Additional Lesion Sets in Ablation of Outflow Tract Premature Ventricular Contractions: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Recurrence remains a challenge after ablation of outflow tract premature ventricular contractions (OT-PVCs). Although adding additional lesions next to the index effective ablation site is sometimes performed to reinforce the ablation, it remains uncertain whether this approach is effective.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that additional ablation lesions would reduce the recurrence rate compared with single-point ablation at the index effective site for the ablation of OT-PVCs.

NAD+ metabolism and therapeutic strategies in cardiovascular diseases.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a central and pleiotropic metabolite involved in cellular energy metabolism, cell signaling, DNA repair, and protein modifications. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Metabolic stress and aging directly affect the cardiovascular system.

Value of frontal QRS axis for risk stratification of individuals with prolonged PR interval.

Background: There is ongoing controversy regarding the prognostic value of PR prolongation among individuals free of cardiovascular diseases. It is necessary to risk-stratify this population according to other electrocardiographic parameters.

Methods: This study is based on the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Systemic Delivery of Clopidogrel Inhibits Neointimal Formation in a Mouse Vein Graft Model.

Clopidogrel inhibits platelet aggregation and has beneficial effects on patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, but it is unknown whether clopidogrel inhibits the neointima formation of grafted veins. In this study, we used a murine vein graft model to study the effect of clopidogrel on intima hyperplasia of the vein graft. Vein grafting was performed among C57BL/6J mice, immediately after surgery; 1 mg/kg clopidogrel and vehicle control were used to inject mice peritoneally daily for 2 weeks.

Sema4C Is Required for Vascular and Primary Motor Neuronal Patterning in Zebrafish.

Endothelial cells (ECs) and neurons share a number of common signaling pathways and molecular mediators to orchestrate directional migration and guide the pattern of the vascular network and nervous system. So far, research concerning the functional coupling between vascular and neuronal pathfinding remains insufficient. Semaphorin4C (sema4C), a member of class 4 semaphorins, is initially described in the nervous system, whose role has been demonstrated in diverse biological developments.

Ginsenoside Rh2 administration produces crucial antidepressant-like effects in a CUMS-induced mice model of depression.

Introduction: The most striking feature of depression is sadness and a loss of interest in activities, which represents a major cause of disability globally. Therefore, it is necessary to identify novel antidepressants for clinical practice. Ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2) is one of the major bioactive ginsenosides that can be extracted from Panax ginseng and has been demonstrated to improve both memory and learning.

Hippocampal miR-124 Participates in the Pathogenesis of Depression via Regulating the Expression of BDNF in a Chronic Social Defeat Stress Model of Depression.

Objective: As one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, the exact pathogenesis of depression remains elusive. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify novel antidepressants for effective treatment. MicroRNA-124 (miR-124), the most abundant miRNA in brain tissue, plays a key effect on adult neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation.

Epicardial catheter ablation of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias originating from uncommon epicardial sites.

Purpose: Idiopathic epicardial ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are clustered in the areas of the summit and crux. This study was to report a group of idiopathic epicardial VAs remote from the summit and crux areas.

Methods: In total, 9 patients (6 males, mean age 32 ± 13 years) were enrolled.

Increased O-GlcNAcylation induces myocardial hypertrophy.

Myocardial hypertrophy is a common precursor of many diseases, and it can lead to myocardial ischemia and weaken cardiac contractility. High-sugar diets and diabetes are high risk factors for cardiac hypertrophy. O-GlcNAcylation, a dynamic and ubiquitous post-translational glycosylation of proteins on serine/threonine residues, has been usually considered as a nutrient sensor.

Systematic profiling of early regulators during tissue regeneration using zebrafish model.

Great progresses have been made in comprehension of tissue regeneration process. However, one of the central questions in regeneration research remains to be deciphered is what factors initiate regenerative process. In present study, we focused on systematic profiling of early regulators in tissue regeneration via high-throughput screening on zebrafish caudal fin model.

A comparison of postprocedural anticoagulation in high-risk patients undergoing WATCHMAN device implantation.

Background: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is an alternative to long-term anticoagulation for thromboembolic protection in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and high bleeding risk. Short-term Warfarin use following LAAC is well-studied, while data pertaining to novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC) use in this setting is less robust. Specifically, data regarding the safety and efficacy of postprocedural NOAC use in high-risk patients is lacking.

Electrophysiological Characteristics of Bundle Branch Reentry Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients Without Structural Heart Disease.

Background: The distinct electrophysiological features of bundle branch reentry ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients without structural heart disease have not been systemically characterized.

Methods: Nine patients (mean age, 29.6 years) with normal left ventricular function were enrolled.

Late cure of focal ventricular arrhythmias post-catheter ablation: electrophysiological characteristics and long-term outcome.

Purpose: Late cure after a previously failed ablation of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) is a relatively common phenomenon. The present study sought to delineate the incidence and electrophysiological characteristics of late cure in idiopathic VA patients.

Methods: Totally, 45 idiopathic VA cases (mean age 44 ± 18 years, 27 males) either failed acutely or recurred within 12 h were enrolled in this study.

Outcomes of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: Over the past decade, catheter ablation (CA) has become an established therapy for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Atrial fibrillation is common in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients, and restoring sinus rhythm is of great clinical benefit to them. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available data to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CA for AF in patients with HCM.

Meta-analysis of the therapeutic effects of various methods for the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation.

The aim of this study was to analyze the therapeutic effects of various methods for the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). Randomized controlled trials (RCT) concerning drug therapy and catheter ablation for the treatment of chronic AF were retrieved. The RevMan 5.

Relation between projection positions and X-ray radiation doses during placement of the coronary sinus mapping electrode.

Purpose: To reduce X-ray radiation injury, we investigated the relation between projection positions and X-ray radiation doses when a coronary sinus mapping electrode was placed.

Methods: There were 400 patients in whom a coronary sinus mapping electrode was placed for intracardiac electrophysiologic examination or radio-frequency catheter ablation in our hospital between 1 June 2008 and 31 May 2011. The doctors who placed the coronary sinus mapping electrode and the projection positions including posteroanterior, left anterior oblique 45°, and right anterior oblique 30° projection positions were randomly selected.