Soluble glycoprotein VI predicts abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate and is a novel therapeutic target.

A common feature in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is the formation of a nonocclusive intraluminal thrombus (ILT) in regions of aortic dilation. Platelets are known to maintain hemostasis and propagate thrombosis through several redundant activation mechanisms, yet the role of platelet activation in the pathogenesis of AAA-associated ILT is still poorly understood. Thus, we sought to investigate how platelet activation affects the pathogenesis of AAA.

Venous thromboembolic outcomes in patients with lymphedema and lipedema: An analysis from the National Inpatient Sample.

Background: Patients with lymphedema and lipedema share physical exam findings that may lead to misdiagnosis. Poor mobility is common in patients with obesity and patients with lymphedema and lipedema. This may constitute a risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Antiplatelet Therapy, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression, and Clinical Outcomes.

Importance: Preclinical studies suggest a potential role for aspirin in slowing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression and preventing rupture. Evidence on the clinical benefit of aspirin in AAA from human studies is lacking.

Objective: To investigate the association of aspirin use with aneurysm progression and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with AAA.

Glycoprotein VI is Critical for the Detection and Progression of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Unlabelled: A common feature in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is the formation of a nonocclusive intraluminal thrombus (ILT) in regions of aortic dilation. Platelets are known to maintain hemostasis and propagate thrombosis through several redundant activation mechanisms, yet the role of platelet activation in the pathogenesis of AAA associated ILT is still poorly understood. Thus, we sought to investigate how platelet activation impacts the pathogenesis of AAA.

Gut Microbiota-Derived Trimethylamine N-Oxide Contributes to Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Through Inflammatory and Apoptotic Mechanisms.

Background: Large-scale human and mechanistic mouse studies indicate a strong relationship between the microbiome-dependent metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and several cardiometabolic diseases. This study aims to investigate the role of TMAO in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and target its parent microbes as a potential pharmacological intervention.

Methods: TMAO and choline metabolites were examined in plasma samples, with associated clinical data, from 2 independent patient cohorts (N=2129 total).

Platelet olfactory receptor activation limits platelet reactivity and growth of aortic aneurysms.

As blood transitions from steady laminar flow (S-flow) in healthy arteries to disturbed flow (D-flow) in aneurysmal arteries, platelets are subjected to external forces. Biomechanical platelet activation is incompletely understood and is a potential mechanism behind antiplatelet medication resistance. Although it has been demonstrated that antiplatelet drugs suppress the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in patients, we found that a certain degree of platelet reactivity persisted in spite of aspirin therapy, urging us to consider additional antiplatelet therapeutic targets.

Racial Differences and In-Hospital Outcomes Among Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19.

Objective: There is a paucity of data on how race affects the clinical presentation and short-term outcome among hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2, the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19).

Methods: Hospitalized patients ≥ 18 years, testing positive for COVID-19 from March 13, 2020 to May 13, 2020 in a United States (U.S.

SARS-CoV-2 Initiates Programmed Cell Death in Platelets.

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SARS-CoV-2 Receptors are Expressed on Human Platelets and the Effect of Aspirin on Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is an ongoing viral pandemic marked by increased risk of thrombotic events. However, the role of platelets in the elevated observed thrombotic risk in COVID-19 and utility of anti-platelet agents in attenuating thrombosis is unknown. We aimed to determine if human platelets express the known SARS-CoV-2 receptor-protease axis on their cell surface and assess whether the anti-platelet effect of aspirin may mitigate risk of myocardial infarction (MI), cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in COVID-19.

Sex-Specific Platelet Activation Through Protease-Activated Receptors Reverses in Myocardial Infarction.

Objective: The platelet phenotype in certain patients and clinical contexts may differ from healthy conditions. We evaluated platelet activation through specific receptors in healthy men and women, comparing this to patients presenting with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Approach and Results: We identified independent predictors of platelet activation through certain receptors and a murine MI model further explored these findings.

SARS-CoV-2 and pulmonary embolism: who stole the platelets?

Background: Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 often develop venous and arterial thrombosis. The high patient mortality is partly attributed to thrombotic events. An emerging trend is the presence of immunological phenomena including antiphospholipid antibodies which may promote thrombosis.

Jugular Venous Aneurysm.

Jugular venous aneurysms are uncommon and can involve the internal, external, and anterior jugular veins. These aneurysms may be congenital or acquired secondary to malignancy, inflammation, trauma or arteriovenous fistulas. Treatment strategies are not clearly defined and involve either surveillance of asymptomatic aneurysms or resection, excision, and ligation of the aneurysmal vein.

Perceptions of resuscitation care among in-hospital cardiac arrest responders: a qualitative analysis.

Background: In-hospital cardiac arrests (IHCA) occur commonly and are associated with poor survival and variable outcomes. This study aimed to directly survey IHCA responders to understand their perceptions of resuscitation care.

Methods: As part of a quality improvement initiative, we surveyed participating providers of IHCAs at our institution from Jan 2014 to May 2016.

Diagnostic approach and management of genetic aortopathies.

Aortic aneurysms were the primary cause of nearly 10,000 deaths in 2014 according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and may involve segments of the thoracic or abdominal aorta. Thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections are more commonly associated with an underlying genetic etiology. In the past several decades, in parallel with the burst of new genome sequencing technologies, a number of genetic aortopathies have been identified.

The Aortic Root: Natural History After Root-Sparing Ascending Replacement in Nonsyndromic Aneurysmal Patients.

Background: Leaving native aortic tissue in situ in root-sparing ascending aortic replacement raises concern regarding potential later need for root reoperation or for the potential occurrence of localized dissections or rupture in the residual root. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the natural growth of the aortic root after root-sparing aortic replacement.

Methods: In all, 102 consecutive patients (mean age 61.

Aortic valve disease with ascending aortic aneurysm: Impact of concomitant root-sparing (supracoronary) aortic replacement in nonsyndromic patients.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the anticipated incremental risk of a concomitant aortic resection performed with an aortic valve replacement.

Methods: Patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with root-sparing ascending replacement were compared with those who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement using propensity score matching (81 pairs; mean age, 63 ± 11 years [root-sparing ascending replacement] vs 64 ± 14 years). To evaluate the impact of the technique at distal site, 71 pairs of those undergoing root-sparing ascending replacement also were matched by propensity score according to distal anastomosis performed clamped and open under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease: A Modified Perfusion Concept in High-Risk Patients.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Cardiac surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with end-stage liver disease is associated with a high risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality due to bleeding, and a high incidence of bacterial infection with associated secondary complications. Minimized extracorporeal perfusion circuits (MECCs) with a lower priming volume, reduced foreign surface area, and interdisciplinary preoperative and postoperative treatment may address these negative effects and improve patient outcomes. The study aim was to evaluate the feasibility of the MECC and optimized supportive therapy in patients with advanced-stage liver cirrhosis.

Atypical aortic arch branching variants: A novel marker for thoracic aortic disease.

Objective: To examine the potential of aortic arch variants, specifically bovine aortic arch, isolated left vertebral artery, and aberrant right subclavian artery, as markers for thoracic aortic disease (TAD).

Methods: We screened imaging data of 556 patients undergoing surgery due to TAD for presence of aortic arch variations. Demographic data were collected during chart review and compared with a historical control group of 4617 patients.

A genetic screen identifies putative targets and binding partners of CREB-binding protein in the developing Drosophila eye.

Drosophila CREB-binding protein (dCBP) is a very large multidomain protein, which belongs to the CBP/p300 family of proteins that were first identified by their ability to bind the CREB transcription factor and the adenoviral protein E1. Since then CBP has been shown to bind to >100 additional proteins and functions in a multitude of different developmental contexts. Among other activities, CBP is known to influence development by remodeling chromatin, by serving as a transcriptional coactivator, and by interacting with terminal members of several signaling transduction cascades.