Nurse-led psychological intervention reduces anxiety symptoms and improves quality of life following percutaneous coronary intervention for stable coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of nurse-led counselling on the anxiety symptoms and the quality of life following percutaneous coronary intervention for stable coronary artery disease. DESIGN: Randomised control trial. SETTING: Rural and remote China. PARTICIPANTS: Rural and remote patients were consecutively recruited from a medical centre located in China between January and December 2014. INTERVENTIONS: The control group received standard pre-procedure information from a ward nurse on the processes of the hospitalisation and percutaneous coronary intervention, and post-procedural care. The intervention group received a structured 30-minute counselling session the day before and 24 hours after the percutaneous coronary intervention, by nurse consultants with qualifications in psychological therapies and counselling. The health outcomes were assessed by a SF-12 scale and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire at 6 and 12 months after percutaneous coronary intervention. The anxiety and depression symptoms were evaluated by a Zung anxiety and depression questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cardiac outcomes, quality of life and mental health status. RESULTS: Eighty patients were randomly divided into control (n = 40) and intervention groups (n = 40). There was a significant increase in the scores of the three domains of Seattle Angina Questionnaire 12 months after percutaneous coronary intervention in the intervention group (P < .01). The mental health and physical health scores also increased (P < .01). In the control group, the mean scores of Zung self-rating anxiety scale 12 months following percutaneous coronary intervention were higher than the baseline scores, and higher than in the intervention group (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Counselling by a clinician qualified in psychological therapies and counselling significantly reduces anxiety symptoms and improves quality of life.

A nurse-led structured education program improves self-management skills and reduces hospital readmissions in patients with chronic heart failure: a randomized and controlled trial in China.

INTRODUCTION: Patient self-management skills are an important part of heart failure (HF) management. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the effectiveness of nurse-led education on patient self-management and the associated clinical outcomes of rural Chinese patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). As such, this study was designed to evaluate the impact of a nurse-led education program on patient self-management and hospital readmissions in rural Chinese patients with CHF. METHODS: Ninety-six patients in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong with CHF were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. A structured education program was delivered to the intervention group during hospitalization and after discharge. Control group patients were managed as per clinical guidelines without structured education. Medication adherence, dietary modifications, social support, and symptom control were assessed 12 months after the educational intervention. RESULTS: The mean score of medication adherence, dietary modifications, social support and symptom control in the intervention group was higher than in the control group at the end of the study (p<0.01). The readmission rates for HF in the intervention and control group were 10.4% and 27.1%, respectively (p=0.036). CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that a structured education program was associated with a significant improvement in medication adherence, dietary modifications, social support, and symptom control in rural CHF patients. Furthermore, this program was associated with a significant reduction in hospital readmission. This study indicates that implementation of a nurse-led education program improves self-management and clinical outcomes of rural CHF patients, who may not have regular access to cardiac management services as per metropolitan populations.

The stimulatory effects of eNOS/F92A-Cav1 on NO production and angiogenesis in BMSCs.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) is generated in endothelial cells by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Caveolin-1 (Cav1) inhibits eNOS function and NO production. Modifying Cav1 scaffold domain, in particular Phenylalanine at position 92 (F92) is critical for the inhibitory actions of Cav1 toward eNOS. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of enhanced NO production in term of in vitro angiogenesis on rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transduced with a novel bicistronic lentiviral vector co-expressing eNOS and mutant Cav1 (F92A). METHODS: A bicistronic eNOS/F92-Cav1 lentiviral vector was constructed, and used to transduce rat BMSCs. The expression of eNOS and VEGF protein were confirmed by western-blot. NO production was detected by the greiss assay and in vitro angiogenesis was assessed by matrigel assisted capillary tube formation. The cell viability was evaluated using a Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8. RESULTS: The bicistronic eNOS/F92A-Cav1 lentiviral vector increased eNOS and VEGF protein expression, NO production compared to controls. In vitro capillary formation was increased in eNOS-F92A transduced cells and cell viability was not affected by transduction. CONCLUSION: Transduction of rat BMSCs with an eNOS-F92A-Cav1 lentiviral vector can increase NO production by enhancing eNOS protein expression. The increased NO production did not reduce cell viability. This study demonstrates that genetic modification of BMSCs to enhance NO producton could be applied in stem cell based therapeutic approaches to treat diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) which is characterized by decreased endothelial NO release.

Predictive value of serum collagen biomakers on the outcome of acute myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIMS: This study was designed to investigate the predictive value of serum collagen biomarkers on the outcomes of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Two hundred and ten patients with STEMI were successfully treated with PCI within 6 hrs ofthe onset of chest pain. The levels of serum procollagen type I carboxyterminal peptide (PICP) and procollagen type III peptide (PIIINP) were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before, 3 and 6 months after PCI. Left ventricular ejection fraction was assessed by echocardiography at 3 and 6 months after PCI. The composite endpoints were death by any cause, recurrent myocardial infarction, heart failure or stroke. RESULTS: At the end of the 12-month follow up, 29 patients (13.8%) experienced an end point. The level of serum PICP in patients with an end point was higher than in patients without an end point 7 days (19.45 ± 2.17 vs 14.95 ± 3.07 ng/mL, P<0.05) or 3 month after the PCI (29.87 ± 3.02 vs 22.14 ± 3.33 ng/mL, P<0.05). The serum PIIINP level in patients with an end point was also higher than those without 7 days after PCI (59.34 ± 4.23 vs 48.78 ± 4.23 ng/mL, P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed day 7 (OR=2.170, 95% CI 1.583-4.345, P=0.01) and 3-month serum PICP (OR=2.340, 95% CI 1.431-4.650, P=0.01) were independent predictors of composite end points. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent elevation of serum collagen marker PICP three months after PCI predicts an adverse outcome for patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Anxiety disorders are associated with increased plasma adrenomedullin level and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between anxiety disorders and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with essential hypertension. METHODS: Left ventricular structure and function were assessed with echocardiography in 56 patients with essential hypertension and anxiety disorder (study group) and in 56 patients with hypertension only (control group). Serum adrenomedullin levels were also measured in these patients. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the left ventricular ejection fraction between the study and the control group (54.21 ± 88.81% versus 56.01 ± 7.85%, p>0.05). The left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in study group was higher than in control group (137.05 ± 9.42 versus 123.57 ± 7.01 g/m(2), p=0.001). The plasma levels of adrenomedullin in study group was higher than in control group (25.97 ± 5.48 versus 18.32 ± 6.97 ng/L, p=0.001). Levels of plasma adrenomedullin were positively correlated with LVMI in the study (r=0.734, p<0.05) and control group (r=0.592, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Anxiety disorders are associated with elevated plasma adrenomedullin levels and increased left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with essential hypertension. The clinical significance of these changes requires further investigation.

Effect of prostaglandin E1 inhalation on pulmonary hypertension following corrective surgery for congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has been used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); however, the efficacy and safety of inhaled PGE1 is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of inhaled PGE1 on PAH following corrective surgery for congenital heart disease. METHODS: Sixty patients with postoperative residual PAH following corrective surgery for congenital heart disease were randomly assigned to a control group, a PGE1 infusion group (intravenous PGE1 infusion; 30 ng/kg/min daily for 10 days) or a PGE1 inhalation group (100 µg nebulized PGE1 every 8 h for 10 days). Systolic blood pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, arterial oxygen pressure, oxygen saturation and serum endothelin-1 level were measured before and after the treatment. RESULTS: At the end of the study, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure in the two PGE1 groups were lower than in the control group (P<0.01), whereas the mean arterial oxygen pressure was higher (P<0.01). Compared with the PGE1 infusion group, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure in the PGE1 inhalation group was lower (P<0.01) whereas the arterial oxygen pressure was higher (P<0.01). The mean endothelin-1 levels in the two PGE1 groups were lower than in the control group (P<0.01), but there was no statistically significant difference in endothelin-1 levels between the PGE1 inhalation and infusion groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In pediatric patients with PAH, PGE1 inhalation was associated with a reduction in pulmonary arterial pressure and improvement in arterial blood oxygen levels.

Relationship between serum uric acid levels and ventricular function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between serum uric acid levels and pulmonary hypertension in patients with idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension (IPAH). METHODS: Serum uric acid levels were measured in 86 patients (mean [± SD] age 35.2±12.3 years; 36 men) with IPAH. Pulmonary arterial pressure and ventricular function were assessed using echocardiography. Serum uric acid levels were also measured in 40 healthy subjects (35.9±11.6 years of age; 15 men). RESULTS: Serum uric acid levels in IPAH patients were higher compared with control subjects (405±130 µmol/L versus 344±96 µmol/L; P<0.05). Fifty-two (60.4%) of the 86 patients with IPAH had elevated serum uric acid levels. The pulmonary systolic pressure and mean pulmonary pressure in the high uric acid group were higher than in the normal uric acid group (P<0.05). The left and right ventricular ejection fractions were lower in the high uric acid group compared with the normal uric acid group (P<0.05). Serum uric acid levels were correlated with the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (r=0.387; P<0.01) and New York Heart Association class (r=0.41; P<0.01). There was also an inverse correlation between uric acid levels and the left (r=-0.550; P<0.01) and right ventricular ejection fractions (r=-0.481; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum uric acid levels are associated with IPAH severity and the severity of ventricular dysfunction.

Atorvastatin improves endothelial progenitor cell function and reduces pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of atorvastatin on the migration and adhesion of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and on pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease. METHODS: A total of 68 patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease were randomly assigned to either a control group (n=35) or a treatment group (n=33). In addition, 30 healthy volunteers (17 male, 13 female) were enrolled as healthy controls. Atorvastatin (20 mg per day) was administered to the treatment group. The migration and adhesion activities of EPCs in peripheral blood were assessed before and six months after the treatment. PAP was measured using echocardiography before and after the treatment. RESULTS: EPC number, migration ability and adhesion activity in the peripheral blood of patients in the control and treatment groups were lower than in patients in the healthy control group at baseline (all P<0.05). After six months of atorvastatin therapy, the number of EPCs in the treatment group was greater than in the control group (P<0.05). Migration and adhesion functions of EPCs in the treatment group were greater than in the control group (all P<0.05). The reduction in PAP in the treatment group was greater than in the untreated control group following six months of therapy (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin therapy increased the migration and adhesion activities of EPCs in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease. Atorvastatin treatment was also associated with a reduction in PAP in these patients.

Ischemic postconditioning decreases matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression during ischemia-reperfusion of myocardium in a rabbit model: A preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of ischemic postconditioning on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 during ischemia-reperfusion of myocardium in a rabbit model. METHODS: Thirty-six male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into sham, ischemia-reperfusion and ischemic postconditioning groups. Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion was created by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Myocardial infarction sizes were determined by dual staining with triphenyltetrazolium chloride and trypan blue. Plasma levels of MMP-2 were measured using ELISA. Myocardial MMP-2 messenger RNA was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The mean (± SD) infarct size in the ischemic postconditioning group was significantly smaller compared with the ischemia-reperfusion group (37.1±3.8% versus 57.5±1.9%; P=0.02). The incidence of ventricular tachycardia in the ischemic postconditioning group was also lower than in the ischemia-reperfusion group (8.5% versus 75%; P=0.003). MMP-2 messenger RNA expression in the ischemic postconditioning group was significantly lower compared with the ischemia-reperfusion group (0.4944±0.0476 versus 0.6989±0.0694; P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Ischemic postconditioning reduces myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, possibly by inhibiting the expression of MMP-2.

Totally endoscopic atrial septal repair with or without robotic assistance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case series.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of totally endoscopic repair of atrial septal defect (ASD). METHODS: A review of the literature was conducted. Studies were obtained from the following sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and CENTRAL Library. Inclusion criteria were: (1) randomised controlled trials, non-randomised trials, observational studies, case series, and full text conference proceedings; (2) use of totally endoscopy closure of ASD; and (3) outcomes reported as clinical efficacy. When available, we also quantified the complication rates from each included study. Meta-analysis was performed on outcomes with a random-effects model. RESULTS: Six studies met all inclusion criteria. The pooled average success rate of totally endoscopic ASD repair was 94.8% from a total of 114 cases (95% CI, 88.0% to 97.8%), with a minimal heterogeneity in the group of studies (Q value x(2)=1.807, I(2)=0.000). In the studies with no robotic assistance, an average success rate of totally endoscopic ASD repair was 96.9% (95% CI, 85.9-99.4%), with a minimal heterogeneity in the two studies (Q value x(2)=0.683, I(2)=0.000). There were few complications for totally endoscopic ASD repair in the studies with and without robotic assistance. There were no statistically significant differences in success rates between robotically and non-robotically assisted totally endoscopic repairs (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Totally endoscopic ASD repair was associated with a high success rate and a low complication rate. There is a need for prospective controlled clinical trials comparing totally endoscopic and conventional surgical repair of ASD.

Determinants of immediate extubation in the operating room after total thoracoscopic closure of congenital heart defects.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the factors that influence immediate extubation following totally thoracoscopic closure of congenital heart defects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Clinical and operational data of 216 patients (87 males, average age 13.6 ± 10.9 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Atrial (ASD, n = 90) or ventricular septal defects (VSD, n = 126) were closed via a totally thoracoscopic approach. Ultra-fast-track anesthesia (UFTA) was used in all patients. RESULTS: Immediate extubation in the operating room was successfully performed in 156 (72.2%) patients. A delayed extubation was completed in the intensive care unit in the remaining 60 (27.8%) patients. There was no significant difference in the age, sex, body weight, or type of congenital heart defect between the immediate and delayed extubation groups (p > 0.05). However, more patients in the delayed extubation group had severe preoperational pulmonary hypertension [8 (13.3%) vs. 4 (2.3%), p < 0.05]. The cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic clamp time, and total duration of the surgery in the immediate extubation group were shorter than in the delayed extubation group (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preoperational pulmonary hypertension, duration of the surgery or cardiopulmonary bypass, and dosage of fentanyl used during the surgery were independent predictors for immediate extubation. CONCLUSIONS: UFTA and immediate extubation in the operating room was feasible and safe in the majority of patients undergoing totally thoracoscopic closure of ASD or VSD. Preoperational pulmonary hypertension, duration of the surgery, and the dosage of fentanyl used for UFTA were the determining factors for immediate extubation.

Comparison of oral and intravenous hydration strategies for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing coronary angiography or angioplasty: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of oral hydration in the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing elective coronary intervention is unclear. METHODS: A total of 120 patients were randomly assigned to three groups. Group A (n = 40) received intravenous hydration before and after coronary angiography or angioplasty. Group B (n = 40) received oral tap water before and after the procedures, whereas group C (n = 40) received only postprocedural drinking water. Levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were measured before, 12 hours after, 2 and 3 days after the coronary angiography or angioplasty. RESULTS: : There was no statistically significant difference in the age, sex, baseline renal function and the volume of contrast medium used during the coronary procedures among the three groups (P > 0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the mean serum creatinine or urea nitrogen among the three groups 12 hours, and 3 days after the coronary procedures ( P > 0.05).The incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in group A, B and C was 5.0% (2/40), 7.5% (3/40) and 5.0% (2/40), respectively (P = 0.86). Renal function in the seven patients who experienced contrast-induced nephropathy recovered within a week following rehydration treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Pre- and post-procedural oral hydration was as effective as intravenous rehydration in the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing coronary angiography or angioplasty.

Factors influencing the prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The outcome of surgical treatment of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is poor. This study was designed to analyze prognostic factors following surgical treatment for ICC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A structured telephone interview was conducted in 132 patients who were surgically treated for ICC. Fifteen clinical and pathological factors that may influence post-operative survival were analyzed by using Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The accumulative 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate of the 132 patients was 51.3%, 21.6%, and 11.8% respectively. The mean survival time in patients with elevated serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 at the time of the operation was shorter than in patients with normal serum CA19-9 (9.6 +/- 24.7 vs 16.1 +/- 6 months, P < 0.01). The median survival time in patients with well-differentiated carcinoma was longer than in those with poorly differentiated ICC (23.9 +/- 7.8 vs. 11.2 +/- 5.0 months, P < 0.01). Patients who were treated with hepatectomy and lymph node dissection had a longer survival time than those treated with hepatectomy only (16.0 +/- 5.8 vs 10.2 +/- 3.6 months, P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that mode of surgical treatment, lymph node metastasis, serum level of CA 19-9 and pathological differentiation grade of ICC predicted postoperative survival. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatectomy with lymph node dissection is associated with an improved survival for patients with ICC. This strategy may be recommended for the surgical treatment of ICC.

Pre-operative education and counselling are associated with reduced anxiety symptoms following carotid endarterectomy: a randomized and open-label study.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative anxiety is common and may have significant impact on the post-operative recovery of the patients. Theatre nurse visits before surgery has been shown to reduce patient's anxiety levels following general surgery. AIM: To investigate the effect of pre-operative visits and counselling by intensive care unit (ICU) nurses on patient's anxiety levels following carotid endarterectomy. METHODS: This is an open-label and randomized clinical trial. Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were divided into study (n=60) and control group (n=60). For the study group, in addition to routine pre-operational counselling by the surgeons, ICU nurses visited the patients and provided a structured counselling the day before surgery. For the control group, only routine pre-operative counselling was provided. Anxiety levels were assessed by Zung self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) the day before surgery and on the day after being discharged from ICU to the ward. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable in age, sex, surgical methods, and duration of ICU stays. Following the surgery, the mean SAS score in the control group increased from 50.5±5.4 to 58.5±7.3 (p=0.03), whereas the mean SAS score in the study group reduced from 51.5±4.3 to 45.1±6.5 (p=0.02). The proportion of patients with anxiety symptoms in the control group was higher than in the study group following the surgery (58.3% vs. 33.3%, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative visits and counselling by ICU nurses could reduce patient's anxiety levels following carotid endarterectomy.

The protective effect of 17ß-estradiol against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis on mesenchymal stem cell.

This study was designed to investigate the function of 17ß-estradiol (17ß-E2) against oxidative stress on the cell death of mice bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). BMSCs were treated with 17ß-E2 for 24h and then treated with 100µM H2O2 for 1h. Cell viability, apoptosis, caspase-9 mRNA, JNKs (Jun N-terminal kinases) and c-Jun protein expression in BMSCs were evaluated. Cell apoptosis of BMSCs were increased in a dose-dependent manner after treated with H2O2 compared to control group. But pretreatment with 17ß-E2 can inhibit apoptosis of BMSCs, preserve the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, decrease caspase-9 mRNA, JNK1/2 and c-Jun protein expression. In conclusion, 17ß-E2 exerts antiapoptotic effects in BMSCs which related to the mitochondria death pathway and JNKs pathway. The study revealed that 17ß-E2 can reduce the donor stem cells damage.

Technical aspects of anesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The use of fast-track general anesthesia in patients undergoing nonrobotically assisted and totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgeries has not been previously reported previously. DESIGN: A prospective clinical study. SETTING: A university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-six patients (41 males; mean age, 13.2 ± 6.2 years; range, 5-47 years). INTERVENTION: Nonrobotically assisted totally thoracoscopic surgeries were performed for atrial (n = 58) or ventricular septal defect (n = 32), tetralogy of Fallot (n = 2), left atrial myxoma (n = 3), and pulmonary valve stenosis (n = 1). Fast-track general anesthesia was induced with midazolam, propofol, fentanyl, and vecuronium and was maintained with remifentanil and sevoflurane. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established peripherally through the femoral vein and artery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All surgeries were successful. There were no perioperative mortality or major complications. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times were 42 ± 21 minutes and 33 ± 8 minutes, respectively. In 82 cases, the heart regained beats automatically after the release of the aortic cross-clamp, whereas in 14 patients external defibrillation was required. Extubation was conducted in 32 patients (33.3%) in the operating room 15 minutes after the operation. The mean times of mechanical ventilation and stay in the intensive care unit were 1.5 ± 0.2 hours and 20.1 ±1.2 hours, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary bypass for totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery can be established through the femoral artery and femoral vein. With fast-track anesthesia, early extubation in the operating room can be achieved in more than one third of patients.

Impact of nurse-initiated preoperative education on postoperative anxiety symptoms and complications after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in high-risk patients is associated with significant perioperative complications and anxiety. Prevention of these postoperative complications and anxiety is important in the improvement of clinical outcomes following CABG. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of nurse-initiated preoperative education and counseling on postoperative complications and anxiety symptoms following CABG. METHODS: In this prospective and randomized trial, 40 patients were divided into the study and control groups. All patients received standard preoperative and postoperative care, but the study group patients also completed a structured education and counseling course supervised by designated nurses 3 days before the surgery. Anxiety symptoms were assessed by Zung's self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) on the day of admission and at 3 days after the surgery. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline characteristics or operational data between the 2 groups (P > .05). Following the surgery, the rate of complications such as lower extremity edema, urinary retention, constipation, respiratory infection, and deep venous thrombosis in the study group was lower than in the control group (P < .05). The mean postoperative SAS scores in the study group was lower than in the control group (40.1 [SD, 6.5] vs 48.9 [SD, 7.3]; P = .01), and the proportion of patients with a SAS score greater than 40 in the study group was also lower than in the control group (15% vs 45%, P = .041). CONCLUSIONS: Nurse-initiated preoperational education and counseling were associated with a reduced rate of perioperative complications and a reduced level of anxiety following CABG.

Risk factors for persistent atrial fibrillation following successful hyperthyroidism treatment with radioiodine therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predicting factors for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. METHODS: Standard 12-lead ECG and 24-h Holter monitoring were performed in 94 patients (38 males, mean age 46.1±8.2 years) with persistent AF following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed with two-dimensional echocardiography. RESULTS: Euthyroidism or hypothyroidism was achieved in 81% and 19% of the patients, respectively, after radioiodine therapy. At the end of follow-up (1.6±1.3 years), LV ejection fraction in the 52 patients with LV dysfunction was increased from 39.3±3.3% to 59.0±5.5% (p<0.01). In the 38 patients with pre-treatment paroxysmal AF, no AF was documented during the follow-up. In the 45 patients with pre-treatment persistent AF, AF was found in 27 (60%) during the follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that more than 55 years old in age (RR 2.76, 95% CI: 1.16-8.79, p<0.01), duration of hyperthyroidism (RR 3.08, 95% CI: 1.22-11.41, p<0.01) and duration of pre-treatment atrial fibrillation (RR 2.96, 95% CI: 1.31-7.68, p<0.01) were independent predictors for persistent AF following radioiodine therapy. CONCLUSION: Older age, duration of hyperthyroidism and pre-treatment duration of AF are risk factors for persistent AF following radioiodine therapy.

Prediction values of T wave alternans for sudden cardiac death in patients with chronic heart failure: a brief review.

More than 50% of patients with heart failure die from sudden cardiac death as a result of malignant arrhythmia. T wave alternans (TWA) is a convenient, noninvasive, and inexpensive testing modality, with a higher sensitivity and specificity for sudden cardiac death. Its prediction value for malignant arrhythmia may even exceed electrophysiologic study. Generally, the algorithms of TWA can be divided into frequency-domain and time-domain methods, and the latter has a stronger anti-interference ability. So far, a unified measuring formula and diagnostic criteria about TWA measurements have been created. Large clinical studies in recent years strongly suggest that TWA can predict sudden cardiac death, which can be used as a guide for the implanting of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. This article reviews the current literature on recording techniques and clinical implications of TWA.

Expression of discoidin domain receptors (DDR2) in alcoholic liver fibrosis in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We undertook this study to evaluate the expression of discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) and its relationship with alcoholic liver fibrosis. METHODS: Liver fibrosis was induced by intragastric administration of alcohol in 30 rats. Pathological changes and ultrastructure of the liver were studied. The expression of DDR2 mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively, at weeks 12, 16 and 20 during the alcohol administration. RESULTS: In the control group (con) (n = 10), DDR2 mRNA expression and DDR2 protein were 1.02 ± 0.13 (con ratio x10⁻³) and 0.32 ± 0.03, respectively. In the study groups there was a progressive increase in DDR2 mRNA expression from weeks 12, 16 and 20 (3.64 ± 1.69, 8.34 ± 2.39, 15.73 ± 4.57 con ratio x10⁻³, p <0.05). There was also a progressive increase in DDR2 protein from weeks 12-20 (0.48 ± 0.05, 0.74 ± 0.06 and 0.99 ± 0.05, p <0.05). The mean DDR2 mRNA and protein in the three study groups was higher than in the control group (p <0.01). The expressions of DDR2 mRNA and protein were positively correlated with collagen type I, III and IV in liver tissues as well as with the serum biomarkers of liver fibrosis, collagen type III, hyaluronic acid, collagen type IV and laminin (p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of DDR2 in this alcohol-induced liver fibrosis rat model is enhanced. The expression of DDR2 is closely associated with collagens in the fibrotic liver tissues.