Altered Left Ventricular Rat Gene Expression Induced by the Myosin Activator Omecamtiv Mecarbil.

To explore the impact of omecamtiv mecarbil (OM) on the gene expression profile in adult male rats. Fourteen male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a single OM (1.2 mg/kg/h; n = 6) or placebo (n = 8) 30-min infusion.

The myosin activator omecamtiv mecarbil improves wall stress in a rat model of chronic aortic regurgitation.

In patients with chronic aortic regurgitation (AR), excessive preload and afterload increase left ventricle wall stress, leading to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the myosin activator omecamtiv mecarbil (OM) on left ventricle wall stress in an experimental rat model of severe chronic AR. Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomized into two experimental groups: induction of AR (acute phase) by retrograde puncture (n = 34) or a sham intervention (n = 6).

Long-Term Outcome After Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as Bridge to Left Ventricular Assist Device Preceding Heart Transplantation.

Objectives: To determine if venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) as a bridge to left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in heart transplant (HT) candidates (ie, double bridge to HT) was associated with increased morbidity and mortality when compared to LVAD bridging to HT (ie, single bridge to HT).

Design: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing LVAD support from 2011 to 2020. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox-Mantel hazard ratios (HR) were calculated during LVAD support and after HT.

Proximal pressure reducing effect of wave reflection in the pulmonary circulation disappear in obstructive disease: insight from a rabbit model.

Locating the site of increased resistance within the vascular tree in pulmonary arterial hypertension could assist in both patient diagnosis and tailoring treatment. Wave intensity analysis (WIA) is a wave analysis method that may be capable of localizing the major site of reflection within a vascular system. We investigated the contribution of WIA to the analysis of the pulmonary circulation in a rabbit model with animals subjected to variable occlusive pulmonary disease.

Use of a right ventricular continuous flow pump to validate the distensible model of the pulmonary vasculature.

In the pulmonary circulation, resistive and compliant properties overlap in the same vessels. Resistance varies nonlinearly with pressure and flow; this relationship is driven by the elastic properties of the vessels. Linehan et al.

Effects of the cardiac myosin activator Omecamtiv-mecarbil on severe chronic aortic regurgitation in Wistar rats.

Background: Aortic regurgitation (AR) is a valvular disease that can lead to systolic heart failure. Treatment options besides cardiac surgery are limited and consequently severe AR is associated with higher mortality and morbidity when not operated. In this investigation, we examined the effects of a novel cardiac myosin activator, Omecamtiv-mecarbil (OM), in rats with chronic severe AR.

How to cope with a temporarily aborted transplant program: solutions for a prolonged waiting period.

Background: Due to budgetary restrictions our university heart transplant program came to a standstill to be gradually restarted early 2011. Consequently waiting-times for transplantation increased dramatically beyond the usual 10-15 months. We reviewed the clinical results of this peculiar transplant program over the past 4 years.

Unusual 30-year durability of Hancock II porcine bioprosthesis in tricuspid position.

Introduction: We describe an unusual durability of a Hancock II porcine bioprosthesis in tricuspid position. Sustainability of bioprostheses is known to be limited especially in young patients.

Presentation Of The Case: A 52-year old Caucasian woman with a history of multiple valve interventions.

Gonococcal ascending aortic aneurysm with penetrating ulcer and bovine arch.

We describe a patient with ascending aorta aneurysm and bovine aortic arch who initially presented with fever. A 65-year-old man with a 2-month history of intermittent fever was referred to our hospital and diagnosed as having a gonococcal ascending aorta aneurysm with penetrating ulcers. He was successfully treated by resection of the ascending aorta and ulcers, replacement of the aortic valve, and prolonged postoperative antibiotic therapy.

Recycling of internal thoracic arteries in reoperative coronary surgery: in-hospital and midterm results.

Background: Selected patients, presenting for reoperative coronary surgery with patent internal thoracic arteries (ITAs), may benefit from techniques to salvage and reuse these ITA grafts. We have termed this practice the recycling of ITAs. The purpose of this study is to report our short-term and midterm results using various recycling techniques.

Reoperation for ascending aorta false aneurysm using deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest.

Objectives: Ascending aorta false aneurysms after cardiac surgery are uncommon. Resternotomy is hazardous and may result in massive and uncontrollable hemorrhage if the false aneurysm is entered. Here we report our experience with the use of deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest to avoid this risk.

Ventricular-arterial uncoupling in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction after myocardial infarction in dogs - invasive versus echocardiographic evaluation.

Background: Heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and abnormal diastolic function is commonly observed after recovery from an acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to investigate the physiopathology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in a model of healed myocardial infarction in dogs.

Methods: Echocardiography, levels of neurohormones and conductance catheter measurements of left ventricular pressure-volume relationships were obtained in 17 beagle dogs 2 months after a coronary artery ligation, and in 6 controls.

Five years follow-up after Y-graft arterial revascularization: on pump versus off pump; prospective clinical trial.

Objectives: We report our comparative experience of on-pump and off-pump full arterial coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using both internal mammary arteries (IMAs) anastomosed as a Y-graft.

Methods: A single-center clinical study was conducted prospectively between January 2003 and May 2008. It compared the short- and mid-term clinical outcomes of on- and off-pump arterial revascularization where the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) was anastomosed to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery while the free right internal mammary artery (RIMA) graft taking off from the LIMA was used to bypass different coronary targets.

Cell therapy with autologous bone marrow mononuclear stem cells is associated with superior cardiac recovery compared with use of nonmodified mesenchymal stem cells in a canine model of chronic myocardial infarction.

Objective: Stem cell therapy can facilitate cardiac repair in infarcted myocardium, but the optimal cell type remains uncertain. We conducted a randomized, blind, and placebo-controlled comparison of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell and mesenchymal stem cell therapy in a large-animal model of chronic myocardial infarction.

Methods: Eleven weeks after coronary ligation, 24 dogs received intramyocardial injections of mononuclear cells (227.

Extending the scope of mitral valve repair in rheumatic disease.

Background: Repair of rheumatic mitral valves has met with limited success because hemodynamic obstruction may persist after repair because of residual diseased leaflet tissue and lack of suppleness. Over the past decade, we have developed and implemented an aggressive approach to rheumatic mitral valve repair with radical excision of the diseased leaflets area, and subvalvular apparatus and subsequent reconstruction, with the objective of removing all diseased valvular tissue.

Methods: From July 1996 to June 2007, 78 patients underwent mitral valve repair for rheumatic valve disease.

Off-pump treatment of coronary artery perforation after percutaneous intervention with a pericardial patch.

Coronary artery perforation is a rare complication of percutaneous coronary interventions, usually requiring surgical intervention. A case of perforation of the diagonal branch after stent deployment is reported. Off-pump surgery was performed with the use of a pericardial patch and surgical glue to close the perforation.

Long-term follow-up after endocardial radiofrequency modified Nitta procedure for concomitant atrial fibrillation treatment.

In atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, the surgical restoration of sinus rhythm aims at restoring atrial contraction, hence to decrease thromboembolic events. We investigated the long-term outcome of radiofrequency (RF) ablation by a modified Nitta procedure, in patients with AF associated with operative structural heart diseases. Between September 2000 and April 2004, a total of 20 patients (63.