{"title":"Impact of Microaxial Flow Pump on Coronary Flow Dynamics in Normal Hearts: An Experimental Evaluation.","authors":"Tomoaki Ito, Keita Saku, Kenta Ohba, Takuya Nishikawa, Hiroki Matsushita, Masahiro Otake, Shohei Yokota, Kei Sato, Hidetaka Morita, Nana Hiraki, Yuki Yoshida, Masafumi Fukumitsu, Toru Kawada, Midori Kakuuchi, Takaaki Maruhashi, Tadayoshi Miyamoto","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10818-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10818-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The effects of microaxial flow pump (mAFP) support on coronary flow (CF) are well characterized in failing hearts, but its impact on CF in normal hearts under different levels of left ventricular (LV) unloading remains unclear. Seven anesthetized Saanen goats underwent left thoracotomy, and an Impella 5.5 device was implanted via the left common carotid artery and operated at incremental support levels: Control (P1-2), Partial (P4-6), and Total (P7-9). Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), coronary vascular resistance (CVR), myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO₂), and diastolic LV wall stress were calculated at each level. With increasing mAFP support, CPP increased whereas CF decreased by 32.1% from Control to Total support (69.6 ± 19.8 vs. 48.4 ± 21.1 mL/min), and CVR increased 260% (0.5 ± 0.2 vs. 1.8 ± 1.3 mmHg·min/mL). In normal hearts, mAFP elevates CPP but paradoxically reduces CF due to increased CVR associated with LV unloading.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148520600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clinical Significance of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I and Myoglobin in Patients with Suspected Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction.","authors":"Jin Wang, Hong Li","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10816-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10816-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To examine distribution of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and myoglobin in patients with suspected coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). This study included consecutive patients with chest pain suspected of CMD. Baseline hs-cTnI, myoglobin, and coronary flow reserve (CFR) were assessed. Patients were categorized by hs-cTnI level using the 99th percentile cutoff (28 ng/L). Multivariable regression analyses evaluated associations with impaired CFR and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Among 1,524 patients, 412 (27.0%) had elevated hs-cTnI. Higher hs-cTnI levels were inversely correlated with CFR. Each 10 ng/L increase in hs-cTnI was independently associated with impaired CFR (adjusted odds ratio 1.32). During a follow-up of 24.5 months, elevated hs-cTnI predicted a higher incidence of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio 2.35). Myoglobin alone was not predictive, but concurrent elevation with hs-cTnI further increased MACE risk. Elevated hs-cTnI is independently associated with worse microvascular dysfunction and adverse outcomes in suspected CMD.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148470886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chuanjie Yue, Hao Cui, Jinwei Zhang, Peng Sun, Chenzhen Xu, Tong Tan, Ke Zhang, Song Wang, Zhipeng Wei, Changwei Ren, Yongqiang Lai
{"title":"Association between Cognitive Function and Postoperative Stroke Following Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.","authors":"Chuanjie Yue, Hao Cui, Jinwei Zhang, Peng Sun, Chenzhen Xu, Tong Tan, Ke Zhang, Song Wang, Zhipeng Wei, Changwei Ren, Yongqiang Lai","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10814-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10814-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To investigate the association between cognitive function and postoperative stroke in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We reviewed patients who underwent cognitive evaluations including Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale before CABG. The association between cognitive function and postoperative stroke was analyzed. A total of 1,932 patients were analyzed. Postoperatively, 34 (1.8%) developed new-onset stroke.Poststroke patients showed lower MMSE (27.0 [23.2-28.0] vs. 28.0 [27.0-29.0], p < 0.001) and MoCA scores (21.0 [18.0-23.8] vs. 24.0 [21.0-27.0], p < 0.001), but similar PSQI and ADL scores compared to those without stroke. After stepwise regression, preoperative stroke (OR = 7.07, p < 0.001) and MoCA scores (OR = 0.90 / point, p = 0.002) were predictors of postoperative stroke. Preoperative cognitive function evaluated by MoCA is associated with postoperative stroke following CABG.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148470884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Is Preoperative Serum Bicarbonate an Undervalued Risk Factor in Cardiac Surgery?","authors":"Wesley Chorney, John Hinchion","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10791-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10791-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Existing risk stratification methods in cardiothoracic surgery do not use pre-operative bicarbonate levels. We investigate if these levels carry predictive value when compared with demographic, hematologic, and other renal function indicators. We used the MIMIC-IV database to identify 11,261 patients on the cardiothoracic surgery unit who underwent ICD-9 or ICD-10 coded cardiac procedures. 30-day mortality was then modeled with respect to these indicators. Minimum pre-operative bicarbonate level is an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality post-cardiothoracic surgery ([Formula: see text]). The lowest quartile with respect to bicarbonate had increased mortality compared to all other quartiles, suggesting that patients may be classified into high- or low-risk based on bicarbonate lesser or greater than 20 mmol/L. Minimum pre-operative bicarbonate levels carry predictive information with respect to post-operative mortality. Bicarbonate could be considered alongside existing risk stratification methods in addition to other renal function indicators to improve risk stratification.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13364788/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148430475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mitochondrial ncRNAs: From Pathological Regulation to Targeted Therapy in Cardiovascular Diseases.","authors":"Cheng Li, Qiong Yuan","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10809-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10809-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Heart failure (HF) is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, featured by abnormal energy metabolism, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), and imbalanced mitochondrial dynamics. Clinically, effective targeted therapies for mitochondrial dysfunction are still lacking, which aggravates HF and multi-organ injury. Mitochondrial non-coding RNAs (mt-ncRNAs) form a regulatory network critical for mitochondrial function. Among them, mitochondrial-encoded circular RNAs (mecciRNAs) and mitochondrial double-stranded RNAs (mt-dsRNAs) are research hotspots. mecciRNAs protect the heart by assisting protein import and regulating mitochondrial pores and ROS; their degradation worsens HF, while exogenous supplementation alleviates injury. mt-dsRNAs arise from aberrant mitochondrial transcription and contribute to myocardial injury and remodeling via MAVS, cGAS-STING, and PNPT1 pathways. Gene therapy targeting mecciRNAs and mt-dsRNAs combined with mitochondrial delivery represents a promising strategy for HF treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148430499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ming Shen, Tongxuan Li, Xuan Jiang, Zichang Wang, Ningbo Liu, Peihong Wu, Gang Wang, Mingqi Zheng
{"title":"MiR-378a-3p Promotes Macrophage Polarization from M1 to M2 for Cardiac Repair after Infarction Via Trem1.","authors":"Ming Shen, Tongxuan Li, Xuan Jiang, Zichang Wang, Ningbo Liu, Peihong Wu, Gang Wang, Mingqi Zheng","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10815-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10815-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) triggers a robust inflammatory response in which macrophage polarization critically influences cardiac repair, yet the regulatory role of microRNAs remains largely undefined. Through integrated analysis of GEO datasets and experimental validation in hypoxic Raw264.7 cells and a mouse AMI model, we identified that miR-378a-3p is significantly downregulated following ischemic injury. Administration of miR-378a-3p mimics in vitro or miR-378a-3p agomir in vivo suppressed M1 macrophage polarization, attenuated inflammatory cytokine production, and markedly improved cardiac function and remodeling after AMI. Mechanistically, miR-378a-3p directly bound the 3'UTR of Trem1 mRNA, and Trem1 overexpression reversed the anti-inflammatory effects of miR-378a-3p, confirming Trem1 as a functional target. This study unveils the miR-378a-3p/Trem1 axis as a critical regulator of post-infarction inflammation and identifies miR-378a-3p as a promising therapeutic candidate for mitigating acute cardiac injury and improving outcomes in AMI patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148421332","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hiroki Mine, Kensuke Toyama, Kenshi Yoshimura, Ryotaro Nagashima, Shinji Miyamoto, Kasumi Tsunoda, Yasunori Abe, Markus U Wagenhäuser, Joscha Mulorz, Joshua M Spin, Eiki Tayama
{"title":"The Role of miR-501-3p in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression: A Pilot Study.","authors":"Hiroki Mine, Kensuke Toyama, Kenshi Yoshimura, Ryotaro Nagashima, Shinji Miyamoto, Kasumi Tsunoda, Yasunori Abe, Markus U Wagenhäuser, Joscha Mulorz, Joshua M Spin, Eiki Tayama","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10811-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10811-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>MiR-501-3p, a small non-coding RNA, has been linked to vascular damage and arterial stiffness, but its role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains unknown. Blood exosomal microRNAs were extracted, and RNA was also extracted from tissue samples, including both the region of maximum aortic dilation and the transition zone between normal and aneurysmal tissue. The low blood miR-501-3p expression group included more AAA patients and greater size than the high group. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between the presence of AAA and low blood miR-501-3p (OR = 6.467, p < 0.05). In AAA tissue, miR-501-3p was lower in the maximum point compared to the border point and correlated with larger AAA sizes. All low expression cases at the maximum point had an AAA ≥ 55 mm, whereas only 9.5% of cases in the high expression group had an AAA ≥ 55 mm (P < 0.01). miR-501-3p was identified as a potential key indicator and regulator of AAA presence and expansion.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148421377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Factors Modulating Mitochondrial Function after Arterial Injury: Past-to-Present Evidence for the Devising of Future Preventive and Therapeutic Strategies.","authors":"Chollakarn Varopas, Thawatchai Khuanjing, Obuea Homchan, Siriporn C Chattipakorn, Nipon Chattipakorn","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10810-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10810-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vascular trauma can lead to adverse outcomes if remodeling is uncontrolled. Intimal hyperplasia (IH) is a key process that contributes to luminal narrowing during remodeling and is strongly influenced by mitochondria. Enhanced mitochondrial ATP production and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), along with reduced apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), have been shown to promote IH. In addition, endothelial injury could initiate mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis which compromise endothelial integrity and function, leading to the exposure of VSMCs to various circulating factors, thus triggering IH. Therefore, reduction of mitochondrial ATP production, reduction of ROS, and induction of apoptosis in VSMC after vascular injury may present promising strategies in preventing IH. Conversely, promoting re-endothelialization prevents exposure of VSMCs to blood circulation. This review provides comprehensive insights from in vitro and in vivo reports of potential therapeutic strategies attempt to alleviate IH and achieve optimal outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148421241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shu-Xuan Chen, Liu-Hua Zhou, Tong-Tong Yang, Hao Wang, Lian-Sheng Wang
{"title":"Bench to Bedside: Insights from Large Animal Models and Emerging Clinical Trials of Endogenous Cardiac Regeneration and Repair.","authors":"Shu-Xuan Chen, Liu-Hua Zhou, Tong-Tong Yang, Hao Wang, Lian-Sheng Wang","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10808-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10808-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly myocardial infarction (MI), remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The irreversible loss of cardiomyocytes (CMs) and subsequent fibrosis following MI due to delayed or absent reperfusion are central drivers of heart failure progression. Recent evidence indicates that the adult mammalian heart retains a latent regenerative capacity, which can be reactivated under specific conditions. Therefore, stimulating endogenous cardiac regeneration represents a promising strategy to improve clinical outcomes following MI. This review summarizes a range of intervention strategies designed to wake up cardiac regeneration and promote myocardial repair in the setting of residual following myocardial injury. Key approaches examined include stimulating cardiomyocyte cell-cycle re-entry, leveraging growth factors and paracrine mediators as pro-regenerative signals, and applying cell-free vesicles and small molecule compounds. We discuss the translational progress of these strategies, drawing on evidence from large animal models and ongoing clinical trials, aiming to bridge mechanistic discoveries to future clinical applications in cardiac regenerative medicine.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148404874","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yih Miin Liew, Yin Kia Chiam, Pei Ling Ngo, Hui Yee Tan, Nor Ashikin Md Sari, Li Kuo Tan, Wan Azman Wan Ahmad, Kok Han Chee
{"title":"Predicting Mortality After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a Multiethnic Southeast Asian Population: Insights From Machine Learning.","authors":"Yih Miin Liew, Yin Kia Chiam, Pei Ling Ngo, Hui Yee Tan, Nor Ashikin Md Sari, Li Kuo Tan, Wan Azman Wan Ahmad, Kok Han Chee","doi":"10.1007/s12265-026-10812-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-026-10812-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ischemic heart disease remains a major contributor to mortality in Malaysia, with non-elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) frequently performed in high-risk acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Using nationwide registry data (2007-2020), we evaluated 29,521 patients and compared seven machine learning (ML) models for predicting in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year mortality. Models were developed in a training cohort and externally validated using hospital-level (TEST1) and prospective temporal (TEST2) cohorts. After logistic recalibration, discrimination for in-hospital mortality ranged from 0.927 to 0.943 (TEST1) and 0.865-0.884 (TEST2). For 30-day mortality, ROC-AUC ranged from 0.902 to 0.923 (TEST1) and 0.753-0.838 (TEST2), and for 1-year mortality from 0.833 to 0.859 (TEST1) and 0.750-0.801 (TEST2). Calibration remained acceptable, and decision curve analysis demonstrated positive net benefit across clinically relevant thresholds. Cross-model stability analysis consistently identified age, haemodynamic status, and renal function as key predictors.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13337946/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148396797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}