Mst4, a novel cardiac STRIPAK complex-associated kinase, regulates cardiomyocyte growth and survival and is upregulated in human cardiomyopathy.

Myocardial failure is associated with adverse remodeling, including loss of cardiomyocytes, hypertrophy, and alterations in cell-cell contacts. Striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complexes and their mammalian STE20-like kinase 4 (Mst4) have been linked to development of different diseases. The role and targets of Mst4 in cardiomyocytes have not been investigated yet.

The Early neo2 Registry: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation With ACURATE in a European Population.

Background ACURATE is a transcatheter aortic valve implantation system consisting of a self-expanding bioprosthetic valve with supra-annular leaflet position and featuring innovations to facilitate placement accuracy and reduce paravalvular regurgitation. Methods and Results The goal of the Early neo2 (Early neo2 Registry of the ACURATE neo2 TAVI Prosthesis) was to gather real-life data on safety and efficacy in a European transcatheter aortic valve implantation population treated with ACURATE . Data were collected from 554 consecutive patients treated with ACURATE at 12 European sites (mean age, 82 years; 66% women; mean European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II, 4.

Core Lab Adjudication of the ACURATE Hemodynamic Performance Using Computed-Tomography-Corrected Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Area.

(1) Background: Hemodynamic assessment of prosthetic heart valves using conventional 2D transthoracic Echocardiography-Doppler (2D-TTE) has limitations. Of those, left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) area measurement is one of the major limitations of the continuity equation, which assumes a circular LVOT. (2) Methods: This study comprised 258 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), who were treated with the ACURATE .

A European consensus statement on the use of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate for cardiac and non-cardiac surgical patients.

Modern four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate was designed originally for rapid targeted replacement of the coagulation factors II, VII, IX and X. Dosing strategies for the approved indication of vitamin K antagonist-related bleeding vary greatly. They include INR and bodyweight-related protocols as well as fixed dose regimens.

Clinical utility of the Quantra point-of-care haemostasis analyser during urgent cardiac surgery.

Coagulopathic bleeding during and after cardiac surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Viscoelastic testing is increasingly used instead of laboratory testing. Our aim was to compare a new viscoelastic point-of-care device, the Quantra System, with thromboelastography and standard laboratory testing.

The role of fibrinogen and fibrinogen concentrate in cardiac surgery: an international consensus statement from the Haemostasis and Transfusion Scientific Subcommittee of the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology.

To date, data regarding the efficacy and safety of administering fibrinogen concentrate in cardiac surgery are limited. Studies are limited by their low sample size and large heterogeneity with regard to the patient population, by the timing of fibrinogen concentrate administration, and by the definition of transfusion trigger and target levels. Assessment of fibrinogen activity using viscoelastic point-of-care testing shortly before or after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass in patients and procedures with a high risk of bleeding appears to be a rational strategy.

The ADAMTS13-VWF axis is dysregulated in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is an important consequence of pulmonary embolism that is associated with abnormalities in haemostasis. We investigated the ADAMTS13-von Willebrand factor (VWF) axis in CTEPH, including its relationship with disease severity, inflammation, groups and genetic variants.ADAMTS13 and VWF plasma antigen levels were measured in patients with CTEPH (n=208), chronic thromboembolic disease without pulmonary hypertension (CTED) (n=35), resolved pulmonary embolism (n=28), idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (n=30) and healthy controls (n=68).

An epidemiological analysis of the burden of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in the USA, Europe and Japan.

Epidemiological data for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are limited and there are conflicting reports regarding its pathogenesis.A literature review was conducted to identify CTEPH epidemiological data up to June 2014. Data were analysed to provide estimates of the incidence of CTEPH in the USA, Europe and Japan.

Pentraxin 3 and other inflammatory biomarkers related to atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgery.

Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the association between perioperative inflammatory biomarkers and atrial fibrillation (AF) in cardiac surgical patients.

Methods: Forty-two patients undergoing cardiac surgery were divided into three groups according to the occurrence of AF: Group A (n = 22) - patients with no AF, Group B (n = 11) - patients with new onset AF postoperatively and Group C (n = 9) - patients with preoperative history of atrial fibrillation. The serum levels of PTX3, CRP, TLR2, IL-8, IL-18, sFas, MMP-7 and MMP-8 were measured at the following time points: before surgery, immediately and 6 h after surgery and on the 1, 3 and 7 postoperative days (POD).

Predictors of long-term outcomes in patients treated with riociguat for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: data from the CHEST-2 open-label, randomised, long-term extension trial.

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare, debilitating, and life-threatening disease. We investigated associations between markers of disease severity and long-term outcomes in patients with inoperable CTEPH or persistent or recurrent pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) who were receiving the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat. We also present safety and efficacy from the final data cutoff of CHEST-2, where most patients had received riociguat for at least 2 years.

Pulmonary vascular remodeling before and after pulmonary endarterectomy in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a cardiac magnetic resonance study.

Phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) offers a range of surrogate markers to quantify the hemodynamic changes associated with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Our aim was to noninvasively monitor effects of pulmonary vascular remodeling before and after endarterectomy (PEA) in patients with CTEPH by using PC-MRI. Fifty-seven consecutive patients (mean age 56.

Early experiences with miniaturized extracorporeal life-support in the catheterization laboratory.

Objectives: Cardiocirculatory arrest during different types of interventions in the catheterization laboratory (cath-lab) requires mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to restore spontaneous circulation. However, mechanical chest compression leads to interruption of the procedure and can severely compromise the success of the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Alternatives to mechanical chest compression are rare and mostly uncommon.