Mortality after myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes mellitus

Bibliometric Analysis of ncRNA Studies in Diabetes Mellitus With Coronary Heart Disease: A Visualization Approach

Objectives

Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) plays a role in the development of diabetes and coronary heart disease. However, there is limited research on the association between ncRNA and these conditions. This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis and visualization of existing research to provide a comprehensive reference for future investigation in this field.

Methods

We searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) databases for articles published from 2012 to 2024. We analyzed publication volume, country of origin, authors, and keywords using Microsoft Office Excel, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer.

Results

A total of 414 papers from 56 countries/regions, involving 298 authors, were analyzed. China had the highest number of publications (177), followed by the USA (90) and Italy (28). The number of publications generally shows an increasing trend. Collaborative research efforts were prevalent, with Katare Rajesh being the most cited author on average. International Journal of Molecular Sciences emerged as the most prolific journal in this field, while the article "MicroRNA profiling unveils hyperglycaemic memory in the diabetic heart" was identified as the most frequently cited. The analysis of keywords and literature indicates that current research predominantly focuses on the expression and mechanisms of ncRNA in disease, as well as its potential as a biomarker.

Conclusion

Research on ncRNA in the context of diabetes and coronary heart disease has made notable strides, although it warrants further exploration. Through bibliometric and visual analysis, we elucidate the collaborative relationships among researchers, which can facilitate the identification of potential collaborators. Additionally, we delineate the key areas and emergent trends in this field, providing valuable insights that can guide researchers in selecting future research directions.

Rhodiola pre-conditioning reduces exhaustive exercise-induced myocardial injury of insulin resistant mice

Myocardial injury reduction and recovery under acute cardiac stress are adversely impacted by insulin resistance (IR). We previously demonstrated that Rhodiola improved cardiac anti-stress capacity in mice. Thus, this study focuses on the preventive efficacy of Rhodiola on exhaustive exercise (EE)-induced myocardial injury of IR mice. An 8-week high-fat diet (HFD) model of IR mice was established. Rhodiola was administrated by garaging. After the 8-week intervention, half of the mice performed EE to simulate acute cardiac stress, and determine myocardial injury; The remaining mice were sacrificed following fasting to assess metabolic disorder. We found myocardial injury induced by EE in IR mice was worse and was alleviated by Rhodiola pre-conditioning. Further, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-related antioxidant system was impaired by HFD, while mitochondrial dynamic fusion and fission were activated by HFD as a physiological protective compensation. The Rhodiola administration rescued Nrf2 impairment and further facilitated mitochondrial fusion and fission. All these results indicate that Rhodiola is a potential treatment for the prevention of cardiac events in type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome patients, and the Nrf2-related antioxidant activity and mitochondrial dynamics are the proposed mechanisms.

Low FT3/FT4 Ratio Is Linked to Poor Prognosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Euthyroid Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This is an observational, retrospective, single-center study aimed to determine whether the free triiodothyronine (FT3) to free thyroxine (FT4) ratio was related to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) prognosis in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 294 euthyroid T2DM patients with new-onset AMI were enrolled. FT3/FT4 ratio tertiles were used to categorize patients into Group 1 (FT3/FT4 ≥ 4.3), Group 2 (3.5 ≤ FT3/FT4 < 4.3), and Group 3 (FT3/FT4 < 3.5). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including nonfatal myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization (TVR), and cardiac mortality, served as the primary endpoint. Group 3 demonstrated a considerably higher incidence of MACE than the other two groups over the average follow-up duration of 21 ± 6.5 months (all p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that a low FT3/FT4 ratio was an independent risk factor for MACE after AMI (Group 1 as a reference; Group 2: hazard ratio [HR] 1.275, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.563−2.889, p = 0.561; Group 3: HR 2.456, 95% CI: 1.105−5.459, p = 0.027). Moreover, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) indicates a good predictive value of FT3/FT4 ratio for MACE (AUC = 0.70). Therefore, in T2DM patients with AMI, a low FT3/FT4 ratio was strongly linked to poor prognosis.

Microbial Signatures in The Rodent Eyes With Retinal Dysfunction and Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose

The gut microbiome has been linked to disease pathogenesis through their interaction in metabolic, endocrine, and immune functions. The goal of this study was to determine whether the gut and plasma microbiota could transfer microbes to the retina in type 1 diabetic mice with retinopathy.

Methods

We analyzed the fecal, plasma, whole globe, and retina microbiome in Akita mice and compared with age-matched wild-type (WT) mice using 16S rRNA sequencing and metatranscriptomic analysis. To eliminate the contribution of the ocular surface and plasma microbiome, mice were perfused with sterile saline solution, the whole globes were extracted, and the neural retina was removed under sterile conditions for retinal microbiome.

Results

Our microbiome analysis revealed that Akita mice demonstrated a distinct pattern of microbes within each source: feces, plasma, whole globes, and retina. WT mice and Akita mice experienced transient bacteremia in the plasma and retina. Bacteria were identified in the retina of the Akita mice, specifically Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas, Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Bacillus. Significantly increased levels of peptidoglycan (0.036 ± 0.001 vs. 0.023 ± 0.002; P < 0.002) and TLR2 (3.47 ± 0.15 vs. 1.99 ± 0.07; P < 0.0001) were observed in the retina of Akita mice compared to WT. Increased IBA⁺ cells in the retina, reduced a- and b-waves on electroretinography, and increased acellular capillary formation demonstrated the presence of retinopathy in the Akita cohort compared to WT mice.

Conclusions

Together, our findings suggest that transient bacteremia exists in the plasma and retina of both cohorts. The bacteria found in Akita mice are distinct from WT mice and may contribute to development of retinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction in retinopathy.

THE ABCDE'S OF PRIMARY PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

The growing burden of obesity, smoking, elevated cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy dietary habits fuels cardiovascular disease. In 2015, the rates of cardiovascular disease in the United States rose for the first time after decades of steady decline. To combat this rising trend, there is a great need to emphasize primary cardiovascular prevention. In this review, we provide a summary of the current primary prevention recommendations using a simplified ABCDE approach. The aim is to help clinicians utilize an easy-to-use, structured approach to primary atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention.

Serum miRNA Profile in Diabetic Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease as a Promising Non-Invasive Biomarker

The increasing morbidity and mortality of type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) highlight an urgent need to identify early biomarkers, which would help to predict individual risk of development of IHD. Here, we postulate that circulating serum-derived micro RNAs (miRNAs) may serve as potential biomarkers for early IHD diagnosis and support the identification of diabetic individuals with a predisposition to undergo IHD. We obtained serum samples from T2DM patients either with IHD or IHD-free and analysed the expression levels of 798 miRNAs using the NanoString nCounter technology platform. The prediction of the putative miRNAs targets was performed using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was used to identify the biological function and signalling pathways associated with miRNA target genes. Hub genes of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were identified by STRING database and Cytotoscape tool. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the diagnostic value of identified miRNAs. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used for nCounter platform data validation. Our data showed that six miRNAs (miR-615-3p, miR-3147, miR-1224-5p, miR-5196-3p, miR-6732-3p, and miR-548b-3p) were significantly upregulated in T2DM IHD patients compared to T2DM patients without IHD. Further analysis indicated that 489 putative target genes mainly affected the endothelin-1 signalling pathway, glucocorticoid biosynthesis, and apelin cardiomyocyte signalling pathway. All tested miRNAs showed high diagnostic value (AUC = 0.779 - 0.877). Taken together, our research suggests that circulating miRNAs might have a crucial role in the development of IHD in diabetic patients and may be used as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis.

Antiplatelet and Antithrombotic Therapy in Type I Diabetes Mellitus: Update on Current Data

Diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a markedly elevated cardiovascular (CV) risk due to premature atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown that intense glycemic control reduces the incidence of CV disease. Antiplatelet therapy is considered to be a very important therapy for secondary prevention of recurrent atherothrombotic events in patients with DM, while it may be considered for primary prevention in individuals with T1DM with additional CV risk factors. The aim of the present review is to summarize existing literature data regarding the thrombotic risk in T1DM patients and discuss current treatment strategies.

Vildagliptin vs. insulin treatment alone in diabetic acute coronary syndrome patients

BACKGROUND

Vildagliptin, an oral antidiabetic of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor drugs, exhibits an overall low risk of hypoglycemia with less frequent hypoglycemic events in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients than other antidiabetic drugs. We hypothesized that among hospitalized acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, the addition of vildagliptin to subcutaneous insulin therapy would reduce the risk of hypoglycemic events.

METHODS

One hundred ACS T2DM adult patients naive to DPP-4 inhibitors were enrolled during admission to the ICCU. Patients were divided into two randomized controlled groups: a subcutaneous rapid-acting insulin-only therapy group and an oral vildagliptin plus subcutaneous insulin group. The trial was open label with no placebo arm. Mean glucose values, insulin values given for correction per hospitalization, and the number of hypoglycemic events (glucose < 70 mg/dL) were documented.

RESULTS

Eight hypoglycemia events occurred in the insulin-only group and none in the insulin plus DPP-4 inhibitor group (P < 0.001). Patients with acute myocardial infarction experienced a higher number of hypoglycemic events compared with unstable angina diagnosed patients. No significant differences were found regarding glucose level (P = 0.462) and administered insulin units (P = 0.639).

CONCLUSIONS

In T2DM patients, the addition of DPP-4 inhibitors to routine subcutaneous insulin therapy may significantly reduce hypoglycemic events while maintaining acceptable recommended ranges of glucose. Further studies on a larger scale are required to verify these results and to support that DPP-4 inhibitors added to today's standard insulin-only treatment in hospitalized diabetic ACS patients may improve overall glycemic control and provide a potential treatment option in this challenging clinical setting.

The Effects of Curcumin Plus Piperine Supplementation in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Previous investigations have demonstrated that curcumin has a cardioprotective effect and may improve myocardial injury. So this study was performed to assess whether supplementation with curcumin could diminish myocardial injury following AMI.

METHODS

To conduct this randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial, seventy-two patients with acute myocardial infarction, aged 18-75 years, were enrolled and randomly divided into the active intervention and control groups. The active intervention group (n = 38) received curcumin capsules with piperine supplement (500 mg/day, 95% curcuminoids) for 8 weeks, whereas the control group (n = 34) received a placebo capsule. At the baseline and end of the study, ejection fraction was assessed, and blood samples were taken from all patients to measure the levels of cardiac troponin I(cTnI), lipid profile, FBG, HbA1C, liver enzymes, renal function parameters, and electrolytes.

RESULTS

In this trial, curcumin supplementation significantly reduced the levels of HbA1C (-0.3 ± 2.2 vs. +1.1 ± 1.3, P = 0.002), LDL (-10.3 ± 20.7 vs. +0.2 ± 22.5, P = 0.039), ALT (-10.2 ± 28.5 vs. +7.3 ± 39.2, P = 0.029), and ALP (+6.4 ± 39.5 vs. +38.0 ± 69.0, P = 0.018) compared to the placebo group. Moreover, the serum concentration of HDL significantly improved in comparison with the placebo group (+4.5 ± 8.9 vs. -1.6 ± 7.7, P = 0.002). However, no substantial difference was perceived between the groups regarding the ejection fraction and serum levels of cTnI, FBG, renal function parameters, and electrolytes.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that daily intake of 500 mg of curcumin capsules with piperine supplement for 8 weeks modified lipid profile, liver enzymes, and glycemic status, but did not have any effect on ejection fraction and serum concentration of cardiac troponin I, renal function parameters, and electrolytes in acute myocardial infarction patients.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on mortality rates and outcomes in myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a major cardiovascular risk factor for increased risk of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction (MI). DM is also associated with a poorer clinical outcome in MI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The nationwide German inpatient population treated between 2005 and 2016 was used for statistical analyses. Hospitalized MI patients were stratified by the presence of DM and investigated for the impact of DM on in-hospital events.

RESULTS

In total, 3,307,703 hospitalizations for acute MI (37.6% female patients, 56.8% aged ≥ 70 years) treated in Germany during 2005-2016 were included in this analysis. Of these patients, 410,737 (12.4%) died while in hospital. Overall, 1,007,326 (30.5%) MI cases were coded for DM. While the rate of MI patients with DM increased slightly over time, from 29.8% in 2005 to 30.7% in 2016 (β = 7.04, 95% CI: 4.13-9.94; P <  0.001), their in-hospital mortality decreased from 15.2% to 11.5% (β = -0.36, 95% CI: -0.38 to -0.34; P <  0.001). Rates of in-hospital death (13.2% vs 12.1%; P <  0.001) and recurrent MI (0.8% vs 0.6%; P <  0.001) were higher in MI patients with vs without DM. Also, in MI patients with DM, significantly lower use of coronary artery angiography (51.5% vs 56.8%; P <  0.001) and interventional revascularization (37.6% vs 43.9%; P <  0.001) was noted.

CONCLUSION

Although in-hospital mortality of patients with MI decreased in both diabetes and non-diabetes patients, in-hospital deaths were still higher in diabetes patients, thereby revealing the impact of this metabolic disorder on cardiovascular outcomes.

Cardioprotective effect of ranolazine in nondiabetic and diabetic male rats subjected to isoprenaline-induced acute myocardial infarction involves modulation of AMPK and inhibition of apoptosis

Diabetes increases the sensitivity of myocardium to ischemic damage and impairs response of the myocardium to cardioprotective interventions. The present study aimed to elucidate the potential cardioprotective effect provided by ranolazine during myocardial infarction in nondiabetic and diabetic male rats. As AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been shown to be involved in the cellular response to ischemic injury, in this context, the present animal study evaluated the modulating role of ranolazine in the AMPK expression in isoprenaline-induced myocardial ischemic rat model. Male rats were divided into 2 experiments: experiment I and II (nondiabetic and diabetic rats) and assigned to normal control, saline control for isoprenaline, isoprenaline control, and ranolazine-treated groups. Ranolazine administration revealed effectiveness in attenuating the severity of isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury in both nondiabetic and diabetic rats as revealed by ECG signs, histopathological score, and apoptotic markers via abrogating the increments in the inflammatory and oxidative stress markers and modulating AMPK expression. Therefore, the current cardioprotective effect of ranolazine was, at least in part, mediated through inhibition of apoptosis and modulation of AMPK expression, encouraging considering the utility of ranolazine in protection from acute myocardial infarction.

The early detection of atherosclerosis in type 1 diabetes: why, how and what to do about it

The major cause of morbidity and often premature mortality in people with type I diabetes (T1D) is cardiovascular disease owing to accelerated atherosclerosis. We review publications relating to the rationale behind, and clinical tests for, detecting and treating early atherosclerosis in people with T1D. Currently available tools for atherosclerosis assessment include risk equations using vascular risk factors, arterial intima-media thickness, the ankle-brachial index, coronary artery calcification and angiography, and for more advanced lesions, intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. Evolving research tools include risk equations incorporating novel clinical, biochemical and molecular tests; vascular MRI and molecular imaging. As yet there is little information available to quantify early atherosclerosis. With better means to control the vascular risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia and glycaemic control, and emerging therapies to control novel risk factors, further epidemiologic and clinical trials are merited to facilitate the translation into clinical practice of robust means to detect, monitor and treat early atherosclerosis in those with T1D.

An analysis of barriers to entry of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with diabetes: Using data from the National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND

UK cardiac rehabilitation has reached for the first time 50% uptake in 2016; however, this still leaves 50% of the eligible group not starting cardiac rehabilitation. The characteristics of patients missing cardiac rehabilitation are relatively unknown with some studies in America suggesting that patients with diabetes have a reduced likelihood of joining cardiac rehabilitation.

METHODS

This study used routinely collected data from the National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation to investigate proportional differences in patients with cardiovascular disease with, and without, diabetes taking up the offer of cardiac rehabilitation.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients with diabetes entering cardiac rehabilitation dropped by between 7% and 15% depending on the age group (<40 years, 7% reduction; 61-80 years, 15%). The study's results showed that in all demographic and diagnostic groups, the proportion of patients with diabetes was significantly less than that of the eligible group ( p < 0.001). There was no difference in the proportion of loss, from eligible to starting cardiac rehabilitation, between males and females, which was 13% for both groups.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms, in a new UK population with over 121,002 eligible patients, that there is a statistically significant drop in patients with diabetes taking up cardiac rehabilitation. This study is unique in looking at all four key diagnosis and treatment groups and comparing them to those taking up cardiac rehabilitation. To achieve the target of 65% uptake set by NHS England, improvements in identifying and targeting complex patients, such as those with diabetes, need to be adopted.

CaMKII as a target for arrhythmia suppression

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) has emerged as key enzyme in many cardiac pathologies, especially heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction and cardiomyopathies, thus leading to contractile dysfunction and malignant arrhythmias. While many pathways leading to CaMKII activation have been elucidated in recent years, hardly any clinically viable compounds affecting CaMKII activity have progressed from basic in vitro science to in vivo studies. This review focuses on recent advances in anti-arrhythmic strategies involving CaMKII. Specifically, both inhibition of CaMKII itself to prevent arrhythmias, as well as anti-arrhythmic approaches affecting CaMKII activity via alterations in signaling cascades upstream and downstream of CaMKII will be discussed.

Up-regulation of microRNA-135a protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by decreasing TXNIP expression in diabetic mice

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The heart in diabetic state is sensitive to myocardial ischemia reperfusion (mI/R) injury. In the present study, we investigated the potential mechanisms of modulating mI/R injury in diabetic state.

METHODS

Diabetic db/db mice and control non-diabetic mice were administrated with mI/R injury or sham operation. Mouse atrial-derived cardiac cell line HL-1 subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) was used as in vitro model of I/R injury to the heart.

RESULTS

Compared with normal mice, mI/R elevated the levels of myocardial infarct size, apoptosis and TXNIP expression (in mRNA and protein) in diabetic mice. Myocardial miR-135a expression level was reduced in diabetic mice regardless of mI/R treatment or not. MiR-135a overexpression protected myocardial cells from mI/R injury in diabetic mice. In vitro, high glucose incubation contributed to a significant down-regulation of miR-135a and up-regulation of TXNIP in cells with or without H/R treatment. Luciferase reporter assay showed that TXNIP was a target gene of miR-135a. MiR-135a overexpression protected HL-1 cells from H/R injury in high glucose condition, while this effect was reversed by up-regulated TXNIP.

CONCLUSION

miR-135a protects against mI/R injury by decreasing TXNIP expression in diabetic state.

Cardioprotective effect of pioglitazone in diabetic and non-diabetic rats subjected to acute myocardial infarction involves suppression of AGE-RAGE axis and inhibition of apoptosis

Insulin resistance increases risk of cardiovascular diseases. This work investigated the protective effect of pioglitazone on myocardial infarction (MI) in non-diabetic and diabetic rats, focusing on its role on advanced glycated endproducts (AGEs) and cardiac apoptotic machinery. Male rats were divided into 2 experiments: experiment I and II (non-diabetic and diabetic rats) were assigned as saline, MI (isoproterenol, 85 mg/kg, daily), and MI+pioglitazone (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg). Injection of isoproterenol in diabetic rats produced greater ECG disturbances compared to non-diabetic rats. Treatment with pioglitazone (5 mg/kg) reduced the infarct size and improved some ECG findings. Pioglitazone (10 mg/kg) enhanced ECG findings, improved the histopathological picture and downregulated apoptosis in cardiac tissues. Whereas the higher dose of pioglitazone (20 mg/kg) did not improve most of the measured parameters but rather worsened some of them, such as proapoptotic markers. Importantly, a positive correlation was found between serum AGEs and cardiac AGE receptors (RAGEs) versus caspase 3 expression in the two experiments. Therefore, the current effect of pioglitazone was, at least in part, mediated through downregulation of AGE-RAGE axis and inhibition of apoptosis. Consequently, these data suggest that pioglitazone, at optimized doses, may have utility in protection from acute MI.

Cardiovascular event costs in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the cost of acute major adverse cardiac events (MACE; myocardial infarction [MI] and stroke) stratified by cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in commercially, Medicare Supplemental-, and Medicaid-insured patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

US administrative claims data were used to identify patients with T2DM aged ≥18 and continuously enrolled with insurance benefits from July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010 (baseline). Patients were classified into three baseline CVD risk groups (highest, medium, and lowest) and followed from July 1, 2010 until 1 year or censoring (follow-up) to measure per-patient per-month (PPPM) all-cause healthcare costs. Multivariable regression compared costs between patients with/without MACE during follow-up. Patients with MACE were further followed for up to 1 year after initial event to quantify longitudinal event costs.

RESULTS

Sample comprised 1,415,598 T2DM patients. Over average follow-up ranging from 301-343 days across CVD risk groups, 10,399 patients experienced MACE. Expected multivariable-adjusted mean PPPM costs of MACE per 100 covered patients within each CVD risk group varied by payer and generally increased with CVD risk (range = $1555 in lowest-risk commercially insured patients to $18,727 in highest-risk Medicaid-insured patients). Longitudinal costs of MACE were lowest among Medicare Supplemental-insured patients with stroke ($22,657 initial event, $2488 PPPM up-to 1-year follow-up care) and highest among Medicaid-insured patients with MI ($41,505 initial event, $4799 PPPM up to 1-year follow-up care).

CONCLUSIONS

These results illustrate the potential clinical and economic importance of considering patients' CVD risk and medications' cardiovascular safety profile when treating T2DM patients.

Intrapulmonary shear stress enhancement: a new therapeutic approach in acute myocardial ischemia

OBJECTIVE

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a leading cause of mortality with insufficient results of current therapies, most probably due to maintained endothelial dysfunction conditions. Alternatively, we propose a new treatment that promotes endothelial shear stress (ESS) enhancement using an intrapulmonary pulsatile catheter.

METHODS

Twelve piglets, divided in equal groups of 6: pulsatile (P) and non-pulsatile (NP), underwent permanent left anterior descending coronary artery ligation through sternotomy. After 1 h of ischemia and heparin injection (150 IU/kg): in P group, a pulsatile catheter was introduced into the pulmonary trunk and pulsated intermittently over 1 h, and irrespective of heart rate (110 bpm). In NP group, nitrates were given (7 ± 2 mg/kg/min) for 1 h.

RESULTS

In P group all 6 animals survived ischemia for 120 min, but in NP group only 2 animals survived. The 4 animals that died during the experiment in NP group survived for 93 ± 14 min. Hemodynamics and cardiac output (CO) were significantly improved in P group compared with NP group: CO was 0.92 ± 0.15 vs. 0.52 ± 0.08 in NP group (L/min; p < 0.05), respectively. Vascular resistances (dynes.s.cm(-5)/kg) were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in P group versus NP group: pulmonary resistance was 119 ± 13 vs. 400 ± 42 and systemic resistance was 319 ± 43 vs. 1857 ± 326, respectively. Myocardial apoptosis was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in P group (0.66 ± 0.07) vs. (4.18 ± 0.27) in NP group. Myocardial endothelial NO synthase mRNA expression was significantly (p < 0.01) greater in P group (0.90 ± 0.09) vs. (0.25 ± 0.04) in NP group.

CONCLUSIONS

Intrapulmonary pulsatile catheter could improve hemodynamics and myocardial contractility in acute myocardial ischemia. This represents a cost-effective method, suitable for emergency setting as a first priority, regardless of classical coronary reperfusion.