Feasibility of a smartphone app for prescribed exercise tutoring in patients with stable coronary heart disease.

Background: Digital health technologies have potential to address the challenges associated with traditional cardiac rehabilitation (CR). However, it is not complete enough for prescribed exercise guidance and remote monitoring. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a smartphone app for prescribed exercise tutoring by exercise videos combined with wearable devices to monitor heart rate in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: The study is a quasi-experimental design study with a single group. A total of 31 patients were included with an average age of 56.2 years (SD 13.4). They participated in a 12-week remote digital CR program. We employed a wearable heart rate monitoring device connected with an app to monitor the patients' exercise intensity. The app can display the videos corresponding to an exercise prescription to guide the exercise. Cardiorespiratory endurance, blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, blood uric acid, left ventricular ejection fraction and quality of life (QoL) were assessed at the beginning and end of the intervention. Compliance and safety events were recorded as well. Results: Completion rate reached 90.3%. Average daily effective exercise time was 39.4 min (SD 17.8), and 92.9% of the patients could exercise in the prescribed intensity for at least 20 min per day. Average effective exercise days per week were 4.6 days (SD 2.2), and 67.9% of the patients could exercise in the prescribed intensity for at least 3 days per week. Patients' peak VO2 (P = 0.041) and peak metabolic equivalents (P = 0.018) were significantly increased, low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.036) and diastolic blood pressure at rest (P = 0.044) were significantly decreased, and depression (GAD-7, P = 0.014) and anxiety (PHQ-9, P = 0.013) were significantly improved. Conclusions: It is feasible, safe, and helpful for stable CHD patients to use the app for prescribed exercise tutoring with videos combined with wearable devices to monitor heart rate. Trial Registration: ChiCTR1800019144.

Availability and trend of dissemination of cardiac rehabilitation in China: report from the multicenter national registration platform between 2012 and 2021.

The study aimed to evaluate the current status of cardiac rehabilitation programs in China by registering and tracking patients undergoing CR programs in the database. Data were extracted from the online registry platform of the China Society of Cardiopulmonary Prevention and Rehabilitation from February 2012 to December 2021. Overall, data on 19,896 patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) from 159 hospitals in 34 provinces of China were extracted. From a time point of view, the number of patients who had undergone CR and institutions that perform CR showed the first decline in 2009 and then increased until 2021. From a geographic point of view, the degree of participation varied greatly among regions, most of which were concentrated in eastern parts of China. A higher population of patients who underwent CR were male, aged less than 60 years, with low-a risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), and tended to choose the hospital-based CR program among all cases registered in the database. The top three diseases in the patients who participated in CR were CHD, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome (MS). Centers with CR were more likely to be tertiary-level hospitals. After adjusting for baseline values, there were significant differences in post-CR exercise capacity among the three groups (home-based CR group, hospital-based CR group, and hybrid CR group), which were in favor of the hybrid CR group compared with other groups. The underutilization of CR is a global issue, not just in China. Despite the number of CR programs showing an increasing trend in the past years, CR in China is still in the preliminary stage of development. Furthermore, the participation of CR in China shows wide diversity across geography, disease, age, sex, risk stratification, and hospital-level factors. These findings reinforce the importance of the implementation of effective measures to improve the participation, enrollment in, and uptake of cardiac rehabilitation.

The trends of psychosomatic symptoms and perceived stress among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in China: Four cross-sectional nationwide surveys, 2020-2023.

An unseen wave of vast infection was detected in China in December 2022, and healthcare workers faced inevitable challenges and heavy stress. We aimed to present a dynamic mental health map and, most importantly, provide a timely report of the current situation in healthcare workers. The current study conducted four national cross-sectional online surveys from February and March 2020, Apr 2022, and Jan 2023. The Psychosomatic Symptom Scale (PSSS) and Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) were used to assess psychosomatic symptoms and perceived stress. Fourteen thousand nine hundred forty-five participants (8578 healthcare workers and 6367 others) participated in the surveys. The prevalence of psychosomatic syndrome, reflected by PSSS, was 19.3% (Wave1), 22.9% (Wave2), 36.4% (Wave3), and 60.7% (Wave4) among healthcare workers, compared to 24.0% (Wave1), 35.7% (Wave2), 34.2% (Wave3) and 50.5% (Wave4) among the others. In addition, healthcare workers exhibited lower PSSS total scores at the beginning but higher in later waves. Despite their infection status, they now suffer from more severe psychosomatic symptoms than the rest of society. Our findings suggest that healthcare workers in China have now experienced severe psychosomatic symptoms and tremendous stress. Therefore, there is an urgent need to utilize social support for them.

miR-21-5p prevents doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy by downregulating BTG2.

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis has been characterized as one of the major mechanisms underlying doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiomyopathy. MicroRNA-21-5p (miR-21-5p) was reported to mitigate ischemia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac injury. However, to our knowledge, the functional role of miR-21-5p in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy is unclear. In this study, we explored the role of miR-21-5p in DOX-induced cardiac injury. The expression level of miR-21-5p was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the potential target gene of miR-21-5p. The apoptosis rate of NRCMs was detected by TUNEL staining assay. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase3, cleaved-Caspase3 and BTG2. For animal studies, mice were injected with AAV9-miR-21-5p or AAV9-Empty viruses, and treated with DOX at a dose of 5 mg/kg per week through intraperitoneally administration. After 4 weeks of DOX treatment, mice were subjected to echocardiography to measure the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS). Results showed that miR-21-5p was upregulated in both DOX-treated primary cardiomyocytes and mouse heart tissues. Interestingly, enhanced miR-21-5p expression inhibited DOX-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress, while decreased miR-21-5p expression promoted cardiomyocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress. Furthermore, cardiac overexpression of miR-21-5p protected against DOX-induced cardiac injury. The mechanistic study indicated that BTG2 was a target gene of miR-21-5p. The anti-apoptotic effect of miR-21-5p could be inhibited by BTG2 overexpression. Conversely, inhibition of BTG2 rescued the pro-apoptotic effect of miR-21-5p inhibitor. Taken together, our study showed that miR-21-5p could prevent DOX-induced cardiomyopathy by downregulating BTG2.

The Association Between a Second Course of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Cardiovascular Outcomes Following Repeat Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Events.

PURPOSE: Survivors of coronary artery disease (CAD) events are at risk for repeat events. Although evidence supports cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after an initial CAD event, it is unclear whether a repeat course of CR (CR × 2) is beneficial after a recurrent CAD event. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of CR × 2 with clinical outcomes in persons undergoing repeat percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We assessed the prevalence of CR × 2 and its impact on cardiovascular outcomes in individuals who experienced a repeat PCI at the Mayo Clinic hospitals between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2013. Landmark analyses were used to calculate unadjusted and propensity score adjusted mortality rates and cardiovascular (CV) events rates for patients who underwent CR × 2 compared with those who did not. RESULTS: Among 240 individuals who had a repeat PCI and who had participated in CR after their first PCI, 97 (40%) participated in CR × 2. Outcomes were assessed for a mean follow-up time of 7.8 yr (IQR 7.1-9.0 yr). Propensity score-based inverse probability weighting analysis revealed that CR × 2 was associated with significantly lower target lesion revascularization (HR = 0.47: 95% CI, 0.26-0.86; P = .014), lower combined end point of CV death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization (HR = 0.57: 95% CI, 0.36-0.89; P = .014), and lower CV hospitalization (HR = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.43-0.84; P = .003). CONCLUSION: A second course of CR following repeat PCI is associated with a lower risk of adverse clinical outcomes. These findings support current policies that allow for repeat courses of CR following recurrent CV events.

Can Clinical and Functional Outcomes Be Improved with an Intelligent "Internet Plus"-Based Full Disease Cycle Remote Ischemic Conditioning Program in Acute ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention? Rationale and Design of the i-RIC Trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with a high incidence of complications as well as a considerable hospitalization rate and economic burden. Preliminary evidence suggests that remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a promising non-invasive intervention that may effectively and safely reduce myocardial infarct size, subsequent cardiac events and complications, and mortality. However, RIC's cardio-protective effect remains under debate, especially for single timepoint RIC programs. Adequately powered large-scale randomized controlled trials investigating clinical outcomes are thus needed to clarify the role of full disease cycle RIC programs. METHODS: The intelligent "Internet Plus"-based full disease cycle remote ischemic conditioning (i-RIC) trial is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized controlled, parallel group, clinical trial. The term, intelligent "Internet Plus"-based full disease cycle, refers to smart devices aided automatic and real-time monitoring of remote ischemic pre-, per- or post-conditioning intervention for patients with STEMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Based on this perspective, 4700 STEMI patients from five hospitals in China will be randomized to a control and an intervention group. The control group will receive PCI and usual care, including pharmacotherapy, before and after PCI. The intervention group will receive pre-, per-, and post-operative RIC combined with long-term i-RIC over a one-month period in addition. A smartphone application, an automated cuff inflation/deflation device and "Internet Plus"-based administration will be used in the long-term phase. The primary outcome is the combined cardiac death or hospitalization for heart failure rate. Secondary outcomes include clinical and functional outcomes: major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events rate, all-cause mortality, myocardial reinfarction rate, readmission rate for heart failure and ischemic stroke rate, unplanned revascularization rate, plasma concentration of myocardial infarction-related key biomarkers, infarct size, cardiac function, cardiopulmonary endurance, health-related quality of life, total hospital length of stay, total medical cost, and compliance with treatment regime. DISCUSSION: The i-RIC trial is designed to test the hypothesis that clinical and functional outcomes can be improved with the i-RIC program in STEMI patients undergoing PCI. The concept of RIC is expected to be enhanced with this intelligent "Internet Plus"-based program focusing on the full disease cycle. If the i-RIC program results in superior improvement in primary and secondary outcomes, it will offer an innovative treatment option for STEMI patients and form the basis of future recommendations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( http://www.chictr.org.cn ): ChiCTR2000031550, 04 April 2020.

Asynchronous and Synchronous Delivery Models for Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation: A SCIENTIFIC REVIEW.

PURPOSE: To review the principles, advantages, and disadvantages of asynchronous and synchronous delivery models of home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR). METHODS: We reviewed recently published systematic reviews and other publications of randomized studies of asynchronous and synchronous HBCR to assess principles, outcomes, and limitations of those delivery methods compared with center-based cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR). SUMMARY: While most studies prior to 2016 involved asynchronous HBCR approaches to care, studies since 2016 have included asynchronous or synchronous delivery models. Both delivery models have been shown to help provide core components of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Studies using either method have been shown to have similar short-term patient outcomes as CBCR, at least in low- to moderate-risk patients who have been studied. Asynchronous HBCR offers greater flexibility for patients and CR staff, while synchronous HBCR provides greater real-time oversight and feedback to patients.Asynchronous and synchronous HBCR is an option to consider for patients eligible for CR. Additional research is needed for both delivery models, applied separately or in combination, to compare their impact on shorter- and longer-term patient outcomes and to assess their impact in patient subgroups (referral diagnosis, women, elderly, underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups, patients at a higher cardiovascular disease risk, patients with multiple comorbid conditions, etc).

Animal exercise studies in cardiovascular research: Current knowledge and optimal design-A position paper of the Committee on Cardiac Rehabilitation, Chinese Medical Doctors' Association.

Growing evidence has demonstrated exercise as an effective way to promote cardiovascular health and protect against cardiovascular diseases However, the underlying mechanisms of the beneficial effects of exercise have yet to be elucidated. Animal exercise studies are widely used to investigate the key mechanisms of exercise-induced cardiovascular protection. However, standardized procedures and well-established evaluation indicators for animal exercise models are needed to guide researchers in carrying out effective, high-quality animal studies using exercise to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases. In our review, we present the commonly used animal exercise models in cardiovascular research and propose a set of standard procedures for exercise training, emphasizing the appropriate measurements and analysis in these chronic exercise models. We also provide recommendations for optimal design of animal exercise studies in cardiovascular research, including the choice of exercise models, control of exercise protocols, exercise at different stages of disease, and other considerations, such as age, sex, and genetic background. We hope that this position paper will promote basic research on exercise-induced cardiovascular protection and pave the way for successful translation of exercise studies from bench to bedside in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Quality indicators for cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction in China: a consensus panel and practice test.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves outcomes after myocardial infarction (MI), but it is underused in China. The purpose of this study was to develop a set of quality indicators (QIs) to improve clinical practices and to confirm the measurability and performance of the developed QIs for CR in Chinese patients after MI. DESIGN AND SETTING: The QIs were developed by a Chinese expert consensus panel during in-person meetings. The five QIs most in need of improvement were selected using a national questionnaire. Finally, the completion rate and feasibility of the QIs were verified in a group of MI survivors at university hospitals in China. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen professionals participated in the consensus panel, 89 personnel in the field of CR participated in the national questionnaire and 165 MI survivors participated in the practice test. RESULTS: A review of 17 eligible articles generated 26 potential QIs, among which 17 were selected by the consensus panel after careful evaluation. The 17 QIs were divided into two domains: (1) improving participation and adherence and (2) CR process standardisation. Nationwide telephone and WeChat surveys identified the five QIs most in need of improvement. A multicenter practice test (n=165) revealed that the mean performance value of the proposed QIs was 43.9% (9.9%-86.1%) according to patients with post-MI. CONCLUSIONS: The consensus panel identified a comprehensive set of QIs for CR in patients with post-MI. A nationwide questionnaire survey was used to identify the QIs that need immediate attention to improve the quality of CR. Although practice tests confirmed the measurability of the proposed QIs in clinical practice, the implementation of the QIs needs to be improved. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This study is part of a study registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03528382).

Nature of Cardiac Rehabilitation Around the Globe.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a clinically-effective but complex model of care. The purpose of this study was to characterize the nature of CR programs around the world, in relation to guideline recommendations, and compare this by World Health Organization (WHO) region. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a piloted survey was administered online to CR programs globally. Cardiac associations and local champions facilitated program identification. Quality (benchmark of ≥ 75% of programs in a given country meeting each of 20 indicators) was ranked. Results were compared by WHO region using generalized linear mixed models. FINDINGS: 111/203 (54.7%) countries in the world offer CR; data were collected in 93 (83.8%; N = 1082 surveys, 32.1% program response rate). The most commonly-accepted indications were: myocardial infarction (n = 832, 97.4%), percutaneous coronary intervention (n = 820, 96.1%; 0.10), and coronary artery bypass surgery (n = 817, 95.8%). Most programs were led by physicians (n = 680; 69.1%). The most common CR providers (mean = 5.9 ±â€¯2.8/program) were: nurses (n = 816, 88.1%; low in Africa, p < 0.001), dietitians (n = 739, 80.2%), and physiotherapists (n = 733, 79.3%). The most commonly-offered core components (mean = 8.7 ±â€¯1.9 program) were: initial assessment (n = 939, 98.8%; most commonly for hypertension, tobacco, and physical inactivity), risk factor management (n = 928, 98.2%), patient education (n = 895, 96.9%), and exercise (n = 898, 94.3%; lower in Western Pacific, p < 0.01). All regions met ≥ 16/20 quality indicators, but quality was < 75% for tobacco cessation and return-to-work counseling (lower in Americas, p = < 0.05). INTERPRETATION: This first-ever survey of CR around the globe suggests CR quality is high. However, there is significant regional variation, which could impact patient outcomes.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Availability and Density around the Globe.

BACKGROUND: Despite the epidemic of cardiovascular disease and the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), availability is known to be insufficient, although this is not quantified. This study ascertained CR availability, volumes and its drivers, and density. METHODS: A survey was administered to CR programs globally. Cardiac associations and local champions facilitated program identification. Factors associated with volumes were assessed using generalized linear mixed models, and compared by World Health Organization region. Density (i.e. annual ischemic heart disease [IHD] incidence estimate from Global Burden of Disease study divided by national CR capacity) was computed. FINDINGS: CR was available in 111/203 (54.7%) countries; data were collected in 93 (83.8% country response; N = 1082 surveys, 32.1% program response rate). Availability by region ranged from 80.7% of countries in Europe, to 17.0% in Africa (p < .001). There were 5753 programs globally that could serve 1,655,083 patients/year, despite an estimated 20,279,651 incident IHD cases globally/year. Volume was significantly greater where patients were systematically referred (odds ratio [OR] = 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.35-1.38) and programs offered alternative models (OR = 1.05, 95%CI = 1.04-1.06), and significantly lower with private (OR = .92, 95%CI = .91-.93) or public (OR = .83, 95%CI = .82-84) funding compared to hybrid sources.Median capacity (i.e., number of patients a program could serve annually) was 246/program (Q25-Q75 = 150-390). The absolute density was one CR spot per 11 IHD cases in countries with CR, and 12 globally. INTERPRETATION: CR is available in only half of countries globally. Where offered, capacity is grossly insufficient, such that most patients will not derive the benefits associated with participation.

Cardiac rehabilitation delivery in low/middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) availability, programme characteristics and barriers are not well-known in low/middle-income countries (LMICs). In this study, they were compared with high-income countries (HICs) and by CR funding source. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was administered to CR programmes globally. Need for CR was computed using incident ischaemic heart disease (IHD) estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study. General linear mixed models were performed. RESULTS: CR was identified in 55/138 (39.9%) LMICs; 47/55 (85.5% country response rate) countries participated and 335 (53.5% programme response) surveys were initiated. There was one CR spot for every 66 IHD patients in LMICs (vs 3.4 in HICs). CR was most often paid by patients in LMICs (n=212, 65.0%) versus government in HICs (n=444, 60.2%; p<0.001). Over 85% of programmes accepted guideline-indicated patients. Cardiologists (n=266, 89.3%), nurses (n=234, 79.6%; vs 544, 91.7% in HICs, p=0.001) and physiotherapists (n=233, 78.7%) were the most common providers on CR teams (mean=5.8±2.8/programme). Programmes offered 7.3±1.8/10 core components (vs 7.9±1.7 in HICs, p<0.01) over 33.7±30.7 sessions (significantly greater in publicly funded programmes; p<0.001). Publicly funded programmes were more likely to have social workers and psychologists on staff, and to offer tobacco cessation and psychosocial counselling. CONCLUSION: CR is only available in 40% of LMICs, but where offered is fairly consistent with guidelines. Governments should enact policies to reimburse CR so patients do not pay out-of-pocket.

Screening for depression in acute coronary syndrome patients: A comparison of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 versus Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability and criterion validity of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) versus Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression (HADS-D) as screening instruments for depression in patients with the acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: A total of 782 patients were recruited from four local hospitals. All of them completed the questionnaires of PHQ-9 and HADS-D. The measures of PHQ-9 and HADS-D were validated against the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), a gold diagnostic criterion for major depressive disorder (MDD). RESULTS: Based upon the MINI, the prevalence of MDD was 15.6% in Chinese ACS patients. Two scales demonstrated excellent internal consistencies (Cronbach's α > 0.8). The diagnostic accuracy of PHQ-9 and HADS-D for diagnosing MDD was moderate with areas under receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve of 0.842 (95%CI: 0.806-0.894) and 0.813 (95%CI: 0.767-0.852), respectively. The optimal cutoff points of PHQ-9 and HADS-D for screening MDD were 10 and 9, respectively. Comparing the operating characteristics of PHQ-9 and HADS-D, the specificity was similar (84.7% vs. 85.5%, p = .40) while the sensitivity of PHQ-9 was significantly higher than HADS-D (86.9% vs. 76.2%, p = .001). CONCLUSION: Chinese versions of PHQ-9 and HADS-D are reliable and valid screening instruments for MDD in ACS patients. The PHQ-9 performs better in minimizing missed diagnoses.

Comparing the effects of depression, anxiety, and comorbidity on quality-of-life, adverse outcomes, and medical expenditure in Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety have been correlated with elevated risks for quality-of-life (QOL), adverse outcomes, and medical expenditure in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the relevant data are lacking for Chinese ACS populations, especially regarding different effects of major depression, anxiety, and comorbidity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the dynamic changes of depression and/or anxiety over 12 months and examine the effects of depression, anxiety, and comorbidity on QOL, adverse outcomes, and medical expenditure in Chinese patients with ACS. METHODS: For this prospective longitudinal study, a total of 647 patients with ACS were recruited from North China between January 2013 and June 2015. Among them, 531 patients (82.1%) completed 12-month follow-ups. Logistic regression model was utilized for analyzing the association of baseline major depression, anxiety, and comorbidity with 12-month all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, QOL, and health expenditure. RESULTS: During a follow-up period of 12 months, 7.3% experienced non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and 35.8% cardiac re-hospitalization. Baseline comorbidity, rather than major depression/anxiety, strongly predicted poor 12-month QOL as measured by short-form health survey-12 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-2.52, P = 0.003). Regarding 12-month non-fatal MI and cardiac re-hospitalization, baseline anxiety (OR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.33-5.89, P < 0.01; OR: 4.47, 95% CI: 1.50-13.00, P < 0.01), major depression (OR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.02-6.15, P < 0.05; OR: 5.22, 95% CI: 1.42-17.57, P < 0.03), and comorbidity (OR: 6.33, 95% CI: 2.96-13.79, P < 0.0001, OR: 14.08, 95% CI: 4.99-41.66, P < 0.0001) were all independent predictors, and comorbidity had the highest predictive value. Number of re-hospitalization stay, admission frequency within 12 months and medical expenditure within 2 months were the highest in patients with ACS with comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Major depression and anxiety may predict 12-month non-fatal MI and cardiac re-hospitalization. However, comorbidity has the highest predictive value with greater medical expenditure and worse QOL in Chinese patients with ACS. And depression with comorbid anxiety may be a new target of mood status in patients with ACS.

Effect of Long-Term Systolic Blood Pressure Trajectory on Kidney Damage in the Diabetic Population: A Prospective Study in a Community-Based Chinese Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that hypertension is an important factor contributing to the occurrence and progression of diabetic kidney damage. However, the relationship between the patterns of blood pressure (BP) trajectory and kidney damage in the diabetic population remains unclear. This prospective study investigated the effect of long-term systolic BP (SBP) trajectory on kidney damage in the diabetic population based on an 8-year follow-up community-based cohort. METHODS: This study included 4556 diabetic participants among 101,510 participants. BP, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urinary protein were measured every 2 years from 2006 to 2014. SBP trajectory was identified by the censored normal modeling. Five discrete SBP trajectories were identified according to SBP range and the changing pattern over time. Kidney damage was evaluated through eGFR and urinary protein value. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influence of different SBP trajectory groups on kidney damage. RESULTS: We identified five discrete SBP trajectories: low-stable group (n = 864), moderate-stable group (n = 1980), moderate increasing group (n = 609), elevated decreasing group, (n = 679), and elevated stable group (n = 424). The detection rate of kidney damage in the low-stable group (SBP: 118-124 mmHg) was the lowest among the five groups. The detection rate of each kidney damage index was higher in the elevated stable group (SBP: 159-172 mmHg) compared with the low-stable group. For details, the gap was 4.14 (11.6% vs. 2.8%) in eGFR <60 ml·min-1·1.73 m-2 and 3.66 (17.2% vs. 4.7%), 3.38 (25.0% vs. 7.4%), and 1.8 (10.6% vs. 5.9%) times in positive urinary protein, eGFR <60 ml·min-1·1.73 m-2 and/or positive urinary protein, and eGFR decline ≥30%, respectively (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: An elevated stable SBP trajectory is an independent risk factor for kidney damage in the diabetic population.

Exercise-Based Rehabilitation for Heart Failure: Clinical Evidence.

People with heart failure experience marked reduction in their exercise capacity which has detrimental effects on their activities of daily living, health-related quality of life, and ultimately their hospital ad-mission rate and mortality. Numerous cardiac rehabilitation studies have demonstrated functional benefits, improvement in quality of life and clinical outcomes from exercise training in patients with HFrEF. Based on evidences, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association, European Society of Cardiology, and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence(NICE) consistently recommend exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation(CR) as an effective and safe adjunct for patients with stable class II to III heart failure (HF) who do not have advanced arrhythmias and who do not have other limitations to exercise. This recommendation applies to patients with HFrEF as well as to patients with HFpEF besides patients with class IV HF, although the data are not as robust for patients with HFpEF. In this article, the clinical evidence on effects of exercise for HFrEF and HFpEF as well as end-stage heart failure were separately reviewed.

Effect of physician characteristics and knowledge on the quality of dyslipidemia management and LDL-C target goal achievement in China: Subgroup analysis of the Dyslipidemia International Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of physicians' characteristics and knowledge of LDL-C target goals on the quality of lipid management in China. METHODS: A total of 25 317 dyslipidemia patients who had taken lipid-lowering medication for >3 months were enrolled in our study. Patients' demographic data, medical history, lipid profile, their physician's specialty and professional title and their hospital level as well as their LDL-C goal opinions were recorded. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 926 physicians with 6 different specialties and 4 professional statuses, in 3 different-level hospitals. Most (74.5%) of the physicians recognized the importance of considering LDL-C serum concentration for treating dyslipidemia, and set target LDL-C goals according to the 2007 Chinese guidelines for 83.4% of their patients. The LDL-C goal achievement rate was significantly higher for patients whose physicians' knowledge of LDL-C target goals was consistent with guideline recommendations, compared with those whose physicians' knowledge was inconsistent with the guidelines (60.4% vs 31.1%, P < 0.0001). Physicians working in tier 1 (odds ration (OR) = 2.95; 95% CI 2.37-3.67), (OR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.34-1.81) and tier 2 (OR = 2.53; 95% CI 2.22-2.88), (OR = 1.16; 95% CI 1.06-1.27) hospitals, specialized in neurology (OR = 1.13; 95% CI 0.93-1.36), (OR = 1.57; 95% CI 1.40-1.77), internal medicine (OR = 1.07; 95% CI 0.90-1.27), (OR = 1.58; 95% CI 1.39-1.80), endocrinology (OR = 1.02; 95% CI 0.87-1.21), (OR = 1.63; 95% CI 1.47-1.82) and being a resident vs attending physician (OR = 1.05; 95% CI 0.92-1.20), (OR = 1.00; 95% CI 1.00-1.19) were independent risk factors for low knowledge of LDL-C target goals and low LDL-C goal achievement. CONCLUSION: Chinese physicians' characteristics and knowledge of LDL-C target goals were associated with patients' LDL-C goal achievement.

Increasing mortality from ischaemic heart disease in China from 2004 to 2010: disproportionate rise in rural areas and elderly subjects. 438 million person-years follow-up.

Aims: We sought to ascertain the changes in mortality from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) from 2004 to 2010 in China as the sheer size of China's population makes disease patterns relevant globally. Methods and results: Data on IHD mortality were obtained from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention National Disease Surveillance Point System, which includes 161 counties and a population of over 73 million-a representative sample of over 6% of the entire population of China. Both crude and World Health Organization (WHO)-standardized IHD mortality increased, in both men and women and in both urban and rural locations, during the study period, demonstrating the effect of urbanization, economic growth, and epidemiological transition on cardiovascular health. WHO-standardized IHD mortality increased for rural males by 9.2% per year (95% CI: 6.7-11.7%; P < 0.0001), and the trend was statistically significantly higher (P = 0.0001) than in urban males by 6.4% per year (95% CI: 3-10%; P = 0.02). WHO-standardized IHD mortality rate increased for rural females by 7.0% per year (95% CI: 4.6-9.4%; P < 0.0001); this was statistically significantly higher than urban females by 4.3% per year (95% CI: 1-8%; P = 0.02). The age group over 80 years showed the greatest increase in IHD mortality. Conclusions: Mortality from IHD is increasing in China, in contrast to decreasing in other countries. This is largely driven by increasing IHD mortality in rural areas and subjects over 80 years old. This needs urgent attention by public health workers and policymakers.

The association of eight potentially functional polymorphisms in five adrenergic receptor-encoding genes with myocardial infarction risk in Han Chinese.

Adrenergic receptors play a key role in activating the sympathetic nervous system, which often accompanies with the development of myocardial infarction (MI). Here, we aimed to test the association of eight potentially functional polymorphisms in five adrenergic receptor-encoding genes with MI risk. Genotypes were available for 717 MI patients and 612 controls. There were no detectable deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for all study polymorphisms. Allele frequencies differed remarkably for ADRA2B D/I (P<0.001), ADRB1 Ser49Gly (P=0.002), ADRB2 Gln27Glu (P=0.005), and ADRB3 Trp64Arg (P<0.001) polymorphisms, even after the Bonferroni correction. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in ADRA2B II genotype carriers than in the DD genotype carriers (P=0.006), while plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly higher in patients carrying ADRA2B I allele and ADRB1 49Ser allele than in patients with the DD genotype and 49Gly/49Gly genotype, respectively (P=0.018 and 0.033). Overall best interaction model consisted of ADRA2B D/I, ADRB1 Ser49Gly, dyslipidemia and hypertension, with the highest testing accuracy of 0.627 and the maximal 10-fold cross-validation consistency (P=0.017). Finally, a nomogram was depicted based on four significant polymorphisms and metabolic risk factors, and it had a better predictive utility and was internally validated with a discrimination C-index of 0.723 (P<0.001). Altogether, we identified two polymorphisms, ADRA2B D/I and ADRB1 Ser49Arg, which not only altered genetic susceptibility to MI, but also impacted on blood pressure and plasma lipid changes, and their combination with metabolic risk factors constituted the overall best interaction model.