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Background:. It remains unclear whether the outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) during off-hours are as favorable as those treated during on-hours, especially those with a first medical contact-to-device (FMC-to-device) time within 90 min. We aimed to determine whether off-hours admission impacted late outcomes in patients undergoing PPCI and with an FMC-to-device time ≤90 min. Methods:. This multicenter retrospective study included 670 STEMI patients who underwent successful PPCI and had an FMC-to-device time ≤90 min from 19 chest pain centers in Beijing from January 2018 to December 2018. Patients were divided into on-hours group and off-hours group based on their arrival time. Baseline characteristics, clinical data, and key time intervals during treatment were collected from the Quality Control & Improvement Center of Cardiovascular Intervention of Beijing by the “Heart and Brain Green Channel” app. Results:. Overall, the median age of the patients was 58.8 years and 19.9% (133/670) were female. Of these, 296 (44.2%) patients underwent PPCI during on-hours and 374 (55.8%) patients underwent PPCI during off-hours. Compared with the on-hours group, the off-hours group had a longer FMC-to-device time and fewer patients with FMC-to-device time ≤60 min (P 0.05). According to the Cox regression analyses, off-hours admission was not a predictor of 2-year MACEs (P = 0.788). Similarly, the Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the risks of a MACE, all-cause death, reinfarction, and target vessel revascularization were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions:. This real-world, multicenter retrospective study demonstrated that for STEMI patients who underwent PPCI within 90 min, off-hours admission was safe, with no difference in the risk of 2-year MACEs compared with those with on-hours admission.

Background: It is currently unclear if fibrinogen is a risk factor for adverse events in patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or merely serves as a marker of pre-existing comorbidities and other causal factors. We therefore investigated the association between fibrinogen levels and 2-year all-cause mortality, and compared the additional predictive value of adding fibrinogen to a basic model including traditional risk factors in patients receiving contemporary PCI. Methods: A total of 6293 patients undergoing PCI with measured baseline fibrinogen levels were enrolled from January to December 2013 in Fuwai Hospital. Patients were divided into three groups according to tertiles of baseline fibrinogen levels: low fibrinogen

Background: Approximately 70% patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) presented without ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram. Patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) often presented with atypical symptoms, which may be related to pre-hospital delay and increased risk of mortality. However, up to date few studies reported detailed symptomatology of NSTEMI, particularly among Asian patients. The objective of this study was to describe and compare symptoms and presenting characteristics of NSTEMI vs. STEMI patients. Methods: We enrolled 21,994 patients diagnosed with AMI from China Acute Myocardial Infarction (CAMI) Registry between January 2013 and September 2014. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to ST-segment elevation: ST-segment elevation (STEMI) group and NSTEMI group. We extracted data on patients’ characteristics and detailed symptomatology and compared these variables between two groups. Results: Compared with patients with STEMI (N= 16,315), those with NSTEMI (N= 5679) were older, more often females and more often have comorbidities. Patients with NSTEMI were less likely to present with persistent chest pain (54.3% vs. 71.4%), diaphoresis (48.6% vs. 70.0%), radiation pain (26.4% vs. 33.8%), and more likely to have chest distress (42.4% vs. 38.3%) than STEMI patients (all P < 0.0001). Patients with NSTEMI were also had longer time to hospital. In multivariable analysis, NSTEMI was independent predictor of presentation without chest pain (odds ratio: 1.974, 95% confidence interval: 1.849–2.107). Conclusions: Patients with NSTEMI were more likely to present with chest distress and pre-hospital patient delay compared with patients with STEMI. It is necessary for both clinicians and patients to learn more about atypical symptoms of NSTEMI in order to rapidly recognize myocardial infarction. Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov (No. NCT01874691). Key words: Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction; Symptom assessment; Time to treatment

Background: Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who present without typical chest pain are associated with a poor outcome. However, whether angiographic characteristics are related to a higher risk of mortality in this population is unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the higher mortality risk in patients with STEMI without chest pain could be explained by their "high-risk" angiographic characteristics. Methods: We used data of 12,145 patients with STEMI who was registered in China Acute Myocardial Infarction registry from January 2013 to September 2014. We compared the infarct-related artery (IRA), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade in the IRA, and other angiographic characteristics between patients without and those with chest pain. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify independent risk factor of in-hospital mortality. Results: The 2922 (24.1%) patients with STEMI presented without typical chest pain. These patients had a higher TIMI flow grade (mean TIMI flow grade: 1.00 vs. 0.94, P = 0.02) and a lower rate of IRA disease of the left anterior descending artery (44.6% vs. 51.2%, χ2 = 35.63, P < 0.01) than did those with typical chest pain. Patients without chest pain were older, more likely to have diabetes, longer time to hospital and higher Killip classification, and less likely to receive optimal medication treatment and primary percutaneous coronary intervention and higher In-hospital mortality (3.3% vs. 2.2%, χ2 = 10.57, P < 0.01). After adjusting for multi-variables, presentation without chest pain was still an independent predictor of in-hospital death among patients with STEMI (adjusted odds ratio: 1.36, 95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.83). Conclusions: Presentation without chest pain is common and associated with a higher in-hospital mortality risk in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Our results indicate that their poor prognosis is associated with baseline patient characteristics and delayed treatment, but not angiographic lesion characteristics. Clinical trial registration: NCT01874691, https://clinicaltrials.gov. Key words: Myocardial infarction; Symptom assessment; Coronary angiography; Patient outcome assessment

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is more complex than the normal hip, with large replacement risks and many complications. Although nonosteotomy THA is convenient to perform, femoral osteotomy shortening can avoid blood vessel and nerve traction injuries. This study aimed to compare osteotomy THA with nonosteotomy to determine reasonable options for operative management of DDH. Methods: Data on 48 DDH patients who underwent THA were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A 29 cases (nonosteotomy), and group B 19 cases (osteotomy). Harris and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, limb length discrepancy (LLD), radiological data on the hip, and claudication were evaluated. Data were analyzed by using paired-sample Student's t-test, independent-sample Student's t-test, and Pearson's Chi-square test; the test level was α =0.05. Results: Postoperative Harris (90.7 ± 5.1) and WOMAC scores (88.0 ± 10.6) were significantly improved compared with preoperative Harris (44.8 ± 5.7) and WOMAC scores (42.0 ± 5.3) in group A (P < 0.05). Postoperative Harris (90.4 ± 2.8) and WOMAC scores (88.2 ± 5.9) were significantly improved compared with preoperative Harris (44.4 ± 4.2) and WOMAC scores (43.2 ± 4.3) in group B (P < 0.05). One case of dislocation occurred in group A; after closed reduction, dislocation did not recur. In group A, 2 patients developed cutaneous branch injury of the femoral nerve, which spontaneously recovered without treatment. Postoperative LLD >2 cm was seen in one case in group A and five cases in group B. Postoperative claudication showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). No patients developed infection; postoperative X-rays showed that the location of the prosthesis was satisfactory, and the surrounding bone was not dissolved. Conclusions: THA is effective and safe for DDH. For unilateral high dislocation DDH patients with limb lengthening ≤4 cm and good tissue conditions, THA without femoral osteotomy may be considered.

BACKGROUND Eppin (epididymis protease inhibitor) appears to play an important role in primate fertility. However, the function of Eppin and its antibody in men and its relationship with men's infertility are poorly studied. To reveal the significance and possibility of detection of anti-Eppin antibody in clinical infertilty cases, we developed an Escherichia coli expression system for the expression of biologically active human Eppin. METHODS The human Eppin gene was cloned into PET-28a( )+ vector after induction with 0.5 mmol/L isopropy-beta-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) at 26 degrees C for 4 hours, and the expressed fusion protein His6-Eppin was purified by Ni2+ affinity chromatography. Afterwards, six female 8-week-old Balb/c mice were immunized with purified His6-Eppin for three weeks. Their sera were collected and polyclonal antibodies against His6-Eppin were purified, all of which were further verified by Western-blot and immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS About 18.33 mg His6-Eppin was obtained from 1-L flask culture. The produced polyclonal antibodies against His6-Eppin recognized the Eppin protein both in human epididymis and in HEK293T cells by over-expression of the recombinant human Eppin. CONCLUSION The purified His6-Eppin protein has biological activity, which might be a candidate for clinical diagnosis of infertility and development of male immuno-contraceptive agents.

The controversy on the treatment strategy for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) has never stopped for the past century. Even now surgical procedures play a decisive role in the treatment of SAP, especially in managing the related complications, but the rational indications, timing, and approaches of surgical intervention for SAP are still inconclusive.Clinical data of 308 SAP patients recruited during January 2000-January 2013, including 96 conservatively treated cases plus 212 surgically intervened cases, were comparatively analyzed. Based on the initial surgical intervention time, the surgical intervention group was split into two: early intervention group (within 2 weeks) 103 cases, and late intervention group (after 2 weeks) 109 cases.In the conservative treatment group, the cure rate was 82.29% (79/96), the death rate was 13.54% (13/96), and 4 cases self-discharged, while in the surgical intervention group, the cure rate was 84.43% (179/212) and the death rate was 10.85% (23/212) with 10 cases self-discharged. The difference was of no statistical significance between these two groups (P0.05). In surgical intervention group, the death rate 15.53% (16/103) in the early surgical intervention group was higher than that of late surgical intervention group 6.42% (7/109), and the difference was statistically significant (P0.05).Both conservative treatment and surgical intervention play important roles in the treatment of SAP, and the indication, timing, and procedure should be strictly followed. Surgery earlier than 2 weeks after onset of the disease is not recommended in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis only when there are specific indications, such as multiple organ failure, which does not improve despite active treatment, and in those who develop abdominal compartment syndrome.

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) remains an infrequent but devastating complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The best time to undergo surgical repair is controversial and there is currently no risk stratification for patients with VSR to guide treatment. The purpose of this study was to review the clinical outcomes of 70 patients with VSR, to analyze the short-term prognosis factors of VSR following AMI, and to make a risk stratification for patients with VSR.A total of 70 consecutive VSR patients following AMI treated in our hospital from January 2002 to October 2010 were enrolled in this study retrospectively. The difference of clinical characteristics were observed between patients with VSR who survived ≤30 days and survived30 days. We analyzed the short-term prognosis factors of VSR and established the short-term prognosis index of VSR (SPIV) based on the Logistic regression analysis to stratify patients with VSR.Among 12 354 patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, 70 (0.57%) patients (33 males and 37 females) were found to have VSR. The average age was (68.1±8.5) years. Fifty-four (77.1%) patients were diagnosed with an acute anterior infarction. Patients with VSR selected for surgical repair had better outcomes than patients treated conservatively; 1-year mortality 9.5% versus 87.8%, P0.005. Logistic regression analysis revealed that female (P = 0.013), anterior AMI (P = 0.023), non-ventricular aneurysm (P = 0.023), non-diabetes (P = 0.009), Killip class 3 or 4 (P = 0.022) and time from AMI to VSR less than 4 days (P = 0.027) were independent risk determinants for shortterm mortality. SPIV ≥9 indicates a high risk as the 30-day mortality is 77.4%; SPIV8 indicates a low risk as the 30-day mortality is 28.6%; SPIV between 8 and 9 indicates a moderate risk.VSR remains a rare but devastating complication of AMI. The independent risk determinants for short-term mortality of VSR were female gender, anterior AMI, non-ventricular aneurysm, non-diabetes, Killip class 3 or 4, and the time from AMI to VSR less than 4 days. It is reasonable to take more active treatments for the patients at high risk to save more lives.

Previous studies have suggested that hypothyroidism correlated with coronary heart diseases (CHD) mortality in long-term cohort, but whether the thyroid function status is associated with myocardial injury in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been investigated sufficiently.Five hundred and eighty-two hospitalized patients from January 2010 to December 2011, with the diagnosis of STEMI, were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent testing for thyroid function status, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), cardiac enzymes, C-reactive protein (CRP). We investigated the association between thyroid hormone levels and cardiac markers (creatine kinase-MB and cTnI), and thus evaluated the potential role of thyroid function status in predicting the myocardial injury.There were 76 patients (13.06%) who had hypothyroidism including low-T3-syndrome (34 patients, 5.84%), subclinical hypothyroidism (28 patients, 4.81%) and clinical hypothyroidism (14 patients, 2.41%). After adjusting for conventional risk factors (age, gender, smoking, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension), free triiodothyronine (FT3) was significantly and negatively correlated with log-CKMB (r = -0.244, P0.001) and log-cTnI (r = -0.290, P0.001), indicating that the lower thyroid hormone level correlates with the severer cardiac injury in STEMI patients. FT3 also had a moderate negative correlation with CRP (r = -0.475, P0.001), which might indicate that hypothyroidism may activate the inflammation response. No significant correlation was found between other thyroid parameters (TSH, FT4) and cardiac markers.As the lower FT3 level correlates with higher level of cardiac markers and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the hypothyroidism may be a predictor for myocardial injury in STEMI. And these results may warrant further study to investigate whether reversing the hypothyroidism could benefit the STEMI patients.

Though drug-eluting stent (DES) almost solved a problem of restenosis, safety issues related to stent thrombosis are still the major concern of DES. We hypothesized that hybrid stent implantation may decrease the use of DES, probably improving the long-term safety but not affecting efficacy adversely when treating multilesion coronary artery disease in the DES era.From April 2004 to October 2006, 848 patients with multilesion disease underwent hybrid stent implantation. During the same period 5647 patients with multilesion coronary heart disease were treated by exclusive DES implantation in Fu Wai Hospital. According to propensity score matching, we chose 823 pairs of patients with multileison coronary artery disease for inclusion into our study. We obtained the 24-month clinical outcome including death, myocardial infarction (MI), thrombosis, target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR), and major adverse cardiac events (MACE, the composite of death, MI, and TVR). We used Cox's proportional-hazard models to assess relative risks of all the outcome measures after propensity match.At 24 months, patients in the hybrid stent implantation group showed a significantly higher risk of TLR (8.39% vs. 3.28%, HR 2.38, 95%CI: 1.50 - 3.70), TVR (11.07% vs. 6.32%, HR 1.61, 95%CI: 1.15 - 2.27) and MACE (13.75% vs. 8.75%, HR 1.37, 95%CI: 1.02 - 1.85). No significant difference was apparent in terms of mortality (1.22% vs. 1.70%, HR 0.55, 95%CI: 0.24 - 1.25), MI (1.95% vs. 2.31%, HR 0.73, 95%CI: 0.37 - 1.42), or thrombosis (definite + probable) (0.73% vs. 1.58%, HR 0.40, 95%CI: 0.15 - 1.05).In patients with multilesion coronary artery disease, the exclusive DES implantation was associated with significantly lower risks of TLR, TVR and MACE, and the hybrid stent implantation did not result in any significant improvements regarding safety issues. Prospective studies are needed to confirm our results.

Successful revascularization of coronary artery disease, especially ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), does not always mean optimal myocardial reperfusion in a portion of patients because of no-reflow phenomenon. We hypothesized that statins might attenuate the incidence of myocardial no-reflow when used before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The purpose of this study was to summarize the evidence of pre-procedural statin therapy to reduce myocardial no-reflow after PCI.We searched the MEDLINE, Cochrane, and clinicaltrials.gov databases from inception to October 2012 for clinical trials that examined statin therapy before PCI. We required that studies initiated statins before PCI and reported myocardial no-reflow. A DerSimonian-Laird model was used to construct random-effects summary risk ratios.In all, 7 studies with 3086 patients met our selection criteria. The use of pre-procedural statins significantly reduced post-procedural no-reflow by 4.2% in all PCI patients (risk ratio (RR) 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35 to 0.90, P = 0.016), and attenuated by 5.0% in non-STEMI patients (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.94, P = 0.035). This benefit was mainly observed in the early or acute intensive statin therapy populations (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.71, P = 0.001).Acute intensive statin therapy before PCI significantly reduces the hazard of post-procedural no-reflow phenomenon. The routine use of statins before PCI should be considered.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that Tongxinluo (TXL), a traditional Chinese medicine, can protect hearts against no-reflow and reperfusion injury in a protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent manner. The present study was to investigate whether the PKA-mediated cardioprotection of TXL against no-reflow and reperfusion injury relates to the inhibition of myocardial inflammation, edema, and apoptosis.In a 90-minute ischemia and 3-hour reperfusion model, minipigs were randomly assigned to sham, control, TXL (0.05 g/kg, gavaged one hour prior to ischemia), and TXL + H-89 (a PKA inhibitor, intravenously and continuously infused at 1.0 µg/kg per minute) groups. Myocardial no-reflow, necrosis, edema, and apoptosis were determined by pathological and histological studies. Myocardial activity of PKA and myeloperoxidase was measured by colorimetric method. The expression of PKA, phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB) (Ser(133)), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), P-selectin, apoptotic proteins, and aquaporins was detected by Western blotting analysis.TXL decreased the no-reflow area by 37.4% and reduced the infarct size by 27.0% (P0.05). TXL pretreatment increased the PKA activity and the expression of Ser(133) p-CREB in the reflow and no-reflow myocardium (P0.05). TXL inhibited the ischemia-reperfusion-induced elevation of myeloperoxidase activities and the expression of TNF-α and P-selectin, reduced myocardial edema in the left ventricle and the reflow and no-reflow areas and the expression of aquaporin-4, -8, and -9, and decreased myocytes apoptosis by regulation of apoptotic protein expression in the reflow and no-reflow myocardium. However, addition of the PKA inhibitor H-89 counteracted these beneficial effects of TXL.PKA-mediated cardioprotection of TXL against no-reflow and reperfusion injury relates to the inhibition of myocardial inflammation, edema, and apoptosis in the reflow and no-reflow myocardium.

Previous studies indicated that long coronary lesions are one of the key predictors of drug-eluting stent (DES) failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of the long length FIREHAWK(®) stent in long coronary artery disease.The long cohort of TARGET I was a prospective, multicenter, single arm trial. It was planned to enroll 50 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the treatment of de novo long lesions in a native coronary artery. The major inclusion criteria of the trial was that patients were intended to undergo the treatment of a long target lesion(s) with diameter stenosis ≥ 70% and reference vessel diameter 2.5 mm to 4.0 mm by visual estimate, that needed to be covered by at least one 33 mm or 38 mm stent or multiple long stents overlapped. The angiographic follow-up was planned at 9-month and the clinical follow-up will be up to 5 years. The primary end point was in-stent late lumen loss at 9-month.Fifty patients (mean age (57.6 ± 10.2) years) with 59 de novo long lesions (reference vessel diameter (2.85 ± 0.44) mm, lesion length (35.2 ± 9.4) mm, and stent length (41.8 ± 11.3) mm) were enrolled. The angiographic follow-up rate was 92% at 9-month. The in-stent late loss was (0.16 ± 0.16) mm. Proximal edge, distal edge and in-segment late loss (mm) were 0.21 ± 0.35, 0.03 ± 0.33, and 0.07 ± 0.26, respectively. No in-segment binary restenosis was observed. At 1-year no death, Q wave myocardial infarction (MI), or stent thrombosis occurred. Non-Q-wave MI occurred in two patients (4%) due to procedural complications.Treatment of long coronary lesions with the FIREHAWK(®) stent is able to produce similar results as observed in the FIREHAWK(®) FIM clinical trial. Based on this result, we are confident in the treatment prospect of the FIREHAWK(®) for long coronary lesions.

The CYP2C19 G681A single polymorphism has been proven to affect clopidogrel responsiveness. However, the effect of coexisting polymorphisms of other genes has not yet been reported in the Chinese population. This study investigated the effect of coexisting polymorphisms of CYP2C19 and P2Y12 on clopidogrel responsiveness and adverse clinical events in Chinese patients.In 577 Han Chinese patients undergoing stent placement because of acute coronary syndrome had platelet reactivity assessed by thromboelastography, and the CYP2C19 G681A and P2Y12 C34T polymorphisms were detected by the ligase detection reaction. Primary clinical endpoints included cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and stent thrombosis. The secondary clinical endpoints were thrombolysis in myocardial infarction bleeding. The follow-up period was 12 months.Genotyping revealed 194 carriers of the wild type GG genotype of CYP2C19 and the wild type CC genotype of P2Y12 (group 1), 102 carriers of the wild type GG genotype of CYP2C19 and the mutational T allele of P2Y12 (group 2), 163 carriers of the mutational A allele of CYP2C19 and the wild type CC genotype of P2Y12 (group 3), and 118 carriers of the mutational A allele of CYP2C19 and the mutational T allele of P2Y12 (group 4). Group 4 had the lowest ADP-inhibition (49.74 ± 32.61) and the highest prevalence of clopidogrel low response (29.7%) of the four groups. The rate of the composite of primary clinical endpoints increased more in group 4 (8.5%) than in the other three groups; the rate of composite primary endpoints in group 2 (2.9%) and group 3 (3.7%) were not significantly different than that of group 1 (1.5%).Coexisting polymorphisms of different genes affected clopidogrel responsiveness and clinical outcome more than single polymorphism in Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Patients with multivessel coronary artery disease and depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) represent a high risk group of patients for coronary revascularization. There are limited data on percutaneous coronary intervention treatment in this population.Among a cohort of 4335 patients with three-vessel disease with or without left main disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, 191 patients had LVEF40% (low ejection fraction (EF)) and 4144 patients had LVEF ≥ 40%. In-hospital and long-term outcomes were examined according to LVEF.The estimated two-year rates of major adverse cardiac events, cardiac death, and myocardial infarction were significantly higher in the low EF group (19.64% vs. 8.73%, Log-rank test: P0.01; 10.30% vs. 1.33%, Log-rank test: P0.01, and 10.32% vs. 2.28%, Log-rank test: P0.01 respectively), but there was no difference in the rates of target vessel revascularization (6.18% vs. 6.11%, Log-rank test: P = 0.96). Using the Cox proportional hazard models, LVEF40% was a significant risk factor for cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and major adverse cardiac events (OR (95%CI): 4.779 (2.369 - 9.637), 2.673 (1.353 - 5.282), and 1.827 (1.187 - 2.813) respectively), but was not a statistically significant risk factor for target vessel revascularization (OR (95%CI): 1.094 (0.558 - 2.147)).Among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for multivessel coronary artery disease, left ventricular dysfunction remains associated with further risk of cardiac death in-hospital and during long-term follow-up.

Among patients with advanced multivessel coronary disease, left ventricular (LV) function is widely variable, and clinical and angiographic correlates of ventricular dysfunction remain to be defined.Among 73 339 patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization at a single center in China, patients with left ventriculographic assessment were identified with three-vessel coronary disease with or without left main involvement. Clinical and angiographic characteristics were examined among patients with normal or varying extent of LV dysfunction, and predictors of LV impairment (ejection fraction (EF):25%, 25% - 40% or40%) were determined.Among 11 950 patients identified with three-vessel coronary disease, the sample distribution of LVEF was40%, n = 10 776; 25% - 40%, n = 948;25%, n = 226. Patients with reduced LV function (40%) more commonly were male and had a history of myocardial infarction (MI), diabetes or unstable angina. Hypertension was more frequent in those with LVEF ≥ 40%. In a multivariate Logistic regression analysis, prior MI (odds ratio (OR), 3.37; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.96 - 3.84) was most predictive of LVEF40%, followed by male gender, diabetes, and presentation with unstable angina. For LVEF25%, only prior MI was identified as a significant correlate of severe LV dysfunction (OR 4.06, 95%CI 3.06 - 5.39). Following exclusion of patients with previous MI (n = 7416), male gender and diabetes were predictive of LVEF40%, yet presentation with unstable angina was the only factor significantly associated with LVEF25%.Among individuals identified with three-vessel coronary disease with or without left main involvement, previous MI was the most significant risk factor of LV dysfunction.

Treating developmental dysplasia of the hip is often challenging. The difficulties include not only the hip surgery itself but also the treatment of the associated lower-limb valgus deformity. However, there have been very few studies on such deformity in patients with developmental hip dysplasia. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and severity of lower-limb valgus deformity, along with the relationship between the severity of valgus deformity and mechanical alterations of the hip or the ipsilateral knee.Two hundred and six affected lower limbs of 116 adult patients with untreated developmental dysplasia of the hip were included in the study, grouped according to the severity of hip dysplasia. Each study participant's radiographs were measured to quantitatively evaluate the mechanical axis deviation of the lower limb, and further to evaluate the prevalence and severity of the lower-limb valgus deformity. Some mechanical alterations of the hip and the ipsilateral knee were also measured on the radiographs.Of the affected lower limbs, 14.1% had valgus deformities. Study participants with Crowe type III hip dysplasia had the most severe deformity and the highest prevalence of deformity. Severity of valgus deformity had a strong positive correlation with the lateral migration of the femoral head but not with the superior migration. A decreased lateral distal femoral angle contributed to the lower-limb valgus deformity, and the lateral distal femoral angle had a strong negative correlation with the severity of valgus deformity.Hip dysplasia is commonly associated with lower-limb valgus deformity, and the severity of the lower-limb valgus deformity is mostly affected by lateral migration but not superior migration of the femoral head. The valgus deformity may originate mainly in the distal femur, in addition to the hip joint itself. These findings can be taken into account when planning to treat the patients with hip dysplasia.

Restenosis of bare-metal stents (BMS) and drug-eluting stents (DES) has been increasingly treated with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES), but the long-term outcomes are unknown.In our study, 388 consecutive patients (144 DES restenosis and 244 BMS restenosis) with 400 lesions (147 DES restenosis and 253 BMS restenosis) treated with SES were included. The rates of target lesion revascularization (TLR) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 42 months were analyzed.At the mean follow-up of 42 months, the rates of death (3.5% vs. 3.3%, P = 1.000) and myocardial infarction (2.8% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.431) in the DES group and BMS group were comparable. Compared with the BMS group, ischemia-driven TLR occurred with a higher frequency in the DES group (18.8% vs. 10.7%, P = 0.024). This translated into an increased rate of MACE in the DES group (22.2% vs. 14.0%, P = 0.034). Stent thrombosis occurred with a similar frequency in both groups (2.8% vs. 1.6%, P = 0.475). Multivariate analysis showed that DES restenosis (OR = 1.907, 95%CI 1.108 - 3.285, P = 0.020) and smoking (OR = 2.069; 95%CI 1.188 - 3.605; P = 0.010) were independent predictors of MACE.Although SES implantation appears to be safe and effective, it was associated with higher TLR recurrence for DES than BMS restenosis.

Severe bilateral carotid stenosis caused by atherosclerosis has not been unusual in the elderly. Such patients have high stroke risk. Many studies show that carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an alternative to treat unilateral carotid stenosis. However, the optimal procedural strategy of bilateral carotid stenosis remains unclear. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the safety of simultaneous bilateral carotid artery stenting (SBCAS) compared with unilateral carotid artery stenting (UCAS).In this single-center retrospective study, we analyzed 234 consecutive patients who underwent carotid stenting from January 2005 to December 2009. Thirty-nine patients (16.7%) of them underwent SBCAS, and the others (n = 195) underwent UCAS. Indication for CAS was defined as carotid artery diameter reduction60% (symptomatic) or80% (asymptomatic). Six-month and 30-day hemodynamic depression (HD), hyperperfusion syndrome (HPS), stroke, death and myocardial infarction (MI) after carotid stenting were assessed.SBCAS group had no more HD and HPS compared with UCAS group at 30 days (HD: 28.2% vs. 20.0%, P = 0.396; HPS: 2.6% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.262). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between SBCAS group and UCAS group in major stroke, death, MI and their combinations within 30 days (major stroke: 0 vs. 3.6%, P = 0.604; death: 2.6% vs. 1.5%, P = 0.520; MI: 2.6% vs. 0.5%, P = 0.306; and their combinations: 5.1% vs. 4.6%, P = 1.000) and 6 months (major stroke: 0 vs. 3.6%, P = 0.604; death: 5.1% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.262; MI: 5.1% vs.1.0%, P = 0.130 and their combinations: 7.7% vs. 5.1%, P = 0.459).The patients undergoing SBCAS had no more events than those undergoing UCAS in 30-day and 6-month follow-up. Our finding suggests that SBCAS appears to be as safe as UCAS.

Many investigators advocate anterior release combined with halo-femoral traction and posterior fusion when treating stiff thoracic curves in patient with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). But the anterior operations often induce severe complications. Some surgeons choose posterior-only surgery with halo-femoral traction, posterior wide release and correction. But to the best of our knowledge, there are only rare prospective studies on these posterior-only surgeries for AIS patients who have a rigid curve more than 80° and flexibility less than 35%.Sixty-four AIS patients were recruited from September 2006 to June 2009. All patients had rigid curves and underwent spinal correction. They were randomly divided into group A (combined anteroposterior surgery) and group B (posterior-only surgery). Images and scoliosis research society-22 questionnaire (SRS-22) scores were performed pre- and post-operation and during follow-up visits. The operation time, blood loss, hospital days, and hospital charges were compared between the two groups.These patients were followed for an average of 37.5 months (range, 24 - 65 months). No serious complications were observed. There were no significant differences between the two groups in gender, age, preoperative radiographic data, or preoperative SRS-22 score. The average operation time, blood loss, hospital days and hospital charges in group B were less than those in group A. The SRS-22 score in group B was better than in group A at post-operation and at final follow-up.In AIS with a rigid curve more than 80° and flexibility less than 35%, strong halo-femoral traction with wide posterior spinal release and three dimensional spinal correction can provide better SRS-22 scores, comparable curve correction, shorter operation time, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays and lower charges when compared to combined anterior and posterior surgery.

Very late stent thrombosis is a life-threatening complication of implantation of drug-eluting stent (DES). The mechanisms are still unidentified. Stent malapposition is supposed to be one debated reason. Here we report a case of 33 months after DES implanted. Observed by optical coherence tomography, we detected a lipid-rich plaque with defective fibrous cap within the neointima and many local aneurysmal dilatations between stent struts, which mimic “malapposition” on the angiogram. These indicated that vulnerable plaque hidden in the neointima at the stent segment might be a potential mechanism of very late stent thrombosis after DES implantation.

Durable polymers used for first-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) potentially contribute to persistent inflammation and late DES thrombosis. We report the first in human experience with the rapamycin-eluting biodegradable polymer coated cobalt-chromium FIREHAWK stent with abluminal groove.A total of 21 patients with stable or unstable angina, or prior myocardial infarction, with single de novo native coronary stenoses30 mm in length in vessel sizes ranging from 2.25 to 4.0 mm were enrolled. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30 days defined as the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (Q and non-Q), or ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization. Secondary endpoints include device, lesion, and clinical success rates, 4-month in-stent late lumen loss by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), proportion of uncovered or malapposed stent struts by optical coherence tomograpphy (OCT) at 4 months, and MACE at 4, 12, 24 and 36-month follow-up.Device success was 95.7%, lesion and clinical success was 100.0%. There were no MACE events at 30 days. One patient died of non-cardiac hemorrhagic stroke 5 days after index procedure. At 4 months, in-stent late loss was (0.13 ± 0.18) mm, and complete strut coverage was 96.2% by OCT with 0.1% strut malapposition. At 4-month follow-up there was no additional MACE events, and a single target vessel (non-target lesion) revascularization.The FIREHAWK abluminal groove biodegradable polymer rapamycin-eluting stent demonstrated feasibility, safety and efficacy in this first in human experience. OCT findings indicated excellent stent strut coverage 4 months after implantation. Larger studies are required to confirm whether the early FIREHAWK stent results translate into longer term restenosis and thrombosis benefits.

Assessment of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is important in early gastric cancer (EGC) and affects treatment decisions. However, the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and LNM in EGC remains unclear. This study therefore explored favorable predictors of LNM in EGC.A total of 716 specimens from gastric cancer patients who underwent curative gastrectomy between 1996 and 2003 at Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital were reviewed. Forty-five cases were EGC, and clinicopathological characteristics such as gender, age, tumor size, location, gross type, differentiation, invasion depth, and vessel involvement were assessed to identify predictive factors for LNM and survival time.The overall cumulative 5-year survival rate of EGC patients was 88.92%. Among these, 22.4% developed LNM, which was associated with a poor 5-year survival rate of only 72.7%. Patients with tumors larger than 2 cm in diameters, with depth of tumor invasion to the submucosa, and with positive lymphatic or nerve involvement were also inclined to have poorer survival performances. EGC limited to the mucosa but poorly differentiated also had a high risk for LNM. Multivariate analysis identified lymphatic invasion and tumor size as independent prognosis factors related to survival in EGC patients.Careful planning is required in EGC patients at high risk of lymph node metastases. Endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection and laparoscopic partial gastrectomy should be cautiously used in EGC, and curative gastrectomy including lymphatic dissection and postoperative adjuvant therapy might be considered to improve the prognosis.

Although the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting rapid progression of atherosclerotic lesions has been intensively studied in unstable coronary artery disease, the data from patients with stable angina (SA) are largely absent. The present study evaluated a middle-size patient cohort who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation and follow-up coronary angiography (CAG) and tested the hypothesis that increased plasma level of high-sensitive CRP would indicate rapid progression of de novo non-target coronary artery lesions in Chinese patients with SA.The study population comprised of 311 consecutive patients with chronic SA who underwent coronary stent implantation on initial admission and angiographic follow-up ((8.5 ± 1.2) months). Rapid angiographic progression of non-target lesion was angiographically assessed and the patients were classified into two groups according to whether the progression existed or not. The relation of plasma CRP levels to the progression of atherosclerosis was investigated.Baseline demographic, clinical, and angiographic data were similar in patients with and without progression. Rapid angiographic progression of non-target lesions occurred in 136 patients (43.7%) at follow-up: 77 had a ≥ 10% diameter reduction of pre-existing stenosis ≥ 50%, 26 had a ≥ 30% diameter reduction of a pre-existing stenosis50%, 64 developed a new lesion ≥ 30% in a previously normal segment, and 4 had progression of a lesion to total occlusion. Progression of non-target lesions was not associated with target lesion restenosis formation. High-sensitive CRP levels were markedly higher in progression patients than in non-progression ones (1.60 (0.80 - 3.46) mg/L vs. 0.96 (0.55 - 1.87) mg/L, P0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that plasma CRP independently predicted rapid angiographic progression of non-target lesions (P = 0.001). High-sensitive CRP levels above 1.32 mg/L (the cutoff value) were associated with a 3.5-fold increase in the risk of developing rapid atherosclerotic progression (OR = 3.497, 95%CI 2.045 - 5.980).The data confirmed and extended previous studies that plasma CRP might independently predict non-target lesion progression in patients with SA after stent implantation.

Surgical aortic valve replacement is the standard treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis, but some registries have indicated that 30% to 60% of these patients are not treated surgically, usually due to advanced age and/or comorbidities. This single center study in China investigated the current treatment status in the patients with severe aortic stenosis and evaluated the long term clinical outcome in advanced age patients whether or not undergoing aortic valve replacement.Clinical data of 867 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis between January 2000 and December 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients ≥ 65 years old were followed up by telephone or information from medical records. The primary end-point was all-cause mortality.The patients' average age was (52 ± 19) years (range, 1 - 91 years), and 34% were women. The percentages of the patients aged15 years, between 15 and 34 years, between 35 and 54 years, between 55 and 64 years, between 65 and 74 years, and ≥ 75 years who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement were 82.3%, 87.2%, 88.8%, 78.2%, 65.3% and 22.2% respectively. In the patients (n = 256) ≥ 65 years old, 43.4% had New York Heart Association class III and IV symptoms, 39.1% had hypertension, 33.2% had coronary heart disease, and 3.1% had stroke. In the patients not undergoing aortic valve replacement, 1.6% had renal insufficiency, 4.7% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 2.0% had critical hematopathy, and 0.4% had mammary cancer. A total of 186 (72.7%) patients finished the follow-up, and the average duration of the follow-up was (60 ± 26) months. In the patients between 65 and 74 years old, the total deaths and cardiac deaths in the patients undergoing aortic valve replacement decreased significantly compared with those with conservative treatment (10.3% vs. 53.7%, P0.001 and 6.3% vs. 50.7%, P0.001). Similarly, in the patients ≥ 75 years old, there was a significant difference between patients who had surgery and those who had conservative treatment in the total deaths and cardiac deaths (21.4% vs. 63.3%, P = 0.007 and 14.3% vs. 46.9%, P = 0.033). The total deaths in the patients aged between 65 and 74 years were significantly fewer compared with = 75 years old patients (25.4% vs. 54.0%, P0.001). Cox regression revealed that aortic valve replacement was the only independent predictor of mortality (HR 0.183; 95% CI, 0.101 - 0.332, P0.001).This single centre study showed that surgical aortic valve replacement was still the standard treatment for the patients with severe aortic stenosis and had a satisfying prognosis. However, the high risk patients with advanced age and comorbidities usually selected conservative treatment and had an unfavorable prognosis.

Transgenic overexpression of human prostasin in rats disturbs salt balance and causes hypertension. We investigated whether genetic variations in prostasin were implicated in hypertension or related phenotypes in the Xinjiang Kazakh population.We sequenced all exons and the promoter regions of the prostasin gene in 94 hypertensive individuals, and the genotype identification was performed by the TaqMan polymerase chain reaction method. Case-control studies were conducted in 938 Kazakh subjects.E342K and 2827GA, which are novel variants, were successfully genotyped in the general Xinjiang Kazakh population with a sample size of 938 individuals (406 men and 532 women). Only one hypertensive patient was identified with the E342K mutation. No significant association was observed between 2827GA and hypertension. However, quantitative traits of hypertensive intermediate phenotypes were significantly associated with the A allele; P = 0.041 and 0.034 for body mass index (BMI) in the additive and recessive models, P = 0.042 and 0.018 for OGTT-2h glucose in the additive and recessive models, P = 0.031 for IRT-3h insulin in the recessive model, and P = 0.038 for serum potassium in the dominant model.This study does not provide evidence of a major role of prostasin variation in blood pressure modulation. However, association of prostasin polymorphisms with hypertension and metabolic effects can be observed in our population. Further investigation is warranted to clarify the relevance of prostasin polymorphisms to blood pressure regulation.

Noninvasive cardiac imaging is now central to the diagnosis and management of patients with moderate probability for coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of stress myocardial perfusion single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) on in-hospital coronary angiography and revascularization for such patients.Between January 2005 and June 2007, 1053 consecutive in-hospital patients (423 women, the average age of (57.2 ± 11.2) years) with suspected coronary artery disease but without any prior interventional treatment were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent a 2-day stress/rest (99m)Tc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) myocardial perfusion SPECT, including 984 exercise test and 69 adenosine test.Overall, stress/rest myocardial perfusion SPECT was normal in 973 patients (92.4%) and abnormal in 80 patients (7.6%). A total of 190 patients underwent coronary angiography, 46 underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and 10 coronary artery bypass grafting during hospitalization. From the whole perspective, only 14.7% of patients with normal SPECT underwent coronary angiography, so did 58.8% of patients with abnormal SPECT (χ(2) = 97.0, P0.001); furthermore, the rates of revascularization in patients with normal and abnormal SPECT were 2.8% and 36.3%, respectively (27 out of 973 vs. 29 out of 80, χ(2) = 157.9, P0.001). The extent and severity of ischemia did not add more predictive value for subsequent coronary angiography, but did have impact on revascularization. Multivariate analysis showed that reversible perfusion defect was the most predictive variable for referral rate to coronary angiography (odds ratio = 7.5, P0.001).Abnormal myocardial perfusion SPECT is a powerful referral for in-hospital coronary angiography and revascularization during the same hospitalization. Thus, stress/rest SPECT is an effective gatekeeper for early coronary angiography and invasive treatment for patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

The case is a 54-year-old man with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mid-ventricular obstruction, apical aneurysm, and recurrence sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). A coronary angiogram revealed myocardial bridging located in the middle of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and the left ventriculogram showed an hour-glass appearance of the left ventricular cavity. There was a significant pressure gradient of 60 mmHg across the mid-ventricular obliteration at rest. A successful myectomy of the inappropriate hypertrophy myocardium and excision of the apical aneurysm were performed. Pathologic analysis demonstrated fibrosis in the apical aneurysm and thickened and narrowed vessels in the adjacent area. During the follow-up of eighteen months, the patient remained clinically stable and free from arrhythmic recurrence.

No-reflow after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is related to the severe prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Tongxinluo, a traditional Chinese medicine, on no-reflow and the infarction area after emergency PCI for STEMI.A total of 219 patients (female 31, 14%) undergoing emergency PCI for STEMI from nine clinical centers were consecutively enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial from January 2007 to May 2009. All patients were randomly divided into Tongxinluo group (n = 108) and control group (n = 111), given Tongxinluo or placebo in loading dose 2.08 g respectively before emergency PCI with aspirin 300 mg and clopidogrel 300 mg together, then 1.04 g three times daily for six months after PCI. The ST segment elevation was recorded by electrocardiogram at hospitalization and 1, 2, 6, 12, 24 hours after coronary balloon dilation to evaluate the myocardial no-flow; myocardial perfusion scores of 17 segments were evaluated on day 7 and day 180 after STEMI with static single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to determine the infarct area.There was no statistical significance in sex, age, past history, chest pain, onset-to-reperfusion time, Killip classification, TIMI flow grade just before and after PCI, either in the medication treatment during the follow up such as statin, β-blocker, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) between two groups. There was significant ST segment restoration in Tongxinluo group compared to the control group at 6 hours ((-0.22 ± 0.18) mV vs. (-0.18 ± 0.16) mV, P = 0.0394), 12 hours ((-0.24 ± 0.18) mV vs. (-0.18 ± 0.15) mV, P = 0.0158) and 24 hours ((-0.27 ± 0.16) mV vs. (-0.20 ± 0.16) mV, P = 0.0021) reperfusion; and the incidence of myocardial no-reflow was also reduced significantly at 24-hour reperfusion (34.3% vs. 54.1%, P = 0.0031). The myocardial perfusion scores of 17 segments evaluated by static SPECT was improved significantly on day 7 and day 180 after STEMI in Tongxinluo group compared to the control group (0.61 ± 0.40 vs. 0.76 ± 0.42, P = 0.0109 and 0.51 ± 0.42 vs. 0.66 ± 0.43, P = 0.0115, respectively). There was no significant difference in severe adverse events between two groups.Tongxinluo as a kind of traditional Chinese medicine could reduce myocardial no-reflow and infarction area significantly after emergency PCI for STEMI with conventional medicine therapy.

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in elderly patients presents specific clinical characteristics. The study on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in elderly patients (or=75 years) with STEMI, however, has less been performed.In the present study, 522 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing PCI within 12 hours from symptom onset were investigated, and clinical characteristics and in-hospital and 6-month outcomes of 66 elderly patients (or=75 years, group A) were compared to those of 456 younger patients (75 years, group B).Compared to younger patients, elderly ones had more females (42.4% vs. 17.8%, P0.005), a history of cerebral vascular events (7.6% vs. 0.9%, P0.05), higher serum creatinine level ((96.48+/-31.65) mmol/L vs. (84.87+/-19.81) mmol/L, P0.005) and fewer smokers (28.8% vs. 45.4%, P0.05). The elderly ones had worse Killip class (Killip I class: 69.7% vs. 85.7%, P0.05), less drug-eluting stent implantation and lower rates of TIMI flow 3 following PCI (33.3% vs. 47.1%, and 84.8% vs. 94.7%, P0.05 respectively). Additionally, both in-hospital mortality and myocardial infarction rate were found to be higher in elderly patients (16.7% vs. 1.5%, and 7.6% vs. 2.6%, P0.05 respectively), which were also observed until 6-month follow-up (9.1% vs. 0, and 6.1% vs. 0, P0.05 respectively). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, serum creatinine level, history of hypertension, left anterior descending coronary artery as infarct-related artery and Killip class were independent predictors of 6-month overall death in elderly patients.The clinical characteristics of elderly patients with STEMI after PCI are different from those of younger patients. Although PCI in this population is with a low rate of PCI failure, it is still associated with a worse outcome.

Spontaneous attack of variant angina (VA) is a unique component of coronary artery disease (CAD), and associated with severe cardiac events. However, no data are available regarding sex differences in Chinese patients with spontaneous attacks of VA. Accordingly, the present retrospective study was initiated to evaluate the Clinical characteristics of Chinese female patients with spontaneous attacks of VA.From January 2003 to January 2008, a total of 209 patients were diagnosed to have had a spontaneous attack of VA at Fu Wai Hospital. Of them, 27 were female, and their clinical findings were collected and compared with male patients for aspects of risk factors, clinical features and angiographical findings.Spontaneous attacks of VA was relatively uncommon in female (12.9%) compared with male patients. The female patients were less likely to have a history of smoking (14.8% vs. 79.7%, P0.001), more likely to have a family history of CAD (33.3% vs. 11.0%, P0.01), and to have had a greater incidence of ventricular fibrillation during attack (11.1% vs. 2.2%, P0.05). There were no significant differences in other characteristics between the two groups.Chinese female patients who experienced a spontaneous attack of VA had the characteristics of less smoking history, more family history of CAD and higher occurrence of ventricular fibrillation than male patients.

Evidence indicates that early reperfusion therapy in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) reduces complications. This study was undertaken to compare the in-hospital delay to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for patients with STEMI between specialized hospitals and non-specialized hospitals in Beijing, China.Two specialized hospitals and fifteen non-specialized hospitals capable of performing PPCI were selected to participate in this study. A total of 308 patients, within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms and undergoing PPCI between November 1, 2005 and December 31, 2006 were enrolled. Data were collected by structured interview and review of medical records.The median in-hospital delay was 98 (interquartile range 105 to 180) minutes, and 16.9% of the patients were treated within 90 minutes. Total in-hospital delay and ECG-to-treatment decision-making time were longer in the non-specialized hospitals than in the cardiac specialized hospitals (147 minutes vs. 120 minutes, P0.001; 55 minutes vs. 45 minutes, P = 0.035). After controlling the confounding factors, the non-specialized hospitals were independently associated with an increased risk of being in the upper median of in-hospital delays.There were substantial in-hospital delays between arrival at the hospital and the administration of PPCI for patients with STEMI in Beijing. Patients admitted to the cardiac specialized hospitals had a shorter in-hospital delay than those to the non-specialized hospitals because of a shorter time of ECG-to-treatment decision-making.

Late stent thrombosis (LST) is still concerned by interventional cardiologists in daily clinical practice. This study aimed to compare the incidence of LST after implantation of different drug-eluting stents (DES) in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients in the real world.From December 2001 to February 2009, a total of 11 875 consecutive CHD patients undergone DES implantation were enrolled in this single-center registry study. Patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, mixed DES implantation, restenosis lesions, and patients who could not take dual antiplatelet medication and those who were contraindicated for coronary interventional treatment were excluded. All patients were treated with completed dual antiplatelet medications for at least 9 months after DES deployment. The follow-up was completed by outpatient visits, letter correspondence, phone calls and coronary angiography. Definite LST was diagnosed according to the Academic Research Consortium (ARC) definition.Cypher or Cypher Select stents were implanted in 4104 cases, Taxus or Taxus Liberty stents in 2271 cases and Firebird stents (Chinese rapamycin-eluting stents) in 5500 cases. One-year follow-up was completed in 9693 patients, including 3346 cases with Cypher or Cypher Select stents, 1529 cases with Taxus or Taxus Liberty stents and 4818 cases with Firebird stents. Two- and three-year follow-up results were obtained in 7133 and 4353 patients, respectively, including 2410 and 1760 cases with Cypher or Cypher Select stents, 1285 and 900 cases with Taxus or Taxus Liberty stents as well as 3438 and 1693 cases with Firebird stents. One-year follow-up results showed that the incidence of LST was 1.08% in patients with Cypher or Cypher Select stents, 1.24% in those with Taxus or Taxus Liberty stents and 0.71% in those with Firebird stents; there was no significant difference between those with Cypher or Cypher Select and Firebird stents, but there was significant difference between those with Taxus or Taxus Liberty and Firebird stents (P = 0.044). The incidence of LST at the 2- and 3-year follow-up was 1.33% and 1.70% in those with Cypher or Cypher Select stents, 1.40% and 1.70% in those with Taxus or Taxus Liberty stents, and 0.83% and 0.95% in those with Firebird stents, respectively. There were no significant differences among the three groups.This study indicates that first-generation DES are acceptable to treat complex coronary lesions, and there is no significant difference of LST for three different DES.

High fluoride exposure can result in dental fluorosis. Fluoride and iodine are coexistent in the drinking water of areas in China and may affect the prevalence of dental fluorosis and osteogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum calciotropic hormone level, and dental fluorisis in children exposed to different concentrations of fluoride and iodine in drinking water.A pilot study was conducted in three villages located in the Kaifeng and Tongxu counties of Henan Province, China in 2006. Children aged 8 to 12 years, born and raised in the three villages were recruited. The fluoride levels in the samples of urine from these children were detected by fluoride ion selective electrode. Calcitonin and osteocalcin levels in the serum, and serum calcium were measured by radioimmunassay and flame atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively.Fluoride levels in urine were significantly lower in children from control area (CA) as compared with those from the high fluorideiodine areas (HFIA) and the high fluoride area (HFA) (P0.05 respectively), and no statistically significant difference was found between the children from HFIA and HFA. Additionally, calcitonin levels in the serum were significantly lower in children from CA and HFA as compared with that from HFIA (P0.05 respectively), and osteocalcin levels in the serum was lower in children from CA than those from HFIA (P0.05). No statistically significant difference in serum osteocalcin concentrations was found between children from HFA and HFIA.This study provides an evidence that iodine exposure may modify the serum calciotropic hormone levels related to fluorine exposure.

In response to the increasing concern with the safety of the drug-eluting stent (DES), the present study aimed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of DES used for a Chinese patient population.All patients, who underwent an index elective percutaneous coronary intervention with an implantation of either DES or bare-metal stent (BMS) in a single institution from April 2004 to December 2006, were included in the analysis. A propensity-score matching technique was applied to adjust and to minimize the impact of confounding factors.Overall, there were 1465 patients (20.2%) who had undergone an implantation of only BMS, and 5769 patients (79.8%) of only DES. The propensity-score matching technique set up 1321 pairs of patients for analysis. There were no significant differences between the rates of stent thrombosis (definite and probable) of the two groups (1.06% vs 1.21%, P = 0.8580). Although rates of mortality and myocardial infarction (MI) during the 2-year follow-up period had not differed significantly, rates of death/MI (3.0% vs 4.5%, P = 0.0263), target-lesion revascularization (TLR, 3.2% vs 8.5, P = 0.0001), target-vessel revascularization (TVR, 5.8% vs 9.5%, P0.0001) and any revascularization (10.0% vs 13.3%, P = 0.0066) were significantly lower for the DES group than for the BMS group. Among the patients in whom devices were implanted for off-label indications, the propensity-score matched rates of stent thrombosis, mortality, MI, and death/MI were not significantly different, while rates of TLR, TVR and any revascularization were significantly lower for the DES group than for the BMS group.During the 2 years of follow-up post stenting, DES use is associated with lower rates of death/MI, TLR, TVR and any revascularization, compared with BMS, in propensity-score matched Chinese patient populations. In the setting of off-label usage, DES use is also associated with similar advantages.

The traditional Chinese medicine Tongxinluo can protect myocardium against ischaemia/reperfusion injury, but the mechanism of its action is not well documented. We examined the involvement of nitric oxide in the protective role of Tongxinluo.Miniswine were randomized to four groups of seven: sham, control, Tongxinluo and Tongxinluo coadministration with a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10 mg/kg i.v.). Three hours after administration of Tongxinluo, the animals were anaesthetised and the left anterior descending coronary artery ligated and maintained in situ for 90 minutes followed by 3 hours of reperfusion before death. Area of no reflow and necrosis and risk region were determined pathologically by planimetry. The degree of neutrophil accumulation in myocardium was obtained by measuring myeloperoxidase activity and histological analysis. Myocardial endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity and vascular endothelial cadherin content were measured by colorimetric method and immunoblotting analysis respectively.Tongxinluo significantly increased the local blood flow and limited the infarct and size of no reflow. Tongxinluo also attenuated myeloperoxidase activity and neutrophil accumulation in histological sections and maintained the level of vascular endothelial cadherin and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity in the reflow region when compared with control group. The protection of Tongxinluo was counteracted by coadministration with L-NNA.Tongxinluo may limit myocardial ischaemia and protect the heart against reperfusion injury. Tongxinluo regulates synthesis of nitric oxide by altering activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

ST-elevated acute myocardial infarction (STEAMI) happening in the first month post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is almost related to acute thrombosis or subacute thrombosis in-stents. This study aimed to investigate the possible causes of myocardial infarction one month later.Patients who had a history of successful PCI, and received coronary angiography or re-PCI due to STEAMI were included in this study. The AMI-related lesions and previous angiographic findings such as the number of lesions, the degree of the stenosis, the type of stents and acute results of last PCI were recorded. If the AMI-related lesion was localized in-stents or at the edge of stents (distance apart from the edgeor = 5 mm), it was defined to be late thrombosis; otherwise as a new-lesion induced AMI.One hundred and ninety-two patients aged 40 - 79 years were included in this study. New lesions, as the cause of STEAMI, were found in 144 patients (Group A, 75%), and late thrombosis in 48 patients (Group B, 25%). Almost all newly built thromboses were found at the sites of previous insignificant lesions (diameter stenosis50%). There was a significant difference in the average time from previous PCI to AMI ((30.1 +/- 12.4) vs (20.3 +/- 11.9) months) between the two groups. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and drug-eluting stent (DES) utilization were associated with markedly higher morbidity of late thrombosis in adjusted Logistic regression (hazard ratio (HR) 3.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 - 10.9 and 5.3, 95% CI 1.1 - 26.5).STEAMIs happening 1 month after PCI are more likely to develop from previous insignificant lesion rupture than from late thrombosis in-stents. Moreover, DM and DES are associated with the high incidence of late thrombosis, which may indicate that intensive antiplatelet therapy should be considered in patients with diabetes.