El puntaje de Framingham ayudaría en la estratificación del riesgo de pacientes con ergometría positiva y SPECT normal / The Framingham score could help in risk stratification of patients with positive ergometry and normal SPECT

Antecedentes. El valor pronóstico de una ergometría positiva en el contexto de imágenes tomográficas de perfusión miocárdica de estrés y reposo (SPECT) normales no está bien establecido. Objetivos. Documentar la incidencia de infarto, muerte y revascularización coronaria en pacientes con una ergometría positiva de riesgo intermedio e imágenes de perfusión SPECT normales, y explorar el potencial valor del puntaje de riesgo de Framingham en la estratificación pronóstica de estos pacientes. Métodos. Cohorte retrospectiva integrada por pacientes que habían presentado síntomas o hallazgos electrocardiográficos compatibles con enfermedad arterial coronaria durante la prueba de esfuerzo, con criterios de riesgo intermedio en la puntuación de Duke y perfusión miocárdica SPECT normal. Fueron identificados a partir de la base de datos del laboratorio de cardiología nuclear del Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular de la ciudad de Posadas, Argentina. Resultados. Fueron elegibles 217 pacientes. El seguimiento fue de 3 1,5 años. La sobrevida libre de eventos (muerte,infarto de miocardio no fatal, angioplastia coronaria o cirugía de bypass de arteria coronaria) a uno, tres y cinco años fue significativamente menor (Log-rank test, p= 0,001) en el grupo con puntaje de Framingham alto o muy alto (77, 71y 59 %, respectivamente) que en el grupo de puntaje bajo o intermedio (89, 87 y 83 %). Tomando como referencia a los pacientes con riesgo bajo en el puntaje de Framingham, luego de ajustar por edad, sexo y puntaje de Duke, los pacientes categorizados en los estratos alto y muy alto riesgo del puntaje de Framingham presentaron una incidencia del evento combinado cercana al triple (hazard ratio [HR] 2,81; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95 % 0,91 a 8,72; p= 0,07 y HR 3,61;IC 95 % 1,23 a 10,56; p= 0,019 respectivamente). Conclusiones. La estimación de riesgo con el puntaje de Framingham sería de ayuda en la estratificación pronóstica de los pacientes con ergometría positiva y SPECT normal. (AU)

Background. The prognostic value of positive exercise testing with normal SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging is not well established. Objectives. To document the incidence of infarction, death, and coronary revascularization in patients with a positive intermediate-risk exercise test and normal SPECT perfusion images and to explore the potential value of the Framingham Risk Score in the prognostic stratification of these patients. Methods. A retrospective cohort comprised patients who presented symptoms or electrocardiographic findings compatible with coronary artery disease during the stress test, with intermediate risk criteria in the Duke score and normal SPECT myocardial perfusion. They were identified from the database of the nuclear cardiology laboratory of the Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular of Posadas, Argentina. Results. 217 patients were eligible. Follow-up was 3 1.5 years. Event-free survival (death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty, or coronary artery bypass surgery) at one, three, and five years was significantly lower (Log-ranktest, p: 0.001) in the group with a score of Framingham high or very high (77, 71 and 59 %, respectively) than in the lowor intermediate score group (89, 87 and 83 %). Taking as reference the low-risk patients in the Framingham score, after adjusting for age, sex, and Duke score, the patients categorized in the high-risk and very high-risk strata showed about three times higher incidence of the combined event (hazard ratio [HR] 2.81; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.91 to 8.72;p=0.07 and HR 3.61; 95 % CI 1.23 to 10.56; p=0.019 respectively). Conclusions. Risk estimation with the Framingham score would be helpful in the prognostic stratification of patients with positive exercise testing and normal SPECT. (AU)

Neutrófilos en el diagnóstico de infarto del miocardio tipo 4a / Neutrophils in the Diagnosis of Type 4 Myocardial Infarction

Introducción: El infarto del miocardio tipo 4a es una complicación del intervencionismo coronario percutáneo que incrementa el estado inflamatorio de los pacientes. Objetivo: Evaluar el valor diagnóstico del conteo absoluto de neutrófilos en la aparición de infarto del miocardio tipo 4a. Métodos: Se realizó una cohorte prospectiva en el Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras. El universo estuvo constituido por 412 pacientes a los que se les realizó intervencionismo coronario percutáneo en el período comprendido de noviembre de 2018 a enero de 2021, la muestra fue de 232 pacientes. Se definieron variables clínicas, anatómicas, e inflamatorias. Resultados: Existieron diferencias significativas entre los pacientes con infarto tipo 4a y los que no tuvieron esta complicación según las variables clínicas: edad, índice de masa corporal, diabetes mellitus, enfermedad renal crónica y disfunción sistólica ventricular. La elevación del conteo absoluto de neutrófilos posterior al proceder con un área bajo la curva de 0,947 tuvo buena capacidad de discriminación de esta complicación (p = 0,000). En el diagnóstico de infarto periproceder el conteo absoluto de neutrófilos fue 7,35 posterior al proceder, tuvo una sensibilidad de 91,3 por ciento una especificidad de 96,2 por ciento. Conclusiones: Los neutrófilos fueron sensibles y específicos para el diagnóstico de infarto del miocardio tipo 4a(AU)

Introduction: Type 4 myocardial infarction is a complication of percutaneous coronary intervention that increases the inflammatory state of patients. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of the absolute neutrophil count in the occurrence of type 4 myocardial infarction. Methods: A prospective cohort was carried out at Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Surgical Hospital. The universe consisted of 412 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention from November 2018 to January 2021, two hundred thirty-two (232) patients form the sample. Clinical, anatomical and inflammatory variables were defined. Results: There were significant differences between patients with type 4 infarction and those who did not have this complication according to the clinical variables such as age, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and ventricular systolic dysfunction. The subsequent elevation of the absolute neutrophil count when proceeding with an area under the 0.947 curve had good ability to discriminate this complication (p = 0.000). In the diagnosis of periprocedural infarction, the absolute neutrophil count was ≥ 7.35 after the procedure, it had 91.3percent sensitivity and 96.2percent specificity. Conclusions: Neutrophils were sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of type 4 myocardial infarction(AU)

Índices fisiológicos não hiperêmicos ­ base teórica, aplicações clínicas e limitações / Non-hyperemic pressure ratios ­ theoretical basis, clinical applications, and limitations

A fisiologia coronariana tornou-se o padrão de tratamento para avaliar o significado funcional da doença aterosclerótica coronariana. Ela permite identificar isquemia miocárdica em nível de vaso, discriminar os padrões funcionais da doença aterosclerótica e orientar a necessidade de revascularização; complementar o planejamento da intervenção coronária percutânea e confirmar o sucesso funcional dessa última. Em uma edição anterior do Journal of Transcatheter Interventions, apresentamos uma revisão abrangente sobre o fluxo fracionado de reserva do miocárdio. Apesar do robusto corpo de evidências que apoiam seu uso, a aceitação clínica do fluxo fracionado de reserva é variável e excessivamente baixa em muitas áreas do mundo. O aumento percebido no tempo do procedimento, o uso de agentes hiperêmicos com seus correspondentes custos e desconforto do paciente, e a dificuldade de interpretação dos resultados em determinadas situações anatômicas contribuíram para a adoção limitada do método. A introdução do índice de fluxo instantâneo no período livre de ondas superou a maioria dessas limitações. Apoiada por uma validação técnica sólida e dados de desfechos clínicos, o índice de fluxo instantâneo no período livre de ondas recebeu as mesmas indicações clínicas que o fluxo fracionado de reserva nas recomendações mais recentes das diretrizes. Isso foi seguido pela introdução de outros índices pressóricos não hiperêmicos, já comercialmente disponíveis. Neste artigo, revisamos as bases fisiológicas que justificam o uso de índices pressóricos não hiperêmicos, sua validação técnica e clínica e dados de desfechos clínicos, além de discutirmos suas aplicações em situações anatômicas específicas, com exemplos de casos dos autores, sempre que aplicável.

Coronary physiology has become the standard of care to assess the functional significance of coronary atherosclerotic disease. It allows for identification of myocardial ischemia on a vessel level, discrimination of the functional patterns of atherosclerotic disease, guidance for the need of revascularization, complements the planning of percutaneous coronary intervention and verification of the functional success of percutaneous coronary intervention. On a previous issue of the Journal of Transcatheter Interventions, we presented a comprehensive review about fractional flow reserve. Despite the robust body of evidence supporting its use, the clinical use of fractional flow reserve is variable, and unreasonably low in many areas around the globe. The perceived increase in procedure time, the use of hyperemic agents with its related costs and patient discomfort, and difficulty in interpreting results in certain anatomical scenarios have contributed to the limited adoption of fractional flow reserve. The introduction of instantaneous wave-free ratio overcame most of these limitations. Supported by sound technical validation, and clinical outcomes data, instantaneous wave-free ratio received the same clinical indications as fractional flow reserve in the most recent guidelines recommendations. This was followed by the introduction of other non- hyperemic pressure ratios for commercial use. In the current manuscript we review the physiological basis that supports the use of non-hyperemic pressure ratios, their technical and clinical validation, clinical outcomes data, and discuss its applications on specific anatomic scenarios, with examples of cases from the authors, whenever applicable.

Short-term outcomes among patients with subclinical hypothyroidism undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Objectives: This study aimed to examine possible associations between previously undiagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism and short-term outcomes and mortality in a sample of Iraqi patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Design: This is a prospective observational cohort study. Setting: The study was conducted in a single tertiary referral centre in Baghdad, Iraq. Participants: Thyroid-stimulating hormone and free T4 levels were measured in 257 patients hospitalised with STelevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2020 and March 2022. Main outcome measures: Adverse cardiovascular and renal events during hospitalisation and 30-day mortality were observed. Results: Previously undiagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism was detected in 36/257 (14%) ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients and observed more commonly in females than males. Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism had significantly worse short-term outcomes, including higher rates of suboptimal TIMI Flow (< III) (p =0.014), left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40% (p=0.035), Killip class >I (p=0.042), cardiogenic shock (p =0.016), cardiac arrest in the hospital (p= 0.01), and acute kidney injury (p= 0.044). Additionally, 30-day mortality was significantly higher in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (p= 0.029). Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism previously undiagnosed and untreated had a significant association with adverse short-term outcomes and higher short-term mortality within 30 days compared to euthyroid patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Routine thyroid function testing during these patients' hospitalisation may be warranted.

Effects of laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy combined with intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy treatment in patients with untreated gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy combined with intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy (HIPEC-IP-IV) in the treatment of peritoneal metastases from gastric cancer (GCPM). Methods: This was a descriptive case series study. Indications for HIPEC-IP-IV treatment include: (1) pathologically confirmed gastric or esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma; (2) age 20-85 years; (3) peritoneal metastases as the sole form of Stage IV disease, confirmed by computed tomography, laparoscopic exploration, ascites or peritoneal lavage fluid cytology; and (4) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1. Contraindications include: (1) routine blood tests, liver and renal function, and electrocardiogram showing no contraindications to chemotherapy; (2) no serious cardiopulmonary dysfunction; and (3) no intestinal obstruction or peritoneal adhesions. According to the above criteria, data of patients with GCPM who had undergone laparoscopic exploration and HIPEC from June 2015 to March 2021 in the Peking University Cancer Hospital Gastrointestinal Center were analyzed, after excluding those who had received antitumor medical or surgical treatment. Two weeks after laparoscopic exploration and HIPEC, the patients received intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy. They were evaluated every two to four cycles. Surgery was considered if the treatment was effective, as shown by achieving stable disease or a partial or complete response and negative cytology. The primary outcomes were surgical conversion rate, R0 resection rate, and overall survival. Results: Sixty-nine previously untreated patients with GCPM had undergone HIPEC-IP-IV, including 43 men and 26 women; with a median age of 59 (24-83) years. The median PCI was 10 (1-39). Thirteen patients (18.8%) underwent surgery after HIPEC-IP-IV, R0 being achieved in nine of them (13.0%). The median overall survival (OS) was 16.1 months. The median OS of patients with massive or moderate ascites and little or no ascites were 6.6 and 17.9 months, respectively (P<0.001). The median OS of patients who had undergone R0 surgery, non-R0 surgery, and no surgery were 32.8, 8.0, and 14.9 months, respectively (P=0.007). Conclusions: HIPEC-IP-IV is a feasible treatment protocol for GCPM. Patients with massive or moderate ascites have a poor prognosis. Candidates for surgery should be selected carefully from those in whom treatment has been effective and R0 should be aimed for.

Microvascular perfusion and cardiac function after revascularization assessed by myocardial contrast echocardiography in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction / 中华心血管病杂志

Objectives: To evaluate microvascular perfusion and left ventricular function in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after revascularization using myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE), and to explore clinical influencing factors of abnormal microvascular perfusion in these patients. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The analysis was performed among patients admitted to Peking University People's Hospital for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) from June 2018 to July 2021. All patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and completed MCE within 48 hours after PCI. Patients were divided into normal myocardial perfusion group and abnormal perfusion group according to the myocardial perfusion score. The echocardiographic indexes within 48 hours after PCI, including peak mitral valve flow velocity (E), mean value of early diastolic velocity of left ventricular septum and lateral mitral annulus (Em), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) and so on, were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the influencing factors of myocardial perfusion abnormalities. Results: A total of 123 STEMI patients, aged 59±13 years with 93 (75.6%) males, were enrolled. There were 50 cases in the normal myocardial perfusion group, and 73 cases in the abnormal myocardial perfusion group. The incidence of abnormal myocardial perfusion was 59.3% (73/123). The left ventricular volume index ((62.3±18.4)ml/m2 vs. (55.1±15.2)ml/m2, P=0.018), wall motion score index (WMSI) (1.59 (1.44, 2.00) vs. 1.24(1.00, 1.47), P<0.001) and mitral E/Em (17.8(12.0, 24.3) vs. 12.2(9.2, 15.7), P<0.001) were significantly higher whereas left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) ((-10.8±3.4)% vs. (-13.8±3.5)%, P<0.001) was significantly lower in the abnormal myocardial perfusion group than those in the normal myocardial perfusion group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that left anterior descending (LAD) as culprit vessel (OR=3.733, 95%CI 1.282-10.873, P=0.016), intraoperative no/low-reflow (OR=6.125, 95%CI 1.299-28.872, P=0.022), and peak troponin I (TnI) (OR=1.018, 95%CI 1.008-1.029, P=0.001) were independent risk factors of abnormal myocardial perfusion. As for ultrasonic indexes, deceleration time of mitral E wave (OR=0.979, 95%CI 0.965-0.993, P=0.003), mitral E/Em (OR=1.100, 95%CI 1.014-1.194, P=0.022) and WMSI (OR=7.470, 95%CI 2.630-21.222, P<0.001) were independently related to abnormal myocardial perfusion. Conclusions: The incidence of abnormal myocardial perfusion after PCI is high in patients with acute STEMI. Abnormal myocardial perfusion is related to worse left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. LAD as culprit vessel, intraoperative no/low-reflow and peak TnI are independent risk factors of abnormal myocardial perfusion.

Clinical features and long-term prognosis of diabetic patients with low or intermediate complexity coronary artery disease post percutaneous coronary intervention / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and long-term prognostic factors of diabetic patients with low or intermediate complexity coronary artery disease (CAD) post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: This was a prospective, single-centre observational study. Consecutive diabetic patients with SYNTAX score (SS)≤32 undergoing PCI between January and December 2013 in Fuwai hospital were included in this analysis. The patients were divided into two groups based on SS, namely SS≤22 group and SS 23-32 group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors related to poor 5-year prognosis. The primary outcomes were cardiac death and recurrent myocardial infarction, the secondary outcomes were all cause death and revascularization. Results: Of the 3 899 patients included in the study, 2 888 were men (74.1%); mean age was 59.4±9.8 years. There were 3 450 patients in the SS≤22 group and 449 patients in the SS 23-32 group. Compared with SS≤22 group, the incidence of revascularization was higher in SS 23-32 group (18.9% (85/449) vs. 15.2% (524/3450), log-rank P=0.019). There was no significant difference in all-cause death, cardiac death and recurrent myocardial infarction between the two groups (log-rank P>0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age (HR=1.05, 95%CI 1.02-1.08, P<0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR=3.12, 95%CI 1.37-7.07, P=0.007) and creatinine clearance rate (CCr)<60 ml/min (HR=3.67, 95%CI 2.05-6.58, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for 5-year cardiac death, while left ventricular ejection fraction (HR=0.94, 95%CI 0.91-0.96, P<0.001) was a protective factor. Previous PCI (HR=2.04, 95%CI 1.38-3.00, P<0.001), blood glucose level≥11.1 mmol/L on admission (HR=2.49, 95%CI 1.32-4.70, P=0.005) and CCr<60 ml/min (HR=1.85, 95%CI 1.14-2.99, P=0.012) were independent risk factors for 5-year recurrent myocardial infarction. The SS of 23-32 was independently associated with risk of revascularization (HR=1.54, 95%CI 1.09-2.16, P=0.014), after adjusting for residual SS. Residual SS was not a risk factor for 5-year prognosis. Conclusions: In diabetic patients with low-or intermediate complexity CAD, SS 23-32 is associated with increased risk of 5-year revascularization; the clinical characteristics of the patients are associated with the long-term mortality and recurrent myocardial infarction, but not related to revascularization.

Protection of side-branch ostium by the jailed balloon technique validated by three-dimensional optical coherence tomography / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of jailed balloon technique on side branch (SB) ostium using three-dimensional optical coherence tomography(OCT). Methods: This is a retrospective study. Consecutive coronary disease patients with coronary artery bifurcation lesions who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and completed pre-and post-procedural OCT examinations at the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from September 2019 to March 2022 were enrolled. Patients were divided into the jailed balloon technique group and the unprotected group according to the options applied for the SB. The SB ostium area difference was calculated from OCT images (SB ostium area difference=post-PCI SB ostium area-pre-PCI SB ostium area). The SB ostium area differences were compared between the two groups and compared further in the subgroup of true bifurcation lesions and non-true bifurcation lesions. In the jailed balloon group, the SB ostium area difference was compared between the active jailed balloon technique and the conventional jailed balloon technique, between the jailed balloon>2.0 mm diameter and the jailed balloon≤2.0 mm diameter, and between the higher balloon pressure (>4 atm, 1 atm=101.325 kPa) and the lower balloon pressure (≤4 atm). Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to explore the correlation between the technical parameters of the jailed balloon technique and the SB protection effect. Results: A total of 176 patients with 236 bifurcation lesions were enrolled, aged (60.7±9.3) years, and there were 128 male patients (72.7%). There were 67 patients in the jailed balloon technique group with 71 bifurcation lesions and 123 patients in the unprotected group with 165 bifurcation lesions. Fourteen patients had 2 to 3 lesions, which were treated in different ways, so they appeared in the unprotected group and the jailed balloon technique group at the same time. The area difference in SB ostium was greater in the jailed balloon group than in the unprotected group (0.07 (-0.43, 1.05)mm2 vs.-0.33 (-0.83, 0.26)mm2, P<0.001), and the results were consistent in the true bifurcation lesion subgroup (0.29 (-0.35, 0.96)mm2 vs.-0.26 (-0.64, 0.29)mm2, P=0.004), while the difference between the two groups in the non-true bifurcation lesion subgroup was not statistically significant (P=0.136). In the jailed balloon technique group, the SB ostium area difference was greater in patients treated with the active jailed balloon technique than in those treated with the conventional jailed balloon technique ((0.43±1.36)mm2 vs. (-0.22±0.52)mm2, P=0.013). The difference in SB ostium area was greater in those using>2.0 mm diameter jailed balloons than in those using≤2.0 mm diameter jailed balloons (0.25 (-0.51, 1.31) mm2 vs.-0.01 (-0.45, 0.63) mm2, P=0.020), while SB ostium area difference was similar between those endowed with higher balloon pressure (>4 atm) compared to those with lower balloon pressure (≤4 atm) (P=0.731). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between jailed balloon diameter and SB ostium area difference (r=0.344, P=0.019). Conclusions: The jailed balloon technique significantly protects SB ostium, especially in patients with true bifurcation lesions. The active jailed balloon technique and larger diameter balloons may provide more protection to the SB.

Efficacy of intravascular ultrasound versus coronary angiographic guided drug-eluting stent implantation in the treatment of left main coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To compare the efficacy of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and coronary angiography guided drug eluting stent (DES) implantation for the treatment of left main coronary artery (LMCA) lesions. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies, which compared IVUS with coronary angiography guided DES implantation for the treatment of LMCA lesions published before August 2021 were searched in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases. Baseline data, interventional procedures and endpoint events of each study were collected. The primary endpoint was major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE), and the secondary endpoints were all-cause death, cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR) and target vessel revascularization (TVR). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias tool were used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Results: Nine studies were included, including 3 RCT and 6 observational studies, with a total of 5 527 cases of LMCA. All the 6 observational studies had NOS scores≥6, and the 3 RCT had a low risk of overall bias. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with coronary angiography guided group, MACE rate (OR=0.55, 95%CI 0.47-0.66, P<0.001), all-cause death (OR=0.56, 95%CI 0.43-0.74, P<0.001), cardiac death (OR=0.43, 95%CI 0.30-0.61, P<0.001), MI (OR=0.64, 95%CI 0.52-0.79, P<0.001), TLR (OR=0.49, 95%CI 0.28-0.86, P=0.013) and TVR (OR=0.77, 95%CI 0.60-0.98, P=0.037) were all significantly lower in the IVUS guided group. Conclusions: Compared with angiography guided, IVUS guided PCI with DES implantation in LMCA lesions could significantly reduce the risk of MACE, death, MI, TLR and TVR. IVUS is thus superior to coronary angiography for guiding PCI treatment among patients with LMCA.

Value of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c and apolipoprotein A-1 ratio on predicting outcome of patients with acute coronary syndrome / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c/apolipoprotein A-1 (HbA1c/ApoA-1) ratio for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: The present study is a retrospective cohort study. ACS patients who were hospitalized and underwent coronary angiography at Beijing Hospital from March 2017 to March 2019 were enrolled. Baseline information such as sex, age, previous history, Gensini score, HbA1c and ApoA-1 were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to presence or absence of MACEs and the difference on HbA1c/ApoA-1 ratio was compared between the two groups. According to the tertiles of HbA1c/ApoA-1 levels, patients were divided into high (5.87-16.12), medium (4.50-5.83) and low (2.11-4.48) HbA1c/ApoA-1 groups. Cox proportional risk model was used to evaluate the differences in MACEs and all-cause mortality among the three groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the differences of MACEs between the various HbA1c/ApoA-1 groups. Results: A total of 366 ACS patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was (65.9±10.3) years. There were 59 MACEs and 10 all-cause deaths during the mean of (22.3±4.4) months follow-up. After adjusting for age, systolic blood pressure, history of diabetes and Gensini score, the incidence of MACEs was 2.45 times higher in the high HbA1c/ApoA-1 group than in the low HbA1c/ApoA-1 group (95%CI 1.16-5.18, P=0.019). There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between the high and low HbA1c/ApoA-1 groups (P=1.000). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients in the high HbA1c/ApoA-1 group had the highest risk of MACEs, while patients in the low HbA1c/ApoA-1 group had the lowest risk of MACEs (P<0.01). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that HbA1/ApoA-1 ratio was positively correlated with Gensini score in ACS patients (r=0.274, P<0.01). Conclusion: High HbA1c/ApoA-1 ratio was an independent risk factor for MACEs in ACS patients. Patients with high HbA1c/ApoA-1 ratio had more severe coronary artery disease lesions. HbA1c/ApoA-1 ratio may be used as a potential risk stratification biomarker for ACS patients, it might be useful for the early identification of high-risk population and for predicting the incidence of MACEs among ACS patients.

Relationship of Microvascular Obstruction with Global and Regional Myocardial Function Determined by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance after ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective To investigate the impact of microvascular obstruction (MVO) on the global and regional myocardial function by cardiac magnetic resonance feature-tracking (CMR-FT) in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.Methods Consecutive acute STEMI patients who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging 1 - 7 days after successful reperfusion by percutaneous coronary intervention treatment were included in this retrospective study. Based on the presence or absence of MVO on late gadolinium enhancement images, patients were divided into groups with MVO and without MVO. The infarct zone, adjacent zone, and remote zone were determined based on a myocardial 16-segment model. The radial strain (RS), circumferential strain (CS), and longitudinal strain (LS) of the global left ventricle (LV) and the infarct, adjacent, and remote zones were measured by CMR-FT from cine images and compared between patients with and without MVO using independent-samples t-test. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of MVO with the impaired LV function.Results A total of 157 STEMI patients (mean age 56.66 ± 11.38 years) were enrolled. MVO was detected in 37.58% (59/157) of STEMI patients, and the mean size of MVO was 3.00 ±3.76 mL. Compared with patients without MVO (n =98 ), the MVO group had significantly reduced LV global RS (t= -4.30, P < 0.001), global CS (t= 4.99, P < 0.001), and global LS ( t= 3.51, P = 0.001). The RS and CS of the infarct zone in patients with MVO were significantly reduced (t= -3.38, P = 0.001; t= 2.64, P = 0.01; respectively) and the infarct size was significantly larger (t= 8.37, P < 0.001) than that of patients without MVO. The presence of LV MVO [OR= 4.10, 95%CI: 2.05 - 8.19, P<0.001) and its size [OR=1.38, 95%CI: 1.10-1.72, P=0.01], along with the heart rate and LV infarct size were significantly associated with impaired LV global CS in univariable Logistic regression analysis, while only heart rate (OR=1.08, 95%CI: 1.03 - 1.13, P=0.001) and LV infarct size (OR=1.10, 95%CI: 1.03 - 1.16, P=0.003) were independent influencing factors for the impaired LV global CS in multivariable Logistic regression analysis.Conclusion The infarct size was larger in STEMI patients with MVO, and MVO deteriorates the global and regional LV myocardial function.

Long-Term Prognosis of Different Reperfusion Strategies for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Chinese County-Level Hospitals: Insight from China Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the long-term prognosis of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with different reperfusion strategies in Chinese county-level hospitals.@*METHODS@#A total of 2,514 patients with STEMI from 32 hospitals participated in the China Acute Myocardial Infarction registry between January 2013 and September 2014. The success of fibrinolysis was assessed according to indirect measures of vascular recanalization. The primary outcome was 2-year mortality.@*RESULTS@#Reperfusion therapy was used in 1,080 patients (42.9%): fibrinolysis ( n= 664, 61.5%) and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) ( n= 416, 38.5%). The most common reason for missing reperfusion therapy was a prehospital delay > 12 h (43%). Fibrinolysis [14.5%, hazard ratio ( HR): 0.59, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.44-0.80] and primary PCI (6.8%, HR= 0.32, 95% CI: 0.22-0.48) were associated with lower 2-year mortality than those with no reperfusion (28.5%). Among fibrinolysis-treated patients, 510 (76.8%) achieved successful clinical reperfusion; only 17.0% of those with failed fibrinolysis underwent rescue PCI. There was no difference in 2-year mortality between successful fibrinolysis and primary PCI (8.8% vs. 6.8%, HR = 1.53, 95% CI: 0.85-2.73). Failed fibrinolysis predicted a similar mortality (33.1%) to no reperfusion (33.1% vs. 28.5%, HR= 1.30, 95% CI: 0.93-1.81).@*CONCLUSION@#In Chinese county-level hospitals, only approximately 2/5 of patients with STEMI underwent reperfusion therapy, largely due to prehospital delay. Approximately 30% of patients with failed fibrinolysis and no reperfusion therapy did not survive at 2 years. Quality improvement initiativesare warranted, especially in public health education and fast referral for mechanical revascularization in cases of failed fibrinolysis.

Effects of virtual reality in phase I cardiac rehabilitation training for elderly coronary heart disease patients after percutaneous coronary intervention / 生理学报

The study aimed to examine the effects of virtual reality (VR) technology-based phase I cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program in elderly coronary heart disease (CHD) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Thirty-six cases of elderly CHD patients who underwent PCI in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from June 2022 to April 2023 were recruited by convenience sampling method. The patients were randomly assigned by means of random digital table method to two study groups: control group (n = 18), which received conventional nursing intervention after PCI, and experimental group (n = 18), which received a combined program of conventional nursing intervention together with CR program based on VR technology. The 6 min walk test (6MWT), Simple Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), SF-36 scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) were tested before and after rehabilitation. Moreover, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was recorded at 3 months after PCI. After VR-based CR, the 6MWT distance and SPPB scores of patients in the experimental group were higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). The HADS scores and IES-R scores of the patients in the experimental group were lower than those in control group (P < 0.01), and the difference in SF-36 scale scores was not statistically significant between two groups (P > 0.05). The incidence of MACE was not significantly different at 3 months after PCI (P > 0.05). These results suggest that VR-based phase I CR program mitigates the degree of PCI postoperative stress, anxiety, and depression in elderly CHD patients, however, enhances the resistance to fatigue and does not increase the risk of adverse cardiac events, suggesting it is a safe intervention.

Changes in process and outcome for ST elevation myocardial infarction in central China from 2011 to 2018 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Limited data are available on the changes in the quality of care for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during China's health system reform from 2009 to 2020. This study aimed to assess the changes in care processes and outcome for STEMI patients in Henan province of central China between 2011 and 2018.@*METHODS@#We compared the data from the Henan STEMI survey conducted in 2011-2012 ( n = 1548, a cross-sectional study) and the Henan STEMI registry in 2016-2018 ( n = 4748, a multicenter, prospective observational study). Changes in care processes and in-hospital mortality were determined. Process of care measures included reperfusion therapies, aspirin, P2Y12 antagonists, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, and statins. Therapy use was analyzed among patients who were considered ideal candidates for treatment.@*RESULTS@#STEMI patients in 2016-2018 were younger (median age: 63.1 vs . 63.8 years) with a lower proportion of women (24.4% [1156/4748] vs . 28.2% [437/1548]) than in 2011-2012. The composite use rate for guideline-recommended treatments increased significantly from 2011 to 2018 (60.9% [5424/8901] vs . 82.7% [22,439/27,129], P <0.001). The proportion of patients treated by reperfusion within 12 h increased from 44.1% (546/1237) to 78.4% (2698/3440) ( P <0.001) with a prolonged median onset-to-first medical contact time (from 144 min to 210 min, P <0.001). The use of antiplatelet agents, statins, and β-blockers increased significantly. The risk of in-hospital mortality significantly decreased over time (6.1% [95/1548] vs . 4.2% [198/4748], odds ratio [OR]: 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50-0.88, P = 0.005) after adjustment.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Gradual implementation of the guideline-recommended treatments in STEMI patients from 2011 to 2018 has been associated with decreased in-hospital mortality. However, gaps persist between clinical practice and guideline recommendation. Public awareness, reperfusion strategies, and construction of chest pain centers need to be further underscored in central China.

A novel biodegradable polymer-coated sirolimus-eluting stent: 1-year results of the HELIOS registry / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The HELIOS stent is a sirolimus-eluting stent with a biodegradable polymer and titanium oxide film as the tie-layer. The study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HELIOS stent in a real-world setting.@*METHODS@#The HELIOS registry is a prospective, multicenter, cohort study conducted at 38 centers across China between November 2018 and December 2019. A total of 3060 consecutive patients were enrolled after application of minimal inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF), defined as a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal target vessel myocardial infarction (MI), and clinically indicated target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 1-year follow-up. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate the cumulative incidence of clinical events and construct survival curves.@*RESULTS@#A total of 2998 (98.0%) patients completed the 1-year follow-up. The 1-year incidence of TLF was 3.10% (94/2998, 95% closed interval: 2.54-3.78%). The rates of cardiac death, non-fatal target vessel MI and clinically indicated TLR were 2.33% (70/2998), 0.20% (6/2998), and 0.70% (21/2998), respectively. The rate of stent thrombosis was 0.33% (10/2998). Age ≥60 years, diabetes mellitus, family history of coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction at admission, and device success were independent predictors of TLF at 1 year.@*CONCLUSION@#The 1-year incidence rates of TLF and stent thrombosis were 3.10% and 0.33%, respectively, in patients treated with HELIOS stents. Our results provide clinical evidence for interventional cardiologists and policymakers to evaluate HELIOS stent.@*CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION@#ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03916432.

Residual coronary artery tree description and lesion EvaluaTion (CatLet) score, clinical variables, and their associations with outcome predictions in patients with acute myocardial infarction / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#We have recently developed a new Coronary Artery Tree description and Lesion EvaluaTion (CatLet) angiographic scoring system. Our preliminary studies have demonstrated its superiority over the the Synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score with respect to outcome predictions for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. The current study hypothesized that the residual CatLet (rCatLet) score predicts clinical outcomes for AMI patients and that a combination with the three clinical variables (CVs)-age, creatinine, and ejection fraction, will enhance its predicting values.@*METHODS@#The rCatLet score was calculated retrospectively in 308 consecutively enrolled patients with AMI. Primary endpoint, major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE) including all-cause mortality, non-fatal AMI, transient ischemic attack/stroke, and ischemia-driven repeat revascularization, was stratified according to rCatLet score tertiles: rCatLet_low ≤3, rCatLet_mid 4-11, and rCatLet_top ≥12, respectively. Cross-validation confirmed a reasonably good agreement between the observed and predicted risks.@*RESULTS@#Of 308 patients analyzed, the rates of MACCE, all-cause death, and cardiac death were 20.8%, 18.2%, and 15.3%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves for all endpoints showed increasing outcome events with the increasing tertiles of the rCatLet score, with P values <0.001 on trend test. For MACCE, all-cause death, and cardiac death, the area under the curves (AUCs) of the rCatLet score were 0.70 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.63-0.78), 0.69 (95% CI: 0.61-0.77), and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.63-0.79), respectively; the AUCs of the CVs-adjusted rCatLet score models were 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78-0.89), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.82-0.92), and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.84-0.94), respectively. The performance of CVs-adjusted rCatLet score was significantly better than the stand-alone rCatLet score in terms of outcome predictions.@*CONCLUSION@#The rCatLet score has a predicting value for clinical outcomes for AMI patients and the incorporation of the three CVs into the rCatLet score will enhance its predicting ability.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#http://www.chictr.org.cn , ChiCTR-POC-17013536.

Predictive value of hemoglobin to serum creatinine ratio combined with serum uric acid for in-hospital mortality after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction / 中华危重病急救医学

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical value of hemoglobin to serum creatinine ratio (Hb/SCr) combined with blood uric acid (SUA) in predicting in-hospital mortality after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of AMI patients who underwent emergency PCI in the First Affiliated Hospital of Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University from January 2017 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The general information, underlying medical history, blood routine, liver and kidney function, blood coagulation routine, SUA and other indicators were collected from patients. The primary composite endpoint was defined as in-hospital death, including in-hospital all-cause death during PCI and 15-day post-procedure hospitalization. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with in-hospital death after emergency PCI in patients with AMI. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent related factors and construct a risk prediction model. The Hosmer-Lemeshow method and receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) were used to test the goodness of fit and predictive effect of the model and correlates, respectively.@*RESULTS@#A total of 1 976 patients were enrolled, 92 died in hospital and 1 884 survived. SUA was higher in the death group than that in the survival group (μmol/L: 476.88±132.04 vs. 354.87±105.31, P < 0.01), and the Hb/SCr ratio was significantly lower than that in the survival group (13.84±5.48 vs.19.20±5.74, P < 0.01). Pearson analysis showed a linear negative correlation between SUA and Hb/SCr ratio (r = -0.502, P < 0.01). Logistic regression risk model analysis finally included age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.916], Hb/SCr ratio (OR = 0.182), white blood cell count (WBC, OR = 2.733), C-reactive protein (CRP, OR = 3.611), SUA (OR = 4.667), blood glucose (Glu, OR = 2.726), homocysteine (Hcy, OR = 2.688) 7 factors to construct a risk prediction model, which were independent correlation factors for in-hospital death in AMI patients after emergency PCI (all P < 0.05). Hosmer-Lemeshow test verified the fitting effect of the model, and the result showed P = 0.447. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the model for predicting in-hospital death in AMI patients after emergency PCI was 0.764 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.712-0.816, P = 0.001]. When the cut-off value was 0.565 8, the sensitivity was 70.7%, the specificity was 70.2%, and the Yoden index was 0.410. When Hb/SCr ratio+SUA, SUA, Hb/SCr ratio, Hb and SCr were used to predict in-hospital death in AMI patients after emergency PCI, the AUC of Hb/SCr ratio+SUA was the largest, which was 0.810. When the optimal cut-off value was -0.847, the sensitivity was 77.7%, the specificity was 74.5%, and the Youden index was 0.522.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Age, SUA, Hb/SCr ratio, WBC, CRP, Glu, and Hcy are independent risk factors for in-hospital death after emergency PCI in AMI patients. The lower the Hb/SCr ratio and the higher the SUA at admission, the higher the risk of in-hospital death after emergency PCI in AMI patients. Hb/SCr ratio combined with SUA has a higher predictive value for in-hospital death after emergency PCI in AMI patients than single index, which is helpful for early identification of high-risk patients.

Effects of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills on Ventricular Remodeling and Cardiac Function after Acute Anterior Wall ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (CODE-AAMI): Protocol for a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

BACKGROUND@#Ventricular remodeling after acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (AAMI) is an important factor in occurrence of heart failure which additionally results in poor prognosis. Therefore, the treatment of ventricular remodeling needs to be further optimized. Compound Danshen Dripping Pills (CDDP), a traditional Chinese medicine, exerts a protective effect on microcirculatory disturbance caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury and attenuates ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CDDP in improving ventricular remodeling and cardiac function after AAMI on a larger scale.@*METHODS@#This study is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. The total of 268 patients with AAMI after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) will be randomly assigned 1:1 to the CDDP group (n=134) and control group (n=134) with a follow-up of 48 weeks. Both groups will be treated with standard therapy of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), with the CDDP group administrating 20 tablets of CDDP before pPCI and 10 tablets 3 times daily after pPCI, and the control group treated with a placebo simultaneously. The primary endpoint is 48-week echocardiographic outcomes including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), and left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI). The secondary endpoint includes the change in N terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, arrhythmias, and cardiovascular events (death, cardiac arrest, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, rehospitalization due to heart failure or angina pectoris, deterioration of cardiac function, and stroke). Investigators and patients are both blinded to the allocated treatment.@*DISCUSSION@#This prospective study will investigate the efficacy and safety of CDDP in improving ventricular remodeling and cardiac function in patients undergoing pPCI for a first AAMI. Patients in the CDDP group will be compared with those in the control group. If certified to be effective, CDDP treatment in AAMI will probably be advised on a larger scale. (Trial registration No. NCT05000411).

Lower Baseline LDL Cholesterol Affects All-cause Mortality in Patients with First Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#Foreign studies have reported that coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with high baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) may have a good prognosis, which is called the "cholesterol paradox". This study aimed to examine whether the "cholesterol paradox" also exists in the Chinese population.@*METHODS@#A total of 2,056 patients who underwent the first percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2014 and 2016 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study and classified into two groups based on baseline LDL-C = 2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL). The outcomes of interest included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), all-cause mortality, recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction, unexpected coronary revascularization, or any nonfatal stroke.@*RESULTS@#All-cause mortality occurred in 8 patients (0.7%) from the low-LDL-C group and 12 patients (2.4%) in the high-LDL-C group, with a significant difference between the two groups (adjusted hazard ratio: 4.030, 95% confidence interval: 1.088-14.934; P = 0.037). However, no significant differences existed for the risk of MACE or other secondary endpoints, such as unexpected revascularization, nor any nonfatal stroke in the two groups.@*CONCLUSION@#In this study, a high baseline LDL-C was not associated with a low risk of clinical outcomes in CAD patients undergoing first PCI, which suggested that the "cholesterol paradox" may be inapplicable to Chinese populations.

Effect of complete percutaneous revascularization on improving long-term outcomes of patients with chronic total occlusion and multi-vessel disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Limited data are available on the comparison of clinical outcomes of complete vs. incomplete percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) and multi-vessel disease (MVD). The study aimed to compare their clinical outcomes.@*METHODS@#A total of 558 patients with CTO and MVD were divided into the optimal medical treatment (OMT) group ( n = 86), incomplete PCI group ( n = 327), and complete PCI group ( n = 145). Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed between the complete and incomplete PCI groups as sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was defined as the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), and unstable angina was defined as the secondary outcome.@*RESULTS@#At a median follow-up of 21 months, there were statistical differences among the OMT, incomplete PCI, and complete PCI groups in the rates of MACEs (43.0% [37/86] vs. 30.6% [100/327] vs. 20.0% [29/145], respectively, P = 0.016) and unstable angina (24.4% [21/86] vs. 19.3% [63/327] vs. 10.3% [15/145], respectively, P = 0.010). Complete PCI was associated with lower MACE compared with OMT (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23-3.27; P = 0.005) or incomplete PCI (adjusted HR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.04-2.39; P = 0.031). Sensitivity analysis of PSM showed similar results to the above on the rates of MACEs between complete PCI and incomplete PCI groups (20.5% [25/122] vs. 32.6% [62/190], respectively; adjusted HR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.32-0.96; P = 0.035) and unstable angina (10.7% [13/122] vs. 20.5% [39/190], respectively; adjusted HR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.24-0.99; P = 0.046).@*CONCLUSIONS@#For treatment of CTO and MVD, complete PCI reduced the long-term risk of MACEs and unstable angina, as compared with incomplete PCI and OMT. Complete PCI in both CTO and non-CTO lesions can potentially improve the prognosis of patients with CTO and MVD.