Autologous adventitial overlay method reinforces anastomoses in aortic surgery.

In this study, we present an inexpensive and effective method for providing a secure and hemostatic anastomosis using autologous adventitia obtained from a dissected or aneurysmal wall. The resected aortic wall is separated between the adventitia and media, and a soft, 2 × 10-cm adventitial strip is overlaid to cover the anastomotic margin. A graft is sutured to the aortic stump.

Repair of a recurrent pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta in an atomic bomb survivor with myelodysplastic syndrome.

The occurrence of infective aortic pseudoaneurysms tends to be intractable and difficult to treat. We experienced a very rare case of a recurrent infective pseudoaneurysm in the ascending aorta that occurred after cardiac surgery in an atomic bomb survivor with myelodysplastic syndrome. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully repaired using a femoral artery autograft with an omentopexy and the patient recovered well without any recurrence.

Role of F-actin organization in p38 MAP kinase-mediated apoptosis and necrosis in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes subjected to simulated ischemia and reoxygenation.

Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (MAPK) has been implicated in the mechanism of cardiomyocyte (CMC) protection and injury. The p38 MAPK controversy may be related to differential effects of this kinase on apoptosis and necrosis. We have hypothesized that p38 MAPK-mediated F-actin reorganization promotes apoptotic cell death, whereas it protects from osmotic stress-induced necrotic cell death.

Integrated pharmacological preconditioning and memory of cardioprotection: role of protein kinase C and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

Although protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-kinase are implicated in cardioprotective signal transduction mediated by ischemic preconditioning, their role in pharmacological preconditioning (PPC) has not been determined. Cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (CMCs) were subjected to simulated ischemia for 2 h followed by 15 min of reoxygenation. PPC of CMCs consisted of administration of 50 microM adenosine, 50 microM diazoxide, and 50 microM S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), each alone or in combination, for 15 min followed by 30 min of washout before simulated ischemia.

Temporary blockade of contractility during reperfusion elicits a cardioprotective effect of the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB-203580.

p38 MAP kinase activation is known to be deleterious not only to mitochondria but also to contractile function. Therefore, p38 MAP kinase inhibition therapy represents a promising approach in preventing reperfusion injury in the heart. However, reversal of p38 MAP kinase-mediated contractile dysfunction may disrupt the fragile sarcolemma of ischemic-reperfused myocytes.

Ischemic preconditioning-mediated restoration of membrane dystrophin during reperfusion correlates with protection against contraction-induced myocardial injury.

Dystrophin is an integral membrane protein involved in the stabilization of the sarcolemmal membrane in cardiac muscle. We hypothesized that the loss of membrane dystrophin during ischemia and reperfusion is responsible for contractile force-induced myocardial injury and that cardioprotection afforded by ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is related to the preservation of membrane dystrophin. Isolated and perfused rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia, followed by reperfusion with or without the contractile blocker 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM).

Combined pharmacological preconditioning with a G-protein-coupled receptor agonist, a mitochondrial KATP channel opener and a nitric oxide donor mimics ischaemic preconditioning.

1. Although pharmacological preconditioning (PPC) has emerged as an alternative to ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) in cardioprotection, the efficacy of PPC compared with IPC has not been investigated. Because IPC is mediated by complex signalling cascades arising from multiple triggers, we have hypothesized that combined PPC is necessary to mimic IPC.

Role of mitochondrial KATP channels and protein kinase C in ischaemic preconditioning.

1. Activation of mitochondrial KATP (mitoKATP) channels and protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in cardioprotective mechanisms of ischaemic preconditioning (IPC). However, the exact role of these events in early IPC remains unclear.