One-Year and Five-Year Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in a Taiwanese Elderly Population.

Background: The aim of our study was to provide real-world data on outcomes for elderly Taiwanese patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement or surgical aortic valve replacement in different risk groups.

Methods: From March 2011 through December 2021, 177 patients with severe aortic stenosis who were ≥70 years old and had undergone TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) or SAVR (surgical aortic valve replacement) in a single center were divided by STS score (<4%, 4-8% and >8%) into three different groups. Then, we compared their clinical characteristics, operative complications, and all-cause mortality.

A dimedone-phenylalanine-based fluorescent sensor for the detection of iron (III), copper (II), L-cysteine, and L-tryptophan in solution and pharmaceutical samples.

The development of fluorescence molecules for the fast and effective detection of L-tryptophan (L-Trp) has attracted a lot of attention because it is an important amino acid for baby growth, nitrogen equilibrium in adults, improving sleep, and mood regulation. A dimedone-phenylalanine-based chiral sensor (SDPA) was synthesized and exhibited a strong fluorescence quenching by Fe and Cu in a water/DMSO (3/7) solution with a detection limit of 2.29 × 10 M and 6.

Naked-eye colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent Schiff base sensor for cyanide and aluminum (III) detection in food samples and cell imaging applications.

A new efficient Schiff base sensor SB3 for fluorescent and colorimetric "naked-eye" "turn-on" sensing of cyanide anion (CN) with excellent sensitivity and selectivity was developed. The 4,4'-(perfluoropropane-2,2-diyl)bisphenol group and two phenyl groups were covalently linked by two C = N bonds to extend the conjugation length. The four hydroxyl groups can improve the water solubility of the SB3 sensor.

Long-Term Outcomes in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients Using Internal Thoracic Artery with Ipsilateral Arteriovenous Shunt for Hemodialysis.

Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts in hemodialysis (HD) patients with arteriovenous (AV) fistulae or AV grafts involving the ipsilateral or contralateral brachial artery or radial artery.

Methods: From March 2007 to May 2017, 76 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with an upper limb AV fistula or graft for HD underwent CABG at a single center. Group A included 23 patients who underwent CABG using an ITA graft ipsilateral to the AV vascular access (AVVA); Group B included 22 patients who underwent CABG using a contralateral ITA with AVVA; and Group C included 29 patients who underwent CABG with AVVA without the use of an ITA graft.

Effect of Retrograde Cerebral Protection Strategy on Outcome of Patients with Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection.

Background: Neurological complications are an important concern in the repair of type A aortic dissection. Supra-aortic involvement is considered to be an important risk factor for neurological injuries. However, the optimal brain protection strategy still remains controversial.

Modified Sleeve Technique in Aortic Valve-Sparing Operation for Marfan Syndrome.

We devised a simple modification of the Florida Sleeve procedure to perform aortic valve-sparing surgery. This technique is simple, quick, effective, and safe. We used this technique in operations performed on two young patients with Marfan syndrome.

Robust, sensitive and facile method for detection of F, CN and Ac anions.

Sensing of F, CN and Ac is important from the viewpoint of both medically and environmentally. Particularly, sensing of the anions in 100% water by a colorimetric chemical sensor is a highly difficult task as water molecules interfere the sensing mechanism. In this regard, sensor R1, having azo and nitrophenyl groups as signaling units and thiourea as a binding site was prepared.

Hybrid Repair of Ruptured Arch Aneurysm Without Sternotomy Through an Unusual Extraanatomic Bypass.

A 42-year-old man experienced a complex aortic arch aneurysm rupture. He had previously undergone an operation for type A dissection and had extremely poor cardiac performance as well as deep sternal infection after the first procedure. The conventional open repair was considered to be a high risk for this patient.

Exploring the Behavior of Bovine Serum Albumin in Response to Changes in the Chemical Composition of Responsive Polymers: Experimental and Simulation Studies.

Knowledge of the interactions between polymer and protein is very important to fabricate the potential materials for many bio-related applications. In this regard, the present work investigated the effect of copolymers on the conformation and thermal stability of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with the aid of biophysical techniques such as fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In comparison with that of copolymer PGA-1.

Influence of imidazolium based green solvents on volume phase transition temperature of crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogel.

The volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) of crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PNIPAM-co-AA) hydrogel in water in the presence of five imidazolium based ionic liquids (ILs) was studied. The VPTT of PNIPAM-co-AA hydrogel can be modulated to different extents by the addition of different amounts of ILs. The modulations in VPTT values can be attributed to the IL-induced alterations in hydrophobic, hydrophilic and hydrogen bonding interactions of PNIPAM-co-AA hydrogel with the neighboring solvent and molecular chains.

Type A dissection and fistula to right atrium after aortic valve replacement.

A 73-year-old man with a history of severe aortic regurgitation underwent aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis. Nine years later, he presented with heart failure and was diagnosed with chronic type A dissection and severe aortic stenosis. During surgery, a fistula from the ascending aortic aneurysm to the right atrium was found incidentally.

Excellent mid-term durability of the On-X mechanical aortic valve in the pulmonary position with a low international normalized ratio.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Although the pulmonary position has been preferred for the placement of homografts or bioprosthetic valves, the limited longevity of these implants makes reoperation almost unavoidable. Good durability of mechanical valves in the pulmonary position has been reported. The mid-term outcomes were analyzed of patients who received an On-X mechanical heart valve for pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) with a relatively low International Normalized Ratio (INR).

Molecular identification for epigallocatechin-3-gallate-mediated antioxidant intervention on the H2O2-induced oxidative stress in H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts.

Background: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been documented for its beneficial effects protecting oxidative stress to cardiac cells. Previously, we have shown the EGCG-mediated cardiac protection by attenuating reactive oxygen species and cytosolic Ca2+ in cardiac cells during oxidative stress and myocardial ischemia. Here, we aimed to seek a deeper elucidation of the molecular anti-oxidative capabilities of EGCG in an H2O2-induced oxidative stress model of myocardial ischemia injury using H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts.

Salvage of external iliac artery dissection immediately after renal transplant.

Renal transplant is the preferred treatment for patients with uremia. The renal transplant procedure is well established with a high success rate, but surgical complications are encountered occasionally. We report a case of sudden onset of anuria of the graft kidney owing to acute external iliac artery dissection diagnosed by Doppler sonography.

Factors associated with sexual quality of life in patients before and after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Background: Successful rehabilitation of patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) should include psychosocial outcomes such as sexual activity. However, little has been reported regarding the sexual quality of life of patients after CABG.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the associations of demographic and disease characteristics, psychosocial factors, and sexual quality of life in patients before and after CABG surgery.

Green tea extract given before regional myocardial ischemia-reperfusion in rats improves myocardial contractility by attenuating calcium overload.

There is evidence for a negative correlation between green tea consumption and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to examine whether green tea extract (GTE) given before regional myocardial ischemia could improve depression of myocardial contractility by preventing cytosolic Ca(2+) overload. Regional ischemia-reperfusion (IR) was induced in rats by ligating the left anterior descending branch for 20 min, then releasing the ligature.

Pseudoaneurysm in the left ventricular outflow tract after prosthetic aortic valve implantation: evaluation upon multidetector-row computed tomography.

The high accuracy of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) in evaluating prosthetic valve disorders has been confirmed. This, we believe, is the 1st report of the use of MDCT to detect and evaluate left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) pseudoaneurysms in patients who have undergone aortic valve replacement with prosthetic valves. We used MDCT to scan 21 such patients, 3 of whom had a small pseudoaneurysm in the LVOT.

Green tea extract protects rats against myocardial infarction associated with left anterior descending coronary artery ligation.

There is increasing evidence that green tea polyphenols can protect against myocardial damage. Recently, we showed that they bind to cardiac troponin C and alter myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity in cardiac muscle. In the present study, we examined whether green tea extract (GTE) could prevent the progressive remodeling seen in ischemic myocardium and improve cardiac function by modulation of the contractile apparatus utilizing a myocardial infarction (MI) model in the rat involving ligation of the left anterior descending branch.

Preparation and non-invasive in-vivo imaging of anti-adhesion barriers with fluorescent polymeric marks.

Comb-like PEMLn polymers with pendent PEG-PLLA side chains were synthesized as tissue anti-adhesion barriers. The comb-like structure improved the flexibility of the films. Fluorescent polymer-biocompatible polymer guest-host materials were printed on the films as marking dots.

Correctness of multi-detector-row computed tomography for diagnosing mechanical prosthetic heart valve disorders using operative findings as a gold standard.

The purpose was to compare the findings of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in prosthetic valve disorders using the operative findings as a gold standard. In a 3-year period, we prospectively enrolled 25 patients with 31 prosthetic heart valves. MDCT and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were done to evaluate pannus formation, prosthetic valve dysfunction, suture loosening (paravalvular leak) and pseudoaneurysm formation.

A novel arch-first T-graft technique for extensive aortic arch reconstruction.

To reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with extensive aortic arch replacement, the reconstruction technique is the most important part of the treatment. By refining the present techniques, we developed an arch-first T-graft technique. This technique provides a more reasonable arrangement of procedures, least brain ischemic time, less low-body ischemic time, and an easy way of distal aortic anastomosis.