Impact of interventional therapy on top of standard drug therapy on left ventricular structure and function in HFrEF patients complicating with middle aortic syndrome caused by Takayasu arteritis / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the impact of interventional therapy on top of drug therapy on cardiac function and structure in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients complicating with middle aortic syndrome caused by Takayasu arteritis (TA-MAS). Methods: It was a retrospective longitudinal study. The data of patients with TA-MAS and HFrEF, who received interventional therapy on top of drug therapy in Fuwai Hospital from January 2010 to September 2020, were collected and analyzed. Baseline clinical data (including demographic data, basic treatment, etc.) were collected through the electronic medical record system. Changes of indexes such as New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) before and after therapy were analyzed. Results: A total of 10 patients were collected. There were 8 females in this patient cohort, age was (18.4±5.0) years and onset age was (15.3±5.0) years. All 10 patients received standard heart failure medication therapy in addition to hormone and/or immunosuppressive anti-inflammatory therapy, but cardiac function was not improved, so aortic balloon dilatation and/or aortic stenting were performed in these patients. The median follow-up was 3.3(1.3, 5.6) years. On the third day after interventional therapy, the clinical symptoms of the 10 patients were significantly improved, NYHA classfication was restored from preoperative Ⅲ/Ⅳ to Ⅱ at 6 months post intervention(P<0.05). Compared with preoperation, NT-proBNP (P=0.028), LVEDD (P=0.011) and LVMI (P=0.019) were significantly decreased, LVEF was significantly increased (P<0.001) at 6 months after operation. Compared with preoperation, NT-proBNP (P=0.016), LVEDD (P=0.023) and LVMI (P=0.043) remained decreased, LVEF remained increased (P<0.001) at 1 year after operation. Conclusion: Results from short and medium term follow-up show that interventional therapy on top of heart failure drug therpay can effectively improve left cardiac function and attenuate cardiac remodeling in patients with TA-MAS comorbid with HFrEF.

The Impact of Renal Artery Stenting Techniques on Interventional Therapy Upon Anatomical Correlation of Abdominal Aorta and Renal Artery / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To evaluate the impact of renal artery stenting techniques upon anatomical correlation of abdominal aorta and renal artery. Methods: A total of 182 patients with unilateral atherosclerotic renal stenosis and received renal artery stenting in our hospital from 2012-01 to 2013-12 were retrospective studied. Based on the angle of infrarenal abdominal aorta and renal artery, the patients were divided into 3 groups: Group A (91-120)°, n=20, Group B (61-90)°, n=125 and Group C, (30-60)°, n=37. According to the tortuosity of infrarenal abdominal aorta and/or iliac artery, the patients were divided into 2 groups: Non-tortuosity group, n=146 and Tortuosity group, n=36. Operative techniques included in ①wire anchoring alone, ②wire anchoring+balloon rod assisting and③anchoring with wire and balloon. The ratio of upper extremity artery approaching (brachial or radial artery), X-ray exposure time, operation time, contrast dosage and relevant complications were compared among different groups upon stent placing. Results: Compared with Group A and Group B, the following parameters were increased in Group C: ratios for using technique ② + ③ (100.0% vs 20.0%, 31.2%), for extremity artery approaching (10.8% vs 0.0%, 1.6%); X-ray exposure time (9.2±3.8) min vs (5.2±3.1) min, (5.3±2.8) min, operation time (27.4±6.5) min vs (18.6±5.7) min, (20.5±6.1) min; contrast dosage (59.3±8.4) ml vs (44.8±7.2) ml, (48.4±7.3) ml and the incidences of relevant complications (8.1% vs 0.0%, 0.8%), all P<0.05. The above parameter were similar between Group A and Group B. Compared with Non-tortuosity group, the following parameters were elevated in Tortuosity group: ratios for using technique ②+③ (72.2% vs 11.6%), for extremity artery approaching (11.1% vs 1.4%), the total incidences of X-ray exposure time, operation time, contrast dosage and relevant complications (8.3% vs 0.7%), all P<0.05. Conclusion: The acute angle of infrarenal abdominal aorta and renal artery as well as the tortuosity of infrarenal abdominal aorta may increase the difficulty in renal artery interventional therapy .

Safety and Feasibility Assessment for Treating Severe External Carotid Artery Stenosis and Ipsilateral Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion by External Carotid Artery Stenting / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To assess the safety and feasibility for treating the patients with severe external carotid artery (ECA) stenosis and ipsilateral internalcarotid artery (ICA)occlusion by external carotid artery steting (ECAS). Methods: A total of 17 consecutive patients with severe ECA stenosis and ipsilateral ICA occlusion treated in our hospital by ECAS from 2008-01 to 2013-06 were retrospectively studied. Post-operative improvements of cerebral ischemia and neurocognitive function [Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA)] were evaluated, complications at peri-operative and 12 months follow-up period were recorded. Results: The patients' mean age was (65.4±8.0) years including 13(76.5％) male. The success rate of ECAS was 100％;2 patients had hemodynamic depression at peri-operative period and were completely recovered by 2 days treatment.1 patient suffered from contralateral minor stroke at 12 months follow-up time, the other 16 patients were without cerebral ischemia symptoms. No complication occurred at peri-operative and 12 months follow-up period. Compared with pre-operative condition, MMSE score [(25.1±1.4) vs (23.3±1.8), P<0.01] and MOCA score [(23.9±1.2) vs (22.2±1.6), P<0.01] were increased at 3 months after ECAS; both scores were continuously increasing during 12 months follow-up period. Conclusion: ECAS may improve cerebral ischemia and cognitive function in patients with severe ECA stenosis and ipsilateral ICA occlusion.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism rs10919543 in FCGR2A/FCGR3A Region Confers Susceptibility to Takayasu Arteritis in Chinese Population / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare inflammatory arteriopathy of unknown etiology. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic susceptibility to TA in a Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) those locate in the IL12B region (rs56167332), the MLX region (rs665268), the FCGR2A/FCGR3A locus (rs10919543), and the HLA-B/MICA locus (rs12524487), associated with TA in different population, were genotyped in 123 Chinese TA patients and 147 healthy controls from January 2013 to August 2014. A Chi-square test was used to test for genotype/allele frequencies variants.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the four SNPs, rs10919543 was found to be significantly associated with TA in the studied population. The GG genotype of rs10919543 at the FCGR2A/FCGR3A locus is a high risk factor (odds ratio [OR] = 6.532, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.402 - 17.763, P < 0.001) for TA. Among TA patients, the level of eosinophil granulocytes (Eos) in the peripheral blood was observed to be higher in the GG group of rs10919543 (n = 23, Eos = 0.11 [0.08, 0.17] ×109/L) than the GA + AA group (n = 100, Eos = 0.08 [0.05, 0.13] ×109/L, P = 0.028). No correlation between the genotypes of the other three SNPs and TA patients was observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our findings revealed unique genetic pattern in Chinese TA patients that may be partly responsible for the higher risk of TA in this population. FCGR2A/FCGR3A-related immune disorder might contribute to the etiology of TA.</p>

Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of End-stage Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>End-stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is complicated by substantial adverse events. However, few studies have focused on electrocardiographic features and their prognostic values in HCM. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical manifestations and prognostic value of electrocardiography in patients with end-stage HCM.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>End-stage HCM patients were enrolled from a total of 1844 consecutive HCM patients from April 2002 to November 2013 at Fuwai Hospital. Clinical data, including medical history, electrocardiography, and echocardiography, were analyzed. Cox hazards regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors for cardiovascular mortality.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>End-stage HCM was identified in 99 (5.4%) patients, averaged at 52 ± 16 years old at entry. Atrial fibrillation was observed in 53 patients and mural thrombus in 19 patients. During 3.9 ± 3.0 years of follow-up, embolic stroke, refractory heart failure, and death or transplantation were observed in 20, 39, and 51 patients, respectively. The incidence of annual mortality was 13.2%. Multivariate Cox hazards regression analysis identified New York Heart Association Class (NYHA) III/IV at entry (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-3.80; P = 0.036), left bundle branch block (LBBB) (HR: 2.80; 95% CI: 1.47-5.31; P = 0.002), and an abnormal Q wave (HR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.16-4.23; P = 0.016) as independent predictors of cardiovascular death, in accordance with all-cause death and heart failure-related death.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>LBBB and an abnormal Q wave are risk factors of cardiovascular mortality in end-stage HCM and provide new evidence for early intervention. Susceptibility of end-stage HCM patients to mural thrombus and embolic events warrants further attention.</p>

Safety and feasibility of carotid artery stenting in patients with coexisting carotid and coronary artery disease / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the safety and feasibility of carotid artery stenting (CAS) for treating patients with coexisting carotid and coronary artery disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 237 consecutive patients [(66.1 ± 7.7) years old, 79.7% male] with coexisting carotid and coronary artery disease undergoing CAS in Fuwai hospital from January 2005 to June 2010. The patients were analyzed retrospectively.Indication for CAS was defined as carotid artery diameter reduction of > 60% (symptomatic) or > 80% (asymptomatic) with suitable carotid artery anatomy for stenting. Thirty-day rates of stroke, death and myocardial infarction after CAS were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients suffered from coronary artery disease, of whom 87(36.7%) had unstable angina pectoris and 82(34.6%) had recent myocardial infarction (< 30 days). The procedural success rate of CAS was 99.2 % (235/237). Cerebral protection devices were used in 234 patients (99.6%). Among them, 36(15.2%) patients received simultaneous bilateral CAS and 79(33.3%) patients underwent simultaneous percutaneous intervention of other non-coronary arteries.Within 30 days after CAS, 127(53.6%) patients underwent coronary revascularization, including 118(49.6%) coronary artery bypass grafting and 9 (3.8%) percutaneous coronary intervention. The rate of major stroke, minor stroke, death and myocardial infarction from time of CAS to 30 days was 2.1% (5/237), 3.0% (7/237),0.4% (1/237) and 0.4% (1/237) respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Data from this study indicate that CAS is safe and feasible for treating patients with coexisting carotid and coronary artery disease with a low incidence of periprocedural complication rate.</p>

Genetic diagnosis of Liddle's syndrome by mutation analysis of SCNN1B and SCNN1G in a Chinese family / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Liddle's syndrome is a rare autosomal-dominant monogenic form of salt-sensitive hypertension. This study aimed to screen the gene mutation in β and γ subunits of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) of a Chinese family with Liddle's syndrome, an autosomal dominant form of hypertension.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>DNA samples from the proband with early-onset, treatment-resistant hypertension and suppressed plasma renin activity were initially screened for mutations in the C-terminal exons of the ENaC β or γ subunit genes, using amplification by polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing. We also screened the C-terminus of SCNN1B and SCNN1G in family members, and screened for the mutation in 150 controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Genetic analysis of the β ENaC gene revealed a missense mutation of CCC to TCC at codon 616 in the proband, her mother and her grandmother. One hundred and fifty randomly selected controls had not the mutation, indicating that this is not a common genetic polymorphism. There was no mutation of the γ ENaC gene in any of the individuals examined.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Through direct DNA sequencing analysis, we established the diagnosis of Liddle's syndrome for the proband and her families, and provided tailored therapies to this abnormality. These results provide further evidence that Pro616Ser is a critical amino acid that has a key role in the inhibition of sodium channel activity.</p>

Comparison of the safety of simultaneous bilateral carotid artery stenting versus unilateral carotid artery stenting: 30-day and 6-month results / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Severe bilateral carotid stenosis caused by atherosclerosis has not been unusual in the elderly. Such patients have high stroke risk. Many studies show that carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an alternative to treat unilateral carotid stenosis. However, the optimal procedural strategy of bilateral carotid stenosis remains unclear. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the safety of simultaneous bilateral carotid artery stenting (SBCAS) compared with unilateral carotid artery stenting (UCAS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this single-center retrospective study, we analyzed 234 consecutive patients who underwent carotid stenting from January 2005 to December 2009. Thirty-nine patients (16.7%) of them underwent SBCAS, and the others (n = 195) underwent UCAS. Indication for CAS was defined as carotid artery diameter reduction > 60% (symptomatic) or > 80% (asymptomatic). Six-month and 30-day hemodynamic depression (HD), hyperperfusion syndrome (HPS), stroke, death and myocardial infarction (MI) after carotid stenting were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SBCAS group had no more HD and HPS compared with UCAS group at 30 days (HD: 28.2% vs. 20.0%, P = 0.396; HPS: 2.6% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.262). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between SBCAS group and UCAS group in major stroke, death, MI and their combinations within 30 days (major stroke: 0 vs. 3.6%, P = 0.604; death: 2.6% vs. 1.5%, P = 0.520; MI: 2.6% vs. 0.5%, P = 0.306; and their combinations: 5.1% vs. 4.6%, P = 1.000) and 6 months (major stroke: 0 vs. 3.6%, P = 0.604; death: 5.1% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.262; MI: 5.1% vs.1.0%, P = 0.130 and their combinations: 7.7% vs. 5.1%, P = 0.459).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The patients undergoing SBCAS had no more events than those undergoing UCAS in 30-day and 6-month follow-up. Our finding suggests that SBCAS appears to be as safe as UCAS.</p>

Clinical analysis of simultaneous bilateral carotid stenting for treating patients with bilateral atherosclerotic carotid stenosis / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the safety and feasibility of simultaneous bilateral carotid stenting for treating patients with bilateral atherosclerotic carotid stenosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 39 consecutive patients with bilateral atherosclerotic carotid stenosis undergoing simultaneous bilateral carotid artery stenting in Fuwai hospital from January 2005 to December 2009 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The reduction of the angiographic diameter stenosis after stenting and clinical outcomes of 30 days after stenting including hyperperfusion syndrome, hemodynamic depression, stroke, myocardial infarction and death were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients were 43 - 78 (65.9 ± 8.5) years old, and there were 25 (64.1%) male. Carotid stenting procedure success rate was 100%. Distal embolic protection devices were used in all patients, and 20 (51.3%) out of 39 patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery after carotid stenting. The angiographic diameter stenosis reduced from (87.0 ± 5.8)% to (10.2 ± 5.6)% after stenting (P < 0.01). Up to 30 days after carotid artery stenting, the incidence of hyperperfusion syndrome, hemodynamic depression, minor stroke, major stroke, myocardial infarction and death was 2.6% (1/39), 28.2% (11/39), 5.1% (2/29), 0, 2.6% (1/39), 2.6% (1/39), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The data show that simultaneous bilateral carotid stenting is a technically feasible and safe alternative for patients with severe bilateral atherosclerotic carotid stenosis.</p>

Role of plasma C-reactive protein and white blood cell count in predicting in-hospital clinical events of acute type A aortic dissection / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>A few recent studies have reported that inflammation is associated with the prognosis of acute aortic dissection (AD). There is, however, no systemic investigation regarding the role of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) levels in predicting in-hospital clinical events of acute type A AD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The levels of high-sensitivity CRP and WBC counts were systemically determined after admission in 36 patients with acute type A AD. The variations of plasma CRP and WBC levels in different time windows (admission, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 days) in patients with acute type A AD were analyzed between patients with events and without events.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During hospitalization, five patients died, and increased levels of CRP and WBC were found in patients died with acute type A AD compared with patients survived (P < 0.01, respectively). Medical treatment may significantly decrease inflammatory response in survived patients with acute type A AD. Additionally, patients with complication of pleural effusion showed higher CRP and WBC levels (P = 0.046, P = 0.018, respectively). Lower WBC levels were found in survived patients treated medically (P = 0.001). Moreover, mean CRP and WBC levels had positive correlations with aortic diameter (r = 0.364, P = 0.000; r = 0.333, P = 0.000, respectively) and age (r = 0.270, P = 0.000, respectively), while negative correlations with the time from onset of symptoms to hospital admission (r = -0.229, P = 0.000, r = -0.200, P = 0.002, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years, CRP ≥ 12.05 mg/L, WBC ≥ 12.16 × 10(9)/L, aortic diameter ≥ 48 mm, pleural effusion and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 105 mmHg were associated with hospital mortality. While CRP ≥ 12.05 mg/L, WBC ≥ 12.16 × 10(9)/L, aortic diameter ≥ 48 mm were strongly associated with hospital mortality in multiple Logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results suggested that CRP and WBC were preferred markers for predicting the clinical events in patients with acute type A AD, especially death during hospitalization. Therefore, further study enrolling larger cohort, prospective study would be warranted.</p>

Comparative study of ambulatory blood pressure between renovascular hypertensive and essential hypertensive patients / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare 24 h ambulatory blood pressure changes between patients with renovascular hypertension and essential hypertension.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 24 h ambulatory blood pressure of patients with age and gender matched renovascular hypertension (RVH, n = 51) was compared with that of patients with essential hypertension (EH, n = 51).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 24 h, daytime and nighttime systolic blood pressures (SBP), diastolic blood pressures (DBP) and pulse pressures (PP) in RVH were significantly higher than in EH (all P < 0.05), especially the nocturnal SBP (P < 0.05). The SBP and DBP loads in RVH were 58.96% and 35.98% respectively, while blood pressure loads were around 20.00% in EH (P < 0.05). In patients with RVH, The nocturnal blood pressure fall was 5.39%, and only 27.50% patients were dippers, while the nocturnal blood pressure fall was 10.36% and 60.8% patients were dippers in EH.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RVH patients have higher dynamic BP, PP, BP loads and blunted diurnal rhythm compared to those with EH.</p>

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene I/D genotype affected metoprolol-induced reduction in 24-hour average heart rate / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Genetic factors can influence antihypertensive response to metoprolol, and many studies focused on the relationship between the genotype in beta1-adrenergic receptor and blood pressure (BP), little was known about the association of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genotype with the therapeutic result of metoprolol. The present study aimed to investigate whether the ACE gene insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism is related to the response to metoprolol in Chinese Han hypertensive patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-six patients with essential hypertension received metoprolol (100 mg once daily) as monotherapy for 8 weeks. Twenty-four hours ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and dynamic electrocardiogram were performed before and after treatment. Genotyping analysis was performed using PCR. The association of the ACE gene I/D polymorphism with variations in BP and heart rate (HR) was observed after the 8-week treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients with ACE gene II polymorphism showed greater reduction in 24-hour average HR than those with ID or DD polymorphisms (P = 0.045), no effect of this genotype on the reduction in seating HR or in BP was observed. After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, BP and HR at baseline, the ACE gene I/D polymorphism was still an independent predictor for variations in 24-hour average HR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The II polymorphism in ACE gene could be a candidate predictor for greater reduction in 24-hour average HR in Chinese Han hypertensive patients treated by metoprolol. Greater benefits would be obtained by patients with II polymorphism from the treatment with metoprolol. Larger studies are warranted to validate this finding.</p>

Outcome of patients with coronary artery disease underwent carotid artery stenting before coronary artery bypass surgery / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the safety and efficacy of carotid artery stenting before open heart surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with heart disease and severe carotid artery stenosis received carotid stenting before open heart surgery were included in this prospective cohort study. The incidence of stroke, myocardial infarction and death from carotid stenting to 30 days after cardiac surgery was assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 42 patients were enrolled. The carotid stenting procedural success rate was 100%. Distal embolic protection devices were used in 97.6% patients (41/42). Thirty-six (85.7%) patients received bypass surgery, 5 patients received bypass and valve replacement surgery (11.9%) and 1 patient received valve replacement surgery (2.4%) post carotid stenting. The incidence of stroke, myocardial infarction and death from carotid stenting to 30 days after cardiac surgery was 2.4% (1/42), 0% and 0% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our data from this small cohort study showed that carotid artery stenting before open heart surgery was safe and effective for patients with heart disease and severe carotid artery stenosis.</p>

Outcome of endovascular therapy of iliac, superficial femoral and popliteal arteries in 136 patients / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect and clinical outcome of balloon angioplasty or selected stent implantation in patients with severe lower limb artery disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 136 consecutive patients who had severe claudication or chronic limb ischemia due to atherosclerotic stenosis or occlusion of the iliac (n = 81), superficial femoral (n = 43) and popliteal (n = 12) arteries underwent balloon angioplasty initially and selected stent implantation was followed in cases of dissection or more than 30% residual stenosis after balloon angioplasty (n = 99). Restenosis and clinical outcomes were assessed at 6 months and 12 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Baseline mean (+/- SD) lesion length ranged from 1.5 cm - 18.0 cm [(6.2 +/- 2.9) cm] and stenosis ranged from 70% - 100% (88.6% +/- 7.5%). The mean length of treated segments was 2.0 cm - 19.0 cm [(7.3 +/- 3.2) cm], and residual stenosis after procedure was 0% - 30% (8.7% +/- 5.1%). There were two procedure-related thrombosis complications and patients recovered post related treatments. At 6 months, the rates of restenosis were 7.3% in iliac lesions, 19.4% in femoropopliteal lesions and 12.3% in all lesions, 10.2% in the stent group and 17.8% in the balloon angioplasty group, respectively (P > 0.05) and revascularization was performed in 10 patients; at 12 months, the rates of restenosis were 12.5% in iliac lesions, 29.9% in femoropopliteal lesions and 19.6% in all lesions, 16.1% in the stent group and 28.9% in the balloon angioplasty group (P > 0.05), respectively. Six-minute walk distance was significantly longer and ankle brachial index (ABI) was significantly higher at 6 months and 12 months in the stent group compared to balloon angioplasty group (all P < 0.001). All patients are alive and 3 acute myocardial infarction and 2 minor stroke were observed during 12 months follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Endovascular therapy in the iliac, superficial femoral and popliteal artery was safe and effective. The rate of restenosis in the stent group was comparable to that in balloon angioplasty group during 12 months follow up. Stent implantation is superior to balloon angioplasty in terms of six-minute maximal walk capacity and ABI during 12 months follow up.</p>

Procedural success rate and short-term outcomes of percutaneous interventional therapy for severe subclavian artery stenosis in 152 patients / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA, with or without stents) for the treatment of patients with subclavian artery stenosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using the brachial (n = 25), radial (n = 3), femoral (n = 96), or combined (n = 28) approach, PTA was performed in consecutive 152 [bilateral n = 27, unilateral n = 125, 88 male, aged 17 approximately 82 (58 +/- 16) years old] subclavian artery stenosis patients with 179 lesions. Stenosis was caused by atheroma in 114 of 152 patients (75%) and by aortoarteritis in the other patients (25%). The indications for intervention were arm claudication in 130 of 152 patients (85.5%), subclavian steal in 138 of 152 patients (90.8%), blue finger syndrome in 2 of 152 patients (1.3%), coronary steal syndrome in 2 of 162 patients (1.3%), or anticipated coronary artery bypass grafting using the internal mammary artery in 10 asymptomatic patients (6.6%). All patients were followed up for at least 9 months after procedure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PTA was succeeded in 142 of 152 patients (93.4%) and procedural success rate was 100% in 133 stenotic lesions (diameter reduction 70% approximately 99%) and 78.2% in total occlusive lesions (36/46). Stents were deployed in 145 of 169 lesions. In the 142 patients successfully treated with PTA, the percent diameter stenosis was reduced from (90 +/- 8)% to (6 +/- 8)%, and lesions diameter improved from (1.0 +/- 0.9) mm to (7.0 +/- 0.5) mm (all P values < 0.001). No severe procedure related complications were observed. During 9 months follow-up in these 142 patients with successful PTA, sustained clinical improvement was seen in 135 patients and restenosis occurred in 7 patients with aortoarteritis (n = 4) and atheroma (n = 3).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is effective and safe for the treatment of subclavian artery stenosis.</p>

The comparison of the effect of enalapril and indapamide on the peripheral blood pressure and central blood pressure through pulse wave analysis / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor enalapril and diuretic indapamide on the peripheral blood pressure and the central blood pressure in Chinese patients with essential hypertension.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study was a double blind, randomized study. Informed consent were given by all patients. After 2 weeks of placebo run-in period, 105 patients with mild or moderate essential hypertension were randomized to receive either enalapril (10 mg per day) or indapamide (2.5 mg per day) for 8 weeks. Radial pulse wave recordings were performed in all the patients before the active treatments were given and at the end of the study. Only those patients who have finished 8 weeks of active treatment in both groups were included into the final analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One hundred one patients (51 in enalapril group and 50 in indapamide group) completed the study. No significant difference (all P values > 0.05) was found in baseline data between the two groups. After 8 weeks of treatment, all the parameters of pulse wave (except heart rates in both groups and augmentation index in indapamide group) decreased significantly. Comparison of the 2 groups showed that there were no significant differences (all P values > 0.05) in all the parameters of pulse wave except that the central systolic blood pressure, augmentation and augmentation index were significantly lower in enalapril group than in indapamide group. In enalapril group, the reduced values of systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure in central aorta were significantly larger than those in brachial artery. However, the difference was not observed in indapamide group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Enalapril and indapamide are both similarly effective in reducing peripheral arterial blood pressure. Moreover, enalapril is more effective in reducing central systolic pressure and augmentation index than indapamide. The difference is probably due to the reduction of wave reflection caused by enalapril.</p>

Comparison of pulmonary perfusion imaging with pulmonary angiography in diagnosis of pulmonary involvement in Takayasu's arteritis / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the diagnostic value of (99)Tc(m)-MAA pulmonary perfusion imaging with that of pulmonary angiography for pulmonary involvement in Takayasu's arteritis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-one patients (19 women, 2 men), with diagnosed Takayasu's arteritis and underwent both (99)Tc(m)-MAA pulmonary perfusion imaging and pulmonary angiography, were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Out of the 21 patients, pulmonary angiography detected 11 patients with pulmonary artery involvement whereas 13 patients were revealed perfusion defects by pulmonary perfusion imaging. The agreement of diagnosis by pulmonary perfusion imaging with that by pulmonary angiography existed in 19 patients (90.5%, Kappa = 0.81, P < 0.0001). There were 331 pulmonary segments consistently diagnosed by pulmonary perfusion imaging and pulmonary angiography in 378 pulmonary segments (87.5%, Kappa = 0.74, P < 0.0001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Pulmonary perfusion imaging is highly accorded with pulmonary angiography in detecting the pulmonary involvement in Takayasu's arteritis. Therefore, pulmonary perfusion imaging could be used as a non-invasive screening test for the pulmonary artery involvement in Takayasu's arteritis.</p>

Clinical results of stent revascularization as treatment for renal artery stenosis during 6 months of follow-up / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To evaluate the safety and midterm efficacy of stent revascularization as treatment for renal artery stenosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty with stent (PTRA) was performed because of poorly controlled hypertension or preservation of renal function in 150 consecutive patients with severe renal artery stenosis, caused by atheroma (96 patients), arteritis (44 patients) and fibromuscular dysplasia (10 patients). All of them subsequently underwent 6-month clinical follow-up to observe the effect of the procedure on renal function, blood pressure control, number of antihypertensive medications.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Angiographic success was obtained in 148 (98.7%) of 150 patients after PTRA. At 6 months, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased (from 169.6 to 142.7 mm Hg and from 97.3 to 83.3 mm Hg, respectively; P < 0.001), and less antihypertensive medication was taken (from 2.7 to 1.9). The blood pressure became normal without taking any antihypertensive medications in 48 of 150 patients (32.0%), and the blood pressure control was more facile in 78 patients (52.0%), however, there were no improvement in 22 patients (16.0%). Creatinine level decreased in 34 patients (22.7%), remained stable in 112 patients (74.6%), and increased in 4 (2.7%). There was no statistical significance. No deaths occurred during 6-months follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Renal artery stent revascularization had a beneficial effect on blood pressure control and a nondeleterious effect on renal function during 6-months follow-up. The long-term efficacy should be investigated. The procedure is safe in usual.</p>