Is Menopause a Risk Factor for Ischemic Heart Disease in Women?
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in men and women worldwide. The apparent cardioprotective effects of endogenous estrogens seem to prevent CVD in premenopausal women.
Anaortic, Total-Arterial, Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery-Why Bother
Some recent trials comparing conventional on-pump CABG with OPCAB have questioned the efficacy of the off-pump technique - these are most often performed with manipulation of the ascending aorta. We review the potential benefits of the anaortic, total-arterial OPCAB technique to explain why it is being employed by an increasing number of surgeons.
Lipids and Cardiovascular Disease: Do the Findings and Therapy Apply Equally to Men and Women
Dyslipoproteinemia is prevalent in women as well as in men. In both, its consequences--premature atherosclerosis and CAD morbidity and mortality--are more common. Although clinical evidence of the benefits of cholesterol lowering is less abundant in women, it is not entirely absent.
Cyclosporine A Normalizes Mitochondrial Coupling, Reactive Oxygen Species Production, and Inflammation and Partially Restores Skeletal Muscle Maximal Oxidative Capacity in Experimental Aortic Cross-Clamping
Cyclosporine A normalized ROS production, decreased inflammation, and restored mitochondrial coupling during aortic cross-clamping. Incomplete V(max) protection might be due to low cyclophilin D expression in gastrocnemius, preventing CsA from blocking mPTP opening.
Right Atrial Myxoma and Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction: Which Explanations? Which Management?
A 57 year-old woman with a large right atrial myxoma underwent emergency surgical resection in our institute. It is known that surgical management of such tumours is difficult regarding venous cannulation and embolic risk, but in our patient, the surgery was more challenging because of the severe left ventricular dysfunction.
Diabetes Clinical Trials: Helped or Hindered by the Current Shift in Regulatory Requirements
The potential for some agents to increase the risk of cardiovascular events has led to substantial changes in regulatory requirements for new anti-diabetic therapies. These requirements, while key to ensuring the cardiovascular safety of new agents, fail to emphasize the need to show clinical benefits, such as less visual impairment, less need for dialysis, or fewer cardiovascular events and deaths.
Left-Right Ventricular Interactions in Pediatric Aortic Stenosis: Right Ventricular Myocardial Strain Before and After Aortic Valvuloplasty
Ventricular-ventricular interactions may affect left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function but have not been well characterized in chronic LV afterload in children. The aim of this study was to assess RV myocardial strain in children with aortic stenosis before and after aortic balloon valvuloplasty.
Patients Overestimate the Potential Benefits of Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Although percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces mortality in the setting of myocardial infarction (MI), recent studies suggest that the benefits of PCI for chronic Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) are predominantly related to angina relief and improved quality of life. Whether patients in the current era understand these benefits of elective PCI, or perceive that they also derive protection against death and MI is unknown.
Atrial Fibrillation, Blood Loss, and Transfusion in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction: What is the Effect of Cardiopulmonary Bypass
This study examines outcomes in patients with left ventricular dysfunction after revascularization with and without CPB.
The Year in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia: Selected Highlights from 2012
The year 2012 has witnessed the emergence of new paradigms of care in our specialty with the emphasis on teamwork, safety, and quality. These processes will further improve perioperative outcome.
Transfusion and Risk of Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiac Surgery
This narrative review focuses on the relationship between perioperative red blood cell transfusion and AKI after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).