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Glycosylation is an important step in post-translational protein modification. Altered glycosylation results in an abnormality that causes diseases such as malignancy and cardiovascular diseases. Recent emerging evidence highlights the importance of glycosylation in vascular calcification. Two major types of glycosylation, N-glycosylation and O-glycosylation, are involved in vascular calcification. Other glycosylation mechanisms, which polymerize the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chain onto protein, resulting in proteoglycan (PG), also have an impact on vascular calcification. This paper discusses the role of glycosylation in vascular calcification.

Background: The advantage of prophylactic cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation for AF patients without documented atrial flutter is still unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of prophylactic CTI ablation in this population. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted. The overall effects estimation was conducted using random effects models. The pooled effects were presented as the risk difference and standardised mean difference for dichotomous and continuous outcomes, respectively. Results: A total of 1,476 patients from four studies were included. The risk of atrial tachyarrhythmias following a successful catheter ablation procedure was greater in the pulmonary vein isolation + CTI ablation group than pulmonary vein isolation alone group (34.8% versus 28.2%; risk difference 0.08; 95% CI [0.00–0.17]; p=0.04). Prophylactic CTI ablation was associated with a higher recurrent AF rate (33.8% versus 27.1%; risk difference 0.07; 95% CI [0.01–0.13]; p=0.02). Additional prophylactic CTI ablation to pulmonary vein isolation significantly increased the radio frequency application time (standardised mean difference 0.52; 95% CI [0.04–1.01]; p=0.03). Conclusion: This study suggested that prophylactic CTI ablation was an ineffective and inefficient approach in AF without documented typical atrial flutter patients.

Introduction: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is a syndrome that represents the end-stage of peripheral artery disease (PAD) that increased the risk of major amputation and cardiovascular events. The initial treatment for CLTI may significantly impact the risk of major amputation or death. Objective: This case report aims to describe limb preservation with balloon angioplasty in a Critical Limb Ischemia patient. Case Presentation: A hypertensive 72-years old female complained of left leg pain followed by a wound on her left toe four months ago. Her toe was amputated, but the wound persists. On physical examination, the pulsation was diminished in her left foot. Duplex ultrasound showed monophasic spectral doppler from left popliteal artery to distal left anterior tibial artery (ATA) and distal posterior tibial artery (PTA). CT-Angiography showed short total occlusion (2cm) at the distal left Superficial Femoral artery (SFA), multiple stenoses with maximal 90% stenosis at the left ATA, and chronic total occlusion at the proximal-mid left posterior tibial artery (PTA). She was diagnosed with CLTI left inferior extremity Fontaine IV Rutherford 5. The angiography result was similar to the CT-angiography result. The patient was successfully treated with plain balloon angioplasty from distal left SFA to distal left ATA and drug-coated balloon angioplasty from the distal left SFA to the popliteal artery. Her wound was also consulted to the surgical department. Conclusion: Appropriate revascularization is fundamental to limb preservation. We successfully perform endovas- cular strategy with TIMI flow 3 from left SFA to distal left ATA and distal PTA in our patient, but we still need further holistic CLTI management.

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