A Novel Artificial Coronary Plaque to Model Coronary Heart Disease.

Background: Experimental coronary artery interventions are currently being performed on non-diseased blood vessels in healthy animals. To provide a more realistic pathoanatomical scenario for investigations on novel interventional and surgical therapies, we aimed to fabricate a stenotic lesion, mimicking the morphology and structure of a human atherosclerotic plaque.

Methods: In an interdisciplinary setting, we engineered a casting mold to create an atherosclerotic plaque with the dimensions to fit in a porcine coronary artery.

Effect of osteopathic techniques on human resting muscle tone in healthy subjects using myotonometry: a factorial randomized trial.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are highly prevalent, burdensome, and putatively associated with an altered human resting muscle tone (HRMT). Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is commonly and effectively applied to treat MSDs and reputedly influences the HRMT. Arguably, OMT may modulate alterations in HRMT underlying MSDs.

Mechanical circulatory support for Takotsubo syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cardiogenic shock occurs in 10%-15% of patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TS). For several reasons catecholamines, and especially inotropes, should be avoided in TS. Temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) appears attractive as bridge-to-recovery, but prospective studies are lacking.