Bestrophin3 Deficiency in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Activates MEKK2/3-MAPK Signaling to Trigger Spontaneous Aortic Dissection.

Background: Aortic dissection (AD) is a fatal cardiovascular disorder without effective medications due to unclear pathogenic mechanisms. Bestrophin3 (Best3), the predominant isoform of bestrophin family in vessels, has emerged as critical for vascular pathological processes. However, the contribution of Best3 to vascular diseases remains elusive.

Extensive Arch Repair with a Novel Two-Branched Stent Graft in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Purpose: In this study, we compared the early results between the extensive arch repair with a novel two-branched stent graft (TSG) and the traditional technique.

Methods: Between 2013 July and 2015 March, 63 acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) patients from four cardiac centers with indications for extensive arch repair were included in this study. Finally, 28 patients were involved in the traditional procedure (TP) group (23 males with the age of 49.

Femoral artery cannulation as a safe alternative for aortic dissection arch repair in the era of axillary artery cannulation.

Background: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of femoral artery cannulation as an alternative to axillary artery cannulation, we retrospectively compared outcomes between patients with axillary or femoral artery cannulation during open aortic arch repair for type A aortic dissection (TAAD).

Methods: Between January 2014 and January 2019, 646 patients underwent open aortic arch repair with circulatory arrest for TAAD using antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (SACP) and were divided into two groups according to the site of arterial cannulation: an axillary artery group (axillary group, n=558) or a femoral artery group (femoral group, n=88). The axillary artery was considered as the primary cannulation site, and the femoral artery was used as an alternative when axillary artery cannulation was deemed unsuitable or had failed.

[Surgical management of pregnancy-associated acute Stanford type A aortic dissection: analysis of 5 cases].

Objective: To explore the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy-associated acute Stanford type A aortic dissection to improve the maternal and fetal outcomes.

Methods: We analyzed the perioperative data of 5 pregnant women with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection treated between June, 2009 and February, 2017.

Results: The median age of the women was 30 years (range, 22-34 years) with gestational weeks of 23-38 weeks upon diagnosis.

[Prophylactic antibiotics: a necessity in totally percutaneous thoracic endovascular aortic repair?].

Objective: To study the benefit of prophylactic antibiotics (PA) in totally percutaneous aortic endovascular repair (PEVAR) in the catheterization laboratory for reducing stent-graft infection and postimplantation syndrome (PIS).

Methods: The clinical data were analyzed of patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repairs. The patients were divided into non-PA group and PA group according to the use of prophylactic antibiotics before PEVAR.

[Protective effect of retrograde venous perfusion of cryogenic liquid via accessory hemiazygos vein and treated with resveratrol on spinal cord injury in swine].

Objectives: To observe the protective effect of retrograde venous perfusion of cryogenic liquid via accessory hemiazygos vein and treated with resveratrol on spinal cord injury and evaluate the expression changes of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) after spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury (SCII) in swine.

Methods: Eighteen swine were divided into 3 groups: group I/R (n = 6, operation group), group CL (n = 6, retrograde venous perfusion of cryogenic liquid), group CL+Res (n = 6, retrograde venous perfusion of cryogenic liquid and treated with resveratrol after ischemia). In the group I/R, the aorta was clamped for 60 minutes and then removed.

Changes of cerebrospinal fluid pressure after thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

Background: Decreasing the intracranial pressure has been advocated as one of the major protective strategies to prevent spinal cord ischemia after endovascular aortic repair. However, the actual changes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure and its relation with spinal cord ischemia have been poorly understood. We performed CSF pressure measurements and provisional CSF withdrawal after thoracic endovascular aortic repair, and compared the changes of CSF pressure in high risk patients and in patients with new onset paraplegia and paraparesis.

Perioperative aortic dissection rupture after endovascular stent graft placement for treatment of type B dissection.

Background: The perioperative aortic dissection (AD) rupture is a severe event after endovascular stent graft placement for treatment of type B AD. However, this life-threatening complication has not undergone systematic investigation. The aim of the study is to discuss the reasons of AD rupture after the procedure.

[MicroRNAs expression in normal and dissected aortic tissue].

Objectives: To investigate if there is altered microRNAs (miRNAs) expression in aortic dissection (Debakey Type A) and normal aorta tissue.

Methods: Total RNA was exacted from aorta of 5 patients with aortic dissection (AD) and four patients without aortic diseases (NA). miRNAs of the aortic tissues were analyzed by miRNA microarray.

Matrine inhibits disturbed flow-enhanced migration via downregulation of ERK1/2-MLCK signaling vascular smooth muscle cells.

Background: To investigate the effects of matrine on the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration modulated by disturbed flow and their underlying molecular mechanisms in vitro.

Methods: Isolated rat aortic VSMCs were grown to confluence on 20- × 80-mm fibronectin-coated glass cover slides, and then, denuded zones were made at the position calculated to be the oscillating flow-reattachment zone and also in the downstream laminar flow region. VSMCs were treated with different doses of matrine (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/L), or PD98059 (30 μM), ML-7 (10 μM) combined with matrine (40 mg/L) for 30 minutes before and during the experiments.

Totally percutaneous thoracic endovascular aortic repair with the preclosing technique: a case-control study.

Background: The conventional thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) involves groin incisions under general or epidural anesthesia. As technology moves towards less invasive procedures, a total percutaneous approach is desirable. In this study, we describe a Preclosing technique and investigate its safety and efficacy for femoral access sites management, and evaluate its advantages as compared to those of traditional surgical cutdown approaches.

[Incidence and risk factors of coronary artery disease in elderly patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm].

Objective: To explore the prevalence of coronary artery disease and risk factors in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Methods: Coronary angiography was performed immediately after abdominal angiography in 70 elderly (> 50 years) consecutive patients with AAA. Medical history and imaging characteristics were evaluated.

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of olopatadine concentration in human plasma.

A sensitive and rapid method based on liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) was developed for the determination of olopatadine in human plasma. Sample preparations were carried out by protein precipitation with the addition of acetonitrile followed by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate/dichloromethane after internal standard (IS, amitriptyline) spiked. After evaporation to dryness, the resultant residue was reconstituted in mobile phase.

Matrine inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by modulating the expression of cell cycle regulatory genes.

Aim: To investigate the effect of matrine on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Rat aortic VSMCs were cultured in medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and treated with various concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/L) of matrine for 72 h. VSMCs proliferation and cell cycle profiling were assessed using a methylene blue incorporation assay and flow cytometry, respectively.

[Surgical treatment of 128 cases of constrictive pericarditis].

Objective: To summarize the experience with surgical treatment of constrictive pericarditis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the post-operative clinical data was conducted in 128 surgical patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis.

Results: Two early postoperative death occurred in this group due to severe low cardiac output syndrome, with the mortality rate of 1.

The short-term pulsatile ventricular assist device for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock: a clinical trial in China.

Despite the recent advances in myocardial protection, surgical techniques, intra-aortic balloon therapy, and maximal pharmacological support, postoperative ventricular dysfunction continues to occur in 0.5-1.0% of all patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

[Anti-atherosclerotic effect of betaine in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice].

Objective: To study the effect of betaine on the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-deficient mice and explore its anti-inflammatory mechanism.

Methods: Seven-week-old ApoE-deficient mice (C57BL/6J background) were divided into four groups randomly based on body weight: model group and three betaine groups. Wild-type mice with the same age and genetic background were used as control group.

[Endovascular repair for patients with DeBakey III aortic dissection].

Objective: To investigate the clinical therapeutic effects of endovascular repair for patients with DeBakey III aortic dissection.

Methods: From December 2002 to June 2007, endovascular TALENT stent-graft exclusion was performed in 75 (65 males, mean age 54.4 +/- 12.

[Clinical analysis of gastrointestinal bleeding after cardiac surgery].

Objective: To explore early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding after cardiac surgery.

Methods: In the last 13 years, cases complicated with GI bleeding after cardiac surgeries were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: Fourty-four GI bleeding occurred post-operatively in (6 +/- 3) d.

[The development of a new perimembranous ventricular septal defect occluder].

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a new perimembranous VSD occluder and to evaluate it.

Methods: The shape of VSD occluder was designed as fabric frame "I" shape that comprised two types: symmetric and asymmetric. The safety, efficacy, feasibility and complication were tested in 22 animal models and in 58 VSD patients in clinical trial.