About this Research Topic

Background

Understanding brain-heart axis, often known as neuro-cardiology, has become a popular research area in recent years. Brain–heart interactions merit particular attention in stroke, as previous studies have shown a reciprocal bi-directional association between acute ischemic stroke and cardiovascular disorders such as atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Although basic research has identified some pathophysiological mechanisms involved in stroke-heart interactions, a better understanding of these communication pathways is necessary to identify potential targets for innovative preventive and therapeutic strategies. In this context, the contributions of autonomic neuronal dysregulation, gut dysbiosis, and inflammatory and immunological responses to the emergence of post-stroke cardiovascular complications have received less attention and require further research. Moreover, considerable breakthroughs have been made in pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies for primary and secondary stroke prevention in patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially those with atrial fibrillation. However, there are still some unanswered questions regarding the optimal dosage as well as the long-term efficacy and safety of such treatments.

This Research Topic aims at highlighting the most recent advances and research contributing to understanding the interface of stroke and cardiovascular diseases, thus helping the development of new preventative and therapeutic strategies for post-stroke cardiovascular complications, and also for stroke prevention in people with cardiovascular diseases. Our goal is to provide a spotlight for basic, translational, and clinical studies looking into stroke-heart interactions.

We welcome the submission of any type of manuscript supported by the journal (including Original Research, Review, etc.) pertaining but not limited to the following themes:
- Therapeutic strategies for both primary and secondary stroke prevention in patients with cardiovascular disorders: pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies
- Shared and overlapping risk factors for ischemic stroke and cardiovascular diseases
- Epidemiology, mechanisms, and treatment of cardio-cerebral infarction (synchronous or metachronous acute myocardial infarction and acute ischemic stroke)
- Epidemiology and mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction in ischemic stroke
- Coronary artery disease evaluation in stroke patients with intracranial or extracranial atherosclerotic disease
- Therapeutic strategies for reducing the incidence of cardiovascular complications after stroke: pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies
- Biomarkers for detection of post-stroke atrial fibrillation and atrial cardiopathy
- Prolonged cardiac monitoring (PCM) for post-stroke atrial fibrillation detection
- Clinical devices and biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of post-stroke cardiovascular complications
- Mechanisms of heart failure related to brain ischemia
- The role of extracellular vesicles released after stroke, on heart dysfunction
- The relationships among heart dysfunction, blood-brain-barrier impairment, and brain damage induced by stroke
- Novel imaging that evaluates the heart-brain axis in ischemic stroke

Dr. Ching-Hui Sia has received research funding from AstraZeneca. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.

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
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: interactions, heart, brain, communication, stroke

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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