A systematic review and meta-analysis on sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate injection for the adjunctive therapy of pulmonary heart disease.

AIMS: Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) injection has been widely used as adjunctive therapy for pulmonary heart disease (PHD) in China. Nevertheless, the efficacy of STS injection has not been systematically evaluated so far. Hence, the efficacy of STS injection as adjunctive therapy for PHD was explored in this study. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were screened from China Science and Technology Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, PubMed, Sino-Med, Google Scholar, Medline, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Cochrane Library, Embase and Chinese Science Citation Database until 20 January 2024. Literature searching, data collection and quality assessment were independently performed by two investigators. The extracted data was analyzed with RevMan 5.4 and STATA 14.0. Basing on the methodological quality, dosage of STS injection, control group measures and intervention time, sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were performed. RESULTS: 19 RCTs with 1739 patients were included in this study. Results showed that as adjunctive therapy, STS injection combined with Western medicine showed better therapeutic efficacy than Western medicine alone for PHD by increasing the clinical effective rate (RR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.27; p < 0.001), partial pressure of oxygen (MD = 10.16; 95% CI, 5.07 to 15.24; p < 0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (MD = 8.66; 95% CI, 6.14 to 11.18; p < 0.001) and stroke volume (MD = 13.10; 95% CI, 11.83 to 14.38; p < 0.001), meanwhile decreasing the low shear blood viscosity (MD = -1.16; 95% CI, -1.57 to -0.74; p < 0.001), high shear blood viscosity (MD = -0.64; 95% CI, -0.86 to -0.42; p < 0.001), plasma viscosity (MD = -0.23; 95% CI, -0.30 to -0.17; p < 0.001), hematokrit (MD = -8.52; 95% CI, -11.06 to -5.98; p < 0.001), fibrinogen (MD = -0.62; 95% CI, -0.87 to -0.37; p < 0.001) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (MD = -8.56; 95% CI, -12.09 to -5.02; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: STS injection as adjunctive therapy seemed to be more effective than Western medicine alone for PHD. However, due to low quality of the included RCTs, more well-designed RCTs were necessary to verify the efficacy of STS injection.

Effects of Ivabradine on Right Ventricular Systolic Function in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Cor Pulmonale.

Cor pulmonale is a clinical syndrome associated with pulmonary hypertension, frequently complicated by congestive heart failure, commonly caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Most patients with cor pulmonale have tachycardia. However, heart rate (HR) reduction represents a primary treatment goal to improve the survival and quality of life in these patients. Ivabradine can selectively slow HR at rest and during exercise. In this prospective study, we tested the hemodynamic effects, invasively determined using right-sided cardiac catheterization, of reducing HR with ivabradine. We selected 18 patients (13 men [72.2%], mean age 67 ± 10 years) with COPD and cor pulmonale, presenting with sinus tachycardia. All patients performed clinical evaluation, electrocardiogram, spirometry, echocardiogram, 6-minute walking distance, and right-sided cardiac catheterization within 1 month of enrollment. All tests were repeated after 6 months of ivabradine treatment (median assumed dose 11.9 mg/die). We noticed a significant decrease of HR (from 98 ± 7 to 77 ± 8 beats/min, p = 0.0001), with a concomitant reduction of the congestion index (from 25.9 ± 5.1 to 19.4 ± 5.7 mm Hg, p = 0.001), and the consequent improvement of the right ventricular systolic performance (right ventricular stroke volume augmented from 56.7 ± 7.9 to 75.2 ± 8.6 ml/beat, p = 0.0001). This allows an improvement in clinical status and exercise tolerance (Borg scale score decreased from 5.2 ± 1.4 to 4.1 ± 1.3, p = 0.01 and the 6-minute walking distance increased to 252 ± 65 to 377 ± 59 m, p = 0.001). In conclusion, HR reduction significantly improves hemodynamic and clinical status of patients with tachycardia affected by COPD and cor pulmonale.

A Comparative Analysis of Catheter Directed Thrombolysis with Anticoagulation Alone or Systemic tPA in Acute Pulmonary Embolism with Cor Pulmonale.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) with cor pulmonale causes considerable mortality and morbidity. Randomized trials have failed to show a mortality difference between treatment modalities including anticoagulation (AC), Catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) and systemic tPA (tissue plasminogen activator). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional retrospective case-control study utilizing the 2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS). Patients admitted with acute PE with cor pulmonale were divided into groups based on whether they received anticoagulation, CDT or systemic tPA based on appropriate ICD-10 PCS codes. The AC group and CDT group were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses after adjusting for age, gender, race, comorbidities, insurance status and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Secondary outcomes included factors influencing length of stay (LOS) and total charges incurred. Similar analyses were done to compare the CDT group with the tPA group. RESULTS: In 2017, 13240 patients were admitted with acute PE and cor pulmonale, of whom 18% underwent CDT, 10% underwent systemic tPA and 72% underwent AC alone. Patients who received CDT over AC alone were significantly younger (61.5 vs. 65.5, p = 0.00). Mortality rate overall was 4.8% with tPA group, CDT group and AC alone group having a 11.2%, 3.0% and 4.4% mortality rate respectively. On multivariate analyses, there was no significant mortality difference between the CDT and AC groups (aOR 0.61, 0.34-1.1 95%CI, p = 0.103). Patients with liver disease had significantly higher mortality while obese patients had a significantly lower mortality after adjusting for treatment strategy and confounders. Length of stay (LOS) was not significantly different between the groups however, compared to AC alone, patients who underwent CDT or tPA incurred significantly higher total hospital charges. CONCLUSIONS: CDT offers an attractive alternative to tPA therapy; however, our study does not show an in-hospital mortality benefit. More studies are required to guide patient selection prior to establishing treatment protocols.

[Systematic review and sequential analysis of Tanshinone â ¡_A Sodium Sulfonate Injection combined with enalapril in treatment of acute exacerbation of pulmonary heart disease].

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Tanshinone Ⅱ_A Sodium Sulfonate Injection combined with enalapril in the treatment of patients with acute exacerbation of pulmonary heart disease. The randomized controlled trial(RCT) on Tanshinone Ⅱ_A Sodium Sulfonate Injection combined with enalapril for acute exacerbation of pulmonary heart disease was screened from EMbase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, VIP, CNKI, and Wanfang from inception to March 20, 2022. Meta-analysis of each index was performed in RevMan 5.3 and TSA 0.9. Finally, 41 RCTs involving 3 865 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that the observation group had higher total response rate(RR=1.21, 95%CI[1.18, 1.24], P<0.000 01), lower plasma viscosity(MD=-0.25, 95%CI[-0.34,-0.16], P<0.000 01), lower whole blood viscosity(MD=-0.99, 95%CI[-1.14,-0.85], P<0.000 01), and lower hematokrit(MD=-9.03, 95%CI[-10.57,-7.50], P<0.000 01) than the control group. The incidence of adverse effects showed no significant difference between groups(RR=1.42, 95%CI[0.82, 2.45], P=0.21). Sequential analysis showed that Tanshinone Ⅱ_A Sodium Sulfonate Injection combined with enalapril exerted definite efficacy in the treatment of acute exacerbation of pulmonary heart disease, and the possibility of false positives was excluded. Based on the existing evidence, Tanshinone Ⅱ_A Sodium Sulfonate Injection combined with enalapril can improve the total response rate and reduce plasma viscosity, whole blood viscosity, and hematocrit, demonstrating good safety in patients with acute exacerbation of pulmonary heart disease. In the future, more RCT with large sample size, rigorous design, and in accordance with international norms are needed to further validate the results.

Effects of Copaiba Oil in Peripheral Markers of Oxidative Stress in a Model of Cor Pulmonale in Rats. / Efeitos do Óleo de Copaíba em Marcadores Periféricos de Estresse Oxidativo em um Modelo de Cor Pulmonale em Ratos.

BACKGROUND: To date, copaiba oil's systemic effects have never documented in Cor pulmonale induced by monocrotaline. OBJECTIVES: To investigate copaiba oil's effects in peripheral markers of oxidative stress in rats with Cor pulmonale. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (170±20g, n=7/group) were divided into four groups: control (CO), monocrotaline (MCT), copaiba oil (O), and monocrotaline+copaiba oil (MCT-O). MCT (60 mg/kg i.p.) was administered, and after one week, treatment with copaiba oil (400 mg/kg/day-gavage-14 days) was begun. Echocardiography was performed and, later, trunk blood collection was performed for oxidative stress evaluations. Statistical analysis: two-way ANOVA with Student-Newman-Keuls post-hoc test. P values<0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Copaiba oil reduced pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricle (RV) hypertrophy (Fulton index (mg/mg): MCT-O=0.39±0.03; MCT=0.49±0.01), and improved RV systolic function (RV shortening fraction, %) in the MCT-O group (17.8±8.2) as compared to the MCT group (9.4±3.1; p<0.05). Moreover, in the MCT-O group, reactive oxygen species and carbonyl levels were reduced, and antioxidant parameters were increased in the peripheral blood (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that copaiba oil has an interesting systemic antioxidant effect, which is reflected in the improvements in function and RV morphometry in this Cor pulmonale model. Cor pulmonale attenuation promoted by copaiba oil coincided with a reduction in systemic oxidative stress.

FUNDAMENTO: Até o presente momento, os efeitos sistêmicos do óleo de copaíba jamais foram documentados no Cor pulmonale induzido por monocrotalina. OBJETIVOS: Investigar os efeitos do óleo de copaíba nos marcadores periféricos de stress oxidativo em ratos com Cor pulmonale. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar machos (170±20g, n=7/grupo) foram divididos em quatro grupos: controle (CO), monocrotalina (MCT), óleo de copaíba (O), e monocrotalina + óleo de copaíba (MCT-O). Foi administrada a MCT (60 mg/kg i.p.) e, depois de uma semana, foi iniciado o tratamento com óleo de copaíba (400 mg/kg/day-gavagem-14 dias). Foi realizado o ecocardiograma e, depois disso, foi coletado sangue do tronco para a realização de avaliações de stress oxidativo. Análise estatística: ANOVA de duas vias com teste Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc. P-valores <0,05 foram considerados significativos. RESULTADOS: O óleo de copaíba reduziu a resistência vascular pulmonar e a hipertrofia do ventrículo direito (VD) hipertrofia (Índice de Fulton (mg/mg)): MCT-O= 0,39±0,03; MCT= 0,49±0,01), e função sistólica melhorada (fração de encurtamento do VD, %) no grupo MCT-O (17,8±8,2) em comparação com o grupo de MCT (9,4±3,1; p<0,05). Além disso, no grupo MCT-O, espécies reativas do oxigênio e os níveis de carbonila foram reduzidos, e os parâmetros antioxidantes aumentaram no sangue periférico (p <0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que o óleo de copaíba tem um efeito antioxidante sistêmico interessante, que se reflete na melhoria da função e na morfometria do VD nesse modelo de Cor pulmonale . A atenuação do Cor pulmonale promovida pelo óleo de copaíba coincidiu com uma redução no stress oxidativo sistêmico.

Effect of ivabradine on heart rate, functional capacity and pulmonary artery pressure in patients of COPD with cor pulmonale.

We studied the effects of heart rate reduction by ivabradine to the ongoing therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cor pulmonale.100 patients of COPD with cor pulmonale with sinus heart rate ≥ 90 bpm were randomly assigned to either ivabradine 5 mg twice daily (50 patients) or placebo (50 patients) alongwith standard therapy. Assessment was done at baseline and after 6 months which included 6 min walk test (6MWT), dyspnea scoring by modified borg scale, Lung function test by forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) by echocardiogram. The drug group showed a significant reduction in heart rate from 95.1 ± 8.2 bpm to 71.1 ± 6.2 bpm (p < 0.001). This group also showed significant improvement in 6-min walk distance and dyspnea on modified Borg scale (p < 0.001) at 6 months follow up. However no significant difference was found between both groups regarding PASP or FEV1 at 6 months.

Saddle pulmonary embolism in a pediatric patient with nephrotic syndrome and recent COVID-19 pneumonia: A case report.

The pediatric population accounts for a small portion of those with severe disease related to COVID-19. There are few published reports of hypercoagulable states in children with COVID-19. We describe an 11-year-old male with nephrotic syndrome who required inpatient treatment for COVID-19 pneumonia eight weeks prior. He returned to the emergency department with vomiting, tachypnea and was found to have a pulmonary embolism. In this case report, we discuss the risk factors for, presentation and evaluation of hypercoagulable state and its relation to COVID-19 in a pediatric patient.

Chinese herbal medicine injections (CHMIs) for chronic pulmonary heart disease: A protocol for a Bayesian network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chinese herbal medicine injections (CHMIs) are frequently used for various refractory diseases including chronic pulmonary heart disease (CPHD). However, due to the diversity of CHMIs treatments, its relative effectiveness and safety remain unclear. In our study, Bayesian network meta-analysis will be used to identify differences in efficacy and safety between diverse CHMI for CPHD. METHODS: Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective controlled clinical trials published in PubMed, Google Scholar, Excerpt Medica Database, Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China Scientific Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database and Wanfang Database will be systematic searched to identify eligible studies from their establishment to December 2020. The methodological qualities, including the risk of bias, will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Stata14.2 and WinBUGS 1.4.3 software were used for data synthesis. The evidentiary grade of the results will be also evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and provide reliable evidence for different CHMIs on CPHD. CONCLUSIONS: The findings will provide reference for evaluating the efficacy and safety of different CHMIs for CPHD, and provide a helpful evidence for clinicians to formulate the best adjuvant treatment strategy for CPHD patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2020120004.

Effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicines for pulmonary heart disease: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous review indicate that the effect of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) on pulmonary heart disease (PHD) remains uncertainty. Therefore, we designed this study to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TCM in the treatment of PHD. METHODS: Nine online databases will be searched from inception to October 01, 2021, and we will not restrict the language on included trials. Randomized controlled trials that included patients with PHD receiving TCM therapy vs a control group will be included. Two of us will perform independently the selection of studies, risk of bias assessment, and data extraction. The RevMan V.5.2 software with fixed effects model or random effects model will be used to syntheses the data, according to the heterogeneity test to conduct the data synthesis. The dichotomous data and the continuous data will be presented with risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals and weighted mean differences or standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. And we will use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system to evaluate the evidence quality. RESULT: This study will assess effects and safety for TCM on PHD. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of this study will provide evidence to prove the safety and effectiveness of TCM on PHD. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2020120024.

Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis in Submassive Pulmonary Embolism and Acute Cor Pulmonale.

Treatment of submassive (intermediate-risk) pulmonary embolism (PE), defined as hemodynamically stable with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, showed lower in-hospital all-cause mortality with intravenous thrombolytic therapy than with anticoagulants, but at an increased risk of major bleeding. The present investigation was performed to test whether catheter-directed thrombolysis reduces mortality without increasing bleeding in submassive PE. This was a retrospective cohort study based on administrative data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. In 2016, 13,130 patients were hospitalized with PE and acute cor pulmonale, were stable, and treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis in 1,500 (11%) or anticoagulants alone in 11,630 (89%). Mortality was lower with catheter-directed thrombolysis than with anticoagulants in unmatched patients, 35 of 1,500 (2.3%) compared with 755 of 11,630 (6.5%; p <0.0001) and in matched patients, 30 of 1,260 (2.4%) compared with 440 of 6,910 (6.4%; p <0.0001). Time-dependent analysis showed catheter-directed thrombolysis reduced mortality if administered within the first 3 days. Patients with saddle PE treated with anticoagulants had lower mortality than non-saddle PE, 75 of 1,730 (4.3%) compared with 680 of 9,900 (6.9%; p < 0.0001) in unmatched patients and 45 of 1,305 (3.4%) compared with 395 of 5,605 (7.0%; p < 0.0001) in matched patients. Mortality was not lower with inferior vena cava filters either in those who received catheter-directed thrombolysis or those treated with anticoagulants. There were no fatal or nonfatal adverse events associated with catheter-directed thrombolysis. In conclusion, patients with submassive PE appear to have lower in-hospital all-cause mortality with catheter-directed thrombolysis administered within 3 days than with anticoagulants, and risks are low.

Acute cor pulmonale from saddle pulmonary embolism in a patient with previous COVID-19: should we prolong prophylactic anticoagulation?

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known to be associated with a heightened risk of thromboembolism. However, the risk associated with mild and moderate illness from COVID-19 is unknown, and there is no current recommendation for prophylaxis against thromboembolism in patients after hospital treatment, unless there are established thrombophilic risk factors. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman who presented with massive saddle pulmonary embolism 1 week after initial hospital discharge, which was treated successfully with thrombolysis. This case raises the question of whether extended prophylactic anticoagulation should be considered even in low-risk COVID-19 cases.

Ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole injection for chronic cor pulmonale: a PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole injection (GLED), a kind of Chinese herbal medicine preparation, has been considered as a promising supplementary treatment for chronic cor pulmonale (CCP). Although an analysis of the published literature has been performed, the exact effects and safety of GLED have yet to be systematically investigated. Therefore, a wide-ranging systematic search of electronic databases from which to draw conclusions was conducted. All randomized controlled trials concerning the GLED plus conventional treatments for CCP were selected in the present study. Main outcomes were treatment efficacy, blood gas and hemorrheology indexes, and adverse events. Data from 28 trials with 2457 CCP patients were analyzed. The results indicated that, compared with conventional treatments alone, the combination of conventional treatments with GLED obviously improved the markedly effective rate (RR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.31-1.58, P < 0.00001) and total effective rate (RR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.18-1.38, P < 0.00001). Moreover, the hemorrheology (PaO2, P < 0.00001; PaCO2, P < 0.00001; SaO2, P < 0.00001; pH value, P = 0.05) and blood gas indexes (PV, WBHSV, WBMSV, WBLSV, hematocrit and FBG, P < 0.01) of CCP patients were also significantly ameliorated after the combined therapy. The frequency of adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). In summary, evidence from the meta-analysis suggested that the combination of conventional treatments and GLED appeared to be effective and relatively safe for CCP. Therefore, GLED mediated therapy could be recommended as an adjuvant treatment for CCP.

Oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea o ECMO (ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) para el tratamiento de Síndrome cardio-pulmonar por Hantavirus / Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or ECMO (ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) for the treatment of Hantavirus cardio-pulmonary syndrome

INTRODUCCION: Tecnología: Oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea o ECMO (ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) veno arterial. Características de la tecnología: El soporte vital extracorpóreo veno-arterial (ECMO-VA es una alternativa terapéutica para aquellos pacientes que cursan con falla cardiopulmonar que, a pesar de optimizar la ventilación mecánica y el soporte hemodinámico o aplicar terapias avanzadas (ventilación diferencial, posición prono, óxido nítrico, etc), son incapaces de superar la hipoxemia y la depresión miocárdica. El síndrome cardiopulmonar por virus Hanta (SCPH) se caracteriza por hipotensión, disminución del índice cardíaco, aumento de la resistencia vascular sistémica y edema pulmonar por incremento de la permeabilidad vascular. En un subgrupo de enfermos, estas manifestaciones pueden culminar en falla respiratoria y depresión miocárdica severas, asociadas a elevada mortalidad (21-24). En estos casos, el ECMO-VA puede substituir temporalmente la función cardíaca y respiratoria mientras se supera el período de máximo riesgo vital. DESCRIPCIÓN DE LA TECNOLOGÍA: Los mejores resultados obtenidos con el uso de ECMO en los últimos años, se relacionan con el perfeccionamiento de la técnica y modificación de los criterios de selección de los pacientes (34). Entre ellos destaca la implementación precoz del ECMO, es decir, antes que se instale el daño pulmonar inducido por ventilación mecánica. En Chile, la mortalidad del SCPH causada por virus Andes Sur, sigue siendo elevada (36%) y aquellos enfermos que en las primeras 24 h desarrollan hipoxemia refractaria y disfunción cardíaca de progresión rápida, tienen 100% de mortalidade. Para identificar pacientes con SCPH que requerirán asistencia extracorpórea se propone la presencia de shock refractario con índice cardíaco <2,5 L/min/m2 y láctico sérico >4 mmol/L. ESTRATEGIA DE BÚSQUEDA: Protocolo de búsqueda bibliográfica (palabras clave, combinaciones, sitios consultados. Se realizó una búsqueda con tres operadores independientes, en las bases de datos bibliográficas detalladas a continuación, en buscadores genéricos de Internet como Google, Agencias de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias y Agencias nacionales e internacionales reguladoras de alimentos y medicamentos. RESULTADOS: La evidencia encontrada se basa en estudios observacionales (casos y series de casos), tomando en cuenta que los pacientes incluidos y conectados en ECMO-VA presentan de acuerdo con Crowley y col y otros autores, parámetros clínicos y de laboratorio asociados con una mortalidad del 100% en dicha fase de la enfermedad. RECOMENDACIONES: El panel de expertos recomienda el uso de ECMO para individuos con síndrome cardiopulmonar grave por hantavirus ( recomendación fuerte a favor). Balance de beneficios: El panel otorgó peso a los potenciales beneficios en contexto de una condición con elevada mortalidad, en la cual no existen alternativas terapéuticas válidas. Sin embargo, existió acuerdo en que estos beneficios potenciales no han sido comprobados y que se requiere promover la investigación en el tema.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the early stage of cor pulmonale: A perspective in treatment with pulmonary arterial hypertension-approved drugs.

Cor pulmonale is right ventricular hypertrophy and/or dilation caused by pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to diseases affecting the lung function and structure. Recently, the definition of PH was revised from a mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) >25 mmHg to an mPAP >20 mmHg based on the Nice statement; this might expedite the detection of cor pulmonale. However, the only treatment for cor pulmonale for the past 3 decades has been to maintain the lung function and oxygen saturation. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the leading cause of cor pulmonale. Cor pulmonale in COPD is generally known to occur due to loss of vascular bed and chronic hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) due to alveolar wall destruction. However, a recent study suggested that in some patients with COPD, the pulmonary vascular alterations include components that are primary lesions of the pulmonary artery. These alterations may be similar to the remodeling that occurs in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Although, there is no evidence supporting the treatment of COPD patients with PH using drugs approved for PAH, such drugs may be effective in the treatment of a selected group of COPD patients, whose disease includes PAH-like vascular components. To distinguish these patients, it is necessary to understand the histopathology of COPD and renew our understanding of the concept of cor pulmonale, which treats the heart and lung as a single unit. Herein, we review the recent histopathological concepts of COPD with respect to the progression of cor pulmonale.

[Effect of Qishen Yiqi droplet on adenylate contents in myocardium of cor pulmonale rats].

Cor pulmonale rat models were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline(MCT), and the sham group received a single intraperitioneal injection of normal saline. After the model rats received intragastric administration of Qishen Yiqi droplet(QS) for 6 weeks, the contents of adenylate(ATP, ADP and AMP) in right myocardial tissues were measured by HPLC, and then the metabolism changes in myocardium of cor pulmonale rats with QS were investigated. The results showed that ATP, ADP, and AMP were well separated, with a good linearity within a certain range of concentration; and the recovery rates were within the range of 90%-108%. As compared with model group, the level of ATP was significantly elevated in high-dose treatment group; ADP contents showed an increasing trend and AMP contents showed a decreasing trend, indicating that QS could significantly improve energy metabolism system in myocardium. By using the HPLC, a qualitative and quantitative analysis method was given for the determination of ATP, ADP and AMP contents in myocardium, providing a method for energy metabolism measurement in biological samples.

[Real world analysis to explore clinical features of Shenxiong glucose injection combined with other medications].

To explore the real world clinical medication and combination characteristics of Shenxiong glucose injection. The basic information of patients with Shenxiong glucose injection, traditional Chinese and western medicine diagnosis information, doctor advice information and laboratory test information from the hospital information system(HIS) of 19 tertiary hospitals in China. Apriori algorithm was adopted to establish the models, and Clementine 12.0 was used for correlation analysis to analyze the real world clinical medication and combination characteristics of Shenxiong glucose injection. Among 8 316 patients in the study, 523 kinds of western medicine and 148 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) were used. In combined application, the single western medicine with highest use frequency was aspirin(1 908 cases, 22.94%), and single Chinese medicine with highest use frequency was Shuxuetong injection (771 cases, 9.27%); the most common TCM pair was Xianling Gubao capsule+Lugua Duotai injection(rules support degree was 2.55%), and the most common western medicine pair was aspirin+atorvastatin(degree of association rules was 10.15%). They were often used in combination with antibiotics, blood-activating and stasis-dissolving prescription, and adrenal cortical hormone drugs. Shenxiong glucose injection was often used in combination with antiplatelet drugs and blood-activating and stasis-dissolving prescription in clinical application to enhance the effects of anti-platelet aggregation and blood-activating and stasis-dissolving; it was often used in combination with antibiotics to treat cor pulmonale, and incompatibility shall be noticed to ensure efficacy enhancement under the premise of clinical medication safety.

Digoxin therapy for cor pulmonale: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Right heart failure is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The optimal treatment for patients with RV failure is not established. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the literature to assess the relative benefits and harms of digoxin therapy in patients with RV failure. METHODS: We performed a literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) on Nov. 4, 2014. We did not use publication type, period or language restrictions to the search strategy. Exclusions included: trials that excluded patients with RV failure, included patients requiring mechanical or intravenous inotropic support, review papers and case reports. The primary outcome was long-term efficacy outcomes of digoxin in right heart failure. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts of identified citations independently and in duplication using calibration exercises and standardized screening forms. RESULTS: The search strategy identified 4097 citations, and 4 studies were included in this analysis (n=76 patients). Of the four studies, two assessed improvements in RVEF, two studies compared exercise capacity indexes, and one assessed symptoms with digoxin compared with placebo. No study assessed mortality outcomes. Overall, there was no statistically significant improvement in RVEF, exercise capacity, NYHA class, heart failure score, or body weight. CONCLUSIONS: There are few studies evaluating Digitalis use for RV failure, which are limited to patients with cor pulmonale. In these patients, Digitalis use provides no improvement in RVEF, exercise capacity, or NYHA class. Randomized clinical trials are needed to address this question.

[Multicenter clinical efficacy observation of integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine-Western Medicine treatment in acute onset period of pulmonary heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine-Western Medicine (TCM-WM) in the treatment of acute onset pulmonary heart disease (PHD). METHODS: A total of 240 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. These inpatients were divided into group A (treatment group) and B (control group) in order of admission according to the principles of randomization and control. The research was performed simultaneously in three hospitals. Two groups were given basic treatment that included: controlled oxygen therapy, active and effective anti-infection, maintaining airway patency, correcting O2 deficiency and CO2 retention, correcting acid-base imbalance and electrolyte disturbance, reducing pulmonary hypertension and treating right heart failure, nutritional support and treatment of.complications. Group A was given basic treatment and integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) differentiating therapy; group B was given basic therapy and a placebo that was similar in appearance and taste to TCM medicinal broth of pharmaceutical preparations, provided by Yibin Pharmaceutical Company (Yibin, China, Wuliangye Group). RESULTS: The mortality in the treatment group decreased by 4.98% compared with the control group. The treatment group reported improved ventilation, corrected hypoxemia, improved nutritional status and promoted digestive functions. It also significantly improved the patient's self-life skills, improved the patient's quality of life and could shorten the length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive integrated TCM-WM treatment showed good clinical efficacy toward the acute onset period of PHD patients.