LncRNA CARMN inhibits abdominal aortic aneurysm formation and vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic transformation by interacting with SRF.

Phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a crucial role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation. CARMN, a highly conserved, VSMC-enriched long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), is integral in orchestrating various vascular pathologies by modulating the phenotypic dynamics of VSMCs. The influence of CARMN on AAA formation, particularly its mechanisms, remains enigmatic.

Causal analysis between gastroesophageal reflux disease and chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have been shown to be potentially closely related, but the relationship between these conditions, particularly the possibility of a causal link, is not fully understood. This study used Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess the causal relationship between these two disorders.

Methods: We extracted genome-wide association study data sets for GERD and CRS from publicly available gene summaries, and used MR to conduct a causal inference analysis.

Causal analysis between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and obstructive sleep apnoea.

Background: Based on evidence from existing observational research, clarifying the causal relationship between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is challenging. Here, Mendelian randomisation, a method based on genetics, was used to provide new evidence for causality.

Methods: Summary statistics from two publicly available genome-wide association studies were used to evaluate the causal relationship between GORD and OSA (the GORD database was used as an exposure variable and the OSA database as an outcome).

Identification of a miRSNP Regulatory Axis in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm by a Network and Pathway-Based Integrative Analysis.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) refers to local abnormal expansion of the abdominal aorta and mostly occurs in elderly men. MicroRNA (miRNA) is single-stranded RNA consisting of 18-25 nucleotides. It plays a key role in posttranscriptional gene expression and in the regulation of human functions and disease development.

Blood pressure trajectories in early adulthood and myocardial structure and function in later life.

Aims: This study sought to investigate the association between blood pressure (BP) trajectories from early to middle adulthood and echocardiographic indices of structure and function in middle age.

Methods And Results: This prospective cohort study included 4717 black and white adults aged 18-30 years at baseline (1985-86) who were followed over 30 years in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Trajectories of systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP) from the Year 0 examination to Year 30 examination were identified using latent mixture modelling.

Association between cumulative blood pressure in early adulthood and right ventricular structure and function in middle age: The CARDIA study.

Objective: Cumulative blood pressure (BP) exposure is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study sought to investigate the association between cumulative BP from early adulthood to middle age and right ventricular (RV) structure and function in middle age.

Methods: We included 2844 participants from the CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults).

Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous and Intracristal Ventricular Septal Defects Using Amplatzer Duct Occluder II in Children.

Background: Transcatheter closure of aneurysmal perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD), pmVSD near the aortic valve, and intracristal VSD (icVSD) with symmetrical or asymmetrical ventricular septal defect occluders still presents significant challenges. We report our experience with transcatheter closure of pmVSD and icVSD using Amplatzer duct occluder II (ADO II) in children.

Method: We retrospectively analyzed all children, who presented to our hospital consecutively between March 2014 and June 2020 for attempted transcatheter closure of pmVSD or icVSD with the ADO II device.

Personalized Fluoroscopic Angles in Watchman™ Left Atrial Appendage Closure Landing Zone Assessment: A Three-Dimensional Printed Simulation Study.

Background Atrial fibrillation causes ischemic stroke when thrombi dislodge from a cardiac outpouching, the left atrial appendage (LAA), and embolize to the brain. LAA occlusion with the Watchman™ device (Boston Scientific Corporation, MA, USA), which prevents stroke, requires accurate LAA measurements for device sizing. We explore whether standard fluoroscopic LAA measurements improve when obtained at CT-derived viewing angles personalized to LAA anatomy while concurrently referring to three-dimensional (3D) CT.

Catheter radiofrequency ablation for arrhythmias under the guidance of the Carto 3 three-dimensional mapping system in an operating room without digital subtraction angiography.

Several studies have reported the efficacy of a zero-fluoroscopy approach for catheter radiofrequency ablation of arrhythmias in a digital subtraction angiography (DSA) room. However, no reports are available on the ablation of arrhythmias in the absence of DSA in the operating room. To investigate the efficacy and safety of catheter radiofrequency ablation for arrhythmias under the guidance of a Carto 3 three-dimensional (3D) mapping system in an operating room without DSA.

Electrophysiological characteristics and catheter ablation of symptomatic focal premature atrial contractions originating from pulmonary veins and non-pulmonary veins.

Background: We aimed to explore electrophysiological characteristics of premature atrial contractions (PACs) originating from pulmonary veins (PVs) and non-PVs and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of catheter ablation for PACs.

Hypothesis: Symptomatic PACs originated from different positions and whether could be ablated.

Methods: Symptomatic, frequent, and drug-refractory PAC patients were enrolled in this study.

Clinical efficacy of irrigated catheter application of amiodarone during ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Pharmacological treatment during ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is common, but utility of irrigated catheter application of amiodarone during ablation of persistent AF remains unclear.

Hypothesis: Irrigated catheter application of amiodarone improves quality of ablation and long-term outcomes.

Methods: We enrolled 90 persistent AF patients who underwent catheter ablation.

[Functional analysis of a novel SCN5A mutation G1712C identified in Brugada syndrome].

Objective: To elucidate the molecular and electrophysiological mechanisms of Brugada syndrome through functional analysis of a novel SCN5A gene mutation G1712C.

Methods: A recombinant plasmid pRc View Article and Find Full Text PDF

[Zero-fluoroscopy catheter ablation for idiopathic premature ventricular contractions from the aortic sinus cusp].

Objective: To compare the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of a completely nonfluoroscopic approach to radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) using CARTO3 and ablation with conventional fluoroscopic guidance for treatment of idiopathic premature ventricular contractions from the aortic sinus cusp (ASC-PVCs).

Methods: From April 2013 to October 2015, we prospectively enrolled 52 consecutive patients with ASC-PVCs scheduled for either CARTO3 mapping-guided zero-fluoroscopy ablation (group A, n=23) or conventional fluoroscopic ablation (group B, n=29). The success rates, rates of complications, rates of recurrences, number of radiofrequency applications, procedure time, mapping time and fluoroscopy time were compared between the 2 groups.

[Correlation of Tp-e interval and Tp-e/Q-T ratio with malignant ventricular arrhythmia in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for primary prevention].

Objective: To investigate whether Tpeak-Tend interval (Tp-e) and Tp-e/QT ratio are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmia in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for primary prevention.

Methods: A cohort of 68 consecutive patients with chronic heart failure undergoing standard ICD for primary prevention indications (NYHA function class II-III, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%, systolic cardiomyopathy without prior malignant ventricular arrhythmia) were enrolled in this study. The patients were followed up for 18-48 months and were divided into high-risk group and low-risk group according to the occurrence of the endpoint events of sudden cardiac death (SCD), ventricular tachycardia (VT), or ventricular fibrillation (VF).