Contemporary epidemiology and treatment of hospitalized heart failure patients in real clinical practice in China / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective@#To observe the etiology, comorbidities, clinical features and treatment patterns of hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) in China.@*Methods@#Data were collected prospectively on hospitalized patients with HF who were enrolled in China Heart Failure Center Registry Study from 169 participating hospitals from January 2017 to August 2018. In this cross-sectional study, patients were stratified by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) category: heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, LVEF<40%); heart failure with mid-ranged ejection fraction (HFmrEF, 40%≤LVEF<50%) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, LVEF≥50%). The clinical data were collected, including demographic information, diagnosis, signs, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, laboratory tests, and treatment.@*Results@#A total of 31 356 hospitalized patients with HF were included, 19 072 (60.8%) were males and the average age was (67.9±13.6) years old. The common causes of HF were hypertension (57.2%), coronary heart disease (54.6%), dilated cardiomyopathy (14.7%), valvular heart disease (9.2%). The common complications were atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (34.1%), diabetes (29.2%), and anemia (26.7%). 32.8% of patients had a history of hospitalization for HF within the previous 12 months. There were 11 034 (35.2%) patients with HFrEF, 6 825 (21.8%) patients with HFmrEF and 13 497 (43.0%) patients with HFpEF. Compared with patients with HFpEF, patients with HFrEF had a lower systolic blood pressure ((124.7±21.1)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs. (134.9±22.9)mmHg), faster heart rate ((85±19) beats/minutes vs. (81±19)beats/minutes), and higher percentage of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class Ⅳ, smoking, alcohol, left bundle branch block, and QRS time≥130 ms, and higher levels of blood uric acid, BNP, and NT-proBNP (all P<0.05). Compared with patients with HFmrEF and HFrEF, patients with HFpEF were older, more women, and higher comorbidity burden including hypertension, atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter, anemia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (all P<0.05). HFmrEF took a mid-position between HFrEF and HFpEF in age, gender, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, hypertension, atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter, anemia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (all P<0.05). Patients with HFmrEF had the highest proportion of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and percutaneous coronary intervention (all P<0.05). During hospitalization, loop diuretics were used in 90.2% of patients, and intravenous inotropics were used in 20.4% of patients. The use of ACEI/ARB/ARNI, β blockers and aldosterone receptor antagonists at discharge were 71.8%, 79.1% and 83.6% in HFrEF and 69.9%, 75.5% and 72.4% in HFmrEF, respectively. The use of digoxin at discharge was 25.3% (HFrEF 36.7%, HFmrEF 23.1%, HFpEF 17.0%). The rates of cardiac resynchronization therapy and implantable cardioverter defibrillator in HFrEF were 2.7% and 2.1%.@*Conclusions@#Among the hospitalized patients with HF in China, coronary heart disease and hypertension are the mostly prevalent causes. HFpEF accounts for a large proportion of hospitalized patients with HF. HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF have different etiology and clinical features. In real-world, there are still large gaps in the effective application of the guideline recommended therapies to HF patients, especially the non-pharmacological therapy option, which needs to be improved further in China.

Efficacy of triple therapy and sequential therapy in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients receiving long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treatment / 中华消化杂志

Objective To explore the efficacy of triple therapy and sequential therapy in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in patients receiving long-term non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) treatment.Methods Patients receiving long-term NSAID treatment were enrolled in this study.Patients diagnosed as Hp infection were divided into triple therapy and sequential therapy groups.The patients in triple therapy group received omeprazole,clarithromycin and amoxicillin theray for 10 days.The patients in sequential group received esomeprazole with amoxicillin for five days,and then esomeprazole with clarithromycin and metronidazole for another five days.All patients were given mucosal protective therapy as maintenance treatment after eradication therapy and followed up for 12 weeks.Patients underwent endoscopy examination and Hp testing before and after follow-up.Hp eradication rates were compared with the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analysis.Results According to ITT analysis,the eradication rates of Hp in triple therapy group and sequential therapy group were 78.4 ％ (40/51) and 80.0 ％ (40/50) respectively,there was no significant difference between these two groups (x2 =0.038,P=0.846).According to PP analysis,the eradication rates of Hp in triple therapy group and sequential therapy group were 84.4％ (38/45) and 87.0％ (40/46) respectively,there was no significant difference between these two groups either (x2=0.117,P=0.732).Conclusion There was no significant difference in Hp eradication between triple therapy and sequential therapy in patients receiving long-term NSAID treatment.

Clinical survey on gastroduodenal damages induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs / 中华消化杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence and the risk factors of gastroduodenal damages induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Methods One hundred and eighty-four patients who were prescribed NSA1Ds for long time in rheumatology and cardiovascular clinics were enrolled. Clinical data such as age, sex, medication history and body mass index were recorded. The lesions were estimated by endoscopy and the specimens were tested for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Results Peptic ulcer was found in 63 (34. 24%) patients including gastric ulcer in 22, duodenal ulcer in 34 and compound ulcer in 7. The endoscopic examination showed that 57 out of 121 patients without peptic ulcer had ≥3 erosive lesions. Logistic regression analysis revealed that H. pylori infection was important risk factor that induced the peptic ulcer in those who were taking NSAIDs for long time (OR = 13. 86, 95% CI: 6. 53 ～ 29. 43). The incidence of gastroduodenal damage was similar in patients taking NSAIDs and low dose aspirin (OR =0.45,95CI:0.16～ 1.28). Conclusions NSAIDs may cause gastroduodenal damages in long-term users and H. pylori infection was an important risk factor. The effect of low dose aspirin on gastroduodenal damages is as same as NSAIDs.

Effects of metformin on pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To study the effects of metformin on the pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats. METHODS: Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model of rat was made through laparotomy. One week after TAC surgery, the rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=8 in each group) and were administered with the corresponding drugs orally every day for 8 weeks: sham group (sham surgery, administered with 2 mL distilled water);TAC group (TAC rats, administered with 2 mL distilled water);metformin(MET) group (TAC rats, administered with MET at dose of 300 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1));MN group [TAC rats, administered with MET at dose of 300 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) plus NOS inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 50 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)] and L-NAME group (TAC rats, administered with L-NAME at dose of 50 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After treated for 8 weeks, the echocardiography, hemodynamics, the ratio of heart weight to body weight (HW/BW) and histological examination of the heart were performed. The levels of myocardial AMP-activated protein kinase subunit α (AMPKα), p-AMPKα~(Thr172), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and p-eNOS~(Ser1177) were detected by Western blotting. Plasma and myocardial nitric oxide (NO) were detected biochemically. RESULTS: After 8 weeks treatment, the wall thickness of left ventricle, the heart weight/body weight ratio (HW/BW), and the left ventricular myocardial perivascular fibrosis and myocardial interstitial fibrosis of the animals in TAC group were significantly increased as compared to those in sham rats. Treatment with MET for 8 weeks significantly attenuated left ventricular hypertrophy and improved cardiac function in TAC rats. These effects of MET were mostly abolished by L-NAME. Molecular biology and biochemical testing revealed that the levels of left ventricular myocardial p-AMPKα~(Thr172) and p-eNOS~(Ser1177), as well as the levels of myocardial and serum NO were significantly increased in MET group. CONCLUSION: Long-term MET treatment significantly inhibits the cardiac hypertrophy and the myocardial fibrosis and improves the cardiac functions in pressure-overload rats. The anti-hypertrophic effects of MET may be mediated via activation of AMPK-eNOS signaling pathway.

Effects of AMPK on Transcriptional Activity of FOXO3a and Expression of Ubiquitin Ligase MAFbx in Cardiomyocytes / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective]This study was designed to investigate the effects of 5-aminoimidasole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR)on activity of transcription factor Forkhead O 3a(FOXO3a)and expression of ubiquitin ligase muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx),and to explore the role of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)on proteolysis pathways in eardiomyocytes.[Methods]The effect of AICAR on activation of AMPK was observed.Cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes was treated with AICAR in different concentration.Cultured cardiomyocytes were then divided into three groups:control group,AICAR group,AICAR+Compound C group.Effects of AMPK activation on phosphorylation of FOXO3a and expression of MAFbx in cardiomyocytes were detected using Western blot.[Results]①Compared with control group,activity of AMPK in cultured cardiomyocytes was increased after treatment with 0.25 mmol/L or 0.5 mmol/L AICAR for 6 h(P＜0.05),and the activity of AMPK was further enhanced after treatment with 1.0 mmol/L or 2.0 mmol/L AICAR for 6 h(P＜0.01).②Activation of AMPK by AICAR significantly increased the transcriptional activity of FOXO3a(P＜0.01),and enhanced MAFbx protein expression in cardiomyocytes when comparing with control group(P＜0.01),however,specific AMPK antagonist Compound C markedly reversed these effects induced by AICAR.[Conclusion]AMPK may regulate cardiomyocytes proteolysis by activation of FOXO3a transcription factor,and up-regulation of MAFbx protein expression.

Effects of TIMI risk index on predicting prognosis m patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the value of the TIMI risk index in predicting 30-day and one-yosr mortality and incidence of heart failure in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Method Data of 229 patients with STEM1 from August 1999 to March 2006 in the First Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat-sen University,were retrospeclively collected,analyzed and scored with TIMI risk index.When categorized into quintiles(≤12.5,12.5～17.5,17.5～22.5,22.5～30,>30) and modeled as a continuous variable,difference of prediction of 30day and one-year mortality and 30-day incidence of heart failure of patients were compared respectively.Results When categorized into quintilos and modeled as a continuous variable,30-day and one-year mortality and 30-day incidence of heart failure were increasing with increasing score of risk index (P<0.05).The area under the recewer operating characteristic curve were 0.65,0.68,0.67 and 0.70,0.72,0.70,respectively.Conclusions The TIM1 risk index can be used as a simple,rapid and practical tool to risk-stratify patients with STEMI.

Applying new medical education methods to solve the problems of medical probation / 中华医学教育探索杂志

This paper analyse the problem of medical probation,suggests solutions with the application of new medical education methods to improve teaching quality and cultivate the high quality talents that can meet the fundmental requirement of global medical education.

Relationship of angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensinogen and endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms with coronary disease in aged people / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the predisposition effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) ,angiotensinogen (AGT) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms on coronary disease (CHD) as well as their possible synergistic effect in the development of CHD in Chinese aged people. Methods The study included 191 subjects (100 CHD and 91 controls). Gene chip technology was performed. The allele frequency and genotype distribution were compared between groups. Results A significantly higher frequency of the DD genotype of ACE gene was observed in CHD group (28.0% vs 15. 4%, P0. 05). Subjects carrying ACE DD and AGT TT genotypes or those carrying AGT TT and eNOS TT genotypes showed a stronger association withCHD(OR=2. 9, P

Effects of simvastation on homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory response and its molecular mechanisms / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the effects of simvastation on homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory response and the underlying mechanisms of such effects. METHODS: MTT assay was used to detect cell viability, and DCFH-DA assay was used to examine the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, Western blotting was performed to detect protein expression and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to detect NF-?B DNA binding activity. RESULTS: Homocysteine (0.1-1 mmol/L) decreased the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) viability and increased the levels of ROS. Western blotting and ELISA showed that homocysteine significantly increased the expression of TNF-?, IL-6, MCP-1 and ICAM-1. However, pretreatment with simvastation (1-20 ?mol/L) reversed the decreased cell viability and markedly suppressed an increase in the ROS level and the expression of TNF-?, IL-6, MCP-1 and ICAM-1 induced by homocysteine. Homocysteine induced p38 phosphorylation and such phosphorylation was also inhibited by simvastation and antioxidant NAC. EMSA and Western blotting showed that homocysteine induced NF-?B activation due to the increased phosphorylation of the inhibitory protein (I?B?) as well as the degradation of I?B?, while simvastation pretreatment almost completely blocked the NF-?B activation as well as the phosphorylation and degradation of I?B?. CONCLUSION: Simvastation inhibits homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory response through interfering with ROS-p38-NF-?B pathway.

Preventive Effect of Heat-clearing and Toxicity-removing Method on Rabbit Atherosclerosis Induced by Chlamydia Pneumoniae Infection / 广州中医药大学学报

[Objective] To observe the preventive effect of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD), a prescription with the actions of clearing heat and removing toxicity, on rabbits atherosclerosis (AS) induced by Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) infection. [Methods] Fifty two New Zealand rabbits were fed with forage containing 2. 5g/kg cholesterol and were infected with CP via nasopharynx for three times during 6 weeks. At the end of the sixth week, forty four rabbits with serum CP-IgG positive were randomized into 4 groups: group A treated with HJD 2g?kg-1 ?d-1 by gastric gavage, group B with HJD 1g?kg-1?d-1, group C with azithromycin 20 mg?kg-1?d-1 and model group D with normal saline for 6 weeks. Group E was set up in 8 rabbits fed with fatty forage and served as the control. Serum levels of high-sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and CP-IgG were detected before infection, after infection and after treatment. At the end of the 18th week, the rabbits were executed and the pathological features of aortic tissue were observed under microscope. Meanwhile, the expression of CP-DNA and tumor necrosis factor ?(TNF-?) in the aortic tissue was detected with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemical method respectively. [Results] At the end of the experiment, atherosclerotic changes were obvious in groups D and E, particularly in group D. Compared with group D, the atherosclerotic damage was much relieved, and AS indexes such as maximum intimal thickness (MIT), atherosclerotic damage percentage and plaque area index were much improved in groups A and C (P

Complement activation in acute coronary syndromes / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To evaluate complement activation in patients with all forms of acute coronary syndromes(ACS)and to examine the relationship between the degree of complement activation and myocardial injury.METHODS:The subjects were divided into 2 groups:110 ACS patients(group ACS)and 18 healthy persons(group control).One hundred and ten patients with ACS were divided into 3 sub-group:51 patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction(STEMI),28 patients with non-ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction(NSTEMI)and 31 patients with unstable angina(UA).Complement 3(C3),complement 4(C4),troponin T(TnT)as well as creatine kinase MB(CK-MB)were evaluated.RESULTS:Plasma C3 and C4 peak levels were significantly higher in patients with STEMI [(1 525?302)mg/L and(423?123)mg/L] and NSTEMI [(1 516?289)mg/L and(396?68)mg/L] than those in patients with UA [(1 275?172)mg/L and(356?91)mg/L] and the control subjects [(1 072?196)mg/L and(182?73)mg/L](P

Effects of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and hyperlipidemia on the expression of NF-?B and AP-1 in myocardium / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the effects of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and hyperlipidemia on the expression of NF-?B and AP-1 in the myocardium. METHODS: The indirect immunofluorescence method was used to examine wild C57BL/6J mice infected with Chlamydia pneumoniae and fed with an atherogenic diet. The expression of the subunit of NF-?B, P50, and c-Fos in the murine myocardium was observed. RESULTS: Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and hyperlipidemia induced the activation of NF-?B and AP-1 in murine myocardium. P50 and c-Fos were not detected in the controls, but there were different levels of positive expression in the experiments (P