High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T for the Detection of Myocardial Injury and Risk Stratification in COVID-19.

Background: Limited data exist on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) for risk-stratification in COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, observational, US-based study of COVID-19 patients undergoing hs-cTnT. Outcomes included short-term mortality (in-hospital and 30-days post-discharge) and a composite of major adverse events, including respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, cardiac arrest, and shock within the index presentation and/or mortality during the index hospitalization or within 30-days post-discharge.

Endothelial-derived tissue factor pathway inhibitor regulates arterial thrombosis but is not required for development or hemostasis.

The antithrombotic surface of endothelium is regulated in a coordinated manner. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) localized at the endothelial cell surface regulates the production of FXa by inhibiting the TF/VIIa complex. Systemic homozygotic deletion of the first Kunitz (K1) domain of TFPI results in intrauterine lethality in mice.

Gene transfer to arteries.

This unit provides a set of protocols for introducing recombinant genes into normal, injured, and atherosclerotic arteries. The protocols include animal preparation, surgical techniques, and delivery systems. Protocols describe gene delivery to normal, injured, and stented porcine iliofemoral arteries, employing a double balloon infusion catheter to deliver the vector.

Frequency, etiology, treatment, and outcomes of drug-eluting stent thrombosis during one year of follow-up.

Drug-eluting stents (DESs) exhibit delayed endothelialization compared with bare metal stents. Adverse late vessel wall remodeling and inflammation have also been attributed to the drug/polymer coating. Recent registry data suggesting increased risk of DES thrombosis in routine clinical practice compared with previous clinical trial experience has led to concerns regarding long-term safety of these devices.

Optimization of ultrasound-mediated gene transfer: comparison of contrast agents and ultrasound modalities.

Aims: Ultrasound (US)-enhanced gene transfer for cardiovascular disease is an emerging technique with translational relevance. Prior to pre-clinical applications, optimization of gene transfer using various US contrast agents and parameters is required. In order to do so, two clinically relevant contrast agents (Optison and PESDA), and two US modalities (dedicated continuous wave system and diagnostic scanner) were tested in vitro and in vivo.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor deficiency enhances neointimal proliferation and formation in a murine model of vascular remodelling.

Tissue factor (TF) is a small-molecular-weight glycoprotein that initiates the extrinsic coagulation pathway but may have important noncoagulation vascular functions as well. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a major physiological inhibitor of TF-initiated coagulation. Enhancement of vascular TFPI either by overexpression using gene transfer or delivery of protein to the vessel has been shown to reduce neointimal formation.

ABCs of molecular cardiology and the impact of the Human Genome Project on clinical cardiology.

The last decade was marked by a revolution in molecular biology, culminating with the Human Genome Project. This revolution has changed the classic practice of clinical cardiology in many ways, increasing our awareness of inheritance of defective genes and their impact on health and disease, and providing new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. On the other hand, identification of new diseases in the clinical setting has triggered research into previously unexplored areas of molecular biology.