Clinically, donor hearts cannot be preserved for >6 hours between explantation and recipient implantation. A better approach is needed to preserve donor hearts for a longer time. We tested whether low-flow perfusion (LFP) could satisfactorily preserve isolated rat hearts with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution or Fuwai modified (FWM) solution. We divided ...

Heart failure (HF) often presents as dyspnea either with exertion and/or recumbency. Patients also experience dependent swelling and fatigue. Measurement of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) identifies HF patients who may respond to pharmacologic therapy and/or electrophysiologic device implantation. Angiotension converting enzyme inhibitors, beta blockers, and aldosterone inhibitors can ...

Cardiac arrhythmias comprise of a heterogenous group of disorders which manifest in a wide range of clinical presentations. They can be associated with underlying cardiac disease and portend a grave prognosis, with some arrhythmias being rapidly fatal. Other arrhythmias, however are relatively benign and can be asymptomatic or may be ...

The use of continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have markedly improved outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure (HF). The HeartWare LVAD is a miniaturized centrifugal pump implanted within the pericardial space. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are susceptible to oversensing of extracardiac signals (electromagnetic interference [EMI]). We report two cases ...

The purpose of this investigation is to use a computational model to compare a synchronized valveless pulsatile left ventricular assist device with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices at the same level of device flow, and to verify the model with in vivo porcine data. A dynamic system model of ...

The multilayer, helical arrangement of myofibers within the left ventricular myocardium forms the fundamental basis of the complex, multidimensional deformation of the left ventricle during the cardiac cycle. Echocardiographic characterization of the different components of this dynamic process not only provides a means to quantify the myocardial contractile function but ...

Rats treated with isoproterenol (ISO, 85 mg/kg, sc, twice at an interval of 24 h) showed a significant increase in heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, pressure rate index, ST elevation on ECG, and a significant increase in the levels of cardiac marker enzymes- lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase in ...

The exact survival rates and markers of survival after postoperative cardiac arrest in children with congenital heart abnormalities are unknown. In this one-year study, we identified children younger than seven years of age with postoperative cardiac arrest in our pediatric cardiac intensive care unit database. Parameters from perioperative, pre-arrest, and ...

Myocardial restoration using tissue-engineered grafts to regenerate the ischemic myocardium offers improved donor cell retention, yet a limited cell survival resulting from poor vascularization needs to be addressed. A cell type derived from the subamnion, namely, cord-lining mesenchymal stem cells (CL-MSC), has recently been identified. Here we present a restorative ...

BACKGROUND: Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can lead to cor pulmonale and emphysema and is associated with impaired left ventricular (LV) filling. We evaluated whether emphysema and airflow obstruction would be associated with changes in right ventricular (RV) structure and function and whether these associations would differ by smoking status. ...

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transfected by integrin-linked kinase (ILK) transplantation may improve the function and compliance of the post-infarct cardiac ventricle. We investigated the effect of ILK-modified MSC contiditioned medium (ILK-MSC-CM) on the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFBs) and collagen synthesis in vitro and in vivo. Myocardial infarction (MI)-induced animals received mesenchymal ...

PURPOSE: To perform myocardial T1 mapping pre- and post-gadolinium (Gd) administration and determine the volume of distribution of Gd (VdGd ) in patients with cardiac amyloidosis to assess extracellular space expansion from amyloid protein deposition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T1 mapping was performed before contrast and 20 minutes following bolus administration ...

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on the concordance of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) obtained via solid state dedicated cardiac cameras (SSD) and gated cardiac blood pool scans (GCBPS). This study aimed to examine the agreement of LVEF measured during GCBPS and Tl-201 myocardial perfusion scans (MPS) using SSD. METHODS: ...

BACKGROUND: Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) and atrial ablation currently lack a noninvasive imaging modality for reliable treatment planning and monitoring. Electromechanical Wave Imaging (EWI) is an ultrasound-based method that has previously been shown to be capable of noninvasively and transmurally mapping the activation sequence of the heart in animal studies ...

We report the case of a patient with a previously implanted pacemaker, who suffered cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) manoeuvres and electrical cardioversion to restore sinus rhythm. Analysis of the pacemaker's stored electrograms showed the arrhythmia progression from monomorphic ventricular tachycardia to ventricular fibrillation and ...

This article evaluates the suitability of low frequency (LF) heart rate variability (HRV) as an index of sympathetic cardiac control and the LF/high frequency (HF) ratio as an index of autonomic balance. It includes a comprehensive literature review and a reanalysis of some previous studies on autonomic cardiovascular regulation. The ...

The wall of myocardial terminal vessels, consisting of a continuous endothelial tube with an adventitial coat of pericytes in their extracellular matrix, constitutes a remarkably tight barrier to solute transport between the blood and the parenchyma. This constructional principle of precapillary arterioles, capillaries and postcapillary venules extends both up- and ...

INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of data on atrial injury following ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed at assessing reversibility of atrial dysfunction after successful persistent AF ablation using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS AND RESULTS: CMR was performed during sinus rhythm (SR) in 20 consecutive patients ...

Electrocardiographic (ECG) artefacts may closely simulate both supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias. We describe a case initially diagnosed as rapid atrial fibrillation, based on 12-lead surface ECG (especially the limb leads) and monitor tracing. The arrhythmia was resistant to beta blockers. Because of the at times apparently regular rhythm, an esophageal ...

AIMS: Pacing from multiple sites in the left ventricle (LV) may bring about further resynchronization of the diseased heart compared with biventricular (BiV) pacing. We compared acute haemodynamic response (LV dP/dtmax) of multisite and BiV pacing using a quadripolar LV lead.METHODS AND RESULTS: In 21 patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy, ...

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a hormone primarily released by osteocytes that regulates phosphate and vitamin D metabolism. Recent observational studies in humans suggest that circulating FGF23 is independently associated with cardiac hypertrophy and increased mortality, but it is unknown if FGF23 can directly alter cardiac function. We found ...

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES: Acute viral myocarditis (AVM) is an inflammatory heart disease that may lead to acute heart failure caused by cardiomyocyte loss. AVM may result in fatal outcome due to hemodynamic compromise. There is no specific treatment for AVM. Treatment is generally same as the treatment of ...

BACKGROUND: The right heart is a major determinant of prognosis in cardiac transplant recipient patients. AIM: To investigate right ventricular morphology and function and their relationship with exercise capacity in cardiac transplant recipient patients using standard tranthoracic echocardiography and a new three-dimensional echocardiographic software adapted for right ventricular analysis. METHODS: ...

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) volume and myocardial strain on left ventricular function in a rabbit model using real time three-dimensional echocardiographic imaging (RT-3DE) combined with two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI). METHODS: A rabbit model of LVA was prepared ...

BACKGROUND: Although left ventricular pacing (LVP) leads to a greater acute hemodynamic response than does biventricular pacing (BVP), the long-term effects are diverse. We aimed to assess the efficacy of LVP and BVP in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy and determine which patients would benefit more from LVP or BVP. ...

AIM: To study whether there is any relation between left atrial (LA) size or function and the level of left ventricular dyssynchrony (LV) in patients with heart failure. METHOD: Fifty-two patients (male 34, mean age = 65.77 ± 8.69 years) with ejection fraction (EF) <35%, who were candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), underwent conventional ...

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inheritable myocardial disease accounting for ventricular tachycardia and sudden death in the young and arising from areas of fibrofatty replacement of predominantly right ventricular myocardium. That some patients manifest life-threatening ventricular tachycardia in the absence of substantial myocardial replacement suggests that gap junction ...

We present the case of a 52-year-old man with normal coronary arteries admitted to our department after being resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation. Transthoracic echocardiography raised suspicion of left-ventricular non-compaction. Cardiac magnetic resonance excluded this, but showed several systolic bulgings of the right ventricle and a characteristic focal 'crinkling' of the ...

BACKGROUND: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to compare the effects of right ventricular nonapical (RVNA) and right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing on cardiac function. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify RCTs comparing RVNA pacing with RVA ...

BACKGROUND: We investigated the impact of catheter ablation on ventricular tachycardia (VT) recurrences and survival in a large number of patients with structural heart disease treated in the setting of a dedicated multi-skilled unit. METHODS AND RESULTS: Since January 2007, we have implemented a multidisciplinary model, aiming for a comprehensive ...

BACKGROUND: The focus of the diagnostic process in chest pain patients at the emergency department is to identify both low and high risk patients for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The HEART score was designed to facilitate this process. This study is a prospective validation of the HEART score. METHODS: ...

BackgroundPertinent reportable cardiac findings on non-electrocardiography (ECG)-gated chest CT examinations have become easier to detect given recent advancements in multidetector CT technology. However, those findings are easily overlooked on routine chest CT without ECG gating given residual inherent cardiac motion artifact and non-cardiac indications.PurposeTo describe and quantify the types of ...

Aims: Disturbance in the flow of an infarct-related artery due to embolisation of thrombus and plaque material occurs frequently during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and is associated with impaired prognosis. The aim of the present study was to minimise the risk of embolisation during PCI in patients with ST-segment ...

Cardiac hypertrophy is the heart's response to hypertrophic stimuli and is associated with increased mortality. Vinexin-β is a vinculin-binding protein that belongs to a family of adaptor proteins and mediates signal transduction and actin cytoskeleton organisation. A previous study has shown that Vinexin-β is ubiquitously expressed and that it is ...

BACKGROUND: A left-sided accessory pathway (AP) with atrial insertion away from the mitral annulus (MA) may result in difficulty or failed ablation along the MA. We report our initial experience of ablating this rare form of AP by a 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping system (CARTO). METHODS: From January 2007 to August ...

Aims: Although the benefit of concomitant thrombus aspiration (TA) in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been demonstrated, very little information is available on its safety as a lone revascularisation technique in this setting. We present our experience in a cohort of ...

Aims: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the preferred strategy for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), with evidence of improved clinical outcomes compared to fibrinolytic therapy. However, there is no consensus on how best to manage multivessel coronary disease detected at the time of PPCI, with little robust data ...

BACKGROUND: There have been limited reports on the diagnostic performance and prognostic value of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for selecting coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) candidates. METHODS: There were 1,018 patients with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent 64-slice multidetector CCTA between July 2009 and January 2010. Of them, ...

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the AIDA STEMI (Abciximab i.v. Versus i.c. in ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) substudy was to investigate potential benefits of intracoronary versus intravenous abciximab bolus administration on infarct size and reperfusion injury in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. BACKGROUND: The AIDA-STEMI trial randomized 2,065 patients ...

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides excellent support to circulation. However, ECMO capacity to effectively assist the heart, and in particular the left ventricle, is limited. We herein review the modifications of left ventricular dynamics during peripheral ECMO, highlight the importance of left ventricle venting and describe a method for the ...

Echocardiography-guided optimization of atrioventricular (AV) delay (AVD) improves left ventricular (LV) filling, and optimized interventricular delay (VVD) leads to further improvement in cardiac output in patients with biventricular (Biv) pacing. Investigators use LV filling and ejection to optimize AV and VV delay in patients with Biv pacing. Effect of such ...

Aims: To conduct a meta-analysis of studies comparing immediate versus delayed stenting in populations where primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or early invasive revascularisation was the initial mode of reperfusion. Methods and results: We identified five non-randomised studies and one randomised trial for a total of 590 patients in studies ...

Heart Failure (HF) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the US and its prevalence continues to increase especially as the population ages.(1) A significant cause of heart failure is ischemic heart disease.1 Myocardial infarction and chronic ischemic disease can lead to the loss of a substantial number ...

We proposed that metabolic remodeling in the form of increased uptake of the myocardial glucose analog (18)F-FDG precedes and triggers the onset of severe contractile dysfunction in pressure-overload left ventricular hypertrophy in vivo. To test this hypothesis, we used a mouse model of transverse aortic constriction (TAC) together with PET ...

ABSTRACT: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are used for treatment of patients with heart failure and hypertension. Yet their safety has been questioned by some who observed delayed cardiac healing and scar thinning after myocardial infarction (MI). To clarify potential efficacy and safety of ARBs, we administered Azilsartan medoxomil, a ...

Ageing is the predominant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and contributes to a significantly worse outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators of cardiovascular function and some miRNAs have key roles in ageing. We propose that altered expression of miRNAs in the heart ...

AimsNon-cardiac drugs that impair cardiac repolarization (electrocardiographic QT prolongation) are associated with an increased sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) risk. Emerging evidence suggests that non-cardiac drugs that impair cardiac depolarization and excitability (electrocardiographic QRS prolongation) also increase the risk for SCA. Nortriptyline, which blocks the SCN5A-encoded cardiac sodium channel, may exemplify ...

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a common cause of heart failure, is characterized by cardiac dilation and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate the mechanistic basis, we performed global metabolomic analysis of myocardial tissues from the left ventricles of J2N-k cardiomyopathic hamsters. This model exhibits ...

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms by which acute left atrial ischemia (LAI) leads to AF initiation and perpetuation remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: LAI (90-minute ischemia) was obtained in isolated sheep hearts by selectively perfusing microspheres into the left anterior atrial artery. Two CCD cameras and several bipolar electrodes enabled recording from ...

BACKGROUND: Several cardiac biomarkers, especially brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal (NT)-proBNP, have been used as predictors of prognosis and negative remodeling in DCM. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of tenascin-C in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and whether it can be used to determine reverse ...