Effectiveness of Interventions to Disease Management Programs of Patients with Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Heart failure (HF) prevalence is rising due to population aging and increasing risk factor incidence, thereby posing a significant global public health challenge. Disease management programs (DMPs) play a crucial role in managing HF and optimizing postevent health outcomes. Through a systematic review and meta-analysis, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of DMPs following an HF event.

Gout as a risk factor for acute myocardial infarction: evidence from competing risk model analysis.

Chronic inflammation, a hallmark of gout, is implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Thus, in theory, gout can be expected to increase the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Yet, results from several epidemiological studies have been inconclusive.

Cardiovascular Outcomes Associated With Clinical Use of Citalopram and Omeprazole: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background Recent studies have raised concerns about the reduced efficacy of citalopram when used concurrently with proton pump inhibitors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between clinical use of citalopram and omeprazole and the risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in an Asian population. Methods and Results A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan dated from 2000 to 2013.

Phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 induced by hyperglycemia is different with that induced by lipopolysaccharide or erythropoietin via receptor‑coupled signaling in cardiac cells.

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is known to be involved in hypertrophy and fibrosis in cardiac dysfunction. The activation of STAT3 via the phosphorylation of STAT3 is required for the production of functional activity. It has been established that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced phosphorylation of STAT3 in cardiomyocytes primarily occurs through a direct receptor‑mediated action.

Loperamide-induced Cardiac Depression Is Enhanced by Hyperglycemia: Evidence Relevant to Loperamide Abuse.

Background And Aims: Cardiac dysryhthmias and death are reported after loperamide abuse. The mechanism of death is not clear and cardiac depression may play a role in this mechanism. Loperamide is widely used as an agonist of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) in clinical practice.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in a Patient with Undiscovered Sigmoid Colon Cancer.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a stress-related cardiomyopathy that is characterized by reversible left systolic dysfunction, which appears to be precipitated by sudden emotional or physical stress in the absence of myocardial infarction. Here we present a rare case that clinically presented with intermittent abdominal pain, initially impressed as non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure but with a normal coronary angiogram. Her symptoms relieved spontaneously without returning.

IVUS-Guided Implantation of Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds for Very Late Paclitaxel Stent Thrombosis.

Bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) implantation has been shown to be safe in patients with stable coronary disease, and effective against the thrombotic lesion and the in-stent restenosis (ISR) of the drug-eluting stent (DES). BVSs have the advantages of a snow racket concept, positive vessel remodeling, and better conformability compared with DES in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We report on a young patient with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who presented to our emergency department arising from very late stent thrombosis (VLST) of a 2.

Amarogentin ameliorates diabetic disorders in animal models.

Amarogentin is a bitter-tasting secoiridoid glycoside isolated from an herb. Inhibition of aldose reductase by amarogentin has been documented as an antidiabetic action. However, the mechanisms of action of amarogentin in diabetic disorders remain unknown.

Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Mediates Autophagy and Apoptosis in Myocardial Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a multifunctional protein that exhibits anti-angiogenic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-atherogenic, and cardioprotective properties. While it was recently shown that PEDF expression is inhibited under low oxygen conditions, the functional role of PEDF in response to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) remains unclear. The goal of this study was to therefore investigate the influence of PEDF on myocardial H/R injury.

Eucommia bark (Du-Zhong) improves diabetic nephropathy without altering blood glucose in type 1-like diabetic rats.

Background: Eucommia bark, Eucommia ulmoides Oliver barks (Du-Zhong in Mandarin), is an herb used for renal dysfunction in Chinese traditional medicine. In an attempt to develop this herb as a treatment for diabetic nephropathy (DN), we investigated the effects of Du-Zhong on renal dysfunction in type 1-like diabetic rats.

Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce type 1-like diabetes in rats (STZ-diabetic rats).

Development of PPAR-agonist GW0742 as antidiabetic drug: study in animals.

Background: The development of new drugs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) is critically important. Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the main problems associated with type-2 DM (T2DM) seen in clinics. GW0742, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-δ agonist, has been shown to ameliorate metabolic abnormalities including IR in skeletal muscle in mice fed high-fructose corn syrup.

Canavanine induces insulin release via activation of imidazoline I3 receptors.

The aim of the present study was to identify the effect of canavanine on the imidazoline receptor because canavanine is a guanidinium derivative that has a similar structure to imidazoline receptor ligands. Transfected Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells expressing imidazoline receptors (nischarin (NISCH)-CHO-K1 cells) were used to elucidate the direct effects of canavanine on imidazoline receptors. In addition, the imidazoline I3 receptor has been implicated in stimulation of insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells.

Inoue-Balloon Percutaneous Transvenous Mitral Valvuloplasty through the Left Femoral Vein in Anomalous Inferior Vena Cava.

Unlabelled: Inoue-balloon percutaneous transvenous mitral valvuloplasty is conventionally performed via the right femoral vein. However, atrial transseptal access can be technically challenging. Herein, we describe a 54-year-old male who had balloon mitral valvuloplasty performed via the left femoral vein because of an anomalous inferior vena cava course, including the technical issues encountered using this approach.

Rosiglitazone increases cerebral klotho expression to reverse baroreflex in type 1-like diabetic rats.

Reduced baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is widely observed in diabetic human and animals. Rosiglitazone is one of the clinically used thiazolidinediones (TZD) known as PPAR γ agonist. Additionally, the klotho protein produced from choroid plexus in the central nervous system is regulated by PPAR γ .

Mechanism and management of burr entrapment: A nightmare of interventional cardiologists.

Entrapment of the burr within calcified lesion is an uncommon, but serious complication during rotational atherectomy and usually needs surgical retrieval. We report a case series of this complication and also review the possible mechanisms, such as kokesi phenomenon or insufficient pecking motion with decreased rotational speed. We also review the potential techniques ever proposed to rescue this complication percutaneously, including simple manual traction, balloon dilation to release the trap, snaring the burr as distal as possible for forceful local traction and wedging the burr with a child catheter to facilitate retrieval.

IVUS-guided rotational atherectomy for unexpandable paclitaxel-eluting stent: A case report and review of literature.

We describe a patient suffering from late stent thrombosis in a paclitaxel-eluting stent which had an underexpanded ring due to the three-hundred-sixty-degree circumferential calcified plaque. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) revealed rotational atherectomy could successfully ablate both the metallic ring and the calcified ring. The ablated segment was scaffolded with a new paclitaxel-eluting stent, well expanded and documented by IVUS.

Improvement in door-to-balloon (D2B) time in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction through the D2B alliance--experience of 15 primary percutaneous coronary intervention centers in Taiwan.

Background: Currently, the door-to-balloon (D2B) times observed in clinical practice in Taiwan are different from those recommended by evidence-based guidelines. D2B Alliance, a countrywide initiative for quality supported by the Taiwan Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation, sought to achieve the goal of administering treatment to 75% of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) within 90min of hospital presentation.

Methods And Results: The current study was designed to be prospective, national, and multicenter.

Increase in cardiac M2-muscarinic receptor expression is regulated by GATA binding protein 4 (GATA-4) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Background: An increase in cardiac M2-muscarinic receptor (M2-mAChR) expression in diabetic rats has been observed, but the molecular mechanism of this increase remains unclear. The transcriptional activity of GATA binding protein 4 (GATA-4) has been documented to regulate the expression of M2-mAChR genes. In this study, we were interested in identifying the role of GATA-4 in the increase in M2-mAChR in diabetic rats and a primary culture of cardiomyocytes.

Oleic acid activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ to compensate insulin resistance in steatotic cells.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes; however, this idea is challenged by recent studies because hepatic steatosis is not always associated with insulin resistance (IR). Oleic acid (OA) is known to induce hepatic steatosis with normal insulin sensitivity; however, the mechanism is still unknown. Previous studies depict that activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) improves hepatic steatosis and IR, whereas the role of PPARδ in the improvement of insulin sensitivity by OA is unknown.

Molecular role of GATA binding protein 4 (GATA-4) in hyperglycemia-induced reduction of cardiac contractility.

Background: Diabetic cardiomyopathy, a diabetes-specific complication, refers to a disorder that eventually leads to left ventricular hypertrophy in addition to diastolic and systolic dysfunction. In recent studies, hyperglycemia-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cardiomyocytes have been linked to diabetic cardiomyopathy. GATA binding protein 4 (GATA-4) regulates the expression of many cardio-structural genes including cardiac troponin-I (cTnI).

Inoue-balloon mitral valvuloplasty in double-orifice mitral stenosis.

We report 7 symptomatic patients with stenotic double-orifice mitral valve of incomplete bridge type. In each patient, the fibrous bridge tissue between the valve leaflets was successfully split using an Inoue balloon valvuloplasty technique with stepwise dilations applied only to the posteromedial orifice.