In the last decade, extensive attention has been paid to the uremic toxin indoxyl sulphate (IS) as an inducer of cardiac fibroblast (cFib) activation and cardiac fibrosis in chronic kidney disease. At cellular level, IS engages aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and regulates many biological functions. We analysed how AhR inhibition by CH-223191 (CH) and overexpression of non-functional (dominant negative, DN) nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2), a transcription factor recruited by AhR, modulate the response of neonatal mouse (nm) cFib to IS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Repolarization dispersion in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) contributes to the type-1 electrocardiographic (ECG) phenotype of Brugada syndrome (BrS), while data on the significance and feasibility of mapping repolarization dispersion in BrS patients are scarce. Moreover, the role of endocardial repolarization dispersion in BrS is poorly investigated. We aimed to assess endocardial repolarization patterns through an automated calculation of activation recovery interval (ARI) estimated on unipolar electrograms (UEGs) in spontaneous type-1 BrS patients and controls; we also investigated the relation between ARI and right ventricle activation time (RVAT), and T-wave peak-to-end interval (Tpe) in BrS patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Mitral isthmus (MI) conduction block is a fundamental step in anatomical approach treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF). However, MI block is hardly achievable with endocardial ablation only. Retrograde ethanol infusion (EI) into the vein of Marshall (VOM) facilitates MI block.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTranscatheter closure is the first-line treatment for ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). The GORE Cardioform ASD Occluder (GCA) is potentially innovative compared with other self-centering devices. This study aimed to compare the mechanic changes in atrial and ventricular properties before and after GCA implantation.
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