Development of a universal, oriented antibody immobilization method to functionalize vascular prostheses for enhanced endothelialization for potential clinical application.

Background: Thrombosis is a common cause of vascular prosthesis failure. Antibody coating of prostheses to capture circulating endothelial progenitor cells to aid endothelialization on the device surface appears a promising solution to prevent thrombus formation. Compared with random antibody immobilization, oriented antibody coating (OAC) increases antibody-antigen binding capacity and reduces antibody immunogenicity in vivo.

An optimal non-viral gene transfer method for genetically modifying porcine bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells for experimental therapeutics.

No currently available treatment is able to generate new contractile tissue or significantly improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction (MI), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although gene transfer-enhanced endothelial progenitor cells (GTE-EPCs) show effectiveness in MI treatment in small animal models, no clinical trials using GTE-EPCs have been documented. Before the introduction of GTE-EPCs into human trials, gene-transfer-mediated augmentation of EPC function in animal models that reflect the human MI scenario should be tested.

Cascade screening for familial hypercholesterolemia-identification of the C308Y mutation in multiple family members and relatives for the first time in mainland China.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), an autosomal dominant genetic disorder, is underdiagnosed and undertreated. The majority of FH cases are caused by low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) gene mutations. The C308Y mutation in LDL-R results in approximately 70% loss of LDL-R activity, leading to the elevation of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and an increased risk of premature coronary heart disease (CHD).

Association of Achilles tendon thickness and LDL-cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Achilles tendons are the most common sites of tendon xanthomas that are commonly caused by disturbance of lipid metabolism. Achilles tendon thickening is the early characteristic of Achilles tendon xanthomas. The relationship between Achilles tendon thickness (ATT) and LDL-C levels, and risk factors of ATT in patients with hypercholesterolemia, have thus far been poorly documented.

Transcatheter Closure Versus Repeat Surgery for the Treatment of Postoperative Left-to-Right Shunts: A Single Center 15-Year Experience.

Background: Repeat surgery and the percutaneous approach (transcatheter closure (TCC)) have been used for the management of postoperative left-to-right shunts. In this study, we described our 15 years of experience in treating postoperative left-to-right shunts with these two approaches.

Methods: From February 2002 to February 2017, 50 patients with residual left-to-right shunts, following cardiac surgery, were treated using TCC or repeat surgery.

Transcatheter closure of calcified patent ductus arteriosus in older adult patients: Immediate and 12-month follow-up results.

Objective: To present our experience in transcatheter closure of calcified patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in older adult patients, which has rarely been reported.

Patients: From 2009 to 2014, a total of 16 patients (median age 58 years) with calcified PDA underwent transcatheter closure in our center. All patients were symptomatic with major symptoms being exertional dyspnea (in 12), palpitations (in 8), and fatigue (in 5).

The Neurorepellent Slit2 Inhibits Postadhesion Stabilization of Monocytes Tethered to Vascular Endothelial Cells.

The secreted neurorepellent Slit2, acting through its transmembrane receptor, Roundabout (Robo)-1, inhibits chemotaxis of varied cell types, including leukocytes, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells, toward diverse attractants. The role of Slit2 in regulating the steps involved in recruitment of monocytes in vascular inflammation is not well understood. In this study, we showed that Slit2 inhibited adhesion of monocytic cells to activated human endothelial cells, as well as to immobilized ICAM-1 and VCAM-1.

Circulating angiogenic cell dysfunction in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant vascular disorder. Circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) play an important role in vascular repair and regeneration. This study was designed to examine the function of CACs derived from patients with HHT.

Coculture with Late, but Not Early, Human Endothelial Progenitor Cells Up Regulates IL-1 β Expression in THP-1 Monocytic Cells in a Paracrine Manner.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been used in clinical trials to treat ischemic heart disease. Monocyte infiltration plays an important role in inflammation, angiogenesis, and tissue repair during tissue ischemia. It is important to understand the interactions between EPCs and monocytes.

Angiographic and clinical outcomes after implantation of drug eluting stents in bifurcation lesions with crush or kissing stent technique.

Background: Long-term outcome after bifurcation stenting with drug-eluting stents (DES) for obstructive coronary artery disease is poorly understood. In this study, we report 6-9-month angiographic follow-up and long-term clinical outcomes after implantation of drug-eluting stents by crush and kissing stent technique for coronary bifurcation lesions.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing bifurcation stenting with DES by crush or kissing stent technique were enrolled in a prospective registry.

A direct comparison of endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction in rat metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with impairment of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), but the effects of metabolic syndrome (MS) on EPCs have been less well characterized. We hypothesized that in the presence of MS, the number and functionality of EPCs would be markedly reduced, and would be similar to DM.

Methods: Mononuclear cells were isolated from the bone-marrow (BM) and peripheral blood of lean Zucker, obese Zucker, a model of MS, and Zucker diabetic fatty rats.

Elevated circulating microRNA-210 levels in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations: a potential new biomarker.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs), which can lead to life-threatening bleeding and other complications, have been reported to occur in 30-50% of patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as new biomarkers for human diseases. This study was conducted to explore circulating miRNAs as biomarkers for the screening of HHT patients with PAVMs.

Characterization of clopidogrel hypersensitivity reactions and management with oral steroids without clopidogrel discontinuation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to characterize clopidogrel hypersensitivity and describe its successful management with oral steroids without clopidogrel discontinuation.

Background: Hypersensitivity reactions to clopidogrel are poorly understood and present difficulty in management.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with clopidogrel hypersensitivity after percutaneous coronary intervention underwent evaluation and received oral prednisone without clopidogrel discontinuation.

Characterization of operator learning curve for transradial coronary interventions.

Background: Transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (TR-PCI) improves clinical outcomes compared to the transfemoral (TF) approach. However, inadequate training and experience has limited widespread adoption by interventional cardiologists.

Methods And Results: Clinical and procedural characteristics for TR-PCI were prospectively collected from 1999 to 2008.

Nitric oxide synthase gene transfer restores activity of circulating angiogenic cells from patients with coronary artery disease.

Circulating angiogenic cells (CACs), represent a potential new therapeutic tool for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, but their regenerative function is impaired in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and cardiac risk factors. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of lentiviral overexpression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) on the activity of CACs from patients with CAD and cardiac risk factors. In vitro and in vivo assays were employed to evaluate the regenerative capacity of the cells compared to CACs derived from healthy volunteers.

Dysregulation of angiogenesis-related microRNAs in endothelial progenitor cells from patients with coronary artery disease.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in vascular repair and maintenance of vascular homeostasis through re-endothelialization and neovascularization. Cardiovascular risk factors that contribute to coronary artery disease (CAD) have been shown to negatively impact EPCs, although the mechanisms are poorly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) which negatively regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level have been shown to impact endothelial cell (EC) angiogenic actions, but little is known about their role in modulating EPC function.

Comparison of abciximab and eptifibatide on angiographic and clinical outcomes in rescue percutaneous coronary intervention for failed fibrinolytic therapy.

Background: Adjunctive administration of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa platelet receptor antagonist (GPA), abciximab, improves outcomes in patients undergoing rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it is unknown if other GPAs provide a similar benefit in this setting.

Objective: We sought to compare angiographic and clinical outcomes of patients receiving abciximab or eptifibatide as an adjunct to rescue PCI.

Rationale and design of Enhanced Angiogenic Cell Therapy in Acute Myocardial Infarction (ENACT-AMI): the first randomized placebo-controlled trial of enhanced progenitor cell therapy for acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Despite the widespread use of pharmacological and/or interventional reperfusion therapies, recovery of cardiac function in myocardial infarction (MI) patients is often modest or even absent. Unlike classical pharmacological treatments, the use of progenitor cells could potentially restore functional tissue in regions that otherwise would form only scar. However, a major limitation of autologous cell therapy is the deleterious influence of age and cardiac risk factors on progenitor cell activity.

Mechanism and predictors of failed transradial approach for percutaneous coronary interventions.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the mechanism and predictors of procedural failure in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from the transradial approach (TR).

Background: Transradial approach PCI reduces vascular complications compared with a transfemoral approach (TF). However, the mechanism and predictors of TR-PCI failure have not been well-characterized.

Clinical and angiographic outcomes with sirolimus-eluting stents in total coronary occlusions: the ACROSS/TOSCA-4 (Approaches to Chronic Occlusions With Sirolimus-Eluting Stents/Total Occlusion Study of Coronary Arteries-4) trial.

Objectives: We sought to examine angiographic and clinical outcomes with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in total coronary occlusion (TCO) revascularization.

Background: Despite evaluation of drug-eluting stents beyond approved indications, few studies have evaluated their clinical benefit in TCO revascularization.

Methods: Among 15 centers in North America, 200 consecutive TCO patients (78.

VEGF gene therapy fails to improve perfusion of ischemic myocardium in patients with advanced coronary disease: results of the NORTHERN trial.

Despite the promise of proangiogenic gene therapy most clinical trials have failed to show benefit for the primary end point analysis. The NOGA angiogenesis Revascularization Therapy: assessment by RadioNuclide imaging (NORTHERN) trial was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of intramyocardial vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165) gene therapy versus placebo, involving seven sites across Canada, designed to overcome major limitations of previous proangiogenic gene therapy trials. A total of 93 patients with refractory Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) class 3 or 4 anginal symptoms were randomized to receive 2,000 microg of VEGF plasmid DNA or placebo (buffered saline) delivered via the endocardial route using an electroanatomical NOGA guidance catheter.

Endothelial progenitor cell therapy for the treatment of coronary disease, acute MI, and pulmonary arterial hypertension: current perspectives.

Since their identification in 1997, bone marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been studied for their role in the endogenous maintenance and repair of endothelium and their potential regenerative capacity beyond the endothelium. In particular, EPCs have been tested in cell therapy approaches with the aim of developing novel therapies for conditions currently lacking effective treatment options. In this review, we discuss the scientific background and clinical experience using EPC delivery or mobilization for the treatment of post-angioplasty restenosis, acute myocardial infarction and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Low-energy gamma-emitting stents inhibit intimal hyperplasia with minimal "edge effects" in a pig coronary artery model.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different doses of gamma-emitting radioactive stents on intimal hyperplasia in a porcine coronary stent model at 28 days.

Methods: Sixty-four bare stents and those coated with palladium-103 [activities of 0 (control), 0.5, 1.

Comparison of radial versus femoral approach for percutaneous coronary interventions in octogenarians.

Background: The safety and efficacy of a radial approach for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in octogenarians is not well established.

Methods: To evaluate the benefits of a radial approach for preventing vascular complications after PCI, clinical, procedural, and outcome data were prospectively collected and compared for 228 octogenarians undergoing elective PCI either through a radial or a femoral approach.

Results: Radial approach was associated with longer cannulation (3.