Pulmonary valve spindle-cell lipoma: A case report.

Primary cardiac tumours are rare and most of them are benign. Myxomas, fibroelastomas and lipomas are common in adults. Primary valvular cardiac tumours are even more rare and affect all four valves in a similar proportion.

Preconditioning with levosimendan reduces postoperative low cardiac output in moderate-severe systolic dysfunction patients who will undergo elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a cost-effective strategy.

Background: Patients with moderate-severe systolic dysfunction undergoing coronary artery bypass graft have a higher incidence of postoperative low cardiac output. Preconditioning with levosimendan may be a useful strategy to prevent this complication. In this context, design cost-effective strategies like preconditioning with levosimendan may become necessary.

Influence of Klotho gene polymorphisms on vascular gene expression and its relationship to cardiovascular disease.

Klotho protein has been associated with beneficial effects that contribute to the maintenance of cardiovascular health. Diverse studies suggest that alterations in the levels of this molecule may be associated with pathophysiological abnormalities that result in increased cardiovascular risk. The primary aim of this proof-of-concept study was to analyse the existence of a potential link between Klotho gene polymorphisms and the expression level of this gene in the vascular wall, and additionally with the incidence of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors.

Reduced Klotho is associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.

Objective: Klotho is involved in vascular health. We aimed to analyse in a cross-sectional study the relationship between Klotho and human coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: The study included 371 subjects who underwent coronary angiography and 70 patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery recruited between May 2008 and June 2009.

The effect of intravenous and oral iron administration on perioperative anaemia and transfusion requirements in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: Anaemia is a frequent complication after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Iron therapy has been variably employed by medical centres over the years. In our study we test the clinical effectiveness of intravenous and oral iron supplementation in correcting anaemia, and its impact on blood transfusion requirements, in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Expression of FGF23/KLOTHO system in human vascular tissue.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 levels have been associated with impaired vasoreactivity, increased arterial stiffness, and cardiovascular morbi-mortality, whereas a protective function of KLOTHO against endothelial dysfunction has been reported. Since expression of the FGF23-KLOTHO system in human vascular tissue remains unproved, we aimed to study the expression of FGF23, FGF receptors (FGFR) and KLOTHO in human aorta. In addition, we analyzed the FGF23-KLOTHO expression in occlusive coronary thrombi.

Multiple overlapped conical endoprostheses in a patient with aneurysmatic right aortic arch and aortic coarctation.

An aortic neck with a nonconstant diameter represents a challenge for endovascular treatment. We report our experience in a patient with right aortic arch, aneurysmatic aberrant subclavian artery, aortic coarctation, and a precoarctation aneurysm that was treated with surgery and endoprothestic procedures in two stages.

Mitro-aortic infective endocarditis produced by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae: case report and review of the literature.

Endocarditis produced by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is an uncommon disease in humans. This bacterial species is found worldwide as a commensal or a pathogen in many animals. Infection in humans is usually due to occupational exposure.