A patient with acute myocardial infarction with electrocardiogram Aslanger's pattern.

BACKGROUND: Aslanger's pattern in electrocardiogram (ECG) indicates that patients may have acute inferior myocardial infarction(AMI) with concomitant critical stenoses on other coronary arteries, which needs to be evaluated the timing of revascularization as risk equivalents of ST elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI). CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 62-year-old male with chief complaint of intermittent exertional subxiphoid pain for 20 days from 30th June. One day after the last episode (19th July), the 18-lead electrocardiogram showed ST segment elevation of 0.05-0.1mV in lead III, ST segment depression in leads I, avL, and V2-V6, T wave inversion with positive terminal vector in lead V4-V5, and positive T wave in lead V6, which indicated Aslanger's pattern. With increased Troponin I (0.162ng/mL, 0-0.02), The patient was diagnosed as acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and admitted to coronary ward on 20th July. The coronary angiography showed 95% stenosis in the distal left main coronary artery (LM) to the ostium of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), 90% stenosis in the proximal segment of the LAD, and 80% stenosis in the middle segment of the LAD, and TIMI blood flow was graded score 2. Three drug-eluting stents were implanted at the lesions. The patient's ECG returned close to normal one month after revascularization. CONCLUSION: We presented an acute coronary syndrome case whose ECG showed with Aslanger's pattern (i.e., isolated ST-segment elevation in lead III, associated ST-segment depression in lead V4-V6 with positive T wave/terminal vector, and greater ST-segment elevation in lead V1 than in lead V2), and was confirmed severe stenosis of the LM and the proximal segment of the LAD via coronary angiography. In clinical practice, especially in the emergency, patients with ECG presenting Aslanger's pattern should be urgently evaluated with prompt treatment, and the timing of emergency coronary angiography and revascularization should be evaluated to avoid adverse outcomes caused by delayed treatment.

Baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and glycosylated hemoglobinA1c predict adverse outcomes in patients with chronic coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Introduction: This study explored the ability of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to predict adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular outcomes in patients with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: In total, 4083 consecutive patients with CCS undergoing PCI were investigated throughout 2013 at a single center. The primary endpoint was all-cause death at the 5-year follow-up. Hs-CRP and HbA1c data were collected on admission. Results: The highest quartile of hs-CRP had a significantly increased the risk of all-cause death, with an adjusted HR of 1.747 (95 % CI 1.066-2.863), while, there was no difference in all-cause death among the groups of HbA1c after adjustment, with an adjusted HR of 1.383 (95 % CI 0.716-2.674). The highest quartiles for hs-CRP and HbA1c in the study population had a significantly increased risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), with an adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of 1.263 (95 % confidence intervals [CI] 1.032-1.545) for hs-CRP and an adjusted HR of 1.417 (95 % CI 1.091-1.840) for HbA1c. Remarkably, the incidence of all-cause death and that of MACCE were significantly increased when both hs-CRP and HbA1c were elevated (HR 1.971, 95 % CI 1.079-3.601, P = 0.027 and HR 1.560, 95 % CI 1.191-2.042), P = 0.001, respectively). Addition of hs-CRP and HbA1c to conventional risk factors significantly improved prediction of the risk of all cause death (net reclassification index 0.492, P < 0.001; integrated discrimination improvement 0.007, P = 0.011) and MACCE (net reclassification index 0.160, P < 0.001; integrated discrimination improvement 0.006, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Hs-CRP and HbA1c can serve as independent predictors of MACCE in patients with CCS undergoing PCI. Furthermore, a combination of hs-CRP and HbA1c could predict all cause death and MACCE better than each component individually.

Case report: Chronic radial artery occlusion treated with paclitaxel-coated balloon via distal transradial access.

A 38-year-old male patient was diagnosed as acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction on Apr 21st 2021 and he received percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for RCA via transradial artery access. He sought for second percutaneous coronary intervention in our center for frequently exertional angina on Sep 13th 2021. Proximal right radial artery pulsation can not be touched in physical examination, indicating right radial artery occlusion (RAO). Distal transradial access was applied and RAO was confirmed via angiography. With balloon pre-dilation, the guidewire and guiding catheter crossed the occlusion and coronary intervention was successfully completed. A Reewarm 2.5 × 220 mm paclitaxel drug-coated balloon (Endovastec, China) was released at 12 atm in radial arterial lesion with 90 s. Pulsation of radial artery can be well palpated 24 h after PCI. No oral anticoagulant was added. The right radial artery remained patent after 8-month and 14-month follow-up and there was no abnormal sensation or obstacle of right hand.

Association between remnant cholesterol and verbal learning and memory function in the elderly in the US.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between remnant cholesterol (RC) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk has been given increasing attention in recent years. However, its association with verbal learning and memory performance has not been reported. METHODS: Data were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 database. Participants aged ≥60 years with available fasting lipid data were included. Verbal learning and memory performance were evaluated using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Word List Memory Task (CERAD-WL) subtest. The CERAD total score was calculated as the mean of three immediate recalls and a delayed recall. RC was calculated as total cholesterol (TC) minus the sum of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Multivariate ordinal logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between RC, as well as its derived marker, the TC/RC ratio, and age-stratified quartiles of the CERAD total score. RESULTS: A total of 1377 participants were analysed. On a continuous scale, per 1 mmol/L increase in RC and per 1 unit increase in the TC/RC ratio were associated with multivariable adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of 0.74 (0.58-0.94) and 1.45 (1.13-1.87), respectively, for having a CERAD total score in a higher quartile. On a categorical scale, higher RC quartiles were associated with a CERAD total score in a lower quartile; in contrast, the higher TC/RC quartile was associated with a CERAD total score in a higher quartile (all P for trend < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that lower RC levels and a higher TC/RC ratio are associated with better verbal learning and memory function, which indicates that lowering RC levels could be beneficial for preventing cognitive impairment in elderly individuals. Further research is needed to validate the causal roles of RC and the TC/RC ratio in cognition.

Hyperuricemia is Associated With 2- and 5-Year Adverse Outcomes in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Hyperuricemia has recently been identified as a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases; however, prognostic value of hyperuricemia in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remained unclear. Simultaneously, the mechanism of this possible relationship has not been clarified. At present, some views believe that hyperuricemia may be related to the inflammatory response. Our study aimed to investigate the association between hyperuricemia and long-term poor prognosis and inflammation in STEMI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 1,448 consecutive patients with STEMI were studied throughout 2013 at a single center. The primary endpoint was all-cause death at 2- and 5-year follow-up. Inflammatory biomarkers were collected on admission of those patients: high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and white blood cell (WBC) count. Results: Hyperuricemia was associated with higher 2- and 5-year all-cause death in STEME patients compared to normouricemia (5.5% vs. 1.4%, P <0.001; 8.0% vs 3.9%, P = 0.004; respectively). After multivariable adjustment, hyperuricemia was still an independent predictor of 2-year all-cause death (hazard ratio (HR) =4.332, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.990-9.430, P <0.001) and 5-year all-cause death (HR =2.063, 95% CI: 1.186-3.590, P =0.010). However, there was no difference in hs-CRP, ESR, and WBC count on admission in STEMI patients with hyperuricemia compared to normouricemia (P >0.05). Conclusions: Hyperuricemia was associated with higher risks of 2- and 5-year all-cause deaths in patients with STEMI undergoing PCI. However, this study did not find a correlation between hyperuricemia and inflammatory responses in newly admitted STEMI patients.

Association of lipoprotein(a) with platelet aggregation and thrombogenicity in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

This study aimed to evaluate the association of lipoprotein(a) levels with platelet aggregation and thrombogenicity in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and to investigate the ischemic outcome on this population. Lipoprotein(a) and modified thrombelastography were measured in 6601 consecutive patients underwent PCI on dual antiplatelet therapy. Cox proportional regression analysis was applied to illustrate the ischemic events in a 2-year follow up. The mean levels of lipoprotein(a) were 29.0 mg/dl. Patients with higher lipoprotein(a) levels had significantly accelerated fibrin generation (lower K time and bigger α angle) and greater clot strength (higher maximum amplitude (MA)) than patients with lower lipoprotein(a) levels (P < .001). Moreover, the higher lipoprotein(a) group also exhibited significantly higher adenosine diphosphate (ADP) induced platelet aggregation (MAADP) by thrombelastography platelet mapping assay than lower lipoprotein(a) group. Cox regression analyzes revealed that patients with higher lipoprotein(a) levels had a 16% higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (HR 1.159, 95%CI: 1.005-1.337, P = .042) compared with patients with lower lipoprotein(a) levels. This association persisted after adjustment for a broad spectrum of risk factors (HR 1.174, 95%CI: 1.017-1.355, P = .028). High plasma lipoprotein(a) levels were associated with increased platelet aggregation and ischemic events in patients underwent PCI. Lipoprotein(a) might indicate the need for prolonged antiplatelet therapy.

Impact of the shift to a fibrinolysis-first strategy on care and outcomes of patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction during the COVID-19 pandemic-The experience from the largest cardiovascular-specific centre in China.

BACKGROUND: The impact of fibrinolysis-first strategy on outcomes of patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during the COVID-19 pandemic was unknown. METHODS: Data from STEMI patients presenting to Fuwai Hospital from January 23 to April 30, 2020 were compared with those during the equivalent period in 2019. The primary end-point was net adverse clinical events (NACE; a composite of death, non-fatal myocardial reinfarction, stroke, emergency revascularization, and bleeding over BARC type 3). The secondary outcome was a composite of recurrent ischaemia, cardiogenic shock, and exacerbated heart failure. RESULTS: The final analysis included 164 acute STEMI patients from 2020 and 240 from 2019. Eighteen patients (20.2% of those with indications) received fibrinolysis therapy in 2020 with a median door-to-needle time of 60.0 (43.5, 92.0) minutes. Patients in 2020 underwent primary PCI less frequently than their counterparts (14 [14.2%] vs. 144 [86.8%] in 2019, P < 0.001), and had a longer median door-to-balloon time (175 [121,213] minutes vs. 115 [83, 160] minutes in 2019, P = 0.009). Patients were more likely to undergo elective PCI (86 [52.4%] vs. 28 [11.6%] in 2019, P < 0.001). The in-hospital NACE was similar between 2020 and 2019 (14 [8.5%] vs. 25 [10.4%], P = 0.530), while more patients developed a secondary outcome in 2020 (20 [12.2%] vs. 12 [5.0%] in 2019, P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The fibrinolysis-first strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a lower rate of timely coronary reperfusion and increased rates of recurrent ischaemia, cardiogenic shock, and exacerbated heart failure. However, the in-hospital NACE remained similar to that in 2019.

Differential Diagnosis, Clinical Characteristics, and Interventions of Braid-Like Coronary Artery: Case Series Analysis Based on Optical Coherence Tomography.

AIM: Based on optical coherence tomography (OCT), we aimed to determine the diagnosis, clinical characteristics, and interventions of braid-like coronary arteries, which are rare and tend to be diagnosed as a woven coronary artery (WCA) anomaly. METHODS AND RESULTS: We identified braid-like lesions on coronary angiography (CAG) in 7 patients (6 men; median age 47 years; age range 26 to 57 years). All patients were heavy smokers. Four patients were diagnosed with an old myocardial infarction and the other 3 with unstable angina. The braid-like lesions were located in the left anterior descending arteries in 2 patients and in the right coronary arteries in the other 5. TIMI grade 2 flow was observed in all involved vessels. OCT findings of all lesions were consistent with recanalization of organized thrombi, which consisted of septa that divided the lumen into multiple small cavities communicating with each other. No separate three-layered structure could be defined. Based on the significance of the stenosis and its related symptoms, drug-eluting stents were implanted in all of the lesions. All patients experienced symptomatic improvement after the intervention and were followed up event-free for 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Braid-like coronary arteries are likely to undergo recanalization of organized thrombi rather than WCA according to our OCT findings. The majority of cases affect men who smoke heavily. Percutaneous stent implantation may be beneficial in selected patients when feasible.

Risk or Beneficial Factors Associated with Unplanned Revascularization Risk Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Large Single-Center Data.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors associated with unplanned revascularization (UR) risk in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: A total of 10,640 cases with CAD who underwent PCI were analyzed. Multivariate COX regressions and competing risk regressions were applied. RESULTS: The patients who underwent UR following PCI in 30 days, 1, and 2 years accounted for 0.3%, 6.5%, and 8.7%, respectively. After multivariate adjustment, the number of target lesions [hazard ratio ( HR) = 2.320; 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.643-3.277; P < 0.001], time of procedure ( HR= 1.006; 95% CI: 1.001-1.010; P = 0.014), body mass index ( HR= 1.104; 95% CI: 1.006-1.210; P = 0.036), incomplete revascularization (ICR) ( HR= 2.476; 95% CI: 1.030-5.952; P = 0.043), and age ( HR = 1.037; 95% CI: 1.000-1.075; P = 0.048) were determined as independent risk factors of 30-day UR. Factors, including low-molecular-weight heparin or fondaparinux ( HR= 0.618; 95% CI: 0.531-0.719; P < 0.001), second-generation durable polymer drug-eluting stent ( HR = 0.713; 95% CI: 0.624-0.814; P < 0.001), left anterior descending artery involvement ( HR= 0.654; 95% CI: 0.530-0.807; P < 0.001), and age ( HR= 0.992; 95% CI: 0.985-0.998; P = 0.014), were independently associated with decreased two-year UR risk. While, Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery score ( HR= 1.024; 95% CI: 1.014-1.033; P < 0.001) and ICR ( HR= 1.549; 95% CI: 1.290-1.860; P < 0.001) were negatively associated with two-year UR risk. CONCLUSION: Specific factors were positively or negatively associated with short- and medium-long-term UR following PCI.

Effect of Body Mass Index on the Associations between Parity and Metabolic Syndrome and its Components among Northern Chinese Women.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to assess the associations between parity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components and to evaluate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on these associations. METHODS: A total of 5,674 women were enrolled from Jidong and Kailuan communities (Tangshan, Hebei) in Northern China. All participants completed standardized questionnaires, physical examination, and biochemical measurements. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the associations. RESULTS: Compared with women with parity of one, nulliparous women had decreased odds ratios ( ORs ); those with parity of two had odds of abdominal obesity [ OR= 1.45, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.17-1.81, P < 0.001], high blood pressure ( OR= 1.26, 95% CI: 1.03-1.54, P = 0.025), elevated fasting glucose levels ( OR= 1.36, 95% CI: 1.03-1.79, P = 0.029), and MetS ( OR= 1.39, 95% CI: 1.13-1.73, P = 0.002); and those with parity of three or more had increased odds of elevated triglyceride levels ( OR= 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04-1.94, P = 0.027) and MetS ( OR= 1.50, 95% CI: 1.10-2.05, P = 0.011) after complete adjustment for confounders. Furthermore, BMI and age subgroups partially modified the associations between parity and MetS and its components. CONCLUSIONS: Parity is positively associated with MetS and select components in women. BMI is an important modifier involved in the associations between parity and MetS.

Long-term outcome of patients with atrial myxoma after surgical intervention: analysis of 403 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To assess long-term survival and late cardiovascular events in patients with atrial myxoma after surgical intervention. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 403 patients undergoing resection of atrial myxoma from January 2002 to December 2016 was conducted with a median follow-up period of 4.5 (range: 0.5-15) years. RESULTS: The cross-clamp time and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 41.1 ± 21.4 and 65.2 ± 27.3 min, respectively. A diagnosis of myxoma was histopathologically confirmed in all cases. The early in-hospital mortality rate was 0.7% (n = 3). During the follow-up period, tumor recurrence occurred in six patients and cerebral infarction in nine. There were 48 (11.9%) patients with late onset atrial fibrillation (AF). By multivariate analysis, age (HR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.09, P < 0.001), left atrial diameter (HR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.08-1.36, P = 0.012), and mitral valve surgery (HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05-1.29, P = 0.027) were independent predictors of late onset AF. Twenty-one (5.2%) patients died during the follow-up period. Advanced age (HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.04-1.10, P = 0.003) and multiple surgical procedures (HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06-1.29, P = 0.012) were significantly associated with overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Atrial myxoma can be resected with good long-term survival. Late onset AF is common after surgery in patients with atrial myxoma. Advanced age, left atrial diameter, and mitral valve surgery were independent predictors of outcomes.

A hemodynamic model with a seepage condition and fluid-structure interactions for blood flow in arteries with symmetric stenosis.

To strengthen the detailed understanding of arterial stenosis, we construct a novel hemodynamic model. Frequently used symmetric stenosis is employed in this work. Being different from a traditional model, this numerical model adopts microcirculation resistance as an outlet boundary condition, which is called a seepage condition. Meanwhile, fluid-structure interactions are used in the numerical simulation considering the interrelationship of blood and arterial wall. Our results indicate that (i) the region upstream of stenosis experiences very high pressures during cardiac cycles, (ii) pressure drops much faster as the flow moves into the stenotic region, and (iii) high flow velocities and high shear stresses occur in the post-stenosis region. This work provides evidence that there is a strong effect of the function of microcirculation on stenosis. This contributes to evaluating potential stenotic behavior in arteries and is pivotal in guiding disease treatment.

Validation of Predictive Value of Patterns of Nonadherence to Antiplatelet Regimen in Stented Patients Thrombotic Risk Score in Chinese Population Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The patterns of nonadherence to antiplatelet regimen in stented patients (PARIS) thrombotic risk score are a novel score for predicting the risk of coronary thrombotic events (CTEs) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents. However, the prognostic value of this score has not been fully evaluated in non-Euro-American PCI populations. METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational study of 10,724 patients who underwent PCI in Fuwai hospital, China and evaluated the PARIS thrombotic risk score's predictive value of CTEs in the PCI population. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to assess the predictive value of the PARIS score for CTE. RESULTS: Among 9782 patients without in-hospital events, a total of 95 CTEs occurred during the 2-year follow-up. The PARIS score was significantly higher in patients with CTEs (3.38 ± 2.04) compared with patients without events (2.53 ± 1.70, P < 0.001). According to the risk stratification of the PARIS thrombotic score, the risk of CTEs in the high-risk group was 3.14 times higher than that in the low-risk group (hazard ratio [HR], 3.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92-5.13; P < 0.001). However, the risk of CTEs in the intermediate-risk and low-risk groups was not significant (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, [0.86-2.24]; P = 0.184). The PARIS score showed prognostic value in evaluating CTEs in the overall population (AUROC, 0.621; 95% CI, 0.561-0.681), the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) population (AUROC, 0.617; 95% CI, 0.534-0.700; P = 0.003), and the non-ACS population (AUROC, 0.647; 95% CI, 0.558-0.736; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a real-world Chinese population, the PARIS thrombotic risk score shows a modest prognostic value for CTEs in patients after PCI. This score also has a predictive value for CTEs in the ACS and non-ACS subgroup populations.

Evaluation of the Patterns of Non-Adherence to Anti-Platelet Regimens in Stented Patients Bleeding Score for Predicting the Long-term Out-of-hospital Bleeding Risk in Chinese Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: The Patterns of Non-Adherence to Anti-Platelet Regimens in Stented Patients (PARIS) bleeding score is a novel score for predicting the out-of-hospital bleeding risk after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, whether this score has the same value in non-European and American populations is unclear. This study aimed to assess the PARIS bleeding score's predictive value of bleeding in patients after PCI in the Chinese population. METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational study of 10,724 patients who underwent PCI from January to December 2013, in Fuwai Hospital, China. We defined the primary end point as major bleeding (MB) according to Bleeding Academic Research Consortium definition criteria including Type 2, 3, or 5. The predictive value of the PARIS bleeding score was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve. RESULTS: Of 9782 patients, 245 (2.50%) MB events occurred during the 2 years of follow-up. The PARIS bleeding score was significantly higher in the MB group than that of non-MB group (4.00 [3.00, 5.00] vs. 3.00 [2.00, 5.00], Z = 3.71, P < 0.001). According to risk stratification of the PARIS bleeding score, the bleeding risk in the intermediate- and high-risk groups was 1.50 times (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.160-1.950; P = 0.002) and 2.27 times higher (HR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.320-3.900; P = 0.003) than that in the low-risk group. The PARIS bleeding score showed a moderate predictive value for MB in the overall population (AUROC: 0.568, 95% CI: 0.532-0.605; P < 0.001) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) subgroup (AUROC: 0.578, 95% CI: 0.530-0.626; P = 0.001) and tended to be predictive in the non-ACS subgroup (AUROC: 0.556, 95% CI: 0.501-0.611; P = 0.054). CONCLUSION: The PARIS bleeding score shows good clinical value for risk stratification and has a significant, but relatively limited, prognostic value for out-of-hospital bleeding in the Chinese population after PCI.

Dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary drug-eluting stent implantation in China: A large single center study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the actual dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration after drug-eluting stent (DES) treatment in China. BACKGROUND: Currently, less is known about actual DAPT duration after drug-eluting stent (DES) treatment in China. Here, we performed a study in the largest cardiovascular center in China to investigate DAPT duration and identify associated factors after DES implantation. METHODS: A total of 9,919 consecutive patients with DES implantation from January 2013 to December 2013 were enrolled. DAPT cessation was observed, and factors associated with different DAPT durations were analyzed. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 882 days. The proportion of patients with DAPT coverage at 1-year of follow-up was 97.3%, and it decreased to 30.1% for 2 years. The distribution of DAPT duration was not significantly different among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) versus non-AMI (P = 0.41) and with new-generation DES versus first-generation DES (P = 0.54). The multivariable analysis indicated some independent predictors prolonging DAPT duration, including target vessel revascularization (OR 2.50, 95% CI 2.04-3.06, P < 0.001), stent numbers (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05-1.15, P < 0.001), and previous coronary artery bypass grafting (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.61-0.96, P = 0.02). Other clinical factors, such as the increased risk of bleeding and high ischemic risk, were not associated with DAPT duration. CONCLUSIONS: The 1-year DAPT after DES was applied to 97.3% of Chinese patients in the studied clinical center. However, the DAPT duration after 1 year was not adjusted according to the patients' bleeding situation and ischemic risks.

Evaluation of CRUSADE and ACUITY-HORIZONS Scores for Predicting Long-term Out-of-Hospital Bleeding after Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

BACKGROUND: There is scanty evidence concerning the ability of Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes with Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines (CRUSADE) and Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy and Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (ACUITY-HORIZONS) scores to predict out-of-hospital bleeding risk after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) with drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy. We aimed to assess and compare the long-term prognostic value of these scores regarding out-of-hospital bleeding risk in such patients. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of 10,724 patients undergoing PCI between January and December 2013 in Fuwai Hospital, China. All patients were followed up for 2 years and evaluated through the Fuwai Hospital Follow-up Center. Major bleeding was defined as Types 2, 3, and 5 according to Bleeding Academic Research Consortium Definition criteria. RESULTS: During a 2-year follow-up, 245 of 9782 patients (2.5%) had major bleeding (MB). CRUSADE (21.00 [12.00, 29.75] vs. 18.00 [11.00, 26.00], P < 0.001) and ACUITY-HORIZONS (9.00 [3.00, 14.00] vs. 6.00 [3.00, 12.00], P < 0.001) risk scores were both significantly higher in the MB than non-MB groups. Both scores showed a moderate predictive value for MB in the whole study cohort (area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve [AUROC], 0.565; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.529-0.601, P = 0.001; AUROC, 0.566; 95% CI, 0.529-0.603, P < 0.001, respectively) and in the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) subgroup (AUROC: 0.579, 95% CI: 0.531-0.627, P = 0.001; AUROC, 0.591; 95% CI, 0.544-0.638, P < 0.001, respectively). However, neither score was a significant predictor in the non-ACS subgroup (P > 0.05). The value of CRUSADE and ACUITY-HORIZONS scores did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) in the whole cohort, ACS subgroup, or non-ACS subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: CRUSADE and ACUITY-HORIZONS scores showed statistically significant but relatively limited long-term prognostic value for out-of-hospital MB after PCI with DES in a cohort of Chinese patients. The value of CRUSADE and ACUITY-HORIZONS scores did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) in the whole cohort, ACS subgroup, or non-ACS subgroup.

Elevated homocysteine increases the risk of left atrial/left atrial appendage thrombus in non-valvular atrial fibrillation with low CHA2DS2-VASc score.

Aims: To assess the association and the predictive value of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels with LA/LAA thrombus in non-valvular Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with low CHA2DS2-VASc score. Methods and results: Eight hundred and eighty-eight consecutive patients in non-valvular AF with CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0 and 1 were enrolled. All patients routinely underwent transthoracic echocardiography and transoesophageal echocardiography. A total of thirty-two patients had LA/LAA thrombus. Compared with patients without LA/LAA thrombus, plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in patients with LA/LAA thrombus (16.5 ± 4.8 mmol/L vs. 13.4 ± 4.1 mmol/L, P = 0.009). In multivariate analysis, Hcy was independently associated with LA/LAA thrombus (OR 1.048, 95% CI 1.007-1.090, P = 0.022). Hcy demonstrated a significant predictive value with area under the curve of 0.722 (95% CI 0.662-0.781, P < 0.001). The optimal cut-off point for Hcy predicting LA/LAA thrombus was 13.5 mmol/L (sensitivity 67%, specificity 65%). Patients with Hcy ≥13.5 mmol/L had higher prevalence of LA/LAA thrombus compared with those with Hcy <13.5 mmol/L (6.1% vs. 2.1%, P < 0.001). Elevated Hcy significantly increased the risk of LA/LAA thrombus in patients with CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0 and 1 (OR 11.789, 95% CI 1.437-96.746, P = 0.022; OR 2.256, 95% CI 1.007-5.155, P = 0.048, respectively). Conclusion: Elevated plasma Hcy increases the risk of LA/LAA thrombus in non-valvular AF patients with low CHA2DS2-VASc score, thus it should be taken into account in prediction of thromboembolism.

Prognostic Value of NT-proBNP in Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Chinese Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Drug-eluting Stent Era.

OBJECTIVE: The predictive value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) in the drug-eluting stent era is not yet clear. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of NT-proBNP in SCAD patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We examined 4,293 consecutive SCAD patients who underwent PCI between January 2013 and December 2013 in Fuwai Hospital, China. The primary endpoint was all-cause death. NT-proBNP levels were measured before PCI using Elisa kits (Biomedica, Austria). The indication for PCI was based on the degree of coronary stenosis and evidence of ischemia. RESULTS: Among 3,187 SCAD patients with NT-proBNP data, after a 2-year follow-up, NT-proBNP levels were predictive for all-cause death in the SCAD population [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.768; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.687-0.849; P < 0.001]. At the optimum cutoff point of 732 pg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity of death was 75.0% and 72.3%, respectively. In a multivariable Cox regression model, the death hazard ratio was 6.43 (95% CI, 2.99-13.82; P < 0.001) for patients with NT-proBNP levels ⪖ 732 pg/mL, compared with < 732 pg/mL. CONCLUSION: NT-proBNP is a strong predictor of 2-year death with SCAD after PCI in the drug-eluting stent era.

Impact of Proton-pump Inhibitors on the Pharmacodynamic Effect and Clinical Outcomes in Patients Receiving Dual Antiplatelet Therapy after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Propensity Score Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have reported controversial conclusions regarding the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in patients using proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) combined with clopidogrel therapy, causing much uncertainty in clinical practice. We sought to evaluate the safety of PPIs use among high-risk cardiovascular patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a long-term follow-up study. METHODS: A total of 7868 consecutive patients who had undergone PCI and received dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) at a single center from January 2013 to December 2013 were enrolled. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation inhibition was measured by modified thromboelastography (mTEG) in 5042 patients. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to control differing baseline factors. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate the 2-year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), as well as individual events, including all-cause death, myocardial infarction, unplanned target vessel revascularization, stent thrombosis, and stroke. RESULTS: Among the whole cohort, 27.2% were prescribed PPIs. The ADP-induced platelet aggregation inhibition by mTEG was significantly lower in PPI users than that in non-PPI users (42.0 ± 30.9% vs. 46.4 ± 31.4%, t = 4.435, P < 0.001). Concomitant PPI use was not associated with increased MACCE through 2-year follow-up (12.7% vs. 12.5%, χ2 = 0.086, P = 0.769). Other endpoints showed no significant differences after multivariate adjustment, regardless of PSM. CONCLUSION: In this large cohort of real-world patients, the combination of PPIs with DAPT was not associated with increased risk of MACCE in patients who underwent PCI at up to 2 years of follow-up.