BA4 reactivity (g/mg) versus chemotactic index (CI) of human aortic extracts, with calculated Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and value.

<p>BA4 reactivity (g/mg) versus chemotactic index (CI) of human aortic extracts, with calculated Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and value.</p

Chemotactic index (CI) of RAW 264.7 cells upon stimulation with aortic extracts from individuals with MFS ().

<p><b>(A)</b> RAW 264.7 cells were preincubated with 1 mmol/L lactose or glucose for one hour at 37°C prior to exposure to aortic extracts. There was a statistically significant inhibition of chemotaxis. <b>(B)</b> RAW 264.7 cells were preincubated with 0.1 mmol/L VGVAPG hexapeptide for 1 hour incubation at 37°C before the chemotaxis assays were started. There was a statistically significant inhibition of the chemotactic response after VGVAPG pretreatment. <b>(C)</b> Aortic extracts were preincubated with BA4 or non-specific IgG for 30 minutes at room temperature prior to chemotaxis assays. There was a statistically significant inhibition of the chemotactic response by BA4 pretreatment. Data are representative of three independent experiments. * 0.05, **0.01.</p

BA4 reactivity and chemotactic activity of human aortic extracts.

<p><b>(A)</b> BA4 reactivity was measured by competitive ELISA in aortic extracts from patients with MFS (n = 6), isolated TAA (n = 8) and controls (n = 11). A statistically significant increase in BA4 reactivity as compared to control samples was observed for the samples from individuals with MFS and isolated TAA. <b>(B)</b> Chemotactic activity of the same extracts was measured by a Boyden chamber. A statistically significant increase in chemotactic activity as compared to control samples was observed for the samples from individuals with MFS and isolated TAA. Red lines indicate the median levels of BA4 reactivity or chemotactic index (CI). Data are representative of three independent experiments. * 0.05, **0.01.</p

Characteristics of the patients included in this study.

<p>MFS: Marfan syndrome; TAA: isolated thoracic aortic aneurysm; m: male, f: female; The column <i>Description</i> provides details of the indications for aortic surgery and information about other relevant medical conditions, and treatment with beta blockers.</p

Lessons from the short- and mid-term outcome of medical rehabilitation in adults with congenital heart disease

Background: The number of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) is steadily increasing. Over their life-time, many of the affected patients require medical rehabilitation after interventional or surgical treatment of residua, sequels or complications of their congenital heart defect (CHD). However, up to now only scarce data exist about indication, performance and outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation in ACHD. Methods: The course and outcome of rehabilitation after previous interventional or surgical treatment in ACHD was analyzed in a retrospective cohort study

Ventricular arrhythmia in 80 patients.

<p> Five patients had >1 ventricular event.</p

Baseline characteristics according to arrhythmia.

<p> ACE-I identifies angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors; ARB, angiotensin-receptor blockers; HDL cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and nsVT, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia.</p><p>–Whitney test for continuous data and the Fisher's exact test for nominal and categorical data. Mann</p><p> Three patients received two or three different classes of drugs.</p

<i>FBN1</i> mutation characteristics according to arrhythmia.

<p>–Whitney test for continuous data and the Fisher's exact test for nominal and categorical data. Mann</p

Baseline characteristics of 80 patients with Marfan syndrome and <i>FBN1</i> mutation.

<p>± standard deviation or numbers (percentage). Mean </p

Kaplan–Meier curves indicate an increased cumulative risk for VTE depending on presence of nsVT (upper panel), of NT-proBNP serum levels >618 pg/ml (middle panel), and of <i>FBN1</i> gene mutation in exons 24–32 (lower panel).

<p>Kaplan–Meier curves indicate an increased cumulative risk for VTE depending on presence of nsVT (upper panel), of NT-proBNP serum levels >618 pg/ml (middle panel), and of <i>FBN1</i> gene mutation in exons 24–32 (lower panel).</p