Outcomes after open repair of aortic aneurysms and dissections in cannabis consumers.

Objective: To investigate the influence of cannabis consumption on the mid- and long-term surgical outcomes of patients with aortic aneurysms or dissections.

Methods: All individuals aged 18 years and older with more than 6 months of cannabis use at the time of surgical repair for cardiovascular disease (aortic aneurysms or aortic dissection) between 2007 and 2023 were eligible. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on their preoperative history of cannabis use: cannabis users and noncannabis users.

Case studies in heritable vascular disease: Proceedings of the UTHealth Houston Multidisciplinary Aortic Conference.

Heritable thoracic aortic disease is caused by dominantly inherited mutations in more than a dozen genes, including mutations that cause Loeys-Dietz syndrome. McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston convenes a regular conference that includes cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons, cardiologists, geneticists, radiologists, and pathologists to formulate multidisciplinary approaches for the management of complex heritable thoracic aortic disease cases. In this report, we highlight the unique management of individuals with distinct presentations of Loeys-Dietz syndrome owing to mutations.

HADHA Regulates Respiratory Complex Assembly and Couples FAO and OXPHOS.

Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) are key bioenergetics pathways. The machineries for both processes are localized in mitochondria. Secondary OXPHOS defects have been documented in patients with primary FAO deficiencies, and vice versa.

Morphology of true lumen and surgical outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection repair with superior mesenteric artery malperfusion.

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAD) can cause visceral malperfusion. Central aortic repair may resolve malperfusion, but some require further intervention. This study aimed to review outcomes after ATAD presenting with visceral malperfusion and to evaluate the predictive value of true lumen (TL) morphologies in preoperative computed tomography scan for persistent superior mesenteric artery (SMA) ischemia after central repair.

Intermittent clearance of p21-highly-expressing cells extends lifespan and confers sustained benefits to health and physical function.

A key challenge in aging research is extending lifespan in tandem with slowing down functional decline so that life with good health (healthspan) can be extended. Here, we show that monthly clearance, starting from 20 months, of a small number of cells that highly express p21 (p21) improves cardiac and metabolic function and extends both median and maximum lifespans in mice. Importantly, by assessing the health and physical function of these mice monthly until death, we show that clearance of p21 cells improves physical function at all remaining stages of life, suggesting healthspan extension.