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Maedica Dec 2023Myocardial bridges (MB) are congenital anomalies of hearts observed as muscle fibers covering epicardial branches of the coronary artery. The left anterior descending...
Myocardial bridges (MB) are congenital anomalies of hearts observed as muscle fibers covering epicardial branches of the coronary artery. The left anterior descending artery (LAD) was found to be commonly showing myocardial bridges (MBs). Clinically, MBs were claimed to cause varied symptomatology. The data on the morphology and prevalence of MBs in fetuses was limited, despite the commonly accepted congenital origin. Fetal hearts obtained from 37 fetuses from the donation program were used. The hearts were dissected out from the thorax by standard dissection procedure. The pericardium and epicardium were dissected. The coronary arteries were delineated, and MBs were observed and noted. The coronary artery segment having MBs, its distance from the ostium as well as the direction and length of the MBs were studied. The MBs were observed in 20 out of 37 fetal hearts studied over the left anterior descending, right coronary, posterior interventricular and circumflex arteries. The mid or distal part of the coronary arteries frequently exhibited MBs. The mean length of the MB was 4.2 mm, with MBs being situated about 1.5 cm away from the coronary ostium. The oblique pattern of MB was more frequently noted. The morphology and prevalence of fetal MBs showed common occurrence in the LAD artery, with a predominant oblique morphological pattern.
PubMed: 38348086
DOI: 10.26574/maedica.2023.18.4.571 -
MedComm Dec 2023Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is located between the myocardium and visceral pericardium. The unique anatomy and physiology of the EAT determines its great potential... (Review)
Review
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is located between the myocardium and visceral pericardium. The unique anatomy and physiology of the EAT determines its great potential in locally influencing adjacent tissues such as the myocardium and coronary arteries. Classified by research methodologies, this study reviews the latest research progress on the role of EAT in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), particularly in patients with metabolic disorders. Studies based on imaging techniques demonstrated that increased EAT amount in patients with metabolic disorders is associated with higher risk of CVDs and increased mortality. Then, in-depth profiling studies indicate that remodeled EAT may serve as a local mediator of the deleterious effects of cardiometabolic conditions and plays a crucial role in CVDs. Further, in vitro coculture studies provided preliminary evidence that the paracrine effect of remodeled EAT on adjacent cardiomyocytes can promote the occurrence and progression of CVDs. Considering the important role of EAT in CVDs, targeting EAT might be a potential strategy to reduce cardiovascular risks. Several interventions have been proved effective in reducing EAT amount. Our review provides valuable insights of the relationship between EAT, metabolic disorders, and CVDs, as well as an overview of the methodological constructs of EAT-related studies.
PubMed: 37881786
DOI: 10.1002/mco2.413 -
Lipids in Health and Disease Nov 2023Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is considered an age-related disease. Age-related changes, along with other factors such as obesity, hormonal imbalances, and various... (Review)
Review
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is considered an age-related disease. Age-related changes, along with other factors such as obesity, hormonal imbalances, and various metabolic disorders, lead to ectopic fat deposition (EFD). This accumulation of fat outside of its normal storage sites is associated with detrimental effects such as lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance. This narrative review provides an overview of the connection between ectopic and visceral fat deposition in aging, obesity, and IPF. It also elucidates the mechanism by which ectopic fat deposition in the airways and lungs, pericardium, skeletal muscles, and pancreas contributes to lung injury and fibrosis in patients with IPF, directly or indirectly. Moreover, the review discusses the impact of EFD on the severity of the disease, quality of life, presence of comorbidities, and overall prognosis in IPF patients. The review provides detailed information on recent research regarding representative lipid-lowering drugs, hypoglycemic drugs, and lipid-targeting drugs in animal experiments and clinical studies. This may offer new therapeutic directions for patients with IPF.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Intra-Abdominal Fat; Quality of Life; Obesity; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis; Aging; Lipids
PubMed: 38001499
DOI: 10.1186/s12944-023-01964-3 -
Clinica Chimica Acta; International... Jun 2024Pericardial Fluid (PF) is a rich reservoir of biologically active factors. Due to its proximity to the heart, the biochemical structure of PF may reflect the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Pericardial Fluid (PF) is a rich reservoir of biologically active factors. Due to its proximity to the heart, the biochemical structure of PF may reflect the pathological changes in the cardiac interstitial environment. This manuscript aimed to determine whether the PF level of cardiac troponins changes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
METHODS
This scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar databases were electronically searched for primary studies using the keywords "pericardial fluid," "troponin," and "cardiac surgery." The primary outcome of interest was changes in troponin levels within the PF preoperatively and postoperatively. Secondary outcomes of interest included comparisons between troponin level changes in the PF compared to plasma.
RESULTS
A total of 2901 manuscripts were screened through a title and abstract stage by two independent blinded reviewers. Of those, 2894 studies were excluded, and the remaining seven studies underwent a full-text review. Studies were excluded if they did not provide data or failed to meet inclusion criteria. Ultimately, six articles were included that discussed cardiac troponin levels within the PF in patients who had undergone cardiac surgery. Pericardial troponin concentration increased over time after surgery, and levels were significantly higher in PF compared to serum. All studies found that the type of operation did not affect these overall observations.
CONCLUSION
Our review of the literature suggest that the PF level of cardiac troponins increases in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, irrespective of the procedure type. However, these changes' exact pattern and clinical significance remain undefined.
Topics: Humans; Pericardial Fluid; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Troponin
PubMed: 38734224
DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2024.119722 -
ARYA Atherosclerosis Jul 2023Chronic constrictive pericarditis results in the signs and symptoms of heart failure due to the chronic compression of the myocardium. When the pericardium becomes... (Review)
Review
Chronic constrictive pericarditis results in the signs and symptoms of heart failure due to the chronic compression of the myocardium. When the pericardium becomes thickened and fibrosed, surgery is the sole curative management strategy. Surgery leads to an improvement in functional status and survival, but it is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Over the years, the surgical approach to this pathology has largely remained unchanged, but there has been a shift in the etiological mechanism of constrictive pericarditis from predominantly tuberculous to post-cardiac surgery and idiopathic pathologies. This review offers an overview of the surgical management of constrictive pericarditis.
PubMed: 38881993
DOI: 10.48305/arya.2023.41472.2882