Hemodynamic and prognostic implications of net atrioventricular compliance in patients with mitral stenosis.

Background: On the basis of the close association of left atrial compliance with pulmonary hypertension in patients with mitral stenosis, we hypothesized that: (1) Doppler-derived net atrioventricular compliance (C(n)) can be used for predicting the occurrence of mitral valve (MV) replacement or percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC); and (2) determinants of exercise capacity are variable depending on C(n).

Methods: We consecutively enrolled 26 patients (22 women; mean age, 47.0 +/- 6.

Identification of a novel role of T cells in postnatal vasculogenesis: characterization of endothelial progenitor cell colonies.

Background: The colony number of early endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) has been used as a quantitative indicator of the number of EPCs in the blood or as a biological marker of cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, we found a subset of T cells that were localized at the center of the EPC colony and played a pivotal role in colony formation and differentiation of early EPCs.

Methods And Results: We found that CD3+ CD31+ CXCR4+ T cells (referred to as angiogenic T cells in the present study) constituted the center of EPC colonies during cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Echocardiographic and hemodynamic findings in patients with mitral stenosis undergoing percutaneous mitral commissurotomy comparing those with chronic atrial fibrillation versus those with normal sinus rhythm.

Chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with mitral stenosis (MS). Because AF induces electrical and mechanical remodeling of the left atrium, left atrial (LA) compliance is likely to be changed in its presence. This study was performed to investigate the influence of AF on LA compliance in patients with moderate to severe MS.

Effect of celecoxib on restenosis after coronary angioplasty with a Taxus stent (COREA-TAXUS trial): an open-label randomised controlled study.

Background: In-vitro and animal experiments have shown that the cyclo-oxygenase 2 inhibitor celecoxib can reduce formation of neointima within stents. We aimed to test whether celecoxib has similar effects in a clinical setting.

Methods: In a randomised two-centre trial, we enrolled 274 patients who had angina pectoris or a positive stress test and who had native coronary artery lesions for which implantation of paclitaxel-eluting stents was feasible.

Involvement of E-selectin in recruitment of endothelial progenitor cells and angiogenesis in ischemic muscle.

E-selectin plays critical roles in tethering leukocytes to endothelial cells (ECs). We studied the role of E-selectin in endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) homing and vasculogenesis. After ischemia, the expression of E-selectin on ECs peaked 6 to 12 hours and returned to baseline at 24 hours, whereas the level of soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) in serum increased over 24 hours and remained high at day 7.

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in South Korea.

Background: Helicobacter pylori-associated gastrointestinal diseases have been widely recognized. The aims of this study were to investigate the interval change of seropositivity of H. pylori between 1998 and 2005 in Korean adult population and to find the factors related to H.

Extracolonic findings in an asymptomatic screening population undergoing intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography colonography.

Background And Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate extracolonic findings that could be encountered with computed tomography colonography (CTC) using intravenous (IV) contrast material in an asymptomatic screening population.

Methods: Intravenous contrast medium-enhanced CTC was performed in 2230 asymptomatic adults (mean age, 57.5 years).

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide as a predictor of repeat coronary revascularization.

Background: Recent studies suggest that natriuretic peptides are potential biomarkers for myocardial ischemia. However, little is known about the value of NT-proBNP as a predictor of repeat revascularization (RR) at follow-up angiography in patients with normal LV systolic function.

Methods: We collected and analyzed the clinical and angiographic data from 445 consecutive patients (62.

Features of Gastric Neoplasm Detected during the Screening Examination.

Background/aims: Gastric cancer is the leading malignancy in Korea and early detection through the health screening seems to be important. The aims of this study were to investigate the features of gastric neoplasms detected during screening, and to figure out the risk factors of these lesions.

Methods: From October 2003 to September 2005, subjects who visited Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center for health check-up were included in the study.

Effects of the early administration of heparin in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary angioplasty.

Background: The effect of adjunctive heparin for primary angioplasty in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not well established, so the authors investigated the effect of early heparin administration in the emergency room (ER) on initial patency of the infarct-related artery (IRA) and on the clinical outcome in STEMI patients.

Methods And Results: One hundred and twenty consecutive patients who presented with STEMI less than 12 h from pain onset and who were eligible for primary percutaneous coronary intervention were allocated to an early heparin group (heparin administered in ER) or a late heparin group (heparin administered after angiography). In the early heparin group, unfractionated heparin (60 U/kg bolus IV, then 14 U .

Akt is a key modulator of endothelial progenitor cell trafficking in ischemic muscle.

Trafficking of transplanted endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to ischemic tissue is enhanced by stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, it has not been studied how these cytokines modulate the local milieu to entrap EPCs. This study was performed to elucidate a molecular pathway of trafficking EPCs through Akt and to test its application as an adjuvant modality to increase EPC homing.

Aliskiren, an oral renin inhibitor, provides dose-dependent efficacy and sustained 24-hour blood pressure control in patients with hypertension.

Objectives: This dose-ranging study evaluated the antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of aliskiren in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.

Background: Low blood pressure (BP) control rates among patients with hypertension indicate a need for improved treatment options. This study investigates aliskiren, the first in a new antihypertensive class called renin inhibitors.

Stent-related cardiac events after non-cardiac surgery: drug-eluting stent vs. bare metal stent.

For evaluation of post-operative stent associated cardiac events after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation we analyzed data of 138 patients who underwent non-cardiac surgery after DES implantation and compared the data with those of 101 patients who underwent non-cardiac surgery after bare metal stent (BMS) implantation. Three patients (2.2%) in DES group developed post-operative cardiac events and none in BMS group (p=0.

Impact of NAD(P)H oxidase p22 phox gene polymorphism on vascular aging in Korean centenarian and nonagenarian.

Background: Oxidative stress, the imbalance between production and removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is implicated in the process of cardiovascular aging. Membrane-associated NAD(P)H oxidase system is the most important source of ROS in vascular cells. p22(phox), a critical component of the NAD(P)H oxidase, has a polymorphic site on exon 4, associated with variable enzyme activity.

Sirolimus-eluting stent showed better one-year outcomes than paclitaxel-eluting stent in a real life setting of coronary intervention in Koreans.

Objective: The drug-eluting stent (DES) has been proven its efficacy in randomized trials. But the difference of efficacy between sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) in unselected patients is in controversy. Therefore, we investigated the clinical and angiographic outcomes of these two types of the DES.

Hemodynamic effects of tachycardia in patients with relaxation abnormality: abnormal stroke volume response as an overlooked mechanism of dyspnea associated with tachycardia in diastolic heart failure.

Background: Prevention of tachycardia is an important therapeutic strategy in patients with relaxation abnormality.

Methods: Eleven patients with stable relaxation abnormality (group 1) and 8 healthy individuals (group 2) were enrolled. Left ventricular (LV) mean diastolic pressure, LV dimensions, stroke volume (SV), and LV ejection, filling, and isovolumic times between right atrial pacing rates of 80 and 120/min were compared.

Intracoronary infusion of the mobilized peripheral blood stem cell by G-CSF is better than mobilization alone by G-CSF for improvement of cardiac function and remodeling: 2-year follow-up results of the Myocardial Regeneration and Angiogenesis in Myocardial Infarction with G-CSF and Intra-Coronary Stem Cell Infusion (MAGIC Cell) 1 trial.

Background: The results of stem cell therapy trials in myocardial infarction using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) are inconsistent among trials, and the long-term outcome of G-CSF-based stem cell therapy remains unknown. We reported 2 years of follow-up results of 2 different strategies of G-CSF-based stem cell therapy.

Methods And Results: We compared outcomes of intracoronary infusion of the mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) with G-CSF, mobilization alone with G-CSF, and the control PCI alone in patients with myocardial infarction.

Forkhead transcription factor FOXO3a is a negative regulator of angiogenic immediate early gene CYR61, leading to inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and neointimal hyperplasia.

Cysteine-rich angiogenic protein 61 (CYR61, CCN1) is an immediate early gene expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) on growth factor stimulation, and its expression has been suggested to be associated with postangioplasty restenosis. The forkhead transcription factors are reported to play various roles in cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and even adaptation to cellular stress. We hypothesized that the forkhead transcription factor FOXO3a may regulate CYR61 expression in VSMCs and investigated the CYR61-modulating effect of FOXO3a in the process of vascular response to vasoactive signals and vascular injury.

Assessment of left ventricular rotation and torsion with two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Background: Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has a unique feature of angle independence and, thus, may provide a powerful means of assessing left ventricular (LV) torsion (LVtor). The aims of this study were to assess: (1) the feasibility of 2-dimensional STE in the measurement of LVtor; and (2) the relationship of LVtor with age and conventional echocardiographic parameters.

Methods: We consecutively recruited 160 healthy volunteers.

Retinopathy as an indicator of silent brain infarction in asymptomatic hypertensive subjects.

Background And Purpose: Silent brain infarction (SBI), which is cerebral target organ damage of hypertensive microangiopathies, is frequently seen in hypertensive patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relation between hypertensive retinopathy (HTR) and SBI in subjects without a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Methods: Five hundred-fifty hypertensive subjects without history of stroke or transient ischemic attack had brain MRI and retinal photographs taken.

Renal toxicity evaluation and comparison between visipaque (iodixanol) and hexabrix (ioxaglate) in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography: the RECOVER study: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: This study sought to compare the nephrotoxicity of iodixanol and ioxaglate in patients with renal impairment undergoing coronary angiography.

Background: Iodixanol, a nonionic, dimeric, iso-osmolar contrast medium (IOCM), may be less nephrotoxic than low-osmolar contrast media (LOCM) in high-risk patients.

Methods: In a prospective, randomized trial in 300 adults with creatinine clearance (CrCl) < or =60 ml/min, patients received either iodixanol or ioxaglate and underwent coronary angiography with or without percutaneous coronary intervention.

Prediction of outcome in patients undergoing surgery for severe tricuspid regurgitation following mitral valve surgery and role of tricuspid annular systolic velocity.

This study was performed to identify echocardiographic parameters related to postoperative clinical outcome in patients who undergo surgery for severe tricuspid regurgitation after mitral valve surgery. Eighteen patients (2 men, 16 women; mean age 58 years) were prospectively enrolled. Echocardiographic examinations were performed before and 15 +/- 7 months after surgery.

Beta-catenin overexpression reduces myocardial infarct size through differential effects on cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts.

Beta-catenin is a transcriptional regulator of several genes involved in survival and proliferation. Although previous studies suggest that beta-catenin may be involved in the process of preconditioning and healing after myocardial infarction (MI), little is known regarding the role of beta-catenin in cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts. We investigated the role of beta-catenin in cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts and whether beta-catenin overexpression could reduce MI size.