Modulation of NOX2 causes obesity-mediated atrial fibrillation.

Obesity is linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) via increased oxidative stress. While NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2), a major source of oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the heart, predisposes to AF, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we studied NOX2-mediated ROS production in obesity-mediated AF using Nox2-knockout mice and mature human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-aCMs).

Myo1e overexpression in lung adenocarcinoma is associated with increased risk of mortality.

This study aims to perform a comprehensive genomic analysis to assess the influence of overexpression of MYO1E in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and whether there are differences in survival and mortality risk in NSCLC patients depending on both DNA methylation and RNA expression of MYO1E. The DNA methylation probe cg13887966 was inversely correlated with MYO1E RNA expression in both LUAD and LUSC subpopulations showing that lower MYO1E RNA expression was associated with higher MYO1E DNA methylation. Late stages of lung cancer showed significantly lower MYO1E DNA methylation and significantly higher MYO1E RNA expression for LUAD but not for LUSC.

Bullet Impact Into Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Averts Serious Injury and Death.

A 26-year-old man with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) sustained a gunshot injury to the left side of his chest wall, resulting in direct impact of the bullet into the AICD generator. The injury resulted in a dent in the outer case along with damage to the generator battery and device deactivation. There was no associated intrathoracic injury.

Mutant ANP induces mitochondrial and ion channel remodeling in a human iPSC-derived atrial fibrillation model.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) can model heritable arrhythmias to personalize therapies for individual patients. Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, current platforms to generate iPSC-atrial (a) CMs are inadequate for modeling AF. We applied a combinatorial engineering approach, which integrated multiple physiological cues, including metabolic conditioning and electrical stimulation, to generate mature iPSC-aCMs.

Surgical Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Explantation Technique.

As transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) indications expand, cardiac surgeons need to be prepared to manage heretofore rare TAVR complications requiring explantation, such as acute type A dissection, in these typically high-risk patients. This report describes the successful use of an explantation technique that is ready to hand, efficient, and effective at avoiding further injury to the aortic root and coronary ostia.

Considerations in the Surgical Management of Unicuspid Aortic Stenosis.

Unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) stenosis is a rare condition accounting for 5% of non-rheumatic aortic stenosis. The diagnosis can be difficult to make prior to surgical intervention and transesophageal echocardiography has been demonstrated to be more accurate in making the diagnosis compared to transthoracic echocardiography. The presence of a posteriorly located aortic orifice on the short-axis views, with one or two visible raphe anteriorly; the absence of commissures (acommissural); or the presence of a lone commissure (unicommissural) between the left and noncoronary, or the left and right cusps suggests the diagnosis.

Applications of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic method for simultaneous quantitation of some hypoglycemic drugs in their binary mixtures.

Cost-effective, green, simple and reliable transmission Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic method was developed for simultaneous analysis of hypoglycemic drugs in their binary mixtures for the first time. The FTIR method was applied for the determination of vildagliptin (VILD), glimepiride (GLIM) and pioglitazone (PIOG) in binary mixture with metformin (METF). The method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines.

Determination of the Frequency of Right and Left Internal Mammary Artery Embolization in Single Ventricle Patients: A Two-Center Study.

Embolization of systemic to pulmonary artery collaterals to regulate pulmonary arterial flow or pressure of the cavopulmonary circulation in patients with single ventricle is a common practice. The relative incidence and impact of this practice on future interventions like coronary artery bypass grafting is poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the frequency and implications of internal mammary artery (IMA) embolization in the single ventricle (SV) population.

Primary Pulmonary Vein Leiomyosarcoma With Left Atrial Extension.

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a mesenchymal tumor originating from the smooth muscle cells. LMS of the great vessels accounts for 60% of cases, with inferior vena cava being the most common site. Pulmonary vein LMS is an extremely rare subset that was first reported in 1939.

Left Atrial and Carotid Body Paraganglioma.

We report a rare case of left atrial paraganglioma with a synchronous carotid body paraganglioma in a 30-year-old man with succinate dehydrogenase B gene mutation. The patient initially presented with a neck mass and palpitations. Laboratory test results showed elevated catecholamine levels.

Surgical Correction of Aberrant Right Coronary Anomalies Stranding an Aortic Commissure with and Without Unroofing.

The technique for successful surgical correction of an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the opposite aortic cusp with an aberrant course between the aorta and pulmonary artery is illustrated in a symptomatic 62-year-old woman. The intramural course of the right coronary artery traversed the tip of the commissure between the anterior and posterior leaflets, and its repair entailed unroofing of the intramural segment from inside the aortic intima. This technique required resuspension of the overlying commissure to maintain optimal aortic valve leaflet coaptation and prevent aortic insufficiency.

Frequency of Mammary Artery Coiling in Single-Ventricle Patients and Future Coronary Artery Grafting.

Pre-Fontan coil closure of aorto-pulmonary collaterals decreases single-ventricle volume load and improves outcome. Coiling of right and left internal mammary arteries may present a challenge to cardiothoracic surgery teams caring for these patients when future coronary artery bypass grafting is needed for SV patients. The goal of this study was to determine the frequency of internal mammary artery coil closure in SV patients in a single tertiary care center.

Utilization of cardiothoracic surgeons for operative penetrating thoracic trauma and its impact on clinical outcomes.

Background: Large series reporting outcomes for penetrating thoracic trauma have identified injury pattern and injury severity scoring as predictors of poor outcome. However, the impact of surgical expertise on patient outcomes has not been previously investigated. We sought to determine how often board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons are utilized for operative thoracic trauma and whether this has an effect on patient outcomes.

Improved survival associated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with clinical stage IIIA(N2) non-small-cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Optimal management of clinical stage IIIA-N2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is controversial. This study examines whether neoadjuvant chemoradiation plus surgery improves survival rates when compared with other recommended treatment strategies.

Methods: Adult patients from the National Cancer Database, with clinical stage IIIA-N2 disease definitively treated between 1998 and 2004 at American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer accredited facilities, were included in the study.

Diagnosis and management of primary effusion lymphoma in the immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts.

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an uncommon non-Hodgkin lymphoma associated with human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) that grows mainly in serous body cavities. The most common presentation of PEL is that of a young immunocompromised male with shortness of breath, as the pleural cavity is most commonly affected. Diagnosis is primarily based on fluid cytology in which PEL cells display variable morphology and a null lymphocyte immunophenotype; however, evidence of HHV-8 infection within the neoplastic cell is essential.

Occult infiltrating bi-ventricular papillary renal cell carcinoma metastasis found during coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Metastatic papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to the heart has never been reported. We report the case of a 73-year-old patient with papillary RCC metastatic to the left and right ventricles, found during a triple vessel coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Current and future therapy for pulmonary hypertension in patients with right and left heart failure.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a devastating condition that without proper management can deteriorate progressively. Elevated pulmonary artery pressure without an identifiable etiology is called IPAH. PH resulting from a specific disease is referred to as secondary PH; left-sided cardiac disease can lead to an increase in pulmonary artery pressure resulting in increased vascular resistance and subsequent structural remodeling.

Recent developments in antithrombotic therapy: will sodium warfarin be a drug of the past?

Warfarin and heparin have formed the mainstay in the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, and treatment of thromboembolic disease (TED). However, these choices are hampered by difficult administration, interactions with other medications, side effect profile, and limited indications for treatment. Anti-factor Xa (anti-Xa) inhibitors have already entered the drug market with the drug Fondaparinux being the first anti-Xa inhibitor to be approved for use in the U.

Current status of the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects several million patients worldwide and is associated with a number of heart conditions, particularly coronary artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, hypertension, and congestive heart failure. The treatment of AF and its complications is quite costly. Atrial fibrillation usually results from multiple macro-re-entrant circuits in the left atrium.

Endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms: techniques and clinical update.

Open repair of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms continues to be associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Endovascular repair of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms has evolved over the past few years and has significantly reduced the morbidity of aortic aneurysm repair compared with the standard open surgical procedures. Several devices have been approved for clinical use for this purpose.

Earlier recovery with beating-heart surgery: a comparison of 300 patients undergoing conventional versus off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Objective: To compare outcomes and cost of off-pump coronary artery bypass (OP-CAB) surgery versus cardiopulmonary bypass-assisted coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: A tertiary care university teaching hospital.