Outside stenting of the vein graft decreases VEGF-A expression and induces significant down-regulation of VEGFR-1 in the intimal and medial layers after the re-endothelialization period.

Background: Neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) in vein grafts implanted into the arterial system develops after re-endothelialization and is considered a significant risk factor of occlusion. Evidence suggests that VEGF-A expression with VEGFR-2 activation and/or VEGFR-1 down-regulation might be involved in inhibiting NIH formation. The aim was to assess whether a stented vein graft (SV) has an impact on VEGF-A and VEGFR-1 expression compared with non-stented vein grafts.

A new external stent - intimal proliferation and apoptosis in the vein graft in the animal model.

Background: We have previously showed that the extravascular dacron mesh stent wrapped around a vein graft and implanted into the arterial system prevented the hypertrophy of the graft's wall, impeded the overgrowth of the intima and decreased the proliferation rate of venous graft cellular elements.

Aim: To determine the role of cellular proliferation and apoptosis in the process of remodelling in the stent in an animal model in a 12-week period.

Methods: Male sheep (n = 21) received by transplantation the hybrid graft (group 1) or carotid artery radial vein grafts (group 2).

Quality of life in young, professionally active men undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting--short-term follow-up results.

Background: The impact of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on the quality of life (QoL) is one of the important measures of the efficacy of the procedure. This issue in young, professionally active male patients has not been extensively studied.

Aim: To assess QoL before and after on-pump CABG, and before and after cardiac rehabilitation in young men with low operative risk.

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the heart.

A 72-year-old male diagnosed with heart failure and dyspnea was found to have a lesion in his right atrium. Histological examination of the tumor revealed it to be a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The patient's management and subsequent follow-up are presented.

[Antegrade warm blood cardioplegia versus cold blood cardioplegia in normothermia in the coronary artery bypass grafting procedures. Troponine I release as a marker of periopertive myocardial ischemia].

Unlabelled: Warm myocardial protection has had a strong impact on modern cardiac surgery. The O2 consumption of a heart, arrested by potassium-enriched normothermic blood is 90% less than baseline values. Hypothermia gives only a slight reduction in oxygene consumption.

Force distribution in wire sternum sutures: the consequences for sternal closure rigidity.

Background: This article provides a biomechanical analysis of the distribution of force in wire sutures used for sternal closure in cardiothoracic surgery.

Material/methods: The parameters we measured included displacement in the elastic region, plastic limit, and rupture load on the closure. Force distribution analysis was carried out for every kind of wire suture.

A new outside stent--does it prevent vein graft intimal proliferation?

Objective: The saphenous vein subjected to arterial pressure stretches to its elastic limits and constitutes intimal hyperplasia. Sheathing of the vein graft with pressure-resistant tubing might prolong vein graft patency.

Methods: Twenty-one sheep received radial vein grafts or hybrid grafts composed of radial vein, collagen fibrin glue and highly flexible torlen/dacron mesh tubing transplanted into the carotid artery position.