Prostanoids in Cardiac and Vascular Remodeling.

Prostanoids are biologically active lipids generated from arachidonic acid by the action of the COX (cyclooxygenase) isozymes. NSAIDs, which reduce the biosynthesis of prostanoids by inhibiting COX activity, are effective anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic drugs. However, their use is limited by cardiovascular adverse effects, including myocardial infarction, stroke, hypertension, and heart failure.

Evaluating a decision tool for diagnosing diastolic dysfunction and estimation of left ventricular filling pressures in the presence of mitral annular calcium.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate a decision algorithm for the estimation of left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) in patients with mitral annular calcification (MAC).

Background: In a single center study, Abudiab et al evaluated echocardiographic parameters to estimate LVFP in patients with MAC against invasive hemodynamic measurements and developed a decision algorithm which demonstrated high predictive accuracy.

Methods: Retrospectively, 55 patients (mean age 68.

Perspectives on Current Training Guidelines for Cardiac Imaging and Recommendations for the Future.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize current training guidelines for cardiac imaging and provide recommendations for future guidelines.

Recent Findings: The current structure of training in cardiac imaging is largely dictated by modality-specific guidelines. While there has been debate on how to define the advanced cardiac imager for over a decade, a uniform consensus has not emerged.

Isosorbide Dinitrate, With or Without Hydralazine, Does Not Reduce Wave Reflections, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, or Myocardial Fibrosis in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Wave reflections, which are increased in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, impair diastolic function and promote pathologic myocardial remodeling. Organic nitrates reduce wave reflections acutely, but whether this is sustained chronically or affected by hydralazine coadministration is unknown.

Methods And Results: We randomized 44 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in a double-blinded fashion to isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN; n=13), ISDN+hydralazine (ISDN+hydral; n=15), or placebo (n=16) for 6 months.

The (dys)functional extracellular matrix.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a major component of the biomechanical environment with which cells interact, and it plays important roles in both normal development and disease progression. Mechanical and biochemical factors alter the biomechanical properties of tissues by driving cellular remodeling of the ECM. This review provides an overview of the structural, compositional, and mechanical properties of the ECM that instruct cell behaviors.