PURPOSE: Recent studies show positive association of early repolarization (ER) with the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study was to investigate the relationships of ER with myocardial scarring and prognosis in patients with CAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 570 consecutive CAD patients, patients with and without ER were assigned to ER group (n=139) and no ER group (n=431), respectively. Myocardial scar was evaluated using cardiac single-photon emission computed tomography. RESULTS: ER group had previous history of myocardial infarction (33% vs. 15%, p<0.001) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (57+/-13% vs. 62+/-13%, p<0.001) more frequently than no-ER group. While 74 (53%) patients in ER group had myocardial scar, only 121 (28%) patients had in no-ER group (p<0.001). During follow up, 9 (7%) and 4 (0.9%) patients had cardiac events in ER and no-ER group, respectively (p=0.001). All patients with cardiac events had ER in inferior leads and horizontal/descending ST-segment. Patients with both ER in inferior leads and horizontal/descending ST variant and scar had an increased adjusted hazard ratio of cardiac events (hazard ratio 16.0; 95% confidence interval: 4.1 to 55.8; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: ER in inferior leads with a horizontal/descending ST variant was associated with increased risk of cardiac events. These findings suggest that ER in patients with CAD may be related to myocardial scar rather than pure ion channel problem.
Aged ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/physiopathology ; Cicatrix/*physiopathology ; Coronary Artery Disease/*pathology/*physiopathology ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac/pathology ; Female ; Heart Conduction System/abnormalities/physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium/*pathology ; Prognosis

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of simultaneous percutaneous transluminal renal artery stenting (PTRAS) and percutaneous coronary artery interventions (PCI) on cardiac and renal function in patients with renal artery stenosis (RAS) and coronary artery disease (CAD), and explore the factors affecting the long-term prognosis.

METHODSThis retrospective cohort study enrolled 169 patients with RAS and CAD from January 2006 to January 2010, 149 patients were intervened with PTRAS and PCI simultaneously (combined group) and the remaining 20 patients were treated with PCI (PCI group). All patients were followed up for at least 2 years. Clinical data including blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), echocardiography and major adverse events were obtained.

RESULTSThe average stenotic ratio of the left and right renal artery in PCI group were significantly lower than those in combined group (both P < 0.01). After 2 years, there was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure compared to baseline level in the combined group (P < 0.01). In the PCI group, both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower during follow-up than at the baseline level (both P < 0.01) . Echocardiography examination showed that left ventricular mass index (LVMI) during follow up was significantly lower than the baseline value in both groups, and the reduction extent in the combined group was larger than in PCI group (-55.6 g/m(2) vs.-12.8 g/m(2), P < 0.01) . In the combined group, the eGFR value decreased from (44.7 ± 17.4) ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2) to (41.7 ± 18.9) ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2) (P < 0.01). eGFR level remained unchanged in PCI group (P > 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that baseline renal dysfunction was not significantly related to the long-term adverse prognosis in combined group (HR = 0.986, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSimultaneous PTRAS and PCI are safe and effective for treating patients with RAS and CAD. Simultaneous PTRAS and PCI are beneficial on controlling blood pressure and reducing left ventricular mass index but has no impact on renal function change.

Aged ; Coronary Artery Disease ; therapy ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Renal Artery ; pathology ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents

BACKGROUNDBoth non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are closely associated with many metabolic disorders. Invasive coronary angiography (CAG) is a common approach as an intervention for CAD. However, the association between angiographic severity of coronary artery and NAFLD remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between NAFLD and CAD.

METHODSTotally 542 consecutive patients who planned to undergo CAG due to a suspected CAD were enrolled. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed before angiography to detect NAFLD. CAD was defined as stenosis of at least 50% in at least one major coronary artery. The severity of CAD was assessed by the number of vessels affected and the vessel score multiplied by the severity score (Gensini score). Significant stenosis was defined as 70% or greater reduction in lumen diameter. A probability value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTSOf 542 patients studied, 248 (45.8%) were found to have NAFLD by abdominal CT, and 382 patients (88%) were found to have significant CAD by CAG. Age, diabetes mellitus, waist circumference, body mass index, and obesity were associated with NAFLD. According to the results of Logistic regression analysis, the presence of NAFLD independently increased the risk for CAD, as seen in CAG (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 7.585 (4.617-12.461); P < 0.001). NAFLD was significantly more common in patients as CAD severity increased (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe presence of NAFLD is associated with high severity of CAD, requiring that patients with abdominal obesity be also investigated for NAFLD. Patients with NAFLD should be closely followed up for the presence and severity of CAD.

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Fatty Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

BACKGROUNDPostsystolic shortening (PSS) has been proposed as a marker of myocardial dysfunction. Strain rate imaging (SRI) is a novel ultrasonic technique, allowing reliable and noninvasive measurement of myocardial deformation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of myocardial longitudinal PSS by SRI in ischemic and infarct myocardium in patients with coronary artery disease, and to explore its clinical applicability.

METHODSEleven patients with angina pectoris, 21 patients with myocardial infarction and 20 healthy subjects were included in the study. Apical four-, three- and two-chamber views were displayed; and septal, lateral, anteroseptal, posterior, anterior and inferior walls of the left ventricle were scanned, respectively. PSS strain (epsilon(pss)), the ratio of epsilon(pss) and systolic strain (epsilon(pss)/epsilon(sys)), the ratio of epsilon(pss) and maximum strain (epsilon(pss)/epsilon(max)) and the duration of PSS (T(pss)) in ischemic, infarct and normal myocardium were analyzed.

RESULTSPSS was found more frequent in the ischemic and infarct segments compared with the normal segments (39% vs 22% and 56% vs 22%, respectively; both P < 0.01). It was even more frequent in the infarct segments than in the ischemic segments (56% vs 39%, P < 0.01). The absolute magnitude of epsilon(pss), epsilon(pss)/epsilon(sys), epsilon(pss)/epsilon(max) were significantly larger and T(pss) significantly longer in the ischemic and infarct segments compared with that in the normal myocardium (P < 0.01). epsilon(pss)/epsilon(sys), epsilon(pss)/epsilon(max) were even larger and T(pss) even longer in the infarct than in the ischemic segments (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPSS is a common and important feature of the ischemic and infarct myocardium. epsilon(pss), epsilon(pss)/epsilon(sys), epsilon(pss)/epsilon(max) and T(pss) as measured by SRI may be promising markers for the quantitative assessment of regional myocardial dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease. epsilon(pss)/epsilon(sys), epsilon(pss)/epsilon(max) and T(pss) may be helpful in differentiating infarct from ischemic myocardium.

Aged ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Echocardiography ; methods ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Ischemia ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Systole

PURPOSE: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) has been described in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and its presence is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death. However, it is unclear whether there is an independent relationship between renal function and CAC. Therefore, we evaluated the association between renal function and CAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 870 Korean patients who had undergone computed tomographic coronary angiography. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study formula with an ethnic factor for the Korean population. The CKD stages were classified using estimated GFR (eGFR) and proteinuria. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 56.8+/-11.8 years, and the mean eGFR was 89.4+/-16.5 mL/min/1.73 m2. Hypertension and diabetes were noted in 41.5 and 17.0% of patients, respectively. There were 584 and 286 patients with no CAC and with CAC, respectively. After adjusting for confounding variables, late stage CKD was associated with CAC [odds ratio (OR) 2.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-7.46]. However, early stage CKD was not associated with CAC (OR 1.61, 95% CI 0.92-2.82). Diabetes was an independent risk factor of CAC (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.36-3.13). There was no significant association between proteinuria and CAC (OR 1.65, 95% CI 0.96-2.85). CONCLUSION: CAC is related to late stage CKD in nondialyzed patients. These findings emphasize that individuals with CAC should be considered a high-risk population for decreased renal function.
Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Coronary Artery Disease/*pathology/*physiopathology ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate/physiology ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases/pathology/*physiopathology ; Linear Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proteinuria/pathology/physiopathology ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUNDInflammation within vulnerable coronary plaques may cause unstable angina by promoting rupture and erosion. C-reactive protein (CRP) is the most reliable and accessible test method for clinical use for identifying coronary artery disease event. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is highly over-expressed in the vulnerable regions of a plaque. Our aim was to evaluate the plasma levels of MMP-9 and hsCRP in subjects with both unstable angina and coronary plaques, as well as in those with unstable angina without coronary plaques.

METHODSPatients with newly diagnosed unstable angina pectoris from clinical presentation and ECG, who were undergoing coronary angiography from April 2007 to April 2009, were included in this study. A total of 170 subjects were enrolled in the study. Before angiography, the baseline clinical data (mainly including conventional risk factors) was collected. These patients were divided into two groups, a non-plaque group (G1) which included 55 patients with no significant stenosis or less than 20% stenosis in at least one of the major coronary artery branches, and a plaque group (G2) which included 115 patients with at least one of the major coronary artery branches unstable angina pectoris with at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery. The patients presenting with calcified nodules of a major coronary artery were excluded from this study. We examined the serum levels of MMP-9 for all cases by multi-effect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference in the serum levels of MMP-9 between the two groups (P < 0.001). The percentage of patients with hypertension, diabetes and current smokers were significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.034, P = 0.031, and P = 0.044 respectively). The univariate Logistic regression analyses of risk factors showed that smoking was the main risk factor for angina in the non-plaque group with the OR being 1.95 (95%CI 1.02 - 3.75). Hypertension, diabetes mellitus were negatively related with the occurrence of angina in the non-plaque group with the ORs being 0.50, and 0.36, respectively (95%CI 0.26 - 0.96 and 0.14 - 0.94). The MMP-9 level was negatively related to the occurrence of angina in the non-plaque group with an OR of 0.59 (95%CI 0.47 - 0.81).

CONCLUSIONSThere is a significantly difference in MMP-9 levels between the plaque and non-plaque groups. Current smoking has a significant influence on unstable angina patients without documented plaques. The serum MMP-9 level may be a significant biomarker which can help differentiate patients with unstable angina with plaques from those with unstable angina but without plaques.

Aged ; Angina, Unstable ; blood ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Coronary Vessels ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of rosuvastatin on the functions of the surviving myocardium and arteriosclerosis plaque in patients with ST-segment elevation after acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODSSixty-five STEMI patients were randomized to receive 40 mg simvastatin (n=32) or 10 mg rosuvastatin (n=33) before sleep in addition to conventional medications. Before PCI and after the 12-month medications, the plasma levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured, and echocardiography and (99)Tc(m)-MIBI single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were performed to assess the therapeutic effects.

RESULTSAt the end of 12 months, the patients in simvastatin group showed significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL-C, CRP, TNF-α, and (99)Tc(m)-MIBI uptake fraction. In rosuvastatin group, these reductions were even more obvious; the intima media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery was reduced significantly after a 12-month rosuvastatin therapy, but almost remained unchanged after simvastatin therapy.

CONCLUSIONRosuvastatin therapy in addition to conventional medications can significantly reduce IMT and improve the functions of the surviving myocardium in patients with STEMI after PCI.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Coronary Artery Disease ; pathology ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Fluorobenzenes ; therapeutic use ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use ; Rosuvastatin Calcium ; Sulfonamides ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUNDThe sirolimus and paclitaxel distribution patterns and tissue residence time may be modified in atherosclerotic lesions for patients with diabetes, and the biological mechanisms of action for these agents differ significantly. Previous clinical trials have yielded discrepant results of major adverse cardiac events and restenosis between a sirolimus-eluting stent and a paclitaxel-eluting stent in coronary artery disease. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare in-hospital and long-term clinical outcomes between patients receiving sirolimus-eluting stent (Cypher or Cypher Select stent) and paclitaxel-eluting stent (Taxus Express stent) after percutaneous intervention (PCI) in Chinese patients with diabetes.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty-four consecutive diabetic patients underwent PCI in Fuwai Hospital from April 2004 to December 2004. Of them, 101 patients received Cypher or Cypher Select stents (Cypher group, 145 stents) and 63 patients received Taxus Express stents (Taxus group, 129 stents). Repeat coronary angiography was performed at 6-month and clinical outcomes were evaluated at 1- and 3-year follow-up. Stent thrombosis was classified according to Academic Research Consortium (ARC).

RESULTSThe two groups did not differ significantly with respect to cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI), target vessel revascularization (TVR) and occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). And the MACE-free cumulative survival at 1- and 3-year follow-up and early, late and very late thrombosis rates were also similar in the two groups (all P > 0.05). There was a trend favoring PES over SES with regard to reducing cardiac death (0 vs 2.0%, P = 0.524), re-MI (0 vs 2.0%, P = 0.524), the composite of the cardiac death and re-MI (0 vs 4.0%, P = 0.299) and very late thrombosis (0 vs 3.0%, P = 0.295) between 1-year and 3-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONThe study indicates that PCI with either Cypher or Taxus stents is associated with similar efficacy and safety in the small population of Chinese diabetic patients during long-term follow-up.

Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; statistics & numerical data ; China ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Diabetes Complications ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus ; ethnology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inpatients ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Analysis ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome