Observational and genetic association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and calcific aortic valve disease.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a predominant driver of chronic liver disease globally and is associated with increased cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. However, the association between NAFLD and calcific aortic valve disease remains unclear. We aimed to prospectively investigate the association between NAFLD and incident aortic valve calcification (AVC), as well as its genetic relationship with incident calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS).

promotes vascular calcification via lipopolysaccharide through activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Emerging evidence indicates that alteration of gut microbiota plays an important role in chronic kidney disease (CKD)-related vascular calcification (VC). We aimed to investigate the specific gut microbiota and the underlying mechanism involved in CKD-VC. We identified an increased abundance of () in the feces of CKD rats (induced by using 5/6 nephrectomy followed by a high calcium and phosphate diet) with aortic calcification via amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes.

Remnant cholesterol and the risk of aortic valve calcium progression: insights from the MESA study.

Background: Remnant cholesterol (RC) is implicated in the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, comprehensive population-based studies elucidating its association with aortic valve calcium (AVC) progression are limited, rendering its precise role in AVC ambiguous.

Methods: From the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis database, we included 5597 individuals (61.

Cardiomyocyte Atrophy, an Underestimated Contributor in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity.

Left ventricular (LV) mass loss is prevalent in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity and is responsible for the progressive decline of cardiac function. Comparing with the well-studied role of cell death, the part of cardiomyocyte atrophy (CMA) playing in the LV mass loss is underestimated and the knowledge of the underlying mechanism is still limited. In this review, we summarized the recent advances in the DOX-induced CMA.

Spermidine-enhanced autophagic flux improves cardiac dysfunction following myocardial infarction by targeting the AMPK/mTOR signalling pathway.

Background And Purpose: Spermidine, a natural polyamine, is abundant in mammalian cells and is involved in cell growth, proliferation, and regeneration. Recently, oral spermidine supplements were cardioprotective in age-related cardiac dysfunction, through enhancing autophagic flux. However, the effect of spermidine on myocardial injury and cardiac dysfunction following myocardial infarction (MI) remains unknown.

Sulforaphane prevents rat cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in vitro via activating SIRT1 and subsequently inhibiting ER stress.

Aim: Sulforaphane (SFN), a natural dietary isothiocyanate, is found to exert beneficial effects for cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of SFN in a model of myocardial hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury in vitro.

Methods: Cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes pretreated with SFN were subjected to 3-h hypoxia followed by 3-h reoxygenation.

[Changes in serum level of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen in patients with coronary heart disease].

Objective: To investigate the serum level of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and explore its correlation with MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with coronary artery disease (CHD).

Methods: A total of 103 CHD patients treated in our hospital between October, 2013 and May, 2014 were enrolled, including 39 with stable angina pectoris (SAP), 39 with unstable angina (UA), and 25 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), with 38 non-CHD volunteers as the control group. The serum levels of ICTP, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were detected in all the subjects using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Trans-subclavian approach for radiofrequency ablation of premature ventricular contractions originating from subtricuspid annulus: a case report.

Background: Catheter ablation has been established as a curative treatment strategy for ventricular arrhythmias. The standard procedure of most ventricular arrhythmias originating from the right ventricle is performed via the femoral vein. However, a femoral vein access may not achieve a successful ablation in some patients.

[Predictors of occurrence of left atrium and left appendage thrombosis in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation].

Objective: To determine the predictors of thrombosis in left atrium (LA) or left atrial appendage (LAA) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Two hundred and eight patients under 65 year old with atrial fibrillation (AF) were included and all of them received examination of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Thrombus formation in LA/LAA was found in 23 patients (thrombus group) but absent in the remaining 185 patients (nonthrombus group).

[Left atrial size and function after radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation].

Objective: To evaluate the impact of radiofrequency catheter ablation on left atrial (LA) size and function in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and whether there is any difference between segmental pulmonary vein ostial isolation (SPVI) and circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA).

Methods: Sixty-six patients with highly symptomatic atrial fibrillation were assigned to undergo either SPVI or CPVA. Transthorax echocardiography was performed before, 1 day, 1 months and 3 months after the procedure.

[Radiofrequency ablation of idiopathic right ventricular tachycardia].

Objective: To study the effect of electrophysiological characterization and radiofrequency ablation on idiopathic right ventricular tachycardia.

Methods: Five patients ( 3 male and 2 female ) with an average age of 35.2+/-11.

[Effects of C-type natriuretic peptide gene transduction on neointimal hyperplasia and endothelial function after angioplasty].

Objective: To investigate the effects of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) gene transduction on neointimal hyperplasia and endothelial function after angioplasty.

Methods: Eighty-four rabbits were divided into 3 equal groups, namely normal control group, alkaline phosphatase gene transduction group and CNP gene transduction group. The rabbits in the latter two groups were given high-cholesterol diet 7 d before the experiment, followed by establishment of restenosis models by injuring the iliac artery and the specified gene transfer via retroviral vectors.

[Ablation of postoperative "incisional" reentrant atrial tachycardia and flutter in children using the CARTO system].

Objective: In children with congenital heart diseases who have undergone surgical interventions, postoperative arrhythmias frequently complicate the clinical course. "Incisional" atrial tachycardia or flutter is one of the most common forms of postoperative arrhythmias in these patients and can lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate how to use antiarrhythmic drugs and the CARTO system to treat these cases.