Proteomic Characterization of Cardioprotective Human Acellular Amniotic Fluid.

Amniotic fluid-derived products are a promising resource for cell therapy and tissue engineering due to their anti-inflammatory, angiogenic, and antifibrotic properties. Human amniotic fluid (hAF) has been used in medical applications such as wound healing, skin disorders, and ophthalmic conditions. Recently, we demonstrated that hAF is an effective treatment for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in adult rats.

Acellular human amniotic fluid protects the ischemic-reperfused rat myocardium.

Amniotic products are potent immunomodulators used clinically to repair tissue injury. Little information exists regarding the potential of cell-free human amniotic fluid (hAF) to treat cardiovascular disease. Herein, we sought to determine the influence and efficacy of acellular hAF on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Circulating and Myocardial Cytokines Predict Cardiac Structural and Functional Improvement in Patients With Heart Failure Undergoing Mechanical Circulatory Support.

Background Recent prospective multicenter data from patients with advanced heart failure demonstrated that left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support combined with standard heart failure medications, induced significant cardiac structural and functional improvement, leading to high rates of LVAD weaning in selected patients. We investigated whether preintervention myocardial and systemic inflammatory burden could help identify the subset of patients with advanced heart failure prone to LVAD-mediated cardiac improvement to guide patient selection, treatment, and monitoring. Methods and Results Ninety-three patients requiring durable LVAD were prospectively enrolled.

Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonism Abrogates Acute Pressure Overload-Induced Murine Heart Failure.

Background: Recent clinical trials have suggested that blockade of interleukin-1 (IL-1) can have a favorable impact on patients with myocardial infarction and heart failure. However, the mechanism of antagonism of this specific cytokine in mediating cardiac disease remains unclear. Hence, we sought to determine the influence of IL-1 blockade on acute hypertensive remodeling.

Surgical explantation of atrial septal closure devices for refractory nickel allergy symptoms.

Objectives: Systemic allergic reactions to nickel alloys in percutaneous atrial septal defect occlusion devices have a poorly defined natural history. We describe our experience of surgical removal of the offending device in a series of patients with nickel allergy and refractory symptoms.

Methods: Patients with atrial septal defect device explants for nickel allergy were reviewed.

Longitudinal assessment of the platelet transcriptome in advanced heart failure patients following mechanical unloading.

Patients with heart failure (HF) and left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have dysregulated thrombo-inflammatory responses, mediated in part by platelets. While studies of platelet activation have been undertaken in HF, changes in the platelet transcriptome in HF patients following mechanical unloading with an LVAD have not been investigated. We prospectively enrolled and longitudinally followed advanced HF patients (n = 32) for a mean of 57 months post-LVAD implantation.

Animal model of reversible, right ventricular failure.

Background: Heart failure is a leading cause of death but very little is known about right ventricular (RV) failure (RVF) and right ventricular recovery (RVR). A robust animal model of reversible, RVF does not exist, which currently limits research opportunities and clinical progress. We sought to develop an animal model of reversible, pressure-overload RVF to study RVF and RVR.

Cardiomyocyte p65 nuclear factor-κB is necessary for compensatory adaptation to pressure overload.

Background: Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is often implicated in contributing to the detrimental effects of cardiac injury. This ostensibly negative view of NF-κB competes with its important role in the normal host inflammatory and immune response. We have previously demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB at the time of acute pressure overload accelerates the progression of left ventricular hypertrophy to heart failure in mice.

A modified murine model for the study of reverse cardiac remodelling.

Background: The authors previously reported a murine model of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and regression using a suture technique of transverse aortic arch constriction and subsequent removal. A number of issues have limited the widespread adoption of this method. The present study assessed a modification of this model using a titanium clip.

Cardiomyocyte-specific p65 NF-κB deletion protects the injured heart by preservation of calcium handling.

NF-κB is a well-known transcription factor that is intimately involved with inflammation and immunity. We have previously shown that NF-κB promotes inflammatory events and mediates adverse cardiac remodeling following ischemia reperfusion (I/R). Conversely, others have pointed to the beneficial influence of NF-κB in I/R injury related to its anti-apoptotic effects.

Inhibitory kappa-B kinase-β inhibition prevents adaptive left ventricular hypertrophy.

Background: Most cardiovascular studies have implicated the central transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) as contributing to the detrimental effects of cardiac injury. This ostensibly negative view of NF-κB competes with its important role in the normal host inflammatory and immune response. Pressure overload, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and heart failure represent a spectrum of disease that has both adaptive and maladaptive components.

Lipomatosis of interventricular septum and both ventricles: an extremely rare pattern.

Fatty masses of the heart are relatively uncommon. This report is about an extremely rare case of cardiac lipomatosis that implicates both ventricles and inter-atrial septum. The patient was a 27-year-old female who was accidentally diagnosed during a routine physical examination.

Can intracoronary stem cell injection permanently improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'Can intracoronary stem cell injection permanently improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction?'. Altogether 314 papers were found using the reported search, of which five represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.

Combined medical and surgical treatment of intracardiac hydatid cysts in 11 patients.

Objectives: Echinococcosis is a human parasitic disease common in sheep-rearing regions, which is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granolosus and can involve any heart region. We report 11 cases of cardiac hydatidosis who were treated medically and surgically.

Patients And Methods: Eleven patients diagnosed with cardiac echinococcosis were referred to the Cardiac Surgery Department of Shahid Madani Hospital from 1992 to 2004.

Repair of aorto-left ventricular tunnel arising from the left sinus of valsalva.

Aortico-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is a rare congenital cardiac defect that bypasses the aortic valve via a para-valvular connection from the left ventricle to the aorta. In most cases, the tunnel arises from the right aortic sinus. In this case report, we are presenting a case of ALVT, of which the aortic orifice arose from the left aortic sinus, requiring special attention to avoid the left coronary artery injury at the time of surgical repair.

A large saphenous vein graft aneurysm one year after coronary artery bypass graft surgery presenting as a left lung mass.

Aneurysm of a saphenous vein graft (SVG) is a rare but fatal complication of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The development of SVG aneurysms appears usually about 10-20 years after the operation at an estimated rate of <1%. A 68-year-old male was referred to the emergency department after frequent episodes of dyspnea, chest pain and hemoptysis.