to achieve coronary revascularization, termed "hybrid coronary revascularization" (HCR), has been recently introduced in clinical practice. HCR is defined as a scheduled combination of surgical left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending (LIMA-LAD) grafting and percutaneous treatment of at least one non-LAD coronary arteries, with both procedures planned and performed within a defined time limit. HCR is indicated in case of both proximal LAD disease eligible to surgical LIMA-LAD grafting and non-LAD disease amenable to percutaneous procedures. Reviews and metanalysis of the literature showed that HCR is non-inferior to conventional surgical myocardial revascularization, and in case of high-risk patients, HCR can be the ideal option. However, the various technical approaches and time-related steps need to be further evaluated. Present and future research in interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery will turn into parallel improvements in HCR procedures. Surgical revascularization with off-pump techniques and minimally-invasive approaches, scoring systems such as SYNTAX II, tools evaluating the hemodynamic significance of atherosclerotic plaques with physiology-based approaches such as fractional flow reserve and instantaneous wave-free ratio, newer generation drug eluting stents, newer antiplatelet agents, and therapies might improve indications and clinical outcomes after HCR procedures. This article reviews the current literature on HCR and aims to provide an overview about future developments.

Successful Valve Prolapse Repair for Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: Combined Papillary Muscle Approximation and Mitral Chordae System Replacement.

Mitral valve prolapse occurs in 33.6% of patients undergoing surgery for ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). In the context of IMR, reparative strategy cannot disregard the underlying mechanism of pathogenesis and the progressive geometric alteration affecting left ventricle and papillary muscles. We present a case of extended mitral prolapse of the posteromedial commissure and A3 concomitant to chordal injury after inferior myocardial infarction. We propose a combined sequential approach including papillary muscle approximation and a mitral chordae system replacement.

Nickel allergy induced systemic reaction to an intracardiac amplatzer device.

Nickel hypersensitivity is reported in about 10-15% of the general population and manifests mainly with dermatological signs. Chest discomfort, palpitations, signs and symptoms of pericarditis, and migraine are symptoms reported in rare cases of nickel hypersensitivity after implantation of a cardiac device made of nickel. We present the case of a patient with a nickel allergy from an Amplatzer device in which the removal of the device produced resolution of the symptoms.

Impact of structural valve deterioration on outcomes in the cryopreserved mitral homograft valve.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the outcomes of the cryopreserved mitral homograft in 110 patients prospectively followed with clinical, echocardiographic and structural valve deterioration (SVD) assessments. METHODS: The etiology of mitral disease was: rheumatic disease (n = 70), endocarditis (n = 33), and others (n = 7). There were 31 partial homografts and 79 total homografts. Mitro-aortic homograft valve replacement was performed in 29 cases. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 9.8 ± 6.3 years (up to 19.2 years). There were seven early (<3 months) and 13 late deaths. There have been nine early (<3 months) and 24 late reoperations. Postoperatively, nine patients had endocarditis and six had an ischemic event. As compared to baseline, follow-up echocardiography showed progression of MR grade (from 0.4 to 1.3 p < 0.001) with stenosis (elevated gradient: from 3.9 to 7.0 mmHg p < 0.001 and decreased valve area: from 2.3 to 1.7 cm(2) p < 0.001). The proportion of freedom from SVD was 90%, 76%, and 65% at five years, 10 years, and 15 years, respectively. SVD was more frequent in pregnant patients (p = 0.016 vs. no pregnancy) and in patients with a ring smaller than 30 mm. Stenosis related to SVD was more pronounced for age <40 years and ring size 30 mm. Mitral-aortic homograft valve replacement was the preferred choice in complex infective endocarditis. Pathological analysis of the explanted homografts almost invariably showed dense fibrosis with calcification and no cellularity. CONCLUSION: Mitral homografts have early echocardiographic results similar to those of valve repair. SVD produced mixed stenosis with insufficiency and its incidence was comparable to that of bioprosthetic SVD. An improvement in the preservation mode of valvular homografts is warranted.

Downsizing annuloplasty in ischemic mitral regurgitation: double row overlapping suture to avoid ring disinsertion in valve repair.

The long-term outcomes of undersizing annuloplasty for the treatment of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is affected by the progressive dilation of the annulus, which carries increased risk for ring disinsertion. Reasons underlying this phenomenon might be found in the excess of physical stress on the annuloplasty sutures during the ventricular remodeling process. We report a technique based on the placement of a double row of overlapping sutures aiming at reducing the potential for ring disinsertion. Eleven patients with IMR undergoing mitral valve repair associated with coronary bypass grafting were treated with this technique and echocardiographically followed up at 6 and 12 months. The overall annular dimension decreased significantly with a significant reduction of the tenting area and no recurrence of mitral regurgitation at 1 year. A double row of overlapping sutures allowed firm attachment of the prosthetic ring while downsizing the annulus in IMR, limiting the consequences of changes in subannular ventricular geometry. This technique might therefore be considered a useful aid during mitral valve repair.

Aortic valve homograft: 10-year experience.

The first aortic valve homograft was implanted by Sir Donald Ross in 1962. Since then, over 25,000 aortic homografts have been implanted worldwide. Unfortunately, the current cryopreservation method promotes a degenerative process leading to progressive homograft fibrosis and calcification. Valve durability of fresh allografts appears to be superior to cryopreserved grafts. The main indications of aortic valve replacement with a homograft are endocarditis, rheumatic disease, bicuspid and dystrophic aortopathies. Our experience with 210 aortic homografts implanted over a 10-year period is reported. We describe the different implantation techniques with particular emphasis on the current technique of choice, namely homograft root replacement. Approximately one-fourth of all aortic homografts will experience structural valve deterioration at 12 years. Structural homograft valve deterioration translates predominately into valve insufficiency and less frequently into stenosis. Young recipient age it appears is the major determinant of reoperation. Predictors of early and late mortality are discussed.

Cardiovascular Effects of Cosmic Radiation and Microgravity.

Recent spaceflights involving nonprofessional people have opened the doors to the suborbital space tourism business. However, they have also drawn public attention to the safety and hazards associated with space travel. Unfortunately, space travel involves a myriad of health risks for people, ranging from DNA damage caused by radiation exposure to the hemodynamic changes that occur when living in microgravity. In fact, the primary pathogenetic role is attributed to cosmic radiation, since deep space lacks the protective benefit of Earth's magnetic shielding. The second risk factor for space-induced pathologies is microgravity, which may affect organ function and cause a different distribution of fluid inside the human body. Both cosmic radiation and microgravity may lead to the alteration of cellular homeostasis and molecular changes in cell function. These, in turn, might have a direct impact on heart function and structure. The aim of this review is to draw attention to the fact that spaceflights constitute a novel frontier in biomedical research. We summarize the most important clinical and experimental evidence regarding the cardiovascular effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity. Finally, we highlight that unraveling the mechanisms underlying how space radiation and microgravity affect the cardiovascular system is crucial for identifying potential countermeasures and developing effective therapeutic strategies.

Intrathecal dexamethasone as an adjuvant for spinal anesthesia: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal anesthesia is a common anesthetic technique for lower limb and abdominal surgery. Despite its efficacy, its use is limited because of its duration and potential severe side effects, especially in high-risk patients undergoing major surgery. Adjuvants such as dexamethasone offer the potential to prolong the anesthetic effect and reduce the need for local anesthetics while reducing the incidence of serious adverse events. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone as an intrathecal adjuvant in prolonging anesthetic duration, delaying pain onset, and minimizing adverse events (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022350218). EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We included randomized controlled trials conducted in adult patients undergoing spinal anesthesia for lower limb or abdominal surgery and comparing the performance of dexamethasone with alternative spinal treatments. A comprehensive systematic search was conducted on PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Cochrane Library from February to June 2023 without language restriction. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (RoB2). EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Ten studies, nine of which were at high risk of bias, were included (N.=685 patients). Overall, intrathecal dexamethasone was associated with a longer duration of sensory block, improvement in the duration or extent of postoperative analgesia, and significant shortening of block onset. The role of dexamethasone in prolonging motor block was not clear. The incidence of adverse events was low. Intrathecal dexamethasone has been shown to be a potentially valuable adjuvant to prolong the duration of sensory block and improve postoperative analgesia without increasing adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Given the wide heterogeneity of methodological approaches, further investigation is needed. Considering the limitations of the included studies and awaiting more conclusive evidence, the prudent use of dexamethasone could be recommended in those specific situations where general anesthesia or higher local anesthetics should be avoided.

Heart Disease and Microgravity: The Dawn of a New Medical Era?: A Narrative Review.

After a decline in interest in space missions following the cessation of the Apollo missions, there has been a recent resurgence. Activities on the International Space Station have raised awareness of a positive resumption of space travel to more challenging destinations such as Mars and a possible adaptation of human life on the Moon. The biological and physiological studies conducted on these stations in low Earth orbit are crucial in familiarizing humanity with the potential problems that can arise during long journeys. Cosmic rays and microgravity are the 2 main negative phenomena in space flights. Microgravity in the interplanetary environment plays a special role in altering normal organic processes. These studies are compared to studies conducted on Earth with laboratory technologies that mimic the space environment. To date, the molecular and physiological adaptations of the human body to this unnatural environment are very poor. The aim of this review is therefore to provide an overview of the most important findings on the molecular and physiological anomalies that develop during microgravity in short and long space flights.

Perioperative Right Ventricular Dysfunction and Abnormalities of the Tricuspid Valve Apparatus in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction frequently occurs after cardiac surgery and is linked to adverse postoperative outcomes, including mortality, reintubation, stroke, and prolonged ICU stays. While various criteria using echocardiography and hemodynamic parameters have been proposed, a consensus remains elusive. Distinctive RV anatomical features include its thin wall, which presents a triangular shape in a lateral view and a crescent shape in a cross-sectional view. Principal causes of RV dysfunction after cardiac surgery encompass ischemic reperfusion injury, prolonged ischemic time, choice of cardioplegia and its administration, cardiopulmonary bypass weaning characteristics, and preoperative risk factors. Post-left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation RV dysfunction is common but often transient, with a favorable prognosis upon resolution. There is an ongoing debate regarding the benefits of concomitant surgical repair of the RV in the presence of regurgitation. According to the literature, the gold standard techniques for assessing RV function are cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and hemodynamic assessment using thermodilution. Echocardiography is widely favored for perioperative RV function evaluation due to its accessibility, reproducibility, non-invasiveness, and cost-effectiveness. Although other techniques exist for RV function assessment, they are less common in clinical practice. Clinical management strategies focus on early detection and include intravenous drugs (inotropes and vasodilators), inhalation drugs (pulmonary vasodilators), ventilator strategies, volume management, and mechanical support. Bridging research gaps in this field is crucial to improving clinical outcomes associated with RV dysfunction in the near future.

Panoramic on Epigenetics in Coronary Artery Disease and the Approach of Personalized Medicine.

Epigenetic modifications play a fundamental role in the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). This panoramic review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in CAD pathogenesis and highlights the potential implications for personalized medicine approaches. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes that do not influence alterations in the DNA sequence of the genome. It has been shown that epigenetic processes, including DNA/histone methylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation, play an important role. Additionally, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs are also involved in epigenetics, regulating gene expression patterns in response to various environmental factors and lifestyle choices. In the context of CAD, epigenetic alterations contribute to the dysregulation of genes involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and vascular function. These epigenetic changes can occur during early developmental stages and persist throughout life, predisposing individuals to an increased risk of CAD. Furthermore, in recent years, the concept of personalized medicine has gained significant attention. Personalized medicine aims to tailor medical interventions based on an individual's unique genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. In the context of CAD, understanding the interplay between genetic variants and epigenetic modifications holds promise for the development of more precise diagnostic tools, risk stratification models, and targeted therapies. This review summarizes the current knowledge of epigenetic mechanisms in CAD and discusses the fundamental principles of personalized medicine.