Eplerenone Modulates Interleukin-33/sST2 Signaling and IL-1β in Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction After Acute Myocardial Infarction.

This study aimed to evaluate the role of eplerenone on the modulation of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-33/sST2 signaling pathway in an experimental model of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction (MI). MI rats were randomly assigned to no treatment (MI group, n = 10), to receive eplerenone (Epl group, n = 10), or anakinra (Ana group, n = 10). LV function was assessed by echocardiography.

A meta-analysis of the effects of β-adrenergic blockers in chronic heart failure.

Adrenergic β-blockers are drugs that bind to, but do not activate β-adrenergic receptors. Instead they block the actions of β-adrenergic agonists and are used for the treatment of various diseases such as cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, hypertension, headache, migraines, stress, anxiety, prostate cancer, and heart failure. Several meta-analysis studies have shown that β-blockers improve the heart function and reduce the risks of cardiovascular events, rate of mortality, and sudden death through chronic heart failure (CHF) of patients.

A novel rat model of heart failure induced by high methionine diet showing evidence of association between hyperhomocysteinemia and activation of NF-kappaB.

Heart failure is one of the most serious diseases worldwide, and can be caused by many factors, among them hyperhomocysteinemia can increase the risk for development of heart failure. In this study, we treated rats with high methionine diet (HMD), which can be conversed to homocysteine in human body, to induce a novel model of heart failure. We proved the successful establishment of this model by echocardiography and pathological evaluation at the termination of treatment.

Coronary Revascularization Improves QT Dispersion in Patients with Chronic Coronary Artery Total Occlusion.

As an important parameter of cardiac functions, QT interval is usually irregular in patients with chronic coronary artery total occlusion (CTO). We sought to determine the effect of coronary revascularization (CRV) on QT interval dispersion in patients with CTO. To this end, we used electrocardiogram of 12 leads to record changes in the QT interval dispersion in 22 patients with CTO treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and 24 patients treated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Electrocardiogram for predicting cardiac functional recovery.

To investigate if the 12-lead resting electrocardiogram (ECG) is a predictor of left ventricular (LV) functional recovery after revascularization of chronic total coronary artery occlusions (CTO). Revascularization was performed in 58 CTO patients who had impaired regional wall motion. The 12-lead resting ECG was used to evaluate Q-wave, QT dispersion, and other parameters.

Analysis of heart rate variability in masked hypertension.

To investigate heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with masked hypertension (MH), participants were classified based on clinic and 24-h ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring: essential hypertension (EH, n = 40; MH, n = 36) and normotension (NT, n = 48). The HRV parameters were observed using a 24-h Holter monitor. Compared with NT controls, the parameters of HRV (SDNN, SDANN, SDNN Index, RMSSD, HF) and parameters in EH and MH patients had significantly decreased.

Mean platelet volume predicts left descending artery occlusion in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Platelets play an important role in atherothrombosis. As the most common site plaque occurs, left anterior descending artery (LAD) infarct location always associate with poor prognosis. We sought to assess whether mean platelet volume (MPV) could predict LAD infarct location and short-term clinical outcome.

Assessment of recanalization of chronic total occlusions on left ventricular function in patients with or without previous myocardial infarction by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography.

The changes of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were assessed after successful recanalization of chronic total occlusions (CTO) with or without previous myocardial infarction (MI) by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE). 32 patients with a successfully recanalyzed CTO were included in the present prospective study. The patients were divided into group 1 without previous MI and group 2 with previous MI in the territories of total occlusion vessel that was recanalized.