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Objective@#To assess the relationship between serum albumin level and clinical outcome in heart failure (HF) patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).@*Methods@#In this retrospective cohort study, 357 consecutive chronic heart failure patients receiving CRT between January 2010 and December 2015 were enrolled and divided into two groups based on pre-CRT serum albumin (albumin≥40 g/L, n=244; albumin<40 g/L, n=113). Clinical outcomes were defined as all-cause mortality (including heart transplantation) and rehospitalization due to worsening HF.Baseline characteristics were compared and all-cause mortality (including heart transplantation) and rehospitalization due to worsening heart failure (HF) were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves.Prognostic value of albumin level was evaluated in Cox proportional-hazards regression models.@*Results@#Over a median follow-up time of 21 months, 45 patients (12.6%) died, 4 patients (1.1%) underwent heart transplantation and 100 patients (28.0%) were rehospitalized due to worsening HF. HF patients with pre-CRT albumin<40 g/L were related with worse NYHA function class, lower HDL-C level and ACEI/ARB use compared to HF patients with pre-CRT albumin≥40 g/L. Kaplan-Meier analyses evidenced lower survival rate in HF patients (log-rank test: P=0.000 4, χ2=12.60) and higher rehospitalization rate due to worsening HF (log-rank test: P=0.009, χ2=6.82) in HF patients with pre-CRT albumin<40 g/L.Multivariate Cox analyses indicated that serum pre-CRT albumin <40 g/L was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (HR=2.019, 95%CI 1.125-3.622, P=0.018) and HF rehospitalization (HR=1.517, 95%CI 1.014-2.270, P=0.043).@*Conclusion@#Pre-CRT serum albumin level is associated with the severity of heart failure in CRT recipients.Patients with lower pre-CRT albumin level face increased risk of all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization in chronic heart failure patients receiving cardiac resynchronization.
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Objective: To conduct a preliminary evaluation for the usability of Carelink remote monitoring system by clinical physician. Methods: A total of 215 patients received cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) with Carelink remote monitoring function from 12 hospitals in China between 2012-01 and 2013-10 were prospectively enrolled. The patient's mean age was (62.3±14.3) years including 108 male and 107 female. There were 54 physicians completed questionnaire survey. Based on the type of CIED, the patients were divided into3 groups: PM (pace maker) group,n=110, ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) group,n=54 and CRT (cardiac resynchronization therapy) group,n=51. The patients received routine hospital visit at 3 months of CIED implantation and meanwhile, they performed device data transmission at 3 and 6 months of Carelink remote monitoring. The time physician spent to evaluate data was collected at 3 months and the questionnaire survey was completed by physician at 6 months after CIED implantation. Results: All 54 physicians felt that Carelink remote monitoring system was simple to operate and easy to use. There were 147 patients ifnished hospital visit at 3 months after CIED implantation, the mean time for physician to evaluate data was (14.8±8.4) min; 150 patients ifnished Carelink remote monitor at 3 months after CIED implantation, the mean time for physician to evaluate data was (8.2 ±4.6) min,P<0.0001.Conclusion: Carelink remote monitoring system was easy to use, it may save time in follow-up study which with high satisfaction in clinical practice.
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Objective: To create and validate a scoring system for predicting clinical prognosis in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Methods: A cohort of 367 consecutive patients received CRT in our hospital from 2010-01 to 2015-12 were enrolled. The endpoint follow-up events were all-cause death including heart transplantation and heart failure re-admission. The patients were randomly categorized into 2 groups: Modeling group, to develop HEAL scoring system,n=300 and Veriifcation group, to validate HEAL model,n=67. HEAL system was established by Cox proportional hazards regression model, discrimination between HEAL and EARRN scoring systems was evaluated by AUC of ROC, HEAL calibration was assessed by Hosmer-Lemeshow test and clinical endpoint evaluation by 2 scoring systems were compared by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Modeling group analysis indicated that hs-CRP (HR=1.137, 95% CI 1.072-1.205,P10. AUC for risk classification in Modeling group and Verification group were 0.719(95% CI 0.629-0.809) and 0.708 (95% CI 0.539-0.878), HEAL can well distinguish clinical prognosis in patients at different risk levels (log-rank test showed in Modeling groupP<0.001 and in Veriifcation groupP=0.002); Hosmer-Lemeshow test presented good calibration,P=0.952. All 367 patients were respectively evaluated by HEAL and EARRN scoring systems, HEAL had the better discrimination than EARRN as AUC 0.763 (95% CI 0.692-0.833) vs AUC 0.602 (95% CI 0.517-0.687). Conclusion: HEAL scoring system can effectively predict adverse prognosis in CRT patients, it had the better discrimination than EARRN system and was valuable to distinguish high risk patients in clinical practice.
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Objective: To explore current status of antithrombotic therapy in patients with non-valvular atrial ifbrillation (NVAF) at Macau area of china via clinical data analysis. Methods: A total of 472 NVAF patients treated in Centro Hospitalar Conde de S?o Januário (CHCSJ) from 2014-01 to 2041-12 were enrolled. The patients were at the age of (73.0±10.9) years including 197 (41.7%) female and 244 (51.7%)≥75 years. The baseline condition, clinical characteristics and antithrombotic therapy were analyzed; relevant scores were calculated, CHA2DS2-VASc score≥2 was deifned as high risk of stroke and HAS-BLED score≥3 was deifned as high risk of bleeding. Results: The average CHA2DS2-VASc score was (3.4±1.8) and 389/472 (82.4%) patients with CHA2DS2-VASc scor≥2; the mean HAS-BLED score was (1.96±1.03) and 132 (28.0%) patients with HAS-BLED score≥3. There were 184 (38.9%) patients received antiplatelet therapy, 101 (21.4%) received warfarin, 156 (33.1%) received new oral anticoagulant drug and 22 patients taken both antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatments simultaneously; 53 (11.2%) patients had no antithrombotic therapy. The patients with high risk of stroke had the higher rate of anticoagulant therapy (215/472, 55.3%) and the application rate of new anticoagulant drug was higher than warfarin. Conclusion: NVAF patients had the higher risk of stroke as more than 80% with CHA2DS2-VASc score≥2 and most patients received anticoagulant therapy in Macau area. The application rate of new anticoagulant drug was higher than warfarin.
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Bombyx mori bidensovirus (BmBDV) has been identified as causing chronic densonucleosis in Bombyx mori specifically. The replication mechanism of BmBDV remains unknown. Its genome comprises two single stands DNA (VD1 and VD2). In order to rescue infectious virions in vitro, we obtained the total viral DNA extracted from the BmBDV-infected larvae midguts, subsequently cloned the full-length sequence of BmBDV genome fragments by PCR and constructed recombinant plasmids pMD18T-VD1 and pUC-VD2. The linear genome fragments were obtained by digesting recombinant plasmids with corresponding restriction enzymes, and then collectively transfected BmN cells by the method of liposome-embedding. We determined the replication of the virus gene by PCR with the template of demethylated total DNA extracted from the post-transfect BmN cells. Meanwhile, we collected the total proteins from the post-transfect BmN cells and the larvae midgut of feeding the post-transfect BmN cells to perform Western blotting analysis, and detected the expression of viral genes. Here we firstly confirm that infectious virions can be rescued in BmN cells by linear co-transfect method.
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Animals , Bombyx , DNA, Viral , Densovirus , Larva , Transfection , Virion , Virus CultivationABSTRACT
With the increasingly tense doctor-patient relationship,the practice teaching of laboratory medicine has obviously been affected.For example,the practice teachings systems do not adapt to the updated situations,and practice teaching has been simplified and communication training ignored.In order to deal with these problems and ensure the goals of practice teaching,various measures have been taken in training hospitals.Firstly,the practice system has been further improved and implemented effectively by strengthening mobilization and adopting qualification licensing before practice and interaction practice between teachers and students and regular communication between school and training hospital during practice and strict assessment after practice.Secondly,medical ethics educations and laboratory biological safety have been strengthened.Thirdly,the modem automation and classic morphology should be integrated.Finally,the ability of communication between medical laboratory and doctor and patients should be cultivated,and so on.These measures are to ensure the effect of the practice teaching and cultivate excellent students.
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Background The data on the prognostic values of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in patients with advanced symp-tomatic heart failure (HF) receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are scarce. The aim of present study was to investigate the association of serum hsCRP levels with left ventricle reverse remodeling after six months of CRT as well as long-term outcome. Methods A total of 232 CRT patients were included. The assessment of hsCRP values, clinical status and echocardiographic data were performed at baseline and after six months of CRT. Long-term follow-up included all-cause mortality and hospitalizations for HF. Results During the mean follow-up periods of 31.3 ± 31.5 months, elevated hsCRP (>3 mg/L) prior to CRT was associated with a significant 2.39-fold increase (P=0.006) in the risk of death or HF hospitalizations. At 6-month follow-up, patients who responded to CRT showed significant reductions or maintained low in hsCRP levels (–0.5 ± 4.1 mg/L reduction) compared with non-responders (1.7 ± 6.1 mg/L increase, P=0.018). Com-pared with patients in whom 6-month hsCRP levels were reduced or remained low, patients in whom 6-month hsCRP levels were increased or maintained high experienced a significantly higher risk of subsequent death or HF hospitalizations (Log-rank P<0.001). The echocardio-graphic improvement was also better among patients in whom 6-month hsCRP levels were reduced or remained low compared to those in whom 6-month hsCRP levels were raised or maintained high. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated that measurement of baseline and follow-up hsCRP levels may be useful as prognostic markers for timely potential risk stratification and subsequent appropriate treatment strategies in patients with advanced HF undergoing CRT.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Renal insufficiency (RI) is significantly associated with clinical prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF), but direct evidences on the relation between renal function and clinical outcome in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are limited. The aim of the current study was to systematically evaluate the association of baseline and 6-month renal function with cardiac reverse remodeling and long-term outcome after CRT.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively evaluated 190 consecutive patients who underwent CRT at Fuwai Hospital from January 2008 to April 2013. Renal function tests, echocardiographic measurement, and clinical parameters at baseline and after 6 months of CRT were performed. Primary endpoint events included all-cause mortality, cardiac transplantation, and unplanned hospitalizations for HF.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At baseline, compared with normal renal function or mild RI (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2)), moderate-to-severe RI (eGFR <60 ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2)) exerted a negative influence on cardiac reverse remodeling parameters. At 6-month follow-up, 114 (60.0%) patients were classified as responders and showed significant renal function improvement, whereas renal function deteriorated in non-responders and subsequently 41 (25.6%) patients developed worsening renal function (WRF). During the mean follow-up of (24.3±17.1) months, both patients with baseline eGFR <60 ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2) and those with WRF experienced worse event-free survival (P < 0.01, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This analysis identified that baseline eGFR as well as WRF after CRT were found to be independent determinants of the combined endpoints of all-cause mortality and HF-related hospitalizations in CRT recipients.</p>
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Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy , Disease-Free Survival , Heart Failure , Kidney , Kidney Function Tests , ErbB Receptors , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Background Intrathoracic impedance monitoring has emerged as a promising new technique for the detection of impending heart failure (HF). Although false positive episodes have been reported in case reports and clinical trials, the efficacy and false positive rate in real-world practice remain unclear. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the utility and reliability of the OptiVol alert feature in clinical practice. Methods We continuously recruited patients who underwent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac re-synchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) implantation with feature of intrathoracic impedance monitoring system in our center from Sep. 2010 to Oct. 2012. Regular in-office follow-up were required of all patients and the following information was collected at each visit: medical history, device interrogation, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurement and an echocardiogram. Worsening HF was defined as hospitalization or the presentation of signs or symptoms of HF. Results Forty three patients (male:76.7%, mean age:57 ± 15 years, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF):33%± 14%) were included in this observational study. Fifty four alert events and 14 adjudicated worsening HF were detected within 288 ±163 days follow-up. Eleven (20.4%) alert episodes were associated with acute cardiac decompensation in 9 patients with a positive predictive value of 78.6%. Forty three audible alerts showed no connection to worsening HF. The unexplained alerts rate was 79.6%and 1.27 per person-year. Thirty seven alarm alerts were detected in patients with EF<45%, among which 9 accompanied with HF, 17 alerts detected in patients with LVEF≥45%and 2 associated with HF. There was no sig-nificant difference between the two groups (9/37 vs. 2/17;P=0.47). Conclusions Patients with normal or nearly normal left ventricular systolic function also exhibited considerable alert events. The OptiVol fluid index predicted worsening cardiac events with a high unex-plained detection rate, and any alert must therefore be analyzed with great caution. Efforts to improve the specificity of this monitoring sys-tem represent a significant aspect of future studies.
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Objective To study the factors influencing the outcome of patients suffering from in-hospital ventricular fibriUation (IHVF), as there have been few studies focusing on this topic. Methods Patients with IHVF collected in a single cardiac center were classified into a successful group and a failure group. Data relevant to the predicting factors of the two groups were compared. Results There were 206 events in the analysis. The most common underlining disease was coronary artery disease (CAD), especially acute myocardial infarction (AMI). On multiple logistic regression analysis, it was shown that the independent predictors for failure of defebriUation were higher NYHA class (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2. 2,P <0.001), higher blood potassium level (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.9-4.3, P =0.007) and adrenaline usage (OR 25.0, 95% CI 11.5-55. 1, P <0.001). In a AMI sub-group, 56. 9% of the IHVF events occurred within the first day of AMI, and the occurrence descended with time going on within 2 weeks. Before the occurrence of IHVF, the patients with right coronary artery as the infarction related artery (IRA) often suffered from(8/9, 88.9%) bradycardia (R-R interval > 1 s), but those with left anterior descending artery as IRA often showed (8/12, 66.7%) tachycardia (RR interval < 0.6 s). Conclusions The common disease causing IHVF is CAD. The worse the heart function, the higher the rate of IHVF and the worse theprognosis. It IHVF not induced by hypokalemia and use of adrenaline in resuscitation predict lower successful defibrillation rate.
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Objectives: To assess the feasibility and stability of right ventricular outflow tract (ROVT) pacing under current technology by comparing the results of ROVT pacing with the traditional right ventricular apex (RVA) pacing. Methods: A total of 42 patients (at mean age of 63.5±10.4 years) without structural heart disease were randomly divided into two groups. RVA pacing group (n=14),and RVOT pacing group(n=28). An active fixation lead was implanted in all patients whose pacemaker could automatically measure the pacing threshold every day. The operation time,X-ray exposure time and lead parameters detected during the operation were collected to evaluate the feasibility of RVOT pacing. The complications related to lead and implantation procedure and the trend of threshold change during the follow-up time were used to assess the stability of RVOT pacing.Results: There were no statistic differences between RVA pacing group and RVOT pacing group in terms of operation time,X-ray exposure time and lead parameters. In RVOT group,the change of threshold during acute period was similar to those in RVA group (P=0.23). Chronic pacing threshold was also comparable between two groups,mean threshold at 6 months follow-up time was 0.55±0.11V and 0.54±0.09V at 0.4 pulse width in RVA group and RVOT group respectively (P=0.787).Conclusion: RVOT pacing was feasible and stable in operation time and lead characteristics compared with the conventional RVA pacing under current pacing technology.
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Three model silkworms, highly resistant strain, highly susceptible strain and their near isogenic line were established by hybridization and backcross. The resistance of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) to BmNPV was studied at proteomic level using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI TOF/TOF MS. Differential expression profiles of proteome in resistant strain, susceptible strain and near isogenic line were obtained, and 180, 190 and 187 of protein spots were shown, respectively. Among them, 80% were concentrated in pI 5-9. Twelve differential protein spots in total were obtained from 3 gels. Using MALDI TOF/TOF MS, five proteins, including aminoacylase, were identified from these spots. The exclusive expression of aminoacylase in highly resistant strain and near isogenic line and its absence in susceptible strain suggest that it might be a BmNPV-resistance related protein.
Subject(s)
Animals , Amidohydrolases , Genetics , Bombyx , Chemistry , Genetics , Virology , Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional , Hemolymph , Chemistry , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Genetics , Insect Proteins , Nucleopolyhedroviruses , Virulence , Physiology , Proteome , Proteomics , Methods , Recombination, Genetic , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-IonizationABSTRACT
In order to provide the maximum benefit of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), we tried to use an echocardiography method to optimize the atrioventricular and interventricular delay. Methods The study included 6 patients who underwent implantation of biventricular pacemakers for drug-resistant heart failure. Two-dimensional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging were carried out before and after the pacemaker implantation. The optimal AV delay was defined as the AV delay resulting in maximum timevelocity integral (TVI) of transmitral filling flow, the longest left ventricular filling time (LVFT) and the minimum mitral regurgitation(MR). The optimal VV delay was defined as the VV delay producing the maximum LV synchrony and the largest aortic TVI. Results CRT was successfully performed in all patients. After pacemaker implantation, an acute improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was observed from 26.5% to 35%. Meanwhile, the QRS duration decreased from 170ms to 150ms. The optimal AV delay was programmed at 130, 120, 120, 120, 150 and 110ms respectively with heart rate corrected, LVFT significantly lengthened and TVI of MR decreased (non-optimal vs optimal AV delay: LVFT: 469ms vs 523ms; TVI of MR: 16.43cm vs 13.06cm, P＜0.05). The optimal VV delay was programmed at 4, 4, 4, 8, 12 and 8ms with LV preactivation respectively. Programming the optimal VV delay increased the aortic TVI from 17.33cm up to 21.42cm (P＜0.05). In the septal and lateral wall, peak systolic velocities improved from2.70cm/s to 3.02cm/s (P＞0.05) and froml.31cm/s to 2.50cm/s (P＜0.05) respectively. The septal-to-lateral delay in peak velocity improved from 56.4ms to 13.3ms after CRT (P＜0.01). Conclusions Optimization of AV and VV delays may further enhance the efficacy of CRT. However, there was interindividual variability of optimal values, warranting individual patient examination.