Outcome indicators in clinical trials on traditional Chinese medicine treatment of microvascular angina / 中国中药杂志

This study reviewed the current status of the use of outcome indicators in randomized controlled trial(RCT) on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) treatment of microvascular angina(MVA) and analyzed the existing problems and possible solutions, aiming to provide a basis for the design of high-quality RCT and the establishment of core outcome sets for MVA. CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and 2 clinical trial registries were searched for the RCT on TCM treatment of MVA according to pre-defined criteria. The Cochrane's risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included RCT and the use of outcome indicators was summarized. A total of 69 RCTs were included, from which 100 outcome indicators were extracted, with the frequency of 430. The extracted outcome indicators belonged to 8 domains: response rate, symptoms and signs, physical and chemical examinations, TCM efficacy, safety, quality of life, economic evaluation, and long-term prognosis. The indicators of physical and chemical examinations were the most(70 indicators with the frequency of 211), followed by those of response rate(7 indicators with the frequency of 73) and symptoms and signs(7 indicators with the frequency of 54). The outcome indicators with higher frequency were adverse reactions, angina attack frequency, clinical efficacy, endothelin-1, total duration of treadmill exercise, and hypersensitive C-reactive protein. The RCT on TCM treatment of MVA had the following problems: irregular reporting of adverse reactions, diverse indicators with low frequency, lack of attention to the application of endpoint indicators, insufficient use of TCM differentiation and efficacy indicators, non-standard evaluation criteria and failure to reflect the basic characteristics of TCM. A unified MVA syndrome differentiation standard should be established, on the basis of which an MVA treatment efficacy evaluation system and core outcome indicator set that highlights the characteristics of TCM with patient-reported outcomes as the starting point should be established to improve the clinical research and research value.

Mechanism of Ficus hirta-Hypericum perforatum in treatment of microvascular angina based on network pharmacology and molecular docking / 中国中药杂志

The active ingredients of Ficus hirta and Hypericum perforatum were collected from Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP) and related papers. The potential targets of these two medicinal herbs were searched from HERB database, and those associated with microvascular angina were screened out from GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM), Therapeutic Target Database(TTD), and HERB. Cytoscape was used to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network of the common targets shared by the two herbs and microvascular angina based on the data of String platform. Metascape was employed to identify the involved biological processes and pathways enriched with the common targets. Cytoscape was used to draw the "active ingredient-target-pathway" network. AutoDock Vina was used to dock the core ingredients with the key targets. A total of 19 potential active ingredients and 71 potential targets were identified to be associated with microvascular angina. Bioinformatics analysis showed that phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3 K-AKT), interleukin-17(IL17), hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF-1) and other signaling pathways were related to the treatment of microvascular angina by F. hirta and H. perforatum. Molecular docking results showed that β-sitosterol, luteolin and other ingredients had strong affinity with multiple targets including mitogen-associated protein kinase 1(MAPK1), epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) and so on. These findings indicated that F. hirta and H. perforatum may regulate PI3 K-AKT, IL17, HIF-1 and other signaling pathways by acting on multiple targets to alleviate oxidative stress, inhibit inflammatory response, regulate angiogenesis, and improve vascular endothelium and other functions. This study provides reference for in vitro and in vivo studies of the treatment of microvascular angina.

Medição do Fluxo Sanguíneo Coronário em Angiogramas Coronários Convencionais por um Novo Método Baseado na Detecção da Densidade de Contraste. Uma Visão Fisiológica / Coronary Blood Flow Measurement in Conventional Coronary Angiograms by a New Method Based on Contrast Density Detection. A Physiological Insight

Resumo Fundamento O grau de fluxo TIMI e a contagem quadro a quadro TIMI corrigida (CTFC) são métodos amplamente utilizados para avaliar o fluxo sanguíneo coronariano angiográfico. A medição do fluxo sanguíneo coronariano (FSC) na coronariografia (CAG) padrão despertou grande interesse recentemente, tentando combinar o conceito de CTFC com novos métodos para pós-angioplastia e avaliação da síndrome cardíaca X. Além disso, o fluxo coronariano lento é considerado um critério importante para a angina microvascular. Objetivo Explorar uma nova abordagem de medição angiográfica quantitativa do FSC com base na detecção densitométrica de contraste na CAG offline, usando um software acessível para obter uma avaliação mais precisa e confiável do FSC. Métodos Trinta pacientes foram estudados e divididos em 2 grupos: fluxo sanguíneo coronariano normal (FN) e fluxo sanguíneo coronariano lento (FL), de acordo com a definição da CTFC. O MD foi aplicado à amostra do estudo para diferenciar entre FN e FL. A estatística não paramétrica foi usada para avaliar diferenças entre os grupos com p<0,05. Resultados O valor de referência normal do MD obtido para o fluxo sanguíneo coronariano foi de 9 [5-10] quadros. Os grupos FN vs. FL foi comparado e expresso como mediana [intervalo interquartil], para a artéria descendente anterior esquerda: 10 [7-11] vs. 21 [8-33]; p=0,016; artéria circunflexa: 9 [4-13] vs. 14 [11-30]; p=0,012 e artéria coronária direita: 5 [3-11] vs. 13 [8-26]; p=0,009. Conclusão O MD mostrou a viabilidade de medir o fluxo sanguíneo coronariano com precisão, consistência e reprodutibilidade em um angiograma coronariano padrão, mostrando a capacidade adicional de diferenciar FN de FL em pacientes com dor precordial e artérias coronárias normais. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(3):503-512)

Abstract Background TIMI flow grade and corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) are widely used methods to evaluate angiographic coronary blood flow. Measurement of coronary blood flow (CBF) on standard coronary angiography (CAG) has aroused great interest recently, trying to combine the CTFC concept with new methods for post-angioplasty and for cardiac syndrome X assessment. Additionally, coronary slow flow it is now considered a major criterion for microvascular angina. Objective Explore a new approach of quantitative angiographic measurement of CBF based on densitometric contrast detection in CAG off-line, using an accessible software to obtain a more precise and reliable CBF assessment. Methods Thirty patients were studied and divided in 2 groups, normal coronary blood flow (NF) and slow coronary blood flow (SF), according to CTFC definition. The DM was applied to the study sample to differentiate between NF and SF. Non-parametric statistics was used to assess differences between groups at p<0.05. Results The DM normal reference value obtained for coronary blood flow was 9 [5-10] frames. NF vs SF group were compared and expressed as median [interquartile range], for the left anterior descending: 10 [7-11] vs 21 [8-33];p= 0.016; circumflex: 9 [4-13] vs 14 [11-30]; p= 0.012 and right coronary artery: 5 [3-11] vs 13 [8-26]; p=0.009. Conclusion The DM showed the feasibility of measuring coronary blood flow with precision, consistency and reproducible in a standard coronary angiogram, showing the additional capability to differentiate between NF and SF in chest pain patients with normal coronary arteries. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(3):503-512)

Value of PET quantitative analysis of coronary physiology for the diagnosis and risk factors assess-ment of non-obstructive coronary microvascular disease / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To assess the myocardial blood flow and reserve function by rest and stress 13 N-NH3 PET myocardial perfusion imaging ( MPI) , and evaluate the diagnostic value of PET and risk fac-tors of non-obstructive coronary microvascular disease ( CMVD) type 1. Methods A total of 56 patients (28 males, 28 females;age:(52.0±7.6) years) with clinical suspected CMVD type 1 from April 2017 to December 2018 were prospectively enrolled. The coronary CT angiography, coronary angiography and other clinical data were recorded. All patients underwent one-day rest and stress 13 N-NH3 PET MPI. Images were analyzed and the absolute myocardial blood flow ( MBF) and coronary flow reserve ( CFR) were obtained. Patients were divided into CMVD type 1 ( CMVD) group and non-CMVD group. The differences between 2 groups were analyzed by two-sample t test and logistic regression. Results Among 56 patients, 20 patients were diagnosed as CMVD type 1, and 36 patients were excluded as non-CMVD group. The proportion of smoking and diabetes in the CMVD group was significantly higher than that in the non-CMVD group (χ2 val-ues:9.433 and 4.114, both P<0.05). The stress MBF ((2.37±0.61) vs (3.83±1.25) ml·min-1·g-1;t=-4.807, P<0.001) and CFR (2.67±0.60 vs 3.81±0.96;t=-4.751, P<0.001) were lower in smokers than those in non-smokers, and the stress MBF was lower in diabetes patients than that in non-diabetes patients ((2.63±0.98) vs (3.62±1.28) ml·min-1·g-1;t=-2.758, P=0.008). Smoking might be the risk factor for lower stress MBF (odd ratio (OR)=0.310, 95％ CI:0.114-0.880) and lower CFR (OR=0.278, 95％ CI:0. 080-0.894), and diabetes might be the risk factor for lower stress MBF (OR=0.254, 95％ CI:0.073-0. 887) . Conclusions PET MPI can be used for the diagnosis of CMVD type 1. Smoking and diabetes are likely to be associated with the onset of CMVD type 1.

Diagnostic value of blood flow reserve measurement with 13N-NH3·H2O PET/CT imaging in patients with coronary microvascular disease / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the diagnostic value of coronary flow reserve (CFR) on 13N-NH3·H2O PET/CT imaging for patients with suspected coronary microvascular disease (CMVD).@*Methods@#From September 2017 to September 2018, 54 clinical suspected CMVD patients (22 males, 32 females; age: 25-77 years) in TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent 13N-NH3·H2O PET/CT imaging to measure left ventricle CFR (LV-CFR), and were divided into CMVD group (LV-CFR<2.5) and non-CMVD group (LV-CFR≥2.5). Semi-quantitative parameters of PET/CT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), including summed stress score (SSS), summed rest score (SRS), summed difference score (SDS) and transient ischemic dilation (TID), as well as left ventricular function parameters, such as rest and stress imaging left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), and end-systolic volume (ESV) were compared between two groups. Besides, rest and stress LV-myocardial blood flow (MBF) and CFR distribution of the CMVD group in the region of three coronary arteries was also analyzed and compared. Independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the data.@*Results@#Rest LV-MBF of CMVD group was higher than that of non-CMVD group ((0.74±0.16) vs (0.63±0.09) ml·g-1·min-1) and stress LV-MBF was lower ((1.52±0.36) vs (1.89±0.22) ml·g-1·min-1; t values: 2.925, -4.503, both P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in other semi-quantitative parameters (t values: from -1.430 to 1.400, U values: 286.0-338.5, all P>0.05). Positive correlations were found in CFR among left anterior descending (LAD), left circumflex (LCX) and right coronary artery (RCA) (r values: 0.798-0.836, all P<0.01).@*Conclusion@#CFR measured with PET/CT imaging is better than semi-quantitative parameters in MPI, which provides noninvasive and objective diagnosis and evaluation information for patients without obvious epicardial coronary artery stenosis and suspected with CMVD.

Diagnostic value of blood flow reserve measurement with 13 N-NH3 ·H2 O PET/ CT imaging in pa-tients with coronary microvascular disease / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of coronary flow reserve (CFR) on 13 N-NH3 ·H2 O PET/ CT imaging for patients with suspected coronary microvascular disease (CMVD). Meth-ods From September 2017 to September 2018, 54 clinical suspected CMVD patients (22 males, 32 fe-males; age: 25-77 years) in TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent 13N-NH3·H2O PET/ CT imaging to measure left ventricle CFR (LV-CFR), and were divided into CMVD group (LV-CFR<2.5) and non-CMVD group (LV-CFR≥2.5). Semi-quantitative parameters of PET/ CT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), including summed stress score (SSS), summed rest score (SRS), summed difference score (SDS) and transient ischemic dilation (TID), as well as left ventricular function parameters, such as rest and stress imaging left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), and end-systolic volume (ESV) were compared between two groups. Besides, rest and stress LV-myocardial blood flow (MBF) and CFR distribution of the CMVD group in the region of three coro-nary arteries was also analyzed and compared. Independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson cor-relation analysis were used to analyze the data. Results Rest LV-MBF of CMVD group was higher than that of non-CMVD group ((0.74±0.16) vs (0. 63±0.09) ml·g-1 ·min-1 ) and stress LV-MBF was lower ((1.52± 0. 36) vs (1.89±0.22) ml·g-1 ·min-1; t values: 2.925, -4.503, both P<0.05). There was no signifi-cant difference between the two groups in other semi-quantitative parameters ( t values: from - 1. 430 to 1. 400, U values: 286.0-338.5, all P>0.05). Positive correlations were found in CFR among left anterior descending (LAD), left circumflex (LCX) and right coronary artery (RCA) (r values: 0.798-0.836, all P<0.01). Conclusion CFR measured with PET/ CT imaging is better than semi-quantitative parameters in MPI, which provides noninvasive and objective diagnosis and evaluation information for patients without ob-vious epicardial coronary artery stenosis and suspected with CMVD.

Relationship between coronary tortuosity and coronary microvascular disease / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective@#To explore the relationship between coronary tortuosity and coronary microvascular disease (CMVD).@*Methods@#Patients with typical angina symptoms and without serious coronary artery stenosis by coronary angiography were enrolled from June 2014 to December 2016, and CMVD was diagnosed by single photon emission tomography (SPECT). According to the SPECT results, patients were divided to the CMVD group and non-CMVD group. The baseline clinical characteristics, results of coronary angiography were compared between the two groups. The logistic analysis was used to analyze the relationship between coronary tortuosity and CMVD.@*Result@#A total of 117 cases were enrolled, with 69 cases in the CMVD group and 48 cases in the non-CMVD group. No differences were found in gender distribution, age, hypertension, lipid abnormality, hyperuricemia and uses of statins between the two groups (all P>0.05). Incidence of diabetes (78.26%(54/69) vs. 35.42% (17/48) , P<0.05), hs-CRP ((4.29±2.15)mmol/L vs. (2.63±1.20)mmol/L, P<0.001), LDL-C ((2.98±0.96)mmol/L vs. (2.52±0.83)mmol/L, P=0.008) and homocysteine ((13.7±5.61)mmol/L vs. (11.5±4.38)mmol/L, P=0.025) levels were higher in the CMVD group than in the non-CMVD group. The data derived from echocardiographic examination were similar between the two groups. The Corrected TIMI frame counts were higher in the CMVD group than in non-CMVD group (LAD: 31.56±4.92 vs. 27.31±3.75, LCX: 29.47±4.18 vs. 26.62±3.19, RCA: 29.09±5.05 vs. 26.24±3.28, all P<0.001). The incidences of coronary atherosclerosis (76.81% (53/69) vs. 27.08% (13/48) , P<0.001) and coronary tortuosity ( (60.87% (42/69) vs. 33.33% (16/48) , P=0.035) were also higher in the CMVD group than in non-CMVD group. Logistic analysis found that coronary tortuosity (OR=6.111, 95%CI 2.707-13.794, P<0.001), diabetes (OR=6.565, 95%CI 2.883-14.948, P<0.001) and coronary atherosclerosis (OR=8.918, 95%CI 3.822-20.808, P<0.001) were independent risk factors of CMVD.@*Conclusion@#Coronary tortuosity, diabetes and coronary atherosclerosis are related to CMVD in this patient cohort.

Clinical effect of Tongxinluo capsule in the treatment of women with microvascular angina / 中国基层医药

Objective To analyze the clinical effect of Tongxinluo capsule in the treatment of female patients with microvascular angina .Methods 122 female patients with microvascular angina pectoris were selected ,and they were randomly divided into conventional group and observation group ,61 cases in each group .On the basis of the two groups in the same treatment ,including antiplatelet ,lipid,the observation group was given Tongxinluo capsule orally , treatment for 3 months.The therapeutic effect was compared between the two groups .Results The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.44％,which of the conventional group was 80.33％,the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2 =4.603,P=4.603).The total effective rate of exercise electrocardiogram ( ECG ) improvement in the observation group was 91.80％, which of the conventional group was 75.41％, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2 =4.552,P=0.048).Conclusion Tongxinluo capsule in the treatment of female patients with microvascular angina pectoris has good clinical curative effect ,it can obviously improve the clinical symptoms ,promote disease recover ,which is worthy of popularizing .

The value of PET quantitative analysis of coronary physiology in the diagnosis of coronary microvascular disease / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of quantitative rest and stress 13N-NH3 PET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) on coronary microvascular disease (CMVD),and provide basis for accurate classification.Methods From July 2016 to September 2017,a total of 23 patients (16 males,7 females;27-70 years) who were suspected of CMVD were prospectively enrolled in this study.Rest and ATPstress MPI were acquired using 13N-NH3 PET and analyzed using Heartsee software.Rest and stress relative uptake,absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) were obtained and present on sectional images and cup maps.Based on the information,CMVD was diagnosed or excluded.Combined with myocardial enzymes,echocardiography,cardiac MRI,coronary angiography,CT angiography (CTA),CMVD was further divided into CMVD without (type 1) or with obstructive coronary disease (type 2),and other CMVD (type 3).Two-sample t test and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze the data.Results In 23 patients,17 cases were diagnosed as CMVD (including 10 cases with type 1,3 cases with type 2 and 4 cases with type 3),and 6 cases were excluded.There were no significant differences in the age,gender and risk factors between CMVD group and exclusion group (all P＞0.05).The relative uptake results,including average uptake of whole left ventricle in rest and stress states,rest minimum quadrant,and area of stress uptake less than 60％ of maximum were significantly different between the two groups (t values:from -3.249 to 2.469,all P＜0.05).All the absolute blood flow parameters,including rest and stress whole MBF and CFR,rest and stress minimum quadrant MBF and CFR,were significantly different between CMVD group and exclusion group (t values:from-8.278 to-3.258,all P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference for relative uptake data among three types of CMVD (F values:from 0.002 to 1.440,all P＞0.05).For absolute quantitative values of whole MBF and minimum quadrant MBF in both rest and stress states,difference was statistically significant among groups (F values:from 3.885 to 8.452,all P＜0.05).Conclusion Quantitative PET MPI could provide a noninvasive,safe and accurate method for the diagnosis and classification of CMVD.

An observation on therapeutic effect of combined traditional Chinese and western medicine for treatment of microvascular angina / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To observe the clinical effect of Shexiang Baoxin pill,a traditional Chinese medicine,combined with nicorandil on microvascular angina pectoris.Methods Seventy patients with microangiopathic angina diagnosed by coronary angiography admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College from January 2014 to August 2016 were enrolled,and they were divided into a control group and an observation group according to conplete random number table method,35 patients in each group.Both groups were given routine treatment,in the observation group,additionally,nicorandil 5 mg 3 times a day and 2 Shexiang Baoxin pills (22.5 mg per tablet),3 times a day were orally applied,the therapeutic course in both groups being 6 weeks.Before and after treatment,the changes of number of episodes of angina pectoris per week,of the total number of ST-segment depression leads and the minimum voltage amplitude of ST-segment depression in the 12-lead resting electrocardiogram and adverse reaction were observed in the two groups.Results The frequency of angina pectoris after treatment was less than that before treatment,the total number of ST segment depression leads was lower and the minimum voltage amplitude of ST segment depression was decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups,the degree of change in the observation group being more significant than those in the control goup [angina attack frequency (times):5.2 ± 0.5 vs.9.4 ± 1.6,ST segment depression lead total number:2.3-± 0.2 vs.4.6 ± 2.1,ST segment depression lowest voltage amplitude (my):0.10 ± 0.01 vs.0.31 ± 0.01,all P ＜ 0.05].The adverse effects incidence showed no statistical significant differences between control group and observation group [14.3％ (5/35) vs.22.8％ (8/35),P ＞ 0.05] Conclusions On the basis of conventional medication,Shexiang Baoxin pills combined with nicorandil has obvious therapeutic effect for treatment of microangiopathic angina pectoris.

Advances in animal model and traditional Chinese medicine prevention in coronary microvascular dysfunction / 中国中药杂志

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is a common mechanism for some heart disease like cardiac X syndrome and no-reflow phenomenon after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). With the development of medical imageology, CMD has received increased attention. Animal model of CMD is indispensable tool for the research of pathogenesis and treatment evaluation, therefor choose an appropriate animal model is the first issue to carry out CMD research. Experimental and clinical studies have shown unique effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in CMD therapy. Clarifying of the TCM therapeutic effect mechanisms and seeking an optimal solution of combination of traditional Chinese and western medicine will be the focus of future research. This paper reviewed the establishment and evaluation of CMD animal model, as well as the intervention study of TCM on CMD. The article aims to provide reference for the basic research of CMD and the TCM experimental study on CMD.

Women and Ischemic Heart Disease: Recognition, Diagnosis and Management

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most frequent causes of death in both males and females throughout the world. However, women exhibit a greater symptom burden, more functional disability, and a higher prevalence of nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to men when evaluated for signs and symptoms of myocardial ischemia. This paradoxical sex difference appears to be linked to a sex-specific pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia including coronary microvascular dysfunction, a component of the 'Yentl Syndrome'. Accordingly, the term ischemic heart disease (IHD) is more appropriate for a discussion specific to women rather than CAD or coronary heart disease. Following the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Heart Truth/American Heart Association, Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation and guideline campaigns, the cardiovascular mortality in women has been decreased, although significant gender gaps in clinical outcomes still exist. Women less likely undergo testing, yet guidelines indicate that symptomatic women at intermediate to high IHD risk should have further test (e.g. exercise treadmill test or stress imaging) for myocardial ischemia and prognosis. Further, women have suboptimal use of evidence-based guideline therapies compared with men with and without obstructive CAD. Anti-anginal and anti-atherosclerotic strategies are effective for symptom and ischemia management in women with evidence of ischemia and nonobstructive CAD, although more female-specific study is needed. IHD guidelines are not "cardiac catheterization" based but related to evidence of "myocardial ischemia and angina". A simplified approach to IHD management with ABCs (aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-renin blockers, beta blockers, cholesterol management and statin) should be used and can help to increases adherence to guidelines.

Women and Ischemic Heart Disease: Recognition, Diagnosis and Management

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most frequent causes of death in both males and females throughout the world. However, women exhibit a greater symptom burden, more functional disability, and a higher prevalence of nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to men when evaluated for signs and symptoms of myocardial ischemia. This paradoxical sex difference appears to be linked to a sex-specific pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia including coronary microvascular dysfunction, a component of the 'Yentl Syndrome'. Accordingly, the term ischemic heart disease (IHD) is more appropriate for a discussion specific to women rather than CAD or coronary heart disease. Following the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Heart Truth/American Heart Association, Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation and guideline campaigns, the cardiovascular mortality in women has been decreased, although significant gender gaps in clinical outcomes still exist. Women less likely undergo testing, yet guidelines indicate that symptomatic women at intermediate to high IHD risk should have further test (e.g. exercise treadmill test or stress imaging) for myocardial ischemia and prognosis. Further, women have suboptimal use of evidence-based guideline therapies compared with men with and without obstructive CAD. Anti-anginal and anti-atherosclerotic strategies are effective for symptom and ischemia management in women with evidence of ischemia and nonobstructive CAD, although more female-specific study is needed. IHD guidelines are not "cardiac catheterization" based but related to evidence of "myocardial ischemia and angina". A simplified approach to IHD management with ABCs (aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-renin blockers, beta blockers, cholesterol management and statin) should be used and can help to increases adherence to guidelines.

Microvascular angina: angina that predominantly affects women

In women receiving evaluation for suspected ischemic symptoms, a "normal" diagnosis is five times more common than it is in men. These women are often labeled as having cardiac syndrome X, also known as microvascular angina (MVA). MVA is defined as angina pectoris caused by abnormalities of the small coronary arteries, and is characterized by effort chest pain and evidence of myocardial ischemia with a non-invasive stress test, although the coronary arteries can appear normal or near normal by angiography. MVA patients are often neglected due to the assumption of a good prognosis. However, MVA has important prognostic implications and a proper diagnosis is necessary in order to relieve the patients' symptoms and improve clinical outcomes. The coronary microvasculature cannot be directly imaged using coronary angiography, due to the small diameter of the vessels; therefore, the coronary microvascular must be assessed functionally. Treatment of MVA initially includes standard anti-ischemic drugs (beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, and nitrates), although control of symptoms is often insufficient. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of MVA.

Influence of trimetazidine on prognosis of patients with X syndrome / 心血管康复医学杂志

Objective:To explore the influence of trimetazidine (TMZ)combined traditional routine drugs on progno-sis of patients with cardiac syndrome X.Methods:A total of 80 patients with cardiac syndrome X were randomly and equally divided into routine treatment group and TMZ group (received TMZ 20mg,three times/d based on routine medication).Both groups were treated for 12 weeks.Patients of two groups received treadmill exercise test and car-diac function examination before and after treatment,and the results were statistically compared.Results:Com-pared with routine treatment group after treatment,there were significant rise in total exercise time [(7.90±1.45) min vs.(9.35±1.70)min]and the time ST segment depressed 1mm [(5.30±1.43)min vs.(6.78±2.00)min], and significant reduction in ST segment depression extent [(0.89±0.30)mm vs.(0.61±0.20)mm],P <0.05 all;for cardiac function,there were significant rise in stroke volume [(67.99±11.77)ml vs.(74.05±7.58)ml]and left ventricular ejection fraction [(50.13±11.05)% vs.(56.02±9.52)%]in TMZ group,P <0.01 all.Conclusion:TMZ can significantly improve prognosis of patients with cardiac syndrome X.

Therapeutic effect of nicorandil on microvascular angina pectoris / 心血管康复医学杂志

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of nicorandil on microvascular angina pectoris (MAP). Methods: A total of 60 MAP patients were randomly divided into nicorandil group (n=30) and routine treatment group (n=30), and they were treated for 12 weeks. Onset times and duration of angina pectoris, changes of related parameters of ECG treadmill exercise test before and after treatment, and total effective rate were compared between two groups. Results: Compared with before treatment, there were significant reductions in onset times and duration of angina pectoris and maximum depression extent of ST segment (P<0.05 or <0.01) and significant increase in total exercise time (P<0.01) after treatment in both groups; compared with routine treatment group, there were significant reductions in onset times of angina pectoris [(10.3±1.6) times/week vs. (9.6±1.7) times/week] and maximum depression of ST segment [(0.8±0.3)mm vs. (0.6±0.2)mm], and significant increase in total exercise time [(7.8±1.4) min vs. (9.4±1.6) min] and total effective rate (73.3% vs. 93.3%) in nicorandil group, P<0.05 or <0.01. Conclusion: Nicorandil possesses significant therapeutic effect on microvascular angina pectoris, and it is worth further study.

Prevalencia de angina microvascular en pacientes del Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas / Prevalence of microvascular angina in patients from the Center for Medical Surgical Research

Introducción: un considerable número de pacientes que son sometidos a coronariografía, no tienen lesiones ateroscleróticas en su árbol coronario. El subgrupo con dolor anginoso y prueba ergométrica positiva se engloba en el diagnóstico de angina microvascular. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de angina microvascular en pacientes sometidos a coronariografía. Métodos: investigación trasversal descriptiva, en pacientes estudiados en el Laboratorio de Hemodinámica del Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas, en los años 2010 y 2011, que presentaban como diagnóstico inicial, angina de esfuerzo y prueba ergométrica positiva. El universo estuvo constituido por los 1 452 pacientes sometidos a coronariografía en este período. La muestra se conformó por los 452 en los que no se demostraron lesiones de aterosclerosis coronaria. Resultados: el 31,1 % de los pacientes sometidos a coronariografía presentaron angina microvascular con mayor predominio del sexo femenino. La hipertensión arterial fue el factor de riesgo que más prevaleció en los dos años de evaluación. Conclusiones: la angina microvascular es una entidad frecuente en Cuba que se relaciona con la presencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular.

Introduction: a considerable number of patients undergoing coronary arteriography do not present any atherosclerotic lesions in their coronary tree. The subgroup with chest pain and a positive ergometric test was included in the diagnosis of microvascular angina. Objective: determine the prevalence of microvascular angina in patients undergoing coronary arteriography. Methods: descriptive cross-sectional study of patients examined at the Hemodynamic Laboratory of the Center for Medical Surgical Research from 2010 to 2011, initially diagnosed with effort angina and with a positive ergometric test. The study universe was 1 452 patients undergoing coronary arteriography in the period. The sample consisted of the 452 patients who did not show any coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Results: 31.1 % of the patients undergoing coronary arteriography had microvascular angina, with a predominance of the female sex. Arterial hypertension was the main risk factor throughout the two years' evaluation. Conclusions: microvascular angina, a common condition in Cuba, is related to the presence of cardiovascular risk factors.

Evaluación del haz espinotalámico mediante tractografía por resonancia magnética: nuevos aportes en la fisiopatología del dolor en pacientes con síndrome X / Spinothalamic Assessment by Magnetic Resonance Tractography: new Contributions in the Pathophysiology of Pain in Patients with Syndrome X

Introducción El síndrome X se asocia con signos y síntomas de isquemia, sin obstrucción significativa de las arterias coronarias. En los pacientes con este síndrome existe un aumento en la percepción de los estímulos cardíacos, aunque la causa de este trastorno se desconoce. Objetivo Explorar los tractos nerviosos sensitivos involucrados en la percepción anormal del dolor en mujeres que sufren de síndrome X. Material y métodos Estudio prospectivo que incluyó 24 mujeres: 12 con síndrome X, 6 con enfermedad coronaria documentada y 6 controles sanas. Se realizó el mapeo del tracto espinotalámico lateral mediante tractografía por difusión. Se analizaron las características anatómicas (líneas, vóxels, longitud) y físicas (anisotropía fraccional, coeficiente de difusión aparente, difusividad) de cada tracto. Resultados El haz espinotalámico lateral se pudo aislar en todas las pacientes evaluadas. No hubo diferencias en las características físicas de los tractos, pero existió una diferencia significativa en el número de vóxels de los tres grupos a expensas del grupo síndrome X (101,2 ± 46,9 vs. 83,2 ± 24 vs. 66 ± 16; p = 0,030), con una tendencia a presentar un número mayor de líneas en cada tracto. Conclusiones Se hallaron diferencias en las características anatómicas de los tractos de las pacientes con síndrome X respecto de los controles sanos y de las pacientes con enfermedad coronaria, con indemnidad en las características físicas de las fibras. Es probable que este estudio experimental sea el primero en demostrar que es posible evaluar in vivo los tractos neurológicos involucrados en la transmisión del dolor en este grupo de pacientes, lo cual abre un nuevo campo de investigación.

Background Syndrome X is associated with signs and symptoms of ischemia without significant coronary artery obstruction. There is an increased perception of cardiac stimuli in these patients, although the cause of this disorder is unknown. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze sensory nerve tracts involved in abnormal perception of pain in women with syndrome X. Methods This prospective study included 24 women: 12 with syndrome X; 6 with documented coronary heart disease, and 6 healthy controls. Lateral spinothalamic tract mapping by diffusion trac-tography was performed. The anatomic features (lines, voxels, and length) and physical features (fractional anisotropy, apparent diffusion coefficient, diffusivity) of each tract were analyzed. Results The lateral spinothalamic tract was isolated in all patients. No differences were found in the physical characteristics of the tracts, but there was a significant difference in the number of voxels of the syndrome X group when compared to the other two groups (101.2±46.9 vs. 83.2±24 vs. 66±16; p=0.030), with a tendency towards larger number of lines in each tract. Conclusions There were differences in the anatomic characteristics of tracts in syndrome X patients with respect to healthy controls and coronary artery disease patients, with indemnity in the physical characteristics of the fibers. This is probably the first experimental study to show that it is possible to evaluate "in vivo" neurological tracts involved in pain transmission in syndrome X patients, opening a new field of research.

A Single Coronary Artery: Right Coronary Artery Originating From the Distal Left Circumflex Artery / 대한내과학회지

A single coronary artery (SCA) is a rare congenital anomaly, which is often associated with myocardial ischemia. We report a SCA consisting of an anomalous right coronary artery originating from the distal left circumflex artery diagnosed by coronary angiography and multidetector computed tomography angiography.