Catheter ablation of epicardial accessory pathway associated with coronary sinus musculature / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To report the single-center clinical experience of catheter ablation of epicardial accessory pathway associated with coronary sinus musculature.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of 721 cases of left sided accessory pathway ablation were retrospectively analyzed. Ablation in the coronary sinus was performed in 17 (2.4 %) cases [11 males, mean age (37 ± 11) years].</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 17 cases, the accessory pathway was successfully ablated in middle cardiac vein and posterior lateral coronary sinus in 11 and 6 cases, respectively. Deverticulum of middle cardiac vein was seen in 2 cases. Mean time required to block the accessory pathway was (4.7 ± 2.7) s. An accessory pathway potential could be recorded at the target site in 10 out of 17 patients (59%). During a mean (21 ± 16) months follow up, only one patient experienced recurrence who was successfully cured by a second ablation session. No procedure related complication was reported.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>About 2.4% of left accessory pathway may have epicardial connection locating at middle cardiac vein or lateral part of the coronary sinus and require epicardial ablation. The epicardial ablation is safe and effective, warrants an excellent long-term results.</p>

Association of CYBA rs7195830 polymorphism with estimated glomerular filtration rate in an adult Han sample from Jiangsu province, China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Reactive oxygen species are thought to contribute to the development of renal damage. The P22phox subunit of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAPDH) oxidase, encoded by the cytochrome b245a polypeptide gene, CYBA, plays a key role in superoxide anion production. We investigated the association of CYBA rs7195830 polymorphism with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the role it plays in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a Han Chinese sample.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The Gaoyou study enrolled 4473 participants. Serum levels of creatinine were measured and eGFR was estimated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations. The CYBA polymorphisms were genotyped. Then we investigated the association between eGFR and the rs7195830 polymorphism in the recessive model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The AA genotype of rs7195830 was associated with significantly lower values of eGFR compared with the GG and AG genotypes ((102.76 ± 17.07) ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2) vs. (105.08 ± 16.30) ml×min(-1)± 1.73 m(-2)). The association remained significant in the recessive model after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, uric acid, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (β=1.666, P=0.031). The rs7195832 AA genotype was an independent risk factor for CKD: eGFR <60 ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2) (odds ratio=3.32; 95% CI=1.21-9.13).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The AA genotype of rs7195830 is independently associated with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and is significantly associated with CKD.</p>

Initial experience of percutaneous coronary intervention guided by computed tomography coronary angiography derived roadmap and magnetic navigation system / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)guided by computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography derived roadmap and magnetic navigation system (MNS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>During June 2011 and May 2012, thirty consecutive patients receiving elective PCI were enrolled, coronary artery disease was primarily diagnosed by dual-source CT coronary angiography (DSCT-CA) at outpatient clinic and successively proved by coronary artery angiography in the hospital. Target vessels from pre-procedure DSCT-CA were transferred to the magnetic navigation system, and consequently edited, reconstructed, and projected onto the live fluoroscopic screen as roadmap. Parameters including characters of the target lesions, time, contrast volume, radiation dosage for guidewire crossing, and complications of the procedure were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirty patients with 36 lesions were recruited and intervened by PCI. Among the target lesions, sixteen were classified as type A, 11 as type B1, 8 as type B2, 1 as type C. The average length of the target lesions was (22.0 ± 9.8) mm, and the average stenosis of the target lesions was (81.3 ± 10.3)%. Under the guidance of CT roadmap and MNS, 36 target lesions were crossed by the magnetic guidewires, with a lesion crossing ratio of 100%. The time of placement of the magnetic guidewires was 92.5 (56.6 - 131.3) seconds. The contrast volume and the radiation dosage for guidewire placement were 0.0 (0.0 - 3.0) ml and 235.0 (123.5 - 395.1) µGym(2)/36.5 (21.3 - 67.8) mGy, respectively. Guidewires were successfully placed in 21 (58.3%) lesions without contrast agent. All enrolled vessels were successfully treated, and there were no MNS associated complications.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is feasible, effective and safe to initiate PCI under the guidance of CT derived roadmap and MNS. This method might be helpful for the guidewire placement in the treatment of total occlusions.</p>

Efficacy of catheter radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmia storm post cardioverter-defibrillators implantation / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the acute and long-term effects of catheter radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmia storm (VAS) post implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) implantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Acute and long-term effects of catheter radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of VAS post ICD implantation were retrospectively assessed in 11 patients from September 2008 to August 2011.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 15 ablation procedures were performed in 11 patients. Six ablation procedures were performed through epicardial approach. In 9 patients, 20 types of ventricular tachycardia (VT) (including 20% hemodynamically unstable VT) were induced during the procedures [mean cycle length (384 ± 141) ms] and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia were induced in 7 patients. The average X-ray fluoroscopy time and procedural time were (26 ± 17) min and (189 ± 60) min, respectively. Complete success, partial success, and failure rates immediately post catheter radiofrequency ablation were 46.7% (7/15), 26.7% (4/15) and 26.7% (4/15), respectively. All patients are alive at follow-up[(2.45 ± 9.6) months after the last catheter ablation] and the complete success, partial success, and failure rates during follow-up were 72.7% (8/11), 9.1% (1/11) and 18.2% (2/11), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VAS can be effectively treated by catheter radiofrequency ablation in patients post ICD implantation.</p>

Clinical characteristics and genetic analysis of three pediatric patients with idiopathic restrictive cardiomyopathy / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is rare in children, and little is known about the molecular basis of RCM. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and myopathological characteristics and to detect mutations on cardiac sarcomere protein genes in three idiopathic pediatric RCMs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Detailed clinical characteristics and familiar history were obtained in three idiopathic pediatric RCMs. One hundred healthy pediatric individuals were recruited as controls. Histological evaluation was performed with heart tissue retrieved at catheterization in case-1 and case-2. The entire coding sequences of four cardiac sarcomere protein genes, including cardiac troponin T (TNNT2), cardiac troponin I(TNNI3), β-myosin heavy chain (MYH7), and α-actin (ACTC)were screened for mutations. Sequence variants were then tested in the family as well as in 100 healthy control DNAs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All three index cases were diagnosed as primary RCMs without family history, and their clinical conditions deteriorated rapidly. Case-1 was in combination with ventricular septal defect. Case-2 was in combination with mid- and inferoseptal hypertrophy. In case-1, myocardial biopsies displayed extensive an isomorphism and disarray of cardiomyocytes; electron microscopy showed large stacks of severely dysmorphic megamitochondria and focal Z-disc streaming. In case-2, endomyocardial biopsy revealed moderate myocyte hypertrophy with mild interstitial fibrosis; transmission electron microscopy showed misalignment of Z-bands and unequal Z-Z band distances. Genetic analysis identified two heterozygous missense mutations in TNNI3, with R204H in case-1 and R192H in case-3 respectively. A de novo heterozygous deletion in TNNT2 (p. Asn100_Glu101del) was identified in case-2. Sequence analysis shows that all three mutations are located in a position highly conserved across many species. The three mutations were negative for their parents and controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The clinical conditions in all three index cases are deteriorated rapidly after diagnosed as primary RCM. Three heterozygous mutations including two in TNNI3 and one in TNNT2 gene are identified in the three RCMs respectively, which are considered as causative mutations. These findings provide new insights into the molecular etiology responsible for pediatric RCM.</p>

Evaluation of global and regional left ventricular systolic function in patients with frequent isolated premature ventricular complexes from the right ventricular outflow tract / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Frequent premature ventricular complexes from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT-PVCs) are associated with left ventricular dysfunction. This study adopted two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging to evaluate global and regional left ventricular myocardial function in patients with frequent RVOT-PVCs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 30 patients with frequent RVOT-PVCs and 30 healthy subjects. Aortic systolic velocity-time integral (AoVTI) and myocardium strain in circumferential (CS), radial (RS) and longitudinal (LS) directions were evaluated by conventional echocardiography and speckle tracking imaging. All values of patients with RVOT-PVCs were recorded during sinus (PVC-S) and PVC beats (PVC-V).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant differences were demonstrated in global CS, RS and LS between the control subjects and the PVC-V (CS: (17.46 ± 2.48)% vs. (11.52 ± 3.28)%, RS: (48.26 ± 10.20)% vs. (20.92 ± 9.78)%, LS: (19.89 ± 2.62)% vs. (11.79 ± 3.66)%, P < 0.01), and in segmental RS and LS of nearly all the left ventricular segments. Statistical differences in segmental CS between the PVC-V and the control subjects were only observed in anterior, anteroseptal and septal segments (only seen in anteroseptal and septal segments at apex). Furthermore, V/S AoVTI (AoVTI during the PVC beat divided by AoVTI during the sinus beat, then multiplied by 100%) correlated with coupling interval (r = 0.67, P < 0.001) and global strain (CS: r = 0.48, P = 0.007; RS: r = 0.65, P < 0.001; LS: r = 0.65, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Frequent RVOT-PVCs can induce global and regional left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The reduction of hemodynamic parameters relates to the coupling interval and the global systolic function.</p>

Circulating microRNAs, novel biomarkers of acute myocardial infarction: a systemic review / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (MiRNA) are a novel class of non-coding RNAs involved in the regulation of gene expression post-transcriptionally by cleavage or translational repression of their specific target miRNAs. Numerous studies have demonstrated that circulating miRNAs are stable and abundant in blood and aberrantly expressed under pathological conditions, including cardiovascular diseases. The implications of circulating miRNAs in acute myocardial infarction have recently been recognized. This review will highlight the potential role of miRNA as a novel class of biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: This systemic review is based on our own work and other related reports. RESULTS: During diseases circulating miRNAs are derived from not only circulating blood cells but also other tissues affected by ongoing diseases. These disease-related miRNAs in the blood can serve as potential biomarkers. CONCLUSION: The circulating miRNAs can be used as novel biomarkers potentially offering more sensitive and specific tests than those currently available for diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Anticoagulation therapy in Chinese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a prospective, multi-center, randomized, controlled study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Non-valvular atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke; however, the appropriate intensity of anticoagulation therapy for Chinese patients has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and the efficacy of standard-intensity warfarin therapy, low-intensity warfarin therapy, and aspirin therapy for the prevention of ischemic events in Chinese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 786 patients from 75 Chinese hospitals were enrolled in this study and randomized into three therapy groups: standard-intensity warfarin (international normalized ratio (INR) 2.1 to 2.5) group, low-intensity warfarin (INR 1.6 to 2.0) group and aspirin (200 mg per day) group. All patients were evaluated by physicians at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 months after randomization to obtain a patient questionnaire, physical examination and related laboratory tests.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The annual event rates of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or systemic thromboembolism were 2.6%, 3.1% and 6.9% in the standard-intensity warfarin, low-intensity warfarin and aspirin groups, respectively (P = 0.027). Thromboembolic event rates in both warfarin groups were significantly lower than that in the aspirin group (P = 0.018, P = 0.044), and there was no significant difference between the two warfarin groups. Severe hemorrhagic events occurred in 15 patients, 7 (2.6%) in the standard-intensity warfarin group, 7 (2.4%) in the low-intensity warfarin group and 1 (0.4%) in the aspirin group. The severe hemorrhagic event rates in the warfarin groups were higher than that in the aspirin group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.101). The mild hemorrhagic and total hemorrhagic event rates in the warfarin groups (whether in the standard-intensity warfarin group or low-intensity warfarin group) were much higher than that in the aspirin group with the annual event rates of total hemorrhages of 10.2%, 7.6% and 2.2%, respectively, in the 3 groups (P = 0.001). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in all cause mortality among the three study groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In Chinese patients with NVAF, the warfarin therapy (INR 1.6 - 2.5) for the prevention of thromboembolic events was superior to aspirin.</p>

Catheter ablation of focal atrial tachycardia:the topographic distribution and long-term outcome / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the topographic distribution and long-term outcome of catheter ablation for focal atrial tachycardia (AT).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The data of 207 patients who underwent electrophysiologic study for AT were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 200 AT were identified in 185 patients. The most common site for AT was ostium of the coronary sinus (23.8%), followed by crista terminalis (20.5%), perinodal area (20.0%), cava vena (17.8%), annulus (13.0%), and appendage (10.3%). Eighty percent AT originated from the right atrium, 17.8% originated from the left atrium. AT originated from the left atrium was more common in male than in female (25.0% vs. 13.3%, P = 0.042), while AT originated from the right atrium was more common in female than in male (69.4% vs. 86.7%, P = 0.004). Among the 185 patients, acute success ablation rate was 93.5% (n = 173). The acute success rate in the conventional mapping group was lower than that in the three-dimensional mapping group (79.3% vs. 96.5%, P < 0.01). During a median of 36 months follow up, the AT recurred in 20 patients (success ablation rate 88.4%). Success ablation rate was similar between the conventional mapping group and the three-dimensional mapping group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Focal AT commonly originates from ostium of coronary sinus, crystal terminalis, perinodal area, and cava veins. There is a gender related difference in the distribution of focal AT. The radiofrequency catheter ablation yields a satisfying success rate and very low complication rate and could be the first line choice for treating ATs in experienced electrophysiological center.</p>

Magnetic navigation system assisted percutaneous coronary intervention: a comparison to the conventional approach in daily practice / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The benefits of the magnetic navigation system (MNS) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain unclear, and a comparison of the MNS assisted approach to the conventional approach for PCI, when used in daily practice, is little studied. This study aimed to investigate the benefits of an MNS assisted technique as compared to the conventional technique for PCI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight consecutive patients scheduled for PCI were recruited between December 2009 and April 2010. MNS assisted PCIs were performed on 54 target vessels. Another 45 patients with 54 target vessels undergoing conventional PCIs were selected from a historical population of patients to match the MNS group according to the coronary lesion type (ACC/AHA classification). Emergency PCIs and chronic total occlusions were excluded from both groups. Analyses were performed using Stata 9.2 statistical software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant differences between the baseline characteristics of the MNS group and the control group. The success rates were 100.0% for the MNS assisted PCI and 98.1% for the conventional PCI, which did not reach a significant difference (P = 1.000); there were also no significant differences in terms of guide wire crossing time ((51.7 ± 30.5) seconds vs. (57.5 ± 49.4) seconds, P = 0.448), operation time ((28.4 ± 15.9) minutes vs. (28.0 ± 24.7) minutes, P = 0.935), X-ray exposure ((458.1 ± 350.1) µGym(2) vs. (558.7 ± 451.7) µGym(2), P = 0.197; and (94.2 ± 80.9) mGy vs. (96.2 ± 77.3) mGy, P = 0.895) or contrast usage ((7.3 ± 4.0) ml vs. (6.1 ± 3.7) ml, P = 0.121) between the two groups. However, a trend toward shorter guide wire crossing time and less X-ray exposure were observed for the magnetic group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In daily practice, MNS assisted PCI resulted in a similar procedural success rate, operation time, and contrast usage, with a trend toward shorter guide wire crossing time and less X-ray exposure when compared to the conventional PCI.</p>

Resveratrol-induced augmentation of telomerase activity delays senescence of endothelial progenitor cells / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Previous studies have shown that resveratrol increases endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) numbers and functional activity. Increased EPC numbers and activity are associated with the inhibition of EPC senescence. In this study, we investigated the effect of resveratrol on the senescence of EPCs, leading to potentiation of cellular function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>EPCs were isolated from human peripheral blood and identified immunocytochemically. EPCs were incubated with resveratrol (1, 10, and 50 µmol/L) or control for specified times. After in vitro cultivation, acidic β-galactosidase staining revealed the extent of senescence in the cells. To gain further insight into the underlying mechanism of the effect of resveratrol, we measured telomerase activity using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Furthermore, we measured the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and the phosphorylation of Akt by immunoblotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Resveratrol dose-dependently inhibited the onset of EPC senescence in culture. Resveratrol also significantly increased telomerase activity. Interestingly, quantitative real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that resveratrol dose-dependently increased the expression of the catalytic subunit, hTERT, an effect that was significantly inhibited by pharmacological phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) blockers (wortmannin). The expression of hTERT is regulated by the PI3-K/Akt pathway; therefore, we examined the effect of resveratrol on Akt activity in EPCs. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that resveratrol led to dose-dependent phosphorylation and activation of Akt in EPCs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Resveratrol delayed EPCs senescence in vitro, which may be dependent on telomerase activation.</p>

Activation of calcium-sensing receptors is associated with apoptosis in cardiomyocytes under simulated ischemia/reperfusion / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the association of activation of calcium-sensing receptors (CaSR) with apoptosis in cardiomyocytes under simulated ischemia/reperfusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ventricular cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats were incubated in ischemia-mimetic solution for 2 h, then re-incubated in normal culture medium for 24 h to establish a model of simulated ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL assay). The expression of CaSR mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of Caspase -3 and Bcl-2 was detected by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The simulated I/R enhanced the expression of CaSR and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. GdCl(3), a specific activator of CaSR, further increased the expression of CaSR and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, along with upregulation of Caspase-3 and downregulation of Bcl-2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CaSR is associated with I/R injury and apoptosis in neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes via suppressing Bcl-2 and promoting Caspase -3 expression.</p>

Late recurrent high degree atrioventricular block after percutaneous closure of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

High degree atrioventricular block (HDAVB) is a serious complication of transcatheter closure of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PMVSD). We report one patient who developed transient HDAVB seven days after transcathter closure of PMVSD and had recurrent HDAVB 42 months after the procedure.

Myocardial injury resulting from radiofrequency catheter ablation: comparison of circumferential pulmonary vein isolation and complex fractionated atrial electrograms ablation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) necessarily produces an area of myocardial necrosis. However, the difference of the extent of myocardial injury between circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) and complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been investigated before.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-nine consecutive male patients (n = 29) with either paroxysmal or persistent AF were selected for CPVI or CFAE ablation. The CPVI or CFAE ablation was performed with a three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping system (CARTO). Serum cardiac biomarkers, for example, cardiac troponin T (cTnT), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and creatine kinase myocardial bound (CKMB) were determined by the Elecsys STATE immunoassay. Cardiac structure and function were measured with echocardiography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Echocardiography showed that there was no significant difference of atrioventricular structure or function parameters between the CPVI group and the CFAE ablation group. Serum cTnT showed a significant increase in the CFAE ablation group over the CPVI group at 12 and 24 hours after the procedure (P < 0.05, respectively), and then it was reduced to a normal level after 48 hours. Serum AST showed a significant increase in the CFAE ablation group over the CPVI group at post-procedure, 4 and 12 hours after the procedure (P < 0.05, respectively), and then it reached to a normal level after 24 hours. There was no significant difference in LDH, CK, or CKMB levels between the CFAE ablation group and the CPVI group at any time point (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>cTnT and AST other than LDH, total CK or CKMB activity significantly increased more in the CFAE ablation group than the CPVI group. However, the difference of the serum levels of cTnT, AST between two groups was temporary.</p>

Evaluation of the traditional Chinese Medicine Shensongyangxin capsule on treating premature ventricular contractions: a randomized, double-blind, controlled multicenter trial / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Premature ventricular contraction (PVC) is one of the most common kinds of arrhythmias for which the treatment falls into dilemma. Previous clinical application showed that the traditional Chinese Medicine Shensongyangxin (SSYX) capsule is efficacious for the treatment of PVCs. This randomized clinical trial aimed to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of SSYX capsule on treating PVC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The subjects who had frequent PVCs with or without organic heart disease and normal cardiac function were enrolled in the study. The primary endpoint was the change of PVC numbers after eight-week medication with SSYX capsule. The secondary endpoints included change of clinical symptoms related to PVCs and the safety evaluation of SSYX capsule. Totally 188 PVC patients were randomly enrolled in the non-organic heart disease PVCs trial and orally took either SSYX capsules or analogues (three times per day, 4 capsules one time). A total of 671 PVCs patients were randomly enrolled in the organic heart disease PVCs trial, and orally took either SSYX capsules (three times per day, 4 capsules one time) or mexiletine tablet (three times per day, 150 mg one time). The PVCs were monitored and calculated with 24-hour Holter electrocardiogram. Routine blood, liver and kidney function were tested before and after medication with SSYX capsule.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SSYX capsules significantly decreased the PVCs numbers and alleviated the related symptoms in patients with or without organic heart disease. In non-organic heart disease group, SSYX capsules and the placebos decreased the PVCs from 12,561.34 ± 9,777.93 to 4,806.87 ± 6,507.17, and 12,605.69 ± 8,736.34 to 10,364.94 ± 9,903.41, respectively. The total effective rate was 74.2% and 28.9% in SSYX and placebo groups (P < 0.001). In organic heart disease group, SSYX capsule and mexiletine decreased the PVCs from 8,641.01 ± 8,923.57 to 3,853.68 ± 7,096.42, 8,621.61 ± 8,367.74 to 5,648.29 ± 8,667.38, respectively. The total effective rate was 65.8% and 50.7% in SSYX and mexiletine groups (P < 0.001). In addition, SSYX capsule significantly alleviated PVCs-related symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, insomnia, fatigue, and night sweats. No adverse cardiac events were observed except some slight gastrointestinal side effects during the study.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with placebo or mexiletine, SSYX capsules have significant therapeutic efficacy in reducing PVCs numbers and alleviate PVCs-related symptoms.</p>

Impact of metoprolol use in the treatment of patients with electrical-storm after cardioverter defibrillators implantation / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effectiveness of the metoprolol dosage adjustment on reducing the incidence of electrical-storm (ES) in patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data from patients with ICD implantation between Jan, 2003 and Jun, 2006 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. ES was defined as either ≥ 3 times of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTAs) resulting in ICD therapy or VTAs lasting more than 30 s detected by ICD without any therapy within 24 hours.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During a follow-up period of (27.5 ± 21.2) months, ES was recorded in 39 cases [34 males, average age (52.0 ± 13.1) years] out of 119 patients (32.8%) and 9 patients died after ES. During the period of storm attack, ES was successfully controlled in 25/30 patients by various interventions, including predisposing factors corrected in 5 cases, ICD reprogramming and antiarrhythmic drugs therapy optimized in 16 cases (one received intravenous injection of metoprolol), and VTAs eliminated by catheter ablation in 4 cases. ES was spontaneously resolved in the remaining 5 cases. In the chronic phase, 2 patients with Brugada syndrome were treated with Quinidine mono-therapy while the dosage of metoprolol was adjusted in the remaining 23 patients and the dosage of metoprolol was increased gradually from (26.8 ± 13.9) mg/d to (88.9 ± 53.5) mg/d without any adverse effects (9 patients received also oral amiodarone 200 mg/d). Post dosage adjustment, the total VTA episodes [(1.9 ± 1.7) times/month vs. (0.8 ± 0.6) times/month, P = 0.004], incidence of antitachycardia pacing therapies [(4.2 ± 3.8) runs/month vs. (2.3 ± 2.0) runs/month, P = 0.003], as well as electrical cardioversion or defibrillation [(1.1 ± 0.9) times/month vs. (0.4 ± 0.2) times/month, P = 0.001] were significantly decreased. ES was not controlled until a extremely high dosage [225 - 300 (255.3 ± 41.7) mg/d] of metoprolol was reached in the remaining 5 patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Metoprolol use is essential and its dosage should be individualized in the majority of ICD recipients with ES. In approximately 1/6 patients, the dosage of metoprolol should be higher than 200 mg/d.</p>

Clinical characteristics of congenital ventricular aneurysm and diverticula in inland China / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the clinical characteristics of congenital ventricular aneurysm and diverticula in inland China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To identify the literature of congenital aneurysm and diverticula from Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PubMed databases, and to analyze the clinical characteristics of congenital aneurysm and diverticula from January of 2001 to December of 2009.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 116 patients [78 men, 1 - 80 (33.5 ± 21.3) years old] with congenital aneurysm or diverticula were included in 109 articles. Twenty-five patients (13 men) were congenital ventricular aneurysm, including a family of 4 patients. Ninety-one patients (65 men) were congenital ventricular diverticula. One hundred patients were detected by echocardiography during medical examination, 34 patients combined with other cardiac anomalies, 4 of which with extracardiac structures. There were 8 patients with ventricular arrhythmia, 8 patients with thrombosis, 2 patients died of cardiac rupture, 4 patients died of sudden death, surgical operation was performed in 46 patients and 3 patients received ablation procedure. All patient did not receive implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Congenital ventricular aneurysm or diverticulum is a rare cardiac malformation. Most congenital left ventricular aneurysms and diverticula are asymptomatic and detected by echocardiography. Congenital ventricular aneurysm or diverticulum may cause ventricular tachycardia, ventricular wall rupture, systemic embolization or sudden death, which had to be treated individually.</p>

Increased stromal-cell-derived factor 1 enhances the homing of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in dilated cardiomyopathy in rats / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Stem cell transplantation has been shown to have beneficial effects on dilated cardiomyopathy. However, mechanism for stem cell homing to cardiac tissue in dilated cardiomyopathy has not yet been elucidated.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from rat bone marrow, expanded in vitro, and labeled with (99m)Tc. Cardiomyopathy model was induced by doxorubicin in rats. (99m)Tc labeled cells were infused into the left ventricles in cardiomyopathy and control rats. Sixteen hours after injection, animals were sacrificed and different tissues were harvested to measure specific radioactivity. By use of real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, mRNA and protein expressions for stromal-cell-derived factor 1 in cardiac tissue were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Labeling efficiency of mesenchymal stem cells was (70.0 ± 11.2)%. Sixteen hours after mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, the heart-to-muscle radioactivity ratio was increased significantly in cardiomyopathy hearts as compared to control hearts. Both mRNA and protein expressions of stromal-cell-derived factor 1 were up-regulated in cardiomyopathy hearts as compared with control hearts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In dilated cardiomyopathy induced by doxorubicin up-regulated expression of stromal-cell-derived factor 1 in heart may induce mesenchymal stem cells home to the heart.</p>

Psychological status in 1083 hospitalized patients with coronary artery disease / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety and depression symptoms in hospitalized Chinese patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2007 to May 2009, 1083 hospitalized patients with confirmed coronary artery disease were recruited in this study. The ZUNG Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the ZUNG Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used for the psychological assessment. Economic status, living condition and the environment of both living and working places were evaluated by epidemiological questionnaires.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of pure anxiety, pure depression symptoms and the combination of anxiety and depression symptoms were 7.9%, 28.3% and 14.3% respectively. Incidence of anxiety and depression symptoms was significantly higher in female patients compared with in male patients (P = 0.003, 0.012 respectively) and in aged patients than in middle-aged patients (P = 0.001). The elderly, less than 9 years of education and poor sleep quality increased the risk of anxiety symptom with ORs of 1.63 (95%CI: 1.21 - 2.21), 1.54 (95%CI: 1.15 - 2.07) and 1.62 (95%CI: 1.34 - 1.96), respectively, while workplace noise, history of chronic disease and poor sleep quality increased the risk of depression symptom with ORs of 1.52 (95%CI: 1.18 - 1.98), 1.36 (95%CI: 1.06 - 1.75) and 1.27 (95%CI: 1.08 - 1.50), respectively. Female (OR = 1.91, 95%CI: 1.22-2.98), aged patient (OR = 1.84, 95%CI: 1.23 - 2.76), workplace noise (OR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.07 - 2.42), history of chronic disease (OR = 1.84, 95%CI: 1.24 - 2.71) and poor sleep quality (OR = 1.73, 95%CI: 1.35 - 2.21) were significantly correlated with the combined incidence of anxiety and depression symptoms.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Around half of the Chinese hospitalized CAD patients were complicated with various degrees of anxiety and/or depression symptoms. Female and aged patients were at higher risk for anxiety and depression symptoms. Sleep quality, workplace noise, years of education and history of chronic disease were independent risk factors for anxiety or depression symptoms.</p>

Relationship between high-sensitive c-reactive and blood pressure / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between c-reactive protein (CRP) and blood pressure in a general population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We randomly selected 3889 subjects aged 18 - 74 years stratified by gender and age in Baqiao, a rural area of Jiangsu Province. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect information on medical history, smoking, alcohol intake and use of medications. Blood pressure was measured by mercury sphygmomanometer. Serum CRP (hCRP) concentration was measured using a high sensitivity BNprosec immunonephelometric assay. Subjects were divided into 4 groups according to their interquartile range of CRP levers: group Q1 (men hCRP < 2.04 mg/L; women hCRP < 1.80 mg/L); group Q2 (men 2.04 mg/L ≤ hCRP < 3.01 mg/L; women 1.80 mg/L ≤ hCRP < 2.76 mg/L); group Q3 (men 3.01 mg/L ≤ hCRP < 4.14 mg/L; women 2.76 mg/L ≤ hCRP < 3.84 mg/L); and group Q4 (men 4.14 mg/L ≤ hCRP; women 3.84 mg/L ≤ hCRP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Systolic blood pressure (SBP, adjusted P = 0.016) and pulse pressure (PP, adjusted P = 0.003) of men and PP (adjusted P = 0.002) of women were increased in proportion to increased CRP levels. Diastolic blood pressure was not associated with CRP levels. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that logCRP was independently associated with SBP and PP in men and PP in women. hCRP was independently associated with hypertension in men. Compared with group Q1, male people in group Q4 faced a 40.4% (95% confidence interval: 4.9% - 87.9%) higher risk of hypertension.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>hCRP was independently associated with PP in men and women, and SBP in men. hCRP was independently associated with hypertension in men but not in women in this study population.</p>