Evaluation of regional myocardial perfusion in methamphetamine abusers using real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography.

Aims: To evaluate the feasibility of assessing regional myocardial perfusion using real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) at rest for detecting coronary microcirculation abnormalities in methamphetamine abusers.Material and methods: Twenty-two male methamphetamine abusers (11 without chest pain, 11 with chest pain), free of ascertained coronary artery disease, were enrolled in this study. A control group of 22 age-matched male healthy participants was studied for comparison.

Coronary sinus flow is reduced in methamphetamine abusers: a transthoracic echocardiographic study.

To compare the coronary sinus flow among healthy participants, methamphetamine abusers without chest pain and those with chest pain. One hundred and eight methamphetamine abusers: 53 ones without chest pain, 55 ones with chest pain, free of ascertained coronary artery disease, were enrolled in this study. A control group of 50 age-matched male healthy participants was studied for comparison.

Findings on 3D speckle tracking echocardiography in asymptomatic methamphetamine abusers.

To detect potential cardiac abnormalities in asymptomatic methamphetamine abusers using three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D STE). Fifty-three male methamphetamine abusers, free of cardiac symptoms/signs, were enrolled in this study. A control group of 53 age-matched male normal subjects was studied for comparison.

Reduction of Store-Operated Ca(2+) Entry Correlates with Endothelial Progenitor Cell Dysfunction in Atherosclerotic Mice.

The dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) has been shown to prevent endothelial repair during the development of atherosclerosis (AS). Previous studies have revealed that store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is an important factor in regulating EPC functions. However, whether this is also the mechanism in AS has not been elucidated.