Associations between bone mineral density and abdominal aortic calcification: Results of a nationwide survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Vascular calcification has been linked to bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to investigate the association between BMD and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC). METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were utilized. Participants lacking BMD and AAC score data were excluded. BMD at the femoral neck was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. AAC scores were assessed using the Kauppila scoring system, with AAC defined as a score greater than zero, and severe AAC defined as a score greater than six. Weighted multivariable regression analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted to examine the independent relationship between BMD and AAC score, AAC, and severe AAC. A total of 2965 participants were included. After adjusting for multiple covariates, BMD showed a negative association with higher AAC scores (ß = -0.17, 95% CI -0.29, -0.05, p = 0.0066). The odds of having AAC and severe AAC decreased by 9% and 16%, respectively, for every one-unit increase in BMD (AAC: odds ratio [OR] = 0.91, 95% CI 0.82, 1.00, p = 0.0431; severe AAC: OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.71, 0.99, p = 0.0334). CONCLUSION: Low BMD is associated with higher AAC scores and an increased risk of AAC and severe AAC. Considering the detrimental impact of low BMD on cardiovascular health, individuals with AAC should be evaluated for osteopenia and osteoporosis in clinical settings.

Effects of percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects via the right internal jugular vein.

Background: Percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure is the preferred treatment for patients with suitable ASD anatomy. The safety and effectiveness of transcatheter closure have been established. However, reports on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided percutaneous closure of ASD via the right internal jugular vein (RIJV) are limited. The study aims to discuss the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous trans-jugular vein closure of ASD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients (n=103) with secondary ASD who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University between July 2015 to July 2022. The article is a cross-sectional study. Clinical data, including age, gender, weight, defect diameter, tricuspid regurgitation, left atrial (LA) size, and the operation results, were collected and evaluated. Nonparametric rank sum tests were used to assess tricuspid regurgitation before and after surgery, while paired sample t-tests were used to compare LA size before and after surgery. Results: TEE-guided percutaneous closure of ASD via the RIJV was successfully performed in 97 out of 103 (94.2%) cases. The average procedure time was 34.48±13.06 min, and the mean age at the time of the procedure and ASD size were 36±18 years and 15.45±5.82 mm, respectively. On analyzing medical records and echocardiographic images, postoperative complications were found to occur in four (3.9%) patients. Among these, three patients had residual shunt as indicated by echocardiography during the operation, which subsequently disappeared at the three-month follow-up. One patient developed atrial fibrillation after surgery but returned to normal sinus rhythm with medication. Percutaneous closure of ASD via the RIJV was unsuccessful in 6 patients (5.8%), with 5 of them undergoing transthoracic ASD closure and achieving satisfactory results. One patient refused further surgical treatment. No pericardial effusion, thrombosis, atrioventricular block, or other complications were observed during the 3-month to 1-year follow-up period. Conclusions: ASD closure via the RIJV is a safe and effective therapeutic approach. The initial results are satisfactory, but further studies with large sample sizes and long-term follow-up are warranted to assess the long-term outcomes.

U-shaped association between serum calcium and in-hospital mortality in patients with congestive heart failure.

AIMS: Serum calcium level is widely used for evaluating disease severity, but its impact on clinical outcomes in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) remains poorly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between serum calcium levels and in-hospital mortality in CHF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a retrospective analysis utilizing clinical data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care database, encompassing a cohort of 15 983 CHF patients. This cohort was stratified based on their serum calcium levels, with the primary objective being the determination of in-hospital mortality. To assess the impact of admission serum calcium levels on in-hospital mortality, we employed various statistical methodologies, including multivariable logistic regression models, a generalized additive model, a two-piecewise linear regression model, and subgroup analysis. Comparative analysis of the reference group (Q3) revealed increased in-hospital mortality in the first quintile (Q1, the group with the lowest blood calcium level) and the fifth quintile (Q5, the group with the highest blood calcium level), with fully adjusted odds ratios of 1.38 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-1.68, P = 0.002] and 1.23 (95% CI: 1.01-1.5, P = 0.038), respectively. A U-shaped relationship was observed between serum calcium levels and in-hospital mortality, with the lowest risk occurring at a threshold of 8.35 mg/dL. The effect sizes and corresponding CIs below and above this threshold were 0.782 (95% CI: 0.667-0.915, P = 0.0023) and 1.147 (95% CI: 1.034-1.273, P = 0.0094), respectively. Stratified analyses confirmed the robustness of this correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identifies a U-shaped association between serum calcium levels and in-hospital mortality in CHF patients, with a notable inflection point at 8.35 mg/dL. Further investigation through prospective, randomized, and controlled studies is warranted to validate the findings presented in this study.

Circ_0022920 Maintains the Contractile Phenotype of Human Aortic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Via Sponging microRNA-650 and Promoting Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 1 Expression in Angiotensin II-Induced Models for Aortic Dissection.

Background Abnormal regulation of vascular smooth muscle cells is regarded as the iconic pathological change of aortic dissection (AD). Herein, we aim to identify circ_0022920 as a crucial regulator in AD. Methods and Results Microarray analysis of circular RNAs, messenger RNAs, and micro RNAs in patients with AD was performed, and we identified that circ_0022920 was significantly downregulated in these patients. The Pearson correlation analysis uncovered the negative correlation between miR-650 and circ_0022920 or TGFßR1 (transforming growth factor beta receptor 1). Angiotensin II was used to treat human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) and mice as models for AD. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining were used to analyze AD histopathology. Cell proliferation was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and EdU incorporation. Cell migration was assessed with transwell and wound healing assays. Enhanced circ_0022920 expression dramatically inhibited HASMC proliferation and migration and maintained contractile marker expression induced by angiotensin II, whereas miR-650 exerted opposite effects. MiR-650 was a target of circ_0022920. MiR-650 targeted IRF1 (interferon regulatory factor 1) and thus negatively regulated TGFßR1 expression to promote HASMC proliferation and migration and inhibit contractile marker expression. Circ_0022920 suppressed the progression of AD in vivo. Conclusions Circ_0022920 modulates the contractile phenotype of HASMCs via regulating the miR-650-IRF1-TGFßR1 axis in angiotensin II-induced models for AD, which provides potential therapeutic targets for AD.

Outcomes of Liu's aortic root repair and valve preservation in patients with type A dissection and aortic regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate short- and medium-term outcomes following Liu's aortic root repair and valve preservation in patients with acute type A aortic dissection complicated by moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation (AR). METHODS: From October 2011 to July 2018, a total of 324 consecutive patients underwent emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. There were 122 patients (38%) with moderate-to-severe AR, of whom 82 (67%) underwent Liu's aortic root repair and valve preservation. Aortic computed tomography angiography and echocardiography were performed at discharge, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, and annually thereafter. We focused on assessing the survival and aortic root and valve durability in the 82 patients. RESULTS: The 30-day, 1-year, 3-year and 6-year survival estimates were 94%, 90%, 85% and 81%, respectively. At a median follow-up of 36.5 (interquartile range 24.9-50.9) months, all patients were free from reoperation. No residual false lumens in the aortic root, recurrent aortic root dissections or aortic root pseudoaneurysms were observed during the follow-up period. Only 1 patient (1%) presented with moderate AR at 6 months, which remained asymptomatic with no significant changes over a 3-year period. The remaining patients showed satisfactory valve function with an AR grade of mild (27%) or trace or none (72%). In the competing risk analysis, the incidence of recurrence of AR was 2% at 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Liu's aortic root repair and valve preservation is a safe and effective operative strategy that achieves favourable short- and medium-term outcomes for acute type A aortic dissection with moderate-to-severe AR.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection.

The aim of this study was to summarize the clinical experience of postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support in Stanford type A aortic dissection (STAAD) patients.We retrospectively reviewed 246 consecutive acute STAAD patients undergoing operations at our institution from January 2012 to December 2016. Postoperative ECMO was used in 7 patients. There were 5 males and 2 females with a mean age of 43.1 ± 9.3 years. All 7 patients with acute STAAD underwent ascending aorta replacement and total arch repair with a self-designed stent graft (Micropart Corp, Shanghai, China). Concomitant procedures were aortic root replacement in 1 patient and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 2 patients. All patients received veno-arterial ECMO through the femoral artery and vein. Five patients were extubated before being removed from ECMO. The mean ECMO supporting time was 244.5 ± 57.8 hours. All 7 patients were successfully weaned from ECMO support, and 6 (85.7%) patients survived to discharge. The average hospital time was 26.3 ± 8.8 days. One patient died of cardiac arrest after being weaned from ECMO. Two patients underwent reoperation for bleeding and 1 patient showed transient delirium. The remaining patients all survived during a median follow-up of 19 months.ECMO provides a good temporary cardiopulmonary support in STAAD patients with refractory cardiogenic shock after surgery for aortic dissection. The early use of ECMO and preventing its complications actively can improve the patient survival rate.

Circular RNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutics for cardiovascular disease.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are genetic regulators that were earlier considered as "junk". In contrast to linear RNAs, they have covalently linked ends with no polyadenylated tails. CircRNAs can act as RNA-binding proteins, sequestering agents, transcriptional regulators, as well as microRNA sponges. In addition, it is reported that some selected circRNAs are transformed into functional proteins. These RNA molecules always circularize through covalent bonds, and their presence has been demonstrated across species. They are usually abundant and stable as well as evolutionarily conserved in tissues (liver, lung, stomach), saliva, exosomes, and blood. Therefore, they have been proposed as the "next big thing" in molecular biomarkers for several diseases, particularly in cancer. Recently, circRNAs have been investigated in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and reported to play important roles in heart failure, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction. Here, we review the recent literature and discuss the impact and the diagnostic and prognostic values of circRNAs in CVD.

A new inclusion technique through an upper partial sternotomy for complicated Stanford B-type aortic dissection with an aberrant right subclavian artery: A case report.

RATIONALE: An aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), arising from the proximal descending aorta, is a common aortic arch anomaly, with an incidence of 0.5% to 2%. However, coexistence of dissection and an ARSA is extremely rare. We presented the first case of successful management of complicated Stanford B-type aortic dissection combined with an ARSA with a new inclusion technique and stent graft (SG) implantation through an upper partial sternotomy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 39-year-old woman with a history of severe hypertension was admitted to our hospital because of sudden-onset chest and upper back pain. DIAGNOSES: Aortic computed tomography angiography (CTA) demonstrated complicated Stanford B-type dissection with ARSA. INTERVENTIONS: A new inclusion technique and SG implantation through an upper partial sternotomy were performed for the patient, whose aortic arch branch vessels, including ARSA, were fully preserved. OUTCOMES: The patient had an uneventful postoperative course without neurologic deficits, and no blood transfusion was required during the hospitalization. The false lumen completely disappeared on postoperative CTA. LESSONS: This new inclusion technique through an upper partial sternotomy is a safe and feasible treatment for complicated Stanford B-type aortic dissection with an ARSA with the primary tear located in the aortic arch.

Long-Term Outcomes of Hybrid Technique of Complicated Type B Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the midterm and long-term clinical outcomes of aortic implantation of stent grafts under direct vision (hybrid surgical treatment). METHODS: From March 2009 to December 2014, 285 patients presented with type B aortic dissection. Of these, 35 complicated patients underwent hybrid surgical treatment. Self-designed stent grafts (Micropart Corp, Shanghai, China) were implanted under direct vision. Collected data included the surgical time, cerebral perfusion time, aortic clamping time, postoperative (before discharge) mechanical ventilation time, consciousness recovery time, time in intensive care unit, length of stay, computed tomography angiography before discharge, middle- and long-term complications, mortality, and endoleaks. RESULTS: All of the 35 implantations were successful. There was no inhospital mortality, reexploration for hemorrhage, paraplegia, cerebral infarction, endoleaks, nor left subclavian artery occlusions. Computed tomography angiography before discharge showed complete thrombosis of the false lumen of the descending aortic in 34 patients. During the longer follow-up of 5.05 ± 3.61 years (range, 3.0 to 10), 3 patients were lost to follow-up. Three patients died during follow-up: 1 died in a traffic accident and 2 died of sudden death. The actuarial survival among all patients was 90.63% during the long-term follow-up. No events such as paraplegia, cerebral infarction, upper limb ischemia, endoleaks, or left subclavian artery ischemia were found. One patient had descending aneurysm at the distal stent graft and underwent another thoracic endovascular aortic repair without additional procedures. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with complicated type B aortic dissection, implantation of a stent graft under direct vision (hybrid surgery) is easily performed and provides satisfactory middle- and long-term outcomes.

Novel surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm complicated with primary aorto-colonic fistula: A case report.

RATIONALE: Primary aorto-colonic fistula is a rare complication of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Without surgical treatment, the associated mortality rate is 100%. Even if patients receive timely surgical treatment, they may still die of complications such as infection. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 65-year-old male patient was transferred to our hospital because of massive hematochezia and abdominal pain. DIAGNOSES: Aortic computed tomography angiography demonstrated abdominal aortic aneurysm complicated with aorto-enteric fistula. INTERVENTIONS: We used a gelatin-impregnated knitted vascular prosthesis to re-establish the aneurysm in its original position combined with local drainage to treat the fistula. OUTCOMES: The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, and there was no recurrence during the 18-month follow-up. LESSONS: This surgical treatment is suitable for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms complicated with primary aorto-colonic fistula in which the intestine is very difficult to repair or resect.