Pentoxifylline Prevents Restenosis by Inhibiting Cell Proliferation via p38MAPK Pathway in Rat Vein Graft Model.

Coronary artery bypass grafting remains the gold standard in the therapy of advanced-stage patients. But the vein grafts are prone to restenosis or failure. Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a methylxanthine derivative with a function of inhibiting cell proliferation. We thus applied PTX locally to the vein grafts to study its effect on the inhibition of graft restenosis using a rat vein graft model. Morphometric results showed a significant decrease in the thickness of vein grafts intimal and medial at day 28 after the bypass operation. Results from Western blot and immunohistochemistry showed that PTX also significantly reduced the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, and phosphorylation of p38 in vein grafts. These results firstly discovered the positive role of PTX in preventing the vein grafts restenosis and the mechanism may be inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation via the p38MAPK pathway.

Efficacy and risk factors of cardiac valve replacement surgery in the medium term for patients with giant left ventricular / 安徽医科大学学报

Objective To explore the effect of cardiac valve replacement surgery in the medium term on patients with giant left ventricular and its related risk factors.Methods Retrospective analysis the clinical data of 82 cases of valvular heart disease with giant left ventricle underwent heart valve replacement surgery.To compare the size and function of heart between preoperation and postoperation,and explore the relevant risk factors affecting the prognosis.Results The left atrial diameter,left ventricular end diastolic diameter,and left ventricular systolic diameter (LVESD) were decreased after the operation,and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference between left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular shortening rate.But the NYHA classification showed significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).The risk factors related to the prognosis of patients were preoperative LVESD value ＞6.0 cm,heart function NYHA classification in grade Ⅳ,postoperative unuse of ACEI drugs or β-blockers (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The perioperative mortality is low in patients with valvular heart disease and giant left ventricle after heart valve replacement surgery.The curative effect is satisfactory,the shape and size of the heart in the medium term have obvious reverse remodeling process,and the cardiac function is also improved.Preoperative LVESD value ＞6.0 cm,heart function NYHA classification in grade Ⅳ,postoperative unuse of ACEI drugs or β-blockers are the major risk factors affecting prognosis of patients.