Dynamic evolvement of the de Winter ECG pattern.

The de Winter electrocardiograph (ECG) pattern in patients with chest pain is associated with occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery. These patterns were once considered stable conditions, without dynamic evolution of ECG. Recently, several case reports have indicated that this ECG pattern may evolve into ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or may follow the ECG manifestations of STEMI.

Influence of crocetin on high-cholesterol diet induced atherosclerosis in rats via anti-oxidant activity together with inhibition of inflammatory response and p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect and possible mechanism of action of crocetin on the high cholesterol diet (HCD) induced atherosclerosis rat. The Wistar rats were used in the current investigation. The rats were divided into following group, Group I: control, Group II: HCD induced AS, Group III: AS + crocetin (25 mg/kg), Group IV: AS + crocetin (50 mg/kg) and Group V: AS + Simvastatin, respectively.

Does short preoperative statin therapy prevent infectious complications in adults undergoing cardiac or non-cardiac surgery? A meta-analysis of 5 randomized placebo-controlled trials.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of preoperative statin therapy on the incidence of postoperative infection. 

Methods: This systematic review of the literature was carried out in August 2015. Studies were retrieved via PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library (1980 to 2015), and the reference files were limited to English-language articles.

Associations of MMP-2, BAX, and Bcl-2 mRNA and Protein Expressions with Development of Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND To examine changes of mRNA and protein expressions of MMP-2, Bcl-2, and BAX in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, and investigate the correlations among these 3 biomarkers. MATERIAL AND METHODS Rheumatic heart disease patients (n=158) undergoing cardiac surgical procedures for mitral valve repair or replacement were included as the AF group (n=123), containing paroxysmal AF (n=42), persistent AF (n=36), and permanent AF (n=45). Rheumatic heart disease patients with sinus rhythm (SR) (n=35) were enrolled as the SR group (control group).