Reduced Peak Myocardial Work Efficiency With Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve Predicts Significant Coronary Artery Stenosis in Chronic Coronary Syndrome.

Background: Identification of significant coronary artery stenosis (CAS) in patients with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) is crucial for clinical management. Myocardial work (MW) is a new noninvasive method reflecting myocardial metabolism and has been applied in myocardial ischemia. We aimed to explore the value of global MW during vasodilator stress echocardiography in detecting significant CAS.

Clinical Usefulness of Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Artery Coupling in Patients with Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) imposes a significant burden on public health, affecting over 56.19 million people worldwide. Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction may occur in HF patients due to various factors, including adverse interventricular interactions, ischemic heart disease, and HF-correlated pulmonary hypertension.

Ultrasound molecular imaging of M2 macrophages for early detection of chronic rejection in heart transplantation.

Chronic rejection (CR) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in heart transplantation survivors. The primary pathological features of CR encompass cardiac allograft vasculopathy and myocardial fibrosis. Currently, its diagnosis heavily relies on invasive procedures, underscoring the pressing need for non-invasive evaluation methods.

Macrophage hitchhiking for smart nanomedicine: Bridging immune navigation and targeted therapy.

The intrinsic abilities of macrophages, including innate homing, robust phagocytic capacity, and phenotypic plasticity, make them ideal candidates for targeted drug delivery. By utilizing macrophages as carriers, nanoparticles can be precisely transported to specific physiological sites, enhancing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing off-target effects. This strategy, known as the "macrophages hitchhiking", leverages the natural capabilities of macrophages to traverse biological barriers.

Reserve of global constructive work for early diagnosis of myocardial ischemia and risk stratification in chronic coronary syndrome.

Background: In chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), assessing myocardial ischemia is difficult due to its variable severity. Myocardial mechanical parameters are helpful in ischemia detection. This study investigates the use of non-invasive myocardial work (MW) for ischemia detection and risk assessment in CCS patients.

First-phase ejection fraction is associated with myocardial fibrosis in the pressure overloaded heart.

Background: First-phase ejection fraction (EF1) has been recently demonstrated to sensitively detect early cardiac systolic dysfunction. However, the value of EF1 in predicting myocardial fibrosis (MF) has not been investigated. This study aimed to explore the relationship between EF1 and MF in the pressure overloaded heart.

Unveiling the role of c-Met: A promising target for cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, need the exploration of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase（RTK）, activated by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), plays multifaceted roles in cellular proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and tissue repair. While extensively studied in oncology, emerging evidence highlights its dual regulatory functions in CVDs pathogenesis.

Optimal Management of Isolated Left Vertebral Artery in Total Arch Replacement With Frozen Elephant Trunk for Aortic Dissection.

Background: The presence of an isolated left vertebral artery (ILVA) in patients with aortic dissection is a rare and challenging condition. This study aims to determine the optimal management of ILVA in patients with aortic dissection undergoing total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk.

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 94 patients with ILVA and aortic dissection who underwent total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk.

Feasibility and accuracy of the fully automated three-dimensional echocardiography right ventricular quantification software in children: validation against cardiac magnetic resonance.

Background: Previous studies have confirmed that fully automated three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) right ventricular (RV) quantification software can accurately assess adult RV function. However, data on its accuracy in children are scarce.

Objective: This study aimed to test the accuracy of the software in children using cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) as the gold standard.

Right Ventricular Function Score by Echocardiography for Predicting Outcomes After Heart Transplantation.

Background: The impaired right ventricular (RV) function may occur after heart transplantation (HT). This study aimed to develop a straightforward RV function score (RVFS) using echocardiography to predict adverse clinical events in a large cohort of subjects after HT.

Methods: A total of 357 consecutive patients post HT who underwent echocardiography at our single institution were retrospectively included.

Transthoracic echocardiographic Doppler parameters evaluation of mechanical prosthetic tricuspid valve dysfunction.

Background: The diagnostic utility of transthoracic echocardiographic Doppler parameters in differentiating between normal and abnormal function of the mechanical prosthetic tricuspid valve (MPTV) has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and determine the optimal cutoff values of Doppler parameters in the detection of MPTV dysfunction.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 91 patients who underwent MPTV replacement over the past 12 years.

Mechanical characterization of Pb contaminated loess solidified/stabilized by red mud, ground granulated blast furnace slag and waste tire textile fibers.

The presence of contaminated soil and the storage of industrial solid waste materials are two major thorny issues that pose a serious threat to the environment. In this context, the resourceful use of industrial solid wastes to remediate contaminated soil offers a sustainable way to address both problems. In this research, waste tire textile fiber (WTTF), red mud (RM) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) were used to solidify Pb contaminated loess.

Activatable biomimetic probe with aggregation-induced emission characteristics for non-invasive monitoring of allograft rejection.

: Background: Allograft rejection remains a major barrier to the long-term success of organ transplantation. The current gold standard for diagnosis-tissue biopsy is invasive and carries inherent risks, including sampling errors, procedural complications, and high costs. There is a pressing need for an efficient, non-invasive strategy for the early detection and monitoring of transplant rejection.

Feasibility, reproducibility, and prognostic value of a fully automated measurement of left ventricular longitudinal strain in heart transplant recipients.

Aims: Left ventricular longitudinal strain (LVGLS) is a robust parameter for predicting adverse events in patients who have undergone a heart transplant (HTx). However, measuring LVGLS is time-consuming and operator-dependent. Thus, we investigated whether automated strain software for LVGLS measurement has feasibility, reproducibility, and prognostic value in patients who underwent an HTx.

Carbohydrate-derived nano-antioxidant for attenuating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Myocardial ischemia‒reperfusion injury (MIRI) is a critical factor that impacts the efficacy of reperfusion therapy in treating ischemic cardiomyopathy and the posttransplant outcomes of heart transplant patients. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a significant contributor to the pathological progress of MIRI. Reducing ROS production can effectively alleviate MIRI.

Comparison of model-based and speckle tracking-based automated three-dimensional echocardiographic quantification of left ventricular volumes and function: A multicenter study.

Background: Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) provides accurate and reproducible measurements of left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (LVEF). Speckle tracking-based 4D LV-Analysis and model-based Dynamic Heart Model (DHM) are commonly used automated 3DE software. However, the potential discrepancies in quantification between these two software have not been fully elucidated.

Clinical Utility of Atrioventricular Coupling Index in Cardiovascular Disease.

Atrioventricular coupling refers to the synchronized interaction between the atrial and ventricular phases of contraction and relaxation within the cardiac cycle. Atrioventricular coupling can be assessed by the left atrioventricular coupling index and right atrioventricular coupling index. These indices provide a comprehensive assessment of the functional interdependence between the atrial and ventricular chambers, and offer insights into cardiac performance beyond traditional markers.

Macrophage-Tased Dual-Phase T Cell Immunomodulation to Combat Transplant Rejection.

Transplant rejection remains a major challenge, driven primarily by the activation of alloreactive T cells. While enhancement of PD-L1 checkpoint molecules has exhibited potential in inhibiting T cell activity, its efficacy is often hindered by limited specificity and inadequate efficiency. Herein, a novel dual-phase immune modulation strategy is developed in which CTLA4-Ig and PD-L1 provide distinct, non-redundant inhibitory signals during the initial activation phase and the post-activation phase of T cells.

Probiotic membrane vesicles ameliorate atherosclerotic plaques by promoting lipid efflux and polarization of foamy macrophages.

Foamy macrophages are pivotal contributors to the development and progression of atherosclerotic plaques, posing a substantial threat to human health. Presently, there is no pharmaceutical intervention available to effectively eliminate foamy macrophages. In this study, we demonstrate that probiotic membrane vesicles (MVs) can induce atherosclerotic plaque regression by modulating foamy macrophages.

Cardiac Fresh Thrombus Following Cardiac Surgery: A Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiographic Diagnosis.

A 59-year-old male who underwent the Bentall procedure developed a newly identified echogenic mass in the right heart, detected via intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Thrombectomy under TEE guidance successfully removed the thrombus, and the patient recovered well. TEE was crucial for the real-time detection and management of this rare complication.

Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosis of Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a complex and varied condition that affects over 50 million people worldwide. Although there have been significant strides in understanding the underlying mechanisms of HF, several challenges persist, particularly in the accurate diagnosis of HF. These challenges include issues related to its classification, the identification of specific phenotypes, and the assessment of disease severity.

Diagnostic characteristics of multimodality imaging for left ventricular lipoma: new insights on surgical intervention.

Background: The echocardiography is the first-line imaging modality in detecting the cardiac lipoma. Contrast-enhanced echocardiography improves its structural definition and characteristics of blood supply to exclude thrombus and malignant tumors.

Case Presentation: We introduced a case that large cardiac mass involving nearly the whole left ventricular cavity and papillary muscles without any complications.

Advancements in noninvasive techniques for transplant rejection: from biomarker detection to molecular imaging.

Transplant rejection remains a significant barrier to the long-term success of organ transplantation. Biopsy, although considered the gold standard, is invasive, costly, and unsuitable for routine monitoring. Traditional biomarkers, such as creatinine and troponin, offer limited predictive value owing to their low specificity, and conventional imaging techniques often fail to detect early organ damage, increasing the risk of undiagnosed rejection episodes.

Prognostic implication of right ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling in valvular heart disease.

Valvular heart disease (VHD) leading to inadequate hemodynamic circulation is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Right ventricular-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling integrates the ability of RV contractility to adapt to increased pulmonary arterial afterload. If the right ventricle cannot adapt to the elevated afterload by increasing its contractile function, RV-PA uncoupling occurs.