ObjectiveTo observe the effect of moxibustion with medicine cake on mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2,9 (MMP-2，MMP-9)in artherosclerosis (AS) plaques of rabbits, and to explore the effect of moxibustion with medicine cake to the stability of artherosclerosis plaques of rabbits.MethodsAS rabbit models were established by feeding high-fat diet. 75 New Zealand big-eared rabbits were divided into 5 groups, blank group (blank control group), model group (AS model group), direct moxibustion group (AS model + moxa cone direct moxibustion), moxibustion on medicine cake group (AS model + moxibustion on medicine cake), western medicine group (AS model + atorvastatin), 15 rabbits in each group. Then the mRNA expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 was detected in the atherosclerotic plaques of rabbits with in situ hybridization.ResultsThe expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 in the atherosclerotic plaques of rabbits were all be controlled in direct moxibustion group, moxibustion on medicine cake group, western medicine group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the moxibustion on medicine cake group and western medicine group were obviously lower than those of the direct moxibustion group.ConclusionThe expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 in the atherosclerotic plaques of rabbits can all be controlled in direct moxibustion group, moxibustion on medicine cake group, and western medicine group; as well as the plaques can all be made stable. The efficacy in the moxibustion on medicine cake group and western medicine group is superior to that of the direct moxibustion group.

Objective: To assess the clinical characteristics and identify the risk factors in the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients complicating with ventricular septal rupture (VSR). Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 96 AMI patients complicating with VSR, who were hospitalized in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Hunan Provincial Peoples′ Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, the Second Affiliated hospital of University of south China, Xiangtan Central Hospital from December 2007 to May 2017. There were 46 females and the age was (66.2±10.7) years (from 43 to 90 years). Patients were divided into in-hospital survival group (n=64) and in-hospital death group (n=32). The 96 patients were also divided into the early death group (survived ≤2 weeks after admission, n=50) and non-early death group (survived>2 weeks after admission, n=46). Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of the early death. Results: Location of VSR was available in 71 patients, VSR was located at the apical or anterior septum near the apical region in 64.0% (32/50) patients with the anterior AMI, VSR was located at the posterior wall and basal inferior segment in 57.1% (12/21) patients with non-anterior AMI. Compared to the in-hospital survival group, patients in the in-hospital death group were older ((69.6±11.3) years vs. (64.6±10.1) years, P=0.031), incidence of non-ventricular aneurysm (71.9% (23/32) vs. 37.5% (24/64), P=0.001) and anterior AMI (84.4%(27/32) vs. 62.5%(40/64), P=0.028) was significantly higher in the in-hospital death group than in the in-hospital survival group. The comparison between the early death group and non-early death group showed that older age, female, no history of angina or myocardial infarction, Killip grade>Ⅲ, and non-ventricular aneurysm were related to increased risk of the early mortality in this patient cohort. Logistic regression analysis revealed that female (OR=5.109,95%CI 1.19-22.00, P=0.012), no history of angina or myocardial infarction (OR=23.34, 95%CI 3.44-158.37, P=0.001), Killip grade>Ⅲ(OR=5.35, 95%CI 1.26-22.66, P=0.019) and non-ventricular aneurysm (OR=6.30,95%CI 1.67-23.73, P=0.005) were independent risk factors for early death in this patient cohort. Conclusion The risk factors of in-hospital death include older age, non-ventricular aneurysm and anterior AMI. Female, no history of angina or myocardial infarction, Killip grade>Ⅲ and non-ventricular aneurysm are independent risk factors for the early death of AMI patients complicating VSR.