Thrombospondin-1 Small Interfering RNA-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles Inhibiting Intimal Hyperplasia of Electrospun Polycaprolactone Vascular Grafts.

Synthetic vascular grafts are promising conduits for small caliber arteries. However, due to restenosis caused by intimal hyperplasia, they cannot keep long patency in vivo. In this work, through single cell RNA sequencing, we found that thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) was highly expressed in the regenerated smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) vascular grafts.

Intracoronary administration of tenecteplase to prevent PCI-related myocardial infarction in patients with echo-attenuated coronary plaques: study protocol for a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-related myocardial infarction (MI), especially the distal type associated with microvascular dysfunction, is not an uncommon complication of the procedure. Specific lesion features, the echo-attenuated plaques (EA) in particular, are well-established contributors to the pathogenesis of distal-type MI. These plaques are prone to disruption during PCI, leading to microvascular thrombosis and distal embolism.

Feasibility and safety of endomyocardial biopsy by lumenless pacing lead sheath-directed method during cardiac implantable electronic device implantation.

Background: Patients with an indication for a cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) are complicated with special cardiomyopathy or other unspecified cardiac abnormalities and may need endomyocardial biopsy (EMB). However, EMB by a bioptome is usually avoided to reduce the risk of lead displacement in the CIED periprocedural period.

Objective: We aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of a novel approach for transvenous right ventricular (RV) EMB using the lead sheath method (L-S-M) during CIED implantation and compared it with the traditional bioptome method (T-B-M).

Computer simulation help predict the frame deformation following a Venus-A transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with pure aortic regurgitation: a retrospective study.

Background: Patient-specific computer simulation of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) predicts the interaction between an implanted device and the surrounding anatomy. In this study, we validated the predictive value of computer simulation for the frame deformation following a Venus-A TAVI implant in patients with pure aortic regurgitation (AR). Furthermore, we used the validated computational model to evaluate the anchoring mechanism within the same cohort.

Bridging the gap in cardiac mass diagnosis: Advanced imaging, genetic associations, and biomarkers.

In this editorial we comment on the article by Huffaker published in a recent issue of the . We focus on cardiac tumors linked to genetic syndromes and the differential diagnosis of cardiac masses. As cardiomyocytes lack the ability to actively divide, primary cardiac tumors are extremely rare across all ethnicities and age groups.

The Effect of Different Statin-Based Lipid-Lowering Strategies on C-Reactive Protein Levels in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Statins are lipid-lowering drugs with favorable anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to explore different statin-based lipid-lowering strategies to reduce high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).

Hypothesis: The hypothesis is that different statin-based lipid-lowering strategies might reduce hs-CRP.

Glasgow prognostic score and its derived scores predicts contrast-associated acute kidney injury in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Background: Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) is a reliable scoring system reflecting both nutritional and inflammatory factors. The association of inflammation and nutrition with contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) has been validated. This study set out to determine the impact of GPS and its derived scores on CA-AKI incidence.

Adventitial delivery of miR-145 to treat intimal hyperplasia post vascular injuries through injectable and in-situ self-assembling peptide hydrogels.

Intimal hyperplasia is a common lesion that can be observed in diverse vascular diseases. Drug-eluting stents and drug-coated balloons, which can release anti-proliferative agents to inhibit smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, are developed to prevent intimal hyperplasia. However, these intervention devices still cannot achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes.

Liver enzymes mediate the association between aldehydes co-exposure and hypertriglyceridemia.

Aldehydes are recognized environmental toxicants that may affect lipid metabolism. For instance, acrolein has been found to increase serum triglyceride (TG) levels exclusively. However, it remains unclear whether other aldehydes are also associated with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG), and what mechanisms may be involved.

Efficacy of Mobile-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Lowering Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Patients With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Multicenter, Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is an established risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, low adherence to medication and lifestyle management has limited the benefits of lowering lipid levels. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been proposed as a promising solution.

New insights into fibrous cap thickness of vulnerable plaques assessed by optical coherence tomography.

Objective: Vulnerable plaques with fibrous cap thickness (FCT) of ≤65 μm are prone to rupture and/or thrombosis. However, plaques with FCT > 65 μm cause acute myocardial infarction and even sudden death. We aimed to investigate the relationship between 65 < FCT ≤ 80 μm and plaque rupture and/or thrombosis using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia in balloon-induced vascular injuries in a rat model by miR-22 loading Laponite hydrogels.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the mainstream treatment to widen narrowed or obstructed coronary arteries due to pathological conditions. However, the post-operational neointimal hyperplasia occurs because of endothelium denudation during surgical procedures and the following inflammation. MicroRNAs (miRs) are new therapeutics of great potential for cardiovascular diseases.

Effect of mobile-based cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) on lowering of blood lipid levels in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) patients: study protocol for a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains a major source of mortality in China. Convincing evidence has demonstrated that the reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is correlated with lowering ASCVD risk. The efficacy of lifestyle management in lipid levels reduction has been confirmed in numerous studies.

Elevation of Hemoglobin A1c Increases the Atherosclerotic Plaque Vulnerability and the Visit-to-Visit Variability of Lipid Profiles in Patients Who Underwent Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Increased plaque vulnerability and higher lipid variability are causes of adverse cardiovascular events. Despite a close association between glucose and lipid metabolisms, the influence of elevated glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) on plaque vulnerability and lipid variability remains unclear.

Methods: Among subjects undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from 2009 through 2019, 366 patients received intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) assessment and 4,445 patients underwent the scheduled follow-ups within 1 year after PCI.

Predictors and clinical significance of periprocedural myocardial infarction following rotational atherectomy.

Objectives: To investigate the potential predictors and clinical significance of periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI), as defined by the latest Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (2018), following rotational atherectomy (RA).

Background: PMI is not uncommon in patients undergoing RA, although the predictors and prognostic impact are unknown.

Methods: Data from 229 consecutive patients who had undergone RA before drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in a single center were analyzed.

Intrastent haematoma after treatment with a drug-eluting balloon for in-stent restenosis: a case report.

Background: Intrastent haematoma after dilatation of in-stent restenosis (ISR) is rarely reported and the optimal treatment for this condition remains unclear.

Case Summary: We present the case of an 87-year-old man with in-stent subtotal occlusion of left circumflex. He experienced chest pain after drug-eluting balloon was released in the stent.

Prediction of presence and severity of coronary artery disease using prediction for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in China scoring system.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death and disease burden in China and worldwide. A practical and reliable prediction scoring system for CAD risk and severity evaluation is urgently needed for primary prevention.

Aim: To examine whether the prediction for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in China (China-PAR) scoring system could be used for this purpose.

Effect of statins on post-contrast acute kidney injury: a multicenter retrospective observational study.

Background: Post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) is a severe complication of coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Currently, the effect of statins on PC-AKI and its mechanism remains unclear.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective observational study included 4386 patients who underwent CAG or PCI from December 2006 to December 2019 in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital and its medical consortium hospitals.

Comparison of rotational atherectomy and modified balloons prior to drug-eluting stent implantation for the treatment of heavily calcified coronary lesions.

The optimal strategy for lesion preparation in heavily calcified coronary lesions (HCCL) prior to drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation remains debatable. This study sought to compare the performance of rotational atherectomy (RA) and modified balloon (MB)-based strategy in patients with HCCL receiving current-generation DES.This retrospective study comprised 564 consecutive patients who underwent RA (n = 229) or MB (n = 335) for HCCL at our hospital and were treated with DES.

CRISPR base editing and prime editing: DSB and template-free editing systems for bacteria and plants.

CRISPR-Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-CRISPR associated) has been extensively exploited as a genetic tool for genome editing. The RNA guided Cas nucleases generate DNA double-strand break (DSB), triggering cellular repair systems mainly Non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ, imprecise repair) or Homology-directed repair (HDR, precise repair). However, DSB typically leads to unexpected DNA changes and lethality in some organisms.

Association of ABO blood groups with the severity of coronary artery disease: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To investigate whether ABO blood groups is associated with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2017, 1425 first diagnosed CAD patients confirmed by selective coronary angiography were recruited into this cross-sectional study, and their baseline characteristics, ABO blood groups, Gensini score were collected. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test the association between the severity of CAD and ABO blood groups.