Diagnosis and treatment of gastric hamartomatous inverted polyp (GHIP) by endoscopic submucosal dissection: A case report.

RATIONALE: Gastric hamartomatous inverted polyps (GHIP) is not a common disease, and it has rarely been reported in the literature. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult due to the deep position and surface covered with normal gastric mucosa. However, with the progress of endoscopic technology, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) can play a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of GHIP. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 61-year-old Chinese man underwent gastroscopy due to abdominal pain 2 months prior that revealed chronic superficial nonatrophic gastritis with erosion and a submucosal tumor in the gastric body (an ultrasound gastroscopy was recommended). Therefore, he was admitted to our hospital for further diagnosis and treatment. DIAGNOSES: A hemispherical submucosal tumor was found in the middle segment of the stomach, with a size of approximately 30 mm × 35 mm and a smooth surface without central ulceration or mucosal bridge formation. Ultrasound gastroscopy showed that the lesion was a hypoechoic mass with uniform internal echo originating from the muscularis propria. INTERVENTIONS: The tumor was completely removed by using ESD. The postoperative pathological results indicated a monocystic structure in the submucosa that was not connected with the surface mucosa. The surface of the cyst was covered with foveolar cells and mucous-neck cells (part of which had low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia), and GHIP was considered to be diagnosed. OUTCOMES: According to the abovementioned endoscopic and pathological features, the patient was finally diagnosed with GHIP. The patient was successfully discharged after surgery and received regular follow-up observations. LESSONS: GHIP is located in the submucosa layer and has the potential risk of malignant transformation. However, it is not easy to diagnose by using gastroscopy and ultrasound gastroscopy. ESD can obtain complete specimens, which contributes to the diagnosis and treatment of GHIP.

Atypical aggressive vertebral hemangioma of the sacrum with postoperative recurrence: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive vertebral hemangioma (VH) is an uncommon lesion in the adult population. The vast majority of aggressive VHs have typical radiographic features. However, preoperative diagnosis of atypical aggressive VH may be difficult. Aggressive VHs are likely to recur even with en bloc resection. CASE SUMMARY: A 52-year-old woman presented with a 3-mo history of numbness and pain in her right lower extremity. Physical examination showed sacral tenderness and limited mobility, and the muscle strength was grade 4 in the right digital flexor. Computed tomography revealed osteolytic bone destruction from S1 to S2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the mass was compressing the dural sac; it was heterogeneously hypointense on T1-weighted MRI and hyperintense on T2-weighted MRI, and gadolinium contrast enhancement showed that the tumor was heterogeneously enhanced and invading the vertebral endplate of S1. The patient developed progressive back pain and numbness in the bilateral extremities 6 mo postoperatively, and MRI examination showed recurrence of the mass. The mass was larger in size than before the operation, and it was extending into the spinal canal. CONCLUSION: The radiographic findings of atypical aggressive VH include osteolytic vertebral bone destruction, extension of the mass into the spinal canal, and heterogeneous signal intensity on T1-, T2-, and enhanced T1-weighted MRI. These characteristics make preoperative diagnosis difficult, and biopsy is necessary to verify the lesion. Surgical decompression and gross total resection are recommended for treatment of aggressive VH. However, recurrence is inevitable in some cases.

Early detection of a cesarean scar pregnancy with placenta increta by contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the first trimester: A case report and literature review.

Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy, which is a long-term complication of cesarean section. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of CSP is important to decrease maternal mobility and mortality. However, it is difficult to make an early detection for CSP complicated with morbidly adherent placenta. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound with the advantage in blood flow imaging is low-cost, time-saving, safe and more accessible in clinical practice. Here, we report a case with early detection of CSP with placenta increta by contrast-enhanced ultrasound and its successful uterine-sparing surgical management.

Roflupram protects against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity and facilitates α-synuclein degradation in Parkinson's disease models.

We have previously shown that roflupram (ROF) protects against MPP+-induced neuronal damage in models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Since impaired degradation of α-synuclein (α-syn) is one of the key factors that lead to PD, here we investigated whether and how ROF affects the degradation of α-syn in rotenone (ROT)-induced PD models in vivo and in vitro. We showed that pretreatment with ROF (10 µM) significantly attenuated cell apoptosis and reduced the level of α-syn in ROT-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, ROF significantly enhanced the lysosomal function, as evidenced by the increased levels of mature cathepsin D (CTSD) and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) through increasing NAD+/NADH and the expression of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). Pretreatment with an SIRT1 inhibitor selisistat (SELI, 10 µM) attenuated the neuroprotection of ROF, ROF-reduced expression of α-syn, and ROF-increased expression levels of LAMP1 and mature CTSD. Moreover, inhibition of CTSD by pepstatin A (20 µM) attenuated ROF-reduced expression of α-syn. In vivo study was conducted in mice exposed to ROT (10 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.) for 6 weeks; then, ROT-treated mice received ROF (0.5, 1, or 2 mg·kg-1·d-1; i.g.) for four weeks. ROF significantly ameliorated motor deficits, which was accompanied by increased expression levels of tyrosine hydroxylase, SIRT1, mature CTSD, and LAMP1, and a reduced level of α-syn in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ROF exerts a neuroprotective action and reduces the α-syn level in PD models. The mechanisms underlying ROF neuroprotective effects appear to be associated with NAD+/SIRT1-dependent activation of lysosomal function.

Laterally spreading tumor-like primary rectal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a rare disease, and only a few cases have been reported to date. It has no specific clinical presentations and shows various endoscopic appearances. There is no uniform consensus on its treatment. With the advancement of endoscopic technology, endoscopic treatment has achieved better results in individual case reports of early-stage patients. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of rectal MALT in a 57-year-old Chinese man with no symptoms who received endoscopy as part of a routine physical examination, which incidentally found a 25 mm × 20 mm, laterally spreading tumor (LST)-like elevated lesion in the rectum. Therefore, he was referred to our hospital for further endoscopic treatment. Complete and curable removal of the tumor was performed by endoscopic submucosal dissection. We observed enlarged and dilated branch-like vessels similar to those of gastric MALT lymphoma on magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging. And immunopathological staining showed hyperplastic capillaries in the mucosa. Histopathological findings revealed diffusely hyperplastic lymphoid tissue in the lamina propria, with a visible lymphoid follicle structure surrounded by a large number of diffusely infiltrated lymphoid cells that had a relatively simple morphology and clear cytoplasm. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis suggested strongly positive expression for CD20 and Bcl-2. Gene rearrangement results showed positivity for IGH-A, IGH-C, IGK-B, and IGL. Taking all the above findings together, we arrived at a diagnosis of extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT lymphoma. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography examination showed no other lesions involved. The patient will be followed by periodic endoscopic observation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we report a case of rectal MALT with an LST-like appearance treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection. Further studies will be needed to explore the clinical behavior, endoscopic appearance, and treatment of rectal MALT.

Lymphangiomatosis associated with protein losing enteropathy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Lymphangiomatosis is a multisystem disorder that is rarely localized to the gastrointestinal tract. Lymphangiomatosis usually has no specific clinical presentation and is easily misdiagnosed. A case report and review of the literature on lymphangiomatosis associated with protein-losing enteropathy will help to improve the overall understanding of this disease. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of lymphangiomatosis of the bowel and other solid organs. A 78-year-old man presented with recurrent bowel bleeding and protein-losing enteropathy, as well as cystic lesions in the spleen, liver, and kidney. Imaging examinations revealed many cystic lesions on the spleen, liver, kidney, and thickened wall of the ascending colon, as well as pleural effusion and ascites. Colonoscopy revealed a strawberry mucosa, variable spontaneous bleeding, and surface erosion located in the terminal ileum. Several cystic masses with a translucent and smooth surface as well as diffuse white spots were located in the colon. A laterally spreading tumor (LST) was located in the ascending colon. Pathology indicated highly differentiated adenocarcinoma (LST) and lymphangiomatoid dilation, and D2-40 was positive. The final diagnosis was lymphangiomatosis. The patient underwent surgery for LST and then was administered thalidomide 75-150 mg/d. His condition, however, did not improve. He eventually died 6 mo after the initial diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Lymphangiomatosis usually occurs diffusely and can involve many organs, such as the spleen, kidney, liver, lung, mesentery, and bowel. Recurrent bowel bleeding or protein-losing enteropathy is an important indicator that should alert clinicians about the possibility of this disease when it afflicts the bowel. Doctors should improve the medical understanding of lymphangiomatosis.

Urinary Metabolite Signatures for Predicting Elderly Stroke Survivors with Depression.

BACKGROUND: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a major complication in stroke survivors, especially in elderly stroke survivors. But there are still no objective methods to diagnose depression in elderly stroke survivors. Thus, this study was conducted to identify potential biomarkers for diagnosing elderly PSD subjects. METHODS: Elderly (60 years or older) stroke survivors with depression were assigned into the PSD group, and elderly stroke survivors without depression and elderly healthy controls (HCs) were assigned into the non-depressed group. Urinary metabolite signatures obtained from gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomic platform were collected. Both univariate and multivariate statistical analysis were used to find the differential urinary metabolites between the two groups. RESULTS: The 78 elderly HCs, 122 elderly stroke survivors without depression and 124 elderly PSD subjects were included. A set of 13 differential urinary metabolites responsible for distinguishing PSD subjects from non-depressed subjects were found. The Phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, Phenylalanine metabolism and Galactose metabolism were found to be significantly changed in elderly PSD subjects. The phenylalanine was significantly negatively correlated with age and depressive symptoms. Meanwhile, a biomarker panel consisting of 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, tyrosine, phenylalanine, sucrose, palmitic acid, glyceric acid, azelaic acid and α-aminobutyric acid was identified. CONCLUSION: These results provided candidate molecules for developing objective methods to diagnose depression in elderly stroke survivors, suggested that taking supplements of phenylalanine might be an effective method to prevent depression in elderly stroke survivors, and would be helpful for future revealing the pathophysiological mechanism of PSD.

Risk of Lymph Node Metastasis and Feasibility of Endoscopic Treatment in Ulcerative Early Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: When the risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is considered minimal in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an effective alternative to radical resection. This study aims to estimate the feasibility of ESD for EGC with ulceration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from 691 patients who underwent gastrectomy for EGC with ulceration. Subsequently, a stratification system for lesions was created based on the expanded ESD criteria, and the associations between the subgroups and the rate of LNM were analyzed. RESULTS: LNM was confirmed in 16.5% (114/691) of patients. Univariate analysis demonstrated that age, sex, tumor size, macroscopic features, depth of invasion, tumor differentiation, Lauren type, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and perineural invasion were associated with LNM. Multivariate analysis showed that LVI [odds ratio (OR) = 16.761, P < 0.001], SM1 invasion (OR = 2.159, P = 0.028), and SM2 invasion (OR = 3.230, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for LNM. LNM occurred in undifferentiated mucosal tumors, with ulceration being 1.7% (2/116) when the lesion was smaller than 20 mm. Further stratification revealed that among lesions < 30 mm in size, undifferentiated tumors with SM1 invasion had a higher rate of LNM and a lower disease-free survival rate than differentiated tumors with SM1 invasion and tumors limited to the mucosal layer. CONCLUSIONS: Depth of invasion and LVI were strongly associated with LNM in ulcerative EGC. Endoscopic resection may be applicable for undifferentiated mucosal ulcerative EGC < 30 mm in size, and additional investigation is needed to evaluate its safety.

Crush is superior to Culotte in two-stent strategy for treatment of left main coronary artery bifurcations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Crush and Culotte techniques have been used increasingly to treat patients with complex unprotected left main coronary artery bifurcation lesions. This article compares published data on these two techniques. METHODS: Databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, were searched for articles published before Aug 21, 2019 to identify all relevant studies on left main coronary artery bifurcation lesions treated by Crush versus Culotte techniques. The pooled data were analyzed using either fixed- or random-effects model depending on heterogeneity (assessed via the I2 index). The endpoints were major adverse cardiac events, target lesion revascularization, cardiac death, stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: Eight articles with a total of 1,283 patients were included, and 710 patients were treated with Crush, and 573 ones with Culotte. Crush group was trend to decreased major adverse cardiac event compared with Culotte group [Relative ratio (RR) 0.63,95% confidence interval(CI) 0.39-1.04, I2 =72.7%], mainly driven by decreased cardiac death [RR 0.49, 95% CI(0.25-0.99), I2 =0%], decreased myocardial infarction [RR 0.40, 95% CI(0.21-0.76), I2 =21.6%],and lower stent thrombosis [RR 0.39, 95% CI(0.16-0.98), I2 =39.4%]. There was no significant difference in target lesion revascularization and target vessel revascularization between Crush and Culotte [RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.46-1.28, I2=61.1%; RR 0.78, 95% CI (0.30-2.02), I2 =73.1%, respectively]. CONCLUSION: Crush was superior to Culotte for treatment of left main coronary artery bifurcation lesions with a trend of lower incidence of long-term major adverse cardiac events, mainly derived from decreased myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis and cardiac death.

Prevalence and Predictors of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy (CIN) in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) becomes more and more frequent after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). There have been no reported meta-analyses to determine the role of these risk factors in predicting CIN in patients with STEMI undergoing PCI. So we made this meta-analysis to summarize the incidence of CIN in patients with STEMI undergoing PCI and to study associations between CIN and several risk factors that are mentioned in most prevention guidelines. HYPOTHESIS: The overall incidence of CIN in patients with STEMI undergoing PCI is not low. Many risk factors could influence the occurrence of CIN, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate. METHODS: Databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Chinese BioMedical (CBM), were searched for articles published before May 21, 2019, to identify all relevant studies on CIN. The pooled data were analyzed using either fixed-effects or random-effects models depending on heterogeneity (assessed via the I 2 index). RESULTS: Twelve articles encompassing a total of 6342 patients were included. The overall pooled CIN incidence was 13.3% (95% CI: 10.4-17.1). The forest plots showed positive associations between CIN and the presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, history of prior myocardial infarction, age, damaged left anterior descending artery, Killip class ≥2, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, and left ventricular ejection fraction <40%; the odds ratios for these factors were 1.85 (95% CI: 1.57-2.18; p < 0.00001), 1.83 (95% CI: 1.47-2.29; p < 0.00001), 2.14 (95% CI: 1.46-3.14; p < 0.0001), 7.79 (95% CI: 5.24-10.34; p < 0.00001), 1.92 (95% CI: 1.15-3.22; p=0.01), 3.12 (95% CI: 2.21-4.40; p < 0.00001), -6.15 (95% CI: -9.52 to -2.79; p=0.0003), -15.06 (95% CI: -24.75 to -5.36; p=0.002), and 5.53 (95% CI: 1.10-27.95; p=0.04), respectively. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of CIN in patients with STEMI undergoing PCI was not low and was closely associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, history of prior myocardial infarction, age, damaged left anterior descending artery, Killip class ≥2, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, and left ventricular ejection fraction <40%.

Feasibility of endoscopic treatment and predictors of lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been routinely performed in applicable early gastric cancer (EGC) patients as an alternative to conventional surgical operations that involve lymph node dissection. The indications for ESD have been recently expanded to include larger, ulcerated, and undifferentiated mucosal lesions, and differentiated lesions with slight submucosal invasion. The risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is the most important consideration when deciding on a treatment strategy for EGC. Despite the advantages over surgical procedures, lymph nodes cannot be removed by ESD. In addition, whether patients who meet the expanded indications for ESD can be managed safely remains controversial. AIM: To determine whether the ESD indications are applicable to Chinese patients and to investigate the predictors of LNM in EGC. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 12552 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer between June 2007 and December 2018 at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. A total of 1262 (10.1%) EGC patients were eligible for inclusion in this study. Data on the patients' clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological characteristics were collected. The absolute and expanded indications for ESD were validated by regrouping the enrolled patients and determining the positive LNM results in each subgroup. Predictors of LNM in patients were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: LNM was observed in 182 (14.4%) patients. No LNM was detected in the patients who met the absolute indications (0/90). LNM occurred in 4/311 (1.3%) patients who met the expanded indications. According to univariate analysis, LNM was significantly associated with positive tumor marker status, medium (20-30 mm) and large (>30 mm) lesion sizes, excavated macroscopic-type tumors, ulcer presence, submucosal invasion (SM1 and SM2), poor differentiation, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion, and diffuse and mixed Lauren's types. Multivariate analysis demonstrated SM1 invasion (odds ration [OR] = 2.285, P = 0.03), SM2 invasion (OR = 3.230, P < 0.001), LVI (OR = 15.702, P < 0.001), mucinous adenocarcinoma (OR = 2.823, P = 0.015), and large lesion size (OR = 1.900, P = 0.006) to be independent risk factors. CONCLUSION: The absolute indications for ESD are reasonable, and the feasibility of expanding the indications for ESD requires further investigation. The predictors of LNM include invasion depth, LVI, mucinous adenocarcinoma, and lesion size.

Gastric adenocarcinoma of fundic gland type after Helicobacter pylori eradication: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Gastric adenocarcinoma of fundic gland type (GA-FG) has recently been proposed as a novel histological type of gastric cancer. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of GA-FG in a 77-year-old Chinese woman with epigastric distention who was referred to endoscopy for the management of an incidentally found submucosal tumor-like elevated lesion in the lower part of the gastric body. The tumor occurred after Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy without long-term use of proton pump inhibitors. Complete and curable removal of the tumor was performed by endoscopic submucosal dissection. Histopathological findings showed numerous cells with basophilic cytoplasm and mildly atypical nuclei-like chief cells of the fundic gland. The tumor was observed to have the so-called "endless glands" pattern of the well-differentiated mixed phenotype. A safe resection margin without lymphatic and venous invasion was observed. As the tumor occurred after H. pylori eradication therapy, it is unknown whether there was a relationship with H. pylori eradication. The patient will be followed up by periodic gastroscopic observation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we report a case of GA-FG after H. pylori eradication therapy without long-term proton pump inhibitors use. Further analysis of similar cases will reveal the clinical behavior of GA-FG.

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 Promotes Invasion and Metastasis in Gastric Cancer by Activating Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Signaling.

Increasing evidence supports an important role for the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) gene and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in the progression of human cancers by enhancing cancer cell metastasis and proliferation. However, the relationship between HER2 and MAPK signaling pathways in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. In the present study, dual in situ hybridization was performed to detect HER2 gene amplification and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate the mRNA expression of members of the MAPK signaling pathway, including rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (RAF), extracellular regulated signal-activated kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), in 112 primary GC tissue samples. The results revealed that 19/112 (17%) of tissue samples showed positive amplification of HER2, which was correlated with tumor invasion and metastasis. Upregulation of RAF, ERK, p38, and JNK was also observed in samples associated with metastasis. Moreover, the expression levels of RAF and ERK in samples with HER2 gene amplification were significantly increased compared with those without HER2 amplification. However, the expression levels of both p38 and JNK were not significantly correlated with HER2 gene amplification. Our results simultaneously showed the association between HER2 gene amplification and the expression levels of MAPK signaling pathway proteins and clinicopathologic characteristics in GC. These findings provide the basis for investigating the regulation of MAPK signaling pathways by HER2 and potential therapeutic targets for inhibiting metastasis and invasion in GC.

Successful Laparoscopic Management of Type I Cesarean Scar Pregnancy A Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of laparoscopic surgery without auxiliary treatment for type II cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP-II). STUDY DESIGN: This was a case series of 7 patients with CSP-II who underwent laparoscopic surgery without auxiliary treatment between April 2014 and April 2015. All cases were diagnosed by ultrasound, confirmed by laparoscopy, and managed by laparoscopic resection of scar and gestational tissue and wound repair. RESULTS: All 7 patients had successful surgeries without complication. Uterine scar and gestational tissues were resected, while also preserving the uterus. The operation time was 70.1 ± 16.3 min and blood loss was 65.7 ± 32.1 mL. Serum ß-hCG levels 24 hours after surgery declined by 84.8 ± 9.4%. Serum ß-hCG levels went back to <5 IU/L in all 7 patients by 14.4 ± 4.3 days after surgery. The time interval between surgery and first menstruation was 35.3 ± 4.5 days. CONCLUSION: These results suggest the possibility that skilled surgeons could use laparoscopy without auxiliary pretreatment to remove gestational tissues and uterine scar defect and to repair the wound in patients with CSP-II.

Statin therapy is beneficial for the prevention of atrial fibrillation in patients with coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis.

The ability of statins to prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients is controversial. To elucidate this problem, we conducted a meta-analysis. Electronic databases were searched through October 2011 to identify relevant studies. Either a fixed- or a random-effects model was used to calculate the overall combined risk estimates. Data extraction and meta-analysis were conducted using standard methods. The meta-analysis was performed with data derived from 10 cohort studies of the effects of statins on atrial fibrillation. The endpoint used was the occurrence or new onset of AF. A total of 193,839 patients were included, and 87,741 (45.26%) patients received statin therapy. The occurrence of AF was decreased by 35% in the statin therapy group compared to the non-statin-treated group (95% confidence interval: 0.57-0.74; P<0.001) with a heterogeneity of 86.2%. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also performed to explore the source of heterogeneity and to test the stability of the results, and the subgroup results did not materially alter the conclusion. There was no significant publication bias according to Begg's and Egger's tests (Begg, p=0.21; Egger, p=0.71). Therefore, statin therapy is beneficial for preventing atrial fibrillation in patients with coronary artery disease.

Statins therapy can reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is a controversy whether statins therapy could be beneficial for the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). To clarify this problem, we performed a meta-analysis with the currently published literatures. METHODS: The electronic databases were searched to obtain relevant trials which met the inclusion criteria through October 2011. Two authors independently read the trials and extracted the related information from the included studies. Either fixed-effects models or random-effects models were assumed to calculate the overall combined risk estimates according to I(2 )statistic. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by omitting one study in each turn, and publication bias was evaluated using Begg's and Egger's test. RESULTS: Six studies were eligible to inclusion criteria, of the six studies, 161305 patients were included in this meta-analysis, 77920 (48.31%) patients had taken the statins therapy, 83385 (51.69%) patients had taken non-statins therapy. Four studies had investigated the effect of statins therapy on occurrence of new-onset AF in ACS patients, another two had described the association between statins therapy and occurrence of AF in ACS patients with AF in baseline. The occurrence of AF was reduced 35% in statins therapy group compared to that in non-statins group (95% confident interval: 0.55-0.77, P<0.0001), and the effect of statins therapy seemed more beneficial for new-onset AF (RR=0.59, 95%CI: 0.48-0.73, p=0.096) than secondary prevention of AF (RR=0.70, 95%CI: 0.43-1.14, p=0.085). There was no publication bias according to the Begg's and Egger's test (Begg, p=0.71; Egger, p=0.73). CONCLUSION: Statins therapy could reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with ACS.

Additional use of an aldosterone antagonist in patients with mild to moderate chronic heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Aldosterone antagonists (AldoAs) have been used to treat severe chronic heart failure (CHF). There is uncertainty regarding the efficacy of using AldoAs in mild to moderate CHF with New York Heart Association (NYHA) classifications of I to II. This study summarizes the evidence for the efficacy of spironolactone (SP), eplerenone (EP) and canrenone in mild to moderate CHF patients. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and OVID databases were searched before June 2012 for randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials assessing AldoA treatment in CHF patients with NYHA classes I to II. Data concerning the study's design, patients' characteristics and outcomes were extracted. Risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean differences (WMD) or standardized mean difference were calculated using either fixed or random effects models. RESULTS: Eight trials involving 3929 CHF patients were included. AldoAs were superior to the control in all cause mortality (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66, 0.95) and in re-hospitalization for cardiac causes (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.52, 0.74), the left ventricular ejection fraction was improved by AldoA treatment (WMD 2.94%, P = 0.52). Moreover, AldoA therapy decreased the left ventricular end-diastolic volume (WMD -14.04 ml, P < 0.00001), the left ventricular end-systolic volume (WMD -14.09 ml, P < 0.00001). A stratified analysis showed a statistical superiority in the benefits of SP over EP in reducing LVEDV and LVESV. AldoAs reduced B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations (WMD -37.76 pg ml(-1), P < 0.00001), increased serum creatinine (WMD 8.69 µmol l(-1), P = 0.0003) and occurrence of hyperkalaemia (RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.43, 2.23). CONCLUSIONS: Additional use of AldoAs in CHF patients may decrease mortality and re-hospitalization for cardiac reasons, improve cardiac function and simultaneously ameliorate LV reverse remodelling.

One-year clinical outcome of a randomized trial of polymer-free paclitaxel-eluting stents versus biodegradable polymer-based rapamycin-eluting stents in patients with coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: More widespread use of drug-eluting stents (DES) to treat coronary heart disease (CHD) has recently generated more attention to thrombosis, which was relative to the polymer. Polymer-free and biodegradable polymer-based stents are more frequently studied, but their efficacy on preventing detrimental clinical events is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: To assess whether polymer-free paclitaxel-eluting stent (YINYI stent) was noninferior or equivalent to biodegradable polymer-based rapamycin-eluting stents (EXCEL stent) in preventing detrimental clinical cardiovascular events, a total of 167 consecutive CHD patients requiring DES implantation were randomly divided into the YINYI group (n = 82) and the EXCEL group (n = 85). The primary end-point was major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The secondary end-points included stent thrombosis events, all-cause mortality, and rehospitalization. The study was designed to test the noninferiority or equivalence of the YINYI stent compared with the EXCEL stent with respect to one-year MACE according to a noninferiority or equivalence margin of 0.1. One-year MACE was 6.10% in the YINYI group versus 5.88% in the EXCEL group. The lower limit of the one-sided 95% confidence interval was -0.0582 (P = 0.002 from the test for noninferiority). The 95% confidence interval for the equivalence test was [-0.0698, 0.0742] (P1 =0.004 and P2 =0.007 from 2 times the 1-sided test for equivalence). There was no statistically significant difference in thrombosis events, all-cause death, and rehospitalization (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this small randomized trial, polymer-free paclitaxel-eluting stents appear to be noninferior or equivalent to biodegradable polymer-based rapamycin-eluting stents.

[Predict value of clinical risk score, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade and combined clinical risk score plus TIMI flow on outcome evaluation of patients with acute coronary syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prognostic value of clinical risk score and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade alone or combined on outcome of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: A total of 206 eligible patients [135 males, mean age (67.57 +/- 9.88) years] were enrolled. The primary endpoints included cardiac death and non-cardiac death. The secondary endpoints included non-fatal stroke, reinfarction, heart failure and recurrent angina. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) established by using different endpoints and clinical risk score, TIMI flow grade or combined risk scores. The prognostic value for different endpoint expressed as the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Eleven patients lost during the (11.41 +/- 5.33) months follow up and data were available for 195 patients, 8 patients reached the primary endpoints, and 17 patients reached the secondary end-points at the end of follow up. The AUC was 0.67 (95% CI = 0.557 approximately 0.786), P = 0.006; 0.68 (95% CI = 0.557 approximately 0.786), P = 0.004 and 0.730 (95% CI = 0.691 approximately 0.815), P < 0.001, respectively for clinical risk score, TIMI flow grade and the combined risk score respectively. There were no significant differences among clinical risk score, TIMI flow grade and combined risk score (all P > 0.05) for AUC and for primary end point and the secondary end point. CONCLUSION: The result from this study suggests that the efficacy of predicting the total events based on clinical risk score, TIMI flow grade and combined risk score was similar.