2023 China Guidelines for Lipid Management / 老年心脏病学杂志（英文版）

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death among urban and rural residents in China, and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a risk factor for ASCVD. Considering the increasing burden of ASCVD, lipid management is of the utmost importance. In recent years, research on blood lipids has made breakthroughs around the world, hence a revision of China guidelines for lipid management is imperative, especially since the target lipid levels in the general population vary in respect to the risk of ASCVD. The level of LDL-C, which can be regarded as appropriate in a population without frisk factors, can be considered abnormal in people at high risk of developing ASCVD. As a result, the "Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia" were adapted into the "China Guidelines for Lipid Management" (henceforth referred to as the new guidelines) by an Experts' committee after careful deliberation. The new guidelines still recommend LDL-C as the primary target for lipid control, with CVD risk stratification to determine its target value. These guidelines recommend that moderate intensity statin therapy in adjunct with a heart-healthy lifestyle, be used as an initial line of treatment, followed by cholesterol absorption inhibitors or/and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, as necessary. The new guidelines provide guidance for lipid management across various age groups, from children to the elderly. The aim of these guidelines is to comprehensively improve the management of lipids and promote the prevention and treatment of ASCVD by guiding clinical practice.

Lipoprotein apheresis in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia: a single center research / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of lipoprotein apheresis (LA) in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) who can't reach low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) target goals with the maximal tolerated dose of lipid-lowering agents. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Between February 2015 and November 2019, patients with FH who were admitted in Fuwai hospital and treated with LA were consecutively enrolled. Based on intensive lipid-lowering agents, these patients received LA by double filtration plasma pheresis (DFPP) method. The changes of lipid levels such as LDL-C and lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)] were compared before and after LA treatment, and the changes of immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration and LA-related adverse effects were also discussed. Results: A total of 115 patients with FH were enrolled in this study, of which 8 cases were homozygous FH and 107 cases were heterozygous FH. The age was (43.9±12.2) years and there were 75 (65.2%) males, and 108 (93.8%) with coronary artery disease. For pre-and immediately after LA treatment, the LDL-C was (5.20±2.94) mmol/L vs. (1.83±1.08) mmol/L, Lp(a) concentration was 428.70(177.00, 829.50)mg/L vs. 148.90(75.90, 317.00) mg/L (P<0.001), with a decrease of 64.2% and 59.8% respectively. The levels of IgG and IgA measured 1 day after LA treatment were both in the normal range and IgM concentration was below the reference value, the reductions of which were 15.1%, 25.0% and 58.7% respectively (P<0.001). Six patients had mild symptoms of nausea, hypotension dyspnea and palpitation, the symptoms were relieved by symptomatic treatment. Conclusion: For patients with FH who do not achieve LDL-C target goal with the maximal tolerated lipid-lowering agents, especially those with elevated Lp(a) levels, LA, which can significantly further reduce LDL-C and Lp(a) levels, is an effective and safe option.

Lipoprotein (a) as a Marker for Predicting the Presence and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Untreated Chinese Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has been well known as the risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the role of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] in the development of CAD is of great interest but still controversial. Thus, we aim to explore the effect of Lp(a) on predicting the presence and severity of CAD in Chinese untreated patients, especially in combination with LDL-C.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We consecutively recruited 1,980 non-treated patients undergoing coronary angiography, among which 1,162 patients were diagnosed with CAD. Gensini score (GS) was used to assess the severity of CAD. Lp(a) was measured by immunoturbidimetric method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients with CAD had higher level of LDL-C and Lp(a) compared with non-CAD (P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that Lp(a) > 205 mg/L (highest tertile) predicted 1.437-fold risk for CAD (95% CI: 1.108-1.865, P = 0.006) and 1.480-fold risk for high GS (95% CI: 1.090-2.009, P = 0.012) respectively. Interestingly, concomitant elevated level of Lp(a) and LDL-C conferred the highest risk for both presence [OR = 1.845, 95% CI: 1.339-2.541, P < 0.001] and severity [OR = 1.736, 95% CI: 1.188-2.538, P = 0.004] of CAD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Lipoprotein (a) is a useful marker for predicting the presence and severity of CAD, especially combined with LDL-C.</p>

Correlation Study Between Plasma Level of Pro-protein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 and Coronary Artery Calcification / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To investigate the relationship between plasma level of pro-protein convertase subtilisin kexin type9 (PCSK9) and coronary artery calcification (CAC). Methods: A total of 380 consecutive chest pain patients without lipid-lowering therapy were enrolled. All patients received CT scan and coronary artery calcification (CAC) score measurement and were divided into 2 groups: CAC group, n=156 patients with CAC score>0 and Non-CAC group, n=224 patients with CAC score=0. CAC group was further classified in 3 subgroups as CAC score (1-100) subgroup, n=53, CAC score (101-400) subgroup, n=64 and CAC score>400 subgroup, n=39. Clinical data was collected, plasma levels of PCSK9 were measured in all patients and the relationship between PCSK9 and CAC score was investigated. Results: Plasma PCSK9 level in CAC group was higher than Non-CAC group (260.23±69.34) ng/ml vs (205.46±53.21) ng/ml, P<0.001; alone with CAC score increasing, PCSK9 level was elevating accordingly as in CAC score (1-100) subgroup, CAC score (101-400) subgroup and CAC score>400 subgroup, PCSK9 levels were (247.38±72.68) ng/ml, (264.87±57.63) ng/ml and (295.33±69.06) ng/ml respectively, all P<0.05. With adjusted traditional cardiovascular risk factors, multivariate regression analysis confirmed that plasma PCSK9 level was independently related to CAC score (β=0.584, P=0.002). In addition, the optimal cut-off value for PCSK9 predicting CAC was 228.58 ng/ml with sensitivity at 67% and specificity at 71%. Conclusion: Plasma PCSK9 level was related to CAC in chest pain patients without lipid-lowering therapy.

Plasma apoCIII Levels in Relation to Inflammatory Traits and Metabolic Syndrome in Patients not Treated with Lipid-lowering Drugs Undergoing Coronary Angiography / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Assessment of the comprehensive relationship among apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) levels, inflammation, and metabolic disorders is rare.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1455 consecutive patients not treated with lipid-lowering drugs and undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. A mediation analysis was used to detect the underlying role of apoCIII in the association of inflammation with metabolic syndrome (MetS).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients with MetS showed higher levels of apoCIII [95.1 (73.1-131.4) vs. 81.7 (58.6-112.4) μg/mL, P < 0.001] and inflammatory markers [high sensitivity C-reactive protein, 1.7 (0.8-3.4) vs. 1.1 (0.5-2.2) mg/L; white blood cell count, (6.48 ± 1.68) vs. (6.11 ± 1.67) × 109/L]. The levels of apoCIII and inflammatory markers increased with the number of metabolic risk components (all P < 0.001). Furthermore, apoCIII levels were associated with virtually all individual MetS risk factors and inflammatory markers (all P < 0.05). Importantly, the prevalence of MetS in each metabolic disorder rose as apoCIII levels increased (all P < 0.05). Mediation analysis showed that apoCIII partially mediated the effect of inflammation on MetS independently from triglycerides.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Plasma apoCIII levels were significantly associated with the development and severity of MetS, and a role of apoCIII in the effect of inflammation on the development of MetS was identified.</p>

Impact of Smoking Status on Lipoprotein Subfractions: Data from an Untreated Chinese Cohort / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Cigarette smoking is one of the established risk factors of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, however, its impact on lipids is not completely understood, especially in the Chinese population. Therefore, this study evaluated the impact of smoking status (non, former, and current smoking) on the distribution of lipoprotein subfractions in untreated patients with angina-like chest pain.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 877 patients were consecutively enrolled and divided into nonsmoking (n = 518), former smoking (n = 103), and current smoking (n = 256) groups. Both low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C) subfractions were measured using the Quantimetrix Lipoprint System. The distributions of lipoprotein subfractions were evaluated among the groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with nonsmoking subjects, the current smoking group had significantly lower large/medium HDL-C (both P < 0.001) concentration and large HDL subfraction percentage but higher small HDL-C and medium LDL-C concentrations as well as medium LDL subfraction percentage. Importantly, former smoking subjects showed elevated levels of large HDL-C concentration, large HDL particle percentage, and mean LDL particle size and attenuation in small HDL/LDL percentages and small LDL-C concentration, but these levels did not reach the optimal status compared with those of the non-smoking group (data not shown).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Smoking has an adverse impact on the lipoprotein subfractions, presented as lower large HDL particles besides higher small HDL and medium LDL particles, whereas smoking cessation could reverse these change to a certain degree.</p>

Effects of Hedan Tablet () on lipid profile, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 and high-density lipoprotein subfractions in patients with hyperlipidemia: A primary study / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Hedan Tablet () on serum lipid profile, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PSCK9) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions in patients with hyperlipidemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-seven patients with hyperlipidemia were randomized to treatment with Hedan Tablet 4.38 g/day as Hedan group (18 cases) or placebo (19 cases) as control group for 8 weeks. The lipid profile, PCSK9 and HDL subfractions were determined at day 0 and week 8 in both groups respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hedan treatment for 8 weeks mildly decreased serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, while no changes were found in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and PCSK9 concentrations. Furthermore, Hedan treatment increased the concentration of large high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and the percentage of large HDL subfraction, while decreased the concentration of small HDL-C and the percentage of small HDL subfraction without changing serum HDL-C levels in patients with hyperlipidemia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hedan treatment of 4.38 g per day for 8 weeks could confer a favorable effects on serum LDL-C concentration as well as HDL subfractions.</p>

Circulating MicroRNAs as Novel Diagnostic Biomarkers for Very Early-onset (≤40 years) Coronary Artery Disease / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Very early-onset coronary artery disease (CAD) is a great challenge in cardiovascular medicine throughout the world, especially regarding its early diagnosis. This study explored whether circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) could be used as potential biomarkers for patients with very early-onset CAD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed an initial screening of miRNA expression using RNA isolated from 20 patients with angiographically documented very early-onset CAD and 20 age- and sex-matched normal controls. For further confirmation, we prospectively examined the miRNAs selected from 40 patients with very early-onset CAD and 40 angiography-normal controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 22 overexpressed miRNAs and 22 underexpressed miRNAs were detected in the initial screening. RT-qPCR analysis of the miRNAs obtained from the initial screening revealed that four miRNAs including miR-196-5p, miR-3163-3p, miR-145-3p, and miR-190a-5p exhibited significantly decreased expression in patients compared with that in controls (P<0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for these miRNAs were 0.824 (95% CI, 0.731-0.917; P<0.001), 0.758 (95% CI, 0.651-0.864; P<0.001), 0.753 (95% CI, 0.643-0.863; P<0.001), and 0.782 (95% CI, 0.680-0.884; P<0.001), respectively, in the validation set.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>To our knowledge, this is an advanced study to report about four serum miRNAs (miR-196-5p, miR-3163-3p, miR-145-3p, and miR-190a-5p) that could be used as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of very early-onset CAD.</p>

Short- and long-term effects of xuezhikang, an extract of cholestin, on serum proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 levels / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the short- and long-term effects of Xuezhikang (XZK), an extract of cholestin, on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) level.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty rats were randomly divided into three groups and were given saline, XZK 1,200 mg/kg or lovastatin 10 mg/kg respectively by daily gavage for 3 days (n=10 for each). Sixteen patients without previous lipid-lowering drug treatment for dyslipidemia received XZK 1,200 mg daily for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples and liver tissue were collected at day 3 for rats, while the blood samples were obtained at baseline and week 8 from patients. The serum PCSK9 and lipid profile were measured. The expression of hepatic low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP-2) were measured by real time-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PCSK9 levels in rats were significantly increased in the XZK and lovastatin groups (P=0.002, P=0.003 vs. control) at day 3, while no significant differences were found in the levels of lipid parameters. PCSK9 levels in patients increased by 34% (P=0.006 vs. baseline) accompanied by total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol decreased by 22% and 28% P=0.001, P=0.002 vs. baseline). The hepatic mRNA levels of LDL-receptor and SREBP-2 were significantly increased in the XZK and lovastatin groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XZK has significant impact on PCSK9 in a short- and long-term manner in both rats and humans. Moreover, the data indicated that as lovastatin, XZK increased PCSK9 levels through SREBP-2 pathway.</p>

Correlation of red cell distribution width with the severity of coronary artery disease: a large Chinese cohort study from a single center / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>It has been reported that increased red blood cell width (RDW) is a marker associated with the presence and adverse outcomes of various cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was prospectively evaluate the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and RDW in a large Chinese cohort.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 677 consecutive individuals who underwent coronary angiography due to the presence of angina-like chest pain and/or positive treadmill exercise test were enrolled in this study. All patients received coronary angiography and were then divided into two groups based on the results of coronary angiography (CAD group (n = 499) and control group (n = 178)). The clinical information including classical CAD risk factors and RDW were analyzed to identify their relationship to CAD. The severity of CAD was evaluated by Gensini score and its relationship with RDW was also analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients with angiographic CAD had significantly elevated RDW levels compared with controls ((12.95 ± 0.77)% vs. (12.73 ± 0.83)%, P = 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between RDW and the Gensini score (r = 0.37, P < 0.001). In multivariate Logistic regression analysis, RDW was demonstrated to be an independent predictor for both angiographic CAD (OR = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.02 - 1.77, P < 0.05) and for a higher Gensini score (> 13, OR = 2.23, 95%CI: 1.62 - 3.08, P < 0.001). In a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, an RDW value of 12.85% was identified as an effective cut-point in predicting the presence or absence of CAD with a sensitivity of 50.0% and a specificity of 65.2%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RDW is associated with both presence of CAD and the severity of coronary stenosis, suggesting that it might be a readily available marker for the prediction of CAD and its severity.</p>

Kruppel-like factor 2 might mediate the rapamycin-induced arterial thrombosis in vivo: implications for stent thrombosis in patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Stent thrombosis is one of severe complications after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation. Rapamycin (sirolimus) promotes arterial thrombosis in in vivo studies. However, the underlying molecular and transcriptional mechanisms of this adverse effect have not been thoroughly investigated. This study was designed to examine the effects of rapamycin on the expression of the gene, Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), and its transcriptional targets in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mice were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (intraperitoneal injection with 2.5% of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) only), rapamycin group (intraperitoneal injection with 2 mg/kg of rapamycin only), Ad-LacZ + rapamycin group (carotid arterial incubation with Ad-LacZ plus intraperitoneal injection with 2 mg/kg of rapamycin 10 days later), and Ad-KLF2 + rapamycin group (carotid arterial incubation with Ad-KLF2 plus intraperitoneal injection with 2 mg/kg rapamycin 10 days later). The carotid arterial thrombosis formation was induced by FeCl3 and the time of arterial thrombosis was determined. Finally, the RNA and protein of carotid arteries were extracted for KLF2, tissue factor (TF), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), thrombomodulin (TM) mRNA and protein analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with controls, treatment with rapamycin inhibited KLF2, eNOS and TM mRNA and protein expression, and enhanced TF and PAI-1 mRNA and protein expression, and shortened time to thrombotic occlusion from (1282 ± 347) seconds to (715 ± 120) seconds (P < 0.01) in vivo. Overexpression of KLF2 strongly reversed rapamycin-induced effects on KLF2, eNOS, TM, TF and PAI-1 expression. KLF2 overexpression increased the time to thrombotic occlusion to control levels in vivo.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Rapamycin induced an inhibition of KLF2 expression and an imbalance of anti- and pro-thrombotic gene expression, which promoted arterial thrombosis in vivo. Overexpression of KLF2 increased KLF2 expression and reversed time to thrombosis in vivo.</p>

Local aneurysmal dilatation mimicking stent malapposition and concurrent vulnerable plaque within neointima of normal lumen after drug-eluting stent implantation: primary new findings from optical coherence tomography / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

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

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and diastolic function measurements by adenosine stress echocardiography in prediction of coronary stenosis in patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Stress echocardiography is mainly used in detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) and to assess risk. This study aimed to use adenosine stress echocardiography (ASE) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) to noninvasively assess coronary stenosis in patients with chest pain syndromes or anginal equivalent.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NT-proBNP was measured after overnight fast in fifty patients, 42 males and 8 females, who were (57 ± 11) years old. They then underwent echocardiography before and during adenosine administration. Left ventricular (LV) diastolic function analyzed included mitral annular early (E') and late velocity (A') both at the mitral septal and lateral level and the mitral inflow to annulus ratio (E/E'). Coronary angiography was performed the following day after which patients were assigned to three groups: normal results (16 patients), stenosis 50% - 69% (17 patients) and stenosis ≥ 70% (17 patients).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NT-proBNP levels in the groups of stenosis 50% - 69% and ≥ 70% were significantly higher than that in the group with normal results (P = 0.014 and P = 0.040). During adenosine stress, the E/E' in the group of stenosis ≥ 70% was higher than in the group of normal results (P = 0.024). E'(lateral)/A'(lateral) in the group of stenosis 50% - 69% and E'(septal)/A'(septal) and E'(lateral)/A'(lateral) in the group of stenosis ≥ 70% were also decreased during stress compared with baseline (P = 0.003, P = 0.001, P = 0.022). The variation of E'(septal)/A'(septal) before and during adenosine stress (ΔE'(septal)/A'(septal)) between the groups of normal results and stenosis ≥ 70% were significantly different (P = 0.001). By receiver operating characteristic (ROC), the specificity of ΔE'(septal)/A'(septal) ≥ 0.037 predicting coronary stenosis < 70% was 94%. The sensitivity and specificity of NT-proBNP ≥ 544.6 fmol/ml in predicting coronary stenosis ≥ 70% were 93% and 75%, respectively. NT-proBNP inversely correlated with E'(lateral)/A'(lateral) (r = - 0.390, P = 0.014) and positively correlated with E/E'(lateral) (r = 0.550, P = 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Adenosine might induce diastolic dysfunction in patients with coronary stenosis more than 70% and NT-proBNP could reflect LV diastolic function to a certain extent. We support the prediction that most patients having chest pain syndromes or anginal equivalent with NT-proBNP < 544.6 fmol/ml and in ASE ΔE'(septal)/A'(septal) ≥ 0.037 might be spared coronary angiography.</p>

Gender difference of clinical characteristics in Chinese patients with spontaneous variant angina / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Spontaneous attack of variant angina (VA) is a unique component of coronary artery disease (CAD), and associated with severe cardiac events. However, no data are available regarding sex differences in Chinese patients with spontaneous attacks of VA. Accordingly, the present retrospective study was initiated to evaluate the Clinical characteristics of Chinese female patients with spontaneous attacks of VA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2003 to January 2008, a total of 209 patients were diagnosed to have had a spontaneous attack of VA at Fu Wai Hospital. Of them, 27 were female, and their clinical findings were collected and compared with male patients for aspects of risk factors, clinical features and angiographical findings.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Spontaneous attacks of VA was relatively uncommon in female (12.9%) compared with male patients. The female patients were less likely to have a history of smoking (14.8% vs. 79.7%, P < 0.001), more likely to have a family history of CAD (33.3% vs. 11.0%, P < 0.01), and to have had a greater incidence of ventricular fibrillation during attack (11.1% vs. 2.2%, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in other characteristics between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chinese female patients who experienced a spontaneous attack of VA had the characteristics of less smoking history, more family history of CAD and higher occurrence of ventricular fibrillation than male patients.</p>

Coronary intervention in patients>or=75 years old with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: in-hospital and 6-month clinical outcomes / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in elderly patients presents specific clinical characteristics. The study on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in elderly patients (>or=75 years) with STEMI, however, has less been performed.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In the present study, 522 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing PCI within 12 hours from symptom onset were investigated, and clinical characteristics and in-hospital and 6-month outcomes of 66 elderly patients (>or=75 years, group A) were compared to those of 456 younger patients (<75 years, group B).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to younger patients, elderly ones had more females (42.4% vs. 17.8%, P<0.005), a history of cerebral vascular events (7.6% vs. 0.9%, P<0.05), higher serum creatinine level ((96.48+/-31.65) mmol/L vs. (84.87+/-19.81) mmol/L, P<0.005) and fewer smokers (28.8% vs. 45.4%, P<0.05). The elderly ones had worse Killip class (Killip I class: 69.7% vs. 85.7%, P<0.05), less drug-eluting stent implantation and lower rates of TIMI flow 3 following PCI (33.3% vs. 47.1%, and 84.8% vs. 94.7%, P<0.05 respectively). Additionally, both in-hospital mortality and myocardial infarction rate were found to be higher in elderly patients (16.7% vs. 1.5%, and 7.6% vs. 2.6%, P<0.05 respectively), which were also observed until 6-month follow-up (9.1% vs. 0, and 6.1% vs. 0, P<0.05 respectively). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, serum creatinine level, history of hypertension, left anterior descending coronary artery as infarct-related artery and Killip class were independent predictors of 6-month overall death in elderly patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The clinical characteristics of elderly patients with STEMI after PCI are different from those of younger patients. Although PCI in this population is with a low rate of PCI failure, it is still associated with a worse outcome.</p>

A randomized comparative study of using enoxaparin instead of unfractionated heparin in the intervention treatment of coronary heart disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was more effective than unfractionated heparin (UFH) in treating acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, it remains uncertain whether LMWH can be used in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) instead of UFH. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using enoxaparin instead of UFH in the intervention treatment of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From October 2003 to Febuary 2005, 966 patients with CHD were enrolled into this study. Among 966 patients, 455 patients received the PCI, including 283 patients with Non-ST segment elevation ACS (NSTEACS), 511 patients did not received PCI due to mild, moderate lesions or were suitable for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). The 966 patients were randomized to enoxaparin group (484 patients) and UFH group (482 patients). Patients in the enoxaparin group were given enoxaparin at least twice subcutaneously (1 mg/kg, q12 h) before catheterization. Plasma anti-Xa activity was determined 1 - 8 hours after the last dose of enoxaparin was determined. The catheterization was performed within 8 hours after the last dose of enoxaparin. The sheath was removed immediately after the procedure. Patients in the UFH group were given UFH 25 mg intravenously before coronary angiography. Additional 65 mg was given intravenously if PCI was to be performed. The sheath was removed 4 hours after the procedure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 227 patients in the enoxaparin group and 228 patients in the UFH group received PCI. In the enoxaparin group, one patient developed acute thrombosis during PCI and resulted in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), no acute or subacute thrombosis was found during hospitalization. In the UFH group, no acute or subacute thrombosis occurred during PCI procedure and hospitalization. Therefore, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) during the hospitalization was 0.44% in the enoxaparin group and 0 in the UFH group. In the enoxaparin group, the sheath was removed immediately after the procedure and 8 patients had hematoma on the puncture site. In the UFH group, the sheath was removed 4 hours after the procedure and 20 cases had hematoma on the puncture site. The incidence of hematoma on the puncture site was significantly higher in the UFH group than that in the enoxaparin group (P < 0.05). Anti-Xa activity was determined in 174 patients in LMWH group. The mean anti-Xa activity was (0.87 +/- 0.23) U/ml, and 94.8% of them had anti-Xa activity >0.5 U/ml and 6.9% of the patient >1.2 U/ml. There was no death and AMI occurred in enoxaparin group, but one patient had AMI caused by subacute thrombosis in UFH group during 30-day follow-up. MACE rate at 30-day follow-up was 0 in enoxaparin group and 0.43% in UFH group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results of the study suggest that it is safe and efficient to give enoxaparin at least twice before the PCI procedure, and the sheath can be removed immediately after PCI. For NSTEACS patient who has received enoxaparin more than twice during the hospitalization can undergo PCI directly and no UFH is necessary before or during PCI.</p>

Coronary angiography and clinical characteristics of ventricular septal rupture after acute myocardial infarction / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of ventricular septal rupture (VSR) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by analyzing clinical and coronary angiographical characteristics.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data on clinical and angiographical characteristics, effects of medical and surgical treatment and survival rate in 46 patients with VSR were analyzed retrospectively using statistical SPSS 11.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of VSR after AMI was 1.88%. The susceptible risk factors were advanced age, no reperfusion therapy, no previous angina/myocardial infarction, complicated with hypertension/hyperlipidemia, etc. The most common location of myocardial infarction was anterior wall together with inferior wall. Percentage of neutrophil, serum level of CRP and ESR increased in most cases. Pulmonary edema (by X-ray) occurred in 30 percent of the cases, and 50 percent of the cases had unstable hemodynamics (Killip III-IV). In cases with anterior wall related infarction, the location of rupture was usually at distal area of anteroseptal, and in cases with inferior wall together with posterior/right wall infarction, it was usually at basal posteroseptal. By coronary angiography, most of the patients were with single vessel or 3-vessel coronary disease, rarely with collateral circulation. Left anterior descending coronary was the most common criminal vessel, especially in its middle segment. In-hospital mortality was 65% by conservative therapy while it was 3.85% by surgical treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Early and successful revascularization is the key factor for the prevention of VSR after AMI. Echocardiography is a sensitive and simple method for diagnosis. Surgical treatment improves the survival rate significantly. Early surgery is feasible.</p>