International journal of cardiology
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In 2006, Takotsubo syndrome (TTC) was described as a distinct type of stress-induced cardiomyopathy (stress cardiomyopathy). However, when thinking about Takotsubo cardiomyopathy from the viewpoints of the AHA and ESC classifications, 2 possible problems may arise. The first potential problem is that a forecast of disease outcome is lacking in the ESC classification, whereas the AHA only states that 'outcome is favorable with appropriate medical therapy'. ⋯ In fact, the main factors leading to TTC are stress and microvascular anginas, since, as has been already discussed, coronary spasm can cause myocardium stunning, resulting in persistent apical ballooning. Thus, based on this review, 3 distinct types of stress cardiomyopathies exist (variant angina, microvascular angina, and TTC), with poor prognosis. Adding these diseases to the classification of cardiomyopathies will facilitate diagnosis and preventive prolonged treatment, which should include intensive anti-stress therapy.
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Post-operative hyperglycemia, in individuals with and without diabetes, has been identified as a predictor of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients following cardiac surgery. Whether or not this is also true for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is unknown. ⋯ Post-procedural hyperglycemia is associated with a higher incidence of AKI and mortality after TAVI. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether meticulous post-procedural glycemic control following TAVI impacts upon clinical outcomes.
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Parameters allowing for outcome discrimination of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) complicated by refractory cardiogenic shock (CS) and/or cardio-respiratory arrest (CA) remain elusive. We aimed at evaluating the potential prognostic roles of blood and procedural parameters associated with 30-day mortality following ECMO. ⋯ The peak of serum lactate under ECMO in the first 24h predicted 30-day mortality in patients with ACS complicated with CS and CA.
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Pulmonary artery remodeling induced by excess proliferation, migration and apoptosis resistance of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is a key component in pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). Thymoquinone (TQ) triggers cancer cells apoptosis through multiple mechanisms. In addition, TQ inhibits migration of human nonsmall-cell lung cancer cells and human glioblastoma cells. ⋯ TQ ameliorates MCT-induced pulmonary artery hypertension by inhibiting pulmonary arterial remodeling partially via p38MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway in rats.