Clinical outcomes of percutaneous or surgical closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of percutaneous closure (PC) and surgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSVA).

Methods: Eighty-five consecutive patients with RSVA were included in this study. Patients were considered candidates for PC if they met the criterion, surgical repair was performed on patients who were unsuitable or failed PC.

Acute effects of Rho-kinase inhibitor fasudil on pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with congenital heart defects.

Background: We investigated the acute vasodilator effects of i.v. fasudil, a specific Rho-kinase inhibitor, on pulmonary circulation in patients with congenital heart defects (CHD) and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).