Taurine relaxes human radial artery through potassium channel opening action

The vascular actions and mechanisms of taurine were investigated in the isolated human radial artery (RA). RA rings were suspended in isolated organ baths and tension was recorded isometrically. First, a precontraction was achieved by adding potassium chloride (KCl, 45 mM) or serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT, 30 µM) to organ baths. When the precontractions were stable, taurine (20, 40, 80 mM) was added cumulatively. Antagonistic effect of taurine on calcium chloride (10 µM to 10 mM)-induced contractions was investigated. Taurine-induced relaxations were also tested in the presence of the K⁺ channel inhibitors tetraethylammonium (1 mM), glibenclamide (10 µM) and 4-aminopyridine (1 mM). Taurine did not affect the basal tone but inhibited the contraction induced by 5-HT and KCl. Calcium chloride-induced contractions were significantly inhibited in the presence of taurine (20, 40, 80 mM) (p<0.05). The relaxation to taurine was inhibited by tetraethylammonium (p<0.05). However, glibenclamide and 4-aminopyridine did not affect taurine-induced relaxations. Present experiments show that taurine inhibits 5-HT and KCl-induced contractions in RA, and suggest that large conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels may be involved in taurine-induced relaxation of RA.

Emergency redo mitral valve replacement immediately after caesarean section

Surgery for heart diseases during pregnancy, especially necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass, is believed to trigger maternal and fetal risks and should be performed only when medical therapy has been unsuccessful to alleviate the cardiac decompensation. A 33-year-old pregnant woman in her 33[rd] week of gestation was admitted to our hospital. She had rheumatic mitral valvular stenosis and had undergone mitral valve replacement [MVR] with a mechanical prosthesis 11 years earlier in another center. Echocardiography revealed a thrombotic mass obstructing the leaflets of the mechanical mitral valve. Emergency redo bioprosthetic MVR concomitant with caesarean section was performed uneventfully. Both mother and baby were discharged in good condition

Single Stage Repair for Aortic Coarctation associated with Intracardiac Defects Using Extra-Anatomic Bypass Graft in Adults

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Coarctation of the aorta in adulthood is generally associated with other cardiovascular disorders requiring surgical management. An extra anatomic bypass grafting from the ascending to descending aorta by posterior pericardial approach via median sternotomy could be a reasonable single stage surgical strategy for these patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seven male patients aged between 14-41 years underwent an extra anatomic bypass grafting for coarctation repair concomitantly with the surgical management of the associated cardiovascular disorders via median sternotomy. Preoperative mean systolic arterial blood pressure was 161.8±24.5 mmHg, although the patients were under treatment of different combinations of antihypertensive agents. Additional surgical procedures were: aortic valve replacement (n=4), ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure (n=2), ascending aortic replacement (n=3) and Bentall procedure (n=1). None of our patients have been previously diagnosed or operated on for coarctation. Data were evaluated during their hospital stay and in post-operative follow-up. RESULTS: The post-operative course was uneventful in all but one patient was re-operated on due to bleeding. There was neither mortality nor significant morbidity during the in-hospital period and all patients were discharged within 5-9 (mean: 6.3±1.5) days. The mean follow up period was 71.83±23 months (range: 23-95 months). Unfortunately one of our patients could not be contacted for a follow up period because of invalid personal data. CONCLUSION: Coarctation of the aorta in adulthood associated with other cardiovascular disorders can be operated on simultaneously via an extra anatomic bypass grafting technique with low morbidity and mortality.