Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 Mar 17. Epub 2019 Mar 17.

Department of Radiology, Providence Health Care, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Objectives: The 1-year data from the international ADVANCE (Assessing Diagnostic Value of Non-invasive FFR in Coronary Care) Registry of patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) was used to evaluate the relationship of fractional flow reserve derived from coronary CTA (FFR) with downstream care and clinical outcomes.

Background: Guidelines for management of chest pain using noninvasive imaging pathways are based on short- to intermediate-term outcomes.

Methods: Patients (N = 5,083) evaluated for clinically suspected coronary artery disease and in whom atherosclerosis was identified by coronary CTA were prospectively enrolled at 38 international sites from July 15, 2015, to October 20, 2017. Read More

JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 Apr 10. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Cardiology, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.

Objectives: This study investigated the incidence and long-term prognostic importance of multiple myocardial scars in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in a large contemporary cohort of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Background: Patients presenting with STEMI may have multiple infarctions/scars caused by multiple culprit lesions, previous myocardial infarction (MI) or procedure-related MI due to nonculprit interventions. However, the incidence, long-term prognosis, and distribution of causes of multiple myocardial scars remain unknown. Read More

JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 Apr 10. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Stephenson Cardiac Imaging Centre at Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address:

PLoS One 2019 19;14(4):e0215717. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Division of Animal Facility, CSIR - Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.

The present study provides first evidence on the role of plasma gelsolin in protecting pulmonary thromboembolism and thrombosis in a mouse model. Gelsolin is the most abundant actin depolymerizing protein in plasma and its significantly depleted values have been reported in metabolic disorders including cardiovascular diseases and myocardial infarction. Though gelsolin replacement therapy (GRT) has been shown to be effective in some animal models, no such study has been reported for thrombotic diseases that are acutely in need of bio-therapeutics for immediate and lasting relief. Read More

Echocardiography 2019 Apr 19. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Clinical Cardiology, Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.

Background: Few studies have examined the effect of transmurality of myocardial necrosis on coronary microcirculation. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of cardiac magnetic resonance-derived (GE-MRI) structural determinants of coronary flow reserve (CFR) after anterior myocardial infarction (STEMI), and their predictive value on regional functional recovery.

Methods: Noninvasive CFR and GE-MRI were studied in 37 anterior STEMI patients after primary coronary angioplasty. Read More

JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2019 Apr 30;5(4):516-522. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Cardiovascular Pathology Department, St. George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Objectives: This study sought to describe the clinical and pathological features of anomalous origin of a coronary artery (AOCA) in sudden cardiac death (SCD) victims.

Background: AOCA from the inappropriate sinus of Valsalva or from the pulmonary artery is increasingly diagnosed with current imaging techniques. AOCA is a possible cause of SCD. Read More

JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2019 Apr 27;5(4):480-489. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Division of Image Processing, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Objectives: This study proposed entropy as a new late gadolinium enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance-derived parameter to evaluate tissue inhomogeneity, independent of signal intensity thresholds. This study hypothesized that entropy within the scar is associated with ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), whereas entropy of the entire left ventricular (LV) myocardium is associated with mortality.

Background: In patients after myocardial infarction, the heterogeneity of fibrosis determines the substrate for VA. Read More

JACC Cardiovasc Interv 2019 Apr;12(8):721-730

Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Cardiology, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided revascularization compared with culprit-only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on infarct size, left ventricular (LV), function, LV remodeling, and the presence of nonculprit infarctions.

Background: Patients with STEMI with multivessel disease might have improved clinical outcomes after complete revascularization compared with PCI of the infarct-related artery only, but the impact on infarct size, LV function, and remodeling as well as the risk for periprocedural infarction are unknown.

Methods: In this substudy of the DANAMI-3 (Third Danish Trial in Acute Myocardial Infarction)-PRIMULTI (Primary PCI in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Multivessel Disease: Treatment of Culprit Lesion Only or Complete Revascularization) randomized trial, patients with STEMI with multivessel disease were randomized to receive either complete FFR-guided revascularization or PCI of the culprit vessel only. Read More

Circ J 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Cardiovascular Medicine, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital.

Background: Phase-contrast cine-magnetic resonance imaging (PC-CMR) of the coronary sinus (CS) is a promising approach for quantifying coronary sinus flow (CSF) and global coronary flow reserve (G-CFR). We evaluated the prognostic value of G-CFR using PC-CMR in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS).Methods and Results:The study prospectively enrolled 116 NSTE-ACS patients who underwent uncomplicated urgent PCI within 48 h of symptom onset. Read More

Korean J Radiol 2019 May;20(5):709-718

Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.

Objective: To investigate the association of myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantified by dynamic computed tomography (CT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with troponin level and left ventricle (LV) function in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Materials And Methods: Thirty-five STEMI patients who successfully had undergone reperfusion treatment within 1 week of their infarction were consecutively enrolled. All patients were referred for dynamic CT-MPI. Read More

Clin Cardiol 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Department of Cancer Pathology, Hokkaido University Faculty of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.

Background: The relationship between eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) therapy and coronary plaque stability assessed by optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) has not been thoroughly described.

Hypothesis: EPA therapy is associated with decreased plaque instability in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using OFDI.

Methods: Data on coronary artery plaques from 121 patients who consecutively underwent PCI between October 2015 and July 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2019 May;8(9):e010293

1 Department of Public Health and Nursing Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Trondheim Norway.

Background The majority of studies evaluating cardiorespiratory fitness ( CRF ) as a cardiovascular risk factor use cardiovascular mortality and not cardiovascular disease events as the primary end point, and generally do not include women. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of estimated CRF ( eCRF ) with the risk of first acute myocardial infarction ( AMI ). Methods and Results We included 26 163 participants (51. Read More

Eur Heart J Acute Cardiovasc Care 2019 Apr 16:2048872619844444. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

11 Service de Cardiologie B, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France.

In patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction, the communication and transition from specialists to primary care physicians is often delayed, and the information imparted to subsequent healthcare providers (HCPs) may be sub-optimal. A French group of cardiologists, lipidologists and diabetologists decided to establish a consensus to optimize the discharge letter after hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction. The aim is to improve both the timeframe and the quality of the content transmitted to subsequent HCPs, including information regarding baseline assessment, procedures during hospitalization, residual risk, discharge treatments, therapeutic targets and follow-up recommendations in compliance with European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Read More

Clin Chem 2019 Apr 15. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Cardiovascular Research Institute Basel (CRIB) and Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland;

Background: The aim of this study was to validate the clinical performance of the Beckman Access high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) assay.

Methods: We enrolled patients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Final diagnoses were centrally adjudicated by 2 independent cardiologists with all clinical information including cardiac imaging twice: first, using serial hs-cTnT (Elecsys, primary analysis), and second, using hs-cTnI (Architect, secondary analysis) measurements in addition to the clinically used hs-cTn. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Apr;98(15):e15143

Department of Cardiology, Zigong First People's Hospital, Zigong, Sichuan, PR China.

Rationale: Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving the aorta and its major branches. Initial diagnosis is usually difficult due to the highly variable symptoms. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a very rare presentation in patients with TA. Read More

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2019 Apr 14. Epub 2019 Apr 14.

Division of Cardiology, Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

The 2019 European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Scientific Meetings released several Late Breaking Clinical Trials that define important results for the fields of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT). Three independent multicenter randomized controlled trials have confirmed that AF ablation with point-by-point radiofrequency energy or cryoballoon technology are both equally and highly effective, and significantly superior to antiarrhythmic drug therapy in reducing recurrent AF episodes and preventing arrhythmia-related hospitalizations. Edoxaban has been shown a viable option for periprocedural oral anticoagulation in patients undergoing catheter ablation of AF in a large multicenter randomized study, with outcomes similar to uninterrupted warfarin. Read More

Postgrad Med J 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Myocardial infarction (MI) remains one of the leading contributors to overall mortality and morbidity in the modern world, even with recent advances in medicine. Various complications can arise following an MI, particularly with delayed or inadequate treatment. Even though many of these complications are uncommon, they can have a significant impact on patient outcomes. Read More

J Nucl Cardiol 2019 Apr 9. Epub 2019 Apr 9.

School of Computing, University of Southern Mississippi, Long Beach, MS, 39560, USA.

Background: Whether the region of the latest electrical activation (LEA) corresponds with the segment of the latest mechanical contraction (LMC) in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) is uncertain. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the left-ventricular (LV) viable segments with LEA and with LMC after myocardial infarction (MI) and analyze the acute hemodynamic responses (dP/dt) after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing at different LV sites.

Methods And Results: Bama suckling pigs (n = 6) were subjected to create MI models. Read More

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 Apr 10. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 1, Siena, Italy.

For patients with asymptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR), the criteria identifying the groups at higher-risk and their clinical outcome are still uncertain. Therefore, in these patients, optimal time of surgery remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare left atrial (LA) strain to other echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) and LA parameters for the prediction of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with moderate asymptomatic MR. Read More

Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2019 Apr 8;17(4):275-291. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

a Division of Cardiology , Vancouver General Hospital , Vancouver , BC , Canada.

Introduction: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) accounts for up to 4% of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) on coronary angiography and predominantly affects women (>90%). SCAD most often occurs in patients with few or no conventional cardiovascular risk factors. This condition remains underdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness among health-care providers and misdiagnosis on coronary angiography. Read More

J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2019 Mar 29. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust Departments of Cardiology and Radiology, London, UK; National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK.

Coronary artery disease remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide. Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) has excellent diagnostic accuracy and the identification and stratification of coronary artery disease is associated with improved prognosis in multiple studies. Recent randomized controlled trials have shown that in patients with stable coronary artery disease, CCTA is associated with improved diagnosis, changes in investigations, changes in medical treatment and appropriate selection for revascularization. Read More

Eur Heart J Suppl 2019 Mar 29;21(Suppl B):B80-B83. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Ospedale San Giovanni-Addolorata, Rome, Italy.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic degenerative disease, with a significant inflammatory component, characterized by phases of rapid activation leading to important clinical events, such as myocardial infarction. One of the major challenges of modern cardiology is limiting the progression of atherosclerotic disease and anticipating the phases of instability as to limit its consequences. In this contest modern techniques of intra-coronary imaging, such as optical coherence tomography, could have a pivotal role in identifying patients at higher risk of acute events in the short term. Read More

Heart 2019 Apr 4. Epub 2019 Apr 4.

Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Background: Invasive angiography in the setting of cardiac troponin elevation may reveal non-obstructive coronary arteries leading to uncertainty in diagnosis. Cardiac MR (CMR) may aid in diagnosis, however, the spectrum of diagnostic findings in the patient presenting with symptoms of cardiac ischaemia, elevated cardiac biomarkers and a negative invasive coronary angiogram is yet to be completely described.

Methods: We queried the Mayo Clinic, Rochester inpatient record from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2016 to identify patients who: (1) had an elevated troponin T during admission, (2) underwent coronary angiography within 30 days of troponin T elevation which was considered negative for obstructive coronary arterial disease and (3) underwent CMR within 30 days of troponin T elevation. Read More

EuroIntervention 2019 Apr 2. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

Department of Cardiology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, and The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China.

Aims: To determine the prevalence and significance of plaque with a multilayered (ML) pattern in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) vs stable angina pectoris (SAP) using OCT.

Methods And Results: 204 patients (144 ACS and 60 SAP) with OCT imaging of the culprit lesions before intervention were studied. ML plaques were identified by OCT as a plaque with multiple layers of distinct optical signals. Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2019 Apr 3;19(1):80. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada 950, Col. Independencia, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.

Background: There are three major mechanical complications after acute myocardial infarction: left ventricular free-wall rupture, ventricular septum rupture and acute mitral valve regurgitation. The left ventricular free-wall rupture is a serious and often lethal complication following an ST elevation myocardial infarction. However, very rarely this rupture can be contained by the pericardium, forming a pseudoaneurysm. Read More

JACC Cardiovasc Interv 2019 Apr 27;12(8):734-748. Epub 2019 Mar 27.

Keele Cardiovascular Research Group, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom; Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the rates and causes of unplanned readmissions at different time periods following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background: The rates and causes of readmission at different time periods after PCI remain incompletely elucidated.

Methods: Patients undergoing PCI between 2010 and 2014 in the U. Read More

Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed 2019 Mar 28. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Medizinische Klinik III, Kardiologie, Angiologie und Pneumologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland.

Elevated cardiac troponin values are frequently observed in critically ill patients. These are often not due to myocardial infarction (MI) but caused by various other etiologies of myocardial injury. Understanding the etiology of any troponin elevation is of enormous importance for management and therapy. Read More

Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed 2019 Mar 28. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie und Angiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, 10098, Berlin, Deutschland.

A "biomarker" is measures something quantitatively or qualitatively, and this improves clinical decision-making. Echocardiography is therefore also a "biomarker". It provides information on anatomy, function and haemodynamics. Read More

Thromb Res 2019 May 14;177:161-171. Epub 2019 Mar 14.

School of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia; Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia. Electronic address:

Thrombosis is the localized clotting of blood that can occur in both the arterial and venous circulation. It is a key factor in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction and stroke and the primary cause of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of thrombotic episodes is crucial in reducing the morbidity and potential mortality associated with arterial and venous thrombotic disorders by allowing early targeted therapeutic interventions. Read More

Clin Chim Acta 2019 Mar 22;495:1-7. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

University Department of Laboratory Medicine, ASST Monza, Hospital San Gerardo, Via G. Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy; School of Medicine and Surgery, University Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy.

Introduction: Chest pain and its clinical manifestations are the most common reasons for presentation to the emergency department (ED). Given that the prevalence of chest pain due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the ED is modest, clinicians should use cardiac troponins to safely and rapidly rule out AMI, avoiding the delayed release of low risk patients. The study aims to develop and validate an algorithm to early rule-out of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in subjects admitted to the ED with symptoms of myocardial infarction. Read More

J Invest Surg 2019 Mar 25:1-7. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

f Department of Cardiovascular Surgery , Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, and Beijing Engineering Research Center of Vascular Prostheses , Beijing , China.

Background: Acute aorta dissection (AD) is a fatal emergency, however, studies addressing the clinical characteristics, management, and outcome of acute AD in young adult patients aged under 45 years in China are very few.

Methods: A retrospective study including 490 patients with acute AD as the final diagnosis was conducted. Patients' demographics, clinical characteristics, medical history, and laboratory and diagnostic imaging findings were retrieved from medical records. Read More

Lupus 2019 Mar 24:961203319837359. Epub 2019 Mar 24.

1 Division of Rheumatology, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with several cardiac manifestations but, to our knowledge, there have been no previously published reports on left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm in this disease. We describe a case of a 30-year-old woman with SLE who presented with a disease flare (acute and subacute cutaneous lupus, pericarditis, fever, leukopenia) associated with heart failure syndrome. The patient was diagnosed with a large LV pseudoaneurysm and a bovine pericardium patch closure was performed. Read More

J Med Cases 2018 Aug;9(8):239-242

Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA.

Acute myocarditis mimicking ST segment elevation myocardial infarction is a well-known phenomenon, but recurrence and progression are rare. We present a case of a 29-year-old man with three episodes of myocarditis over 3 months including evidence of progressive, patchy inflammation shown by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Read More

J Am Coll Cardiol 2019 Mar 7. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE. Electronic address:

Background: Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that high mechanical index (MI) impulses from a diagnostic ultrasound transducer (DUS) during an intravenous microbubble infusion (Sonothrombolysis) can restore epicardial and microvascular flow in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Objective: We tested the clinical effectiveness of sonothrombolysis in patients with STEMI.

Methods: Patients with their first STEMI were prospectively randomized to either DUS-guided high MI impulses during an intravenous ultrasound agent infusion prior to, and following, emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or to a control group that received PCI only (n=50 in each group). Read More

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 04;20(4):406

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2019 Mar 19:218492319839573. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Posterior left ventricular free wall rupture is rare, difficult to diagnose, and potentially fatal secondary to tamponade. The optimal surgical technique is controversial, and the outcome depends on the severity of the rupture. A 51-year-old man with acute myocardial infarction complicated by posterior wall rupture presented in extremis with retrosternal pain. Read More

JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 Mar 8. Epub 2019 Mar 8.

Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Objectives: This study used optical coherence tomography to investigate the mechanism of false lumen (FL) formation in spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) by studying: 1) differences between fenestrated and nonfenestrated SCAD; 2) vasa vasorum density; and 3) light attenuation characteristics of the FL.

Background: SCAD is an increasingly recognized cause of acute coronary syndromes, characterized by FL formation and compression of the true lumen (TL). The mechanisms underlying FL formation remain poorly understood. Read More

Eur J Intern Med 2019 Mar 14. Epub 2019 Mar 14.

University Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address:

Background: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) represents the biomarker of choice for infarct size (IS) estimation in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, admission values of hs-cTnT are only weakly associated with IS. The aim of this study was to investigate the incremental value of different biomarkers measured on admission for IS estimation in STEMI patients. Read More

Eur Heart J 2019 Mar 11. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford, UK.

Aims: The co-transmitter neuropeptide-Y (NPY) is released during high sympathetic drive, including ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and can be a potent vasoconstrictor. We hypothesized that myocardial NPY levels correlate with reperfusion and subsequent recovery following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), and sought to determine if and how NPY constricts the coronary microvasculature.

Methods And Results: Peripheral venous NPY levels were significantly higher in patients with STEMI (n = 45) compared to acute coronary syndromes/stable angina ( n = 48) or with normal coronary arteries (NC, n = 16). Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Mar;98(10):e14637

Kuwana City Medical Center, Kuwana.

Background: Polaprezinc is clinically used for the treatment of gastric ulcers. It induces the mobilization of mesenchymal stem cells and the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 in vascular endothelial cells in order to protect injured gastric tissue or skin.

Methods: The current study population included 50 patients with primary acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Read More

NPJ Regen Med 2019 4;4. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

1Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC Australia.

Clinical variation in patient responses to myocardial infarction (MI) has been difficult to model in laboratory animals. To assess the genetic basis of variation in outcomes after heart attack, we characterized responses to acute MI in the Collaborative Cross (CC), a multi-parental panel of genetically diverse mouse strains. Striking differences in post-MI functional, morphological, and myocardial scar features were detected across 32 CC founder and recombinant inbred strains. Read More

Front Neurol 2019 22;10:137. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Hunan Clinical Research Center of Cerebrovascular Disease, Changsha, China.

We report a case of a 66-year-old female who burst into flaccid paralysis of the lower extremities, accompanied by loss of pain and temperature sensation below T4 level, during an oxygen-ozone injection for disc herniation. Half an hour later, she suffered from chest pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed long segment hyperintensity in the thoracic spinal cord from T2 to 10 level on sagittal T2-weighted images (T2WI). Read More

Eur Heart J 2019 Mar 9. Epub 2019 Mar 9.

Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 8, Bern, Switzerland.

Aims: The long-term outcomes of biolimus-eluting stents (BESs) with biodegradable polymer as compared with bare-metal stent (BMS) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remain unknown.

Methods And Results: We performed a 5-year clinical follow-up of 1157 patients (BES: N = 575 and BMS: N = 582) included in the randomized COMFORTABLE AMI trial. Serial intracoronary imaging of stented segments using both intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography performed at baseline and 13 months follow-up were analysed in 103 patients. Read More

Tex Heart Inst J 2019 02 1;46(1):44-47. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a rare, potentially fatal complication of acute myocardial infarction. When surgical closure is contraindicated, transcatheter closure may be an alternative. Residual shunting after transcatheter closure of postinfarction VSDs has been reported; however, we found few cases of this in patients who also had severe heart failure or hemolysis. Read More

Clin Chim Acta 2019 Jun 28;493:156-161. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Laboratorio Analisi Cliniche, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy.

Background: The Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry (SIBioC) and the Italian Section of the European Ligand Assay Society (ELAS) have recently promoted a multicenter study (Italian hs-cTnI Study) with the aim to accurately evaluate analytical performances and reference values of the most popular cTnI methods commercially available in Italy. The aim of this article is to report the results of the Italian hs-cTnI Study concerning the evaluation of the 99th percentile URL and reference change (RCV) values around the 99th URL of the Access cTnI method.

Materials And Methods: Heparinized plasma samples were collected from 1306 healthy adult volunteers by 8 Italian clinical centers. Read More

Trends Cardiovasc Med 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan. Electronic address:

In nuclear cardiology, numerous single-photon emission computed tomography radiotracers have been advocated to reflect various cardiac metabolic and functional conditions, but positron emission tomography (PET) may offer a more thorough evaluation, mainly due to superior characteristics associated with the latter imaging modality. This shift in recent years has been fueled by the introduction of F-labeled PET radiotracers. Due to physical and chemical key properties, these imaging agents allow for more flexibility of imaging protocols and a better employment in the clinic. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2019 May 21;283:136-143. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Department of Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou 221006, Jiangsu, China.. Electronic address:

Background: Targeted increase in glucose uptake of ischemic myocardium is a potential therapeutic strategy for myocardial ischemia. PEDF presents a profound moderating effect on glucose metabolism of cells, but its role is still controversial. Here, we try to demonstrate the direct effect of PEDF on glucose uptake in ischemic myocyte and to elucidate its underlying mechanism. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2019 Mar;8(5):e011220

1 Department of Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University Xuzhou China.

Background We occasionally noticed that native collateral blood flow showed a recessive trend in the early stages of acute myocardial infarction in rats, which greatly interferes with the accurate assessment of native collateral circulation levels. Here, we sought to recognize the coronary collateral circulation system in depth, especially the microcirculation part, on this basis. Methods and Results In this study, we detected native collateral flow with positron emission tomography perfusion imaging in rats and found that the native flow is relatively abundant when it is initially recruited. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Apr 14;283:79-84. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan.

Background And Aims: Intraplaque cholesterol crystal (CC) is recognized as a component of vulnerable plaques. However, the clinical characteristics of patients with CC and the impact of CC on clinical events remain unknown.

Methods: A total of 340 consecutive patients who underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of culprit lesions were included in the study. Read More

Int Heart J 2019 Mar 22;60(2):255-263. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital.

Previous clinical studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the effect of erythropoietin in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study investigated whether directed intracoronary infusion of darbepoetin-α into ischemic myocardium before reperfusion would reduce infarct size or post-infarct remodeling in STEMI patients.Eighty STEMI patients received one of the following treatments simultaneously with the first balloon inflation: intracoronary darbepoetin-α 300 μg (n = 40) or saline (n = 40), administered via the over-the-wire balloon system. Read More