Wide dynamic range measurement of blood flow in vivo using laser speckle contrast imaging.

Significance: Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is a real-time wide-field technique that is applied to visualize blood flow in biomedical applications. However, there is currently a lack of relevant research to demonstrate that it can measure velocities over a wide dynamic range (WDR), which is critical for monitoring much higher and more pulsatile blood flow in larger size myocardial vessels, such as the coronary artery bypass graft, and visualizing the spatio-temporal evolution of myocardial blood flow perfusion in cardiac surgery. Aim: We aim to demonstrate that the LSCI technique enables measuring velocities over a WDR from phantom experiments to animal experiments. In addition, LSCI is preliminarily applied to imaging myocardial blood flow distribution in vivo on rabbits. Approach: Phantom and animal experiments are performed to verify that the LSCI method has the ability to measure blood velocities over a wide range. Our method is also validated by transit time flow measurement, which is the gold standard for blood flow measurement in cardiac surgery. Results: Our method is demonstrated to measure the blood flow over a wide range from 0.2 to 635 mm/s. To validate the phantom results, the varying blood flow rate from 0 to 320 mm/s is detected in the rat carotid artery. Additionally, our technique also obtains blood flow maps of different myocardial vessels, such as superficial large/small veins, veins surrounded by fat, and myocardial deeper arteriole. Conclusions: Our study has the potential to visualize the spatio-temporal evolution of myocardial perfusion in coronary artery bypass grafting, which would be of great benefit for future research in the life sciences and clinical medicine.

Early tirofiban versus heparin for bridging dual antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing coronary endarterectomy combined with coronary artery bypass grafting: a multicenter randomized controlled trial protocol (the THACE-CABG trial).

BACKGROUND: For complete revascularization, patients with diffuse coronary artery disease should have a coronary endarterectomy and a coronary artery bypass graft (CE-CABG). Sadly, CE can lead to a lack of endothelium, which raises the risk of thrombotic events. Even though daily dual antiplatelet therapies (DAPT) have been shown to reduce thrombotic events, the risk of perioperative thrombotic events is high during the high-risk period after CE-CABG, and there is no consistent protocol to bridge DAPT. This trial aims to compare safety and efficacy between tirofiban and heparin as DAPT bridging strategies after CE-CABG. METHODS: In phase I, 266 patients undergoing CE-CABG will be randomly assigned to tirofiban and heparin treatment groups to compare the two treatments in terms of the primary safety endpoint, chest tube drainage in the first 24 h. If the phase I trial shows tirofiban non-inferiority, phase II will commence, in which an additional 464 patients will be randomly assigned. All 730 patients will be studied to compare major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) between the groups in the first 30 days after surgery. DISCUSSION: Given the possible benefits of tirofiban administration after CE-CABG, this trial has the potential to advance the field of adult coronary heart surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2200055697. Registered 6 January 2022. https://www.chictr.org.cn/com/25/showproj.aspx?proj=149451 . Current version: 20,220,620.

Trends and hotspots in familial hypercholesterolemia: A bibliometric systematic review from 2002 to 2022.

BACKGROUND: We visually assessed the research hotspots of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) using bibliometrics and knowledge mapping in light of the research state and development trend of FH. METHODS: We employed bibliometric tools, such as CiteSpace and the alluvial generator, to illustrate the scientific accomplishments on FH by extracting pertinent literature on FH from the Web of Science Core Collection database from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2022. RESULTS: A total of 4402 papers in total were selected for study; 29.2% of all articles globally were from the USA, followed by the Netherlands and England. The University of Amsterdam, University of Oslo, and University of Western Australia are the 3 institutions with the most publications in this area. Gerald F. Watts, Raul D. Santos, and John J. P. Kastelein wrote the majority of the pieces that were published. The New England Journal of Medicine, Circulation, and Atherosclerosis were the journals with the greatest number of papers in this field. Prevalence and genetic analysis of FH, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 inhibitors, and inclisiran are current research hotspots for the condition. Future research in this area will be focused on gene therapy. CONCLUSIONS: FH research has shown shows a trend of ascending followed by leveling off. The prevalence and diagnosis of FH, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 inhibitors, inclisiran, and gene therapy are current research hotspots. This report may serve as a reference for current research trends.

A bibliometric analysis on the progress of myocardial bridge from 1980 to 2022.

Introduction: Although the vast majority of patients with a myocardial bridge (MB) are asymptomatic, the anomaly was found to be associated with stable or unstable angina, vasospastic angina, acute coronary syndrome, and even malignant arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in some cases. Methods: By retrieving the relevant literature on MB from 1 January 1980 to 31 July 2022 from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database, we used the bibliometric tools, including CiteSpace, VOS viewer, and alluvial generator, to visualize the scientific achievements on MB. Results: A total of 630 articles were included. The number of published articles was in a fluctuating growth trend. These publications came from 37 contries, led by the USA and China. The leading country on MB was the United States, the leading position among institutions was Stanford University, and the most productive researcher on MB was Jennifer A. Tremmel. After analysis, the most common keywords were myocardial bridge, mortality, coronary angiography, descending coronary artery, and sudden death. Conclusion: Our findings can aid researchers in understanding the current state of MB research and in choosing fresh lines of inquiry for forthcoming investigations. Prevalence and prognosis, mechanism atherosclerosis, hemodynamic significance, and molecular autops will likely become the focus of future research. In addition, more studies and cooperations are still needed worldwide.

A method for reconstruction of vermilion tubercle.

BACKGROUND: This article reports on the bilateral lip mucosa flaps (BLMFs) for reconstruction of the vermilion tubercle of the corrected cleft lip deformity. METHODS: From 2005 to 2013, the bilateral mucosa flaps procedures were performed on 34 secondary cleft lip patients (bilateral, n = 25; unilateral, n = 9). We retrospectively reviewed the pre-, intra-, and postoperative data of these 34 cases receiving BLMFs. RESULTS: Satisfactory results were obtained, both cosmetically and functionally, in all 34 patients. Lateral projection measurements of the reconstructive vermilion tubercle showed a mean increase of 151%. There were minimal perioperative complications. The color and texture matched well with the surrounding tissue. The postoperative scars are not remarkable at all. CONCLUSIONS: The technique is relatively simple. The BLMFs provided a versatile and reliable option for the reconstruction of the vermilion tubercle from secondary cleft lip deformities.