Transvenous endocardial pacing with SelectSecure 3830 lead in pediatric patients: case series of two infants and a literature review.

Background: The SelectSecure™ 3830 lead is an innovative, lumenless, and thin active fixed lead with a nonretractable screw-in tip and a diameter of 4.1 Fr, making it the thinnest pacing lead available. Its high anti-extrusion properties and durability have shown favorable outcomes in cardiac pacing, especially in pediatric patients.

Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal rupture with prolonged support of intra-aortic balloon pump after primary PCI: a case report.

Background: Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but severe complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). For such cases, surgical repair is recommended by major guidelines, but not always possible for such cases.

Case Presentation: A 72-year-old man presented to the emergency room.

Attenuation of Circulating Trimethylamine N-Oxide Prevents the Progression of Cardiac and Renal Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Chronic Cardiorenal Syndrome.

Chronic heart failure (HF) frequently causes progressive decline in kidney function, known as cardiorenal syndrome-2 (CRS2). Current treatment options for CRS2 remain unacceptably limited. Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite of gut microbiota, has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of both HF and chronic kidney disease.

Clinical outcomes of nicorandil administration in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention is the treatment of choice in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and no-reflow phenomenon is still an unsolved problem.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EmBase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for relevant randomized controlled trials. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiac events and the secondary endpoint was the incidences of no-reflow phenomenon and complete resolution of ST-segment elevation.

A Low-Cost, Ear-Contactless Electronic Stethoscope Powered by Raspberry Pi for Auscultation of Patients With COVID-19: Prototype Development and Feasibility Study.

Background: Chest examination by auscultation is essential in patients with COVID-19, especially those with poor respiratory conditions, such as severe pneumonia and respiratory dysfunction, and intensive cases who are intubated and whose breathing is assisted with a ventilator. However, proper auscultation of these patients is difficult when medical workers wear personal protective equipment and when it is necessary to minimize contact with patients.

Objective: The objective of our study was to design and develop a low-cost electronic stethoscope enabling ear-contactless auscultation and digital storage of data for further analysis.

High red blood cell distribution width is closely associated with in-stent restenosis in patients with unstable angina pectoris.

Background: In-stent restenosis remains an unresolved issue. Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the process of in-stent restenosis. Significant and positive associations were found between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and inflammation.

Genotype-phenotype associations in atrial fibrillation: meta-analysis.

Purpose: Genome-wide association studies have identified several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). The relationship between SNPs and the incidence of stroke, heart failure, and the recurrence rate of AF after cardioversion has been reported. This meta-analysis focuses on the genotype-phenotype associations in AF.

Prostaglandin E1 administration for prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: PGE1 has been studied for prevention of CI-AKI in several RCTs and significant heterogeneous results exist.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to December 26, 2017 for RCTs comparing PGE1 with placebo or other active medications for the prevention of CI-AKI in patients. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used for pooling dichotomous data, while mean difference and 95% confidence interval for pooling continuous data.

Ranolazine improves oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in the atrium of acetylcholine-CaCl2 induced atrial fibrillation rats.

Aims: Ranolazine, an antianginal agent used for chronic stable angina treatment, was demonstrated to be effective in atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment. The aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanisms of its anti-AF effects.

Main Methods: AF rat model was established using acetylcholine (ACh)-CaCl2 injection for 7days followed by ACh infusion into the heart.

[Determining the relationship between coronary artery and coronary sinus and its tributaries using multislice computed tomography].

Objective: To obtain the coronary artery and coronary sinus (CS) and its tributaries imaging with multislice computed tomography (MSCT), measure the distance between coronary artery and CS and its tributaries and analyze their spatial relationships.

Methods: The MSCT scans of 117 patients (67 men, 50 women, age 56 +/- 10 years) were obtained, 3D image reconstructed and the vessels courses evaluated. The concomitant distances and spatial relationships of the vessels were determined.

[Exploration on the relationship between thrombosis and stability of coronary atherosclerotic plaque in patients with unstable angina pectoris].

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between thrombosis and stability of atherosclerotic plaque within criminal vessels in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) by coronary angioscopy, to explore the clinical pathological basis for acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Methods: Sixty-eight patients with UAP were enrolled, the patients with post-infarction angina pectoris and variant angina pectoris were excluded. There were 48 males and 20 females, aged from 40 to 73 (average 62.