Comparison of intravascular ultrasound-guided with angiography-guided double kissing crush stenting for patients with complex coronary bifurcation lesions: Rationale and design of a prospective, randomized, and multicenter DKCRUSH VIII trial.

Background: Double kissing (DK) crush approach for patients with coronary bifurcation lesions, particularly localized at distal left main or lesions with increased complexity, is associated with significant reduction in clinical events when compared with provisional stenting. Recently, randomized clinical trial has demonstrated the net clinical benefits by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided implantation of drug-eluting stent in all-comers. However, the improvement in clinical outcome after DK crush treatment guided by IVUS over angiography guidance for patients with complex bifurcation lesions have never been studied in a randomized fashion.

Post-Procedural Anticoagulation After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Anterior Acute Myocardial Infarction With Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Background: Patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction have an increased risk of LV thrombus (LVT). In the thrombolytic era, short-term anticoagulation using low-molecular-weight heparin during hospitalization proved to significantly reduce LVT formation, but, the effect of this prophylactic approach remains unclear in the current era. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the effects of post-procedural anticoagulation (PPAC) using enoxaparin in addition to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in such patients.

The prognostic effect of left ventricular thrombus formation after acute myocardial infarction in the contemporary era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention: A meta-analysis.

Backgrounds: The prognosis and management of left ventricular thrombus (LVT) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have not been well evaluated since the advent of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to assess the prognostic effect of LVT after AMI in primary PCI era and investigate the impact of triple therapy on outcomes.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for studies conducted in primary PCI era up to 29 March 2019, compering the incidence of embolic events and mortality after AMI between LVT patients and Non-LVT patients.

Transcatheter Closure of Complex Post-Myocardial Infarction Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm and Unique Post-Traumatic Right Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm.

Ventricular pseudoaneurysm (PSA) is a rare, yet life-threatening complication of myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, and transcatheter valve replacement. Although conventional surgery is the preferred treatment strategy, transcatheter closure has emerged as an effective alternative in selected candidates. In this report, we describe successful transcatheter closure of two unique cases of ventricular pseudoaneurysm (PSA): first, a complex post-myocardial infarction left ventricular PSA (LVPSA) with multi-communications, and second, a case of post-traumatic right ventricular PSA (RVPSA) following blunt chest injury caused by domestic violence.

Management and Outcome of Ventricular Septal Rupture Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction: What Is New in the Era of Percutaneous Intervention?

Background: Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture (PI-VSR) is a rare but devastating complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Risk stratification in the acute phase is crucial for decision-making, and this study analyzed the risk factors for early mortality and the effects of various management options on the outcome of PI-VSR patients in the era of percutaneous intervention.

Methods: A total of 96 patients with PI-VSR were identified and divided into an acute-phase survivor group (n = 46, survived ≥2 weeks after admission) and a nonsurvivor group (n = 50, died within 2 weeks after admission).

Knockdown of lncRNA AK139328 alleviates myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury in diabetic mice via modulating miR-204-3p and inhibiting autophagy.

This study was aimed at investigating the effects of lncRNA AK139328 on myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) in diabetic mice. Ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) model was constructed in normal mice (NM) and diabetic mice (DM). Microarray analysis was utilized to identify lncRNA AK139328 overexpressed in DM after myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (MI/R).

Effect of Chinese national holidays and weekends versus weekday admission on clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

Background: Data regarding the influence of weekends and Chinese national holiday's admission on the outcomes of patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) is lacking. This study sought to investigate the effect of Chinese national holidays and weekend admission on outcomes in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Methods: Patients presenting with STEMI within 12 h of symptom onset who underwent PPCI were retrospectively enrolled.

Guidezilla extension catheter for percutaneous interventional therapy of complex lesions via a transradial approach: Case series from a single-center experience.

Background: Guide catheter extension systems have become one of the most powerful tools for address-ing complex lesions during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but data on a new-generation rapid exchange extension catheter - the Guidezilla catheter - are limited. Summarized herein reports on experience using the Guidezilla catheter for complex coronary lesions via a transradial approach at the documented institution an evaluation of its safety and efficacy.

Methods: A total of 25 patients (19 males and 6 females) who underwent PCI via the radial approach with the Guidezilla catheter for adequate back-up support and to facilitate equipment delivery were enrolled.

STEMI could be the primary presentation of acute aortic dissection.

Background: Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) may lead to coronary artery occlusion and malfunction. However, TAAD manifesting as acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been studied. In the present study, we reported 8 TAAD cases with STEMI as the primary presentation, and analyzed their clinical characteristics and outcome.

Association of Plasma Pentraxin-3 Levels on Admission with In-hospital Mortality in Patients with Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Background: Acute aortic dissection is a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency. Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is proposed as a prognostic marker and found to be related to worse clinical outcomes in various cardiovascular diseases. This study sought to investigate the association of circulating PTX3 levels with in-hospital mortality in patients with acute Type A aortic dissection (TAAD).

Corrigendum to "miR-1-Mediated Induction of Cardiogenesis in Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Downregulation of Hes-1".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2013/216286.].

Elevated serum HMGB1 in pulmonary arterial hypertension secondary to congenital heart disease.

Aims: This study investigated the potential value of serum high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) level in the diagnosis, staging and treatment response of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension secondary to congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD).

Methods And Results: This was a single-center prospective study in 106 CHD patients. Serum HMGB1 levels were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay.

Severe Mechanical Hemolysis After Transcatheter Closure of a Traumatic Ventricular Septal Defect Using the Amplatzer Atrial Septal Occluder.

Traumatic ventricular septal defect (VSD) resulting from chest trauma, either penetrating or blunt, is a relatively rare occurrence. Herein, we describe the case of a previously healthy 26-year-old man who presented with congestive heart failure, which was secondary to a large traumatic VSD following violent blunt chest trauma. The traumatic VSD was initially closed percutaneously using an Amplatzer atrial septal defect occluder.

The roles of autophagy in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Autophagy, which is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism and links to several cellular pathways, impacts vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) survival and function. Activation of autophagy by intercellular and/or extracellular stimuli has protective effects on VSMCs against cell death, while on the contrary, overloading autophagy has been recognized as a deleterious process by excessive self-digestion. Alterations in autophagy has been documented in VSMC in response to various stimuli, resulting in modulation of VSMC functions, including proliferation, migration, matrix secretion, contraction/relaxation, and differentiation.

Association of serum cystatin C levels with myocardial perfusion and cardiac functional recovery in patients with anterior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary coronary intervention.

This study sought to investigate the association of baseline serum cystatin C levels with myocardial perfusion and cardiac functional recovery in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). 108 patients with a first anterior STEMI who underwent PPCI were enrolled. Serum cystatin C was measured by immunoturbidimetric method.