BACKGROUND Arterial mechanical parameters are modified in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), before and during pregnancy. This study tested the hypothesis that aortic mechanics and endothelial function are modified in the mifepristone-treated rat model of PCOS. METHODS Female rats injected daily with mifepristone or vehicle for 7-9 days were assessed by ultrasound to allow estimatio...

Anomalies of the aortic arch system may assume many different anatomic patterns. Some are only of academic interest; others are of extreme clinical importance and may at times constitute an emergency requiring prompt surgical intervention to save life. The anomalies of the aortic arch system which produce symptoms and which require surgical treatment are of three types. First, there are the “va...

Liver ischemia and subsequent reperfusion (IR) are associated with secondary, remote organ reperfusion injury attributable to oxidative stress mediators. Because N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) was effective in attenuating lung reperfusion injury, its properties on aortic dysfunction were tested. Rat isolated perfused aortic rings (n = 8/group) were evaluated during and after exposure to liver postis...

A 63-year-old man presented with cachexia and confusion. He was found to have culture-negative endocarditis affecting his aortic valve. Despite treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics and extensive investigation for an underlying cause, he suffered a large cerebral infarct and died. At post-mortem he was found to have non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis and a metastatic signet-ring carcinoma.

We present an unusual case of vascular sling, tracheal stenosis by complete cartilaginous ring, and aberrant left subclavian artery with right aortic arch that underwent successful surgical repair for the sling. These abnormalities were suspected from unusual multiple indentations found on esophagogram. Complete preoperative diagnosis was established with chest computerized tomogram combined wi...

OBJECTIVE To investigate possible effects of honey on angiogenesis, using in vitro analogues of angiogenesis and an endothelial proliferation assay. METHOD Using an in vitro rat aortic ring assay we compared pseudotubule formation by medicinal honey (Activon), supermarket honey (Rowse) and a honey-based ointment (Mesitran), with that of artificial honey (70% w/w sugar glucose/fructose). Pseud...

Disopyramide produces a contraction of the isolated aortic ring of the rat which is graded, develops slowly, and has a time course similar to the tonic phase of the noradrenaline response. This effect is not modified by alpha-adrenoceptor blockade (yohimbine) but is completely abolished by a Ca2+ antagonist (verapamil) or by removal of Ca2+ from the bathing solution. These results indicate that...

This case describes the diagnosis and successful management of an unusual form of respiratory distress in an infant with tetralogy of Fallot. Severe compression of the airway resulted from a large right aortic arch in the absence of a vascular ring.

Report of a surgical treatment for vascular ring (right aortic arch and the anomalous origin of the left subclavian artery) related to Kommerell diverticulum with resection of the ligamentum arteriosum (ductus arteriosus), suture of the Kommerell diverticulum, and reimplantation of left subclavian artery in the ipsilateral carotid artery through left thoracotomy in a 13-year-old female.