Comparing innovative AI algorithms to assess echocardiographic videos for clinical modelling.

Objective(s): We conduct a comparative study that employs the use of multiple dynamic deep learning algorithms to develop predictive models with video-based echocardiographic images using sample size determination as a key variable to assess optimal performance metrics.

Methods: Our study compares performance of 3D convolutional neural networks, video vision transformers, and hybrid convolutional neural networks and Long Short-Term Memory models within both supervised and semi-supervised domains using variable sample sizes.

Results: For supervised learning, the ResNet3D model achieved the lowest Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) across all training set sizes (200, 400, and 800-video datasets), with the best performance observed on the 800-video training set (MAE: 7.

Baculovirus Expressing Tumor Growth Factor-β1 (TGFβ1) Nanoshuttle Augments Therapeutic Effects for Vascular Wound Healing: Design and In Vitro Analysis.

One of the major challenges in vascular tissue regeneration is effective wound healing that can be resolved by an innovative targeted nanoshuttle that delivers growth factors to blood vessels. This study investigates the production and efficacy of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) gene delivery using poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA) baculovirus (BV) nanoshuttles (NSs). They exhibited an encapsulation efficiency of 86.

Personalized evaluation of the passive myocardium in ischemic cardiomyopathy via computational modeling using Bayesian optimization.

Biomechanics-based patient-specific modeling is a promising approach that has proved invaluable for its clinical potential to assess the adversities caused by ischemic heart disease (IHD). In the present study, we propose a framework to find the passive material properties of the myocardium and the unloaded shape of cardiac ventricles simultaneously in patients diagnosed with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). This was achieved by minimizing the difference between the simulated and the target end-diastolic pressure-volume relationships (EDPVRs) using black-box Bayesian optimization, based on the finite element analysis (FEA).

Nanotechnology in development of next generation of stent and related medical devices: Current and future aspects.

Coronary stents have saved millions of lives in the last three decades by treating atherosclerosis especially, by preventing plaque protrusion and subsequent aneurysms. They attenuate the vascular SMC proliferation and promote reconstruction of the endothelial bed to ensure superior revascularization. With the evolution of modern stent types, nanotechnology has become an integral part of stent technology.

Surgical repair of post myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect: a retrospective analysis of a single institution experience.

Introduction: Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI) with a very high mortality, despite advances in surgical and circulatory support. The tremendous hemodynamic disturbance and the severely fragile myocardium render surgical repair a great challenge. The optimal time of surgical repair with or without circulatory support is still controversial.

Controlled and customizable baculovirus NOS3 gene delivery using PVA-based hydrogel systems.

Nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) eluting polyvinyl alcohol-based hydrogels have a large potential in medical applications and device coatings. NOS3 promotes nitric oxide and nitrate production and can effectively be delivered using insect cell viruses, termed baculoviruses. Nitric oxide is known for regulating cell proliferation, promoting blood vessel vasodilation, and inhibiting bacterial growth.

Genome Editing and Cardiac Regeneration.

Although the field of cardiac regeneration is relatively young, it is progressing rapidly with technological advancements. Genome editing tools are allowing researchers to creatively influence signaling pathways to be able to shed light on them and are important for addressing certain issues and limitations associated with in vitro and in vivo aspects of cardiac regeneration, such as imaging and immune rejection. In this chapter, the pathways involved in cardiac regeneration will be highlighted, and the role of gene-editing tools in endogenous and exogenous approaches to regenerate injured myocardium is discussed.

The multidisciplinary management of a mechanical mitral valve thrombosis in pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: The management of anticoagulation for mechanical heart valves during pregnancy poses a unique challenge. Mechanical valve thrombosis is a devastating complication for which surgery is often the treatment of choice. However, cardiac surgery for prosthetic valve dysfunction in pregnant patients confers a high risk of maternofetal morbidity and mortality.

Interchangeability of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic right heart measurements in the perioperative setting and correlation with hemodynamic parameters.

Reduction of right ventricular (RV) function after cardiac surgery has been shown to impact outcomes. Conventional indices for right ventricular dysfunction are validated using transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) which has limited use compared to transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) in the perioperative settings. The aim of this study was to assess the agreement of RV systolic function assessment with TEE compared to TTE and assess the association of echocardiographic parameter with hemodynamic indices of RV dysfunction.

Alginate-Chitosan Hydrogel Formulations Sustain Baculovirus Delivery and VEGFA Expression Which Promotes Angiogenesis for Wound Dressing Applications.

Hydrogel wound dressings are effective in their ability to provide a wound-healing environment but are limited by their ability to promote later stages of revascularization. Here, a biosafe recombinant baculovirus expressing VEGFA tagged with EGFP is encapsulated in chitosan-coated alginate hydrogels using ionic cross-linking. The VEGFA, delivered by the baculovirus, significantly improves cell migration and angiogenesis to assist with the wound-healing process and revascularization.

Migration despite stabilization of an embolized transcatheter heart valve: A word of caution.

This case report describes an initially stabilized transcatheter heart valve that embolized in the ascending aorta, leading to a postprocedural acute type A aortic dissection.

Synthesis and characterization of peptide conjugated human serum albumin nanoparticles for targeted cardiac uptake and drug delivery.

Congestive heart failure, a prominent cardiovascular disease results primarily from myocardial infarction or ischemia. Milrinone (MRN), a widely used clinical drug for heart failure, improves myocardial contractility and cardiac function through its inotropic and vasodilatory effects. However, lacking target specificity, it exhibits low bioavailability and lower body retention time.

Albumin Nanoparticle Formulation for Heart-Targeted Drug Delivery: In Vivo Assessment of Congestive Heart Failure.

Congestive heart failure is a fatal cardiovascular disease resulting in tissue necrosis and loss of cardiac contractile function. Inotropic drugs such as milrinone are commonly used to improve the myocardial contractility and heart function. However, milrinone is associated with severe side effects and lower circulation time.

Postoperative Nosocomial COVID-19 Infection in Cardiac Surgery: An Uncommon Event With High Mortality Rate.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on cardiac surgery patients. Significant reductions in access to surgical treatment have forced surgeons to prioritise patients and follow strict COVID-19 protocols to protect surgeons, staff, and patients. Adult cardiac surgery and the COVID-19 pandemic: aggressive infection mitigation strategies are necessary in the operating room and surgical recovery.

Snare or Scalpel: Challenges of Intracardiac Cement Embolism Retrieval.

Intracardiac cement embolism after percutaneous vertebroplasty is a rare, but dangerous, complication, and guiding principles for its management are not well described. The management of this present case of intracardiac cement embolism offers insight to facilitate the treatment decision-making process in symptomatic patients requiring extraction.

Human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells cytokine priming promotes RAB27B-regulated secretion of small extracellular vesicles with immunomodulatory cargo.

Background: The paracrine effects of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are mediated by their secretome composed by soluble factors (i.e., cytokines, growth factors, hormones) and extracellular vesicles (EVs).

The Role of Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Mediators in Aortic Valve Stenosis.

Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is a prevailing and life-threatening cardiovascular disease in adults over 75 years of age. However, the molecular mechanisms governing the pathogenesis of AVS are yet to be fully unraveled. With accumulating evidence that Wnt signaling plays a key role in the development of AVS, the involvement of Wnt molecules has become an integral study target in AVS pathogenesis.

Ex vivo Ikkβ ablation rescues the immunopotency of mesenchymal stromal cells from diabetics with advanced atherosclerosis.

Aims: Diabetes is a conventional risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction (MI) is the most common cause of death among these patients. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerosis have impaired ability to suppress activated T-cells (i.e.

Transcatheter valve replacement: a revolution.

Degenerative aortic stenosis is the most common valvular disease worldwide; however, its physiopathology remains poorly understood. Although, developments in prevention of this disease have remained relatively stagnant, the last decade has brought about innovative treatment options incorporating different percutaneous and surgical approaches. These advances have allowed physicians to offer relief to high-risk patients, previously deemed nonsurgical.

Functional Assessment of Pluripotent and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Derived Secretome in Heart Disease.

Objectives: Cell-based therapies have demonstrated variable degrees of success in the management of myocardial infarction and heart failure. By inducing a myocardial infarction in a rat model, the effects of secretome from human induced pluripotent stem cells (HiPSCs) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on cardiac function and remodeling were investigated.

Methods: HiPSCs and hMSCs were cultured and after 12 cycles, secretome was collected.

Parenteral amino acid supplementation with high-dose insulin prevents hypoaminoacidemia during cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Surgery triggers a stress response that produces insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. During cardiac surgery, the administration of high-dose insulin along with dextrose titration maintains normoglycemia, but dramatically decreases plasma amino acids (AAs) compared with preoperative fasting levels. Hypoaminoacidemia limits protein synthesis and prevents anabolic responses after surgery.