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Research Interests:
Stent implantation is the treatment of choice for adolescents and adults with aortic coarctation (CoAo). Despite excellent short-term results, 20%-40% of the patients develop arterial hypertension later in life, which was attributed to... more
Stent implantation is the treatment of choice for adolescents and adults with aortic coarctation (CoAo). Despite excellent short-term results, 20%-40% of the patients develop arterial hypertension later in life, which was attributed to inappropriate response of the aortic baroreceptors to increased stiffness of the ascending aorta (ASAO), either congenital or induced by CoAo repair. In particular, it has been hypothesized that stent itself may cause or sustain hypertension. Therefore, we aimed to study the hemodynamic and structural impact following stent implantation in the normal aorta of a growing animal. Eight female sheep completed the study and a stent was implanted in four. Every 3 mo we measured blood pressure of the anterior and posterior limbs and left ventricular function by echocardiography. Twelve months later invasive pressure was measured under baseline and simulated stress conditions. Expression of genes indicating oxidative stress (OS), endothelial dysfunction (ED) ...
Research Interests: Cardiology, Oxidative Stress, Medicine, Internal Medicine, Hypertension, and 15 moreHemodynamics, Blood Pressure, Female, Animals, Risk factors, Behavioral Animal Models, Risk Factors, Congenital Heart Disease, Aorta, Stent, Endovascular Procedures, Matrix Metalloproteinase, Pressure Overload, Cardiovascular medicine and haematology, and ascending aorta
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Research Interests:
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Plasmatic dimethylarginines, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) are considered biomarkers of endothelial and renal dysfunction, respectively, in humans. We hypothesize that plasmatic concentration of... more
Plasmatic dimethylarginines, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) are considered biomarkers of endothelial and renal dysfunction, respectively, in humans. We hypothesize that plasmatic concentration of dimethylarginines in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is influenced by heart disease stage. Eighty-five client-owned dogs with MMVD, including 39, 19, and 27 dogs in ACVIM stages B1, B2, and C+D, respectively, and a control group of 11 clinically healthy dogs were enrolled. A prospective, multicentric, case-control study was performed. Each dog underwent a complete clinical examination, arterial blood pressure measurement, thoracic radiography, six-lead standard electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography, CBC, biochemical profile, and urinalysis. Plasmatic concentration of dimethylarginines was determined through high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Median ADMA was significantly increas...
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The Lorenz plot (LP), a graphical representation of heart rate variability, has been poorly studied in dogs to date. The present study aimed to describe the graphic features of LP in dogs with sinus rhythm (SR) and tachyarrhythmias, and... more
The Lorenz plot (LP), a graphical representation of heart rate variability, has been poorly studied in dogs to date. The present study aimed to describe the graphic features of LP in dogs with sinus rhythm (SR) and tachyarrhythmias, and to analyze the usefulness of its pattern recognition. One hundred and nineteen canine Holter recordings were retrospectively evaluated. Cardiac rhythms were classified as: SR; SR with frequent (>100) premature ectopies (atrial, SR-APCs; ventricular, SR-VPCs; atrial and ventricular, SR-APCs-VPCs); atrial fibrillation (AF); and AF with frequent VPCs (AF-VPCs). Lorenz plots were studied qualitatively and quantitatively, and classified by distinct LP patterns (LPPs). Repeatability and reproducibility of LPP classification and diagnostic value were determined. Recordings included: 48 SR, 9 SR-APCs, 35 SR-VPCs, 5 SR-APCs-VPCs, 4 AF, and 18 AF-VPCs. Ten LPPs were identified: comet (n = 12), torpedo (n = 3), Y-shaped (n = 6), diamond (n = 10), diamond wit...
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Research Interests:
Heart valve disease is a major public health problem, with surgical valve replacement still representing the leading therapeutic option. In the last 20 years, implantation of cryopreserved human heart valves underwent so progressive... more
Heart valve disease is a major public health problem, with surgical valve replacement still representing the leading therapeutic option. In the last 20 years, implantation of cryopreserved human heart valves underwent so progressive increase that current availability of allogeneic valve substitutes is not sufficient to meet clinical demand. However, also valve allografts undergo long-term failure depending on host-versus-graft immune responses and degeneration of resident cells and extracellular matrix components with subsequent priming of mineralization processes. In a previous study, suitably decellularized porcine aortic valves implanted in the pulmonary position in Vietnamese pigs resulted to be permissive of in vivo spontaneous repopulation by recipient’s cells, showing tissue remodelling and satisfactory hemodynamic performance (1). Using the same animal model, decellularized valve allografts were compared with other ones which were additionally subjected to cryopreservation/t...
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Dear Editor, We read with interest the case report “Aortopulmonary fistula in a Warmblood mare associated with an aortic aneurysm and supravalvular aortic stenosis”. The authors describe a unique case of a congenital cardiovascular... more
Dear Editor, We read with interest the case report “Aortopulmonary fistula in a Warmblood mare associated with an aortic aneurysm and supravalvular aortic stenosis”. The authors describe a unique case of a congenital cardiovascular disease (ie, supravalvular aortic stenosis) associated with rare acquired cardiovascular disorders in non-Friesian horses (ie, aortic aneurysm and aortopulmonary fistula). The authors also reported a detailed description of the gross pathology and histopathologic features of the aortic lesions, suggesting a final diagnosis of cystic medial degeneration (CMD). The histomorphologic characterization of aortic diseases, with or without aortopulmonary or aortocardiac fistulation, is uncommonly reported in the equine literature. Furthermore, to the author's knowledge, no specific definition and grading of noninflammatory degenerative diseases of the aorta can be found in the veterinary literature. The histopathologic findings described by Saey et al share s...
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Research Interests:
Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is a serum biomarker of renal damage in dogs. Moreover, SDMA concentration is an independent predictor of development of severe heart failure (HF) in humans with cardiac disease. This study evaluates... more
Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is a serum biomarker of renal damage in dogs. Moreover, SDMA concentration is an independent predictor of development of severe heart failure (HF) in humans with cardiac disease. This study evaluates whether the serum concentration of SDMA in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is influenced by the severity of heart disease, pulmonary hypertension (PH) and treatment of HF. A total of 99 client-owned dogs were included in this retrospective case-control study; 78 dogs were affected by MMVD and classified according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) guidelines, and 21 were healthy controls. For each dog, history, physical examination, complete blood count, biochemical profile, thoracic radiography, 6-lead standard electrocardiogram and trans-thoracic echocardiography were available. Comparisons were performed between groups of dogs belonging to different ACVIM stages and between dogs with and without PH. The m...
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Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a quantitative measurement of anisocytosis. This hematological parameter is an important prognostic biomarker for different cardiovascular disorders in humans but its influence on survival has been... more
Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a quantitative measurement of anisocytosis. This hematological parameter is an important prognostic biomarker for different cardiovascular disorders in humans but its influence on survival has been poorly investigated in dogs with cardiovascular disease. The RDW and various clinical, complete blood count, serum biochemical and echocardiographic variables were retrospectively investigated in 146 client-owned dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) at various disease stages, with or without concurrent diseases and treatment. Laboratory variables, including RDW, urea, and white blood cell (WBC), in addition to the echocardiographic variable left atrium to aorta ratio were found to be independent predictors of all-cause mortality at six months in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model. In particular, the hazard ratio of RDW was 1.203 (95% confidence interval = 1.045–1.384; p = 0.010). The negative effect of increased RDW o...
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C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major acute-phase protein, and it is produced by the liver in response to a pro-inflammatory stimulus. Given that human and canine CRP have a similar molecular structure, the assays used for human CRP... more
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major acute-phase protein, and it is produced by the liver in response to a pro-inflammatory stimulus. Given that human and canine CRP have a similar molecular structure, the assays used for human CRP detection have been used to measure CRP concentrations in dogs. We evaluated the use of a human CRP assay (Biotecnica CRP assay) and validated its application in dogs. We analyzed 91 canine serum samples with a fully automated analyzer. Our validation was based on the evaluation of imprecision, limits of linearity, limits of quantification, and an evaluation of interferences. The new assay was also compared with the Randox CRP assay, a validated assay for the measurement of CRP. Intra- and inter-assay repeatability were <8% and <11%, respectively. The tested assay proportionally measured canine CRP in an analytical range up to 60 mg/L; however, hemoglobin, triglycerides, and bilirubin interfered with the determination. Good agreement, with the presen...
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Several animal models are currently used for the surgical implantation of either biologic or biopolymeric scaffolds in order to provide in vivo assessment of tissue-engineered heart valves. The Vietnamese pig (VP) is herein proposed as a... more
Several animal models are currently used for the surgical implantation of either biologic or biopolymeric scaffolds in order to provide in vivo assessment of tissue-engineered heart valves. The Vietnamese pig (VP) is herein proposed as a suitable recipient to test the function of novel bioengineered valve substitutes, in the reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). This review aims to provide a complete and exhaustive panel of physiological parameters and methodological information for preclinical studies of tissue-engineered heart valves in the VP animal model.
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In human medicine, right ventricular (RV) functional parameters represent a tool for risk stratification in patients with congestive heart failure caused by left heart disease. Little is known about RV alterations in dogs with left-sided... more
In human medicine, right ventricular (RV) functional parameters represent a tool for risk stratification in patients with congestive heart failure caused by left heart disease. Little is known about RV alterations in dogs with left-sided cardiac disorders. To assess RV and left ventricular (LV) function in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) with or without pulmonary hypertension (PH). One-hundred and fourteen dogs: 28 healthy controls and 86 dogs with MMVD at different stages. Prospective observational study. Animals were classified as healthy or having MMVD at different stages of severity and according to presence or absence of PH. Twenty-eight morphological, echo-Doppler, and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) variables were measured and comparison among groups and correlations between LV and RV parameters were studied. No differences were found among groups regarding RV echo-Doppler and TDI variables. Sixteen significant correlations were found between RV TDI and left hea...
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Research Interests: Transmission Electron Microscopy, Cryopreservation, Medicine, Echocardiography, Hemodynamics, and 13 moreAnimals, Decellularization, Allografts, Behavioral Animal Models, Time Factors, Swine, Cell Proliferation, Aorta, Aortic Valve, Calcification, Postoperative Complications, Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation, and Cardiovascular medicine and haematology
Canine pulmonary hypertension is a clinical condition that needs to be adequately investigated and recognised because of the lack of specific clinical signs, the potential for rapid and irreversible deterioration of pulmonary vascular... more
Canine pulmonary hypertension is a clinical condition that needs to be adequately investigated and recognised because of the lack of specific clinical signs, the potential for rapid and irreversible deterioration of pulmonary vascular function and the development of right-sided heart failure. In recent years, many studies have been published on pulmonary hypertension, improving the understanding of its pathophysiology, the accuracy of diagnostic tests and the management of affected patients. This article provides updated information on pulmonary hypertension and serves as a resource for veterinarians regarding the interpretation of diagnostic tests and the clinical management of affected dogs.
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Una stenosi mitralica sopravalvolare associata a cardiomiopatia ipertrofica è stata osservata in un gatto europeo a pelo corto di 7 anni con- dotto a visita con sintomatologia riferibile a tromboembolismo aorto-iliaco confermato at-... more
Una stenosi mitralica sopravalvolare associata a cardiomiopatia ipertrofica è stata osservata in un gatto europeo a pelo corto di 7 anni con- dotto a visita con sintomatologia riferibile a tromboembolismo aorto-iliaco confermato at- traverso esame ecografico dell’addome. All’esame ecocardiografico si evidenziava la pre- senza di una membrana che suddivideva l’atrio sinistro in una camera distale, più piccola e con- nessa al ventricolo sinistro tramite la valvola mi- trale, e in una camera prossimale ricevente lo sbocco delle vene polmonari e comprendente l’auricola sinistra. Il soggetto perveniva a morte poche ore dopo il ricovero e la diagnosi di ste- nosi mitralica sopravalvolare con le alterazioni cardiovascolari associate, è stata successiva- mente confermata all’esame anatomo-patologi- co. Tale anomalia congenita è raramente de- scritta in medicina umana e veterinaria e risulta talvolta associata, nel gatto, ad altre patologie cardiache e a fenomeni trombo-embolici.
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A 20-month-old male alpaca was referred for evaluation of a cardiac murmur evident since birth. Echocardiography identified a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and a fibro-muscular band causing a stenosis of the right ventricular outflow... more
A 20-month-old male alpaca was referred for evaluation of a cardiac murmur evident since birth. Echocardiography identified a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and a fibro-muscular band causing a stenosis of the right ventricular outflow tract. Right ventricular catheterization and selective angiography confirmed the diagnosis of VSD and double-chambered right ventricle with bidirectional shunting.
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Research Interests: Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Immunohistochemistry, Medicine, and 15 moreMultidisciplinary, Extracellular Matrix, Animals, Decellularization, Allografts, Elastin, Cell Shape, Immunophenotyping, Conduits, Cell Survival, Aortic Valve, Calcification, Gene expression profiling, Early failure, and Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation
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Congenital ureteral strictures are rare both in human and veterinary medicine. While the diagnosis is generally made after a symptomatic or febrile urinary tract infection, we report here a case in which this condition represented an... more
Congenital ureteral strictures are rare both in human and veterinary medicine. While the diagnosis is generally made after a symptomatic or febrile urinary tract infection, we report here a case in which this condition represented an incidental finding during routine ultrasonography. To the best of the authors' knowledge imaging findings of a double monolateral ureteral stricture have not previously been reported.
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Research Interests: Biomedical Engineering, Tissue Engineering, Artificial Organs, Medicine, Echocardiography, and 13 moreFemale, Animals, Male, Follow-up studies, Decellularization, Clinical Sciences, Heart valves, Glycosaminoglycans, Swine, Detergents, Heart Valve, Postoperative care, and Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation
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Research Interests:
Despite the fact that sheep are a widely used animal model in cardiovascular research, reference values for transthoracic echocardiography in normal growing animals are not available. Eight healthy female lambs underwent two-dimensional,... more
Despite the fact that sheep are a widely used animal model in cardiovascular research, reference values for transthoracic echocardiography in normal growing animals are not available. Eight healthy female lambs underwent two-dimensional, M-mode and pulsed wave Doppler echocardiographic examination at 100 days of age and every three months thereafter over a 12-month period. The study was conducted under sedation with midazolam, butorphanol and constant rate infusion of intravenous propofol. Their growth phase was completed at about one year of age. All the echocardiographic parameters considered were significantly correlated with body weight and age class except for the left ventricular systolic and diastolic diameters. Functional indices were not correlated to body weight or age except for the E-point to septal separation distance (EPSS). Doppler-derived parameters were not influenced by independent variables. Transthoracic echocardiography can be considered an applicable method for...
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Magnetic resonance and computed tomography features of 4 cases of canine congenital vertebral anomalies (CVAs) are discussed. Two of the cases represent unusual presentations for such anomalies that commonly affect screw-tail or toy... more
Magnetic resonance and computed tomography features of 4 cases of canine congenital vertebral anomalies (CVAs) are discussed. Two of the cases represent unusual presentations for such anomalies that commonly affect screw-tail or toy breeds. Moreover, the combination of CVAs and a congenital peritoneo-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia has never before been imaged.