BackgroundUnicuspid aortic valves (Sievers type 2 bicuspid) are characterized by major fusion and clefting of the right-left coronary commissure, minor right-noncoronary commissure. Repair has been difficult because two fusions, variable relative sinus sizes, peripheral leaflet deficiencies or tears after balloon valvuloplasty.MethodsTwenty unicuspid patients underwent valve repair in nine inst...

Pentamethoxyflavone (PMF) was isolated from the rhizomes of Kaempferia parviflora, a plant that is claimed to have anti-hypertensive effects. We have investigated the activity of the PMF on isolated rat thoracic aortic rings. PMF caused a relaxation of phenylephrine precontracted aortic rings, and this effect was inhibited by N-nitro-L-arginine (LNA), ODQ (guanylyl cyclase inhibitor), or by rem...

Amperometric studies have indicated that substance P as well as NMDA stimulates release of NO in rat aortic rings. These data have been confirmed by functional observations of vaso-relaxant action of NMDA within noradrenaline pre-contracted aortic rings, supporting the presence of NMDA receptor in rat aortic rings. It is known that the enzyme endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) mediates vasodilatati...

stanford type a acute aortic dissection (aad) is a very rare complication, with potentially lethal consequences in pregnancy. in fact, pregnancy has been regularly associated with the possibility of aortic. dissection in almost half of young women. herein, we present the case of a 38-year-old woman in her 37th week of pregnancy. the patient’s medical history was indicative of g4l2ab1(4 gestaiti...

In recent years, sutureless aortic valves have grown in popularity. As these valves do not need to be anchored with sutures, shorter cardiac ischaemia and extracorporeal circulation times can potentially be achieved. In addition, the absence of a sewing ring in these valves results in a greater effective orifice area for any given size. Postoperative outcome may be improved using sutureless val...

Aortic arch anomalies refer to congenital abnormalities of the position or branching pattern, or both of the aortic arch. Although aortic arch anomalies are not uncommon, reports on their prenatal diagnosis are scarce. Insight into the hypothetical arch model is crucial to understanding anomalies of the aortic arch in the fetus. Recognition of the trachea, three major vessels, ductus arteriosus...

Two children referred for cardiac imaging were found to have an unusual form of a vascular ring. The first patient was an asymptomatic 10-year-old girl with a membranous ventricular septal defect, prolapse of the right coronary aortic cusp, and mild aortic regurgitation. Her past history was notable for gastroesophageal reflux disease as an infant, which had prompted a barium swallow at a few m...

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has shown favorable outcomes in patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis who are at high surgical risk or are unsuitable candidates for open heart surgery. However, concerns exist over treating patients who have previously undergone mitral valve surgery due to the potential interference between the mitral prosthetic valve or ring and ...