Surgical repair of a residual lesion of mixed-type total anomalous pulmonary venous connection using a vertical vein as a free graft: a case report.

Background: Mixed-type total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is a rare condition in which the pulmonary veins possess multiple drainage sites. In the treatment of multiple lesions, it is sometimes necessary to treat only the main lesion first and repair additional residual lesions during follow-up.

Case Presentation: We report a case of additional repair of a remaining type Ia lesion in a 19-year-old woman with mixed-type total anomalous pulmonary venous connection who had previously been treated for a type IIa lesion alone.

[Midterm Outcomes of Pulmonary Valve Leaflet Augmentation using Fresh Autologous Pericardium for Transannular Patch Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot].

Background: Although valve sparing (VS) for patients with smaller pulmonary valves has been increasing, transannular patch repair( TAP) accounts for more than half of the total tetralogy of Fallot corrections worldwide. We use fresh autologous pericardial patches to perform a modified TAP procedure with pulmonary valve leaflet augmentation as proposed by Sung et al. We aimed to explore the early and midterm outcomes of this procedure.

Surgical Angioplasty for a Single Coronary Artery With Myocardial Bridging.

Single coronary artery with myocardial bridging is rare but associated with the risk of sudden cardiac death in children, yet there is no standardized treatment approach. We report a 6-year-old girl with chest pain having a single coronary artery with complete myocardial bridging of the left main coronary artery (modified Lipton type RII-S) branching from the right coronary artery at an acute angle. Coronary angioplasty using an in situ aortic flap and an autologous pulmonary arterial patch combined with myocardial unroofing was successfully performed for the left main coronary artery.

Canagliflozin Suppresses Atrial Remodeling in a Canine Atrial Fibrillation Model.

Background Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the possible pleiotropic effects of SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2) inhibitors in clinical cardiovascular diseases. Atrial electrical and structural remodeling is important as an atrial fibrillation (AF) substrate. Methods and Results The present study assessed the effect of canagliflozin (CAN), an SGLT2 inhibitor, on atrial remodeling in a canine AF model.

Liraglutide suppresses atrial electrophysiological changes.

We have shown that a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor suppresses atrial remodeling in a canine atrial fibrillation (AF) model. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is increased by DPP-4 inhibitors. However, it is not clear whether GLP-1 is involved in the suppression of atrial remodeling.

Linagliptin Suppresses Electrical and Structural Remodeling in the Isoproterenol Induced Myocardial Injury Model.

The effect of DPP-4 inhibitor on the electrical and structural remodeling in myocardial injury has not been evaluated. We hypothesized that linagliptin, DPP-4 inhibitor, suppresses myocardial remodeling in the isoproterenol (ISP)-induced myocardial injury model.Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 3 groups: 1) sham group, 2) ISP group (subcutaneous ISP injection of 70 mg/kg), and 3) ISP + linagliptin (ISP + Lin) (5 mg/kg/day, p.

Antiremodeling Effect of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibition in a Canine Model of Atrial Fibrillation.

In a canine rapid atrial stimulation model of atrial fibrillation (AF), we have demonstrated an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) along with electrical and structural remodeling. In the present study, we hypothesized that antioxidants can suppress atrial remodeling canines with AF. We therefore evaluated the effect of febuxostat, a xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor and a pure antioxidant, on atrial remodeling.

Linagliptin prevents atrial electrical and structural remodeling in a canine model of atrial fibrillation.

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have recently been reported to exhibit additional cardioprotective effects; however, their effect in atrial remodeling, such as in atrial fibrillation (AF), remains unclear. In this study, the effect of linagliptin on atrial electrical and structural remodeling was evaluated in a canine AF model. Sixteen beagle dogs with 3-week atrial rapid stimulation were divided into the linagliptin group (9 mg/kg/day, n = 8) and pacing control group (n = 8).

Decreased gene expression of fatty acid binding protein 3 in the atrium of patients with new onset of atrial fibrillation in cardiac perioperative phase.

Background: Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) frequently occurs after cardiac surgery. However, the mechanisms of POAF have not been fully elucidated. We aimed to examine whether pre-operative atrial gene expression related to cardiac metabolism is changed in patients with POAF.

Long-term homeostasis and wound healing in an in vitro epithelial stem cell niche model.

Cultures of epithelial cells are limited by the proliferative capacity of primary cells and cell senescence. Herein we show that primary human epithelial cell sheets cultured without dermal equivalents maintained homeostasis in vitro for at least 1 year. Transparency of these sheets enabled live observation of pigmented melanocytes and Fluorescent Ubiquitination-based Cell Cycle Indicator (FUCCI) labeled epithelial cells during wound healing.

The J-wave as a Predictor of Life-Threatening Arrhythmia in ICD Patients.

The J-wave has been reported to be associated with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. However, the clinical implication of the J-wave is still unclear in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).The study population consisted of 170 ICD patients (age, 56 ± 16 years, 79.

Left-Ventricular Plication Reduces Wall Stress and Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy in a Rat Model of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: The indications of left-ventricular plication (LVP) are controversial, although several studies have reported favorable outcomes in heart failure patients. The aim of this study was to assess left-ventricular (LV) wall stress and myocardial remodeling after LVP in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Sixteen rats underwent LVP by excluding the LV anterior wall scar 4 weeks after ligation of the left anterior descending artery.

Discrimination of Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation.

Discrimination between paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (PAF and persistent AF) is important for determining the therapeutic strategy in patients with new-onset AF. We evaluated various clinical factors and P wave morphology to discriminate PAF and persistent AF patients in patients with new-onset AF.The study population consisted of 79 patients with new-onset AF (70.

Aliskiren suppresses atrial electrical and structural remodeling in a canine model of atrial fibrillation.

Aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor is expected to achieve sufficient suppression of renin-angiotensin system. We evaluated the effect of aliskiren on the electrical and structural remodeling in a canine atrial fibrillation (AF) model. Twenty-eight dogs were divided into three groups: (1) pacing control group (n = 12), with continuous atrial rapid pacing for 3 or 6 weeks, (2) pacing + aliskiren group (n = 12), with oral aliskiren (30 mg/kg/day), and (3) sham group (n = 4), no pacing nor drug administration.

Polytherapy with sodium channel-blocking antiepileptic drugs is associated with arrhythmogenic ST-T abnormality in patients with epilepsy.

Purpose: Recent reports have documented the appearance of Brugada-type ST elevation in cases of overdose of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). However, little is known about changes on electrocardiographs (ECGs) during AED use at therapeutic doses. AEDs may cause Brugada-type ST elevation or J-wave-like intraventricular conduction delays through an ion channel-blocking effect.

Efficacy and Limitations of Tachycardia Detection Interval Guided Reprogramming for Reduction of Inappropriate Shock in Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Patients.

The avoidance of inappropriate shock therapy is an important clinical issue in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients. We retrospectively analyzed therapeutic events in ICD patients, and the effect of tachycardia detection interval (TDI) and tachycardia cycle length (TCL) guided reprograming on the reduction of inappropriate ICD therapy. The clinical determinants of after reprogramming were also evaluated.

Rivaroxaban Inhibits Angiotensin II-Induced Activation in Cultured Mouse Cardiac Fibroblasts Through the Modulation of NF-κB Pathway.

Cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) play a central role in cardiac fibrosis. Factor Xa (FXa)-dependent protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 and PAR-2 have been reported as important targets in proinflammatory and fibroproliferative diseases. From this viewpoint, we aimed to investigate whether treatment of rivaroxaban, an approved oral direct FXa inhibitor, attenuates functional changes in angiotensin (Ang) II-induced mouse CFs.

Prediction of new onset atrial fibrillation through P wave analysis in 12 lead ECG.

It is unknown whether 12-lead ECG can predict new-onset AF. In the present study, we identified patients with new onset AF from our digitally stored ECG database, and the P wave morphologies were analyzed in their preceding sinus rhythm recordings as the precursor state for AF. The P wave was analyzed in the most recent ECG recording of sinus rhythm preceding new onset AF within 12 months.

Cardiomyocyte-derived mitochondrial superoxide causes myocardial electrical remodeling by downregulating potassium channels and related molecules.

Background: This study was designed to investigate the role of a primary hyperoxidative stress in myocardial electrical remodeling using heterozygous heart/muscle-specific manganese superoxide dismutase-deficient (H/M-Sod2(+/-)) mice treated with L-buthionine-sulfoximine (BSO).

Methods And Results: Both H/M-Sod2(+/-)and wild-type (WT) mice were treated with intra-peritoneal BSO or saline for 7 days, and divided into 4 groups: H/M-Sod2(+/-)+BSO, WT+BSO, H/M-Sod2(+/-)control, and WT control. The ventricular effective refractory period (ERP) and the monophasic action potential duration (MAPD) were determined.

Effect of carvedilol on atrial remodeling in canine model of atrial fibrillation.

Aims: We evaluated the effect of carvedilol, a beta-blocker with anti-oxidative action, against the atrial fibrillation (AF) inducibility, the development of atrial remodeling and the oxidative stress markers in a canine AF model.

Methods And Results: AF model was produced by performing 6-week rapid atrial stimulation in 15 dogs. The animals were divided into the following three groups: (I) pacing + carvedilol group (n=5); (II) pacing control group (n=5); and (III) non-pacing group (n=5).

Prophylactic statin administration may prevent shortening of the fibrillation cycle length in patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation.

Patients with recently diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) tend to exhibit a longer fibrillation cycle length (FCL) than those having a longer clinical history. However, the electrophysiological properties of new-onset AF may vary because of the clinical background of patients. In this study, we evaluated clinical factors to identify the determinants of FCL in new-onset AF.

Prediction of inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapies through parameters obtained in a simple exercise stress test.

Although the clinical benefits of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have been demonstrated, inappropriate therapies (IATs) cannot be completely avoided even with the most advanced devices. Recently, IATs are considered to decrease the ventricular function and prognosis of a patient. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of IAT with parameters during cardiopulmonary exercise stress test (CPX).

Cardioprotective effects of sarcolemmal and mitochondrial K-ATP channel openers in an experimental model of autoimmune myocarditis. Role of the reduction in calcium overload during acute heart failure.

It has been reported that K-ATP channel openers have a cardioprotective effect in acute ischemia as a pharmacological preconditioning effect. In the present study, the chronic effects of clinical K-ATP channel openers, ie, nicorandil (Nic) and mexiletine (Mex), on cardiac function were evaluated in a rat model of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). Nicorandil (3 or 10 mg/kg/day) or Mex (10 or 25 mg/kg/day) was administered to the EAM rats, and the effects were compared with those in untreated EAM rats (control EAM) and sham rats without EAM on day 21 (acute phase) or day 60 (chronic phase).

Angiotensin II-mediated up-regulation of connective tissue growth factor promotes atrial tissue fibrosis in the canine atrial fibrillation model.

Aims: Remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in the production of arrhythmogenic substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF), and is considered to be promoted by the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Our objective was to assess the relationship between CTGF and ECM synthesis, and the effect of olmesartan on these processes.

Methods And Results: Fifteen canine AF models were produced by rapid atrial stimulation.