Myofibroblasts impair myocardial impulse propagation by heterocellular connexin43 gap-junctional coupling through micropores.

Composite population of myofibroblasts (MFs) within myocardial tissue is known to alter impulse propagation, leading to arrhythmias. However, it remains unclear whether and how MFs alter their propagation patterns when contacting cardiomyocytes (CMs) without complex structural insertions in the myocardium. We attempted to unveil the effects of the one-sided, heterocellular CM-MF connection on the impulse propagation of CM monolayers without the spatial insertion of MFs as an electrical or mechanical obstacle.

Generation of myocyte agonal Ca waves and contraction bands in perfused rat hearts following irreversible membrane permeabilisation.

Although irreversible cardiomyocyte injury provokes intracellular Ca ([Ca]) overload, the underlying dynamics of this response and its effects on cellular morphology remain unknown. We therefore visualised rapid-scanning confocal fluo4-[Ca] dynamics and morphology of cardiomyocytes in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts following saponin-membrane permeabilisation. Our data demonstrate that 0.

Efficacy of bubble contrast echocardiography in detecting pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas in children with univentricular heart after total cavopulmonary connection.

Background: Development of pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas in patients with cavopulmonary anastomosis may result in a significant morbidity. Although the use of bubble contrast echocardiography with selective injection into both the branch pulmonary arteries in identifying pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas has been increasing, the actual efficacy of this diagnostic modality has not been properly evaluated. Thus, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of bubble contrast echocardiography in detecting pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas in children with total cavopulmonary connection.

Kidney injury biomarkers after cardiac angiography in children with congenital heart disease.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the changes in renal function and levels of urinary biomarkers before and after cardiac angiography in children with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Setting: Children with CHD are at a risk for kidney injury during contrast exposure in cardiac angiography.

Outcome Measures: We measured urinary protein, albumin, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), β2-microglobulin (BMG), and liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) levels, as well as serum creatinine and cystatin C levels, before and after cardiac angiography in 33 children with CHD.