Mitral annulus velocity determined by DTI is a relatively preload-independent variable in evaluating diastolic function.

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Pre-treatment of MSCs with GFs enhanced cytoprotective effects on neighboring CMCs through gap junction and improved the therapeutic efficacy of MSC transplantation for myocardial repair. "Priming of MSCs with GFs" before transplantation might improve the therapeutic efficacy of cell therapy.

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The FFR measurement in jailed side branch lesions is both safe and feasible. Quantitative coronary angiography is unreliable in the assessment of the functional severity of jailed side branch lesions, and measurement of FFR suggests that most of these lesions do not have functional significance.

Background-We sought to identify preoperative predictors of clinical outcomes after surgery in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation. Methods and Results-We prospectively enrolled 61 consecutive patients (54 women, aged 57Ϯ9 years) with isolated severe tricuspid regurgitation undergoing corrective surgery. Twenty-one patients (34%) were in New York Heart Association functional class II, 35 (57%) in class III, and 5 (9%) in class IV. Fifty-seven patients (93%) had previous history of left-sided valve surgery. Preoperative echocardiography revealed pulmonary artery systolic pressure of 41.5Ϯ8.7 mm Hg, right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic area of 35.1Ϯ9.0 cm

AimsThis study was performed to evaluate the functional outcomes of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided jailed sidebranch (SB) intervention strategy. Methods and resultsOne hundred and ten patients treated by provisional strategy were consecutively enrolled and SB FFR was measured in 91 patients. SB intervention was allowed when FFR was ,0.75. FFR measurement was repeated after SB intervention and at 6-month follow-up angiography. In 26 of 28 SB lesions with FFR ,0.75, balloon angioplasty (SB balloon/ artery ratio ¼ 0.84 + 0.14) was performed and FFR 0.75 was achieved in 92% of the lesions although the mean residual stenosis was 69 + 10%. During follow-up, there were no changes in SB FFR in lesions with (0.86 + 0.05 to 0.84 + 0.01, P ¼ 0.4) and without SB angioplasty (0.87 + 0.06 to 0.89 + 0.07, P ¼ 0.1). Functional restenosis (FFR ,0.75) rate was only 8% (5/65). When clinical outcomes of these patients were compared with 110 patients with similar bifurcation lesions treated without FFR-guidance, there was no difference in 9-month cardiac event rates (4.6 vs. 3.7%, P ¼ 0.7) between the two groups. ConclusionIn conclusion, FFR-guided SB intervention strategy resulted in good functional outcomes.--

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