Predictive value of coronary artery computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve for cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Coronary computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR-CT) assesses whether coronary artery lesions will result in myocardial ischemia. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of FFR-CT for cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from patients with CAD who underwent FFR-CT at our hospital from January 2020 to February 2022 (1-year average follow-up). Patients were divided into ischemic (FFR-CT ≤ 0.80) and non-ischemic (FFR-CT > 0.80) groups. The incidence of endpoint events (cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction, unplanned revascularization, unstable angina, and stable angina) was calculated. The FFR-CT value was correlated with endpoint events using Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. RESULTS: We recruited 134 patients (93 [69.4%] and 41 [30.6%] patients in the ischemic and non-ischemic groups, respectively). The ischemic group had a higher proportion of men, patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and patients taking antiplatelet drugs and ß­blockers than did the non-ischemic group (all p < 0.05), whereas other parameters were comparable. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed no significant differences in cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction, unplanned revascularization, and unstable angina between the groups. The incidence of stable angina events (hazard ratio: 3.092, 95% confidence interval: 1.362-7.022, p = 0.007) was significantly higher in the ischemic group. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed a significant difference in event-free survival for stable angina between the groups (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: In patients with CAD, FFR-CT showed an independent predictive value for stable angina within 1 year of examination.

Left ventricular entropy is a novel predictor of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with coronary atherosclerosis: a multi-center study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incremental prognostic value of left ventricular (LV) entropy in a large multi-center population with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAD). BACKGROUND: Current risk stratification of patients with CAD is imprecise and not accurate enough. METHODS: A total of 314 CAD patients who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) at two medical centers in China between October 2015 and July 2022 were included in this study. Additionally, the 193 patients under 3.0-T field also underwent CMR T1 mapping. LV entropy and extracellular volume (ECV) were calculated from the LGE image of LV myocardium, and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 314 patients, 110 experienced MACE during a median follow-up of 13 months. The risk of MACE was significantly increased in the high entropy group (log-rank p < 0.001). Entropy maintained an independent association with MACE in a multivariable model including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and LGE (HR = 1.78; p = 0.001). In addition, the primary endpoint events prognostic value was significantly improved by adding LV entropy to the baseline multivariable model (C-statistic improvement: 0.785-0.818, Delong test: p = 0.001). Similarly, among 193 3.0-T field patients, adding LV entropy to the multivariable baseline model significantly improved the prognostic value of the model for MACE (C-statistic improvement: 0.820-0.898, Delong test: p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: CMR-assessed LV entropy is a powerful independent predictor of MACE in patients with CAD, incremental to common clinical and CMR risk factors, including LVEF, LGE, Native T1, and ECV. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Left ventricular entropy is a powerful independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events in patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, incremental to common clinical and cardiac magnetic resonance risk factors. KEY POINTS: • Left ventricular entropy, a novel cardiac magnetic resonance parameter of myocardial heterogeneity, demonstrated a robust prognostic association with major adverse cardiac events beyond guideline-based, clinical risk markers. • Entropy can have an important role in the primary prevention of major adverse cardiac events in patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. • Compared with late gadolinium enhancement, extracellular volume, and native T1, entropy could be used to more comprehensively characterize the heterogeneity of left ventricular myocardium.

Impact of virtual monoenergetic levels on coronary plaque volume components using photon-counting computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: Virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) from photon-counting CT (PCCT) may change quantitative coronary plaque volumes. We aimed to assess how plaque component volumes change with respect to VMIs. METHODS: Coronary CT angiography (CTA) images were acquired using a dual-source PCCT and VMIs were reconstructed between 40 and 180 keV in 10-keV increments. Polychromatic images at 120 kVp (T3D) were used as reference. Quantitative plaque analysis was performed on T3D images and segmentation masks were copied to VMI reconstructions. Calcified plaque (CP; > 350 Hounsfield units, HU), non-calcified plaque (NCP; 30 to 350 HU), and low-attenuation NCP (LAP; - 100 to 30 HU) volumes were calculated using fixed thresholds. RESULTS: We analyzed 51 plaques from 51 patients (67% male, mean age 65 ± 12 years). Average attenuation and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) decreased significantly with increasing keV levels, with similar values observed between T3D and 70 keV images (299 ± 209 vs. 303 ± 225 HU, p = 0.15 for mean HU; 15.5 ± 3.7 vs. 15.8 ± 3.5, p = 0.32 for CNR). Mean NCP volume was comparable between T3D and 100-180-keV reconstructions. There was a monotonic decrease in mean CP volume, with a significant difference between all VMIs and T3D (p < 0.05). LAP volume increased with increasing keV levels and all VMIs showed a significant difference compared to T3D, except for 50 keV (28.0 ± 30.8 mm3 and 28.6 ± 30.1 mm3, respectively, p = 0.63). CONCLUSIONS: Estimated coronary plaque volumes significantly differ between VMIs. Normalization protocols are needed to have comparable results between future studies, especially for LAP volume which is currently defined using a fixed HU threshold. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Different virtual monoenergetic images from photon-counting CT alter attenuation values and therefore corresponding plaque component volumes. New clinical standards and protocols are required to determine the optimal thresholds to derive plaque volumes from photon-counting CT. KEY POINTS: • Utilizing different VMI energy levels from photon-counting CT for the analysis of coronary artery plaques leads to substantial changes in attenuation values and corresponding plaque component volumes. • Low-energy images (40-70 keV) improved contrast-to-noise ratio, however also increased image noise. • Normalization protocols are needed to have comparable results between future studies, especially for low-attenuation plaque volume which is currently defined using a fixed HU threshold.

Can Most Calcified Coronary Stenosis Be Optimized With Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy?

Intravascular lithotripsy can be used as an effective therapy for lesion preparation in severely calcified lesions. The mechanism, as shown by optical coherence tomography, is calcium fractures. The aforementioned modification is performed with minimal risk of perforation, no-reflow and a low incidence of flow-limiting dissection and myocardial infarctions. Other techniques, such as cutting or scoring balloons and rotational atherectomy have also been shown to increase luminal diameter, but other complications, such as distal embolization, induced by these treatment modalities, are a source of concern. This review describes a single-center study of all-comer patients, including those with complex characteristics. This therapy is very effective, with a very low risk of complications. In this article, we characterize the mechanism of action of the intravascular lithotripsy catheter, its optical coherence tomography validation, clinical applications, and comparison with other calcium-modifying technologies, as well as future directions, which can be used to improve the technology.

Risk stratification and in-hospital outcome in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Death and morbidity are caused by coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which include ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and unstable angina (UA), are the most common causes of death among those with CAD. The aim of the study was to define the demographic profile of patients with ACS in a tertiary care center, to identify risk factors in the profile of patients with ACS, to learn about the management of ACS in tertiary health care centers, and to estimate in-hospital outcomes in ACS patients at a tertiary health care center. Methods: The study was carried out in the Cardiology Department of Batra hospital and Medical Research Center, New Delhi, India. The Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital reviewed and approved the study protocol. Data Collected Included: Sociodemographic data, anthropometric data, clinical history, significant past medical history, medications, current clinical status of the patient, and investigations including electrocardiogram (ECG), electrocardiogram (ECHO), and coronary artery graft. Results: Age groups and type of ACS were having a statistically significant association (p = 0.04). A majority of patients with ACS were seen in the 55-74 years age group. Tobacco abuse was more common in STEMI patients as compared to other types of ACS. There was significant variation between risk stratification of ACS patients by Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction and Global Registry of Acute Cardiac Events scores. Single vessel disease (SVD) patients dominated both the STEMI [26 (50.9%)] and UA [13 (52%)] groups. There was a highly significant association between a specific line of treatment and type of ACS (p < 0.0001). A majority of patients underwent percutaneous intervention (69% of 100). Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was done in five (5/100) patients only. Thrombolysis was advocated in three (5.7%) patients with Streptokinase (SK) and two patients with Tenecteplase (TNK). Conclusion: There was a marked preponderance of STEMI in younger patients but it was less marked in older patients, according to the study. All conventional risk factors were represented in all types of ACS but hypertension and tobacco abuse were more consistent risk factors associated with STEMI.

Optical coherence tomography in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a working diagnosis and requires identification of the underlying causes to optimize treatment, improve prognosis, and prevent the recurrence of myocardial infarction. According to the literature, the prognosis of patients diagnosed with MINOCA is comparable to the group of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and significant stenosis of the coronary arteries. Intracoronary imaging is a crucial diagnostic tool used in identifying epicardial causes of MINOCA that are not visible in coronary angiography. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides the highest spatial resolution, simultaneously allowing detailed visualization of plaque pathology in individuals with MINOCA and identifying the cause of MI in up to 80% of patients. Common causes of a MINOCA may include plaque disruption, spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), coronary artery spasm, and coronary thromboembolism. The optimization of pharmacological treatment in this group of patients, especially dual antiplatelet therapy and statins, improves the prognosis. Data on the indications for invasive treatment of patients with MINOCA based on OCT findings are insufficient. There is a strong need for research comparing treatment strategies, especially in high-risk lesions visualized in OCT. The main aim of this review is to demonstrate the usefulness of OCT in determining the mechanism of MINOCA.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Attenuation and Fat Attenuation Index: Phantom Study and In Vivo Measurements With Photon-Counting Detector CT.

BACKGROUND. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) attenuation is a vascular inflammation marker predictive of adverse cardiac events. The fat attenuation index (FAI) assesses fat attenuation for predefined coronary segments. Photon-counting detector (PCD) CT uses routine virtual monoenergetic image (VMI) reconstructions. VMI energy level may affect EAT attenuation and FAI measurements. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article was to assess EAT attenuation and FAI measurements at different monoenergetic energy levels in patients undergoing coronary CTA using a first-generation whole-body dual-source PCD CT scanner. METHODS. An anthropomorphic phantom at two sizes with a fat insert was imaged on a first-generation dual-source PCD CT scanner and, as a reference, on a conventional energy-integrating detector (EID) CT scanner at 120 kV. Thirty patients (11 women, 19 men; mean age, 48 ± 10 years; Agatston score < 60) who underwent an ECG-gated unenhanced calcium-scoring scan and contrast-enhanced coronary CTA by PCD CT were retrospectively evaluated. VMIs from 55 to 80 keV at 5-keV increments were reconstructed. EAT attenuation was manually measured on unenhanced and contrast-enhanced images. FAI was calculated using semiautomated software. RESULTS. The attenuation of the phantom fat insert was -69 HU for the reference EID CT; the closest attenuation for PCD CT was observed at 70 keV for the small (-69 HU) and large (-70 HU) phantoms. In patients, EAT attenuation increased for unenhanced acquisition from -111 ± 11 HU at 55 keV to -82 ± 9 HU at 80 keV and for contrast-enhanced acquisition from -104 ± 11 HU at 55 keV to -81 ± 9 HU at 80 keV. The mean attenuation difference between unenhanced and contrast-enhanced scans decreased with increasing energy level (from 7 ± 12 HU to 1 ± 10 HU). The FAI increased from -89 ± 8 HU at 55 keV to -77 ± 12 HU at 80 keV for the right coronary artery, -95 ± 11 HU at 55 keV to -85 ± 11 HU at 80 keV for the left anterior descending artery, and -87 ± 10 HU at 55 keV to -80 ± 12 HU at 80 keV for the circumflex artery. CONCLUSION. EAT attenuation and FAI measurements using PCD CT are impacted by VMI energy level and contrast enhancement. Use of VMI reconstruction at 70 keV provides fat attenuation approximating conventional polychromatic measurements. CLINICAL IMPACT. The findings may help standardize evaluation of pericoronary inflammation by PCD CT as a measure of patients' cardiac risk.

It takes time to heal a broken heart: ventricular plasticity improves heart performance after myocardial infarction in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.

Coronary arteriosclerosis is a common feature of both wild and farmed salmonid fishes and may be linked to stress-induced cardiac pathologies. Yet, the plasticity and capacity for long-term myocardial restructuring and recovery following a restriction in coronary blood supply are unknown. Here, we analyzed the consequences of acute (3 days) and chronic (from 33 to 62 days) coronary occlusion (i.e. coronary artery ligation) on cardiac morphological characteristics and in vivo function in juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Acute coronary artery occlusion resulted in elevated resting heart rate and decreased inter-beat variability, which are both markers of autonomic dysfunction following acute myocardial ischemia, along with severely reduced heart rate scope (maximum-resting heart rate) relative to sham-operated trout. We also observed a loss of myocardial interstitial collagen and compact myocardium. Following long-term coronary artery ligation, resting heart rate and heart rate scope normalized relative to sham-operated trout. Moreover, a distinct fibrous collagen layer separating the compact myocardium into two layers had formed. This may contribute to maintain ventricular integrity across the cardiac cycle or, alternatively, demark a region of the compact myocardium that continues to receive oxygen from the luminal venous blood. Taken together, we demonstrate that rainbow trout may cope with the aversive effects caused by coronary artery obstruction through plastic ventricular remodeling, which, at least in part, restores cardiac performance and myocardium oxygenation.

Genetic associations and serum paraoxonase levels with atherosclerosis in western Iranian patients.

The oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the arterial wall plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis which is a complex and progressive disorder. Paraoxonase1 (PON1), which is required for lipid metabolism, is believed to protect LDL from oxidation. The relationship between PON1 gene Leusin55Methionin (L55M) and Glutamine192Arginine (Q192R) polymorphisms in western Iranians with atherosclerosis and its association with enzyme activity and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) were examined in the present study. In this study, blood specimens were collected from 145 healthy individuals and 154 patients with atherosclerosis proven by angiography referred to Shahid Madani Hospital, Khorramabad, Iran. Genomic deoxy ribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from whole blood. For all the subjects, restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) was carried out for the detection of L55M and Q192R polymorphisms. PON1 enzyme activity and the level of oxLDL were also evaluated. There was a 3.114-fold increase in the risk of developing atherosclerosis in the subjects presenting the PON1L55M, MM genotype compared to those with the LL genotype (OR 3.114; 95% CI 1.412-6.870). PON1Q192R polymorphism in the PON1 gene was not associated with atherosclerosis. Patients with atherosclerosis had significantly higher oxLDL and reduced PON1 enzyme activity (P < 0.05) compared to the controls. There was no association between the type of genotype, enzyme activity, and oxLDL level. It has been concluded that PON1L55M polymorphism and MM genotype are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Iranian patients with atherosclerosis. We did not find any relationship between PON1Q192R polymorphism and atherosclerosis.

Speckle tracking imaging in evaluation on degree of coronary artery stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease / 中国医学影像技术

Objective To observe the value of speckle-tracking imaging (STI) in evaluation on degree of coronary artery stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods Totally 74 CAD patients,including 59 with coronary artery stenosis (coronary artery stenosis group) and 15 without coronary artery stenosis (no coronary artery stenosis group) underwent STI and echocardiography.Based on Gensini scores,the patients in coronary artery stenosis group were further divided into mild,moderate and severe subgroups.The average global longitudinal strain (GLS-Avg),basement global longitudinal strain (GLS-Bas),middle global longitudinal strain (GLS-Mid) and apical global longitudinal strain (GLS-AP) value were measured and compared.Results GLS-Avg,GLS-Bas,GLS-Mid and GLS-AP value in coronary artery stenosis group were lower than those in no coronary artery stenosis group (all P ＜ 0.001).In coronary artery stenosis group,with the increase of stenosis severity,GLS-Avg,GLS-Bas,GLS-Mid and GLS-AP value decreased,and statistical differences were found between each two subgroups (all P＜0.05).In coronary artery stenosis group,there were positive correlations between GLS-Avg,GLS-Bas,GLS-Mid,GLS-AP value and Gensini scores (r=0.861,0.847,0.819 and 0.778,all P＜ 0.05).Conclusion GLS value of STI can reflect the severity of coronary artery stenosis in CAD patients.

Ameliorating effect of Xionggui Liujunzi Decoction on coronary heart disease in rats / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To explore the effect of a Chinese Medicine Xionggui Liujunzi Decoction on the experimental coronary heart disease in rats. Methods Rats were randomly divided into five groups: the blank control group, the model control group, the western medicine control group (simvastatin), the Chinese medicine control group ( compound Danshen dripping pills) and the Xionggui Liujunzi Decoction group. The coronary heart disease was induced by intragastric gavage of fat emulsion (10 mL/kg, q. d. for 12 weeks) and pituitrin (30 U/kg, q. d. for 3 days) was intraperitoneally injected to induce coronary artery spasm. Changes of the ST segment in electrocardiogram (ECG) and the blood lipids were detected, and the levels of the inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), the vascular endothelial active substances including ET-1, NO, TXA2 and PGI2, and the indicators of fibrinolytic system function such as PAI-1, t-PA in the plasma were measured. Results Compared with the model control group, each drug treatment showed better effects on the ST segment of the electrocardiogram, blood lipids, levels of the inflammatory factors and vascular endothelial active substances, and the fibrinolytic function, with significant differences (P ＜ 0. 05). In particular, Xionggui Liujunzi Decoction has a significantly better effect than the compound Danshen dripping pills and simvastatin (P＜ 0. 05). Conclusions Xionggui Liujunzi Decoction can improve the ST segment of the electrocardiogram, blood lipids, levels of the vascular endothelial active substances and fibrinolytic function of the rat model of coronary heart disease, and alleviate inflammation responses, showing a significant effect on coronary arteriosclerosis and myocardial ischemia in rats.

A comparative study of individual and sequential saphenous vein grafts instantaneous flow in posterior descending ar-tery / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the mean blood flow(MF) and pulsatility index(PI) of individual and sequential sa-phenous vein grafts in posterior descending artery(PDA) in the same patient undergone off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG).Methods 140 patients with coronary artery disease were studied.Sequential surgical technique using single large saphenous vein was used in grafts of diagnostic artery(DIAG)(side-side), obtuse marginal artery(OM)(side-side), and PDA( end-side) .Bulldog clamps were used to temporarily arrest the anastomoses of DIAG and OM near the large saphenous vein .Thus the sequential graft became to the single graft , the MF and PI of PDA were recorded in the simulating single graft by the transit-time flow measurement(TTFM), after that, bulldog clamps were removed and the MF and PI of PDA were recorded again in the real sequential graft.The data were compared.Six months later after surgery, coronary CTA were done in all pa-tients in clinic.Results The MF of single graft and sequential graft was(22.5 ±13.1)ml/min and(22.2 ±12.9)ml/min(P>0.05).The PI of single graft and sequential graft was 2.43 ±0.94 and 2.38 ±0.88(P>0.05).The patency of all grafts is good in all patients after 6 months follows-up.Conclusion There ars no hemodynamic differences between individual and sequential grafts in PDA.It is reasonable that the short-term surgical result is the same in individual and sequential grafts in PDA.

Feasibility of spectral shaping for detection and quantification of coronary calcifications in ultra-low dose CT.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate detectability and quantification of coronary calcifications for CT with a tin filter for spectral shaping. METHODS: Phantom inserts with 100 small and 9 large calcifications, and a moving artificial artery with 3 calcifications (speed 0-30 mm/s) were placed in a thorax phantom simulating different patient sizes. The phantom was scanned in high-pitch spiral mode at 100 kVp with tin filter (Sn100 kVp), and at a reference of 120 kVp, with electrocardiographic (ECG) gating. Detectability and quantification of calcifications were analyzed for standard (130 HU) and adapted thresholds. RESULTS: Sn100 kVp yielded lower detectability of calcifications (9 % versus 12 %, p = 0.027) and lower Agatston scores (p < 0.008), irrespective of calcification, patient size and speed. Volume scores of the moving calcifications for Sn100 kVp at speed 10-30 mm/s were lower (p < 0.001), while mass scores were similar (p = 0.131). For Sn100 kVp with adapted threshold of 117 HU, detectability (p = 1.000) and Agatston score (p > 0.206) were similar to 120 kVp. Spectral shaping resulted in median dose reduction of 62.3 % (range 59.0-73.4 %). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary calcium scanning with spectral shaping yields lower detectability of calcifications and lower Agatston scores compared to 120 kVp scanning, for which a HU threshold correction should be developed. KEY POINTS: • Sn100kVp yields lower detectability and lower Agatston scores compared to 120kVp • Adapted HU threshold for Sn100kVp provides Agatston scores comparable to 120kVp • Sn100 kVp considerably reduces dose in calcium scoring versus 120 kVp.

Expressions of Mast Cell Tryptase and Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Myocardium of Sudden Death due to Hypersensitivity and Coronary Atherosclerotic Heart Disease.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the value of mast cell tryptase and brain natriuretic peptide（BNP） in the differential diagnostic of sudden death due to hypersensitivity and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. METHODS: Totally 30 myocardial samples were collected from the autopsy cases in the Department of Forensic Pathology, Shanxi Medical University during 2010-2015. All samples were divided into three groups： death of craniocerebral injury group, sudden death of hypersensitivity group and sudden death of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease group, 10 cases in each group. Mast cell tryptase and BNP in myocardium were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western Blotting. RESULTS: Immunofluorescence staining showed that the positive staining mast cell tryptase appeared in myocardium of sudden death of hypersensitivity group and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease group. Among the three groups, the expression of mast cell tryptase showed significantly differences through pairwise comparison （P<0.05）; The expression level of BNP in sudden death of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease group were significantly higher than the sudden death of hypersensitivity group and death of craniocerebral injury group （P<0.05）. The difference of the expression level of BNP between the sudden death of hypersensitivity group and the death of craniocerebral injury group had no statistical significance （P>0.05）. CONCLUSIONS: The combined detection of the mast cell tryptase and BNP in myocardium is expected to provide help for the forensic differential diagnosis of sudden death due to hypersensitivity and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.

A relative difference in systolic blood pressure between arms by synchronal measurement and conventional cardiovascular risk factors are associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.

It is not known the relationships between a difference in systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic BP (DBP) between arms by synchronal measurement and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD), and between a difference in BP between arms and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. We enrolled 425 consecutive patients (M/F = 286/139, 67 ± 13 year) who were admitted to our University Hospital and in whom we could measure the absolute (|rt. BP - lt. BP|) and relative (rt. BP - lt. BP) differences in SBP and DBP using a nico PS-501(®) (Parama-Tech). We divided all patients into those who did and did not have CAD. The relative differences in SBP between arms in patients with CAD were significantly lower than those in patients without CAD. However, the relative difference in SBP between arms was not a predictor of the presence of CAD. We also divided 267 patients who underwent coronary angiography into tertiles according to the Gensini score (low, middle, and high score groups). Interestingly, the middle + high score groups showed significantly lower relative differences in SBP between arms than the low score group. The mean Korotkoff sound graph in the middle + high Gensini score group was significantly higher than that in the low Gensini score group. Among conventional cardiovascular risk factors and nico parameters, the relative difference in SBP between arms in addition to the risk factors (age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus) was associated with the score by a logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, the relative difference in SBP between arms as well as conventional risk factors may be associated with the severity of coronary arteriosclerosis.

Expressions of Mast Cell Tryptase and Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Myocardium of Sudden Death due to Hypersensitivity and Coronary Atherosclerotic Heart Disease / 法医学杂志

Objective To explore the value of mast cell tryptase and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)in the differential diagnostic of sudden death due to hypersensitivity and coronary atherosclerotic heart dis-ease.Methods Totally 30 myocardial samples were collected from the autopsy cases in the Department of Forensic Pathology, Shanxi Medical University during 2010—2015. All samples were divided into three groups:death of craniocerebral injury group, sudden death of hypersensitivity group and sudden death of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease group, 10 cases in each group. Mast cell tryptase and BNP in myocardium were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western Blotting.Results Immunofluo-rescence staining showed that the positive staining mast cell tryptase appeared in myocardium of sudden death of hypersensitivity group and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease group. Among the three groups, the expression of mast cell tryptase showed significantly differences through pairwise comparison(P0.05).Conclusion The combined detection of the mast cell tryptase and BNP in myocardium is expected to provide help for the forensic differential diagnosis of sudden death due to hypersensitivity and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.

Expression of PTEN in Myocardial Tissue in Coronary Heart Disease / 法医学杂志

Objective To observe the expression of phosphatase and tensin hom ology deleted on chrom o-som e ten (PTEN) in m yocardial tissue in patients w ith coronary heart disease, and explore the relevance betw een the expression of PTEN and the occurrence and developm ent of coronary heart disease. Methods A total of 16 death cases w ith pathological diagnosis of coronary heart disease w ere collected as experi-m ental group, and 19 cases w ithout m yocardial lesions w ere selected as control group. The expression of PTENprotein and its m RNA w ere detected by im m unohistochem istry and real-tim e fluorescence quanti-tative PC R respectively. The correlation betw een the expression of PTEN and the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease w as analyzed. Results The expression of PTENprotein in myocardium in cases w ith coro-nary heart disease w as significantly low er com pared w ith the control group (P0.05). Conclusion PTEN m ay be involved in the occurrence and developm ent of coronary heart disease.

Expressions of Mast Cell Tryptase and Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Myocardium of Sudden Death due to Hypersensitivity and Coronary Atherosclerotic Heart Disease / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the value of mast cell tryptase and brain natriuretic peptide（BNP） in the differential diagnostic of sudden death due to hypersensitivity and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.@*METHODS@#Totally 30 myocardial samples were collected from the autopsy cases in the Department of Forensic Pathology, Shanxi Medical University during 2010-2015. All samples were divided into three groups： death of craniocerebral injury group, sudden death of hypersensitivity group and sudden death of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease group, 10 cases in each group. Mast cell tryptase and BNP in myocardium were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western Blotting.@*RESULTS@#Immunofluorescence staining showed that the positive staining mast cell tryptase appeared in myocardium of sudden death of hypersensitivity group and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease group. Among the three groups, the expression of mast cell tryptase showed significantly differences through pairwise comparison （P<0.05）; The expression level of BNP in sudden death of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease group were significantly higher than the sudden death of hypersensitivity group and death of craniocerebral injury group （P<0.05）. The difference of the expression level of BNP between the sudden death of hypersensitivity group and the death of craniocerebral injury group had no statistical significance （P>0.05）.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The combined detection of the mast cell tryptase and BNP in myocardium is expected to provide help for the forensic differential diagnosis of sudden death due to hypersensitivity and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.

Animal models of coronary heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease, predominantly coronary heart disease and stroke, leads to high morbidity and mortality not only in developed worlds but also in underdeveloped regions. The dominant pathologic foundation for cardiovascular disease is atherosclerosis and as to coronary heart disease, coronary atherosclerosis and resulting lumen stenosis, even total occlusions. In translational research, several animals, such as mice, rabbits and pigs, have been used as disease models of human atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular disorders. However, coronary lesions are either naturally rare or hard to be fast induced in these models, hence, coronary heart disease induction mostly relies on surgical or pharmaceutical interventions with no or limited primary coronary lesions, thus unrepresentative of human coronary heart disease progression and pathology. In this review, we will describe the progress of animal models of coronary heart disease following either spontaneous or diet-accelerated coronary lesions.