Renin-angiotensin system inhibition is associated with reduced risk of left atrial appendage thrombosis formation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin axis can reduce the likelihood of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the effects of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) on thrombogenicity in AF remain incompletely elucidated. Thisretrospective case-control study was conducted to evaluate whether the use of ACEI or ARB could reduce the incidence of left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) and spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) in patients with AF.

Meta-analysis of Fragmented QRS as an Electrocardiographic Predictor for Arrhythmic Events in Patients with Brugada Syndrome.

Fragmented QRS (fQRS) is an electrocardiographic marker related to ventricular fibrillation (VF) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in various clinical settings. Current data regarding the prognostic significance of fQRS in Brugada syndrome (BrS) are contradictory. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the presence of fQRS as a risk stratification tool in BrS.

Implantation of the Micra leadless pacemaker in a patient with a low body mass index of 16.

A 71-year-old female patient has a history of complete heart block and recurrent pacemaker site infection requiring multiple pacemaker explanations. A leadless pacemaker using passive fixation was inserted into the right ventricular apex via transvenous approach without complications. This case illustrates the feasibility of implanting a leadless pacemaker system in a small-sized adult with a low body mass index of 16 (weight: 33.

Total cosine R-to-T for predicting ventricular arrhythmic and mortality outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The total cosine R-to-T (TCRT), a vectorcardiographic marker reflecting the spatial difference between the depolarization and repolarization wavefronts, has been used to predict ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in different clinical settings. However, its prognostic value has been controversial.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the significance of TRCT in predicting arrhythmic and/or mortality endpoints.

Angiotensin-(1-7) attenuates atrial tachycardia-induced sympathetic nerve remodeling.

Introduction: The effect of Angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) on atrial autonomic remodeling is still unknown. We hypothesized that Ang-(1-7) could inhibit sympathetic nerve remodeling in a canine model of chronic atrial tachycardia.

Materials And Methods: Eighteen dogs were randomly assigned to sham group, pacing group and Ang-(1-7) group.

MiR-21 suppresses ox-LDL-induced HUVECs apoptosis by targeting PDCD4.

This study was to investigate the effects of microRNA-21 (miR-21) on ox-LDL-induced HUVECs apoptosis. MTT assay was performed to evaluate the proliferation of HUVECs. Quantitative RT-PCR was conducted to quantify the expression of miR-21.

Effects of trimetazidine on mitochondrial respiratory function, biosynthesis, and fission/fusion in rats with acute myocardial ischemia.

Objective: Myocardial ischemia affects mitochondrial functions, leading to ionic imbalance and susceptibility to ventricular fibrillation. Trimetazidine, a metabolic agent, is clinically used in anti-anginal therapy.

Methods: In this study, the rats were orally treated by gavage with trimetazidine 10 mg/kg/d for 7 days, and the effects of trimetazidine on mitochondrial respiratory function, biosynthesis, and fission/fusion in rats with acute myocardial ischemia were evaluated.

P-Wave Indices and Risk of Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background And Purpose: Atrial cardiomyopathy is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. P-wave terminal force in lead V, P-wave duration, and maximum P-wave area are electrocardiographic parameters that have been used to assess left atrial abnormalities related to developing atrial fibrillation. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine their values for predicting ischemic stroke risk.

Pioglitazone attenuates atrial remodeling and vulnerability to atrial fibrillation in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits.

Background/aims: Recent evidence indicates that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ activators exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. However, the underlying mechanisms by which these agents prevent atrial remodeling in diabetes are not completely elucidated. We sought to investigate the potential effects of pioglitazone, a PPAR-γ activator, on atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation (AF) inducibility in diabetic rabbits.

Investigation of highly expressed PCSK9 in atherosclerotic plaques and ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell apoptosis.

The present study aimed to explore the direct toxicity of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) to atherosclerosis (AS) and its association with apoptotic endothelial cells. Apolipoprotein E‑/‑ mice were randomly divided into two groups, control and experimental. The control group was administered a normal diet and the experimental group was administered a high‑fat diet.

The role of 3D printing in anatomy education and surgical training: A narrative review.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Recent expansions in the development and availability of three-dimensional printing (3Dp) have led to the uptake of this valuable and effective technology within the modern context of medical education.

Brugada phenocopy in a patient with acute pulmonary embolism presenting with recurrent syncope.

Brugada phenocopy (BrP) refers to a group of clinical conditions that have etiologies distinct from Brugada syndrome (BrS). Although both demonstrate features of ST-segment elevation in the right precordial leads on the electrocardiogram (ECG), one must be distinguished from the other as their treatment options are different. We report a male patient who presented with recurrent syncope with a Brugada and a S1Q3T3 pattern on the ECG.

The T - T interval as an electrocardiographic risk marker of arrhythmic and mortality outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The T - T interval (the interval from the peak to the end of the T wave), an electrocardiographic marker reflecting transmural dispersion of repolarization, has been used to predict ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) and sudden cardiac death in different clinical settings.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the significance of the T - T interval in predicting arrhythmic and/or mortality end points.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL Plus databases were searched through November 30, 2016.

Alogliptin, a Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor, Alleviates Atrial Remodeling and Improves Mitochondrial Function and Biogenesis in Diabetic Rabbits.

Background: There is increasing evidence implicating atrial mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation. In this study, we explored whether alogliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, can prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and atrial remodeling in a diabetic rabbit model.

Methods And Results: A total of 90 rabbits were randomized into 3 groups as follows: control group (n=30), alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus group (n=30), and alogliptin-treated (12.

Apocynin attenuates left ventricular remodeling in diabetic rabbits.

Introduction: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases are responsible for the generation of reactive oxygen species, producing vascular and myocardial dysfunction in diabetes mellitus. However, the potential benefits of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor, apocynin, on left ventricular (LV) remodeling remain unknown.

Results: In the diabetic group, interventricular septal thickness and left ventricular posterior wall thickness were markedly increased compared to control.

Thiazolidinedione use and atrial fibrillation in diabetic patients: a meta-analysis.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that thiazolidinediones (TZDs) may exert protective effects in atrial fibrillation (AF). The present meta-analysis investigated the association between TZD use and the incidence of AF in diabetic patients.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched until December 2016.

Serum glycated hemoglobin level as a predictor of atrial fibrillation: A systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Background And Aim: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a long-term measure of glucose control. Although recent studies demonstrated a potential association between HbA1c levels and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), the results have been inconsistent. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the utility of HbA1c level in predicting AF.

Cardioprotective effects of traditional Chinese medicine Guanmaitong on acute myocardial infarction.

Guanmaitong (GMT) is a traditional Chinese herbal compound that has been used for the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) and other cardiovascular diseases. However, the efficacy of GMT in treating cardiovascular diseases remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective mechanisms and identify the targeted proteins and signaling networks associated with the physiological activity of GMT in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Mouse models of atherosclerosis: a historical perspective and recent advances.

Atherosclerosis represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in both the developed and developing countries. Animal models of atherosclerosis have served as valuable tools for providing insights on its aetiology, pathophysiology and complications. They can be used for invasive interrogation of physiological function and provide a platform for testing the efficacy and safety of different pharmacological therapies.

Relation of red blood cell distribution width with CHADS and CHADS-VASc score in Chinese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Background: Higher red cell distribution width (RDW) predicts adverse events in patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, there are limited data regarding the relationship between RDW and thromboembolism risk in the patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to investigate the association between RDW and CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc scores used for the evaluation of thromboembolic risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF).

Probucol prevents atrial ion channel remodeling in an alloxan-induced diabetes rabbit model.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), but the molecular mechanisms of diabetes-induced atrial remodeling processes have not been fully characterized. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanisms underlying atrial ion channel remodeling in alloxan-induced diabetes model in rabbits. A total of 40 Japanese rabbits were randomly assigned to a control group (C), alloxan-induced diabetic group (DM), probucol-treated control group (Control-P), and probucol-treated diabetic group (DM-P).

Keto acid metabolites of branched-chain amino acids inhibit oxidative stress-induced necrosis and attenuate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Branched chain α-keto acids (BCKAs) are endogenous metabolites of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). BCAA and BCKA are significantly elevated in pathologically stressed heart and contribute to chronic pathological remodeling and dysfunction. However, their direct impact on acute cardiac injury is unknown.

Meta-Analysis of the Usefulness of Change in QRS Width to Predict Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

The existing data regarding the role of QRS duration (QRSd) change on cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) response show some inconsistent results. We conducted a meta-analysis of data obtained from observational studies to examine the impact of QRS change after CRT device implantation on the clinical and/or echocardiographic response. We searched the PubMed and EMBASE databases for relevant studies published before January 2016.

Role of ranolazine in the prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of ranolazine (RN) for prevention and cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) have yielded conflicting results.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of RCTs to examine the potential role of RN in the prevention and cardioversion of AF.

Methods: PubMed and EMBASE were searched until June 2016.