Whole ovaries, and the follicles and blood vessels they contain, are able to survive cryopreservation. In addition, MRI has shown that blood vessels were intact and that normal blood flow had resumed to the transplant. We conclude that immediate and long-term hormonal restoration and normal ovulation is possible after cryopreservation and transplantation of whole ovaries in sheep.

Background. The mechanisms responsible for the transformation of stable angina to unstable angina, a major cause of morbidity and mortality, are commonly believed to be plaque rupture and thrombosis. We determined whether additional mechanisms are operative by analysing the histopathology and immunohistopathology of coronary plaques retrieved by directional atherectomy of patients with unstable angina in whom no intraluminal thrombus was demonstrated by angiography.Methods and Results. The histological findings of atherectomy specimens from 34 patients with unstable angina were compared with those of 24 patients with postangioplasty restenosis, whose lesions are known to be composed of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and 10 patients with stable angina, whose lesions contain

No abstract

No abstract

Valve replacement in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome may carry significant early and late mortality and morbidity, particularly when such patients are referred with advanced valvular heart disease.

No abstract

The maze procedure can be applied with high success rate in patients with RHD, enlarged atria, and long-standing AF. In our experience many of the late recurrences were recorded late in the follow-up and were treated successfully with antiarrhythmic drugs and/or cardioversion. Therefore a close follow-up is required to enhance the success rate of the procedure.

No abstract