Background: We aim to explore the determinants of right ventricular wall tension (RV WT [RV base-to-apex length multiplied by systolic pulmonary artery pressure] and association with all-cause mortality in patients with moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation. Materials & methods: Of total, 180 patients (71 ± 15years, 54% females) were included. An increased RV WT was defined as >3300 mmHgxmm. Results: Patients with increased RV WT (n = 85, 47%) were more likely to be male and taller than patients with normal RV WT. In a multivariable-adjusted model, increased RV WT was associated with a 2.6-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.65–4.06). Conclusion: In patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation, an increased RV WT was common, and associated with a 2.6-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality. Male sex was the only independent determinant.

Introduction: Adult stem cells (ASCs) are a population of tissue-resident cells that have the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation into different cell types with potential for cell therapies. New approaches for ASCs isolation, including many tissue sources and new protocols that are more effective and less expensive are under investigation. Thus this work aim is to isolate, maintain in cell culture and evaluate cryopreservation protocols for adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) from different tissues such as subcutaneous adipose tissue, visceral mesenteric and omental visceral taken from the same individual. Material and Methods: The techniques of mechanical and enzymatic dissociation were used, in order to investigate the most appropriated method to ADSCs isolation. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide (DMF) in different concentrations were tested as cryoprotectors in 24, 48 and 72 hours thawing protocols. The samples were collected from obese patients with associated diseases undergoing bariatric surgery, between 30 to 45 years old. Results: Among 10 collected samples it was possible to measure cell viability from 4 patients. The higher cell rate was obtained from the visceral tissue of omentum. Conclusion: DMSO was the more efficient cryopreservant for this condition. This adipose tissue source could be explored for ADSCs isolation and future clinical investigations.

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Introduction: Sex-differences have been poorly studied in patients with right-sided heart valve disease. The principal aim of the current study was to explore the impact of sex-differences on right ventricular (RV) hemodynamics and all-cause mortality in patients with moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Methods: This is a retrospective study of 209 patients with significant TR. All patients were clinically profiled at baseline and underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram. The cohort was followed up for clinical events for a median duration of 80 months (mean±SD 69.4±33.4months). Results: There were 117 women with a mean (±SD) age of 72.6±13years and 92 men with a mean (±SD) age of 70.8±15.8years. There were no sex-differences between the individual measures of RV systolic function (tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion [TAPSE], systolic pulmonary artery pressure [SPAP] and RV S’), but overall RV systolic dysfunction (TAPSE <16mm and/or RV S’ <10cm/s) and LVEF <50% were more common in men. Mean (±SD) RV wall tension (RVWT) was 3170±1220 mmHg x mm in women and 3817±1499 mmHg x mm in men (p=0.002). There was no difference in all-cause mortality between women and men (Log-Rank p=0.528). Age and increased RVWT were independent predictors of all-cause mortality both in women (HR 2.61) and men (HR 3.01). Conclusions: In this cohort of patients with significant TR, women more frequently had preserved RV systolic function than men. There was no sex-difference in all-cause mortality. An increased RVWT and higher age were independent predictors of all-cause mortality in both women and men.

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