ABSTRACT
Calcium (Ca2+) plays a central role in excitation, contraction, transcription, and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMs). Precise regulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) is crucial for proper physiological VSM function. Studies over the last several decades have revealed that VSMs express a variety of Ca2+-permeable channels that orchestrate a dynamic, yet finely tuned regulation of [Ca2+]i. In this review, we discuss the major Ca2+-permeable channels expressed in VSM and their contribution to vascular physiology and pathology.
Subject(s)
Calcium Channels/metabolism , Calcium/metabolism , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism , Animals , Calcium Signaling/physiology , HumansABSTRACT
We present a small series of patients with Sheehan's syndrome (postpartum panhypopituitarism) and coronary artery disease. All four had uneventful coronary bypass grafting. We have successfully managed these patients peri-operatively by using intravenous hydrocortisone and oral thyroxin replacement.
Subject(s)
Coronary Artery Bypass , Hypopituitarism/complications , Adult , Aged , Coronary Disease/complications , Coronary Disease/surgery , Female , Humans , Hydrocortisone/administration & dosage , Hypopituitarism/drug therapy , Middle Aged , Thyroxine/administration & dosageABSTRACT
Here we report a case of mediastinitis due to Mycobacterium fortuitum infection in a child after a Fontan operation. To our knowledge this is the first report of atypical mycobacterial mediastinal infection after congenital heart surgery. Atypical mycobacteria can be the cause of "culture negative" sternal and thoracotomy wound infections. A brief review of the literature is included in the discussion.
