Comparison of the efficacy of two laparoscopic surgical procedures in patients with sigmoid colon cancer / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To compare the efficacy of traditional laparoscopic radical resection of sigmoid colon and rectal specimens without abdominal incision laparoscopic surgery. Methods From January 2015 to December 2016 in our hospital to implement selected laparoscopic assisted sigmoid colon cancer surgery patients in 34 patients with abdominal incision rectal specimens of laparoscopic sigmoid colon resection of colorectal cancer patients without abdominal incision group. As to the choice of 1 ~ 2 pairs in the same period of age, gender, as the control group were given laparoscopic assisted sigmoid colon body mass index similar to radical surgery in 68 patients with operation time. Comparing the two kinds of laparoscopic surgery, perioperative bleeding, postoperative exhaust time postoperative pain score, complications, surgery, postoperative hospital stay, additional analgesic treatment, length of bowel resection, proximal and distal margin, tumor size, lymph node dissection the number of pTNM staging. Results The abdominal surgery time without incision group of sigmoid colon cancer patients, intraoperative bleeding was significantly higher than control group, abdominal incision group of sigmoid colon cancer patients with postoperative exhaust time, postoperative pain awake score, postoperative 1 d pain score was significantly lower than the control group, there was statistical significance the difference (P < 0.05); the two group of sigmoid colon cancer patients with bowel resection length of proximal margin, tumor size, number of lymph node dissection, there was no significant difference in pTNM staging (P > 0.05). Abdominal incision group were followed up for 5~8 months, average 6 months; the control group were followed up for 6 ~ 9 months, an average of 7 in August, there were no tumor recurrence and metastasis. Conclusion Compared with traditional laparoscopic surgery, abdominal incision rectal specimens of laparoscopic radical resection of sigmoid colon cancer can significantly reduce the pain of patients, shorten the postoperative exhaust time, tumor root Treatment effect is similar

Prognostic value of Per2 in hepatocellular carcinoma and its effect on the growth and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells / 基础医学与临床

Objective To explore the expression of Per2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its effect on the survival of HCC patients, and to analyze the effects of Per2 on the proliferation and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells. Methods The protein expression of Per2 in HCC patients was analyzed by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. SMMC-7721 cells were transfected with Per2 eukaryotic expression plasmid. The protein expression of Per2 was detected by Western blot. The cell proliferation and apoptosis was detected by MTS and flow cytometry. Results In 117 HCC tissues, the Per2 positive expression rate was 70. 94%, which was significantly lower than that of 87. 18% in the adjacent HCC tissue. The Per2 staining score was 2. 14±1. 76, which was significantly lower than that of 6. 39±3. 84 in the adjacent HCC tissue (P<0. 01). Per2 expression was related to tumor diameter, portal vein invasion and TNM staging(P<0.05) in 117 HCC patients. The overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of HCC pa-tients with low expression of Per2 were shorter than those with Per2 high expression(P<0.05).The cell proliferation was significantly inhibited and the apoptosis increased with the transfection of Per2 eukaryotic expression plasmid in SMMC-7721 cells(P<0.05).Conclusions The expression of Per2 in HCC is significantly reduced.Per2 inhibits the progression of HCC,possibly by inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis.

Improved outcomes from transradial over transfemoral access in primary percutaneous coronary intervention for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and upstream use of tirofiban / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Transradial access has been increasingly used during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in last decade. Clinical benefits of upstream use of tirfiban therapy in STEMI patients treated by primary PCI have been reported. We investigated the merits of transradial vs. transfemoral access in primary PCI for STEMI patients with upstream use of tirofiban.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with STEMI treated with tirofiban between December 2006 and October 2012 then by primary PCI were compared between transradial (n = 298) and transfemoral (n = 314) access. Baseline demographics, angiographic and PCI features and primary endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30-day clinical follow-up were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Baseline and procedural characteristics were comparable between the two groups, apart from more patients in transradial group had hypertension and were treated by thrombus aspiration during primary PCI. Significantly fewer MACE occurred in the transradial group (5.4%) compared with the transfemoral group (9.9%) at 30-day clinical follow-up. Major bleeding events at 30-day clinical follow-up were 0 in transradial group and in 2.9% of transfemoral group. Multivariate analysis confirmed transradial approach as an independent negative predictor of 30-day MACE (HR 0.68; 95%CI 0.35 - 0.91; P = 0.03).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Using transradial approach in primary PCI for acute STEMI infarction patients treated with tirofiban was clearly beneficial in reducing bleeding complications and improving 30-day clinical outcomes.</p>

Randomized controlled study of integrated treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine on AIDS with pulmonary inflammation patients / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare effects of integrated treatment traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine (TCM-WM) and simple western medicine on TCM clincal symptoms in the patient of AIDS with pulmonary inflammation.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A multicenter randomized controlled trials of 164 subjects evaluated the effects of clinical symptoms of AIDS with pulmonary inflammation of TWO regimens: the TCM-WM group (n = 111) and western medicine treatment group (n = 53), while incidence of TCM symptoms in different time points in two groups were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Twenty eight days after treatment, the cured and markedly effective rate of TCM symptoms in the TCM-WM group significantly exceeding that in the western medicine treatment group (cured and markedly effective rate significant efficiency 44.55% vs 20.00%), while the incidence rate for the TCM symptoms of fever and headache in the TCM-WM group was significantly lower than that in western medicine group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The integrated treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine helps to alleviate the TCM clinical symptoms of AIDS with pulmonary inflammation.</p>

Intravascular ultrasound evaluation on the efficacy of national made Firebird stents comparing with Cypher stents / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was used to compare the effects on neointimal hyperplasia inhibition between national made Firebird stents and Cypher stents in patients with coronary artery disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From May 2003 to March 2007, 215 patients with 317 native lesions received either Firebird stent (147 lesions of 108 patients, Firebird group) or Cypher stent implantation (138 lesions of 107 patients, Cypher group). Quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and IVUS were performed at one-year follow-up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics between the two groups were similar, but post procedural minimal lumen diameter was significantly larger in Firebird group than that in Cypher group [(2.88 +/- 0.43) mm vs. (2.78 +/- 0.33) mm, P < 0.05]. follow-up QCA results showed that in-stent late loss [(0.17 +/- 0.29) mm vs. (0.16 +/- 0.27) mm, P > 0.05] and in-segment late loss [(0.18 +/- 0.36) mm vs. (0.20 +/- 0.32) mm, P > 0.05] was similar between Firebird group and Cypher group, while stent cross sectional area (CSA) [(6.99 +/- 2.25) mm(2) vs. (6.46 +/- 1.71) mm(2), P < 0.05], lumen CSA [(6.89 +/- 2.30) mm(2) vs. (6.36 +/- 1.73) mm(2), P < 0.05], stent volume [(162.5 +/- 68.9) m(3) vs. (140.8 +/- 57.9) mm(3), P < 0.01], lumen volume [(160.4 +/- 69.5) mm(3) vs. (138.6 +/- 57.6) mm(3), P < 0.01] and minimal stent CSA [(5.40 +/- 1.85) mm(2) vs. (4.92 +/- 1.43) mm(2), P < 0.05] were larger in Firebird group than those in Cypher group. IVUS analysis showed that there was no significant difference in neointimal hyperplasia volume [(2.09 +/- 5.46) mm(3) vs. (2.23 +/- 6.50) mm(3), P > 0.05] and percentage of volume obstruction [(1.68 +/- 5.84)% vs. (1.59 +/- 4.10)%, P > 0.05] between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Implantation of Firebird stent was associated with low restenosis rate and both Firebird and Cypher stents equally and effectively inhibited neointimal hyperplasia.</p>

The clinical application of 320-slice Computed Tomography (CT) hepatic artery images in patients with liver transplantation / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical significance of 320-slice CT hepatic artery images in patients with liver transplantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 58 patients underwent CT scanning by 320-slice scanner after liver transplantation. They were divided into 2 groups according to the concentration of contrast media as follows: Group A (27 cases, 350 mgI/ml iopromide), Group B (31 cases, 370 mgI/ml iopromide). Contrast medium was infused at 6 ml/s, with a total dose of 50 ml. Images were generated by dynamic volume scanning and were processed by 4D digital subtraction angiography (DSA) imaging software. The time-density curve (TDC) of the hepatic artery was delineated. The time to peak, peak contrast enhancement were recorded. The physiological parameters such as body weight and height were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) There were no differences in clinical parameters such as age, sex, height, weight, or BMI between groups. The time to peak of hepatic artery of group A and B was (19.71+/-3.11) s and (20.06+/-3.67) s, and had no significant difference. The maximum peak enhancement of hepatic artery in groups B was higher than that group A (P < 0.05). (2) 4D DSA revealed hepatic artery pseudo-aneurysm (n = 2), and hepatic artery mild stenosis (n = 13), moderate stenosis (n = 5), severe stenosis (n = 9) and occlusion (n = 1), segmental moderate and severe stenosis (n = 4), and compensatory circulation with hepatic artery severe stenosis and occlusion (n = 6). hepatoportal arteriovenous fistulas (HPAVF, n = 12), donor-recipient hepatic artery mismatch (n = 3). Hepatic arterial branch are decreased and opened in 15 cases and 8 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>320-slice CT hepatic artery images is safe, noninvasive, and accurate technique to evaluate hepatic arterial complications after liver transplantation.</p>

Association between late incomplete stent apposition after sirolimus eluting stent implantation and clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The impact of late incomplete stent apposition (ISA) post sirolimus eluting stent (SES) implantation in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) on long-term clinical outcomes remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between late ISA and clinical outcomes in patients with ACS compared with that with stable angina (SA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From February 2005 to March 2007, 54 ACS patients and 83 SA patients were enrolled in this study, late ISA was determined by means of three-dimensional volumetric intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analyses one year after SES implantation and clinical outcomes one year post IVUS were obtained in these patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 219 treated lesions of the 137 patients, late ISA was documented in 25 lesions in 16 patients (20 ISA in 12 ACS patients vs. 5 ISA in 4 SA patients, P<0.001). Though lumen area in reference and stented segment, neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) area and percentage of NIH in stented segment, and external elastic membrane (EEM) area in reference segment were similar between two groups, EEM area in stented segment [(15.34+/-5.44) mm2 vs. (13.83+/-4.51) mm2, P=0.026], stented/reference segment EEM area ratio (1.13+/-0.22 vs. 1.02+/-0.18, P<0.001), plaque and media area [(8.43+/-3.93) mm2 vs. (7.01+/-2.93) mm2, P=0.002] was significantly lager in ACS group than that in SA group. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that ACS (OR 6.477 with 95% CI from 2.297 to 18.263, P<0.001) and stent length>or=23 mm (OR 3.680 with 95% CI from 1.181 to 11.469, P=0.025) were main independent factors of occurrence of late ISA. Incidence of main adverse cardiac events (MACE) one year post IVUS was similar between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with patients with SA, ACS patients had larger stented segment EEM area, plaque and media area as well as increased incidence of ISA. However, the incidence of MACE was similar in ACS and SA patients one year after IVUS.</p>

Diagnostic value of multislice spiral CT and MRI in detection of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the manifestation and diagnostic value of multislice spiral CT (MSCT) and MRI imaging in detection of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 161 consecutive HCC patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-nine HCC patients were classified by pTNM according to the "Pittsburgh criteria". MSCT and MRI findings of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation were evaluated retrospectively in 29 stage II-IVb HCC patients. The recurrence site and relapse interval between liver transplantation and recurrence were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Lung tumor recurrence were found in 21 cases, presented as cotton-like lesions in a diameter of 2 - 3 cm, with a clear margin and homogeneous density. Pleural tumor recurrence was detected in 4 cases. Liver tumor recurrence were found in 9 cases, which can be divided into four subtypes: multinodular in 4 cases, diffuse lesion in 2 cases, huge mass in 2 cases, and uninodular in 1 case. Two cases showed tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava and portal vein. Lymph node tumor recurrence was found in 9 cases, presented as multiple nodules at hepatic hilum, lesser peritoneal sac, posterior mediastinum, retroperitoneum, or around pancreatic head, and accompanied with merging and necrosis in one case. Bone tumor recurrence were found as osteolytic destruction in 4 cases, and accompanied with adjacent soft-tissue mass in 2 cases. The recurrence sites of the 29 cases were as following: lung (21 cases, 72.4%), liver (9 cases, 31.0%), lymph nodes (9 cases, 31.0%), bone (4 cases, 13.8%) and other sites (3 cases, 10.3%). Lung tumor recurrence was found in all the 10 stage IVb patients with tumor recurrence after liver transplantation, significantly more frequent than that in stage IVa patients (P = 0.023). After liver transplantation, all 25 patients with stage III approximately IVb HCC developed recurrence within one year, but in the 4 cases with stage II HCC at one year later (P = 0.009).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results of our study show that in hepatocellular carcinoma patients after liver transplantation, the lung and pleura are the most frequent site of recurrence, followed by liver, lymph node and bone as the second and third sites. The Stage IVb hepatocellular carcinoma should be regarded as a contradiction for liver transplantation due to rapid recurrence. Tumor recurrence occurs later in stage II HCC than in stage III approximately IVb patients. MSCT and MRI are of significant importance in diagnosis and formulating operation plan in HCC patients with recurrence after liver transplantation.</p>

Impact of different clinical pathways on outcomes of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: the RAPID-AMI study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Current guidelines support primary percutaneous coronary intervention (primary PCI) as the first treatment of choice (as opposed to thrombolytic therapy) for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) especially when delivered within 12 hours of symptom onset. We aimed to evaluate the impact of different clinical pathways on reduction of reperfusion delay and subsequent improvement in outcomes in patients with STEMI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From November 2005 to November 2007, 546 consecutive patients with definite STEMI, who upon arrival at the emergency room were triaged to undergo primary PCI, were included. Of them, 271 patients were brought directly to catheterization laboratory (rapid group), and 275 patients were admitted to the coronary care unit (CCU) or cardiac ward first, and then transferred to the catheterization laboratory (non-rapid group). Primary endpoint was door-to-balloon (D2B) time, and secondary endpoints included infarct size assessed by peak CK-MB level and rates of major cardiac adverse events (MACE) including death, reinfarction, or target-vessel revascularization during hospitalization and at 30-day clinical follow-up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Baseline clinical characteristics, angiographic features and procedural success rates were comparable between the two groups, except that more patients received glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors before angiography (84.0% and 77.1, P = 0.042) and had TIMI 3 flow in the culprit vessel at initial angiogram (17.1% and 9.2%, P = 0.007) in the non-rapid group. The D2B time was shortened ((108 +/- 44) minutes and (138 +/- 31) minutes, P < 0.0001), and number of patients with D2B time < 90 minutes was greater (22.6% and 10.9%, P < 0.0001) in the rapid group. The advantages associated with rapid intra-hospital transfer were enhanced if the patients presented to the hospital at regular hours. Peak CK-MB level was significantly reduced in the rapid group. In-hospital mortality (4.1% and 5.8%) and cumulative MACE rate (7.0% and 9.8%) did not significantly differ between rapid and non-rapid groups. At 30 days, cumulative death- and MACE-free survival rates were improved in the rapid group (94.5% and 89.5%, P = 0.035; 90.1% and 84.0%, P = 0.034, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Clinical pathway with bypass of CCU/cardiac ward admission was associated with rapid reperfusion, smaller infarct size, and improved short-term survival for patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. In the future, it is essential to reduce the time delay for patients presenting at off-hours.</p>

Prospective multicenter randomized trial comparing physician versus patient transfer for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been identified as the first therapeutic option for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The strategy of transferring patient to a PCI center was recently recommended for those with acute STEMI who were present to PCI incapable hospitals, which include lack of facilities or experienced operators. In China, some local hospitals have been equipped with PCI facilities, but they have no interventional physicians qualified for performing primary PCI. This study was conducted to assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the strategy of transferring physician to a PCI-equipped hospital to perform primary PCI for patients with acute STEMI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three hundred and thirty-four consecutive STEMI patients with symptom presentation = 12 hours in five local hospitals from November 2005 to November 2007 were randomized to receive primary PCI by either physician transfer (physician transfer group, n=165) or patient transfer (patient transfer group, n=169) strategy. Door-to-balloon time, in-hospital and 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE, including death, non-fatal re-infarction, and target vessel revascularization) were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Baseline characteristics between the two groups were comparable. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 3 flow was revealed in more patients in the physician transfer group at initial angiography (17.6% vs 10.1%, P<0.05). The success rate of primary PCI (96.3% vs 95.4%, P>0.05) and length of hospital stay were similar between the two groups ((15+/-4) days vs (14+/-3) days, P>0.05). In the physician transfer group, door-to-balloon time was significantly shortened ((95+/-20) minutes vs (147+/-29) minutes, P<0.0001) and more patients received primary PCI with door-to-balloon time less than 90 minutes (21.2% vs 7.7%, P<0.001). During hospitalization, MACE occurred in 6.7% and 11.2% of patients in the physician and patient transfer groups, respectively (P=0.14). At 30-day clinical follow-up, the occurrence rates of death, non-fatal re-infarction, and target vessel revascularization (TVR) were 3.6% vs 5.9%, 4.2% vs 8.9%, and 1.2% vs 2.4% in the physician and patient transfer groups, respectively (all P>0.05). The cumulative composite of MACE was significantly reduced (8.9% vs 17.2%, P=0.03) and MACE free survival (91.0% vs 82.9%, P<0.05) was significantly improved in the physician transfer group at 30 days.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The strategy of transferring physician to local hospital to perform primary PCI for patients with acute STEMI is feasible, safe and efficient in reducing the door-to-balloon time and 30-day MACE rate.</p>

Sirolimus-eluting cobalt-chromium stents: two-year clinical results from first-in-man study on the Firebird 2 stent / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Drug-eluting stents (DES) have been shown to significantly reduce clinical events and angiographic restenosis in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study was conducted to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of the polymer-based sirolimus-eluting cobalt-chromium Firebird 2 stents in the treatment of patients with CAD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This first-in-man study using the Firebird 2 stent is a prospective, historically-controlled multicenter clinical study, which enrolled 67 patients with CAD who were treated with the sirolimus-eluting cobalt-chromium stent (Firebird 2, Microport Shanghai, Firebird 2 group), compared to another 49 patients treated with a bare cobalt alloy stent (Driver, Medtronic, control group). Continued 2-year clinical follow-up was performed after getting the initial 6-month angiographic and 1-year clinical follow-up. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including cardiac death, reinfarction and target lesion revascularization (TLR) and stent thrombosis were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients in the Firebird 2 group (100.0%) and 48 patients in the control group (98.0%) completed the 2-year clinical follow-up. At the 1-year follow-up the use of the Firebird 2 stent was highly effective, resulting in a significant 94% decrease of TLR (26.5% in the control group and 1.5% in the Firebird 2 group, P<0.0001). A significant difference in TLR was maintained at 2-year follow-up, Firebird 2 group 1.5% and the control group 31.3% (P<0.0001). Between 1- and 2-year post-stenting, no more TLR occurred in the Firebird 2 group compared with two cases in the control group (P>0.05). There was a 1.5% incidence of MACE at 1- and 2-year follow-up in the Firebird 2 group, compared with 26.5% and 33.3% in the control group, respectively (all P<0.0001). The cumulative 1- and 2-year MACE free survival rates were 98.5% in the Firebird 2 group vs 73.5% and 66.7% in the control group (log rank P<0.0001). No case of stent thrombosis occurred during 2-year follow-up in the Firebird 2 group, compared with one case that suffered a definite stent thrombosis in the control group at 19-month post-stenting: this patient presented with unstable angina pectoris and was treated by balloon angioplasty.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with the bare cobalt alloy stent, the Firebird 2 sirolimus-eluting cobalt-chromium stent is safe and effective in treating patients with CAD. The use of this stent was associated with a sustained clinical benefit and significantly lower rate of TLR and MACE up to 2 years post-stenting.</p>

Long-term efficacy and safety of Chinese made sirolimus eluting stents: results, including off label usage, from two centres over three years / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Multiple randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that drug eluting stents can significantly reduce the rates of restenosis and subsequent adverse events across lesion and patient. We investigated the medium term clinical efficacy and safety of Firebird sirolimus eluting stent (SES) in coronary artery disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The sample was 509 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who were treated by Firebird SES and finished three-year clinical follow-up. The occurrences of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and Academic Research Consortium defined stent thrombosis (ST) were evaluated in patients with and without diabetes mellitus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three hundred and thirty three patients (65.4%) were treated by Firebird SES by off label indications. Angiographic success was achieved in 98.3% of the lesions. MACE and target vessel revascularization rates at 6-month, 1 year's and 3 years' clinical follow-up were 2.4% and 1.4%, 4.1% and 2.8%, 7.9% and 5.1%, respectively. The cumulative 3-year MACE free survival rate was 92.1%. After 3 years, DM patients had significantly higher rates of MACE (13.7% vs 6.4%, P < 0.05) and TVR (9.8% vs 4.0%, P < 0.05) and the cumulative MACE free survival rate was very significantly lower in the DM group (86.4% vs 93.6%, P < 0.05). ST occurred in 7 patients (1.4%) at the end of 3 years' follow-up, 5 of them had definite ST with 4 cases presenting with myocardial reinfarction and 1 with unstable angina, the other 2 with probable ST had reinfarction in the stented coronary territory without angiographic follow-up. There was no difference in occurrence of ST between off label (1.5%) and on label groups (1.1%, P = 0.07).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In daily practice, about 2/3 of patients were treated by Firebird SES by off label indications. Medium term clinical follow-up of 3 years indicated CAD patients treated by Firebird SES had a low MACE and acceptable ST rate. DM patients had higher rates of adverse events and than non DM.</p>

Impact of admission creatinine level on clinical outcomes of patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent implantation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Prognosis of patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and renal dysfunction (RD) who received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been fully investigated in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of admission serum creatinine level on short-term outcomes in patients with acute STEMI undergoing DES-based primary PCI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Primary PCI with DES implantation was attempted in 619 consecutive STEMI patients within 12 hours of symptom onset. Among them, 86 patients had a serum creatinine level > or = 115 micromol/L on admission (RD group), and the remaining 533 patients had normal renal function (non-RD group). The primary endpoint was 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE, including death, non-fatal reinfarction, and target vessel revascularization), and the secondary endpoint was subacute stent thrombosis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients in the RD group were older than those in the non-RD group. There are more female patients in the RD group and they had a history of hypertension, myocardial infarction and revascularization. The occurrence rates of Killip class > or = 2 (29.1% vs 18.6%, P = 0.02) and multi-vessel (62.8% vs 44.5%, P = 0.001) and triple vessel disease (32.6% vs 18.2%, P = 0.002), in-hospital mortality (9.3% vs 3.8%, P = 0.03), and MACE rate during hospitalization (17.4% vs 7.7%, P = 0.006) were higher in the RD group than those in the non-RD group. At a 30-day clinical follow-up, the MACE-free survival rate was significantly reduced in the RD group (76.7% vs 89.9%, P = 0.0003). Angiographic stent thrombosis occurred in 3 (3.5%) and 7 (1.3%) of patients in the RD group and non-RD group, respectively (P = 0.15). Multivariate analysis revealed that the serum creatinine level > or = 115 micromol/L on admission was an independent predictor for MACE rate at a 30-day follow-up (Hazard ratio (HR) 3.31, 95% CI 1.19 - 9.18, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Despite similar prevalence of stent thrombosis at a 30-day clinical follow-up, the short-term prognosis of STEMI patients with elevated serum creatinine on admission undergoing DES-based primary PCI remains unfavorable.</p>

Acute coronary syndrome is an independent risk factor for late incomplete stent apposition after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Late incomplete stent apposition (ISA) may occur after drug-eluting stent implantation, affecting long-term clinical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of clinical presentations of coronary artery disease on late ISA after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) by means of three-dimensional volumetric intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analyses.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and thirty-seven patients with coronary artery disease received SES implantation during PCI and had repeat angiography with IVUS examination. All patients were followed up one year after the procedure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In overall 219 treated lesions (137 patients), late ISA was identified in 25 lesions (16 patients). Clinical diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and use of long stents were more common in patients with than in those without late ISA. Patients with late ISA had greater external elastic membrane (EEM) area in stented segment ((15.34 +/- 5.44) vs (13.83 +/- 4.51) mm(2), P = 0.026), stented-to-reference segment EEM area ratio (1.13 +/- 0.22 vs 1.02 +/- 0.18, P < 0.001), and plaque and media area ((8.43 +/- 3.93) vs (7.01 +/- 2.93) mm(2), P = 0.002) than in those without late ISA. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that clinical diagnosis of ACS and use of long stents were independent risk factors for late ISA (OR 6.477, 95% CI 2.297 - 18.263, P < 0.001; OR 3.680, 95% CI 1.181 - 11.469, P = 0.025; respectively). During one-year follow-up after IVUS examination, the rate of very late stent thrombosis tended to be higher in patients with than in those without late ISA (18.7% vs 3.3%, P = 0.051).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The occurrence of late ISA after SES implantation may be related to clinical status, use of long stents, and marked positive vessel remodeling. Late ISA tended to increase the rate of very late stent thrombosis during follow-up, highlighting the importance of long-term dual antiplatelet therapy for these patients.</p>

Elevation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 levels in aortic intima of Chinese Guizhou minipigs with streptozotocin-induced diabetes / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Large animal models with toxin-mediated pancreatic damage have been used extensively in researches with respect to diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diabetic complications. The present study aimed to establish Chinese Guizhou minipig models with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes and characterize the animal models by analyzing inflammatory cytokine levels in aortic wall, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-two male Chinese Guizhou minipigs (age, 4 to 6 months; weight, 20 kg to 30 kg) were divided into STZ-induced diabetic group (n = 12) and control group (n = 10). STZ (125 mg/kg) was administrated to induce hyperglycemia and afterwards insulin was used to control fasting blood glucose levels below 10 mmol/L. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before and one month after STZ administration and serum concentrations of alanine transaminase, asparagine transaminase, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, lipids and white blood cell count were measured before and six months later. Animals in both groups were euthanized after six months and pancreas was examined immunohistochemically for islet beta cells. Aortic intima of diabetic minipigs and controls was analyzed for TNF-alpha level in tissue conditioned medium by Western blot. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA levels in aortic intima were assayed by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant elevation in serum glucose levels was observed one month and six months after STZ induction (P < 0.001) and markedly increased OGTT values were noted, compared with baseline data. The normal pancreas had many irregular sized islets and small clusters of islet beta cells, while in pancreas of diabetic minipigs islet beta cells almost disappeared. No statistical difference was notified in serum concentrations of biochemical examinations before and six months after STZ induction. Western blot demonstrated dramatically increased TNF-alpha level in aotic intima conditioned medium, and significant elevation of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA levels was revealed by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The present study has established Chinese Guizhou minipig models with STZ-induced diabetes. Inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6) significantly elevated in aortic intima of diabetic minipigs.</p>

Sirolimus-eluting cobalt alloyed stents in treating patients with coronary artery disease: six-month angiographic and one-year clinical follow-up result. A prospective, historically controlled, multi-center clinical study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The emergence of drug-eluting stents (DES) has dramatically reduced the incidence of in-stent restenosis. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sirolimus-eluting cobalt-chrome stents (Firebird 2) for treating patients with coronary artery disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-seven patients with de novo or non-stented restenostic coronary lesions were chosen to receive the Firebird 2 stent as the final treatment (Firebird 2 group). Another 49 consecutive patients were implanted with bare cobalt alloyed stents (Driver, Medtronic) within the previous six months and served as historical controls (control group). Baseline clinical characteristics, angiographic features, procedural results, 30-day, 6-month and 12-month clinical follow-up regarding the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), as well as the primary endpoint of late lumen loss at 6-month angiographic follow-up were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The demographic characteristics were similar between the two groups despite more patients in the Firebird 2 group who underwent previous percutaneous coronary intervention (22.4% vs 8.2%, P = 0.0418) and who had diabetes mellitus (29.9% vs 12.2%, P = 0.0253). In the Firebird 2 group, the mean diameter of the reference vessel was smaller ((2.79 +/- 0.46) mm vs (2.98 +/- 0.49) mm, P = 0.0175) and more stents were implanted for each lesion (1.28 +/- 0.52 vs 1.10 +/- 0.30, P = 0.0060). Other angiographic, procedural results and the device success rate were similar between the two groups. The MACE rate at 30-day and 3-month was the same, but significantly fewer MACE occurred in the Firebird 2 group at 6- and 12-month follow-up (1.5% vs 12.2% at 6 month, P = 0.0168; 1.5% vs 26.5% at 12 month, P < 0.0001). The primary endpoint of late lumen loss at 6-month angiographic follow-up was significantly reduced in the Firebird 2 group (in-stent: (0.05 +/- 0.09) mm vs (0.98 +/- 0.61) mm; in-segment: (0.05 +/- 0.18) mm vs (0.72 +/- 0.59) mm; P < 0.0001) than the control group. One patient in the Firebird 2 group had in-segment restenosis (1.3%) while the rate in the control group (38.1%) was significantly higher, P < 0.0001. Intravascular ultrasound examination was performed in 70.1% of patients in the Firebird 2 group and revealed that the percentage of volumetric obstruction was (1.26 +/- 1.05)%. No stent thrombosis was observed in either group at 12-month follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Firebird 2 sirolimus-eluting cobalt alloyed stent is safe and feasible in treating patients with coronary artery disease.</p>

Clinical significance of multislice spiral CT scans in hepatic veins occlusion in Budd-Chiari syndrome / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Budd-Chiari syndrome with hepatic vein occlusion (HVBCS) can induce severe portal hypertension and liver damage. We retrospectively analyzed hepatic CT features of HVBCS and evaluated the usefulness of triphasic enhancement of CT examinations and CT angiography (CTA) in its diagnosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-five cases with HVBCS, confirmed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA), received a triphasic enhancement CT scan within one week before DSA. The CTA images of the relevant blood vessels were reconstructed with maximum intensity projection, volume rendering and oblique reformat techniques.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with DSA, the detection rate of transverse CT and CTA images for abnormal hepatic vein were 81.7% (58/71) and 95.8% (68/71) (chi(2) = 7.044, P = 0.008), for membranous obstruction were 47.4% (9/19) and 84.2% (16/19) respectively (chi(2) = 5.729, P = 0.017), for segmental obstruction were 88.0% (22/25) and 100% (25/25) respectively (chi(2) = 1.418, P = 0.234). The detection rates for hepatic vein stenosis were 100% with each method. Diffuse hepatomegaly was found in all 6 cases in acute phase and 3 of 19 cases in chronic phase who had severe obstruction of three hepatic veins without patent intrahepatic collaterals. The other 16 cases in chronic phase had hepatatrophia to different extents related to the obstructed hepatic vein. All in acute phase and 15 in chronic phase presented typical patchy enhancement initially in caudate lobe and perihilar areas and enlarged with time delay. In all cases, parenchyma areas with atrophy, necrosis and congestion demonstrated lower and later enhancement. In all the parts, which had normal enhancement at least one patent outflow hepatic vein, accessory hepatic vein or collateral vessel was detected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Dynamic enhancement CT examination by multislice spiral CT not only could improve the diagnosis of HVBCS by CTA technique, but also could noninvasively provide anatomical information and reveal damage to the hepatic parenchyma.</p>

Outcomes after primary coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent implantation in diabetic patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Drug-eluting stent (DES) has been used widely for the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome with or without diabetes mellitus during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but its long-term safety and efficacy in diabetic patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remain uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes after primary coronary intervention with DES implantation for diabetic patients with acute STEMI, compared with non-diabetic counterparts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From December 2004 to March 2006, 56 consecutive diabetic patients (diabetic group) and 170 non-diabetic patients (non-diabetic group) with acute STEMI who underwent primary PCI with DES implantation in 3 hospitals were enrolled. Baseline clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics, as well as occurrence of major adverse cardiac event (MACE) including cardiac death, non-fatal recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI) and target vessel revascularization (TVR) during hospitalization and one-year clinical follow-up were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients in diabetic group were more hyperlipidemic (69.6% and 51.8%, P = 0.03) and had longer time delay from symptom onset to admission ((364 +/- 219) minutes and (309 +/- 223) minutes, P = 0.02) than those in non-diabetic group. The culprit vessel distribution, reference vessel diameter, and baseline TIMI flow grade were similar between the two groups, but multi-vessel disease was more common in diabetic than in non-diabetic group (82.1% and 51.2%, P < 0.001). Despite similar TIMI flow grades between the two groups after stenting, the occurrence of TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG) = 2 was lower in diabetic group (75.0% vs 88.8% in non-diabetic groups, P = 0.02). The MACE rate was similar during hospitalization between the two groups (5.4% vs 3.5%, P = 0.72), but it was significantly higher in diabetic group (16.1%) during one-year follow-up, as compared with non-diabetic group (6.5%, P = 0.03). The cumulative one-year MACE-free survival rate was significantly lower in diabetic than in non-diabetic group (78.6% vs 90.0%, P = 0.02). Angiographic stent thrombosis occurred in 5.4% and 1.2% of the patients in diabetic and non-diabetic group, respectively (P = 0.19). All of these patients experienced non-fatal myocardial infarction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Although the early clinical outcomes were similar in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with acute STEMI treated with DES implantation, the cumulative MACE-free survival at one-year follow-up was worse in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients. More effective diabetes-related managements may further improve the clinical outcomes of diabetic cohort suffering STEMI.</p>

Outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction in patients aged over 75 years / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The optimal reperfusion strategy in elderly patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, in-hospital and one-year clinical outcomes for patients > 75 years of age with STEMI receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), compared with those treated by conservative approach.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and two patients > 75 years of age with STEMI presented < 12 hours were randomly allocated to primary PCI (n = 50) or conservative therapy only (n = 52). The baseline characteristics, in-hospital outcome and major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization at one-year clinical follow-up were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Age, gender distribution, risk factors for coronary artery disease, infarct site and clinical functional status were similar between the two groups, but the patients in primary PCI group received less low-molecular-weight heparin during hospitalization. Compared with conservative group, the patients in primary PCI group had significantly lower occurrence rate of re-infarction and death and shortened hospital stay. The composite endpoint for in-hospital survivals at 30-day follow-up was similar between the two groups, but one-year MACE rate was significantly lower in the primary PCI group (21.3% and 45.2%, P = 0.029). Left ventricular ejection fraction was not significantly changed in both groups during follow-up. Multivariate analysis revealed that primary PCI (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.21 - 0.69, P = 0.03) improved MACE-free survival rate for STEMI patients aged > 75 years.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results indicated that primary PCI was safe and effective in reducing in-hospital mortality and one-year MACE rate for elderly patients with STEMI.</p>

Long term clinical outcomes in patients with moderate renal insufficiency undergoing stent based percutaneous coronary intervention / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Patients with end-stage renal disease have a high mortality from coronary artery disease, but the impact of moderate renal insufficiency on clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the effect of drug-eluting stent implantation in these patients remain unclear. This study determined the long-term effect of moderate renal insufficiency on death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after stent based PCI and examined whether drug-eluting stent implantation could favourably influence clinical outcome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Major adverse cardiac events and causes of mortality were determined for 1012 patients undergoing percutaneous intervention from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2004 at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital. Based on estimated creatinine clearance levels, long term outcomes were compared between patients with estimated creatinine clearance < 60 ml/min (renal insufficiency group; n = 410) and those with estimated creatinine clearance > or = 60 ml/min (control group; n = 602). Subgroup analysis was also made for patients with renal insufficiency between drug eluting stent (n = 264) and bare metal stent implantation (n = 146) during PCI.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During follow-up (average 17 months) after successful PCI, all causes of death (7.1% vs 2.3%, P < 0.01) and cardiac death (3.4% vs 1.0%, all P < 0.01) were significantly higher in renal insufficiency group than in control group. For patients with moderate renal insufficiency, drug-eluting stent implantation reduced significantly all causes of death (5.3% vs 10.9%, P < 0.05) and occurrence of major cardiac adverse events (15.1% vs 24.6%, P < 0.05) compared with bare metal stents.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Moderate renal insufficiency is an important clinical factor influencing the mortality after PCI in patients with coronary artery disease and the use of drug-eluting stents should be the preferred therapy for the improvement of long-term outcomes in such patients.</p>