Comparison of intravascular ultrasound-guided with angiography-guided double kissing crush stenting for patients with complex coronary bifurcation lesions: Rationale and design of a prospective, randomized, and multicenter DKCRUSH VIII trial.

Background: Double kissing (DK) crush approach for patients with coronary bifurcation lesions, particularly localized at distal left main or lesions with increased complexity, is associated with significant reduction in clinical events when compared with provisional stenting. Recently, randomized clinical trial has demonstrated the net clinical benefits by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided implantation of drug-eluting stent in all-comers. However, the improvement in clinical outcome after DK crush treatment guided by IVUS over angiography guidance for patients with complex bifurcation lesions have never been studied in a randomized fashion.

Plasma D-dimer as a predictor of intraluminal thrombus burden and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Aim: Intraluminal thrombus (ILT) is presented in most abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and is suggested to promote AAA expansion. D-dimer, a breakdown product in the thrombus remodeling, may have prognostic value for AAA. This study investigated the interrelation between plasma D-dimer level, ILT volume, AAA size and progression.

IL-33 promotes IL-10 production in macrophages: a role for IL-33 in macrophage foam cell formation.

We evaluated the role of IL-10- in IL-33-mediated cholesterol reduction in macrophage-derived foam cells (MFCs) and the mechanism by which IL-33 upregulates IL-10. Serum IL-33 and IL-10 levels in coronary artery disease patients were measured. The effects of IL-33 on intra-MFC cholesterol level, IL-10, ABCA1 and CD36 expression, ERK 1/2, Sp1, STAT3 and STAT4 activation, and IL-10 promoter activity were determined.

Effect of Metabolic Syndrome on Risk Stratification for Left Atrial or Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus Formation in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a risk factor for stroke and thromboembolism event. Left atrial or LA appendage (LA/LAA) thrombus is a surrogate of potential stroke. The relationship between MS and atrial thrombus remains unclear.

Overexpression of the β2AR gene improves function and re-endothelialization capacity of EPCs after arterial injury in nude mice.

Background: Proliferation and migration of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play important roles in restoring vascular injuries. β2 adrenergic receptors (β2ARs) are widely expressed in many tissues and have a beneficial impact on EPCs regulating neoangiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of overexpressing β2ARs in infused peripheral blood (PB)-derived EPCs on the re-endothelialization in injured vessels.

Role of Circulating Fibrocytes in Cardiac Fibrosis.

Objective: It is revealed that circulating fibrocytes are elevated in patients/animals with cardiac fibrosis, and this review aims to provide an introduction to circulating fibrocytes and their role in cardiac fibrosis.

Data Sources: This review is based on the data from 1994 to present obtained from PubMed. The search terms were "circulating fibrocytes " and "cardiac fibrosis ".

Carbon Monoxide Releasing Molecule Accelerates Reendothelialization after Carotid Artery Balloon Injury in Rat.

Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of carbon monoxide releasing molecule (CORM-2), a novel carbon monoxide carrier, on the reendothelialization of carotid artery in rat endothelial denudation model.

Methods: Male rats subjected to carotid artery balloon injury were treated with CORM-2, inactive CORM-2 (iCORM-2) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The reendothelialization capacity was evaluated by Evans Blue dye and the immunostaining with anti-CD31 antibody.

Interleukin 18 and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer cross-regulation: implications in acute myocardial infarction.

Circulating interleukin-18 (IL-18) is thought to promote atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications such as plaque rupture. Atherosclerosis is also characterized by smooth muscle cell migration, a consequence of extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation regulated by metalloproteinases (MMPs). Because extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) has been shown to promote plaque instability by inducing ECM degradation and MMP synthesis, we investigated whether a cross-regulatory interaction exists between IL-18 and EMMPRIN in human monocytes.

[Impact of insulin resistance on prognosis in non-diabetic patients with acute coronary syndromes].

Objective: To evaluate the impact of insulin resistance (IR) on prognosis in non-diabetic acute coronary syndrome patients.

Methods: In this prospective study, we enrolled 332 non-diabetic patients suffering from acute coronary syndrome. The patients were divided into three groups by HOMA-IR which calculated by formula: low HOMA-IR group (HOMA-IR < 2), 44 cases; moderate HOMA-IR group (2 ≤ HOMA2-IR < 6), 99 cases; high HOMA-IR group (HOMA ≥ 6) with HOMA index, 179 cases.

Triple antithrombotic therapy versus double antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation in patients requiring chronic oral anticoagulation: a meta-analysis.

Background: Whether an addition of OAC to double antiplatelet therapy for patients with an indication of chronic oral anticoagulation undergoing PCI-S may improve clinical outcomes is still debated. This meta-analysis aimed to update and re-compare the benefits and risks of triple antithrombotic therapy (TT) with double anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) after in patients who requiring oral anticoagulation after percutaneous coronary interventions with stenting (PCI-s).

Methods: Ten reports of observational retrospective or prospective studies were retrieved, including a total of 6296 patients, follow-up period ranging from 1 year to 2 years.

Optimal strategy of coronary revascularization in chronic kidney disease patients: a meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have high risks of coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary revascularization is beneficial for long-term survival, but the optimal strategy remains still controversial.

Methods: We searched studies that have compared percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) for revascularization of the coronary arteries in CKD patients.

C-reactive protein promotes vascular endothelial dysfunction partly via activating adipose tissue inflammation in hyperlipidemic rabbits.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction is the basic and original sign of atherogenesis. Some evidences show that C-reactive protein (CRP) and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) play a pivotal role in atherosclerosis. However, the effects of CRP on atherosclerosis and the related mechanisms require elucidation.

Bare-metal stent versus drug-eluting stent in large coronary arteries: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Uncertainties exist with regard to the efficacy of drug-eluting stent (DES) versus bare-metal stent (BMS) in large coronary arteries.

Objective And Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of BMS versus DES in terms of clinical events in large coronary vessels (≥3.0 mm) by performing a meta-analysis of all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Increased expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor mediates mesenchymal stem cells recruitment after vascular injury.

Background: Recent studies indicate that bone marrow-derived cells may significantly contribute to atherosclerosis, post-angioplasty restenosis and transplantation-associated vasculopathy. The responsible bone marrow (BM) cells and mechanisms regulating the mobilization of these cells are currently unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on injured arteries and its effects on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation into vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the process of vascular remodeling.

Poor coronary collateral vessel development in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency.

Background: The development of coronary collaterals is crucial to survival through acute ischemia. Mild to moderate loss of renal function has been suggested to play a role in this event, but evidential data are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mild to moderate renal insufficiency and coronary collateral development in patients with chronic total coronary artery occlusion.

R25G mutation in exon 1 of LMNA gene is associated with dilated cardiomyopathy and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 1B.

Background: Mutations of the LMNA gene encoding lamin A and C are associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), conduction system defects and skeletal muscle dystrophy. Here we report a family with a mutation of the LMNA gene to identify the relationship between genotype and phenotype.

Methods: All 30 members of the family underwent clinical and genetic evaluation.

CRP regulates the expression and activity of tissue factor as well as tissue factor pathway inhibitor via NF-kappaB and ERK 1/2 MAPK pathway.

It was found that C-reactive protein (CRP) could significantly increase the expression and activity of tissue factor (TF), but decrease that of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in dose- and time-dependent manners, which could be antagonized by PDTC and U0126. CRP could also increase protein expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), IkappaB-alpha and ERK1/2 in dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, neutralizing antibody to CD32 (FcgammaR II) could significantly attenuate the expression and activity of TF and TFPI induced by CRP.

[The expression and significance of activator protein-1 and matrix metalloproteinases in the human heart post acute myocardial infarction].

Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) subjects.

Methods: Immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the subunit of AP-1 (c-Jun), MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human AMI and normal heart tissue and the expressions of c-Jun and MMPs were measured with computer image analysis system.

Results: (1) There were expressions of c-Jun, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in normal heart tissue, mainly in myocardial cells and cardiac fibroblasts, and their expressions in AMI myocardial tissues were all significantly higher than those in normal myocardial tissues (P < 0.

Pivotal role of inflammation in vascular endothelial dysfunction of hyperlipidemic rabbit and effects by atorvastatin.

Aims: To evaluate the role of inflammation in vascular endothelial function of hyperlipidemic rabbits and atorvastatin's effects on it.

Methods: 22 rabbits were divided into high-fat diet and atorvastatin plus high-fat diet group. Basic levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin and endothelial function were measured when grouping.

[Clinical analysis of inappropriate shock of implantable cardioverter defibrillators].

Objective: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can effectively treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. The most common side effect is inappropriate discharge. This study analyzes the incidence and causes of inappropriate discharges of ICD in our hospital.

[PPAR gamma agonist rosiglitazone alleviates hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat cardiac myocytes].

Objective: To observe the effects of different concentrations of PPAR gamma agonist rosiglitazone on hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced oxidative stress, cell viability and apoptosis in rat cardiac myocytes.

Methods: Cultured rat cardiac myocytes were divided into 5 groups, namely group I (normal group), group II (20 micromo/L ROS group), group III (I/R group), group IV (I/R+20 micromo/L ROS group), and group V (I/R+80 micromo/L ROS group). Group IV and group V were treated with rosiglitazone 12 h before hypoxia/reoxygenation.

Glucometabolic state of in-hospital primary hypertension patients with normal fasting blood glucose in a sub-population of China.

Background: There is a high prevalence of abnormal glucometabolism (AGM) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and primary hypertension (PH). However, little is known about the glucometabolic state of PH patients with normal fasting blood glucose (FBG).

Methods: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed for 445 in-hospital PH patients with normal FBG and re-performed for those patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) during the follow-up period.