The safe lowest effective power of subthreshold micropulse laser treatment in Chinese patients with acute or chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: To assess the safe, lowest effective laser power of subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) for treating acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in Chinese patients.

Methods: Patients were distinguished with acute or chronic CSC based on focal or diffuse retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) leakage on fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), with or without widespread RPE decompensation. Patients were categorized into five groups and treated with 577 nm yellow SML according to 50% titration power.

Analysis of Genes Involved in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Comparisons of 'Trigger' and 'Substrate' Differences.

Background/aims: Recent research has improved our understanding of the pulmonary vein and surrounding left atrial (LA-PV) junction and the left atrial appendage (LAA), which are considered the 'trigger' and 'substrate' in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF), respectively. Herein, with the aim of identifying the underlying potential genetic mechanisms, we compared differences in gene expression between LA-PV junction and LAA specimens via bioinformatic analysis.

Methods: Microarray data of AF (GSE41177) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.

Biatrial versus Isolated Left Atrial Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The outcomes of biatrial ablation (BA) and isolated left atrial ablation (LA) in atrial fibrillation remain inconclusive. In this meta-analysis, we assess the currently available evidence to compare outcomes between BA and LA.

Methods: Electronic searches were performed from database inception to December 2016, and relevant studies were accessed.

Efficacy of Statin Therapy Related to Baseline Renal Function in Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Renal impairment increases the risk of cardiovascular events and perioperative complications in patients with heart valve disease. This study aimed to determine the perioperative benefit of statin treatment related to baseline renal function in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) who had cardiac surgery.

Methods And Results: We performed a retrospective study on 136 patients with RHD who underwent valve replacement surgery.

Safety and efficacy of the perioperative administration of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Retrospective studies and a meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the perioperative administration of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) during cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation.

Methods: Computerized literature searches were performed in Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM, and WANFANG to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the perioperative administration of rhBNP during cardiac surgery starting from the database inception until December 2016. Two researchers independently performed study screening, information extraction, and quality evaluation according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, and a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.

Efficacy and Mechanism of Preoperative Simvastatin Therapy on Myocardial Protection after Extracorporeal Circulation.

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) causes systemic inflammatory response and ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury.

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of simvastatin on myocardial injury in cardiac valve surgery with CPB.

Methods: One hundred thirty patients were randomly assigned to the statin group ( = 65) or control group ( = 65).

SIRT5 and post-translational protein modifications: A potential therapeutic target for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury with regard to mitochondrial dynamics and oxidative metabolism.

SIRT5 is a sirtuin family member that participates in dynamic and reversible protein chemical modification after translation. It has pivotal roles in the regulation of numerous aspects of myocardial energy metabolism and cardiac functions. Recent studies suggest that down-regulation of this regulator significantly increased the extent of myocardial infarction during ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI).

Meta-analysis of safety and efficacy for direct oral anticoagulation treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation in relation to renal function.

Introduction: We performed a meta-analysis of the safety and efficacy of anticoagulation treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) in relation to renal function. We also examined the change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline and compared the outcomes for patients with stable and worsening renal function.

Materials And Methods: We selected studies that used randomized controlled trials in which outcomes for direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, or edoxaban) were compared with those for warfarin in AF patients with normal, mild or moderate renal function, except the severe one (creatinine clearance<30).

Neurocardiology: Cardiovascular Changes and Specific Brain Region Infarcts.

There are complex and dynamic reflex control networks between the heart and the brain, including cardiac and intrathoracic ganglia, spinal cord, brainstem, and central nucleus. Recent literature based on animal model and clinical trials indicates a close link between cardiac function and nervous systems. It is noteworthy that the autonomic nervous-based therapeutics has shown great potential in the management of atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmia, and myocardial remodeling.