Prognostic value of Montreal Cognitive Assessment in heart failure patients / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To explore the occurrence of cognitive impairment in Chinese heart failure (HF) patients and it's impact on prognosis. Methods: In this prospective observational study, a total of 990 HF patients were enrolled from 24 hospitals in China during December 2012 to November 2014. All patients were administrated with the interview-format Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), according to which they were divided into MoCA<26 (with cognitive impairment) group and MoCA≥26 (without cognitive impairment) group. Baseline data were collected and a 1-year follow up was carried out. Univariate and multivariate logistic or Cox regression were performed for 1-year outcomes. Results: Cognitive impairment was evidenced in 628 patients (63.4%) and they were more likely to be older, female, and with higher proportion of New York Heart Association(NYHA) class Ⅲ-Ⅳ, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ischemic heart disease, while body mass index (BMI), education level, and medical insurance rate were lower (all P<0.05) as compared to patients in MoCA≥26 group. The rate of percutaneous intervention, device implantation, cardiac surgery and evidence-based medications were significantly lower in MoCA<26 group than in MoCA≥26 group (all P<0.05). During the 1-year follow up, patients in the MoCA<26 group had higher all-cause mortality (10.2%(64/628) vs. 2.2%(8/362), P<0.01), cardiovascular mortality (5.9%(37/628) vs. 0.8%(3/362), P<0.01) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (9.6%(60/628) vs. 2.5%(8/362), P<0.01) than patients in the MoCA≥26 group. In univariate regression, MoCA<26 was associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR(95%CI):4.739(2.272-9.885), P<0.01), cardiovascular mortality (HR(95%CI):7.258(2.237-23.548), P=0.001) and MACCE (OR(95%CI):4.143(2.031-8.453), P<0.01). After adjustment by multivariate regression, MoCA<26 was indicated as an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (HR(95%CI): 6.387(2.533-16.104), P<0.01), cardiovascular mortality (HR(95%CI): 10.848(2.586-45.506), P=0.001) and MACCE (OR(95%CI): 4.081(1.299-12.816), P=0.016), while not for re-hospitalization for HF (OR(95%CI):1.010(0.700-1.457), P=0.957). Conclusions: Cognitive impairment is common in HF patients,and it is an independent prognostic factor for 1-year outcomes. Routine cognitive function assessment and active intervention are thus recommended for HF patients.

A novel phenotype with splicing mutation identified in a Chinese family with desminopathy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Desminopathy, a hereditary myofibrillar myopathy, mainly results from the desmin gene (DES) mutations. Desminopathy involves various phenotypes, mainly including different cardiomyopathies, skeletal myopathy, and arrhythmia. Combined with genotype, it helps us precisely diagnose and treat for desminopathy.@*METHODS@#Sanger sequencing was used to characterize DES variation, and then a minigene assay was used to verify the effect of splice-site mutation on pre-mRNA splicing. Phenotypes were analyzed based on clinical characteristics associated with desminopathy.@*RESULTS@#A splicing mutation (c.735+1G>T) in DES was detected in the proband. A minigene assay revealed skipping of the whole exon 3 and transcription of abnormal pre-mRNA lacking 32 codons. Another affected family member who carried the identical mutation, was identified with a novel phenotype of desminopathy, non-compaction of ventricular myocardium. There were 2 different phenotypes varied in cardiomyopathy and skeletal myopathy among the 2 patients, but no significant correlation between genotype and phenotype was identified.@*CONCLUSIONS@#We reported a novel phenotype with a splicing mutation in DES, enlarging the spectrum of phenotype in desminopathy. Molecular studies of desminopathy should promote our understanding of its pathogenesis and provide a precise molecular diagnosis of this disorder, facilitating clinical prevention and treatment at an early stage.

Clinical Characteristics, Pathogenic Distribution, Treatment and Prognosis of 300 Patients With Infective Endocarditis Hospitalized in Fuwai Hospital / 中国循环杂志

Objectives: To analyze the clinical features, pathogenic distribution, treatment and prognosis of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) hospitalized in Fuwai Hospital during the latest 4 years, and to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Methods: This retrospective study included a cohort of 300 IE patients hospitalized in Fuwai Hospital from 2013 to 2016. Predisposing cardiac disease,pathogenic distribution and clinical outcomes were analyzed.Clinical and epidemiological features of patients treated with medications or surgery were compared. Results: There were 228 male and 72 female patients in this cohort; the mean age was (40.0±15.7) years old. Among the IE patients, 35.3% patients had congenital heart diseases, 22.3% had non-rheumatic valve diseases, and 10.3% had history of PCI or heart surgery. Only 4.3% patients suffered from rheumatic heart diseases. Cardiac murmur (93.3%) and fever (84.3%) were the most common clinical presentations. Congestive heart failure was the most common complication (75.3%), followed by systemic and pulmonary embolism (16.7%). Incidence of positive blood culture was 52.4%.Streptococcus (76.3%) were the most common causative organisms, followed by Staphylococcus (11.0%). 91.3% IE was detected by echocardiography. In-hospital mortality rate was 3.0%. Subgroup analysis showed that the cure rate of surgical treatment group was significantly higher than that of the medical treatment group (96.6% vs 48.6%, P<0.001). Conclusion: Congenital heart disease is the main underlying disease related to IE.Streptococcus is still the primary pathogen of IE. Due to the 1ower positive rate of blood culture, echocardiography serves as the most important diagnostic tool for infective endocarditis.Early, effective and regular antibiotic therapy is still the cornerstone of the treatment of IE. Cardiac surgery treatment can reduce the mortality rate of IE.

Risk factors of short term mortality in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction complicated with fatal arrhythmia / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the independent risk factors associated with short term mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated with fatal arrhythmia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We analyzed data from Chinese STEMI patients with fatal arrhythmia enrolled in the CREATE trial. Predictors of 30-day mortality after STEMI were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis using baseline and therapy variables.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall 30-day mortality of STEMI patients complicated with fatal arrhythmia among the 718 patients [(66.1 ± 11.9) years and 62.4% male] was 52.9%. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR = 1.82, 95%CI:1.449-2.285), anterior infarction (OR = 4.419, 95%CI:2.645-7.384), heart rate > 60 bpm (OR = 3.32, 95%CI:1.898- 5.808), killip class IV (OR = 3.686, 95%CI:1.684-8.06), admission hemoglobin A1c < 5.6% (OR = 2.564, 95%CI:1.199-5.484), no use of ACEI (OR = 1.827, 95%CI:1.099-3.038) and no use of lipid-low drugs (OR = 2.034, 95%CI:1.196-3.458) were independent risk factors for short term mortality after STEMI. The receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting the death of the baseline and clinical variable models was 0.830 (95%CI: 0.796-0.865) and 0.866 (95%CI: 0.835-0.896), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 30-day mortality of patients with STEMI complicated with fatal arrhythmia is high. Age, anterior infarction, heart rate > 60 bpm, killip class IV, admission hemoglobin A1c level < 5.6%, no use of ACEI and no use of lipid-low drugs are independent risk factors for 30-day mortality in these patients.</p>

Impact of admission heart rate on short-term outcome of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the impact of admission heart rate (HR) on 30-day all-cause death and cardiovascular events in Chinese patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 7485 Chinese STEMI patients from a global randomized controlled trial (CREATE) database were divided into six groups by admission HR: < 60, 60 - 69, 70 - 79, 80 - 89, 90 - 99 and ≥ 100 bpm. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause death; the secondary outcomes were the composite of 30-day all-cause death, reinfarction, cardiogenic shock or deadly arrhythmia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Admission glucose level, proportion of female gender, incidence of anterior myocardial infarction, previous diabetes mellitus, hypertension and Killip level II-IV were significantly higher in patients with admission HR ≥ 90 bpm compared to 60 - 69 bpm group (P < 0.05). The 30-day mortality was lowest (6.3%) in the 60 - 69 bpm group and was 9.6% in HR < 60 bpm group (P < 0.05 vs. 60 - 69 bpm group). In patients with admission HR > 60 bpm, the 30-day mortality increased in proportion to higher admission HR: 8.1% in 70 - 79 bpm, 9.2% in 80 - 89 bpm, 12.6% in 90 - 99 bpm and 24.6% in ≥ 100 bpm groups (all P < 0.05 vs. 60 - 69 bpm group). The incidence of MACE was similar as that of 30-day mortality: 27.0% in < 60 bpm, 12.5% in 60 - 69 bpm, 13.7% in 70 - 79 bpm, 14.3% in 80 - 89 bpm, 17.5% in 90 - 99 bpm and 31.1% in ≥ 100 bpm groups. Multivariate analysis showed that the incidence of 30-day mortality positively correlated with the admission HR (P < 0.05) except in the patients with admission HR < 60 bpm (OR = 0.832, P = 0.299), the risk of joint endpoint events was higher in the patients with HR < 60 bpm (OR = 1.532, 95%CI: 1.201 - 1.954, P < 0.05), 90 - 99 bpm (OR = 1.436, 95%CI: 1.091 - 1.889, P < 0.05) or ≥ 100 bpm (OR = 1.893, 95%CI: 1.471 - 2.436, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Admission HR is an independent risk factor for short-term outcome in Chinese STEMI patients.</p>

Telmisartan, ramipril, or both in high-risk Chinese patients: analysis of ONTARGET China data / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The results from the ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial (ONTARGET) indicated that the angiotensin-receptor blocker telmisartan was not inferior to the angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor ramipril in reducing the composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke or hospitalization for congestive heart failure in high-risk patients, and telmisartan was associated with slightly superior tolerability. The combination of the two drugs was associated with more adverse events without an increase in benefit. This study aimed to analyze the data from ONTARGET obtained from a subgroup of patients enrolled in China and to evaluate the demographic and baseline characteristics, the compliance, efficacy, and safety of the different treatment strategies in randomized patients in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1159 high-risk patients were randomized into three treatment groups: with 390 assigned to receive 80 mg of telmisartan, 385 assigned to receive 10 mg of ramipril and 384 assigned to receive both study medications. The median follow-up period was 4.3 years.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean age of Chinese patients was 65.6 years, 73.6% of patients were male. The proportion of patients with stroke/transient ischemic attacks at baseline in China was two times more than the entire study population (47.7% vs. 20.9%). In Chinese patients the proportion of permanent discontinuation of study medication due to cough was 0.5% in the telmisartan group, which was much less than that in the combination or the ramipril group. There were no significant differences in the incidence of primary outcome among three treatment groups of Chinese patients. More strokes occurred in Chinese patients than in the entire study population (8.5% vs. 4.5%). Greater systolic blood pressure reduction (-9.8 mmHg), and more renal function failure were noted in the combination treatment group than in the ramipril or telmisartan group (2.6% vs. 1.6% and 1.0%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There was no evidence that the results of ONTARGET differed between Chinese patients and the entire study population with respect to the incidence of primary outcome, particularly safety. Compliance with study medications was good. The evidence from ONTARGET indicated that the treatment strategies in ONTARGET were applicable to patients in China.</p>

Clinical characteristics, treatments and outcome of diabetic patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes in China / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical characteristics, treatment options and outcome of diabetic patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Consecutive patients admitted with NSTEACS from 38 centers in north China were enrolled. Medical histories, clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes were evaluated and follow-up was made at 6, 12, and 24 months after their initial hospital admission. Cumulative event rates were compared between diabetic and non-diabetic patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 420 diabetic patients out of 2294 NSTEACS patients (18.3%). Diabetic patients were older [(64.9 ± 6.7) years vs. (62.3 ± 8.6) years, P < 0.01], more often women (48.1% vs. 35.3%, P < 0.05) and were associated with higher baseline comorbidities such as previous hypertension, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure and stroke than non-diabetic patients. The incidence of antiplatelet therapy (92.1% vs. 95.0%, P < 0.05), coronary angiography (30.0% vs. 36.3%, P < 0.05) and revascularization (12.1% vs.18.8%, P < 0.05) was lower in patients with diabetes than non-diabetic patients. In hospital and 2-year mortality as well as the incidence of congestive heart failure and composite outcomes of myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure and death were substantially higher in diabetic patients compared with non-diabetic patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age ≥ 70 years, diabetes, previous myocardial infarction, previous congestive heart failure, systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) and heart rate more than 100 bpm at admission were risk factors for 2-year death.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In NSTEACS, diabetes is associated with higher rate of in-hospital and 2-year death, congestive heart failure and composite outcomes of myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure and death. Diabetes mellitus is a major independent predictor of 2-year mortality post NSTEACS. Status of antiplatelet therapy, coronary angiography and revascularization should be improved for diabetic patients with NSTEACS during hospitalization.</p>

Predictors of short term mortality in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the independent risk factors associated with short term mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We analyzed data from Chinese patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and cardiogenic shock enrolled in the CREATE trial. Predictors of 30-day mortality were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis using baseline and procedural variables.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall 30-day mortality of STEMI complicated by CS among the 517 patients [(68.5 ± 10.3) years and 57.6% male] was 62.3%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors of death included age (OR = 1.46, 95%CI: 1.18 - 1.81), anterior infarction (OR = 2.01, 95%CI 1.29 - 3.11), admission glucose level > 7.8 mmol/L (OR = 2.17, 95%CI: 1.26 - 3.73), serum sodium concentration < 130 mmol/L (OR = 2.21, 95%CI: 1.21 - 4.04), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40% or sever left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) (OR = 3.78, 95%CI: 2.28 - 6.27), no emergency revascularization (OR = 3.53, 95%CI: 1.20 - 10.41) and diuretics use (OR = 1.90, 95%CI: 1.21 - 2.97). Analysis using baseline clinical variables showed that the first five risk factors mentioned above were also the baseline risk factors fro death. The receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting the death of the two models was 0.81 (95%CI: 0.77 - 0.86) and 0.80 (95%CI: 0.75 - 0.84), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 30-day mortality of patients with STEMI complicated by CS was over 60%. Age, anterior infarction, admission glucose level >7.8 mmol/L, serum sodium concentration < 130 mmol/L, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40% and no emergency revascularization were independent risk factors associated with 30-day mortality.</p>

Impact of first 24 hours mean blood glucose level on the prognosis of hospitalized patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the impact of the first 24 hours mean blood glucose (MBG) level and admission glucose (AG) during hospitalization on the short term mortality and combined end point events in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 7446 Chinese STEMI patients hospitalized within 12 hours of symptom onset were included. Plasma glucose was measured at admission, 6 and 24 hours after admission, respectively. The MBG level through the first 24 hours for each patient was calculated. Patients were stratified into six groups according to their MBG levels: < 4.5, 4.5 - 5.5, 5.6 - 7.0, 7.1 - 8.5, 8.6 - 11.0 and > 11.0 mmol/L. The incidence of all-cause mortality and combined end point of death, re-infarction, cardiogenic shock, recurrence ischemia, and stroke at 7 days and 30 days post hospitalization were analyzed. Nested models were compared to determine whether logistic regression models that included MBG provided a significantly better fit than logistic regression models included AG.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the MBG of 4.5 - 5.5 mmol/L group, 7-day and 30-day mortality and combined end point events increased in proportion to plasma MBG level increase. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated MBG (equal or greater than 7.1 - 8.5 mmol/L) level is an independent predictor of 7-day and 30-day mortality and combined end point events. Nested models analysis showed that the prognostic impact of MBG is superior to AG (P < 0.001) on predicting 7-day and 30-day mortality and combined end point events in this patient cohort.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Elevated MBG (≥ 7.1 mmol/L) level is an independent predictor of 7-day and 30-day mortality and combined end point events. MBG is superior to AG on predicting short-term prognosis in this patient cohort.</p>

Clinical features of 18 patients with isolated right sided infective endocarditis / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the clinical characteristics of 18 patients with isolated right sided infective endocarditis (RSIE) who hospitalized in our department between August 2005 and February 2009.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The epidemiological and clinical data of 18 non-drug addicts with RSIE were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of RSIE accounted for 7.23% of all IE patients hospitalized in our department during the same period. Predisposing conditions were as follows: congenital heart disease (76.5%, 14/18), post operative procedures (3/18) and high dose glucocorticoids use (1/18). Fever (100%) was the most common clinical manifestation. Septic pulmonary embolism was the most prevalent complication (5/18). Staphylococci aureus (4/7) were the most common causative patho organisms, while the most common etiological organisms of left-sided and both-sided IE were Streptococci Viridans. Transthoracic echocardiography evidenced 17 cases of vegetations including 59.1% (13/22) tricuspid vegetations. There was no in-hospital death and the mean hospitalization duration was (22.0 +/- 18.9) days.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Congenital heart diseases, but not intravenous drug abuse, were the most prevalent predisposing factors for RSIE in this cohort. Staphylococci aureus were the most common causative organisms.</p>

Risk factors associated with increased end points of patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes in China: 2 years follow up results of China-OASIS Registry / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the risk factors associated with increased combined end points (including death, new myocardial infarction and stroke) of patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome hospitalized in 38 hospitals in China were included in this registry study as part of an international multicentre registry-OASIS. Data including clinical characteristics, previous medical history, therapeutic procedure and follow-up medicines, were collected and analyzed. The follow up period was two years. Cox regression model was used to analyze the association between multiple risk factors and combined end points.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>From April 1999 to December 2001, 2294 eligible patients were enrolled nationwide and 2294 patients finished the 2 years follow up (mean age: 62.8 +/- 8.3 years and 62.3% males). The mortality was 7.6% (174/2294), 168 new myocardial infarction and 93 stroke were recorded during follow up and the combined end point events was 365 (15.9%) at the end of the two year's follow-up. Forty-eight factors were analyzed by Cox regression model to determine the impact of these factors on the occurrence of end point event. Risk factors that promoting end points were: thrombolysis during hospitalization, heart rate more than 120 bpm at admission, current smoker, history of PTCA, length of the first hospitalization, intravenous nitrate use during hospitalization, history of heart failure, low molecular weight heparin or subcutaneous heparin use during hospitalization, former smoker, calcium antagonist use during hospitalization, history of hypertension or coronary artery disease, recurrent angina pectoris during hospitalization and age by the first hospitalization. Protective factors that reducing end point were: normal ECG at admission, use of oral nitrate, anti-platelet medicine, calcium antagonist, lipid lowering agents and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor during follow-up period.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The two-years incidence of combined endpoints of death, new myocardial infarction and stroke in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes is 15.9% in China. Fifteen factors are associated with increased and 8 factors (mostly related to regular medication use) are associated with reduced occurrence of endpoints during follow up in this cohort.</p>

Impact of admission blood glucose on prognosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with or without known diabetes / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the impact of admission blood glucose level on 30-day mortality in ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with or without known diabetes.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>This observational analysis enrolled 7446 Chinese STEMI patients hospitalized within 12 hours of symptom onset joining a global randomized controlled trial. The patients with or without known diabetes were divided into different groups by the admission blood glucose level: < 6.1 mmol/L (n = 2018), 6.1 to 7.7 mmol/L (n = 2170), 7.8 to 11.0 mmol/L (n = 1929), 11.1 to 13.0 mmol/L (n = 465), > 13.0 mmol/L (n = 864), the last three groups were defined as the hyperglycemia group. The 30-day mortality was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A substantial proportion of hyperglycemic patients did not have recognized diabetes. Insulin use during hospitalization in hyperglycemic patients without known diabetes was significantly lower than that in known diabetics with similar glucose levels. Incidence of 30-day mortality increased in proportion to increasing admission glucose levels in patients without known diabetes (glucose< 6.1 mmol/L 6.8%, 6.1 to 7.7 mmol/L 8.3%, glucose > 13.0 mmol/L 18.6%, P < 0.001). In patients with known diabetes, the 30-day mortality was 16.7% with admission glucose < 6.1 mmol/L and 8.2% with admission glucose 6.1 to 7.7 mmol/L, and 22.0% with admission glucose > 13.0 mmol/L (P < 0.001). Except in patients with admission glucose > 13.0 mmol/L, the 30-day mortality was significantly higher in patients without known diabetes than in patients with known diabetes at comparable admission glucose levels (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Comparing with the known diabetic patients, admission hyperglycemia is common in STEMI patients without known diabetes and was associated with higher 30-day mortality compared to known diabetes patients with comparable admission glucose level with the exception of admission glucose level > 13.0 mmol/L.</p>