ObjectiveTo evaluate left ventricular systolic synchrony in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) by speckle tracking imaging (STI) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and investigate the correlation with ECG-gated myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (GMPS).MethodsA total of thirteen patients with CAD diagnosed by coronary angiography underwent STI and RT-3DE examinations.The data was analysed off-line using Qlab 8.0 software.STI systolic synchrony indexes included the standard deviation of times to peak strain in radial and circumferial direction in 12 left ventricular segments (Trs12-SD and Tcs12-SD),the standard deviation of times to peak longitudinal strain in 16 left ventricular segments (Tls16-SD).RT-3DE systolic synchrony indexes included the standard deviation of times to the minimum systolic volume in 16 and 12 left ventricular segments (Tmsv16-SD and Tmsv12-SD).GMPS was performed within one week before or after echocardiography.Phase analysis was performed offline using Emory Cardiac Toolbox software.Peak phase,phase SD,bandwidth,skewness and kurtosis were calculated.Results Trs12-SD derived from STI had a positive correlation with phase SD and bandwidth ( r =0.800,P ＜0.05 ; r =0.607,P ＜0.05).Tmsv16-SD derived from RT-3DE had a better positive correlation with phase SD and bandwidth ( r =0.847,P =0.001 ; r =0.890,P ＜0.001).ConclusionsTmsv16-SD derived from RT-3DE had a better correlation with GMPS parameters than STI parameters.RT-3DE assessment of left ventricular systolic parameters is expected to become the ideal synchronization indicator.

Objective: To study the serum interleukin-37 (IL-37) level changes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to explore the relationship between IL-37 and coronary atherosclerotic plaque.
Methods: Our research included 3 groups. ACS group, n=60, SAP (stable angina pectoris) group, n=30 and Control group, the subjects with normal coronary artery, n=15. The peripheral serum levels of IL-37 were examined by ELISA and the differences were compared among different groups.
Results: ① The serum levels of IL-37 at admission were as ACS group < SAP group < Control group, P<0.05.②Intervention could transitionally decrease IL-37 level in SAP group. With 4 weeks treatment, IL-37 levels were signiifcantly increased in both ACS group and SAP group than admission time, while they were still lower than Control group, P<0.05.③The serum level of IL-37 at admission was negatively related to IL-18 (r=-0.79, P<0.05), the ratio of IL-18/IL-37 were as ACS group>SAP group>Control group, P<0.05.④In ACS group, IL-37 level was negatively related to GRACE score (r=-0.71, P<0.05), the ratio of IL-18/IL-37 was positively related to GRACE score (r=0.73, P<0.05).⑤The diagnosis of ACS could be basically excluded if the patients with IL-37>77ug/L.
Conclusion: The serum IL-37 might be involved in the inlfammatory process in ACS patients, it could be expected as an index for ACS monitor and evaluation in clinical practice.

Objective To research the relationship between the myocardiac ischemic activity and degree of depression in elderly patients.MethodsThe Center For Epidemiological Studies-Depressive Scale(CES-D) was administered to evaluate depressive degree for 121 patients who were defined as coronary artery diseased by coronary angiography (CAG); group A (n=64) for no depressive symptoms,group B (n=34) for minor depression, group C (n=23) for major depression were studied to observing the myocardial ischemia using Holter's recording and exercise testing.ResultsCAG showed that single vessel disease was more frequently in group A;single,double and three-vessel disease showed approximative proportion in group B,three-vessel disease was more frequently in group C.The times of ST-depress were (4.2±1.3),lasting time of ST-depress was (35.8±9.2) min,and index of ST-depress was (3.28±0.9) min/h,which were higher than those of group A [(1.8±0.3),(16.6±4.2) min,(1.76±0.4) min/h] and group C [(2.1±0.7),(17.8±5.8) min,(1.69±0.5)min/ h](P<0.05);There was significantly frequent myocardial ischemia in group B than in group A during exercise testing (χ2=3.274,P<0.05). patients in group C tended to have approximative incidence of ischemia compared with group A during daily living,but more incidence of ischemia than group B during exercise testing(χ2=5.473,P<0.05).ConclusionThe depressive degree was associated with severity of coronary artery disease,mild to moderate symptoms of depression are associated with an increased likelihood of myocardial ischemia during daily living and exercise,but patients with severity depression absence symptoms of myocardial ischemia during daily living,and exhibit markedly myocardial ischemia during exercise.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of Guizhi Tongluo Tablets(GZTLP)on improving atherosclerosis in APOE knockout mice by regulating neutrophil extracellular trapping nets(NETs).Methods After modeling,24 APOE knockout mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into 4 groups:GZTLP high-dose group,low-dose group,model control group and normal control group,with 6 mice in each group.GZTLP was given 1.87 mg·g-1 and 0.47 mg·g-1 intragastric administration in high-dose group and low-dose group,respectively.The normal control group and model control group were given 0.9%sodium chloride solution intragastric administration for 6 weeks,and the lipid plaque deposition in aorta was observed by gross oil red O staining.Lipid deposition in aortic root was observed by oil red O staining.The pathological changes of lipid plaques in aortic root were observed by HE staining.The levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)in peripheral blood of mice were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The expression of lymphocyte antigen 6G(Ly6G),myeloperoxidase(MPO)and citrulinated histone(Cit-H3)in plaques of the aortic arch and the colocalization of Ly6G,MPO and Cit-H3 were detected by immunofluorescence assay.Results Compared with the normal control group,the aorta of mice in the model control group showed serious lipid plaque deposition,morphological damage,and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration,the contents of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α were increased,and the protein expressions of Ly6G,Cit-H3 and MPO were significantly increased.Compared with model control group,GZTLP group reduced the amount of lipid plaque deposition in aorta,the arrangement of aortic cells was more regular,the inflammatory cell infiltration was improved,and the contents of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The colocalization and the protein expression of Ly6G,MPO and Cit-H3 were significantly decreased in aortic tissues(P<0.01).Conclusions GZTLP can improve atherosclerosis,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of neutrophil extracellular trapping nets.