HDAC9 is implicated in atherosclerotic aortic calcification and affects vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype.

Aortic calcification is an important independent predictor of future cardiovascular events. We performed a genome-wide association meta-analysis to determine SNPs associated with the extent of abdominal aortic calcification (n = 9,417) or descending thoracic aortic calcification (n = 8,422). Two genetic loci, HDAC9 and RAP1GAP, were associated with abdominal aortic calcification at a genome-wide level (P < 5.

Observational and Genetic Associations of Resting Heart Rate With Aortic Valve Calcium.

It is unknown if lifelong exposure to increased hemodynamic stress from an elevated resting heart rate (HR) may contribute to aortic valve calcium (AVC). We performed multivariate regression analyses using data from 1,266 Framingham Heart Study (FHS) Offspring cohort participants and 6,764 Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) participants. We constructed a genetic risk score (GRS) for HR using summary-level data in the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) AVC Consortium to investigate if there was evidence in favor of a causal relation.

Usefulness of precordial T-wave inversion to distinguish arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy from idiopathic ventricular tachycardia arising from the right ventricular outflow tract.

The 2 predominant causes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) arising from the right ventricle are arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and idiopathic VT arising from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). These arrhythmias can be adrenergically mediated and may be difficult to distinguish clinically. A minor criterion for the diagnosis of ARVC is T-wave inversion (TWI) in the right precordial leads during sinus rhythm.

Creating an ontology-based human phenotyping system: The Rockefeller University bleeding history experience.

The lack of standardized methods for human phenotyping is a major obstacle in translational science. We have developed a bleeding history phenotyping system comprising an ontology, a questionnaire, a Web-based phenotype recording instrument (PRI), and a database. The ontology facilitates transparency, collaboration, aggregation of data, and data analysis.

Epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci among patients on an adult stem cell transplant unit: observations from an active surveillance program.

Objective: To use the findings of an active surveillance program to delineate the unique epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a mixed population of transplant and nontransplant patients hospitalized on a single patient care unit.

Design: Surveillance survey and case-control analysis.

Setting: A 19-bed adult bone marrow and stem cell transplant unit at a referral and primary-care center.

Predictive value of microvolt T-wave alternans in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the utility of microvolt T-wave alternans (TWA) in predicting arrhythmia-free survival and total mortality in patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.

Background: Microvolt TWA has been proposed as a useful tool in identifying patients unlikely to benefit from prophylaxis with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) prophylaxis.

Methods: We evaluated 286 patients with an LV ejection fraction View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Effect of bundle branch block on microvolt T-wave alternans and electrophysiologic testing in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Background: T-wave alternans (TWA) and electrophysiology study (EPS) are used for risk stratification for sudden death.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of bundle branch block or intraventricular conduction delay on TWA and EPS.

Methods: 386 patients with coronary artery disease, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, and left ventricular ejection fraction < or =40% underwent TWA and EPS, and were followed for 40 +/- 19 months.

Effect of oral beta-blocker therapy on microvolt T-wave alternans and electrophysiology testing in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Prior investigation has shown that intravenous beta-blockers decrease T-wave alternans (TWA) positivity in patients undergoing electrophysiology study (EPS). The present study examined whether oral beta-blocker use within 24 hours of TWA influences yield and predictive value of TWA and EPS.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 387 patients (312 [81%] men, mean age 67 +/- 11 years) with coronary artery disease, left ventricular ejection fraction < or = 40%, and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia who underwent EPS and were followed for a mean of 2.

Bilateral total knee arthroplasty increases the propensity to trip on an obstacle.

Tripping over an obstacle is the most frequent cause of falls. We examined the effects of total knee arthroplasty on obstacle avoidance success rates in older adults. Obstacle avoidance success rates, body mass index, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, depth perception, and single-leg stance duration were evaluated in 29 subjects who had bilateral total knee arthroplasties (age range, 72.

Osteoarthritis of the knees increases the propensity to trip on an obstacle.

Tripping on an object is the most frequent cause of falls. We examined the effects of painful osteoarthritis of the knee on obstacle avoidance success rates in older adults. Obstacle avoidance success rates, pain, body mass index, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, depth perception, and single-leg stance duration were evaluated in 17 patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knees (age range, 59.