The Focal Induction of Reactive Oxygen Species in Rats as a Trigger of Aortic Valve Degeneration.

Background: Degenerative aortic valve disease (DAVD) is a multifactorial process. We developed an animal model to analyze the isolated, local effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on its pathophysiology.

Methods: We utilized a photodynamic reaction (PDR) as a source of ROS in the aortic valve by aiming a laser at the aortic valve for 60 min after the administration of a photosensitizer 24 h prior.

Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation with Concomitant Replacement of the Ascending Aorta.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the main causes for end-stage heart failure. Until the transplantation, left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have become an established treatment. We report a case of a 66-year-old patient with ischemic and DCM and suspected aortic ulcer formation.

Hypercalcemia-Associated Hodgkin's Lymphoma Presenting as Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Case Report.

Hodgkin's lymphoma is a malignancy of the lymphatic system that can rarely present with advanced-stage features such as spinal cord involvement and hypercalcemia. We present the case of a 63-year-old Caucasian male with advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma, presenting with hypercalcemia and symptoms resembling normal pressure hydrocephalus. The patient exhibited gait impairment, altered mental status, and urinary incontinence, forming the classic triad seen in normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Myocardial inflammation is associated with impaired mitochondrial oxidative capacity in ischaemic cardiomyopathy.

Aims: Myocardial inflammation and impaired mitochondrial oxidative capacity are hallmarks of heart failure (HF) pathophysiology. The extent of myocardial inflammation in patients suffering from ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and its association with mitochondrial energy metabolism are unknown. We aimed at establishing a relevant role of cardiac inflammation in the impairment of mitochondrial energy production in advanced ischaemic and non-ischaemic HF.

Targeting Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Signaling to Prevent the Progression of Aortic Valve Disease.

Background: Aortic valve disease (AVD) is associated with high mortality and morbidity. To date, there is no pharmacological therapy available to prevent AVD progression. Because valve calcification is the hallmark of AVD and S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate) plays an important role in osteogenic signaling, we examined the role of S1P signaling in aortic stenosis disease.