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Objectives The use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for chronic DeBakey III type b (CDIIIb) aneurysms is controversial. We analyzed the potential prognostic factors affecting aorta remodeling after this procedure. Methods A total of 20 patients with CDIIIb aneurysms underwent TEVAR, with full coverage of reentry tears at the descending thoracic aorta. The potential factors affecting false lumen (FL) remodeling were analyzed, including reentry tears (communicating channels visible on the computed tomography angiogram), large intimal tears below the stent graft (≥2 consecutive axial cuts on the computed tomography angiogram), visceral branches arising from the FL, and intercostal arteries (ICAs) arising from the FL. Results All the patients had uneventful in-hospital courses; 2 patients (10%) required reintervention during the follow-up period. Thirteen patients (65%) had complete thrombosis of the FL at stent graft segment. Compared with the complete thrombosis group, the partial thrombosis group had more reentry tears (1.8 vs 2.3, P = .48), large intimal tears (0.8 vs 1.7, P < .05), visceral branches arising from the FL (1.2 vs 2.3, P < .05), and ICAs arising from the FL (3.8 vs 5.1, P = .35). Reentry tears, visceral branches, and ICAs from the FL were significant negative prognostic factors for FL shrinkage (P < .05). Conclusions Although reentry tears above the celiac trunk were fully covered, the visceral branches and ICAs from the FL and all communicating channels below the celiac trunk kept the FL pressurized and were unfavorable prognostic factors for aorta remodeling after TEVAR for CDIIIb aneurysms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We aimed to assess the impact of C-reactive protein (CRP) on clinical outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG). Methods Seven hundred fifty-five consecutive OPCABG patients were divided into two groups according to their preoperative CRP level (normal CRP [NCRP] group [CRP ⩽ 6.0mg/L] versus high CRP [HCRP] group [CRP > 6.0 mg/L]). Outcome measurements were cardiac death and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE). Results Early mortality was higher in the HCRP group (p = 0.036). During follow-up, cardiac mortality was 1.2% in the NCRP group and 7.1% in the HCRP group (p < 0.001). The overall MACCE incidence was 11.2% in the NCRP group and 16.5% in the HCRP group (p = 0.042). All-cause mortality was the only determining factor (p < 0.001), whereas the incidences of myocardial infarction, stroke, and repeat revascularization were similar between the two groups (p = 0.987, p = 0.201, p = 0.426). The 3-year freedom rates from cardiac death and MACCE were 98.8 ± 0.5% and 87.5 ± 1.6% in the NCRP group and 92.5 ± 1.7% and 84.3 ± 2.5% in the HCRP group (p < 0.001, p = 0.09, respectively). Conclusions Patients with HCRP level showed worse clinical outcomes regarding cardiac death and MACCE after OPCABG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We retrospectively analyzed 28 years of experience with the Bentall procedure in patients with aortic valve, aortic root, and ascending aortic disease. Materials and Methods: Between March 1982 and December 2010, a total of 218 patients underwent the Bentall procedure using a composite valved conduit. The "inclusion technique" was used in 30 patients (13.8%), the "open-button technique" in 181 patients (83.0%), and the Cabrol technique in 7 patients (3.2%). Results: The early mortality rate was 5.5% (12/218). The mean follow-up duration was 108.0±81.0 months (range: 1-329 months). Seven patients required re-operation, and 1 patient required stent graft insertion at the descending thoracic aorta for progression of aortic arch or descending thoracic aortic dissection or aneurysm after the first operation, and 5 of them had Marfan syndrome. Kaplan-Meier estimated survival rates at 1, 5, 10, 20, and 25 years were 90.4%, 82.7%, 77.6%, 65.3%, and 60.3%, respectively. Freedom from reoperation rates at 1, 5, 10, 20, and 25 years were 99.0%, 98.3%, 95.5%, 90.8%, and 90.8%, respectively. Conclusion: In our experience, the Bentall procedure provided optimal survival with improved functional status. The disease of the aorta may progress, especially in patients with Marfan syndrome. Therefore, careful follow-up with regular computed tomography angiograms should be performed in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemia is a potentially fatal medical event that is associated with as many as 30% of all deaths. Stem cell therapy offers significant therapeutic promise, but poor survival following transplantation to ischemic tissue limits its efficacy. Here we demonstrate that nanosphere-mediated growth factor delivery can enhance the survival of transplanted human adipose-derived stromal cells (hADSCs) and secretion of human angiogenic growth factors per cell, and substantially improve therapeutic efficacy of hADSCs. In vitro, in hypoxic (1% oxygen) and serum-deprived conditions that simulate in vivo ischemia, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) significantly reduced hADSC apoptosis and enhanced angiogenic growth factor secretion. In vivo, hADSCs delivered intramuscularly into ischemic hind limbs in combination with FGF2 resulted in significant improvements in limb survival and blood perfusion, as well as survival of the transplanted hADSCs and secretion of human angiogenic growth factors (i.e., vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and FGF2). Interestingly, the majority of transplanted hADSCs were localized adjacent to the microvessels rather than being incorporated into them, suggesting that their major contribution to angiogenesis might be to increase paracrine secretion of angiogenic growth factors. This study demonstrates the potential of hADSCs in combination with growth factors for use in the treatment of ischemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of male breast cancer (MBC). Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 20 MBC patients in comparison with female ductal carcinoma treated at Yonsei University Severance Hospital from July 1985 to May 2007. Clinicopathological features, treatment patterns, and survival were investigated. Results: MBC consists of 0.38% of all breast cancers. The median age was 56 years. The median symptom duration was 10 months. The median tumor size was 1.7 cm, 27.8% showed node metastasis, and 71.4% were estrogen receptor positive. All 20 cancers were arisen from ductal cells. No lobular carcinoma was found. The incidence of stages 0, I, II, and III in patients were 2, 10, 4, and 3, respectively. All patients underwent mastectomy. One with invasive cancer did not receive axillary node dissection and stage was not exactly evaluated. Adjuvant treatments were determined by pathologic parameters and stage. Clinicopathological parameters and survival rates of MBC were comparable to those of female ductal carcinoma. Conclusion: The onset age of MBC was 10 years older and symptom duration was longer than in female patients. No difference in outcomes between MBC and female ductal carcinoma suggests that the biology of MBC is not different from that of females. Therefore, education, an appropriate system for early detection, and adequate treatment are necessary for improving outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate whether the efficacy of a single angiogenic therapy (sustained delivery of basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF] or administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF]) can be enhanced further by combining the therapies. Methods: One day after surgical induction of hind-limb ischemia, groups of 6 mice were randomized to receive either no treatment, sustained delivery (SD) of bFGF, endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) mobilization with G-CSF administration, or a combination of bFGF SD+G-CSF administration. Results: G-CSF administration increased significantly (p<0.05) the number of EPC lineages (CD34+/AC133+ cells) in both peripheral blood and bone marrow compared to no G-CSF administration. The bFGF SD and G-CSF administration individually increased the capillary and arteriole densities significantly versus no treatment (capillary density: 659 ± 48/mm² and 385 ± 59/mm², respectively, versus 280 ± 28/mm²; p<0.05; arteriole density: 34 ± 9/mm² and 41 ± 6/mm², respectively, versus 15 ± 2/mm²; p<0.O5). Importantly, bFGF SD+G-CSF further increased the capillary and arteriole densities compared to either strategy alone (capillary density: 786 ± 40/mm² versus 659 ± 48/mm² and 385 ± 59/mm², respectively, p<.0.05; arteriole density: 55 ± 10/mm² versus 34 ± 9/mm² and 41 ± 6/mm², respectively, p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the combined therapy of sustained bFGF delivery and G-CSF administration potentiates the angiogenic efficacy of either single therapy in mouse hind-limb ischemia models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]