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.

Cardioprotective effect of a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier on cold ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Objectives: The etiology of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is multifactorial, but activation of the innate immune system and the resulting inflammatory response are important components of I/R injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) on cold I/R heart and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Isolated Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were perfused in the Langendorff mode.

Polymerised placenta haemoglobin attenuates cold ischaemia/reperfusion injury in isolated rat heart.

Ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is harmful to the cardiovascular system and is responsible for the inflammatory response, which, in turn, aggravates cardiac dysfunction. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect and potential mechanism of a haemoglobin-based oxygen carrier on cold I/R-injured hearts. Isolated Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were perfused in Langendorff mode.

[Early surgical outcomes of coronary heart disease with severe ischemic mitral regurgitation].

Objective: To summarize the experience with surgical treatment of coronary artery disease with severe ischemic mitral valve regurgitation (IMR).

Methods: From January 2006 to December 2009, 45 patients (35 males, 10 females aged 32-74 years) with the diagnosis of coronary artery disease complicated by IMR underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) combined with mitral valve plasty (MVP, 24 cases) or mitral valve replacement (MVR, 21 cases).

Results: Perioperative deaths occurred in 2 cases due to multiple organ failure (MOF).

[Expression and functional role of small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels in human atrial myocytes].

Objective: To investigate the expression and functional role of the small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels in human atrial myocytes.

Methods: We collected the right atrial appendage tissues from 8 patients with congenital heart defect with sinus rhythm undergoing open-heart surgery. Immunohistochemistry was performed to identify the expression of 3 isoforms of SK channel (SK1, SK2 and SK3).

[Early and mid-term results after 17 mm St Jude Regent mechanical valve replacement in 44 patients with small aortic root].

Objective: To analyze the changes in the cardiac function after St. Jude Regent mechanical valve replacement and assess the prosthesis-patient matching.

Methods: From October 2007 to March 2009, 44 patients received implantation of 17 mm St.

[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.

[Transepicardial autologous transplantation of bone marrow mononuclear cells for acute myocardial infarction].

Objective: To test the effect of intramyocardial injection of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) in improving the cardiac function and myocardial revascularization in miniswine models of myocardial infarction.

Methods: The miniswine models of myocardial infarction established by ligation of the anterior descending coronary artery were divided into 3 groups including a control and two MNC injection groups. Autologous bone marrow MNCs were injected via the epicardium into the infarcted area in the latter two groups at 1 and 2 weeks after the infarction, respectively.

[Perivenous support with autologous pericardium inhibits neointimal thickening in canine vein grafts].

Objective: To observe the effect of perivenous support with autologous pericardium on neointimal thickening in canine vein grafts.

Methods: An autologous pericardium graft of 7 cm x 4 cm was harvested in right anterolateral thoracotomy. Two equal segments of the jugular vein were transplanted to both sides of the femoral arteries in 12 dogs, and on one side of the vein graft, perivenous support with autologous pericardium was applied.

Surgical treatment of late tricuspid regurgitation after left cardiac valve replacement.

Background: The development of late tricuspid regurgitation (TR) following left cardiac valve replacement is an important complication, as it is associated with a severe impairment of exercise capacity and a poor symptomatic outcome. The pathogenesis of this condition remains poorly defined. It is still a challenge in terms of its prevention, treatment and indications for surgical correction.

[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.

[Aortic-coronary sinus shunt retroperfusion protects against acute myocardial ischemia in pigs during off-pump beating heart surgery].

Objective: To investigate the protective effect and safety of coronary sinus retroperfusion (CSR) with aortic oxygenated blood for acute myocardial ischemia during off-pump beating heart surgery in pigs.

Methods: Eighteen pigs were subjected to 120 min of acute myocardial ischemia by ligation of the lateral anterior descending branch (LAD) of the coronary artery followed by 60 min of reperfusion by lifting LAD ligation. The pigs were divided into 3 groups after the above operation, including a control group (group 1) and low- and high-pressure retroperfusion groups (groups 2 and 3), and in the latter two groups the pigs received 60 min of aorta-coronary sinus shunt retroperfusion (ACSSR) following 60 min of ischemia with self or manually inflated balloon-tipped cannula inserted to induce low or high-pressure, respectively.