Abstract: Cystatin C (CysC) and Galectin 3 (Gal-3) are biomarkers for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), wherein elevated levels of one or other or both CysC and Gal-3 indicates a likelihood of PAH. Also provided are methods for identifying candidates for pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment and methods for monitoring therapeutic treatments of pulmonary arterial hypertension by monitoring levels of CysC and Gal-3 in the subject undergoing therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus implantable in a heart ventricle includes a frame configured to engage an inner circumferential periphery of the ventricle and to expand and contract between an expanded state corresponding to a desired end diastolic diameter of the ventricle and a contracted state corresponding to a desired end systolic diameter of the ventricle. A bistable structure is operatively associated with the frame. The bistable structure mechanically assists movement of the ventricle toward both an end systolic diameter during systole and an end diastolic diameter during diastole. The bistable structure may be integrally formed of the frame. A method of implanting the apparatus in a heart ventricle includes surgically accessing a ventricle, inserting the apparatus in the ventricle and attaching the device to a portion of myocardium defining an inner circumferential periphery of the ventricle.

Abstract: An apparatus implantable in a heart ventricle includes a frame configured to engage an inner circumferential periphery of the ventricle and to expand and contract between an expanded state corresponding to a desired end diastolic diameter of the ventricle and a contracted state corresponding to a desired end systolic diameter of the ventricle. Assisting means are operatively associated with the frame for mechanically assisting movement of the ventricle toward at least one of an end systolic diameter during systole and an end diastolic diameter during diastole. The assisting means may be integrally formed of the frame. The frame may be configured to have expanded and contracted bistable states for assisting both systole and diastole. A method of implanting the apparatus in a heart ventricle includes surgically accessing a ventricle, inserting the apparatus in the ventricle and attaching the device to a portion of myocardium defining an inner circumferential periphery of the ventricle.