International journal of cardiology
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In rodent models of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), the QTc interval is prolonged, reflecting downregulation of repolarizing Kv channels in RV myocytes. The significance of QTc prolongation in human PH is unknown. We hypothesized that QTc prolongation occurs in human PH, is associated with RVH and decreased RV function, and predicts adverse prognosis. ⋯ QTc prolongation in PH patients reflects the status of the RV and is an independent predictor of mortality.
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Circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) lead to endothelial dysfunction by increasing oxidative stress. Berberine has a beneficial effect on endothelial function, but no data are available on the EMP-mediated oxidative stress. The present study tests the hypothesis that berberine contributes to the improvement of endothelial function in humans via inhibiting EMP-mediated oxidative stress in vascular endothelium. ⋯ The present study demonstrated for the first time that EMP-induced upregulation of Nox4 expression may enhance ROS production in HUVECs. Berberine treatment contributes to the amelioration of endothelial function through a partially reducing oxidative stress of vascular endothelium induced by circulating CD31+/CD42- microparticles in humans.
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Letter Case Reports
Cardiac biomarkers and high altitude pulmonary edema.
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Review Meta Analysis
The preventive effect of statin therapy on new-onset and recurrent atrial fibrillation in patients not undergoing invasive cardiac interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Previous meta-analyses suggest that pre-procedural use of statin therapy may reduce atrial fibrillation (AF) following invasive cardiac interventions (coronary artery by-pass grafting and percutaneous coronary intervention). However, the current evidence on the benefit of statins unrelated to invasive cardiac interventions has not been clarified systematically. ⋯ The hitherto published randomized clinical trials do not support a beneficial effect of statins on AF in patients not undergoing invasive cardiac interventions. This is in contrast to the results of observational and interventional studies.