Shear stress regulates endothelial cell function through SR-B1-eNOS signaling pathway. SR-B1 may play a pivotal role in the process of anti-atherosclerosis.

Primary cardiac calcification is a rare benign mass in patients with end-stage renal disease. A few cases have been reported in the literatures. In this case study, during a routine checkup for hemodialysis, a transthoracic echocardiography on a 19-year-old male showed a cardiac mass in the right atrium that was partially obstructing the tricuspid valve. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-circumscribed, homogeneous “shadow” in the right atrium; it measured 29 × 27 mm, had equal T1- and T2-weighted signal intensities, and was adjacent to the tricuspid valve. According to 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography, there was a dense circular shadow in the right atrium abutting the tricuspid valve, but there was no increase in glucose metabolism. Median sternotomy was performed for the surgical resection of the mass, and a cardiopulmonary bypass was completed. The mass was completely removed. The patient recovered well and was discharged 10 days after the surgery. Histological examination showed that the mass contained multiple calcified nodules. No mass recurrence was found by echocardiography during the 12th-month follow-up.

Primary right ventricular vascular malformation is a rare primary benign anomaly in heart in nature. Due to the extremely low incidence and the progress on the classification of vascular malformation, a few cases were reported in the literatures. In the current case study, a 55-year-old women presented with a cardiac mass that was identified in right ventricle during a routine medical checkup. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a well-circumscribed mass attached to the interventricular septum. Median sternotomy for the surgical resection of the mass and a cardiopulmonary bypass were performed. The intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram showed that the mass had been successfully removed. The patient recovered well and was discharged from hospital 9 days after the surgery. The pathological diagnosis was primary cardiac arteriovenous malformation. No mass recurrence was shown by echocardiography during the 13 months' follow-up.