Fissure Integrity and Volume Reduction in Emphysema: A Retrospective Study.

Background: One-way endobronchial valves (EBVs) relieve symptoms of emphysema, particularly in patients without collateral ventilation between the target and adjacent lobes. Pretreatment knowledge of fissure integrity could serve as an aid in indicating EBV interventions.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between software-measured lung fissure integrity and clinically relevant lung volume reduction (≥350 ml) in emphysema patients treated with one-way EBVs using a lobar exclusion strategy.

Radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation during concomitant cardiac surgery.

Objectives: We present the experience of our centre with radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation concomitantly with cardiac surgery Methods: 170 patients underwent atrial fibrillation ablation with uni/bipolar-radiofrequency. They were followed for 3-months and then as appropriate for the cardiac disease. In 2013, patients still alive underwent rhythm monitoring with ECG and 24-hour tape if in sinus rhythm

Results: Mean age was 65 years old and 42% of the patients were male.

Concomitant unipolar radiofrequency ablation of nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation in rheumatic and degenerative valve disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the results of concomitant unipolar radiofrequency ablation of nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) between rheumatic and degenerative valve disease (RHD versus DVD).

Methods: Between 2005 and 2012, 96 patients underwent AF ablation with unipolar radiofrequency concurrently with heart valve surgery. They were followed in three months and at a median follow-up of 39 (18 to 61) months.

Myocardial cleft in a patient with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: an unusual association identified by cardiac magnetic resonance.

We present the case of an 84-year-old woman admitted for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicated by congestive heart failure. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging was performed on day five and confirmed severely depressed left ventricular systolic function with typical apical ballooning. In steady-state free precession long-axis cine imaging, a basal inferior myocardial cleft was also observed, with no signs of myocardial noncompaction or regional wall motion abnormalities involving this segment.

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation: an updated review.

The first Cox-maze procedure was performed in 1987, demonstrating the feasibility of a non-pharmacological treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Since then, surgery for AF has changed over time, in parallel with technological advances. Replacement of surgical incisions with linear ablation lines made a previously cumbersome procedure accessible to most surgeons, without compromising success.

Monoclonal antibodies: application in radiopharmacy.

In this study was carried on a systematic review of the data was carried out in the topic of monoclonal antibodies in the last 40 years. All the data collected and summarized revealed that this new class of medicine may bring great advance in the field of radiopharmacy, oncology and imaging.

Long-term follow-up after aortic coarctation repair: the unsolved issue of exercise-induced hypertension.

Introduction: Despite successful repair of aortic coarctation (AC), systemic hypertension (HTN) can persist in a significant percentage of patients. Exercise-induced HTN is also common in these patients, although its clinical significance is still unclear. In this study we aimed to assess the prevalence of exercise-induced HTN in adult patients with repaired AC.

[Giant left ventricular pseudoaneurysm: the diagnostic contribution of different non-invasive imaging modalities].

Distinguishing between ventricular aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm, although difficult, is of major importance due to the therapeutic and prognostic implications. The present case highlights the pivotal role of non-invasive imaging modalities for differential diagnosis between these entities in order to ensure appropriate management of these patients.

Cardiac 123I-MIBG scintigraphy and arrhythmic risk in left ventricular noncompaction.

Left ventricular noncompaction is an unusual but increasingly recognized cardiomyopathy, the etiology of which is still not definitely established. Clinical presentation includes a wide spectrum of scenarios, including heart failure, thromboembolism and malignant arrhythmias, with half of deaths occurring suddenly. Early detection of LVNC is therefore essential to prevent sudden cardiac death.

Cardiac metastasis from epidermoid esophageal cancer mimicking anterior myocardial infarction.

Cardiac metastases are more common than primary tumors. Several types of malignant tumors have been reported to metastasize to the heart, mainly lung cancer, but in the setting of esophageal cancer, myocardial metastasis is comparatively rare. We report a case of a cardiac metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma detected 9 months after surgically curative esophagectomy, which presented mimicking acute myocardial infarction.

Long-term survival, autonomy, and quality of life of elderly patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

Aims: We reviewed the long-term survival, autonomy, and quality of life (QoL) of elderly patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods: Records of patients ≥75 years old that underwent AVR from 2002 to 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. Functional status was classified with Barthel Index (BI).

Association between biotic and abiotic parameters and the occurrence of cyanobacteria in a Brazilian reservoir.

The water reservoir of Vargem das Flores, Brazil, has been subject to eutrophication problems. The occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms in this water body has raised concerns regarding the presence of toxic metabolites. In order to understand the factors that promote the proliferation and distribution of cyanobacteria in the reservoir, physicochemical parameters, species composition, and toxicity of the reservoir water column were analyzed at monthly intervals over a 3-year period (2004-2007) using a range of analytical techniques.

The role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the evaluation of chest pain etiology: a case report.

In the evaluation of patients with chest pain it is crucial to differentiate between cardiac and non-cardiac etiology. In turn, acute chest pain of cardiac origin includes many clinical entities. The combination of elevated cardiac serum markers, particularly troponin, with typical clinical presentation and electrocardiographic abnormalities most frequently establishes a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: a diagnosis to consider in acute coronary syndromes.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an extremely rare cause of acute coronary syndrome, with a reported angiographic incidence ranging between 0.1 and 1.1%.

Effect of a dentifrice containing Aloe vera on plaque and gingivitis control. A double-blind clinical study in humans.

The effect of Aloe vera on the reduction of plaque and gingivitis was evaluated in a randomized, parallel and double-blind clinical trial. Subjects were randomly allocated to the test group (n=15) - dentifrice containing Aloe vera - or the control group (n=15) - fluoridated dentifrice. Plaque index (PI) and gingival bleeding index (GBI) were assessed at days 0 and 30.

[Oxidative stress and its effects on insulin resistance and pancreatic beta-cells dysfunction: relationship with type 2 diabetes mellitus complications].

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, the most prevalent and serious metabolic disease worldwide, is believed to result from the interaction between genetical and lifestyle factors. In genetically predisposed people, the combination of a hypercaloric ingestion and reduced physical activity is responsible for the appearance of insulin resistance. This state can be overcomed, until a certain point, with increments of insulin secretion (hyperinsulinemia).

Thymulin inhibits monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension modulating interleukin-6 expression and suppressing p38 pathway.

The pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) includes an inflammatory response. Thymulin, a zinc-dependent thymic hormone, has important immunobiological effects by inhibiting various proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. We investigated morphological and hemodynamic effects of thymulin administration in a rat model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PH, as well as the pattern of proinflammatory cytokine gene expression and the intracellular pathways involved.

Thrombin induces rapid PAR1-mediated non-classical FGF1 release.

Thrombin induces cell proliferation and migration during vascular injury. We report that thrombin rapidly stimulated expression and release of the pro-angiogenic polypeptide fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1). Thrombin failed to induce FGF1 release from protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) null fibroblasts, indicating that this effect was dependent on PAR1.

Ghrelin reverses molecular, structural and hemodynamic alterations of the right ventricle in pulmonary hypertension.

Ghrelin is an endogenous peptide that has a dual effect by activating specific receptors and by stimulating release of growth hormone. There is increasing evidence that ghrelin has a potent vasodilator effect. Recently, we demonstrated that exogenous administration of ghrelin modulates its endogenous levels and attenuates the majority of alterations induced by monocrotaline (MCT).

Opioid receptors and preconditioning of the heart.

Recent studies have demonstrated that opioids and their receptors, investigated for many years for their analgesic effects on central nervous system receptors, also play a role in the regulation of the cardiovascular system. Although some of these actions may be mediated by activation of peripheral opioid receptors, others seem to result from direct or independent effects of their receptors on cardiac tissue and the peripheral vascular system. This review will focus on the effects of opioid receptor stimulation in the heart, particularly those mimicking the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning.