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Acute Med 2018 ;17(4):229-231

Department of Intensive Medicine, Unidade de Saúde Local de Matosinhos, Matosinhos, Portugal.

Cardiovascular signs and symptoms can prevail in both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Case 1: 30-year-old female with acute right heart failure as first manifestation of Graves' disease. It illustrates some of its cardiovascular complications, particularly pulmonary hypertension, tricuspid regurgitation, atrial fibrillation, mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2019 Mar 18;20:354-360. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, King Fahad Medical City, Children Specialized Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND The pulmonary hypoplasia/agenesis, diaphragmatic hernia/eventration, anophthalmia/microphthalmia, and cardiac defect (PDAC) syndrome is a rare medical condition presumably of autosomal recessive way of inheritance with only a few reported cases. Recessive mutations in the STRA6 and both recessive and dominant mutations in RARB gene have been identified as the cause of anophthalmia/microphthalmia and other abnormalities included in the PDAC spectrum. However, those mutations have not been found in all PDAC syndrome cases reviewed from the literature. Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2019 Mar;12(3):e005363

Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, QC, Canada (A.T., J.A.).

Background Women account for a large proportion of patients treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement, yet there remain conflicting reports about the effect of sex on outcomes. Moreover, the sex-specific prevalence and prognostic impact of frailty has not been systematically studied in the context of transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Methods and Results A preplanned analysis of the FRAILTY-AVR study (Frailty Aortic Valve Replacement) was performed to analyze the determinants of outcomes in older women and men undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Read More

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

Second Cardiology Department, Attikon Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

Rheumatic diseases are immune-mediated inflammatory multisystem diseases with frequent cardiovascular manifestations including perimyocarditis, valvular disease, coronary artery disease, heart failure with or without preserved ejection fraction, pulmonary hypertension, aneurysms, and thrombosis. Echocardiography, carotid ultrasonography, cardiac computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography are valid diagnostic tools for the detection of the cardiovascular complications of the multisystem diseases that frequently determine prognosis. Furthermore, the findings of these methods may offer additive risk stratification in asymptomatic patients over the conventional risk scores used to assess cardiovascular risk in the primary prevention setting. Read More

BMC Pulm Med 2019 Mar 15;19(1):63. Epub 2019 Mar 15.

Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Voutes Campus, GR-71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.

Background: Frailty is a state of increased vulnerability that has a significant risk of unfavorable outcomes such as increased dependency and/or death, but little is known about frailty in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Method: We aimed to determine the prevalence of frailty in COPD patients and to identify the associated risk factors. Two hundred fifty-seven COPD patients enrolled from primary care in Greece between 2015 and 2016. Read More

Anatol J Cardiol 2019 Mar;21(Suppl 1):1-40

Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir-Turkey.

Natriuretic peptides have long been introduced into clinical practice. These biomarkers have certainly been shown to provide useful information in the diagnosis, prognosis and risk stratification in heart failure and also may have a role in the guidance of heart failure therapy. Although, there are some limitations in using of these markers such as lack of specificity, aging, renal dysfunction or obesity, among the huge number of candidates for heart failure biomarkers, only natriuretic peptides are currently widely used in daily clinical practice in heart failure. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Mar 11;9(1):4061. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

The presence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) significantly worsens outcomes in patients with advanced sarcoidosis, but its optimal management is unknown. We aimed to characterize a large sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension (SAPH) cohort to better understand patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, and management strategies including treatment with PH therapies. Patients at Duke University Medical Center with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis and SAPH confirmed by right heart catheterization (RHC) were identified from 1990-2010. Read More

Respir Res 2019 Mar 7;20(1):52. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive and fatal disease. While cigarette smoke can change DNA methylation status, the role of such molecular alterations in smoke-associated PH is unclear.

Methods: A PH rat model was developed by exposing animals to cigarette smoke for 3 months. Read More

Stem Cell Res Ther 2019 Mar 6;10(1):75. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

Regenerative Medicine Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, PO Box 201B, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease characterized by widespread loss of the pulmonary microcirculation and elevated pulmonary arterial pressures leading to pathological right ventricular remodeling and ultimately right heart failure. Regenerative cell therapies could potentially restore the effective lung microcirculation and provide a curative therapy for PAH. The objective of this systematic review was to compare the efficacy of regenerative cell therapies in preclinical models of PAH. Read More

J Vasc Surg 2019 Mar 2. Epub 2019 Mar 2.

Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif. Electronic address:

Objective: The benefit of statins in reducing perioperative cardiovascular events in patients undergoing suprainguinal bypass is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between statin use and perioperative mortality in patients undergoing aortobifemoral bypass (ABFB) for aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients who had ABFB in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data set from 2011 to 2016. Read More

Clin Cancer Res 2019 Mar 4. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Oncology Research, Hutchison MediPharma Ltd.

Purpose: No anti-angiogenic treatment is yet approved for extrapancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Surufatinib (HMPL-012, previously named sulfatinib) is a small molecule inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and colony stimulating factor 1 receptor. We conducted a single-arm phase Ib/II study of surufatinib in advanced NETs. Read More

Lung India 2019 Mar-Apr;36(2):157-159

Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.

Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) is a rare cause of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) diagnosed in children and young adults with a nonspecific clinical presentation of dyspnea, cough, chest pain, and fatigue. It is characterized by extensive proliferation of pulmonary capillaries within alveolar septa. The imaging features include diffuse centrilobular ground-glass opacities with features of pulmonary hypertension. Read More

BMJ Open 2019 Mar 1;9(2):e026265. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Introduction: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), an important sequela of preterm birth, is associated with long-term abnormalities of lung function and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Inflammation, inhibition of secondary septation and vascular maldevelopment play key roles in the pathogenesis of BPD. Human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs), stem-like cells, derived from placental tissues are able to modulate the inflammatory milieu and, in preclinical studies of BPD-like injury, restore lung architecture and function. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

ECMO Center Karolinska, Department of Pediatric Perioperative Medicine and Intensive Care, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Support on Extracorporeal oxygenation membrane (ECMO) represents the last therapeutic option in the management of respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension refractory to treatment in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Aim: The objective of this work was to present our experience of all the cases of CDH that we have transported on ECMO.

Material And Methods: Medical records of patients, national and international, with CDH transported by our service on ECMO from 1997 to 2018 were reviewed. Read More

Clin Imaging 2019 Jan 30;55:107-111. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Radiology, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and Spectrum Health, Advanced Radiology Services, Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America; New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States of America.

Background: Congenital unilateral absence of the pulmonary vein (UCAPV) is a rare entity with characteristic clinical and imaging findings. Despite its congenital nature, the radiographic findings and symptoms of UCAPV may not be recognized at birth and patients may present in childhood or early adulthood with findings that may mimic other diagnoses.

Methods: The evolution of imaging findings in UCAPV is presented through two cases, one of which demonstrates the progression of findings over several years. Read More

Med Care 2019 Apr;57(4):256-261

Boston University School of Medicine.

Background: One of the potential benefits of insurance reform is greater stability of insurance and reduced coverage disparities by race and ethnicity.

Objectives: We examined the temporal trends in insurance coverage by racial/ethnic group before and after Massachusetts Insurance Reform by abstracting records across 2 urban safety net hospital systems.

Research Design: We examined adjusted odds of being uninsured and incident rate ratios of gaining and losing insurance over time by race and ethnicity. Read More

Med Clin (Barc) 2019 Feb 19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital IMED de Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, España.

Background And Objective: To identify early, non-invasive prognostic indicators in heart failure (HF), with and without associated pulmonary hypertension, by means of cardiac magnetic resonance, and oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory biomarkers such as Trolox (antioxidant status) and IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine).

Patients And Methods: We prospectively included 70 patients admitted for new-onset HF. During index admission, mean velocity of the pulmonary artery (mvPA) was measured, and blood Trolox and IL-10 determined. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 22;19(1):227. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Makerere University Lung Institute & Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.

Background: Recent large-scale population data on the prevalence of asthma and its risk factors are lacking in Uganda. This survey was conducted to address this data gap.

Methods: A general population based survey was conducted among people ≥12 years. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2019 Jan 31. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada. Electronic address:

Purpose: Effective antenatal counseling in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) relies on proper measurement of prognostic indices. This quality initiative audited the accuracy of prenatal imaging with postnatal outcomes at two tertiary pediatric referral centers.

Methods: Prenatal lung-head ratio (LHR) and total fetal lung volume (TFLV) for CDH patients treated between 2006 and 2017 were retrieved. Read More

Rev Med Suisse 2019 Feb;15(639):439-443

Service de chirurgie thoracique, Département Cœur-Vaisseaux, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne.

The most frequent dialysis modality in Switzerland is hemodialysis. Patients need a proper vascular access for this modality. There are three types of vascular access for hemodialysis : arteriovenous fistula, arteriovenous graft and central venous catheters. Read More

Int J Med Inform 2019 Apr 29;124:78-85. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Department of Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand; Department of Nephrology, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Objectives: To describe the range of patients' beliefs, attitudes, expectations, and experiences of remote monitoring for chronic conditions across different healthcare contexts and populations.

Design: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, and CINAHL, Google Scholar, and reference lists of related studies through to July 2017. Thematic synthesis was used to analyse the findings of the primary studies. Read More

Am J Cardiol 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY; Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH), defined by a mean pulmonary artery pressure of >25mm Hg at rest, is strongly associated with morbidity and mortality in the perioperative period. The prevalence and outcomes of PH among patients referred for major noncardiac surgery in the United States are unknown. Patients ≥18 years of age hospitalized for noncardiac surgery were identified from Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample data from 2004 to 2014. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Rheumatology Unit, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.

Objective: Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is an extracellular enzyme that cross-links collagen fibrils. LOX was found to be increased in serum of SSc patients and was suggested to be related to skin fibrosis, yet a vascular source of LOX has been demonstrated in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (iPAH). We aimed to validate elevated LOX serum levels in SSc and to study its correlation with clinical characteristics and investigate its main source at the tissue level. Read More

J Rheumatol 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

From the Autoimmune Diseases Unit. Department of Internal Medicine. Bellvitge University Hospital. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Internal Medicine. Corporación Sanitaria Universitaria Parc Taulí. Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain; Unit of Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine. Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron. Barcelona, Spain; Unit of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases and Thrombosis. Department of Internal Medicine. Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo. Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain; Department of Internal Medicine. Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves. Granada, Spain; Department of Internal Medicine. Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe. Valencia, Spain; Department of Internal Medicine. Hospital Universitario Mútua Terrassa. Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain; Unit of Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine. Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa. Zaragoza, Spain; Department of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Clinical Institute of Medicine and Dermatology. Hospital Universitario Clinic. Barcelona, Spain; Department of Internal Medicine. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. Oviedo, Asturias, Spain; Unit of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine. Hospital Campus de la Salud, Complejo Universitario de Granada. Granada, Spain; Unit of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine. Hospital de Cabueñes. Gijón, Asturias, Spain; Department of Internal Medicine, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca, Spain; Unit of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine. Consorci Hospitalari de Vic. Vic, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Internal Medicine. Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos. Móstoles, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Universitat Internacional de Catalunya,Barcelona,Spain. Address correspondence to: Melani Pestaña-Fernández MD; Bellvitge University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Feixa Llarga s/n 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Barcelona (Spain). Email:

Objective: Monotherapy is an option as first line therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, combination therapy is a beneficial alternative. Our objective was to evaluate efficacy of monotherapy vs. Read More

Br J Anaesth 2019 Mar 29;122(3):388-394. Epub 2018 Dec 29.

Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Sorbonne University, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.

Background: The incidence of hypoxaemia related to airway management is still a matter of concern. Our aim was to determine the factors that contribute to hypoxaemia during induction of anaesthesia after a standardised preoxygenation procedure.

Methods: The study was a multicentre and prospective observational trial. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

3 Department of Surgery, Division of Acute Care Surgery Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Background: Hospital over-capacity often forces boarding patients outside of their designated intensive care unit (ICU). Anecdotal evidence suggested medical intensive care unit (MICU) patients boarding in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) were responsible for increases in healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates. We studied the effect of ICU boarding on rates of SICU HAIs. Read More

Br J Pharmacol 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2JY.

Background And Purpose: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an incurable, incapacitating disorder resulting from increased pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary arterial remodeling and right ventricular failure. In pre-clinical models, combination of a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) with a neprilysin inhibitor augments natriuretic peptide bioactivity, promotes cyclic GMP signaling, and reverses the structural and hemodynamic deficits that characterize PAH. Herein, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of repurposing the neprilysin inhibitor, racecadotril, in PAH. Read More

Stem Cell Res Ther 2019 Feb 13;10(1):55. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

General ICU, Henan Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.

Background: Despite significant progress in drug treatment, the prognosis of patients with advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains extremely poor. Many preclinical studies have reported the efficacy of stem cell (SC) therapy for PAH; however, this approach remains controversial. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the potential efficacy of SC therapy for PAH. Read More

Adv Exp Med Biol 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Rheumatology and Internal Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.

Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease characterized by tissue fibrosis leading to interstitial lung disease. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been of interest as a potential diagnostic marker and also as a drug target in systemic sclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the serum content of TGF-β1 in patients with systemic sclerosis and to assess its potential role in tissue fibrosis. Read More

Can J Anaesth 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Klinik für Anästhesiologie, LMU Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany.

Purpose: Perioperative right ventricular (RV) failure due to pressure overload from pulmonary hypertension (PH) worsens postoperative outcomes after cardiac surgery. Inhaled iloprost is a potent pulmonary vasodilator improving RV performance, ameliorating myocardial and pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion injury and attenuating inflammation. We hypothesized that the prophylactic inhalation of iloprost would reduce postoperative ventilation times after cardiac surgery. Read More

Cardiovasc Diagn Ther 2018 Dec;8(6):716-724

Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.

Despite relevant residua and sequels, follow-up care of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) is too often not performed by/in specialized and/or certified physicians or centers although major problems in the long-term course may develop. The most relevant encompass heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, heart valve disorders, pulmonary vascular disease, infective endocarditis (IE), aortopathy and non-cardiac comorbidities. The present publication emphasizes current data on IE, pulmonary and pulmonary arterial hypertension and aortopathy in ACHD and underlines the deep need of an experienced follow-up care by specialized and/or certified physicians or centers, as treatment regimens from acquired heart disease can not be necessarily transmitted to CHD. Read More

Cardiovasc Diagn Ther 2018 Dec;8(6):705-715

Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease, German Heart Center Munich, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.

Today most patients with congenital heart defects (CHD) survive into adulthood. Unfortunately, despite relevant residua and sequels, follow-up care of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) is not performed in specialized and/or certified physicians or centres. Major problems in the long-term course encompass heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, heart valve disorders, pulmonary vascular disease, infective endocarditis, aortopathy and non-cardiac comorbidities. Read More

Ther Adv Respir Dis 2019 Jan-Dec;13:1753466618823440

Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Macitentan (10 mg once daily orally), a dual endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) developed by modifying the structure of bosentan to increase the efficacity and safety, is approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The pivotal SERAPHIN trial, (a landmark trial in the history of PAH trials because of the large number of included patients, the long-term follow up and the first trial with morbidity/mortality as the primary endpoint) showed a reduction of the risk of a morbidity or mortality event by 45% over the treatment time compared with placebo. The positive effect on the primary endpoint was observed whether or not the patient was already on PAH therapy. Read More

Transpl Int 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Transplant type for end-stage pulmonary vascular disease remains debatable. We compared recipient outcome after heart-lung (HLT) versus double-lung (DLT) transplantation. Single-center analysis (38 HLT-30 DLT; 1991-2014) for different causes of precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH): idiopathic (22); heritable (two); drug-induced (nine); hepato-portal (one); connective tissue disease (four); congenital heart disease (CHD) (24); chronic thromboembolic PH (six). Read More

JACC Cardiovasc Interv 2019 Feb 23;12(3):274-284. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

Division of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. Electronic address:

Objectives: The authors sought to assess the benefits of pulmonary artery denervation (PADN) among combined pre- and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (CpcPH) patients in a prospective, randomized, sham-controlled trial.

Background: PADN has been shown to improve hemodynamics of pulmonary arterial hypertension in a series of patients. Additionally, benefits of targeted medical therapy for patients with CpcPH secondary to left-sided heart failure are unknown. Read More

Orthop J Sports Med 2019 Jan 28;7(1):2325967118822970. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Background: Worldwide, more than 100 million women between the ages of 15 and 49 years take oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). OCP use increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) through its primary drug, ethinylestradiol, which slows liver metabolism, promotes tissue retention, and ultimately favors fibrinolysis inhibition and thrombosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of OCP use on VTE after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Feb 6;9(1):1458. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Department of Medicine, Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA.

Endothelial dysfunction is the common molecular basis of multiple human diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, and acute lung injury. Therefore, primary isolation of high-purity endothelial cells (ECs) is crucial to study the mechanisms of endothelial function and disease pathogenesis. Mouse lung ECs (MLECs) are widely used in vascular biology and lung cell biology studies such as pulmonary inflammation, angiogenesis, vessel permeability, leukocyte/EC interaction, nitric oxide production, and mechanotransduction. Read More

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019 Feb 7:ATVBAHA118312262. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (J.L.).

In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the Warburg effect (glycolytic shift) and mitochondrial fission are determinants of phenotype alterations characteristic of the disease, such as proliferation, apoptosis resistance, migration, endothelial-mesenchymal transition, and ECM (extracellular matrix) stiffness. Current therapies, focusing largely on vasodilation and antithrombotic protection, do not restore these aberrant phenotypes suggesting that additional pathways need be targeted. The multifactorial nature of PAH suggests epigenetic changes as potential determinants of vascular remodeling. Read More

Int J Oncol 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Department of Medical Oncology, Franco‑British Institute, 92300 Levallois‑Perret, France.

Aflibercept in combination with 5‑fluorouracil (5‑FU)/irinotecan improves overall survival in the second‑line therapy of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In this study, we evaluated the effects of aflibercept in first‑line therapy with FOLFOX followed by maintenance with fluoropyrimidine. VELVET was a prospective, single‑arm multicenter phase II study (completed). Read More

Am J Case Rep 2019 Feb 5;20:154-158. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.

BACKGROUND The diagnostic work-up and treatment of pulmonary hypertension can be complex. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), pulmonary hypertension second to lung or heart diseases and thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and other rare causes of pulmonary hypertension such as congenital heart diseases must be considered in the differential diagnostic work-up. CASE REPORT We report on a patient who has been treated for PAH over many years. Read More

Lancet Oncol 2019 Mar 1;20(3):420-435. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Weill Cornell Medical College, NY, USA; New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA.

Background: VEGF and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2)-mediated signalling and angiogenesis can contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of gastric cancer. We aimed to assess whether the addition of ramucirumab, a VEGFR-2 antagonist monoclonal antibody, to first-line chemotherapy improves outcomes in patients with metastatic gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

Methods: For this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial done at 126 centres in 20 countries, we recruited patients aged 18 years or older with metastatic, HER2-negative gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1, and adequate organ function. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 4;19(1):147. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA.

Background: As Mozambique faces a double burden of diseases, with a rise of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) superimposed to uncontrolled communicable diseases (CD), routine disease surveillance system does not include NCD. The objectives of our study were to i) upgrade of the current surveillance system by adapting the data collection tools to NCD; ii) describe the occurrence and profile of selected NCD using these data collection tools.

Methods: Workshops were implemented in a first referral urban hospital of Mozambique to train clinical staff, administrative workers and nurses on NCD surveillance, as well as select conditions to be prioritized. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019 Feb 5:194599818825471. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

2 Surgical Outcomes Center for Kids, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Objective: The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and execution of major open laryngotracheal operations for patients in the advanced decades.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Multidisciplinary clinic at a tertiary care academic hospital. Read More

JMIR Res Protoc 2019 Feb 4;8(2):e10997. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Background: Main causes of death in Greece are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), malignant neoplasms, respiratory diseases, and road traffic crashes. To assess the population health status, monitor health systems, and adjust policies, national population-based health surveys are recommended. The previous health surveys that were conducted in Greece were restricted to specific regions or high-risk groups. Read More

Arch Biochem Biophys 2019 Mar 30;664:68-75. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, 12208, USA. Electronic address:

Rieske iron-sulfur protein (RISP) is a catalytic subunit of the complex III in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Studies for years have revealed that RISP is essential for the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) via delicate signaling pathways associated with many important molecules such as protein kinase C-ε, NADPH oxidase, and ryanodine receptors. More significantly, mitochondrial RISP-mediated ROS production has been implicated in the development of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, leading to pulmonary hypertension, right heart failure, and death. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Division of Neonatology, Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Background:  Pulmonary hypertension with left ventricular dysfunction commonly occurs in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Milrinone, a phosphodiesterase-III inhibitor with lusitropic and vasodilator effects, is used in up to 30% of CDH infants across the United States. No randomized trials have tested the efficacy or safety of milrinone in CDH neonates. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019 Jan 31;1:CD012621. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Commercial Rd, Melbourne, Australia, 3004.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) comprises a group of complex and heterogenous conditions, characterised by elevated pulmonary artery pressure, and which left untreated leads to right-heart failure and death. PH includes World Health Organisation (WHO) Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); Group 2 consists of PH due to left-heart disease (PH-LHD); Group 3 comprises PH as a result of lung diseases or hypoxia, or both; Group 4 includes PH due to chronic thromboembolic occlusion of pulmonary vasculature (CTEPH), and Group 5 consists of cases of PH due to unclear and/or multifactorial mechanisms including haematological, systemic, or metabolic disorders. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors increase vasodilation and inhibit proliferation. Read More

Expert Rev Respir Med 2019 Mar 11;13(3):251-261. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

a Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital Group and School of Medicine , University College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland.

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is highly prevalent and there is considerable evidence supporting an independent association with a wide range of co-morbidities including cardiovascular, endocrine and metabolic, neuropsychiatric, pulmonary, and renal. Areas covered: A PubMed search of all the recent literature relating to OSA and co-morbidities was undertaken to critically evaluate the potential relationships and possible benefit of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Expert commentary: The evidence supporting an independent association is stronger for some co-morbidities than others and in cardiovascular diseases is strongest for hypertension and atrial fibrillation. Read More

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Cardioangiologisches Centrum Bethanien (CCB) Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt Academy For Arrhythmias (FAFA), Medizinische Klinik III, Agaplesion Markus Krankenhaus, Frankfurt, Germany.

Introduction: Disturbance of sympathetic and vagal nervous system participates in the pathogenesis of hypertension and atrial fibrillation (AF). Renal denervation (RDN) can modulate autonomic nervous activity and reduce blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients. We aimed to evaluate the effect of RDN combined with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with AF and hypertension. Read More

Thorax 2019 Apr 24;74(4):317-318. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Internal Medicine: Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.