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BackgroundEpidemiological evidence suggests a cardioprotective role of α‐linolenic acid (ALA), a plant‐derived ω‐3 fatty acid. It is unclear whether ALA is beneficial in a background of high marine ω‐3 fatty acids (long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) intake. In persons at high cardiovascular risk from Spain, a country in which fish consumption is customarily high, we investigated whether meeting the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids recommendation for dietary ALA (0.7% of total energy) at baseline was related to all‐cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. We also examined the effect of meeting the society's recommendation for long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (≥500 mg/day).Methods and ResultsWe longitudinally evaluated 7202 participants in the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) trial. Multivariable‐adjusted Cox regression models were fitted to estimate hazard ratios. ALA intake correlated to walnut consumption (r=0.94). During a 5.9‐y follow‐up, 431 deaths occurred (104 cardiovascular disease, 55 coronary heart disease, 32 sudden cardiac death, 25 stroke). The hazard ratios for meeting ALA recommendation (n=1615, 22.4%) were 0.72 (95% CI 0.56–0.92) for all‐cause mortality and 0.95 (95% CI 0.58–1.57) for fatal cardiovascular disease. The hazard ratios for meeting the recommendation for long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n=5452, 75.7%) were 0.84 (95% CI 0.67–1.05) for all‐cause mortality, 0.61 (95% CI 0.39–0.96) for fatal cardiovascular disease, 0.54 (95% CI 0.29–0.99) for fatal coronary heart disease, and 0.49 (95% CI 0.22–1.01) for sudden cardiac death. The highest reduction in all‐cause mortality occurred in participants meeting both recommendations (hazard ratio 0.63 [95% CI 0.45–0.87]).ConclusionsIn participants without prior cardiovascular disease and high fish consumption, dietary ALA, supplied mainly by walnuts and olive oil, relates inversely to all‐cause mortality, whereas protection from cardiac mortality is limited to fish‐derived long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.Controlled-trials.com/. Unique identifier: ISRCTN35739639.

The objective was to investigate the effects of vitamin E on collagen deposition induced by Cyclosporin A (CsA) administration in rats with caerulein (Cr) pancreatitis. CsA transforms the fully regenerative, self-limited form of Cr pancreatitis into a chroniclike disease in conjunction with increased transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and myofibroblast proliferation. Vitamin E inhibits TGF-beta release in mesangial cells and reduces CsA cytotoxicity. Wistar rats received CsA daily (20 mg/kg), and CR pancreatitis was induced on days 1 and 8 (Cr + CsA group). In a separate group, vitamin E (600 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) was administered starting 4 days before CsA. Three other groups received either vehicle, CsA, or Cr alone. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS), 8-isoprostanes, and hyaluronic acid were measured in plasma obtained on the day the animals were killed (day 15). Pancreases were weighed and processed for light microscopy to assess connective tissue and myofibroblast number. Pancreatic homogenates were also assayed for collagen (hydroxyproline) and TBARS content. TBARS, 8-isoprostane, and TGF-beta were elevated in CsA and Cr + CsA rats. Vitamin E treatment greatly decreased these parameters. Vitamin E also decreased the fall in pancreatic weight observed in Cr + CsA pancreas. Pancreatic hydroxyproline and plasma hyaluronic acid were increased in Cr + CsA rats but were effectively reduced by vitamin E. Morphology showed improvement in fibrosis score and a decreased number of myofibroblasts in vitamin E-treated rats. Vitamin E reduces oxidative stress and collagen deposition during the development of experimental chronic pancreatitis. Adjuvant antioxidants may be of value in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis.

Myxoma of the Left VentricleThis report concerns a 69-year-old Case ReportA 69-year-old woman with known chronic liver disease was admitted for acute liver dysfunction in association with nonspecific autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, and arterial hypertension. She reported no cardiac diseases or chest pain. During her hospitalization, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms showed a single pediculated round mass (13 × 23 mm) attached to the left ventricular endocardium (Figs. 1 and 2). Chest radiographs, the electrocardiogram, and standard blood tests all showed normal findings. The patient's body mass index was 26.24 kg/ m 2 . A liver function test yielded normal results except for a moderate increase of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (93 U/L) and serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (92 U/L), as determined by enzymatic and colorimetric spectrophotometry.The patient underwent excision of the intracardiac mass on 5 May 2010, under general anesthesia. A median sternotomy was performed. The ascending aorta and both venae cavae were cannulated, and standard cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was performed. The heart was stopped by cross-clamping the ascending aorta. Myocardial protection was achieved by means of topical cooling with ice and intermittent anterograde and retrograde administration of cold-blood cardioplegic solution. The venae cavae were snared with tourniquets, the tumor was excised through a limited left ventriculotomy, and the tumor's pedicle was shaved from the endocardium. The incision was closed with a double layer of 3-0 polypropylene running suture (Fig. 3). The patient was weaned from CPB easily, without inotropic support. Under histopathologic examination, the excised mass was consistent with myxoma. A follow-up echocardiogram 3 months postoperatively disclosed no abnormalities. The patient was lost to follow-up. DiscussionThe first reported case of surgical removal of a left ventricular myxoma was that published by Kay and colleagues in 1959.1 Since then, at least 71 other surgical cases (excluding myxomas of the mitral or aortic valve) have been reported, most of them as single cases (Table I). Most medical centers have little or no experience in the management of a myxoma in the left ventricle. The surgical approach to a tumor in this location can be carried out 1) through the left atrium and mitral valve, 2) through the ascending aorta, with video assistance, 3) through the right atrium and atrial septum, or 4) through a small longitudinal incision in the left ventricle. We decided on this last approach because it affords good visibility and the possibility of a complete resection. Most reported excisions of left ventricular myxoma have been performed with use of full median sternotomy and classical CPB. Recently, endoscopy and minimally invasive techniques have also been applied.

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