-
Journal of Cardiovascular... Jun 2020
Topics: Atrial Fibrillation; Catheter Ablation; Humans; Pericardium; Pulmonary Veins
PubMed: 32202011
DOI: 10.1111/jce.14453 -
Acta Cardiologica Jun 2023Pericardial agenesis is a rarely seen congenital defect characterised by the partial or, more rarely complete, absence of the pericardium. Most often asymptomatic, it is...
Pericardial agenesis is a rarely seen congenital defect characterised by the partial or, more rarely complete, absence of the pericardium. Most often asymptomatic, it is usually incidentally discovered following the demonstration of heart's laevorotation on imaging, in the operating room or at autopsy. In this article, we report the case of an 80-year-old patient with asymptomatic complete pericardial agenesis fortuitous discovered. Pericardial agenesis observations are extremely uncommon reported in the literature, which substantiate its original epidemiological character. In addition, this observation brings some clinical, electrical as well as iconographic elements to better understand the pathology and raises clinical suspicions. Finally, this case report confirms the exceptionally symptomatic nature of the pathology, illustrating the irrelevance of treatment or specific follow-up.
Topics: Humans; Aged, 80 and over; Pericardium; Freedom
PubMed: 34670482
DOI: 10.1080/00015385.2021.1991666 -
International Journal of Cardiology Sep 2022
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Humans; Pericardium
PubMed: 35533749
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.05.001 -
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal May 2024Heart failure (HF) management guidelines recommend individualized assessments based on HF phenotypes. Adiposity is a known risk factor for HF. Recently, there has been... (Review)
Review
Heart failure (HF) management guidelines recommend individualized assessments based on HF phenotypes. Adiposity is a known risk factor for HF. Recently, there has been an increased interest in organ-specific adiposity, specifically the role of the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), in HF risk. EAT is easily assessable through various imaging modalities and is anatomically and functionally connected to the myocardium. In pathological conditions, EAT secretes inflammatory cytokines, releases excessive fatty acids, and increases mechanical load on the myocardium, resulting in myocardial remodeling. EAT plays a pathophysiological role in characterizing both HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). In HFrEF, EAT volume is reduced, reflecting an impaired metabolic reservoir, whereas in HFpEF, the amount of EAT is associated with worse biomarker and hemodynamic profiles, indicating increased EAT activity. Studies have examined the possibility of therapeutically targeting EAT, and recent studies using sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors have shown potential in reducing EAT volume. However, further research is required to determine the clinical implications of reducing EAT activity in patients with HF.
Topics: Humans; Heart Failure; Pericardium; Adipose Tissue; Stroke Volume; Adiposity; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors; Risk Factors; Epicardial Adipose Tissue
PubMed: 38310880
DOI: 10.4093/dmj.2023.0190 -
Biomedical Materials (Bristol, England) Dec 2019Decellularized human pericardium is under study as an allogenic material for cardiovascular applications. The effects of crosslinking on the mechanical properties of...
Decellularized human pericardium is under study as an allogenic material for cardiovascular applications. The effects of crosslinking on the mechanical properties of decellularized pericardium were determined with a uniaxial tensile test, and the effects of crosslinking on the collagen structure of decellularized pericardium were determined by multiphoton microscopy. The viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells seeded on decellularized human pericardium and on pericardium strongly and weakly crosslinked with glutaraldehyde and with genipin was evaluated by means of an MTS assay. The viability of the cells, measured by their metabolic activity, decreased considerably when the pericardium was crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. Conversely, the cell viability increased when the pericardium was crosslinked with genipin. Coating both non-modified pericardium and crosslinked pericardium with a fibrin mesh or with a mesh containing attached heparin and/or fibronectin led to a significant increase in cell viability. The highest degree of viability was attained for samples that were weakly crosslinked with genipin and modified by means of a fibrin and fibronectin coating. The results indicate a method by which in vivo endothelialization of human cardiac allografts or xenografts could potentially be encouraged.
Topics: Allografts; Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cell Survival; Collagen; Cross-Linking Reagents; Fibrin; Fibronectins; Glutaral; Heterografts; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Iridoids; Materials Testing; Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton; Pericardium; Surface Plasmon Resonance; Tensile Strength
PubMed: 31665713
DOI: 10.1088/1748-605X/ab52db -
Current Cardiology Reports Sep 2020Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) provides the most comprehensive imaging assessment of pericardial disease, providing a three-dimensional assessment of the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) provides the most comprehensive imaging assessment of pericardial disease, providing a three-dimensional assessment of the pericardium, functional assessment of its impact on cardiac contractility, and pericardial tissue/fluid characterization. This review presents an update on the utility of CMR imaging in a wide variety of pericardial diseases.
RECENT FINDINGS
CMR provides both qualitative and quantitative assessment of the pericardium through various imaging techniques. It can also be used as a guide therapy and delineate response to treatment in pericarditis. CMR is also useful for the assessment of rare congenital disorders and in defining pericardial tumors and differentiating some non-invasively. CMR is a powerful non-invasive diagnostic tool for evaluating and characterizing pericardial diseases. Ongoing optimization of imaging techniques allows for differentiation of subtypes of disease as well as progression. Ongoing research demonstrates continued expanding role of CMR in both the diagnosis and management of pericardial and cardiovascular disease.
Topics: Heart Neoplasms; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Pericardial Effusion; Pericarditis; Pericardium
PubMed: 32930900
DOI: 10.1007/s11886-020-01392-0 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is related to atrial fibrillation. The association between EAT volume and premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) remains unclear. Our... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is related to atrial fibrillation. The association between EAT volume and premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of EAT volume on the risk of frequent PVCs and burden levels of PVCs.
METHODS
This observational study retrospectively recruited consecutive patients who had consultation between 2019 and 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Frequent PVC patients ( = 402) and control patients ( = 402) undergoing non-contrast computed tomography (CT) were enrolled. We selected evaluation criteria for the conduct of a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. Multivariable logistic analysis was used to investigate factors related to frequent PVCs. Furthermore, the determinants of EAT volume and the burden levels of PVCs were evaluated.
RESULTS
Patients with PVCs had a significantly larger EAT volume than control patients. EAT volume was significantly larger in male PVC patients with BMI ≥24 kg/m, diabetes mellitus, and E/A ratio <1. EAT volume was independently associated with PVCs. Moreover, the larger EAT volume was an independent predictor for the high burden level of PVCs. We revealed that the risk of high PVC burden level was increased with the rising of EAT volume by restricted cubic splines.
CONCLUSIONS
EAT volume was larger in frequent PVC patients than in control patients, regardless of other confounding factors. A large EAT volume was independently associated with high burden levels of PVCs. EAT volume may be a new mechanism to explain the pathogenesis of PVCs.
Topics: Humans; Male; Retrospective Studies; Ventricular Premature Complexes; Atrial Fibrillation; Pericardium
PubMed: 37822598
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1219890 -
Journal of Veterinary Cardiology : the... Feb 2022An 11-year-old neutered male Border Terrier presented for pericardiectomy after a nine-month history of tricavitary effusion, dyspnoea and lethargy. Transthoracic...
An 11-year-old neutered male Border Terrier presented for pericardiectomy after a nine-month history of tricavitary effusion, dyspnoea and lethargy. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a fluid-filled structure at the heart base, starting at the mid-right ventricle and extending to the middle of the right atrium. Almost complete compression of the right atrium and the cranial vena cava was noted. Thoracic computed tomography revealed a heterogeneously enhancing and poorly marginated mass within the cranial aspect of the pericardium. A median sternotomy and subtotal pericardiectomy were performed. A non-distinct fluid-filled structure within the pericardium adhered to the epicardium was visualised. The structure was removed via marsupialisation along with extirpation of enlarged sternal lymph nodes. Histopathological examination of the sternal lymph nodes revealed expansile, well-demarcated, unencapsulated nodules of neoplastic cells consistent with a neuroendocrine tumour suspected to be thyroid in origin. After surgery, intractable pleural effusion resulted in euthanasia. Intrapericardial ectopic thyroid tumours are rarely reported in animals. The location of the mass and unusual presentation may have made it challenging for echocardiography to identify this neoplasia. Thoracic computed tomography at an earlier stage may have identified the neoplasia and potentially allowed for surgical intervention.
Topics: Animals; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Echocardiography; Euthanasia, Animal; Male; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Pericardiectomy; Pericardium
PubMed: 34979483
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvc.2021.12.007 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2023Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an endocrine and paracrine organ constituted by a layer of adipose tissue directly located between the myocardium and visceral... (Review)
Review
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an endocrine and paracrine organ constituted by a layer of adipose tissue directly located between the myocardium and visceral pericardium. Under physiological conditions, EAT exerts protective effects of brown-like fat characteristics, metabolizing excess fatty acids, and secreting anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic cytokines. In certain pathological conditions, EAT acquires a proatherogenic transcriptional profile resulting in increased synthesis of biologically active adipocytokines with proinflammatory properties, promoting oxidative stress, and finally causing endothelial damage. The role of EAT in heart failure (HF) has been mainly limited to HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and related to the HFpEF obese phenotype. In HFpEF, EAT seems to acquire a proinflammatory profile and higher EAT values have been related to worse outcomes. Less data are available about the role of EAT in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Conversely, in HFrEF, EAT seems to play a nutritive role and lower values may correspond to the expression of a catabolic, adverse phenotype. As of now, there is evidence that the beneficial systemic cardiovascular effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 receptors-inhibitors (SGLT2-i) might be partially mediated by inducing favorable modifications on EAT. As such, EAT may represent a promising target organ for the development of new drugs to improve cardiovascular prognosis. Thus, an approach based on detailed phenotyping of cardiac structural alterations and distinctive biomolecular pathways may change the current scenario, leading towards a precision medicine model with specific therapeutic targets considering different individual profiles. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about the biomolecular pathway of EAT in HF across the whole spectrum of ejection fraction, and to describe the potential of EAT as a therapeutic target in HF.
Topics: Humans; Heart Failure; Stroke Volume; Adipose Tissue; Pericardium; Phenotype
PubMed: 37047810
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076838 -
Artificial Organs Mar 2022In order to obtain the smaller delivery diameter, porcine pericardium had been used as a substitute material of bovine pericardium for the leaflet materials of...
BACKGROUND
In order to obtain the smaller delivery diameter, porcine pericardium had been used as a substitute material of bovine pericardium for the leaflet materials of transcatheter heart valve (THV). However, the differences between them had not been fully studied. Therefore, this study compared the microstructure, biochemical and mechanical properties of two materials and hydrodynamics of THV made by the two materials in detail.
METHODS
In this study, firstly, the microstructure of pericardium was analyzed by staining and scanning electron microscope; secondly, the biochemical properties of pericardium after different processes were compared by heat shrinkage temperature test, free amino and carboxyl concentration test, enzyme degradation test, subcutaneous implantation calcification analysis in rats; finally, the mechanical properties were evaluated by uniaxial tensile test before and after the pericardium being crimped, and then, the hydrodynamics of THV was studied according to the ISO5840 standard.
RESULTS
Compared with bovine pericardium, after the same process, porcine pericardium showed a looser and tinier fiber bundle, a similar free carboxyl concentration, a lower resistance to enzyme degradation, a significantly lower calcification, bearing capacity and damage after being crimped, a better hydrodynamic and adaption with lower cardiac output and deformation of implantation position. Meanwhile the dehydration process of pericardium almost had preserved all the biochemical advantages of two materials.
CONCLUSION
In this study, porcine and bovine pericardium showed some significant differences in biochemical, mechanical properties and hydrodynamics. According to the results, it was presumed that the thinner porcine pericardium might be more suitable for THV of right heart system. Meanwhile, more attention should be taken for the calcification of THV made by the bovine pericardium.
Topics: Animals; Bioprosthesis; Calcinosis; Cattle; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Materials Testing; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Pericardium; Swine; X-Ray Microtomography
PubMed: 34545589
DOI: 10.1111/aor.14074