The potential role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases - A focus on signaling pathways interplay.

For the past two decades since their discovery, scientists have linked microRNAs (miRNAs) to posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression in critical cardiac physiological and pathological processes. Multiple non-coding RNA species regulate cardiac muscle phenotypes to stabilize cardiac homeostasis. Different cardiac pathological conditions, including arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, and hypertrophy, are modulated by non-coding RNAs in response to stress or other pathological conditions. Besides, miRNAs are implicated in several modulatory signaling pathways of cardiovascular disorders including mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa beta, protein kinase B (AKT), NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1)/caspases. This review highlights the potential role of miRNAs as therapeutic targets and updates our understanding of their roles in the processes underlying pathogenic phenotypes of cardiac muscle.

miRNAs orchestration of cardiovascular diseases - Particular emphasis on diagnosis, and progression.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs; miRs) are small non-coding ribonucleic acids sequences vital in regulating gene expression. They are significant in many biological and pathological processes and are even detectable in various body fluids such as serum, plasma, and urine. Research has demonstrated that the irregularity of miRNA in multiplying cardiac cells is linked to developmental deformities in the heart's structure. It has also shown that miRNAs are crucial in diagnosing and progressing several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The review covers the function of miRNAs in the pathophysiology of CVD. Additionally, the review provides an overview of the potential role of miRNAs as disease-specific diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for human CVD, as well as their biological implications in CVD.

On-X versus St Jude Medical Mechanical Prosthesis in mitral position: are we moving forward in design technology?

BACKGROUND: Continuous effort is still provided in designing optimal artificial heart valves with better hemodynamic function and reduced thromboembolic potential. The question is do we have moved forward toward this goal or not. METHODS: A prospective, randomized comparative study was done on 360 patients scheduled for elective mitral valve replacement. Patients were grouped into an On-X group (N.=180), who received On-X mechanical valve, and a SJM group (N.=180), who received St Jude mechanical valve. Echocardiographic and clinical assessments were performed for all patients at 6 and 12 months follow-up period. RESULTS: Rheumatic heart disease was the most common cause of valve affection (94.2%). Early mortality was 6.4%. The mean follow-up time was 3.11±2.44 years. No structural or non-structural valvular dysfunction and no thromboembolism cases were encountered. Late valve thrombosis was1.9%/patient-year in On-X group and 2.1%/patient-year in SJM group. The mean EOA was higher in On-X group (2.0±0.3 cm2) than in SJM group (1.9±0.2 cm2), (P≥0.05). The mean EOAI was higher in On-X group (1.1±0.1 cm2/m2) than in SJM group (1.0±0.1 cm2/m2), (P=0.034), especially significant in small valve size (25 mm) where it was 1.09±021 cm2/m2 in On-X group and 0.93±0.12 cm2/m2 in SJM group (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: On-X and St Jude prosthetic valves have a comparable hemodynamic performance in mitral position. However, On-X prosthesis might have a forward step on the way of design technology that may allow better function in terms of EOA and EOAI especially in smaller valve size.