Apolipoprotein E genotype, TNF-α 308G/A and risk for cardiac surgery associated-acute kidney injury in Caucasians.

Objectives: Acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery depicts a severe clinical problem that is strongly associated with adverse short- and long-term outcome. We analyzed two common genetic polymorphisms that have previously been linked to renal failure and inflammation, and have been supposed to be associated with cardiac surgery associated-acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI).

Methods: A total of 1415 consecutive patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery with CPB at our institution were prospectively enrolled.

Tumor necrosis factor-α -863 C/A promoter polymorphism affects the inflammatory response after cardiac surgery.

Objective: Cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) initiates an inflammatory response that shows a wide inter-individual range and determines postoperative morbidity. Previous research suggests that genetic diversity contributes to individual susceptibility to perioperative trauma and stress. Nevertheless, the genetic triggering of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) release remains unclear.

Identification of an up-regulated anti-apoptotic network in the internal thoracic artery.

Background: The radial artery (RA) is known as an atherosclerosis-prone vessel in contrast to the atherosclerosis-resistant internal thoracic artery (ITA). The purpose of the present study was to compare the gene expression profile of these arteries from the same patient in order to identify genes involved in atherogenesis or intimal hyperplasia.

Methods: Paired specimens of RA and ITA (n=6) were analyzed by histomorphometry and whole genome microarray.

Valvular chondromodulin-1 expression is downregulated in a rabbit model of infective endocarditis.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Tissue neovascularization is a major event in the development and dissemination of inflammatory diseases, such as infective endocarditis (IE). Although the molecular triggers which allow vascular ingrowth in the aforementioned avascular regions are not well understood, they may represent potential prophylactic or therapeutic targets. Thus, an investigation was conducted to determine whether the expression of chondromodulin-1 (Chm-1), an anti-angiogenic protein, is dysregulated in mitral valves in a rabbit model of IE, and whether Chm-1 transcripts are differentially expressed in various heart tissues.

A rat model of cardiopulmonary bypass with cardioplegic arrest and hemodynamic assessment by conductance catheter technique.

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is known to induce systemic inflammation and cardiac dysfunction associated with a significant morbidity. Aim of the study was to develop an in vivo model of rat CPB with hypothermic cardiac arrest and the use of cardioplegia.

Material And Methods: The CPB circuit consisted of a venous reservoir, membrane oxygenator, heat exchanger, and roller pump.

Factor V Leiden does not affect bleeding in aprotinin recipients after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background: Carriers of the factor V Leiden mutation (FVL) are resistant to activated protein C proteolysis. Therefore, they are at increased risk of thromboembolic events. Aprotinin is an unspecific proteinase inhibitor frequently used during cardiac surgery procedures to reduce bleeding.

Characteristic of spontaneous transient outward potassium currents in vascular smooth muscle cells of porcine coronary artery.

Spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) play an important role in the myogenic regulation of small artery tone, such as coronary artery. In the present study, we investigated the electrophysiological properties and the regulation of STOCs in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of porcine coronary artery by perforated patch-clamp technique. Our data showed that STOCs were dependent on voltage and extracellular calcium and they were highly variable in amplitudes and frequencies.

Graft function, histopathology and morphometry of radial arteries used as conduits for myocardial revascularization in patients beyond age 70.

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using radial arteries has become a standard procedure for younger patients in many centers. However, advanced atherosclerotic changes may limit its use in older patients. We studied the effects of age on morphologic and histopathologic findings in CABG patients aged 70 years and older.

Calcineurin and matrix protein expression in cardiac hypertrophy: evidence for calcineurin B to control excessive hypertrophic signaling.

In the compensatory state of human left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the remodeling processes in the extracellular matrix and the role of calcineurin (Cn) are not completely understood. The present work aimed to analyze the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), their endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs), and of Cn in patients with compensated LVH. By semiquantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, and gelatine zymography, we determined mRNA, protein, and/or enzyme activity levels of MMPs, TIMPs, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), Cn subunits, and of the modulatory calcineurin-interacting protein (MCIP) 1.

Transcriptional regulation of alpha5beta1 integrin, fibronectin, VCAM-1, MCSF-1/c-fms, and MCP-1 in atrioventricular valves after valvular surgery and Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

Objective: The primary event in the development of infective endocarditis (IE) is bacterial adherence to damaged heart valves. This includes capture, adhesion and internalization of bacteria into host cells.

Methods: We determined in an experimental rabbit model for IE whether a transient bacteremia caused by Staphylococcus aureus and/or endothelial heart valve lesions induce transcriptional regulation of alpha(5)beta(1) integrin, fibronectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), macrophage colony-stimulating factor-1 (MCSF-1), c-fms proto-oncogene (MCSF-1 receptor), and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in mitral and tricuspid valves.

Atrial fibrosis in heart surgery patients Decreased collagen III/I ratio in postoperative atrial fibrillation.

In chronic atrial fibrillation, increased expression of angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) promotes upregulation of profibrotic proteins. Atrial fibrillation early after cardiac surgery (poAF) is common but unpredictable, and is regarded as a different entity. Therefore, the present study tested whether atrial expression of ACE, osteopontin (OPN), and collagen is elevated in patients with no history of AF but who develop poAF.