Statins inhibit the activation of Rho signaling, which negatively influences eNOS mRNA stability and activity, leading to an increased NO bioavailability

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "The role of HMG-CoA reductase inhibition in endothelial dysfunction and inflammation"</p><p></p><p> 2007;3(5):567-577.</p><p>Published online Jan 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2291301.</p><p></p

Ang II and NO functions interplay to influence vascular tone, through different effects on RhoA pathway

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "The role of HMG-CoA reductase inhibition in endothelial dysfunction and inflammation"</p><p></p><p> 2007;3(5):567-577.</p><p>Published online Jan 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2291301.</p><p></p

Standard and modified apical 4-chamber views.

<p>A) Standard apical 4-chamber view, optimized for the left atrium. B) Modified apical 4-chamber view to visualise the LAA and duct (*); the dotted line shows the measurement of the long axis C) Transducer position to obtain A. D) Transducer rotated counter-clockwise starting from C to obtain B. *: LA-LAA duct; LA: left atrium; LAA: left atrial appendage; LAAla: LAA long axis; LV: left ventricle; RA: right atrium; LV: left ventricle; RV: right ventricle.</p

Myocardial Infarction.

<p>EF: ejection fraction, FS: fractional shortening, LA: left atrium, LAA: left atrium appendage, LV: left ventricle, SV: stroke volume, Vmax: maximum volume, Vmin: minimum volume, Vres: volume reservoir. Values are mean±SD.</p><p>*p<0.05,</p><p>**p<0.01 relative to sham.</p><p>Myocardial Infarction.</p

Heart and left venous reservoir resin casts.

<p>A) Whole heart, front view. B) As in A, after the removal of the main pulmonary artery and bifurcation. C) As in B, after the removal of the left venous reservoir (LA, LAA and PV). D) Isolated left venous reservoir, frontal-cranial view with LA (superior wall; the dotted line delimits the LA cavity), AO with coronary arteries and RIPV, RSPV and LPV. E) Isolated left venous reservoir, cranial view with LA (superior wall), RIPV, RSPV and LPV. F) Isolated left venous reservoir, inferior view from the right with LA (inferior wall), RIPV, RSPV and LPV, and MV connection to the LV. Shown needle gauge: 21. AO: aortic root; DU: LA-LAA duct; LA: left atrium; LAA: LA appendage; LPV: left PV; LV: left ventricle; MV: mitral valve; PA: pulmonary artery; PV: pulmonary veins; RIPV: right inferior PV; RSPV: right superior PV; RV: right ventricle.</p

Left atrial appendage color and pulsed Doppler flow velocities.

<p>Modified apical 4-chamber view. Color (A, B) and pulsed Doppler LAA flow velocity (C), and measurement of LA-LAA duct diameter. A) Diastolic frame. B) Systolic frame. Green line on the ECG shows a 50 ms duration. Dd: LA-LAA duct diameter; LA: left atrium; LAA: left atrial appendage; LAAf: LAA flow; LV: left ventricle; MVf: mitral valve flow; RA: right atrium; RV: right ventricle; S1: early systolic inflow wave; S2: late systolic inflow wave; D: diastolic outflow wave.</p

Left atrium and appendage changes following myocardial infarction.

<p>LA maximum area in normal (A) and 4-weeks ischemic mice (B). LAA long axis in normal (C) and ischemic mice (D). LA: left atrium; LAA: left atrial appendage; LAAla: LAA long axis; LV: left ventricle; RA: right atrium</p

Color Doppler and anatomy of the three pulmonary veins.

<p>A) Modified apical 4-chamber view to visualise the right superior PV. B) Color Doppler LA inflow from the right superior PV. C) Transducer rotated clockwise to visualise left PV. D) Color Doppler LA inflow from the left PV. E) Transducer rotated counter-clockwise to visualise right inferior PV. F) Color Doppler LA inflow from right inferior PV. *: PVs; LAA: left atrial appendage; RA: right atrium; RV: right ventricle.</p

Left atrial 2D area, diameters and function curve.

<p>A) LA area planimetry in maximum (A1), “notch” (A2) and minimum (A3) dimensions; apical 4-chamber view. White arrow: systolic displacement of the mid-point of the mitral annulus (LV base descent). B) LA function curve in normal mouse. LA: left atrial; LAmld: LA medio-lateral (transverse) diameter; LAmax: maximum LA area; LAmin: minimum LA area; LAnotch: intermediate LA area at « notch »; LAsid: LA supero-inferior (longitudinal) diameter; MA mitral annulus; +dA/dt: peak positive reservoir LA area change;-dA/dt: peak negative emptying LA area change.</p

Left atrial appendage: anatomy and pulsed Doppler flow profile.

<p>LA: left atrium, LAA: left atrium appendage. Values are mean±SD.</p><p>Left atrial appendage: anatomy and pulsed Doppler flow profile.</p