CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores for prediction of immediate and late stroke after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: We evaluated the value of CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores in predicting immediate and late stroke after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: One thousand two hundred twenty-six patients without preoperative atrial fibrillation underwent CABG and form the basis of this community-wide study. The main outcome endpoint of this study was any ischemic stroke with occurred immediately of late after CABG.

Heat shock attenuates VEGF expression in three-dimensional myoblast sheets deteriorating therapeutic efficacy in heart failure.

Background: Myoblast sheet transplantation is a promising novel treatment for ischemic heart failure. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that heat shock (HS) pre-treatment affects the angiogenic properties of myoblast sheets in vivo and in vitro.

Material/methods: We studied HS preconditioning of L6 myoblast sheets in relation to their apoptosis, proliferation, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-associated responses under normoxia and under hypoxia in vitro.

Bcl-2 expression enhances myoblast sheet transplantation therapy for acute myocardial infarction.

Myoblast sheet transplantation is a promising novel treatment modality for heart failure after an ischemic insult. However, low supply of blood and nutrients may compromise sheet survival. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mitochondria-protective Bcl-2-modified myoblasts in cell sheet transplantation therapy.

Meta-analysis of randomized trials on the efficacy of posterior pericardiotomy in preventing atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective: Posterior pericardiotomy is considered a method to reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. Its efficacy in preventing atrial fibrillation and supraventricular arrhythmias after coronary artery bypass surgery has been evaluated in the present meta-analysis.

Methods: This meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews.

Immediate and intermediate outcome after off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with unstable angina pectoris.

Background: We have evaluated the immediate and intermediate outcome after off-pump (OPCAB) and conventional on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CCAB) in patients with unstable angina pectoris requiring nitrates infusion until arrival in the operating room.

Methods: A consecutive series of 153 and 161 patients with unrelenting angina pectoris underwent CCAB and OPCAB, respectively. Conversion from OPCAB to beating heart surgery with perfusion occurred in 4 patients.

Validation of the Finnvasc score in infrainguinal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for critical lower limb ischemia.

The aim of the present study was to validate the Finnvasc score for prediction of immediate outcome after infrainguinal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for critical lower limb ischemia (CLI). Our registry included prospective data on 512 patients who underwent isolated infrainguinal PTA revascularization procedures for CLI. The Finnvasc score herein evaluated was calculated by assigning one point each to diabetes, coronary artery disease, foot gangrene, and urgent operation.

Impact of estimated glomerular filtration rate on the 15-year outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on the 15-year outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in a community-wide population study.

Methods: Eight hundred and eighty-two patients who underwent CABG were included in this study. eGFR was estimated by the modified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation.