Doxycycline induces mitochondrial dysfunction in aortic smooth muscle cells.

The antibiotic doxycycline is known to inhibit inflammation and was therefore considered as a therapeutic to prevent abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth. Yet mitochondrial dysfunction is a key-characteristic of clinical AAA disease. We hypothesize that doxycycline impairs mitochondrial function in the aorta and aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs).

A comparison of myocardial magnetic resonance extracellular volume mapping at 3 T against histology of tissue collagen in severe aortic valve stenosis and obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objective: Quantitative extracellular volume fraction (ECV) mapping with MRI is commonly used to investigate in vivo diffuse myocardial fibrosis. This study aimed to validate ECV measurements against ex vivo histology of myocardial tissue samples from patients with aortic valve stenosis or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Materials And Methods: Sixteen patients underwent MRI examination at 3 T to acquire native T maps and post-contrast T maps after gadobutrol administration, from which hematocrit-corrected ECV maps were estimated.

Short-term outcome after the prenatal diagnosis of right aortic arch.

Objectives: To determine the proportion of children that require surgery in the first year of life and thereafter in order to improve the counseling of parents with a fetus with a right aortic arch (RAA).

Methods: Fetuses diagnosed with isolated RAA, defined as the absence of intra- or extracardiac anomalies, between 2007 and 2021 were extracted from the prospective registry PRECOR.

Results: In total, 110 fetuses were included, 92 with a prenatal diagnosis of RAA and 18 with double aortic arch (DAA).

No prominent role for complement C1-esterase inhibitor in Marfan syndrome mice.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a connective tissue disorder causing aortic aneurysm formation. Currently, only prophylactic aortic surgery and blood pressure-lowering drugs are available to reduce the risk of aortic rupture. Upon whole genome sequencing of a Marfan family, we identified a complement gene C1R variant (p.

Closing a Right Coronary Artery Fistula Draining Into the Coronary Sinus Using a Covered Stent in the Coronary Sinus.

This report describes the case of a symptomatic patient with a right coronary artery fistula draining into the coronary sinus who underwent transcatheter closure, which was deployed in the drainage site to seal off the exit of the fistula. ().

A modified surgical technique for aortopexy in tracheobronchomalacia.

Objectives: Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is characterized by collapse of trachea, bronchi or both, leading to dyspnoea, expiratory stridor, coughing or recurrent airway infections. Surgical treatment with aortopexy is warranted for severe TBM. We describe a modified aortopexy technique with aortic wall strap sutures that evenly distributes the traction force over the full width of the aortic arch.

Long-term outcome after the arterial switch operation: 43 years of experience.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess our 43-year experience with arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) by analysing cardiac outcome measures (hospital and late mortality, reoperations and catheter interventions, significant coronary artery obstruction) and to identify risk factors for reoperation and catheter interventions.

Methods: A total of 490 patients who underwent ASO for TGA from 1977 to 2020 were included in this retrospective, single-centre study. Data on reoperation and catheter intervention of hospital survivors were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using a long-rank test.

The Clinical Spectrum of Kommerell's Diverticulum in Adults with a Right-Sided Aortic Arch: A Case Series and Literature Overview.

Background: Kommerell's diverticulum is a rare vascular anomaly characterized as an outpouch at the onset of an aberrant subclavian artery. In the variant of a right-sided aortic arch, the trachea and esophagus are enclosed dorsally by the arch. In the configuration of an aberrant left subclavian artery, a Kommerell's diverticulum and persisting ductus arteriosus or ductal ligament enclose the lateral side, forming a vascular ring which may result in (symptomatic) esophageal or tracheal compression.

Quantification of Myocardial Creatine and Triglyceride Content in the Human Heart: Precision and Accuracy of in vivo Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Background: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( H-MRS) of the human heart is deemed to be a quantitative method to investigate myocardial metabolite content, but thorough validations of in vivo measurements against invasive techniques are lacking.

Purpose: To determine measurement precision and accuracy for quantifications of myocardial total creatine and triglyceride content with localized H-MRS.

Study Type: Test-retest repeatability and measurement validation study.

Continuous postoperative pericardial flushing reduces postoperative bleeding after coronary artery bypass grafting: A randomized trial.

Background: Prolonged or excessive bleeding after cardiac surgery can lead to a broad spectrum of secondary complications. One of the underlying causes is incomplete wound drainage, with subsequent accumulation of blood and clots in the pericardium. We developed the continuous postoperative pericardial flushing (CPPF) therapy to improve wound drainage and reduce postoperative blood loss and bleeding-related complications after cardiac surgery.

Liver X receptors are required for thymic resilience and T cell output.

The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ necessary for optimal T cell development. Here, we show that liver X receptors (LXRs)-a class of nuclear receptors and transcription factors with diverse functions in metabolism and immunity-critically contribute to thymic integrity and function. LXRαβ-deficient mice develop a fatty, rapidly involuting thymus and acquire a shrunken and prematurely immunoinhibitory peripheral T cell repertoire.

Glycoproteomic Analysis of the Aortic Extracellular Matrix in Marfan Patients.

Objective: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is caused by mutations in FBN1 (fibrillin-1), an extracellular matrix (ECM) component, which is modified post-translationally by glycosylation. This study aimed to characterize the glycoproteome of the aortic ECM from patients with MFS and relate it to aortopathy. Approach and Results: ECM extracts of aneurysmal ascending aortic tissue from patients with and without MFS were enriched for glycopeptides.

Comparison of wound closure techniques in median sternotomy scars in children: subcuticular suture versus Steri-Strip™ S.

Objectives: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare subcuticular sutures and Steri-Strip™ S in closing median sternotomy incisions in children with regard to wound healing and scar formation.

Methods: Fifty-three children and adolescents were enrolled in this study who all underwent a median sternotomy at age 0-18 years and had their presternal cutaneous wounds closed with either a running subcuticular suture (Group 1) or Steri-Strip™ S (Group 2). Their scars were assessed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS).

Aortic coarctation repair through left thoracotomy: results in the modern era.

Objectives: Surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is often possible through left thoracotomy and without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Recent studies reporting the outcome after CoA repair through left thoracotomy are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the results of CoA repair through left thoracotomy in children who were operated on in our centre over the past 21 years.

Excellent durability of homografts in pulmonary position analysed in a predefined adult group with tetralogy of Fallot.

Objectives: In repaired tetralogy of Fallot, surgical pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is in certain cases required. Our institution reported earlier about 26 patients who received a pulmonary homograft via PVR. To date, we have data from more than 17 years of follow-up.

Infective Endocarditis After Melody Valve Implantation in the Pulmonary Position: A Systematic Review.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) after transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation (TPVI) in dysfunctioning right ventricular outflow tract conduits has evoked growing concerns. We aimed to investigate the incidence and the natural history of IE after TPVI with the Melody valve through a systematic review of published data.

Methods And Results: PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for articles published until March 2017, reporting on IE after TPVI with the Melody valve.

Predictors of residual tricuspid regurgitation after percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect.

Aims: Functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) associated with atrial septal defects (ASDs) is frequently present due to right-sided volume-overload. Tricuspid valve (TV) repair is often considered in candidates for surgical ASD closure, and percutaneous TV repair is currently under clinical investigation. In this study, we develop a prediction model to identify patients with residual moderate/severe TR after percutaneous ASD closure.

Fifteen years' experience with the use of artificial chords for valve reconstruction in children.

Objectives: To retrospectively review our experience with artificial chords in mitral and tricuspid reconstructive surgery in children.

Methods: All consecutive paediatric (<18 years) patients who underwent mitral or tricuspid valve reconstruction with the use of artificial chords in our centre in the past 15 years were retrospectively analysed.

Results: Thirty-nine patients (age 3 days to 17 years) underwent reconstruction of the mitral (n = 27) or tricuspid (n = 12) valve using artificial chords.

Does the Use of a Decision Aid Improve Decision Making in Prosthetic Heart Valve Selection? A Multicenter Randomized Trial.

Background: A Dutch online patient decision aid to support prosthetic heart valve selection was recently developed. A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess whether use of the patient decision aid results in optimization of shared decision making in prosthetic heart valve selection.

Methods And Results: In a 5-center randomized controlled trial, patients were allocated to receive either standard preoperative care (control group) or additional access to the patient decision aid (intervention group).