Linear shadows inside coronary arterial lesions on two-dimensional echocardiograhpy in Kawasaki disease patients.

Background: Conventional two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) is not adequately sensitive enough for the detection of stenotic or occlusive coronary lesions that occur in Kawasaki disease. Recently, linear shadows have been detected inside large- or moderate-sized coronary artery lesions (CALs) by high-resolution 2DE at a convalescent or chronic stage.

Purpose And Methods: We evaluated the clinical significance of the linear shadows detected by 2DE and compared the findings with those obtained using coronary angiography (CAG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

MMP-2 inhibition reduces renal macrophage infiltration with increased fibrosis in UUO.

We examined the role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in renal fibrosis and its effect on interstitial macrophage infiltration in a mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). TISAM, a selective inhibitor of MMP-2, was administered during early stage (day -2 to 4; protocol A) and late stage (day 7 to 13; protocol B) after UUO. Treatment with TISAM accelerated fibrosis both at day 5 (A) and at day 14 (B).

A randomized prospective study on the use of 2 g-IVIG or 1 g-IVIG as therapy for Kawasaki disease.

A single, 2 g/kg dose of immune globulin (IG), denoted 2 g-intravenous (IV)IG, has become a standard regimen for treating Kawasaki disease (KD) because of its highly preventive effect on coronary arterial lesions (CAL). However, IG is obtained from blood specimens, a drawback to many patients, and is also very expensive. This randomized prospective study reported here was carried out with the aim of developing a treatment regimen that would reduce the total dose of IG.