Cardiovascular System Commons^™

Ethnic And Sex Differences In Salt Sensitivity Amongst Normotensive Young Adult Nigerians: Implications For Hypertension Prevention, Ahmed Oloyo, Abdullahi Adejare, Oluwakemi Odukoya, Simiat Elias, Oyewole Kushimo, Olusoga Sofola

Biomedical Sciences, East Africa

Background: High dietary salt intake is a well-established modifiable risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Salt sensitivity – a blood pressure (BP) phenotype defined by exaggerated BP response to salt loading, remains underrecognised in normotensive populations despite its strong link to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The burden and determinants of salt sensitivity amongst young Nigerians remain poorly understood.

Aims: This study aimed to identify demographic and behavioral risk factors associated with salt sensitivity, explore potential ethnic and sex-related differences, and determine the independent predictors of salt-sensitive (SS) BP response amongst normotensive young adult Nigerians.

Subjects and Methods: An …

Cyanosis-Associated Coagulopathy In Neonates Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Scoping Review, Lily Crickmar

Student Works

2. Structured summary:

A. Background: Patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease exhibit coagulation abnormalities related to chronic hypoxemia, which may increase the risk of bleeding and thrombosis, particularly during cardiopulmonary bypass.

B. Objective: This scoping review mapped the existing literature on coagulation disturbances and perioperative hemostatic outcomes in pediatric patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

C. Methods: 14 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified through structured database searching. The data were collected and synthesized descriptively due to heterogeneity in study design, patient populations, and coagulation assessment methods.

D. Results: Across studies, cyanotic patient physiology was associated with platelet dysfunction, …

Indicators Of Fontan Circulatory Failure In Pediatric Patients: A Scoping Review Of Early Clinical And Hemodynamic Factors, Marina Mcmahon

Student Works

Structured Summary

a. Background/Introduction:

For patients with single ventricle congenital heart disease, the Fontan procedure is the definitive palliative procedure. Although advancements have been made in the surgical technique and management, the Fontan circulation is inefficient and prone to progressive dysfunction. Elevated central venous pressure, non-pulsatile pulmonary blood flow, and reduced cardiac output can lead to many complications, and eventual failure. These conditions can lead to protein losing enteropathy, plastic bronchitis, and hepatic fibrosis which often indicate advanced decline. Though a known problem, there is a lack of standardized criteria to guide optimal intervention timing of Fontan revision prior to …

The Impact Of Normothermic Regional Perfusion Compared With Cold Storage On Warm Ischemia Time In Donation After Circulatory Death Organ Transplantation: A Scoping Review, Chris Turner

Student Works

ABSTRACT

2.Structured summary:

Background: Donation after circulatory death (DCD) has expanded the donor pool but introduces an inevitable period of warm ischemia that threatens graft viability. Preservation techniques such as normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) and static cold storage (SCS) aim to minimize this injury and improve transplant outcomes.

Objective: This scoping review identifies and synthesizes published evidence comparing NRP with SCS in DCD organ transplantation, focusing on their respective effects on warm ischemia time, graft function, and early post‑transplant outcomes.

Methods: Following the PRISMA‑ScR framework [23], searches were conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus for English‑language studies involving DCD …

Pharmacologic Interventions To Reduce Cardiopulmonary Bypass Induced Inflammation In Cardiac Surgery: A Scoping Review, Wyatt Anderson

Student Works

ABSTRACT

1. Structured summary

Background

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is essential in cardiac surgery but can trigger a systemic inflammatory response that contributes to postoperative complications. The scoping review conducted has a purpose to map the existing literature on pharmacologic interventions to mitigate CPB related inflammation. While several interventions demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory effects, findings were inconsistent, and no standardized pharmacologic approach is currently agreed upon.

Methods

This scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines.Both PubMed, and CINAHL were screened for studies published between 2000 and 2024 that evaluated pharmacologic interventions aimed at reducing CPB related inflammation. After screening and duplicate removal, 10 studies met …

Pharmacological Treatment Options For Vasoplegia Syndrome During And After Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Scoping Review, Bradley Darby

Student Works

ABSTRACT

2: Structured summary

Background

Vasoplegia Syndrome (VS) is a form of distributive shock that is characterized by profound hypotension, low systemic vascular resistance, and high to normal cardiac output during/after cardiopulmonary bypass. VS is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, and length of stay in the intensive care unit.

Objective

The main objectives of this scoping review are to note the available treatment options, characterize potential risk factors, and identify gaps in knowledge for vasoplegia syndrome during and after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Method

This scoping review utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and MetaAnalyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) …

Vasculature Of The Anterior Abdominal Wall And Surface Anatomy Of The Liver And Stomach: Considerations For Minimal Access Surgeries In Neonates, Daniël J. Van Tonder, Natalie Keough, Martin Louis Van Niekerk, Albert Van Schoor

COM Scholarship

Background: Minimal access surgeries are growing more common in neonatal care, but the risk of accidental injury to abdominal wall blood vessels remains a concern. This risk is increased by limited precise anatomical data specific to neonates. Therefore, this study aimed to quantitatively map the superficial and deep blood vessels of the neonatal anterior abdominal wall concerning important surgical landmarks to develop evidence-based recommendations for safer laparoscopic port placement. Methods: Thirty formalin-fixed low-birth-weight neonatal body donations (≤4 weeks old) were dissected. An anatomical grid based on palpable landmarks—including the umbilicus, xiphoid process, and anterior superior iliac spines—was utilised to measure …

Albumin Use In Cardiopulmonary Bypass Pump Prime And Its Association With Postoperative Renal Function And Acute Kidney Injury: A Scoping Review, Hannah Talbot

Student Works

ABSTRACT

1.Structured summary:

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with significant hemodilution, inflammatory activation, and alterations in renal perfusion, all of which may contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Albumin is frequently used as a component of CPB pump prime due to its oncotic properties and potential to mitigate fluid shifts and support intravascular volume. However, the extent to which albumin-containing priming solutions influence postoperative renal outcomes remains unclear.

Objective: This scoping review aimed to map the available literature examining the use of albumin in CPB pump prime and its reported effects on renal function and the incidence …

Robust Non-Invasive Cardiac Index Prediction Via Feature Integration And Data-Augmented Neural Networks, Chih-Hao Chang, Mei-Ling Chan, Yu-Hung Fang, Po-Lin Huang, Tsung-Yi Chen, Tsun-Kuang Chi, I Elizabeth Cha, Tzong-Rong Ger, Kuo-Chen Li, Shih-Lun Chen, Liang-Hung Wang, Jia-Ching Wang, Patricia Angela R. Abu

Department of Information Systems & Computer Science Faculty Publications

Concurrent with the rising consumption of ultra-processed, high-calorie diets and the decline in physical activity, obesity and related cardiovascular conditions among young adults have continued to increase, becoming an important global public health concern. This study integrates non-invasive Internet of Things (IoT) sensing devices, including the TERUMO ES-P2000 blood pressure monitor (Terumo Corp., Tokyo, Japan) and the PhysioFlow PF07 Enduro cardiac hemodynamic analyzer (Manatec Biomedical, Poissy, France), with an artificial neural network (ANN) for cardiac index (CI) prediction. Through appropriate data preprocessing and model training strategies, the generalization ability and stability of the proposed CI prediction model were significantly enhanced. …

Clinical Applications Of Topical Platelet-Rich Plasma In Cardiac Surgery: A Scoping Review, Jaron M. Davis

Student Works

Background: Postoperative wound complications persist as a significant challenge within adult cardiac surgery. Deep and superficial sternal wound infections, along with complications at saphenous vein harvest sites, are linked to increased morbidity, extended hospital stays, and substantial healthcare expenses. Topical platelet-rich plasma (PRP), commonly known as platelet gel, has been suggested as a biologically active adjunct that may facilitate tissue repair and mitigate postoperative complications. While PRP has garnered attention in surgical practice, the overall scope and consistency of the supporting evidence in cardiac surgery remain ambiguous.

Objective: The purpose of this scoping review is to map and describe the …

A Retrospective Study On The Associations Of Clinical Measures To Mortality In Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (Ecmo) Patients, Ammar F. Chauhdri, Ryan Davis Md, Christina Shanti Md, Michelle Veenstra Md, Megan Zacarias, Samantha Carranza, Laura Sansoterra, Nimr Assaf, Christian Hudson-Bradford Md, Elika Ridelman Phd

Medical Student Research Symposium

A Retrospective Study on the Associations of Clinical Measures to Mortality in Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Patients

Ammar Chauhdri; Ryan Davis, MD; Christina Shanti, MD; Michelle Veenstra, MD; Megan Zacarias; Samantha Carranza; Laura Sansoterra; Nimr Assaf; Christian Hudson-Bradford, MD; Elika Ridelman, PhD

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of temporary cardiopulmonary support used in critically ill pediatric patients when conventional therapies fail, yet survival to discharge remains only ~50% nationwide. Prior studies have identified candidate mortality predictors and developed basic risk scores, but these models have limited accuracy and are often derived from registry-level or narrowly defined …

The Effect Of Cerebral Somatosensory Network Priming On Language Function In Chronic L-Mca Ischemic Stroke: A Companion Case Study, Mandelin E. Wollesen

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Chronic aphasia following a left middle cerebral artery (L-MCA) stroke is often associated with limited recovery beyond the acute phase, necessitating interventions that target neuroplastic mechanisms. This study examined the effects of somatosensory pneumotactile stimulation paired with cognitive-linguistic tasks on functional language performance in an individual with chronic aphasia. Using a single-subject pre-post design, the participant completed a 10-week intervention protocol involving repeated pneumotactile stimulation via the GALILEO system combined with language and motor tasks. Outcomes were assessed using standardized measures, discourse-based language samples, oral reading, repetition, and phonemic verbal fluency. Discourse was analyzed using Correct Information Units (CIUs), words …

Goal-Directed Perfusion Strategies And Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury: A Scoping Review, Austin Davis

Student Works

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a frequent and clinically important complication following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Goal-directed perfusion (GDP) strategies—most commonly targeting indexed oxygen delivery (DO₂i) and/or other hemodynamic and metabolic parameters—have been proposed to reduce renal injury by improving renal oxygenation and perfusion during CPB.

Methods: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses – Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) compliant scoping review identified 28 adult CPB studies evaluating GDP strategies and postoperative AKI outcomes.

Results: Maintenance of indexed oxygen delivery (DO2i) above critical thresholds and minimizing hemodilution were consistently associated with reduced AKI.

Conclusion: GDP strategies centered on maintaining …

Alternative Anticoagulation Strategies For Heparin-Intolerant Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Scoping Review Of Patient Outcomes, Zachary Nelson

Student Works

Background/Introduction: Heparin intolerance, most notably heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), presents a major clinical challenge during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), where systemic anticoagulation is essential for safe circulation through the extracorporeal circuit. While several alternative anticoagulants have been described, there is limited consensus regarding their safety, dosing, and outcomes. The objective of this study was to map existing evidence describing alternative anticoagulation strategies for heparin-intolerant adult patients undergoing CPB and to summarize reported patient outcomes, dosing strategies, and intraoperative management considerations.

Methodology: This scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) …

What Are The Current Risks For Patients Associated With Technology Related Perfusion Practices: A Scoping Review, Jessica Steel

Student Works

Background: Advancements in medical technology, particularly in perfusion practices such as ECMO and heart-lung bypass, have improved patient care but also introduced novel risks. Technological errors—ranging from hardware malfunctions to software failures and AI model inaccuracies—can directly threaten patient safety.

Objective: To identify current trends and risks associated with technology in perfusion practices and synthesize evidence on the frequency, nature, and outcomes of technology-related errors.

Results: Evidence indicates substantial deficiencies in medical devices, predictive models, and health IT systems. AI-based predictive models frequently failed to detect critical health deterioration, missing 66% of injuries in some in-hospital mortality simulations. Adverse events …

Variant Superficial Epigastric Supply To The Anterior Abdominal Wall Arising From Inferior Epigastric Perforators: A Neonatal Case Report, Daniël J. Van Tonder, Natalie Keough, Martin Louis Van Niekerk, Albert Van Schoor

COM Scholarship

Introduction: Understanding superficial epigastric vessel anatomy is crucial for abdominal surgeries like laparoscopy, especially in neonates, to prevent injury. While standard courses are described, variations occur. This case report highlights a unique anatomical variation in the superficial epigastric artery found during the dissection of a stillborn neonatal cadaver. Case Report: In contrast to the usual origin from the femoral artery, this variation features the inferior epigastric artery penetrating the anterior abdominal wall near the umbilicus and branching superiorly to supply the superficial abdominal wall. Conclusions: This distinctive vascular configuration, which to the best of our knowledge has not been previously …

Whole-Blood, Concentrated, And Micro–Dose Del Nido Cardioplegia In Adult Cardiac Surgery: A Scoping Review, Christian Iulianelli

Student Works

1. A.     Background/Introduction: Del Nido cardioplegia was originally developed for pediatric cardiac surgery to provide prolonged myocardial protection with a single-dose strategy. Its adoption in adult cardiac surgery has led to multiple modified formulations, including whole-blood, concentrated, and bloodless strategies. Given expanding clinical use and variation in technique, a structured mapping of the adult evidence base is warranted.
2. B.     Methodology: This scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidance. PubMed and CINAHL were searched, yielding 88 records. After duplicate removal and screening, 18 studies met inclusion criteria. Data were charted on study design, cardioplegia formulation, patient population, myocardial biomarkers, arrhythmias, renal outcomes, transfusion requirements, …

Sglt2 Inhibitors In Cardio-Oncology: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Luigi Spadafora, Marco Bernardi, Gianmarco Sarto, Beatrice Simeone, Erica Rocco, Salvatore Carbone, Laura Adelaide Dalla Vecchia, Roberto Franco Enrico Pedretti, Valentina Valentine, Rachele Di Mario, Maurizio Forte, Giacomo Frati, Antonio Abbate, Michele Golino, Francesco Versaci, Mariangela Peruzzi, Pierre Sabouret, Giuseppe Biondi Zoccai, Sebastiano Sciarretta

EVMS School of Health Professions Faculty Publications

Background

According to available evidence, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) may confer cardioprotection in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Objectives

The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of SGLT2i on all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) outcomes in this population.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Embase through August 2025 for studies of SGLT2i in adult patients with cancer. Random-effects models were used to pool effects for all-cause mortality and an HF composite (new-onset HF and/or HF hospitalization) in cancer patients >18 years. Meta-regression tested effect modification by beta-blockers, statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, age, and …

Influence Of Motion Artifacts On Instantaneous Frequency Based Heart Rate Variability Of Arterial Pulse Signals Measured By A Tactile Sensor: An Analytical Study, Mamun Hasan, Zhili Hao

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Objective: Heart rate variability (HRV), quantified via the instantaneous frequency (IF) of arterial pulse signals, is a key indicator of cardiovascular (CV) regulation. This study presents a theoretical and experimental investigation of how motion artifacts (MA) influence IF-and thus HRVmeasured with a tactile sensor, emphasizing underlying mechanisms rather than population-level validation. Approach: Building on a previously developed single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model of the tissue-contact-sensor (TCS) stack between the sensor and the artery, MA is represented as low-frequency baseline drift and time-varying system parameters (TVSP) of the TCS stack. Analytical expressions quantify the effect of MA on the IF of each harmonic …

The Treatment Of Obesity In The Context Of The Obesity Paradox In Patients With Heart Failure: A Narrative Review, Pamela L. Alebna, Sarah Martey, Anurag Mehta, Carl J. Lavie, Salvatore Carbone

EVMS School of Health Professions Faculty Publications

Purpose of review

While excess adiposity is a known risk factor for incident heart failure ( HF), once the condition is established, observational data suggest that increased body mass index (BMI) may confer a survival advantage. This paradox has emphasized the underlying roles of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and body composition, particularly lean mass (LM), in influencing clinical outcomes.

Recent findings

In this review, we explore the multifaceted nature of the obesity paradox in HF, with a focus on emerging anti-obesity incretin-mimetic therapies, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists. These agents …

Editor's Choice - International Expert Consensus On The Management Of Acute Aortic Type B Intramural Haematoma And Penetrating Ulcer, Francesco Squizzato, Mario D'Oria, Michele Antonello, Santi Trimarchi, Kevin Mani, Andrew Holden, Tilo Kölbel, Stephan Haulon, Eric Verhoeven, Dittmar Böckler, Tim Resch, Ali Azizzadeh, Joseph Lombardi, Michele Piazza, Aaron Thomas Fargion, Alexander Zimmerman, Ali Azizzadeh, Anders Wanhainen, Andrew Holden, Antonio Freyrie, Adam W. Beck, Adi Bachar, Barend M. E. Mees, Blandine Maurel, Cristoph A. Nienaber, Christos Karkos, Daniela Branzan, Darren Schneider, Randall Demartino, Dittmar Boeckler, Domenico Angiletta, Emanuel J. R. Tenorio, Enrico Gallitto, Eric Verhoeven, Fabio Verzini, Felice Pecoraro, Filippo Benedetto, Firas F. Mussa, Francesco Squizzato, Franco Grego, Gabriele Piffaretti, Emanuele Gatta, Giovanni Pratesi, Giovanni Tinelli, Giuseppe Asciutto, Glenn Wei Leong Tan, Hence Verhagen, Giacomo Isernia, Jean-Paul P. M. De Vries, Jacob Budtz-Lilly, Jorge Fernández-Noya, Jonathan Sobocinski, Joseph Hockley, Kak Khee Yeung, Andrea Kahlberg, Kevin Mani, Joseph V. Lombardi, Luca Bertoglio, Luca Mezzetto, Ludovic Canaud, Manar Khashram, Marcelo Ferreira, Marco Virgilio Usai, Mark G. Davies, Mark Farber, Martin Czerny, Matthew R. Smeds, Mauro Gargiulo, Germano Melissano, Michel Bosiers, Michele Antonello, Michele Piazza, Miranda Witheford, Michel M.P.J. Reijnen, Marc Schermerhorn, Nikolaos Tsilimparis, Nun Dias, Jean Panneton, Kosmas Paraskevas, Gianbattista Parlani, Patrick W.H.E. Vriens, Rafael Malgor, Raffaele Pulli, Ross Milner, Salvatore T. Scali, Sani J. Laukontaus, Santi Trimarchi, Sandro Lepidi, Konstantinos Spanos, Stefano Fazzini, Theodosios Bisdas, Thomas Maldonado, Tilo Koelbel, Tim Resch, Tomasz Jakimowicz, Nicola Troisi, Isabelle Van Herzeele, Vicente Riambau, Wassim Mansour, Wouter Van Den Eynde, Yamume Tshomba

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

Objective

The aim of this study was to achieve an international expert consensus on managing acute type B penetrating aortic ulcers (PAUs) and intramural haematomas (IMHs).

Methods

A modified Delphi consensus process was employed to develop recommendations for the management of acute type B PAU and IMH. Surveys were sent to international experts practicing in high volume aortic centres worldwide. Statements were voted on using a four point Likert scale in a three round Delphi process. Statements achieving grade A (full agreement 75%) or B (overall agreement 80%, full disagreement <  5%) were included as expert recommendations. Consistency of responses was measured using Cohen's κ and the intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

Eighty three experts were included in the final analysis: …

Endovascular Arch Repair Using A Novel Single Branch Arch Stent Graft: 30-Day Results From The Chronic Dissection Arm Of The Nexus Aortic Arch Clinical Study To Evaluate Safety And Effectiveness Investigational Device Exemption Study, Bradley G. Leshnower, Jean Panneton, Himanshu J. Patel, Adam W. Beck, Mathew Wooster, Kyle W. Eudailey, Shinichi Fukuhara, Jae Cho, Sanford Zeigler, Westley Ohman, Puja Kachroo, Derek Brinster, Shahab Toursavadkohi, Mehrdad Ghoreishi, Brandley Taylor, Frank Arko, Paul Hayes, Ross Milner

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

Objective

Moderate levels of frailty or a previous sternotomy make open repair of aortic arch pathology high risk or even preclude any treatment. This study examined 30-day outcomes from the NEXUS Aortic Arch Clinical Study to Evaluate Safety and Effectiveness investigational device exemption (TRIOMPHE IDE) study of an off-the-shelf stent-graft system for Zone 0 endovascular aortic arch repair in patients with high-risk chronic dissection.

Methods

TRIOMPHE IDE is a prospective, multicenter study evaluating the NEXUS system (Endospan) in chronic aortic dissection (n = 54). Following cervical debranching, NEXUS was delivered into the arch first, followed by an ascending aortic stent-graft. …

Radial And Carotid Arterial Pulse Signals For Assessing Cardiovascular Function At Rest And During Post-Exercise Recovery In A Heart Transplant Patient: A Case Study, Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Mamun Hasan, Jennifer F. May, John M. Herre, Leryn Reynolds, Zhili Hao

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Aim: This study investigates the feasibility of using radial and carotid arterial pulse signals to assess cardiovascular (CV) function at rest and during post-exercise recovery in a heart transplant (HTx) patient. Method: Two micro-fabricated tactile sensors were used to simultaneously acquire arterial pulse signals at the radial artery (RA) and carotid artery (CA). Measurements were taken at rest and at multiple time points post-exercise on three subjects: an HTx patient, a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; coronary stent) patient and a healthy control. An SDOF-TF-based time-frequency analysis algorithm was applied to extract a comprehensive set of CV parameters, including heart rate …

Severity And Duration-Dependent Aortic Stiffening In A Rabbit Coarctation Model Identifies Constitutive Material Parameters As Promising Regional Biomarkers For Hypertension Progression, Arash Ghorbannia, Jamasp Azarnoosh, John F. Ladisa Jr.

VMASC Publications

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) alters hemodynamics and drives regional remodeling, yet the influence of severity and duration on constitutive properties is undefined. We quantified mechanical responses from CoA to identify constitutive parameters capturing stiffening across clinical severities and durations. Mild (≤ 12 mmHg), intermediate (13–20 mmHg), and severe (> 20 mmHg) CoA was created in rabbits for short, long, and prolonged durations (~ 1, 3, or 22 weeks, respectively). Stress–stretch curves from proximal and distal regions were fit with multiple constitutive models (Linear Elastic, Neo-Hookean, Yeoh, Ogden, Mooney–Rivlin, Holzapfel). Model performance was evaluated by normalized RMSE and R², with …

Atrial Fibrillation Detection From At-Rest Ppg Signals Using An Sdof-Tf Method, Mamun Hasan, Zhili Hao

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

At-rest PPG signals have been explored for detecting atrial fibrillation (AF), yet current signal-processing techniques do not achieve perfect accuracy even under low-motion artifact (MA) conditions. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a single-degree-of-freedom time–frequency (SDOF-TF) method in analyzing at-rest PPG signals for AF detection. The method leverages the influence of MA on the instant parameters of each harmonic, which is identified using an SDOF model in which the tissue–contact–sensor (TCS) stack is treated as an SDOF system. In this model, MA induces baseline drift and time-varying system parameters. The SDOF-TF method enables the quantification and removal of MA and …

Radial And Carotid Arterial Pulse Signals For Assessing Cardiovascular Function At Rest And During Post-Exercise Recovery In A Heart Transplant Patient: A Case Study, Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Mamun Hasan, Jennifer F. May, John M. Herre, Leryn Reynolds, Zhili Hao

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Aim: This study investigates the feasibility of using radial and carotid arterial pulse signals to assess cardiovascular (CV) function at rest and during post-exercise recovery in a heart transplant (HTx) patient. Method: Two micro-fabricated tactile sensors were used to simultaneously acquire arterial pulse signals at the radial artery (RA) and carotid artery (CA). Measurements were taken at rest and at multiple time points post-exercise on three subjects: an HTx patient, a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; coronary stent) patient and a healthy control. An SDOF-TF-based time-frequency analysis algorithm was applied to extract a comprehensive set of CV parameters, including heart rate …

Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty As A Bridge Therapy In Acute Valve Syndrome: A Narrative Review Of Evidence Gaps And Future Directions, Omar Saleh, Omar Jafar, Nicholas Valle, Shirish Yasa, Saleh Mostafa, Raymond L. Benza, Deepak R. Talreja, Benjamin D. Peterson, Matthew R. Summers

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Acute valve syndrome (AVS) represents a high-acuity, decompensated presentation of severe aortic stenosis (AS), often manifesting as acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or cardiac arrest. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains the only durable therapy for severe AS in patients with prohibitive surgical risk, yet AVS patients may be too unstable for standard preprocedural planning. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) has re-emerged as a bridge strategy that can provide rapid hemodynamic stabilization and permit subsequent valve replacement. Registry analyses report lower mortality in emergent TAVR compared with BAV, but these comparisons are confounded by procedural indication and unmatched AS severity. Smaller …

Endothelin-1 In The Failing Fontan: Pathobiology, Precision Therapeutics, And Future Trial Design, Iman Maiza

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The Fontan circulation, devised as definitive palliation for single-ventricle congenital heart disease, imposes systemic venous hypertension, loss of pulmonary arterial pulsatility, and restricted preload reserve. These hemodynamic trade-offs progressively injure the pulmonary vasculature, liver, and lymphatic system, producing late morbidities including elevated pulmonary vascular resistance, Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD), protein-losing enteropathy, and arrhythmias. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor and profibrotic mediator, plausibly unifies these complications. Mechanistic studies demonstrate ET-1 upregulation in failed Fontan lungs, activating PLC–Ca²⁺, RhoA/ROCK, and MAPK/ERK cascades to drive vasoconstriction and remodeling. In cirrhotic livers, ET-1 localizes to stellate cells, promoting contraction and fibrogenesis, mechanisms biologically relevant …

Stim1-Dependent Treg Dysfunction Promotes Cardiometabolic Hfpef: Insights From Patients And Animal Studies, Balaji Srinivas, Alluri Kiran, Hongmei Peng, Jiang Xu, Paula Fortuno, Jennifer May, Ismail El Moudden, Nour-Eddine Rhaleb, John M. Herre, Raymond L. Benza, Khalid Matrougui

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) arises from chronic cardiometabolic and vascular stress and is increasingly recognized as an inflammatory syndrome with immune dysregulation. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical modulators of cardiovascular inflammation, yet the mechanisms driving Treg dysfunction in HFpEF remain poorly defined. stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1)-dependent calcium signaling is a key stress-responsive pathway in immune cells; however, its role in Treg maladaptation during HFpEF remains unknown.

Methods

Circulating Tregs from patients with and without HFpEF were analyzed for abundance, STIM1 expression, and stress-associated signaling pathways. To establish causality, mice with Treg-specific deletion of STIM1 …

Donor-Derived Cell-Free Dna In Antibody-Mediated Rejection: An Analysis Of The Surveillance Heartcare Outcomes Registry, Paul J. Kim, Amit H. Alam, Jeffrey J. Teuteberg, Kiran K. Khush, Sean P. Pinney, Richard K. Cheng, Amin Yehya, Jeremy Kobulnik, Kevin M. Pinney, Kris A. Oreschak, Christopher R. Ensor Pharmd, Steven Fan, Marcus A. Urey, Palak Shah, Shelley A. Hall

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background

Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) has emerged as a biomarker for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), but its performance characteristics have not been evaluated in a large contemporary heart transplant population.

Objectives

The study aimed to characterize the incidence and timing of biopsy-proven AMR and evaluate the performance characteristics of dd-cfDNA for AMR.

Methods

The authors included 2,240 subjects from the SHORE (Surveillance HeartCare Outcomes Registry) registry transplanted between 2017 and 2022 with verified biopsy, dd-cfDNA, echocardiographic, and donor-specific antibody (DSA) data. They evaluated the performance characteristics of dd-cfDNA for AMR and the incidence of AMR in different clinical contexts.

Results

AMR …