The aim of the study was to investigate whether a combination of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) capable of differentiating into cardiac myocytes and endothelial progenitors (EPCs) that mainly promote neoangiogenesis might be able to facilitate tissue repair in myocardial scars. Previous studies have shown that intracoronary transplantation of autologous bone marrow stem cells results in improvement of contractility in infracted areas of human myocardium. Eleven patients with an anteroseptal myocardial infarction (MI) underwent transcoronary transplantation of bone marrow-derived MSCs and EPCs to the infarcted area through the left anterior descending artery. Eleven age- and sex-matched patients served as controls. Wall motion score index was significantly lower at follow-up in the transplantation (P = 0.04) but not in the control group. On stress echocardiography, there was improvement of myocardial contractility in one or more previously nonviable myocardial segments in 5 out of 11 patients (all with recent infarctions) and in none of the controls (P = 0.01). Restoration of uptake of Tc(99m) sestamibi in one or more previously nonviable myocardial scars was seen in 6 out of 11 patients subjected to transplantation and in none of the controls (P = 0.02). Cell transplantation was an independent predictor of improvement of nonviable tissue. Intracoronary transplantation of MSCs and EPCs is feasible, safe, and may contribute to regional regeneration of myocardial tissue early or late following MI.

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SummaryBackground: Atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) study by M-mode echocardiography can supply useful clinical information about left ventricular (LV) long-axis function.Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that AVPD estimation could be used to detect early hypertensive cardiomyopathy.Methods: The study population included 81 hypertensive patients with normal LV ejection fraction and fractional shortening, and 50 age-and gender-matched healthy controls. By utilizing M-mode and apical views, the following parameters were estimated: early mitral flow peak velocity (E) and deceleration time (DT), peak velocity of late mitral flow (A), A/E ratio, isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), total AVPD, AVPD motion during atrial systole (At), systolic AVPD (total AVPDAt), and At/total AVPD ratio.

Background: Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). In this context we assessed neutrophil count as a predictor of major in-hospital events in patients admitted for a non-ST-segment elevation (NSTE) ACS. Methods: We measured neutrophils on admission in 160 patients with a NSTE ACS and we correlated their count with the incidence of a combined in-hospital end point including: cardiac death, acute heart failure, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and recurrent myocardial ischemia. Results: Patients who had a major in-hospital event also had a higher neutrophil count (P = 0.02) and higher serum levels of troponin I (P = 0.04). In the univariate logistic regression analysis, in-hospital major events could be predicted by troponin I >0.07 ng/mL (odds ratio [OR]: 5.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26-25.32, P = 0.02), white blood cell count >8650 cells/µL (OR: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.03-6.95, P = 0.04), neutrophil count >6700 cells/µL (OR: 7.74, 95% CI: 2.79-21.47, P < 0.001), and C-reactive protein >0.97 mg/dL (OR: 3.56, 95% CI: 1.13-11.19, P = 0.02). However, in multivariate regression, neutrophil count >6700 cells/µL (OR: 6.52, 95% CI: 1.56-27.22, P = 0.01) was the only independent in-hospital prognostic factor. Conclusions: In patients with a NSTE ACS of moderate or high risk, neutrophil count on admission may identify those who are at risk of having an adverse in-hospital outcome.

Approximately 44% of patients with an initial diagnosis of lone AF may represent occult cases of arterial hypertension. In these patients hypertension may affect AF recurrence and treatment outcomes, regardless of the mode of antiarrhythmic therapy used.