Cardiovascular complications are the main cause of morbidity and mortality from diabetes. Herein, vascular inflammation is a major pathological manifestation. We previously characterized the cardiac microvascular inflammatory phenotype in diabetic patients and highlighted micro-RNA 92a (miR-92a) as a driver of endothelial dysfunction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAberrant Wnt activation has been reported in failing cardiomyocytes. Here we present single cell transcriptome profiling of hearts with inducible cardiomyocyte-specific Wnt activation (β-cat) as well as with compensatory and failing hypertrophic remodeling. We show that functional enrichment analysis points to an involvement of extracellular vesicles (EVs) related processes in hearts of β-cat mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrovascular dysfunction is a pathological hallmark of diabetes, and is central to the ethology of diabetes-associated cardiac events. Herein, previous studies have highlighted the role of the vasoactive micro-RNA 92a (miR-92a) in small, as well as large, animal models. In this study, we explore the effects of miR-92a on mouse and human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (MCMEC, HCMEC), and its underlying molecular mechanisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the developed world, accounting for more than 30% of all deaths. In a large proportion of these patients, acute myocardial infarction is usually the first manifestation, which might further progress to heart failure. In addition, the human heart displays a low regenerative capacity, leading to a loss of cardiomyocytes and persistent tissue scaring, which entails a morbid pathologic sequela.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTotal arterial revascularization is the leading trend in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Adding to its superiority to vein conduits, arteries allow for a high degree of versatility and long-term patency, while minimizing the need for reintervention. This is especially important for patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease, as well as young patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMed Sci Monit Basic Res
July 2016
Ventricular hypertrophy is an ominous escalation of hemodynamically stressful conditions such as hypertension and valve disease. The pathophysiology of hypertrophy is complex and multifactorial, as it touches on several cellular and molecular systems. Understanding the molecular background of cardiac hypertrophy is essential in order to protect the myocardium from pathological remodeling, or slow down the destined progression to heart failure and cardiomyopathy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMed Sci Monit Basic Res
September 2015
The totally artificial heart (TAH) is among the most prominent medical innovations of the 21st century, especially due to the increasing population with end-stage heart failure. The progressive course of the disease, its resistance to conventional therapy, and the scarcity of hearts available for transplantation were the prime impetus for developing a TAH, especially when other options of mechanical circulatory assist devices are exhausted. In this review, we narrate the history of TAH, give an overview of its technology, and address the pros and cons of the currently available TAH models in light of published clinical experience.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLeft ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are an increasingly implemented therapeutic intervention for patients with end-stage heart failure. A growing body of evidence, however, has shown an elevated risk of device thrombosis, a major complication jeopardizing the patient's post-implantation survival. To date, multiple causative factors for LVAD thrombosis have been identified, such as internal shear stress, device material, infection, and inadequate anticoagulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMed Sci Monit Basic Res
July 2015
Roughly 60% of hearts offered for transplantation are rejected because of organ dysfunction. Moreover, hearts from circulatory-dead patients have long been thought to be non-amenable for transplantation, unlike other organs. However, tentative surgical attempts inspired by the knowledge obtained from preclinical research to recover those hearts have been performed, finally culminating in clinically successful transplants.
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