Characteristics of sleep-disordered breathing in children with down syndrome - A comparison with typically developing children.

Background: Compared with typically developing control children (CC), children with Down syndrome (DS) frequently exhibit sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and unusual sleep postures (USPs). No studies have directly compared SDB-related signs and symptoms, SDB-related parameters, and USPs between children with DS and CC. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalences of SDB and USPs in children with DS and CC.

Non-Fasting Hypertriglyceridemia as an Independent Risk Factor for Coronary In-Stent Restenosis after Primary Bare Metal Stent Implantation in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

After a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), in-stent neoatherosclerosis may pose a risk of in-stent restenosis (ISR). To clarify whether non-fasting hypertriglyceridemia contributes to ISR, we examined the relationship between non-fasting hypertriglyceridemia (i.e.

Serial changes in the three-dimensional aspect of the side-branch ostium jailed by a drug-eluting stent assessed by optical coherence tomography.

The present study investigated serial changes in the three-dimensional (3D) aspect of the jailed side-branch (SB) ostium. We evaluated 32 patients who underwent examination with optical coherence tomography (OCT) both at baseline and at follow-up. After reconstruction of the 3D images, we classified the configuration of overhanging struts at the SB orifice into three groups according to the 3D aspect of the jailing configuration.

Urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine as a novel biomarker of inflammatory activity in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis.

Background: Inflammation and oxidative stress play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cardiac sarcoidosis (SAR). We investigated whether urinary (U) 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)--an oxidative DNA damage marker--was related to SAR inflammatory activity.

Methods: U-8-OHdG levels were measured in 31 SAR patients, classified as active (n=17) or non-active (n=14) based on (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET/CT), 28 dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients, and 30 controls.

Comparison of neointimal coverage and extra-stent lumen between sirolimus and everolimus-eluting stent using optical coherence tomography.

The external lumen of a stent [defined as extra-stent lumen (ESL)] assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) may be related to the risk of thrombus formation after sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation. An everolimus-eluting stent (EES) might provide relatively minimal inflammatory reaction and appropriate neointimal coverage. The purpose of this study was to compare the neointimal thickness and ESL between SES and EES.

Coronary vasodilation by the use of sublingual nitroglycerin using 64-slice dual-source coronary computed tomography angiography.

Background: Sublingual nitroglycerin capsules or spray is routinely used to treat anginal attacks and to maximally dilate the epicardial coronary arteries during coronary angiography. These dilated coronary vessels have an advantage, but increased heart rates were disadvantageous for coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Purpose: The influence of applying nitroglycerin was analyzed regarding the coronary diameter, coronary luminal attenuation, evaluable number of coronary segments, heart rate (HR), HR variability, the optimal reconstruction phase, and image scoring of CTA in the same patients using a 64-slice dual-source CT.

New quantitative method to diagnose coronary in-stent restenosis by 64-multislice computed tomography.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of a newly developed quantitative method using 64-multislice computed tomography angiography (CTA) to detect coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR).

Methods And Results: CTA was performed in 45 patients who underwent stent implantation (79 lesions) and the accuracy to diagnose ISR was evaluated by comparing with invasive coronary angiography (ICA). CTA was evaluated both visually and quantitatively using a new stent restenosis index (SRI) utilizing CT densities at proximal and distal artery lumen from the stented region and the correction value depending on the stent diameter.

Assessment of the aortic valve annular geometry by real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography: comparison with two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography and multidetector computed tomography.

Background: Real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) has been developed and provides detailed 3D information, noninvasively. However, the accuracy and usefulness of 3DTTE in the evaluation of aortic root geometry are still not clear.

Methods: 2DTTE and 3DTTE were performed in 161 patients with various cardiac diseases.

3D optical coherence tomography: new insights into the process of optimal rewiring of side branches during bifurcational stenting.

Aims: We describe three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (3D-OCT) guided bifurcation stenting and the clinical utility of 3D-OCT.

Methods And Results: Twenty-two consecutive patients who underwent OCT examination to confirm the recrossing position after stent implantation in a bifurcation lesion were enrolled. Frequency domain OCT images were obtained to check the recrossing position and 3D reconstructions were performed off-line.

A low-dose β1-blocker effectively and safely slows the heart rate in patients with acute decompensated heart failure and rapid atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Recently, we reported that low-dose landiolol (1.5 µg·kg(-1)·min(-1)), an ultra-short-acting β-blocker, safely decreased the heart rate (HR) in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and sinus tachycardia, thereby improving cardiac function. We investigated whether low-dose landiolol effectively decreased the HR in ADHF patients with rapid atrial fibrillation (AF).

Serial three-dimensional optical coherence tomography assessment of strut coverage and intraluminal structures after drug-eluting stent implantation.

Understanding of intraluminal structure and distribution of uncovered struts after drug-eluting stent implantation are limited by only 2-dimensional (2D) optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. We compared tissue coverage with 3-dimensional (3D) OCT and 2D quantitative analyses, and changes in intraluminal structure immediately after (baseline) everolimus-eluting stent (EES) implantation and at follow-up. The 2D analyses of uncovered struts ratio and tissue coverage thickness at a 0.

Dual-source computed tomography coronary angiography in patients with high heart rate.

Although single-source 64-multislice computed tomography coronary angiography (SSCTA) needs to reduce heart rate (HR), dual-source computed tomography coronary angiography (DSCTA) can acquire images even in tachycardia. The accuracy of DSCTA during tachycardia is compared to the accuracy of SSCTA at reduced HR. Patients who received invasive coronary angiography and either SSCTA or DSCTA were included.

Low-dose β-blocker in combination with milrinone safely improves cardiac function and eliminates pulsus alternans in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a low-dose β-blocker, in combination with milrinone, improves cardiac function in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with tachycardia.

Methods And Results: Twenty ADHF patients (New York Heart Association classification III, n=1, and IV, n=19; heart rate [HR], 107±12 beats/min; left ventricular ejection fraction, 24±7%; cardiac index [CI], 2.2±0.

Urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine as a novel biomarker for predicting cardiac events and evaluating the effectiveness of carvedilol treatment in patients with chronic systolic heart failure.

Background: The authors recently reported that urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (U8-OHdG) derived from cardiac tissue reflects clinical status and cardiac dysfunction severity in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether U8-OHdG levels can accurately predict cardiac events in CHF patients and their response to β-blocker treatment.

Methods And Results: Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and U8-OHdG levels were measured in 186 consecutive CHF patients before discharge.

Evaluation of image quality on a per-patient, per-vessel, and per-segment basis by noninvasive coronary angiography with 64-section computed tomography: dual-source versus single-source computed tomography.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the image quality (IQ) of dual-source CT (DSCT) versus single-source CT (SSCT).

Materials And Methods: A total of 100 patients underwent 64-section CT coronary angiography (50 DSCT, 50 SSCT). Three observers evaluated the IQ of each coronary segment using a four-point scale (1, excellent; 2, good; 3, fair; 4, no assessment).

Systolic reconstruction in patients with low heart rate using coronary dual-source CT angiography.

Objectives: The purpose of our study was to determine the relationship between the predictive factors and systolic reconstruction (SR) as an optimal reconstruction window in patients with low heart rate (LHR; less than 65 bpm).

Methods: 391 patients (262 male and 129 female, mean age; 67.1±10.

Urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine reflects symptomatic status and severity of systolic dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure.

Aims: Oxidative stress is known to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF). We investigated whether urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a product of oxidative DNA damage, is a clinically useful biomarker of the severity of chronic heart failure (CHF) and oxidative stress levels in failing hearts.

Methods And Results: We measured 8-OHdG in the serum obtained from the coronary sinus (CS) and aortic root (Ao) in small groups of control subjects and CHF patients.

High ambient pressure produces hypertrophy and up-regulates cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ regulatory proteins in cultured rat cardiomyocytes.

Previously, we demonstrated in vivo that the nature of the alterations in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function and SR Ca2+ regulatory proteins depends both on the type of mechanical overload imposed and on the duration of the heart disorder. The purpose of the present study was to determine in vitro whether an extrinsic mechanical overload (in the form of high ambient pressure) would cause an up-regulation of ryanodine receptor (RyR) and Ca2+-ATPase, as we previously reported mildly pressure-overloaded, hypertrophied rat hearts. Primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were prepared and high ambient pressure was produced using an incubator and pressure-overloading apparatus.

ERK1/2 regulates intracellular ATP levels through alpha-enolase expression in cardiomyocytes exposed to ischemic hypoxia and reoxygenation.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) is known to function in cell survival in response to various stresses; however, the mechanism of cell survival by ERK1/2 remains poorly elucidated in ischemic heart. Here we applied functional proteomics by two-dimensional electrophoresis to identify a cellular target of ERK1/2 in response to ischemic hypoxia. Approximately 1500 spots were detected by Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining of a sample from unstimulated cells.

Rapid electrical stimulation of contraction modulates gap junction protein in neonatal rat cultured cardiomyocytes: involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases and effects of angiotensin II-receptor antagonist.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rapid electrical stimulation (RES) of contraction on the expression of connexin (Cx)43 gap junction in neonatal rat cultured ventricular myocytes and the consequent changes of conduction properties.

Background: The expression and distribution of gap junctions in cardiac muscle can be changed readily under a variety of pathological conditions because of dynamic turnover of Cxs. The effects of RES of contraction on gap junction remodeling are not well understood.

Comparison of expression of connexin in right atrial myocardium in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation versus those in sinus rhythm.

An abnormal distribution of the gap junction occurs in chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). There are conflicting data regarding changes in connexins (Cxs) in experimental models of AF. We examined whether patients with chronic AF have alterations in atrial Cxs.

[Up-regulation of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor expression in atrial tissue in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation].

Background: Abnormal intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis occurs in chronic atrial fibrillation(AF). The intracellular Ca2+ concentration is regulated by ryanodine and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors. Changes occur in ryanodine receptors in atrial tissue from patients in chronic AF.