ANGPTL4 Expression Is Increased in Epicardial Adipose Tissue of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is known to affect atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD) pathogenesis, persistently releasing pro-inflammatory adipokines that affect the myocardium and coronary arteries. Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is a protein secreted from adipose tissue and plays a critical role in the progression of atherosclerosis. Here, the expression of ANGPTL4 in EAT was investigated in CAD subjects.

Emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy for intraabdominal hemorrhage in a patient with a left ventricular assist device: a case report.

Background: Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), called "second generation LVADs," have significantly improved the survival and quality of life outcomes. Accordingly, non-cardiac surgery in a patient with LVADs has required for conditions not directly related to their LVADs. And the management of bleeding in non-cardiac site remains one of long-term critical topics.

Off-pump technique reduces surgical mortality after elective coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with preoperative renal failure.

Objectives: Most randomized controlled trials of off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have included limited numbers of patients with preoperative renal failure. This study was performed to evaluate the association between the clinical benefit of the off-pump technique and chronic kidney disease stage.

Methods: We analyzed 38,051 patients with chronic kidney disease who underwent primary nonemergent isolated CABG from 2013 to 2015 as reported in the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database-Adult section.

Previous Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Does Not Increase Adverse Events After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Background: Adverse effects of previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on clinical outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of previous PCI on early outcomes after subsequent CABG by using data from the Japanese national database.

Methods: This study analyzed data from 48,051 consecutive patients that were retrieved from the Japan Adult Cardiovascular Surgery Database.

On-pump beating-heart technique is associated with lower morbidity and mortality following coronary artery bypass grafting: a meta-analysis.

A hybrid procedure of beating-heart coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with the concomitant use of cardiopulmonary bypass termed on-pump beating-heart CABG (ON-BH CABG) has emerged as an alternative for high-risk patient populations. Although several studies have reported the advantage of ON-BH CABG in high-risk patients, the clinical benefit of ON-BH CABG is still under discussion. Here, we performed a meta-analysis of the data derived from published studies comparing the clinical outcomes of ON-BH CABG with that of conventional arrested heart CABG.

Off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Objective: Using data from the Japan Adult Cardiovascular Surgery Database, we evaluated the prognostic influence of off-pump technique in patients with low ejection fraction who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: We analyzed 2187 patients with an ejection fraction <0.30 who underwent primary, nonemergency, isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between 2008 and 2012, as reported in the Japan Adult Cardiovascular Surgery Database.

Plasma vitamin K concentrations depend on CYP4F2 polymorphism and influence on anticoagulation in Japanese patients with warfarin therapy.

Introduction: Warfarin is characterized by a large inter-individual variability in dosage requirement. This study aimed to analyze the contribution of the CYP4F2 genetic polymorphism and plasma vitamin K concentration on the warfarin pharmacodynamics in patients and to clarify the plasma vitamin K concentration affecting warfarin sensitivity index in rats.

Materials And Methods: Genetic analyses of selected genes were performed and plasma concentrations of warfarin, vitamin K1 (VK1) and menaquinone-4 (MK-4) were measured in 217 Japanese patients.

Valve-sparing aortic root reconstruction in patient with prior renal transplantation.

We describe a David operation in a 62-year-old renal transplant recipient with valsalva aneurysm and concomitant aortic insufficiency. The risk of postoperative infection seemed significant because he was receiving immunosuppressive therapy; thus, David operation was performed. He recovered uneventfully.

Influence of previous percutaneous coronary intervention on clinical outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting: a meta-analysis of comparative studies†.

The prognostic significance of previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is still unclear. Although many studies have reported adverse effects of previous PCI on postoperative mortality in CABG, as yet no meta-analysis has been carried out. We conducted this first meta-analysis to assess whether previous PCI increases postoperative mortality in CABG.

The Relationship between Tension and Length of the Aortic Adventitia Resected from the Aortic Wall of Acute Aortic Dissection.

Objective: To our knowledge, no previous study has described the measurement of the tensile strength of the human aortic adventitia. In the present study, we examined the relationship between the tension and length of the aortic adventitia resected from the aortic wall of patients with acute aortic dissection.

Methods: We obtained rectangular specimens from the aortic adventitia that was resected in patients with acute aortic dissection during surgery.

Effect of VKORC1-1639 G>A polymorphism, body weight, age, and serum albumin alterations on warfarin response in Japanese patients.

Introduction: To establish individualized warfarin therapy, we investigated the contribution of genetic variations of vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 gene (VKORC1) -1639 G>A and Cytochrome P450 2C9 gene (CYP2C9) and clinical factors on warfarin sensitivity in Japanese patients.

Materials And Methods: Genetic analyses of VKORC1 -1639 G>A and CYP2C9 2, 3, and 4 were performed in 259 Japanese patients and 341 healthy subjects. We selected 259 patients who have been prescribed warfarin with a 1.

Leukocyte-platelet aggregates and monocyte tissue factor expression in bovines implanted with ventricular assist devices.

Infection and thromboembolism remain significant complications associated with ventricular assist device (VAD) support, including the newer rotary VADs, limiting wider adoption of this promising technology. These complications persist in spite of extensive preclinical testing in large animal models. The amount of biocompatibility information collected during preclinical trials is limited due to a lack of available assays.

Preclinical biocompatibility assessment of the EVAHEART ventricular assist device: coating comparison and platelet activation.

Thromboembolism and bleeding remain significant complications of ventricular assist device (VAD) support. Increasing the amount of biocompatibility data collected during preclinical studies can provide additional criteria to evaluate device refinements, while design changes may be implemented before entering clinical use. Twenty bovines were implanted with the EVAHEART centrifugal VAD for durations from 30 to 196 days.

Blunt tracheal transection and long tear in posterior membranous trachea.

Blunt tracheobronchial injuries are rare, but can be life-threatening. A precise preoperative diagnosis and a well-recognised plan of surgical treatment, which may be unique for each patient, are needed to restore the continuity of tracheobronchial tree in a one-stage intervention. We encountered a patient with complete tracheal transection and 15 cm tear in the posterior membranous trachea and right bronchus, and whose tracheal injury was difficult to repair using direct intubation of distal airway by bronchoscopy.

Pedicled cardiac hemangioma with right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

A 46-year-old female was admitted to our hospital complaining of dizziness. Echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a pedicled tumor in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), causing severe obstruction during systole. Resection was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass.

Distal thoracic aorta hemodynamics during exercise with continuous flow left ventricular assist system.

Objectives: Continuous flow left ventricular assist systems (LVAS) are being discussed as a destination therapy. LVAS patients will have expanded activity of daily life, including exercise. In this study, we analyzed the effects of exercise on blood flow in the distal thoracic aorta of LVAD implanted animals.

[Infective endocarditis with a huge mitral vegetation related to atopic dermatitis and high serum level of infection-related antiphospholipid antibody: a case report].

A 24-year-old woman with atopic dermatitis was admitted to our hospital with fever. Echocardiography showed a huge vegetation attached to the posterior mitral commissure without mitral valve dysfunction. Blood culture identified methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus.

In vivo evaluation of a MPC polymer coated continuous flow left ventricular assist system.

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the thrombogenicity and the biocompatibility of the SunMedical EVAHEART left ventricular assist system (LVAS) coated with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer compared to a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating. Four calves were implanted with the MPC polymer-coated LVAS. Eight calves were implanted with DLC coated LVAS.

EVAHEART: an implantable centrifugal blood pump for long-term circulatory support.

Objective: We developed "EVAHEART": a compact centrifugal blood pump system as an implantable left ventricular assist device for long-term circulatory support. The 55 x 64 mm pump is made from pure titanium, and weighs 370 g. The entire blood-contacting surface is covered with an anti-thrombogenic coating of diamond like carbon (DLC) or 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) to improve blood compatibility.