ISSN:0889-4655    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Restenosis limits the success of percutaneous transluminal coronary interventions. Coronary artery stenting decreases restenosis, improves outcomes, and is currently the most commonly used percutaneous coronary intervention in the United States. However, in-stent restenosis continues to occur at an unacceptable rate. In-stent restenosis is a neointimal hyperplastic response resulting primarily from vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Treatment with anti-proliferative agents presents a logical approach to eradicating restenosis, however, these drugs are highly toxic. Coating stents with anti-proliferative agents allows local delivery of high doses and avoids systemic side effects. In 2001, the results of two clinical trials, RAVEL and ELUTES, using sirolimus- and paclitaxil-coated stents demonstrated nearly complete elimination of in-stent restenosis. These dramatic results represent a tremendous advance in the treatment of coronary heart disease.

ISSN:0889-4655    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The syndrome of heart failure is epidemic, causing increased hospital admissions, poor survival rates, and a dismal quality of life. Treatment choices include pharmacologic, psychological, and surgical interventions. Recent data suggest that mechanical heart pumps, or assist devices, are viable additions or alternatives to transplantation in management of advanced heart failure. A ventricular assist device (VAD) can support the circulation when the natural heart is unable to maintain adequate perfusion. Although its use continues to be explored, VADs can be used in three ways: as a bridge to transplantation, as a destination therapy (or implanted permanently), or as a bridge to recovery. As VAD science advances, nurses will needs to understand its practice implications.

ISSN:0889-4655    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

An artificial heart with adequate circulatory supportandan acceptable quality of life remains one of the holy grails of heart failure medicine and surgery. The totally implantable AbioCor is powered electrically via an external power source and has no skin-piercing cables. To date, seven critically ill patients with end-stage heart failure have been implanted with it. Four patients survived beyond 2 months, and two patients were discharged from the hospital. Both enjoyed improved quality of life with frequent social excursions; another patient is about to be discharged. While three patients died, early trials suggest that this device holds promise.

ISSN:0889-4655    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Although atherosclerosis and valvular heart disease are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developed nations, the substitute blood vessels and heart valves currently available all have significant limitations. During the past 10 years, a new field called tissue engineering has emerged, and several research groups are focusing their efforts on constructing living tissue replacement blood vessels and heart valves. In 2001 several exciting developments occurred with the use of progenitor and stem cells. This article introduces the essential concepts of cardiovascular tissue engineering, reviews achievements in the field, discusses the basic developmental biology of heart valves and blood vessels, and summarizes the 2001 research on progenitor and stem cells.

ISSN:0889-4655    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study found that subjects randomized to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene-receiving treatment group showed a greater level of angina reduction in comparison to control subjects who received saline as a placebo. These data provide hope for a new treatment option for those who are not candidates for invasive therapeutic procedures and are refractory to medical therapy for angina. Furthermore, the findings are important to the areas of therapeutic angiogenesis and gene therapy as a whole. This article discusses VEGF and its brief history as a form of gene therapy in the context of the VEGF gene therapy trial that the American Heart Association has recognized as one of the top 10 scientific advances of 2001.

ISSN:0889-4655    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The Heart Protection Study (HPS) results were presented shortly after the National Cholesterol Education Program released the third report of clinical practice guidelines for the evaluation and management of elevated cholesterol in adults. Both the guidelines and the HPS results support an aggressive approach to managing high-risk individuals. The HPS showed that cardiovascular events and mortality were reduced in high-risk patients taking simvastatin regardless of baseline low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Some of these patients would not have met criteria for drug treatment according to the guidelines. The conclusion was that all high-risk patients with LDL ≥ 100 mg/dL should be treated with drug therapy with the goal of reducing LDL to < 100 mg/dL.

ISSN:0889-4655    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Cardiovascular disease, a primary cause of mortality in the United States, has a complex pathologic process involving many genes. The high-throughput technology (microarray or "DNA chip") used to decipher the human genome is now being employed to identify key genes in its development. A study focusing on candidate genes associated with premature cardiovascular disease discovered that missense variations in the thrombospondin 1 and 4 genes were associated with premature coronary artery disease, while a mutation in the non-coding region of a thrombospondin 2 gene imparts protection from developing heart disease. Although the clinical implications of microarray technology are still under investigation, this research may lead to a diagnostic test to determine a patient's risk for developing heart disease.

ISSN:0889-4655    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Cell transplantation is an experimental approach to restore brain function in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. Transplantation also represents a possible strategy to repair the brain after a stroke. Various cell types are under investigation in experimental stroke studies. This review discusses the different graft sources and presents preliminary data on the transplantation of neural progenitor cells after stroke in rats. Following transplantation, progenitor cells proliferated and differentiated into all the different brain cell types, including neurons, and they repopulated the ischemic infarct. These results suggest that cell transplantation may serve as a future restorative therapy for stroke and other neurologic disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, trauma, and multiple sclerosis.

ISSN:0889-4655    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), characterized by insulin resistance and a β-cell secretory defect, appears to result from a number of gene and environmental interactions. There are marked differences in the phenotypic expression of type 2 DM with individuals exhibiting varying levels of insulin resistance and impairments in insulin secretion. Study results indicate that a number of healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as increased physical activity and reduced intake of dietary fat, are associated with decreased development of type 2 DM. This article explores the genetic and environmental factors associated with the development of type 2 DM along with the role of lifestyle modifications in the prevention of this disease.

ISSN:0889-4655    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID