Searched over 200M research papers for "cardiac arteries"
10 papers analyzed
These studies suggest that cardiac arteries are involved in various physiological and pathological processes, including hyperreactivity and histamine concentration, vascular smooth muscle and fibroblast subpopulations, mechanical properties, congenital variations, three-dimensional visualization for procedures, angiogenic origins, vascular progenitors for regenerative treatments, arterial stiffening, and the formation and protective role of collateral arteries.
20 papers analyzed
Coronary arteries in cardiac patients exhibit hyperreactivity and contain higher concentrations of histamine compared to non-cardiac patients. This hyperresponsiveness to histamine and serotonin is suggested to be a mechanism for coronary artery spasm, a common issue in heart disease.
A comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic analysis of human cardiac arteries has identified 25 subpopulations representing 10 main arterial cell types, including vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, T cells, and endothelial cells. Vascular smooth muscle cells are the predominant cell type, followed by fibroblasts and macrophages. This cellular diversity is crucial for understanding vascular physiology and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, where endothelial cells and macrophages play significant roles.
The mechanical properties of arteries, such as elasticity and viscosity, can be described by a linear, first-order differential equation. The strain experienced by arteries due to pulse pressure variations is typically small, ranging from 1% to 4% in circumference. This small strain allows for the linearization of stress-strain relationships under physiological conditions without significant error. The mechanical behavior of arteries is influenced by vasoactive factors like epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Coronary arteries can exhibit congenital anomalies, categorized into minor variations in vessel origin, major anomalies involving abnormal communications or origins, and secondary anomalies related to primary intracardiac defects. These variations can have significant clinical implications, affecting the distal circulation and overall cardiac function.
Three-dimensional visualization techniques have revealed that coronary arteries and veins often cross each other at various levels. For instance, the left anterior descending artery frequently crosses the great cardiac vein. Understanding these spatial relationships is essential for planning interventional and electrophysiological procedures to enhance their safety and effectiveness.
Coronary arteries develop from angiogenic sprouts of the sinus venosus, a vein that returns blood to the embryonic heart. Venous endothelial cells dedifferentiate and migrate to form arteries and capillaries, while cells on the surface redifferentiate into veins. This developmental plasticity highlights the potential for reprogramming venous cells for therapeutic purposes, such as engineering coronary bypass grafts .
Collateral arteries, which form artery-artery anastomoses, can serve as natural bypasses in the heart, providing an alternative blood supply during occlusive coronary artery disease. These vessels form in response to injury and are more robust in neonatal hearts. Understanding the signaling pathways involved in collateral artery development could lead to new therapeutic strategies for cardiac revascularization .
Arterial stiffness, particularly in large elastic arteries, increases with aging and cardiovascular risk factors, leading to significant cardiovascular consequences. This stiffening process is an independent determinant of cardiovascular disease risk. Recent studies have also highlighted the role of peripheral muscular arteries in predicting cardiovascular disease risk and the clinical implications of reversing arterial stiffness gradients.
The study of cardiac arteries encompasses a wide range of topics, from their cellular composition and mechanical properties to congenital anomalies and developmental processes. Understanding these aspects is crucial for diagnosing, treating, and preventing various cardiovascular diseases. Advances in imaging and molecular biology continue to shed light on the complexities of coronary artery function and pathology, paving the way for innovative therapeutic approaches.
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