Heart and vessels
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Midregional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) is elevated in patients with heart failure and myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of MR-proADM with the grade of coronary artery stenosis, presence of coronary artery soft plaques and coronary artery calcification score (CACS), determined by 64-multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in patients without known prior cardiovascular disease. This retrospective study included 107 patients undergoing MSCT for confirmation (or exclusion) of coronary artery disease. ⋯ In multivariate analysis, the MR-proADM level was a significant correlate of coronary artery stenoses [odds ratio (OR) = 0.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86-0.99; P = 0.026] and soft plaques (OR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.90-0.99; P = 0.015) but not of CACS (OR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.93-1.03; P = 0.36). A decreased MR-proADM level is an independent correlate of the presence of coronary artery disease and of soft atherosclerotic plaques. Patients with decreased MR-proADM levels may need invasive examinations to diagnose more severe forms of coronary artery disease.
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Retracted Publication
Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (VSD) with VSD occluder: early and mid-term results.
Results of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (pmVSD) transcatheter closure have been reported in the literature, mostly with the Amplatzer VSD device (muscular or eccentric) (AGA Medical Corp., Golden Valley, MN, USA). However, the data of percutaneous closure of pmVSD with VSD occluder (VSD-O) made in China are still limited. We sought to analyze the safety, efficacy, and follow-up results of percutaneous closure of pmVSD with VSD-O made in China. ⋯ Percutaneous pmVSD closure used VSD-O made in China is associated with excellent success and closure rates, no mortality, and low morbidity. Nowadays, pmVSD percutaneous closure is a valuable alternative to surgery. Longer follow-up data and improvements in device characteristics are needed to reduce the risk of cAVB.