Infectious diseases, particularly respiratory infections, have a profound impact on cardiovascular risk among populations. Acute respiratory infections, such as those caused by influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and bacterial pneumonias as pneumococcal, are triggers for major adverse cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction and stroke. Basic and translational studies are gradually elucidating the pathways by which pathogen-driven inflammation, immune system activation, and resultant vascular dysfunction contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis, plaque destabilization, and thrombosis. This evolving understanding mandates cardiologists to consider infection and inflammation as critical, modifiable risk factors, with immunization taking a central role in contemporary cardiovascular prevention strategies.
This Research Topic welcomes submissions of comprehensive research and authoritative reviews that encompass the mechanistic foundations, epidemiological patterns, and clinical applications relevant to the interplay between infection, immunity, and cardiovascular disease. We are interested in contributions ranging from original bench research to real-world implementation science, particularly those addressing practical and policy considerations for enhancing vaccine uptake amongst cardiovascular patients.
Scope of Research:
o Inflammation and Cardiovascular Risk:
o Detailed exploration of molecular mechanisms by which infection-triggered inflammation may accelerate atherosclerosis and increase thrombotic events.
o Epidemiological Trends:
o Analysis of population-based evidence linking respiratory infections to both acute and long-term cardiovascular outcomes.
o Vaccination Strategies:
o Impact assessment of influenza, pneumococcal, RSV, and herpes zoster vaccines on cardiovascular event reduction.
o Examination of direct and indirect evidence regarding the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in minimizing cardiac complications.
o Prevention and Implementation:
o Overcoming vaccine hesitancy through strategic communication and recognizing the role cardiologists play in advocating adult immunization.
o Analysis of barriers to vaccine uptake within high-risk cohorts, drawing lessons from recent epidemics.
o Clinical Applications:
o Translational and clinical research informing cardiovascular risk reduction through infectious disease prevention efforts.
o Role of frailty in modulating cardiovascular vulnerability to infections, vaccine response, and clinical outcomes.
o Evaluation of immunization strategies tailored for frail populations and older adults, considering the intersection between aging, comorbidities, and immunosenescence.
o Identification of clinical and functional markers of frailty that may guide personalized infection prevention strategies in cardiovascular care
The integral goal of this Research Topic is to deepen understanding and stimulate the development of interdisciplinary strategies that embed infection prevention into comprehensive cardiovascular care. By encouraging collaboration across diverse research domains, this initiative aims to enhance patient outcomes through a unified approach integrating infectious disease management with cardiovascular health.
*Topic Editor Dr. Warren-Gash receives financial support for research from Open Philanthropy, and her research is funded by a Wellcome Career Development Award. Dr. Garcia-Zamora reports no competing interests related to this Research Topic.*
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Case Report
Clinical Trial
Editorial
FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
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Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
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