C and C 5457T (D1819D) were 11.1%, 5.2%, 28.2% and 31.8%, respectively. The minor allele frequency of SNPs was not same as study from Japanese or Chinese. Conclusion The distribution of SCN5A SNPs may vary between different ethnicities.

AIM:There is little evidence proving the molecular mechanism of WenxinKeli ( WXKL) .This study tried to explore the gene ex-pression profile and pathology alteration of WXKL-treated rabbits with myocardial infarction .METHOD: Twenty male adult rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham, model, WXKL and captopril groups .Model, WXKL and captopril groups underwent the ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery , while sham group went through an identical procedure without ligation .WXKL (817 mg? kg-1? d-1), captopril (8 mg? kg -1? d-1) and distilled water (model and sham) were administered orally to the rabbits. 4 weeks later, hearts were taken out for expression chip and pathological staining (HE, Masson and TUNEL) after echocardiography. RESULT:WXKL could down-regulate genes associated with inflammation (CX3CR1, MRC1, and FPR1), apoptosis (cathepsin C and TTC5) and neuro-hormonal system (ACE and EDN1), and up-regulate angiogenesis promoting gene like RSPO 3, which explained why WXKL group represented with better cardiac function , less histopathological injury and slighter apoptosis .CONCLUSION:WXKL plays an important role in suppressing inflammation , inhibiting renin-angiotensin system and alleviating apoptosis , and might be a promising Chinese medicine in treating patients with myocardial infarction .

Objective Atrioventricular block (AVB) is a common and serious arrhythmia. At present, there is no perfect method of treatment for this kind of arrhythmia. The purpose of this study was to regenerate cardiac atrioventricular conduction by autologous transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and explore new methods for therapy of atrioventricular block. Methods Eleven Mongrel canines were randomized to MSCs transplantation (n=6) or control (n=5) group. The models of permanent and complete AVB in 11 canines were established by ablating His bundle with radiofrequency technique. At 4 weeks after AVB, bone marrow was aspirated from the iliac crest. MSCs were isolated and culture-expanded by means of gradient centrifugal and adherence to growth technique, and differentiated by 5-azacytidine in vitro. Differentiated MSCs (1ml, 1.5×107cells) labeled with BrdU were autotransplanted into His bundle area of canines by direct injection in the experimental group, and 1ml DMEM in the control group. At 1-12 weeks after operation,the effects of autologous MSCs transplantation on AVB models were evaluated by electrocardiogram, pathologic and immunohistochemical staining technique. Results Compared with the control group, there was a distinct improvement in atrioventricular conduction function in the experimental group. MSCs transplanted in His bundle were differentiated into analogous conduction system cells and endothelial cells in vivo, and established gap junction with host cardiomyocytes. Conclusions The committed-induced MSCs transplanted into His bundle area could differentiate into analogous conduction system cells and improve His conduction function in canine AVB models.

Objective To determine whether Ca2+ activated Cl- current(Icl(Ca)) contributes to the functional remodeling of the failing heart.Methods Whole cell patch-clamp recording technique was employed to record the Icl(Ca) in cardiac myocytes enzymatically isolatedfrom rapidly pacing induced canine failing hearts at room temperature and compared that of the normal hearts (Nor).Results Thecurrent density of DIDS(200M)sensitive Icl(Ca) induced by intracellular Ca2+ release trigged by L-type Ca2+ current(Ica,L)wassignificantly decreased in heart failare(HE)cells compared to Nor cells.At membrane voltage of 20mV,the Icl(Ca) density was 3.02±0.54 pA/pF in Nor(n=6)vs.1.31±0.25 pA/pF in HF(n=8)cells,(P＜0.01),while the averaged Ica,L density did not show differencebetween two groups.The time constant of current decay of Icl(Ca) was similar in both types of cells.On the other hand,in intra cellularCa2+ clamped mode,where the[Ca2+];was maintained at 100nmol/L,Icl(Ca) density be increased significantly in HF cells when themembrane voltage at+30mV or higher.Conclusions Our results suggest that Icl(Ca) density was decreased in pacing induced failingheart but the channel function be enhanced.Impaired Ca2+ handing in HF cells rather than reduced,Icl(Ca) channel function itself may havecaused this abnormality.The Icl(Ca) density reduction might contribute to the prolongation of action potential in failing heart.The Icl(Ca)channel function up-rugulation is likely to cause cardiac arrhythmia by inducing a delayed after depolarization,when Ca2+ overloadoccurred in diastolic failing heart cells.

Objective Right ventricular outflow tract septum has become widely used us an electrode placement site. However, data concerning lead performances and complications for lead repositioning with this technique were scant. The purpose of this study was to observe long-term lead performances and complications of right ventricular outflow tract septal pacing and provide evidences for choosing an optimal electrode implantation site. Methods Thirty-six patients with septal active electrode implantation and 39 with apical passive electrode implantation were enrolled in this study. Pacing threshold, R-wave sensing, lead impedance, pacing QRS width and pacing-related compli-cations for two groups at implantation and follow-up were compared. Results There were higher pacing threshold and shorter pacing QRS width at implantation in the septal group compared with the apical group. There were no differences between the septal and the apical groups in pacing threshold, R-wave sensitivity, lead impedance and pace-related complication during a follow-up. Conclusions Right ventricular outflow tract septum could be used as a first choice for implantation site because it had long-term stable lead performances and no serious complications compared with the traditional apical site.

Objective To analyze the surgical and pathologic features of isolated ascending aortitis without evidence of rheumatologic or autoimmune diseases by comparing that of Takayasu's arteritis.Methods Consecutive 965 excised ascending aortas were reviewed and 40 cases with aortitis were selected from the pathological archives of past 20 years in Fuwai Hospital.The clinical history,laboratory and angiographic data,surgical findings,steroid therapy and followup results of these 40 cases were reviewed.Pathological parameters included the thickness of aortic wall and its various layers,inflammation activity,multinuclear giant cells,inflammatory necrosis,laminar necrosis and atheroselerosis.The t test and Chi square analysis were used to compare the means and the rates between the two groups.Results Twenty-five of 40 cases were diagnosed with isolated aortitis and its prevalencei was 2.6%(25/965),while 8 cases with Takayasu's arteritis and 7 cases with other vasculitis were confirmed.The age of isolated ascending aortitis was older than that of Takayasu's arteritis[(46±12)y vs(34±14)y,t=2.30,P>0.05] while the male/female ratio was similar in both groups(1.1 vs 1.0,t=0.01,P>0.05).Their main clinical manifestation was aortic aneurysm with a bigger aortic diameter in isolated aortitis than that in Takayasu's arteritis [(59±18)vs(46±12)mm,P>0.05].The asymptomatic cages mostly were found in isolated ascending aortitis (28%vs 0,x2=2.98,P>0.05).The erythrocyte sedimentary rate was normal in isolated aortitis but increased in Takayasu's arteritis[(15±17)mm/1 hvs[27±25)mm/1 h,U=48.50,P<0.05 ].Inflammatory edema,thickening and calcification were noted in more than half cases of both groups.but slighter thickening of aortic wall was foand in isolated ascending aortitis in contrast to the remarkable thickening in Takayasu artefifis[(2506±493)vs (3300±430)μm,t=-3.00,P<0.01].Giant cells,inflammatory necrosis,laminar necrosis and accompanied atherosclerosis were more common in isolated ascending aortitis.Aortic regurgitation was common but inflammatory invasion wege found in few aortic valves. Steroid was prescribed in 5 cases with isolated ascending aortitis and none of them was reported with complications while aortic perivalvular leakage occurred in 3 of 20 cases without steroids therapy. In the Takayasu's arteritis cases, new aneurysm of abdominal aorta was found in 1 of 3 cases with steroid therapy. Meanwhile, perivalvular leakage and subclavian artery stenosis occurred in 2 of 5 cases without steroid. Conclusion Isolated aortitis is more common than Takayasu's arteritis in ascending aortic diseases and there is some definite difference in clinical and pathological aspects between these two diseases. Since the effect of steroid therapy is uncertain and in order to avoid overtreatment, we suggest that steroid should not be given to cases with isolated ascending aortitis after surgery and clinical and angiographic follow-up should be emphasized.

AIM:Chronic heart failure (CHF), caused by ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), is among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide .Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) plays a criti-cal role in regulating Wnt signaling .Dysregulated Wnt signaling contributes to high incidence of arrhythmias .Thus, there might be an association between genetic variations of LRP6 and sudden cardiac death ( SCD) .The objective of the study was to examine the associ-ation between common variants of LRP6 and prognosis of CHF patients .METHODS:From July 2005 to December 2009, patients with CHF referred from 10 hospitals and participants without structural heart disease in China were undergone a prospective study .The sin-gle-nucleotide polymorphism rs 2302684 was selected to evaluate the effect of LRP6 polymorphisms on the survival of the patients .RE-SULTS:A total of 1 887 patients (1 437 with CHF and 450 in the control group)were finally enrolled for the analysis.During a medi-an follow-up of 61 months, a total of 546 (38.00%) patients died, including 201(36.81%) cases with SCD and 345 (63.19%) ca-ses with NSCD.No end point event occurred in the control group .Patients carrying A allele of rs2302684 had increased risks of all-cause death (P<0.01) and SCD (P<0.01).After adjusted for the other risk factors , the associations remained significant in all-cause death (P<0.01) and SCD (P<0.01).In patients with CHF caused by ICM , those carrying A allele of rs2302684 also had in-creased risks of all-cause death (P<0.01) and SCD (P<0.01).After adjusted for the other risk factors , the associations remained significant in all-cause death (P<0.01) and SCD (P<0.01).However, there was no association between A allele of rs 2302684 and prognosis in patients with CHF caused by NICM .CONCLUSION:The SNP rs2302684 T>A in LRP6 is associated with an increased risk of all-cause death and SCD in patients with CHF in Chinese Han population , and the association is more prevalent in patients with CHF caused by ICM.Thus, LRP6 might be added as a novel predictor of SCD and could provide an attractive and direct therapeutic target in SCD prevention .

Objective: To study the predictive value of 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormality on prognosis of chronic heart failure in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM-CHF).
Methods: A prospective, multicenter follow-up study in 787 DCM-CHF patients was conducted, and the endpoints were obtained by clinical visit, mail contact and telephone conversation. The independent predictors for all cause death were determined by Cox regression analysis, QRS duration > 120 ms was studied and the survival rates were investigated by Kaplan-Meier analysis.
Results: There were 203 patients died during the follow-up period. Cox regression analysis found that the following indexes were related to all cause death: atrial fibrillation (AF) (HR=2.064, 95% CI 1.102-3.864,P<0.05), non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) (HR=3.887, 95% CI 1.554-9.724,P<0.05) and QRS duration (HR=1.010, 95% CI 1.002-1.018, P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the survival rates were different by each stratiifcation of QRS duration,P<0.05.
Conclusion: ECG indexes of AF, NSVT and QRS duration had the important impact on the survival rate in DCM-CHF patients; there were signiifcant differences between QRS durations and survival rates.

Exercise ; Heart Arrest ; Humans

Objective To describe the clinical characteristics of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) with fragmented QRS complex (f-QRS) and J wave in resting electrocardiogram. Methods We reviewed data from 21 case subjects in our hospital who were resuscitated after cardiac arrest due to IVF and assessed the prevalence of f-QRS and J wave in resting electrocardiogram (ECG). All the case subjects were classified among three groups based on the electrocardiographic morphology: group I, both f-QRS and J wave were observed (n = 6), group II, only J wave was observed (n = 9), group III, neither f-QRS nor J wave was observed (n = 6). Population characteristics, history of syncope or sudden cardiac arrest, incidence of ventricular fibrillation (VF), and circumstance of VF were evaluated among the three groups. Results The incidence of index events (syncope, survived cardiac arrest and VF episodes recorded in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or pacemakers) was 13.4 ± 5.6 per-year in group I, 10.8 ± 3.9 per-year in group II, and 9.8 ± 4.2 per-year in group III. There were significant differences in incidences among the three groups, the most frequent index events were observed in group I. The hazard ratio for incidence was 3.2 (95%CI, 1.1-7.9; P = 0.01). The history and circumstance of the index events were different among the groups. In group I, all the index events occurred during sleep in early morning. In group II, four subjects suffered VF during strenuous physical activities or agitation state, two during sleep in early morning, three in usual activity. In group III, one subject suffered VF during sleep in early morning, one in agitation state, four in usual activity. Conclusions This study suggests that the IVF patients with the combined appearance of f-QRS and J wave in the resting ECG suffer an increased risk of VF, this subgroup of IVF patients has a unique clinical feature.