WATCHMAN versus LACbes® device for percutaneous left atrial appendage closure: a single-center, propensity-matched study.

Background: Different left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) devices have been introduced into the clinical setting. A new dual-seal mechanism LACbes® occluder with isogenous barbs for LAAC has been designed to facilitate easier delivery and improve safety. The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes of the WATCHMAN with those of the LACbes® device for LAAC.

Animal Experimental Study of Bioabsorbable Left Atrial Appendage Occluder.

Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure can prevent stroke in high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation.A bioabsorbable LAA occluder made of degradable polymer materials, such as polydioxanone (PDO) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLA), and nitinol wire was used. Occluders were successfully implanted in 18 Chinese rural dogs, 2 of which died within 48 hours after operation due to pericardial tamponade and hemorrhage, respectively.

Investigation of the Effects of Some Cardiovascular Drugs on Angiogenesis by Transgenic Zebrafish.

Introduction: Angiogenesis contributes to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Some cardiovascular drugs used in the treatment of CVD have an effect on the process of angiogenesis.

Methods: Transgenic Tg (flk1: EGFP) zebrafish embryos were used to identify the effects of some cardiovascular drugs on angiogenesis during vertebral development .

An updated meta-analysis of device related thrombus following left atrial appendage closure in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Device related thrombus (DRT) is a known complication of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). However, the relation between DRT and elevated risk of ischemic events remains controversial. This study is sought to reassessed the incidence of DRT following LAAC and the relation between DRT and elevated risk of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism (SE) with latest clinical trials included.

Establishment of a lipid metabolism disorder model in ApoEb mutant zebrafish.

Background And Aims: ApoEb is a zebrafish homologous to mammalian ApoE, whose deficiency would lead to lipid metabolism disorders (LMDs) like atherosclerosis. We attempted to knock out the zebrafish ApoEb, then establish a zebrafish model with LMD.

Methods: ApoEb was knocked out using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, and the accumulation of lipids was confirmed by Oil Red O staining, confocal imaging, and lipid measurements.

A newly designed disk-lobe occluder with isogenous barbs for left atrial appendage closure: Initial multicenter experience.

Background: Although the implant success rate of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has increased and complications have decreased over time, there are still anatomically and technically complicated cases where novel LAA occluders may simplify the procedure and thus might potentially improve the clinical outcome.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the newly designed device with isogenous barbs in LAAC.

Methods: Eight centers in China participated in this prospective study from July 2016 to April 2018.

MicroRNA-663 prevents monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension by targeting TGF-β1/smad2/3 signaling.

Objective: Pulmonary vascular remodeling due to excessive growth factor production and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) proliferation is the hallmark feature of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Recent studies suggest that miR-663 is a potent modulator for tumorigenesis and atherosclerosis. However, whether miR-663 involves in pulmonary vascular remodeling is still unclear.

The Application and Teaching Value of a Ventricular Septal Defect Canine Model Established by Transcatheter Puncture.

This study aimed to improve and further explore a ventricular septal defect (VSD) canine model on the basis of the transcatheter puncture method and to evaluate its application and teaching value.In order to lessen the complications of VSD closure, it is necessary to improve the currently available treatment devices using appropriate animal models.In this study, we used 16 healthy adult canines as our models.

OCT4 regulated neointimal formation in injured mouse arteries by matrix metalloproteinase 2-mediated smooth muscle cells proliferation and migration.

The excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play vital roles in neointimal hyperplasia and vascular restenosis. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the function and mechanism of octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4, a key transcription factor for maintaining stem cells in de-differentiated state) on neointima formation in response to vascular injury. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot results displayed a significant increase of OCT4 levels in injured carotid arteries.

Zfp36l1b protects angiogenesis through Notch1b/Dll4 and Vegfa regulation in zebrafish.

Background And Aims: Angiogenesis is a key process for establishing functional vasculature during embryogenesis and involves different signaling mechanisms. The RNA binding protein Zfp36l1 was reported to be involved in various diseases in different species, including cardiovascular diseases. However, whether Zfp36l1b, one of the 2 paralogs of Zfp36l1 in zebrafish, works like mammalian Zfp36l1, and if the molecular mechanisms are different remains unclear.

Isosorbide mononitrate promotes angiogenesis in embryonic development of zebrafish.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death worldwide, and angiogenesis plays important roles in CHD. Thus, in the present study, the angiogenic efficacy of four common cardiovascular medicines (aspirin, pravastatin, metoprolol and isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN)) was determined by the number and length of zebrafish intersegmental vessels (ISVs) after immersing zebrafish embryos in different medicines. Results showed that ISMN significantly increased the length and number of ISVs.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Transthoracic Echocardiography-Guided Transcatheter Closure of Large Atrial Septal Defects (≥ 30 mm) Using the SHSMA Occluder.

Transcatheter closure of large atrial septal defects (ASDs) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)-guided transcatheter closure of large ASDs. Patients with large secundum ASDs (≥ 30 mm) who underwent device closure were retrospectively reviewed.

miR‑20b inhibits the senescence of human umbilical vein endothelial cells through regulating the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway via the TXNIP/NLRP3 axis.

Endothelial cell senescence is closely related to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are considered as therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease. The current study aimed to investigate the role of miR‑20b in the senescence process of endothelial cells and its underlying mechanism. Cell viability, proportion of senescent cells and the cell cycle were respectively determined by Cell Counting Kit‑8, SA‑β‑galactosidase and flow cytometry.

Percutaneous occlusion of transseptal puncture-related free wall perforation at the coronary sinus with a ventricular septal occluder during left atrial appendage closure: A case report.

Coronary sinus perforation is a life-threatening complication of transseptal puncture and needs to be repaired immediately. In this study, we report a case of a 74-year-old female patient with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, who is a poor long-term anticoagulation candidate. During the manipulation of transseptal puncture, a perforation of the free right atrial wall at the coronary sinus ostium occurred, which was caused by the Brockenbrough needle and followed by the immediate advancement of an 8.

Watch out for the Thrombus Adhering to the Puncture Site of the Atrial Septum during Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

We present a rare case of thrombus adhering to the puncture site of the atrial septum during left atrial appendage closure. By discussing the case, we suggest that some preventive measurements be taken during left atrial appendage closure and that conventional transesophageal echocardiography for the atrial septal puncture site be performed after the delivery sheath is removed.

Plasma miR-451 with echocardiography serves as a diagnostic reference for pulmonary hypertension.

Due to the lack of typical clinical symptoms, the average delay time for diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is longer than 2 years. It is urgent to find biomarkers for PH diagnosis. In this study we investigated whether plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) can be used as biomarkers for PH diagnosis.

Neoblast-enriched zinc finger protein FIR1 triggers local proliferation during planarian regeneration.

Regeneration, relying mainly on resident adult stem cells, is widespread. However, the mechanism by which stem cells initiate proliferation during this process in vivo is unclear. Using planarian as a model, we screened 46 transcripts showing potential function in the regulation of local stem cell proliferation following 48 h regeneration.

Pim-1 Kinase Phosphorylates Cardiac Troponin I and Regulates Cardiac Myofilament Function.

Background/aims: Pim-1 is a serine/threonine kinase that is highly expressed in the heart, and exerts potent cardiac protective effects through enhancing survival, proliferation, and regeneration of cardiomyocytes. Its myocardial specific substrates, however, remain unknown. In the present study, we aim to investigate whether Pim-1 modulates myofilament activity through phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a key component in regulating myofilament function in the heart.

Combined use of coils and Onyx for transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistulae.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined endovascular coiling and Onyx embolisation in patients with a coronary artery fistula (CAF).

Methods And Results: Between September 2014 and September 2016, 26 patients with CAFs were enrolled in our study for attempted combined therapy using coils and Onyx. The mean age of patients was 64.