63 documents found, page 1 of 7

Histomorphometric analysis of the human internal thoracic artery and relationsh...

In this study, we aimed at performing a histomorphometric analysis of human left internal thoracic artery (ITA) samples as well as at correlating the histomorphometric findings with the clinical profile, including risk factors and medication. Distal segments of ITA were obtained from 54 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Histological observation was performed in paraffin-embedded transverse se...

Vascular effects of a polyphenolic fraction from Oxalis pes-caprae L.: role of ...

Oxalis pes-caprae L. is a plant of the Oxalidaceae family, from which several compounds have been previously identified. Recently, we showed that an Oxalis pes-caprae L. extract inhibits the vasopressor effect of noradrenaline. In this work we aimed to explore the mechanisms involved in this effect. The results confirmed that the flavonoid fraction present in the extract inhibits noradrenaline-induced contracti...

Coronary artery bypass surgery in young adults: excellent perioperative results...

OBJECTIVES: To analyse perioperative results, long-term survival and freedom from complications after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in young adults. METHODS: A total of 163 patients, 40 years old or younger, had isolated CABG from January 1989 to December 2010. Pre- and perioperative demographic and clinical data were retrieved from a prospectively organised database. Follow-up data were obtained by le...

Glucose uptake and lipid metabolism are impaired in epicardial adipose tissue f...

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disease, and cardiovascular disease is a leading complication of diabetes. Epicardial adipose tissue surrounding the heart displays biochemical, thermogenic, and cardioprotective properties. However, the metabolic cross-talk between epicardial fat and the myocardium is largely unknown. This study sought to understand epicardial adipose tissue metabolism from heart...

Coronary artery bypass surgery without cardioplegia: hospital results in 8515 p...

OBJECTIVES: Cardioplegic myocardial protection is used in most cardiac surgical procedures. However, other alternatives have proved useful. We analysed the perioperative results in a large series of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass (CABG) using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and non-cardioplegic methods. METHODS: From January 1992 to October 2013, 8515 consecutive patients underwent isolated CABG with C...

Surgical Treatment of Posterior Mitral Valve Prolapse: Towards 100% Repair

BACKGROUND: The study aim was to evaluate the immediate and long-term results of surgical treatment of isolated posterior mitral valve leaflet prolapse (PLP), focusing on survival and freedom from recurrent mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2012, a total of 492 consecutive patients (375 males, 117 females; mean age 61.8 ± 12.1 years; range: 13-86 years) with isolated PLP [304...

Heart Transplantation in Patients Older than 65 Years: Worthwhile or Wastage of...

BACKGROUND: Patients older than 65 years have traditionally not been considered candidates for heart transplantation. However, recent studies have shown similar survival. We evaluated immediate and medium-term results in patients older than 65 years compared with younger patients. METHODS: From November 2003 to December 2013, 258 patients underwent transplantation. Children and patients with other organ transpl...

Challenges in rheumatic valvular disease: Surgical strategies for mitral valve ...

In developing countries, rheumatic fever and carditis still constitutes a major public health problem. Patients have special characteristics that differ from those with rheumatic mitral valve disease we still see in developed countries. They are usually young, poor, uneducated, and have low compliance to prophylaxis / therapy. In addition, they usually have great difficulty in accessing medical care. In these s...

A decade of cardiac transplantation in Coimbra: the value of experience

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze the experience gained in 10 years of the heart transplantation program of the University Hospital of Coimbra. METHODS: Between November 2003 and December 2013, 258 patients with a mean age of 53.0±12.7 years (3-72 years) and predominantly male (78%) were transplanted. Over a third of patients had ischemic (37.2%) and 36.4% idiopathic cardiomyopathy. The mean age of donors...

Rupture of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene neochordae used for mitral valve re...