BACKGROUND:Those who suffer anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) disruptions are at increased risk of experiencing posttraumatic osteoarthritis (OA); however, by the time they become symptomatic, irreversible damage has likely occurred. Little is known regarding the physiological changes in articular cartilage that occur after an ACL injury and the onset of OA. ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is frequently associated with collagen diseases. The prognosis of acute-onset diffuse ILD (AoDILD) occurring in collagen disease patients is very poor. Here, we investigated serum biomarker profiles of AoDILD to find markers predicting outcome in patients with collagen diseases. METHODS: A solid-phase antibody array ...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: X-linked Alport syndrome (X-AS) is caused by mutations of the COL4A5 gene, which encodes for the collagen IV α5 chain (α5[COLIV]), resulting in structural and functional abnormalities of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and leading to CKD. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ...

Background The authors wanted to investigate whether the remodeling process in AF regarding gap junction proteins, collagen I, and amyloid may be gender dependent in humans.Methods In total, 123 patients with sinus rhythm (SR, n = 41) or atrial fibrillation (AF, n = 82) suffering from mitral valve disease undergoing cardiac surgery were included. Of the ...

Patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) have an increased risk of developing ascending aortic aneurysm. In the present study, collagen homeostasis in nondilated and dilated aorta segments from patients with BAV was studied, with normal and dilated aortas from tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) patients as reference. Ascending aortas from 56 ...

Inflammation driven connective tissue turnover is key in rheumatic diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Few biomarkers are available for measuring disease prognosis or the efficacy of interventions applied in these tissue-related conditions. Type II collagen is the primary structural protein of cartilage and type III collagen of connective tissues, ...

We hypothesized that the loss of structural integrity in vessels of brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM) is associated with abnormal expression of collagen subtypes. MATERIAL and We retrospectively obtained the nidus tissue specimens from 24 bAVM patients and structurally normal cerebral cortex from six surgical epilepsy patients. The samples were paraffin-embedded ...

The development of bone marrow fibrosis is a severe complication in hematological diseases. The progress of bone marrow myelofibrosis is evaluated by a trephine examination and may be characterized by the biochemical markers of collagen turnover determination. Investigation of serum prolidase activity and biochemical markers of collagen metabolism in order ...

Bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is an inflammatory and fibrosing disease involving the distal bronchioles, bronchiolar ducts, and alveoli. We studied 91 patients with BOOP. Univariate analysis was used to relate age, sex, smoking, morphology, and expression of immunohistochemical markers CD68, D2-40, CD31, CD34, collagen IV, collagen III, platelet-derived growth factor ...

Microscopic colitis (MC) is an umbrella term comprising two entities, lymphocytic and collagenous colitis (CC), which is essentially diagnosed by pathology. Minor mucosal edema and/or erythema can sometimes be observed on endoscopy, but these changes are mostly subtle, patchy and rather non-specific. Recently, several reports of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)- ...

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) fibrosis is common in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF). Although accumulating evidence indicates the role of circulating biomarkers of collagen metabolism in left ventricular fibrosis, rTOF data are lacking. This study examined the expression profile and clinical relevance of circulating biomarkers of collagen type ...

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are a common source of morbidity after bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomosis (Glenn). The diversion of hepatic venous effluent away from the pulmonary circulation after Glenn appears to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of PAVMs. Although the liver is known to produce factors that regulate ...

In both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), abnormally high collagen remodeling occurs within the lung tissue. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-degraded type I, III, IV, V and VI collagen and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-degraded type III collagen were assessed in serum of patients ...

The purpose of our study was to determine the relationship between mutant huntingtin (Htt) and mitochondrial dynamics in the progression of Huntington's disease (HD). We measured the mRNA levels of electron transport chain genes, and mitochondrial structural genes, Drp1 (dynamin-related protein 1), Fis1 (fission 1), Mfn1 (mitofusin 1), Mfn2 (mitofusin ...

Cardiac extracellular matrix structure is largely under the control of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) whose activity maintains a balance between connective tissue synthesis and degradation. MMP gene polymorphisms, by modifying the level of gene expression, may affect atrial structural remodelling and atrial fibrillation recurrence rate. The aim of this study ...

Dexmedetomidine (DEX; Precedex) is an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that produces anxiolysis and sleep-like sedation without narcosis or respiratory depression and has relatively few cardiovascular side effects. Given its favorable sedative properties combined with its limited effects on hemodynamic and respiratory function, it is widely used in pediatric intensive care ...

It is difficult to ablate a right-sided accessory pathway (AP) with atrial insertion far from the tricuspid annulus (TA). We report our initial experience of ablating this rare AP by a 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping system (CARTO). From January of 2006 to April of 2008, 18 patients with right-sided APs who ...

Wild-type transthyretin is inherently an amyloidogenic protein, but its contribution to the formation of amyloid fibrils remains unclear in familial amyloid polyneuropathy patients. Our aim in this study was to elucidate the ratio of wild-type transthyretin in amyloid deposits in familial amyloid polyneuropathy patients. Abdominal fat amyloid fibrils in 44 ...

Perioperative atrial arrhythmias (PAAs) in noncardiothoracic patients have poorly defined risk factors and management. The surgical intensive care unit database was queried for patients who developed PAAs from 2008 to 2009. Demographics, comorbidities, preoperative data (electrocardiography, chest x-rays, laboratory results), medications, intraoperative variables, management, and outcomes of atrial arrhythmias were ...

Quantitative ECG Analysis. Optimal atrial tachyarrhythmia management is facilitated by accurate electrocardiogram interpretation, yet typical atrial flutter (AFl) may present without sawtooth F-waves or RR regularity, and atrial fibrillation (AF) may be difficult to separate from atypical AFl or rapid focal atrial tachycardia (AT). We analyzed whether improved diagnostic accuracy ...

Recurrent atrial arrhythmias (RAAs) following posterior left atrial isolation (PLAI) for atrial fibrillation are common and are associated with reconnection of the PLA and pulmonary veins. We aimed to show that P-wave duration (PWD) and P-wave area under the curve (PWAUC) changes in patients undergoing PLAI can be measured using ...

Ablation of atrial flutter (AFL) requires linear radiofrequency application; these procedures are usually performed via a femoral approach from the inferior vena cava (IVC). Congenital anomalies of this venous system may limit catheter ablation. This report presents ablation of an AFL through the azygous continuation and also reviews the prevalence ...

Diagnosis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is difficult but highly relevant in patients presenting with cerebral ischemia yet free from atrial fibrillation on admission. Early initiation and prolongation of continuous Holter monitoring may improve diagnostic yield compared with the standard of care including a 24-hour Holter recording. In the observational Find-AF ...

In patients with mitral stenosis (MS) in sinus rhythm (SR), guidelines recommend anticoagulation if the left atrium is enlarged based on diameter measurements. We sought to compare the association of left atrial (LA) diameter and LA volume with markers of thromboembolic risk (peak LA appendage emptying velocity [LAAv] and LA ...

Background: Focal atrial tachycardias (ATs) arising from the atrial appendages (AAT) are uncommon in adults. On the other hand, we frequently encounter AATs during childhood. However, the topographic distribution and clinical characteristics of focal ATs during childhood have not yet been clearly revealed. The aim of this study was to ...

Sinus node dysfunction is commonly associated with atrial fibrillation. There is little information about the long-term results of pulmonary vein isolation in relation to sinus node function. The present study was conducted to investigate whether sinus node dysfunction affects the late outcome of pulmonary vein isolation in patients with persistent/permanent ...

To prospectively determine the impact of sinus rhythm restoration on left-atrial (LA) volumes and function assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging within the first year after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Forty-one patients (28 men; age: 57±10years) with paroxysmal or non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were studied serially using CMR at baseline ...

to investigate the relationship between Eustachian valve (EV) length and degree of atrial septal movement in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) and presumed paradoxical cerebral embolism. PFO is a well-established risk factor for cryptogenic stroke. However, due to the high prevalence of PFO, many of these are bystanders rather ...

OBJECTIVE: To review the safety and efficacy of the newly approved, mixed-activity antiarrhythmic dronedarone (classes I-IV) versus its parent compound comparator, amiodarone (class III, with mixed activity). DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE/PUBMED (January 1966 to March 2010) and International Pharmaceutical Abstract (January 1975 to March 2010) search of English language papers ...

The case of a patient who developed elevated International Normalized Ratio (INR) values after concomitant administration of warfarin and erlotinib is reported. A 47-year-old Caucasian man with a history of atrial fibrillation, anxiety, and a 40-pack-year smoking history was diagnosed with advanced, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung. Soon after ...

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation prophylaxis with warfarin and strong antiplatelet agent use in cardiovascular diseases has increased the incidence of anticoagulation in the elderly. We studied traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (TICH) in patients ≥55 years of age on anticoagulation and antiplatelet agents in a stable population. METHODS: We used a Level 1 ...

Atrial electrical remodeling has been shown after termination of atrial flutter (AFL); however, whether abnormalities persist beyond an arrhythmic episode is not known. We aimed to characterize the atrial substrate, remote from arrhythmia, in patients with typical AFL. We compared 20 patients, studied remote from episodes of typical AFL and ...

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with cryptogenic stroke, migraine headache, decompression sickness, and platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. Patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography are often hypovolemic from preprocedural fasting and might not demonstrate right to left shunting owing to insufficient right atrial pressure generation, despite provocative maneuvers. We hypothesized that volume replenishment with ...

Prior investigators note successful ablation of both typical cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent and scar-related macroreentrant right atrial flutters (AFL) in adult patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). However, an analysis of the mechanisms (including a description of a uniform approach to diagnose such mechanisms), and clinical outcomes of catheter ablation in ...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) in a large population of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS AND RESULTS: In a retrospective analysis of aggregated European and Canadian databases a total population of 23 153 patients with CHD was followed up to the age ...

Large devices are often implanted to treat patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) with increase risk of erosion and thrombosis. Our study is aimed to assess the impact on left atrium functional remodeling and clinical outcomes of partial coverage of the approach using moderately small Amplatzer ASD ...

Information on atrial arrhythmia associated with right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is limited. In 36 patients with task force criteria for ARVC/D and history of ventricular tachycardia (VT), we confirmed the incidence and type of atrial arrhythmia, onset related to referral for VT ablation, fastest documented ventricular rate, management, and clinical ...

BACKGROUND: Obese patients have favorable outcomes in congestive heart failure, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, and coronary artery disease. Obesity also has been linked with increased incidence of atrial fibrillation, but its influence on outcomes in atrial fibrillation patients has not been investigated. The objective of this research is to investigate ...

OBJECTIVE: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided cardioversion is an established strategy for managing atrial arrhythmias and is commonly used as an alternative to the conventional approach of administering several weeks of anticoagulation before cardioversion. However, the safety of this approach depends on the exclusion of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombi with a ...

OBJECTIVE: The role of coagulation parameters left atrial thrombus formation in atrial fibrillation has not been investigated before. We aimed to investigate the association between the beta-fibrinogen gene polymorphism or glycoprotein IIIa gene polymorphism and presence of left atrial (LA) thrombus or spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in patients with atrial ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of Left Atrial thrombus in patients suffering from severe mitral stenosis with atrial fibrillation. METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive type study was conducted in the Echocardiography department of the National Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases (NICVD) Karachi from October 1, 2007 to March 17, 2008. ...

BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) may remain underdiagnosed after stroke, as suggested by long-duration EKG monitoring. Here we report the sensitivity of transtelephonic EKG monitoring (TTM) for detection of PAF in patients following a recent stroke or TIA and a negative 24-hour Holter. METHODS: We analyzed data from 98 consecutive ...

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary disease characterized by recurrent and self-terminated attacks of fever and polyserositis. A recent study found that FMF patients had an abnormally high P wave duration and P wave dispersion, markers for supraventricular arrhythmogenicity. The aim of our study was to further evaluate atrial ...

Ischemic stroke is a frequent pathology with high rate of recurrence and significant morbidity and mortality. There are several causes of stroke, affecting prognosis, outcomes, and management, but in many cases, the etiology remains undetermined. We hypothesized that atrial fibrillation was involved in this pathology but underdiagnosed by standard methods. ...

The aim of our study was to investigate atrial conduction time in patients with mitral annulus calcification (MAC) using P-wave dispersion (PWD) and electromechanical coupling measured with the surface electrocardiogram and the tissue Doppler echocardiography. Fifty-nine patients with MAC and 43 control subjects underwent resting the surface electrocardiogram and tissue ...

We evaluated the efficiency and safety of the Occlutech Figulla device in percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD). The study included 28 patients (17 women, 11 men; mean age 43 years) who underwent percutaneous transcatheter closure using the Occlutech Figulla device for secundum ASDs causing a hemodynamically significant ...

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation usually are elderly and may have cognitive dysfunction. These patients may receive less effective oral anticoagulation, resulting in more vascular events and bleeding. METHODS AND RESULTS: In an analysis of cognitive function associated with the time in therapeutic range (TTR) in the Atrial Fibrillation Clopidogrel ...

BACKGROUND: Usually the literature results for device-closure of patent oval foramen concern a single type of device or different devices implanted without anatomical preferences. We propose a strategy of device type and selection based on intra-cardiac echocardiography measurements of inter-atrial septum characteristics. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 100 consecutive patients with ...

Pilsicainide is a class Ic antiarrhythmic agent used for the treatment of supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia. The pharmacodynamic effects of pilsicainide are achieved via selective sodium channel blockade. In randomized, multicentre trials in patients with atrial fibrillation, restoration of sinus rhythm was achieved in significantly more patients treated with a ...

OBJECTIVE: To comparatively evaluate P-wave dispersion (PWD) in patients with beta-thalassemia major (TM) and healthy control subjects for the early prediction of arrhythmia risk. METHODS: Eighty-one children with beta-TM, aged 4-19 years, and 74 healthy children (control group) underwent routine electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography for cardiac evaluation. PWD was calculated ...