Atherosclerosis has been regarded as a form of chronic vascular inflammation. Numerous biomarkers associated with inflammation have been identified as novel targets to monitor atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the most actively studied and established inflammatory biomarkers for cardiovascular events. However, CRP response is triggered by many disorders unrelated to cardiovascular disease, which interferes with the clinical application. This review describes established and traditional inflammatory biomarkers including CRP as well as novel inflammatory biomarkers reflective of local atherosclerotic inflammation. In addition, we focus on the potential usefulness of inflammatory biomarkers in developing anti-atherosclerotic therapeutic approaches.

View full abstract

The autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the human heart. Activation of the cardiac sympathetic nervous system is a cardinal pathophysiological abnormality associated with the failing human heart. Myocardial imaging using ¹²³I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG), an analog of norepinephrine, can be used to investigate the activity of norepinephrine, the predominant neurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system. Many clinical trials have demonstrated that ¹²³I-MIBG scintigraphic parameters predict cardiac adverse events, especially sudden cardiac death, in patients with heart failure. In this review, we summarize results from published studies that have focused on the use of cardiac sympathetic nerve imaging using ¹²³I-MIBG scintigraphy for risk stratification of sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure.

View full abstract

Circulatory homeostasis is associated with interactions between multiple organs, and the disruption of dynamic circulatory homeostasis could be considered as heart failure. The brain is the central unit integrating neural and neurohormonal information from peripheral organs and controlling peripheral organs using the autonomic nervous system. Heart failure is worsened by abnormal sympathoexcitation associated with baroreflex failure and/or chemoreflex activation, and by vagal withdrawal, and autonomic modulation therapies have benefits for heart failure. Recently, we showed that baroreflex failure induces striking volume intolerance independent of left ventricular dysfunction. Many studies have indicated that an overactive renin-angiotensin system, excess oxidative stress and excess inflammation, and/or decreased nitric oxide in the brain cause sympathoexcitation in heart failure. We have demonstrated that angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT₁R)-induced oxidative stress in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), which is known as a vasomotor center, causes prominent sympathoexcitation in heart failure model rats. Interestingly, systemic infusion of angiotensin II directly affects brain AT₁R with sympathoexcitation and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Moreover, we have demonstrated that targeted deletion of AT₁R in astrocytes strikingly improved survival with prevention of left ventricular remodeling and sympathoinhibition in myocardial infarction-induced heart failure. From these results, we believe it is possible that AT₁R in astrocytes, not in neurons, have a key role in the pathophysiology of heart failure. We would like to propose a novel concept that the brain works as a central processing unit integrating neural and hormonal input, and that the disruption of dynamic circulatory homeostasis mediated by the brain causes heart failure.

View full abstract

Few studies have investigated the clinical outcomes of rotational atherectomy (RA) prior to and during the drugeluting stent (DES) era. The goal of this study was to assess the long-term outcome after RA followed by DES and bare metal stent (BMS) implantation in complex calcified coronary lesions and to compare the outcomes among various DESs.
This was a single center retrospective observational study. Consecutive 406 patients who underwent elective RA followed by BMS or DES implantation at our institution from 2001 to 2011 were included. This study compared the long-term outcomes after treatment with RA among BMS and 3 different DESs (sirolimus-eluting stent, paclitaxel-eluting stent, and everolimus-eluting stent) implantation.
The mean follow-up period was 4.6 years. Patients with DES were older and exhibited more vessel disease, longer lesion length, and smaller vessel size. Patients with BMS had a significantly higher rate of target lesion revascularization, restenosis, and larger late lumen loss than those with DES. Composite events including mortality, ACS, and target vessel revascularization were significantly higher in the BMS-RA group than in the DES-RA group. After adjustment, BMS remained an independent predictor of MACE and ACS plus death in patients treated with RA. However, there were no significant differences in late lumen loss, restenosis rate, and MACE among the 3 DES.
The combination of DES-RA has a favorable effect in both the angiographic and clinical outcomes compared with BMS-RA. However, no significant differences in late loss and events rates were observed among the 3 DES groups.

View full abstract

The clinical and angiographic outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with everolimus-eluting stent (EES) implantation in patients with a history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have yet to be fully investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate 3-year clinical outcomes after EES implantation in patients with a history of CABG.
We retrospectively enrolled 176 consecutive patients who had undergone EES implantation. Three-year clinical follow-up data were obtained from all patients. Follow-up angiograms and serial quantitative coronary angiography analysis (QCA) were performed for 139 (79.0%) patients. Patients from the prior CABG (+) group (n = 17; 9.7%) had higher incidences of target lesion revascularization (TLR; 41.2% versus 3.8%, P < 0.001) and major adverse cardiac events (47.1% versus 15.1%, P = 0.004). A landmark analysis conducted 1 year into our study showed a higher incidence of TLR in the prior CABG (+) group (20.0% versus 3.0%, P = 0.017).
The reason for EES implantation in the prior CABG (+) group was saphenous vein graft (SVG) failure in 19 (79.2%) lesions, although the target vessel was the SVG in 8 (33.3%) lesions. There were no significant differences in clinical and follow-up QCA data between the native vessel and SVG PCI groups.
This study revealed that a history of CABG was a risk factor for TLR after EES implantation. The major reason for PCI after CABG was SVG failure; both native vessel and SVG PCI showed poor outcomes. Further investigations may be warranted to determine which interventions are most effective in this high-risk subset.

View full abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), established only a few decades ago, is widely used by clinical psychologists. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CBT on mental status and quality of life (QOL) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in young and middle-aged patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Seventy-five anxiety/depression patients (mean age, 52.2 ± 6.2 years, including 8 individuals < 45 years old) with CHD treated with PCI were randomly divided into a CBT group (n = 38) and control group (n = 37). The CBT group received 8 weeks of CBT in addition to the routine postoperative treatment that was also administered to control patients. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D17), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAM-A), and Coronary Revascularization Outcome Questionnaire (CROQ-PTCA-POST, Chinese version) were administered before, 3 days, and 8 weeks after intervention. HAM-D17 and HAM-A scores were decreased after treatment, but were more substantially reduced in patients that underwent CBT than those in the control group (11.7 ± 4.5 versus 15.1 ± 3.9, P = 0.001 and 10.6 ± 3.4 versus 16.5 ± 4.6, P = 0.003, respectively). QOL was improved in both groups, but overall satisfaction was higher in the CBT group compared with control patients (89.3 ± 5.2 versus 77.8 ± 9.5, P < 0.05). CBT can relieve depression and anxiety after PCI in young and middle-aged patients with CHD. CBT can improve patient QOL.

View full abstract

Although diagnostically indispensable, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been, until recently, contraindicated in patients with an implantable cardiac device. MR conditional cardiac devices are now widely used, but the mode programming needed for safe MRI has yet to be established. We reviewed the details of 41 MRI examinations of patients with a MR conditional device. There were no associated adverse events. However, in 3 cases, paced beats competed with the patient’s own beats during the MRI examination. We describe 2 of the 3 specific cases because they illustrate these potentially risky situations: a case in which the intrinsic heart rate increased and another in which atrial fibrillation occurred. Safe MRI in patients with an MR conditional device necessitates detailed MRI mode programming. The MRI pacing mode should be carefully and individually selected.

View full abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of stroke and other thromboembolic events. Left atrial (LA) thrombus formation is closely related to LA dysfunction, particularly to decreased LA appendage flow velocity (LAA-FV) in patients with AF. We estimated LAA-FV using parameters noninvasively obtained by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in patients with paroxysmal AF.
Echocardiographic and clinical parameters were assessed in 190 patients with nonvalvular paroxysmal AF showing sinus heart rhythm during transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and TTE.
LAA-FV (60 ± 22 cm/s) significantly correlated with the time interval between the initiation of the P-wave on ECG and that of the A-wave of transmitral flow on TTE (PA-TMF, correlation coefficient, −0.32; P < 0.001), LA dimension (LAD, −0.31; P < 0.001), septal a’ velocity of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI, 0.35; P < 0.001), E/e’ ratio (−0.28, P < 0.001), E velocity of transmitral flow (−0.20, P = 0.008), E/A ratio of transmitral flow (−0.18, P = 0.02), CHA2DS2-VASc score (−0.15, P = 0.04), and BNP plasma level (−0.32, P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis revealed that PA-TMF (standardized partial regression coefficient, −0.17; P = 0.03), a’ velocity (0.24, P = 0.004), and LAD (−0.20, P = 0.01) were independent predictors of LAA-FV (multiple correlation coefficient R, 0.44; P < 0.001).
Parameters of atrial remodeling, ie, decreased a’ velocity, increased LAD, and PA-TMF during sinus rhythm may be useful predictors of LA blood stasis in patients with nonvalvular PAF. LAA-FV can be estimated using these TTE parameters instead of TEE.

View full abstract

Natriuretic peptides like B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-pro BNP) are reported to be increased in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. However, the prognostic roles of BNP and NT-pro BNP in post-ablation AF recurrence remain inconclusive. We performed this meta-analysis to investigate the potential role of baseline natriuretic peptides in predicting AF recurrence after catheter ablation.
Electronic databases were searched for studies that evaluated the potential relationship between AF recurrence and baseline BNP or NT-pro BNP levels. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to quantify differences in BNP or NT-pro BNP levels between patients with and without AF recurrence.
Ten studies on BNP and 8 studies on NT-pro BNP were included, in which 411 of 1300 patients and 256 of 846 patients experienced AF recurrence, respectively. Overall, the pooled SMD of studies on BNP was 0.55 (95% CI: 0.260.84, P < 0.001) while the pooled SMD of studies on NT-pro BNP was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.62-1.30, P < 0.0001). Meta-regression was conducted by AF type, AF duration, follow-up period, left atrial dimension (LAD), and concomitant heart failure, after which subgroup analysis demonstrated only follow-up period (3 months or > 3 months) in the NT-pro BNP group might account for the heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses indicated both the results were stable.
Meta-analysis of current eligible studies suggested that both increased baseline BNP and NT-pro BNP levels are associated with greater risk of AF recurrence after catheter ablation, which could be biomarkers for predicting AF recurrence.

View full abstract

Dual antiplatelet therapy is empirically recommended following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aims of the present study were to analyze the effect of clopidogrel on platelet function and to determine the relative contribution of each CYP2C19 loss-of-function genotype undergoing TAVI.
Thirty-two patients undergoing TAVI and with clopidogrel treatment were studied. All patients were treated with an Edwards SapienXT valve. Platelet reactivity was measured by the VerifyNow P2Y12 point-of-care assay at 7 days and 30 days after the procedure and a cutoff value of 95 PRU was used to identify a hyper-response of platelet reactivity. The Spartan RX^TM sample-to-result point-of-care DNA testing system was used to identify CYP2C19 loss-of-function genotypes. Hyper-response of platelet reactivity was identified in 11 (34.3%) patients, although 24 (80%) were carriers of at least one CYP2C19 reduced-function allele. The PRU values did not change significantly from 7 days to 30 days after TAVI (136.7 ± 73.4 versus 150.4 ± 83.2, P = 0.13). The incidences of life-threatening bleeding, minor bleeding, and transfusion were significantly higher among the hyper-response of platelet reactivity group (27.3% versus 0%, P = 0.03, 36.4% versus 4.8%, P = 0.04, 81.8% versus 42.9%, P = 0.04, respectively).
A hyper-response to clopidogrel was observed in one-third of patients undergoing TAVI and was related to bleeding events, even though 80% of the patients were carriers of the CYP2C19 reduced-function allele.

View full abstract

Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) is a recently developed, noninvasive therapeutic tool for the treatment of heart failure (HF). However, prediction of responsiveness to continuous ASV therapy remains uncertain, especially in patients with advanced HF receiving guideline-directed medical therapy. A total of 47 patients with advanced HF (NYHA class IV 74%, inotrope infusion dependent 38%) received continuous ASV therapy at our institute between 2008 and 2014. Of these 47 patients, 12 (26%) were responders, whose left ventricular ejection fraction increased ≥ 5% during the 6-month study period. Shorter HF duration (< 17.2 × 10² days) was a significant predictor of responsiveness to ASV therapy by logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristics analysis. Patients with shorter HF duration achieved improved HF symptoms, recovery of renal function, and a lower readmission ratio compared with the longer HF duration group during ASV therapy. In conclusion, early ASV introduction may be beneficial to achieve left ventricular reverse remodeling during ASV therapy in patients with advanced HF.

View full abstract

Everolimus (EVL), one of the mammalian targets of rapamycin, is a next generation immunosuppressant that may have accessory anti-proliferative effects in heart transplant (HTx) recipients. However, little is known about the clinical relationship between EVL and regression of cardiac hypertrophy. A total of 42 HTx recipients received EVL therapy at post-HTx 150 days on median and had been followed at our institute for > 1 year between 2008 and 2014 [EVL (+) group]. We also observed 18 patients without EVL from post-HTx 150 days for 1 year [EVL (-) group]. There were no significant differences in baseline variables between the two groups. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and the ratio of early transmitral filling velocity to the peak early diastolic mitral annular motion velocity (E/e’) decreased significantly during 1-year EVL treatment compared with the EVL (-) group. There were no differences in blood pressure and medications between the 2 groups. Improvement of LVMI and the E/e’ ratio was not associated with trough levels of calcineurin inhibitors or EVL, but correlated with each baseline value. In conclusion, this EVL-incorporated immunosuppressant regimen attenuated cardiac hypertrophy as well as diastolic dysfunction in HTx recipients.

View full abstract

To evaluate the short-term clinical and hemodynamic effects of tolvaptan therapy and to identify predictors of the therapeutic outcomes, we retrospectively recruited 60 consecutive hospitalized heart failure (HF) patients (70 ± 11 years) with volume overload. The subjects were divided into two groups on the basis of the changes in HF symptom scores and hemodynamic status assessed by right heart catheterization after tolvaptan therapy (median: 7 days). The majority of patients were successfully treated (group 1). However, 22% of patients (group 2) were unsuccessfully treated, in whom 1) the HF symptom score worsened or 2) there was a stationary HF symptom score ≥ 6 points, and mean PCWP > 18 mmHg and mean RAP > 10 mmHg, after tolvaptan therapy. HF symptom scores, hemodynamic parameters, and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level improved in group 1, but all of these parameters remained unchanged in group 2. Lower urine sodium/creatinine ratio (UNa/UCr) and higher BNP level at baseline were independently associated with unsuccessful tolvaptan therapy, and UNa/UCr best predicts unsuccessful tolvaptan therapy with a cut-off value of 46.5 mEq/g·Cr (AUC 0.847, 95% CI: 0.718-0.976, sensitivity 77%, specificity 81%, P < 0.01). Double-positive results of UNa/UCr < 46.5 mEq/g·Cr and plasma BNP level > 778 pg/mL predicted unsuccessful tolvaptan therapy with high diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity 54%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 89%, and accuracy 90%). In summary, short-term tolvaptan therapy ameliorated HF symptoms and provided hemodynamic improvement in the majority of patients, and UNa/UCr and BNP level strongly predicted the therapeutic outcomes.

View full abstract

Oxidative stress is a crucial factor in the pathogenesis and development of cardiovascular disease. Recently, simplified methods for the detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) using the derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) test as an index of ROS products and the biological antioxidant potential (BAP) test as an index of antioxidant potential have been utilized. These methods are easy to perform, quick, inexpensive since they use small equipment, and provide reliable results compared with established oxidative stress and antioxidant markers. Because oxidative stress has been shown to represent the balance of production of ROS and antioxidant capacity, it is more appropriate to evaluate ROS and antioxidant capacity simultaneously. However, no study has examined the associations among d-ROMs, BAP values, and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) concurrently. Therefore, we studied the associations among d-ROMs, BAP values, and the carotid artery IMT. Carotid artery IMT, blood pressure (BP), fasting circulating d-ROMs, BAP, glucose metabolism, lipid, and C-reactive protein levels were measured in 95 subjects (age: 49.5 ± 13.8 years; men: 41; women: 54), including 42 healthy subjects and 53 patients with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus who were not on medication. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed that dependent carotid artery IMT determinants remained significantly associated with age, systolic BP, total cholesterol, and BAP, whereas dependent BAP determinants remained significantly associated with body mass index and carotid artery IMT. BAP was strongly correlated with carotid artery IMT in our cohort. Our results suggest that BAP may be a useful risk marker for carotid atherosclerosis.

View full abstract

The time rate of blood pressure (BP) variation indicates the speed of BP fluctuations. Previous studies have demonstrated that the time rate of BP variation was associated with target organ damage. However, the association between time rate of BP variation and endothelial function has not been evaluated.
24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed in 61 patients with metabolic syndrome. Time rate of BP variation was calculated from BP recordings of ABPM. Endothelial function was assessed using reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry index (RHI) by EndoPat2000. Multiple linear regression models were used to detect the association between time rate of BP variation and RHI.
Among all the subjects (n = 61), the multiple linear regression models revealed that the daytime rate of systolic blood pressure (SBP) variation was independently associated with RHI (β = -0.334, P = 0.008). A 0.1 mmHg/minute increase in the daytime rate of SBP variation correlated with a decline of 0.20 in RHI. The same effect was also found in the subjects with eGFR ≥ 60 mL/ (minute*1.73 m²). A greater association was found in those who were not taking a statin, β-blocker, ACEI/ARB, or diuretic and those without diabetes compared with those with any antihypertensive medication or with diabetes. Other ambulatory blood pressure parameters and central hemodynamics were not found to be associated with RHI.
Our findings have shown that the daytime rate of SBP variation was associated with endothelial function in patients with metabolic syndrome, independent of other BP parameters and central hemodynamics.

View full abstract

An increase of pulmonary artery pressure in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) results in right ventricular failure and ultimately death. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a nuclear protein, acts as a pro-inflammatory cytokine by activating receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) in the extracellular environment. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical significance of circulating levels of HMGB1 and RAGE in patients with PH. Plasma levels of HMGB1 and soluble RAGE were measured in 27 patients with PH (14 with pulmonary arterial hypertension [PAH], 13 with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension [CTEPH]) and 30 normal subjects as control. There was no difference in the plasma levels of HMGB1 between the PH patients and the control subjects. However, plasma levels of soluble RAGE were significantly higher in the patients with PH than in the controls (P < 0.001). Plasma soluble RAGE levels were higher in PAH (P < 0.001) and CTEPH (P < 0.0001) than in the controls. In addition, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between pulmonary artery pressure and plasma levels of soluble RAGE (r = 0.403, P < 0.0001). In the CTEPH patients, soluble RAGE levels were reduced after balloon pulmonary angioplasty (P < 0.001). Plasma levels of soluble RAGE, but not HMGB1, might be a novel marker that reflects the pathological condition in patients with PH.

View full abstract

We investigated the effects of early rehabilitation therapy on prolonged mechanically ventilated patients after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).
A total of 106 patients who underwent CABG between June 2012 and May 2015 were enrolled and randomly assigned into an early rehabilitation group (53 cases) and a control group (53 cases). The rehabilitation therapy consisted of 6 steps including head up, transferring from supination to sitting, sitting on the edge of bed, sitting in a chair, transferring from sitting to standing, and walking along a bed. The patients received rehabilitation therapy in the intensive care unit (ICU) after CABG in the early rehabilitation group. The control group patients received rehabilitation therapy after leaving the ICU.
The results showed that the early rehabilitation therapy could significantly decrease the duration of mechanical ventilation (early rehabilitation group: 8.1 ± 3.3 days; control group: 13.9 ± 4.1 days, P < 0.01), hospital stay (early rehabilitation group: 22.0 ± 3.8 days; control group: 29.1 ± 4.6 days, P < 0.01), and ICU stay (early rehabilitation group: 11.7 ± 3.2 days; control group: 18.3 ± 4.2 days, P < 0.01) for patients requiring more than 72 hours prolonged mechanical ventilation. The results of Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the proportions of patients remaining on mechanical ventilation in the early rehabilitation group were larger than that in the control group after 7 days of rehabilitation therapy (logrank test: P < 0.01).
The results provide evidence for supporting the application of early rehabilitation therapy in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation after CABG.

View full abstract

The aims of the present study were to determine the role of miR-214 on left ventricular remodeling of rat heart with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to further investigate the underlying mechanism of miR-214-mediated myocardial protection. AMI was induced in which adenovirus-expressing miR-214 (Ad-miR-214), anti-miR-214, or Ad-GFP had been delivered into rats hearts 4 days prior, while a phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) inhibitor was administered via intra-peritoneal injection 30 minutes prior to AMI. Changes in hemodynamic parameters were detected and recorded. Left ventricular (LV) dimensions and LV/BW were measured. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine the miR-214 expression levels of the myocytes in the infarcted, border, and non-infarcted areas of the LV. Myocardial infarct size was also measured. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to examine cellular apoptosis. Western blot analysis was performed to examine PTEN expression. The results showed that miR-214 was upregulated in both border and infarcted areas. Myocardial cell apoptosis was decreased in the Ad-miR-214 group, but was increased in the anti-miR-214 group, while there were no differences among the Ad-GFP-group, PTEN-ad-miR-214 group, or PTEN-anti-miR-214 group. Myocardial infarct size, LV dimensions, heart rate (HR), and LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were decreased while the maximal rates of rise or decline in blood pressure in the ventricular chamber (± dp/dt) and LV systolic pressure (LVSP) were increased in the Ad-miR-214 group, all of which exhibited opposite changes in the anti-miR-214 group. PTEN was downregulated in the Ad-miR-214 group and upregulated in the anti-miR-214 group. PTEN was decreased in both the border and infarcted areas compared with non-infarcted areas. The study results suggest that Ad-miR-214 improves LV remodeling and decreases the apoptosis of myocardial cells through PTEN, suggesting a possible mechanism by which Ad-miR-214 functions in protecting against AMI injury.

View full abstract

Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by dryness of the mouth and the eyes. Systemic involvement in SS is well known, however, obvious cardiac manifestations, particularly significant valve disorders, are extremely rare and only three cases of significant valve disease associated with SS that required surgical intervention have been previously described. We report a case of aortic stenosis (AS) associated with SS in an elderly patient. The diagnosis of primary SS had been made based on clinical features, positive ocular signs, and positive serologic findings. Echocardiography showed severe calcification, elevated mean pressure gradient (57 mmHg), and a small orifice area (0.45 cm²) of the aortic valve. At surgery, severe calcification of the aortic cusps and the annulus was the mechanism of AS, and the aortic valve was replaced with a bioprosthetic valve. Valve pathology showed nodular calcification and hyaline degeneration, but lymphocyte infiltration was not evident. The etiologic relation of SS to the valve lesions is not clear pathologically in this case, however, chronic inflammation related to immunologic reactions in SS could have some effect on exacerbation for degeneration of the valve tissue.

View full abstract

Pheochromocytomas and left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) are both rare diseases. In this patient, the long duration of the catecholamine-secreted pheochromocytoma caused myocardial ischemia, pressure overload, and hypertrophy, resulting in the onset of heart failure (HF). The LVNC might be associated with the acute attack of HF induced by the pheochromocytoma. This is the first case reporting LVNC in combination with HF secondary to pheochromocytoma.

View full abstract

A 12-year-old Chinese boy was admitted with dyspnea after exercise. Based on his clinical features, echocardiography tests, and family history, he was diagnosed with Noonan syndrome (NS) combined with noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium (NVM). Noonan syndrome (NS) is a common syndrome, but to the best of our knowledge, our case is the first reported case of NS combined with NVM. In our case, the detected mutated genes may be inherited and unreported genes caused NS or NVM. Our research may enrich our knowledge about NS and contribute to furthering our understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment. In summary, we present a unique case of NS combined with NVM.

View full abstract

Typically, cardiac maxomas arise from the interatrial septum at the border of the fossa ovalis in the left atrium, whereas atypical right atrial myxoma, especially with spontaneous rupture, is extremely rare. Here we report the diagnostic evaluation and successful surgical resection of an atypical myxoma with spontaneous rupture arising from the posterior wall of the right atrium in a 34-year-old male.

View full abstract