Objective　To compare the effects of early and long-term treatment with captopril on clinical outcome between elder patients (65-75 years old) and younger patients (＜ 64 years old) suffering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI). 　Methods　In a randomized trial, 822 patients with a first AMI were treated with captopril at initial dosage of 6.25 mg and adjusted to 25 mg t.i.d according to blood pressure (209 younger patients, 269 elder patients) and conventional treatment (131 younger patients, 213 elder patients). Survival rate of the four groups was calculated with Kaplan-Meier method. 　Results　The survival of treatment group was correlated significantly with age during hospitalization (P=0.0002). Eight patients in younger treatment group and 10 patients in younger control group (3.83% vs 7.63%, P＞0.05), 25 patients in elder treatment group and 52 patients in elder control group (9.29% vs 24.41%, relative risk = 0.37, 95% CI 0.29-0.48, P＜0.0001) were died. During follow-up period, the survival was however not related to the age (P＞0.05), and both the elder and younger patients had better survival (all P＜0.01 ) and lower cardiac events (all P＜0.01) during captopril treatment. 　Conclusions　 Captopril exerts less effect on the younger patients but more effect on the elder patients during hospitalization after AMI. Long-term captopril had no difference between the youngers and the elders in prognosis.

150?mol/L who underwent PTCA and/or coronary stenting were included (renal dysfunction group). Another 25 age and sex matched patients who had normal serum creatinine level and received coronary intervention at the same period were served as a control group. The status of coronary disease, procedural complications and long term prognosis were compared between the two groups. Results The number of patients with multi vessel disease (72% vs 48%, P

Objective To evaluate the role of transeso phageal echocardiography(TEE) before chemical or electric cardioversion for non-vulvular atrial fibrillation. Methods Forty-three patients, confirmed non-vulvular atrial fibrillation, undertook anticoagulation or anti-platelet therapy and transthoracic echocardiography and TEE less than 24-48 hours prior to cardioversion. Results Two thrombi in the left atrial appendage and three spontaneous echo contrasts in the left atrium were evidenced. After anticoagulation or anti-platelet therapy, 39 patients undertook cardioversion therapy. Among them,31 patients received drug cardioversion,success in 19,and failure in 12;8 patients received electric cardioversion,success in 6,and failure in 2. There were no thromboembolic events during the hospitalization. Conclusions TEE performed before cardioversion for atrial fibrillation is necessary to reduce the risks of thromboembolic events and to guide for anticoagulation therapy.

Objective To evaluate the role of intravasc ular ultrasound (IVUS) in determining strategy for coronary artery stenosis of intermediate severity.Methods The study population consisted of 75 patients who had de novo coronary lesions of intermediate severity (40% to 70% diameter stenosis) in coronary angiography. IVUS examination was performed in all patients using standard methodology. Minimal lumen cross-sectional area (MLA) ≤ 4.0- mm 2 or percent area stenosis≥60% were identified as an IVUS index of functionally severe coronary stenosis, and used as an indication of coronary stenting. Major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction and recurrent angina) and the use of nitrates were recorded during follow-up. Results There were 44 patients (59%) with functional coronary artery stenosis, and all underwent successful coronary stenting. Acute coronary syndromes, soft plaque and positive coronary arterial remodeling were more common compared with the remaining 31 patients (41%) only treated medically. During a mean of (14?7) months of follow-up, there was no cardiac death and acute myocardial infarction. Readmission occurred in 5 patients (11%) due to in-stent restenosis in patients with interventional therapy and 4 patients (13%) due to exacerbation of coronary artery stenosis in patients with medical therapy. The use of nitrates was discontinued in 18(41%) and 14(45%) patients treated with interventional therapy and medical therapy, respectively. Conclusions It is valuable to perform IVUS examination in clinical decision making for intermediate coronary artery stenosis. IVUS criteria of MLA≤ 4.0- mm 2 or area stenosis≥60% may be a reliable index of functional coronary stenosis, determining the therapeutic strategy in patients with intermediate coronary artery stenosis.

The three links theory" refers to the three key links in an emergency medical services system, viz. pre-hospital first-aid system, hospital emergency care system, and the ICU system. The construction of an emergency medical services system in China ought to be guided by the three links theory so as to set up a practical and highly efficient emergency medical services system, an instantly operating monitoring system, a smooth and real-time information system, a rational and long-lasting system of laws and contingency plans, and a system for cultivating universalists. The goal is to build an emergency green passage in the hospital.

Objective Myocardial blush grade (MBG) as a new angiographic parameter was used to describe the effectiveness of myocardial reperfusion in patients treated with thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) Methods Eighty nine patients received a small dose alteplase 50mg within 12 hours of acute infarction Coronary angiography was performed at 90 min after the initiation of thrombolytic therapy to evaluate infarct related artery (IRA) patency and myocardial reperfusion Cardiac events during a 6 month period were recorded Results There were 87 6% and 12 4% patients with and without successful clinical recanalization after thrombolysis respectively Coronary angiography showed that 82 6% patients with TIMI flow 2 or 3, 88 8% patients with MBG 2 or 3, and 40 4% patients with TIMI flow 3 and MBG 3 Mortality at follow up was 10 1% Multivariate analysis showed that the MBG and Killip grade at admission were major significant predictors of 6 month mortality Conclusion The primary objective of reperfusion therapies is not only restoration of blood flow in the epicardial coronary artery, but also complete reperfusion of the infarcted myocardium

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of coroflex (BRAUN, Germany) intracoronary stent. Methods To retrospectively analyze the immediate angiographic and clinical follow-up outcomes of 81 patients (pts) receiving coroflex intracoronary stenting. Results 88 coroflex intracoronary stents were implanted in 81 pts. According to ACC/AHA classification, 38 lesions were type A-B 1, 50 lesions were type B 2-C. 52 lesions were de novo, 22 were suboptimal results after PTCA and 14 lesions were bailout for dissections. Stent deployment was successful in 82/88 (93.2%). High-pressure (16-18 atm) balloon was used for stent deployment in 3 lesions with severe calcification. Dissection was occurred at distal of stent in 2 lesions but no inducing flow reduction. Angiography showed TIMI 2 grade after intracoronary stenting in 1 diffused lesion. There were no adverse events occurred during hospital stay. Clinical follow-up of in 75 pts were conducted for 7.5?3.0 (3-13) months, there were no cardiac death or myocardial infarction reported. Complain of angina (CCS class Ⅰ) occurred in 17 pts (22.7%). Repeat angiography was performed in 7 pts, there were 2 in-stent restenosis with successful revascularization. Conclusion Coroflex intracoronary stenting appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of coronary lesions with favorable outcomes.

0.05). However, compared with group II, group I had higher cardiac event rates (34.6% vs 20.4%, P =0.020). Conclusion Coronary stenting in ostial lesions may have similar procedural success rate, but less late benefit, compared with that in nonostial lesions.

Objective To compare the effect of direct stenting (DS) and conventional post-dilation stenting (CS) on no-reflow phenomena in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Methods Demographic characters, final baloon dilation pressure instant angiographic results, and long term outcomes were compared between patients receiving DS (n=127) and patients receiving CS (n=127). Results Patients in DS group had less degree of stenosis (82%?6% vs 87%?11%,P

0.05) were of no significance between the 2 group. There was no difference in recurrent agina and improvement of blood pressure. But rates of re-admission (26.9% vs 7.3%) and comorbity of renal failure (23.1% vs 1.8%) in group Ⅰ were significantly higher than those in group Ⅱ ( P