Long-term follow-up after implantation of the Shelhigh® No-React® complete biological aortic valved conduit.

Objectives: Long-term follow-up reports after implantation of the Shelhigh® (Shelhigh, Inc., NJ, USA) No-React® aortic valved conduit used for aortic root replacement do not exist.

Methods: Between November 1998 and December 2007, the Shelhigh® No-React® aortic valved conduit was implanted in 291 consecutive patients with a mean age of 69.

G-CSF induced arteriogenesis in humans: molecular insights into a randomized controlled trial.

Aims: Recent data have demonstrated the feasibility of therapeutic induction of coronary collateral growth (arteriogenesis); however, mechanisms of action of such therapeutic collateral stimulation in humans are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential mechanisms, especially the involvement of arteriogenesis-relevant genes.

Methods And Results: A total of 52 patients were randomized into two groups: subcutaneous G-CSF (10 μg/kg; n=26) or placebo (n=26).