BackgroundCalcific aortic stenosis (AS) is an active process sharing similarities with atherosclerosis and chronic inflammation. The pathophysiology of AS is notable for three cardinal components: inflammation, fibrosis and calcification. Monocytes play a role in each of these processes. The role of circulating monocytes in AS is not clear. The aim of the present study was to study an association between cir-culating apoptotic and non apoptotic CD14+ monocytes and AS features.MethodsWe assessed the number of CD14+ monocytes and apoptotic monocytes in 54 patients with significant AS (aortic valve area 0.74 ± 0.27 cm2) and compared them to 33 patients with similar risk factors and no valvular disease. The level of CD14+ monocytes and apoptotic monocytes was assessed by flow cytometry.ResultsThere was no difference in the risk factor profile and known coronary or peripheral vascular diseases between patients with AS and controls.Pa-tients with AS exhibited increased numbers of CD14+ monocytes as compared to controls (9.9% ± 4.9%vs. 7.7% ± 3.9%,P= 0.03). CD14+ monocyte number was related to age and the presence and severity of AS. In patients with AS, both CD14+ monocytes and apoptotic mono-cytes were inversely related to aortic valve area.ConclusionsPatients with significant AS have increased number of circulating CD14+ monocytes and there is an inverse correlation between monocyte count and aortic valve area. These findings may suggest that inflammation is operative not only in early valve injury phase, but also at later developed stages such as calcification when AS is severe.

Background One of the major challenges in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) ablation is ventricular tachy-cardia (VT) non-inducibility. The study aimed to assess whether fast rate (≥ 250 beats/min) right ventricular burst stimulation was useful for VT induction in patients with ARVC.Methods Ninety-one consecutive ARVC patients with clinical sustained VT that underwent electro-physiological study were enrolled. The stimulation protocol was implemented at both right ventricular apex and outflow tract as follows: Step A, up to double extra-stimuli; Step B, incremental stimulation with low rate (< 250 beats/min); Step C, burst stimulation with fast rate (≥ 250 beats/min); Step D, repeated all steps above with intravenous infusion of isoproterenol.Results A total of 76 patients had inducible VT (83.5%), among which 49 were induced by Step C, 15 were induced by Step B, 8 and 4 by Step A and D, respectively. Clinical VTs were induced in 60 patients (65.9%). Only two spontaneously ceased ventricular fibrillations were induced by Step C. Multivariate analysis showed that a narrower baseline QRS duration under sinus rhythm was independently associated with VT non-inducibility (OR: 1.1; 95% CI: 1.0–1.1;P = 0.019).ConclusionFast rate (≥ 250 beats/min) right ventricular burst stimulation provides a useful supplemental method for VT induction in ARVC patients.

Objective To examine the relationship between upper leg length (ULL) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in older adults.Methods Data was collected from National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES, 2009–2010). 786 individuals (385 males and 401 females) who were 60 years of age or older were included in this analysis. MetS was defined as having at least three of following conditions, i.e., cen-tral obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and hypertension based on National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines. ULL was grouped into gender-specific tertiles.Results328 (41.7%) of participants were categorized as having MetS (38.7% in men and 49.1% in women,P = 0.002). Compared to individuals in the 1st tertile (T1) of ULL, those in the 3rd tertile (T3) had lower levels of triglycerides (120.8 vs. 153.1 mg/dL,P = 0.045), waist circumference (100.7vs. 104.2 cm,P = 0.049), and systolic blood pressure (126.7vs. 131.4 mmHg, P = 0.005), but higher levels of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (58.1vs. 52.4 mg/dL,P = 0.024). The odds ratios (95% CI) of MetS from multivariate logistic regression were 0.57 (0.32–1.03) for individuals in the T2 of ULL and 0.39 (0.24–0.64) for individuals in the T3 of ULL, respectively (P-value for the trend 0.022).Conclusions ULL was negatively associated with MetS in older adults. Further research is needed to identify potential mechanisms.

ObjectiveTo validate a modified HEART [History, Electrocardiograph (ECG), Age, Risk factors and Troponin] risk score in chest pain patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) in the emergency department (ED).Methods This retrospective cohort study used a prospectively acquired database and chest pain patients admitted to the emergency department with suspected NSTE-ACS were enrolled. Data recorded on arrival at the ED were used. The serum sample of high-sensitivity cardiac Troponin I other than conventional cardiac Troponin I used in the HEART risk score was tested. The modified HEART risk score was calculated. The end point was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as a composite of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), percu-taneous intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), or all-cause death, within three months after initial presentation.Results A total of 1,300 patients were enrolled. A total of 606 patients (46.6%) had a MACE within three months: 205 patients (15.8%) were diag-nosed with AMI, 465 patients (35.8%) underwent PCI, and 119 patients (9.2%) underwent CABG. There were 10 (0.8%) deaths. A progres-sive, significant pattern of increasing event rate was observed as the score increased (P < 0.001 byχ2 for trend). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.84. All patients were classified into three groups: low risk (score 0–2), intermediate risk (score 3–4), and high risk (score 5–10). Event rates were 1.1%, 18.5%, and 67.0%, respectively (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe modified HEART risk score was validated in chest pain patients with suspected NSTE-ACS and may complement MACE risk assessment and patients triage in the ED. A prospective study of the score is warranted.

Objective To assess the effect of altitude hypoxia on the elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Three subject groups were surveyed during their train trip on the highest railroad--the Qinghai-Tibet Railway: 22 elderly individuals with documented CAD, 20 healthy elderly controls, and 20 healthy young controls, all of whom from Beijing near the sea level (76 m). Survey questions addressed clinical features of their healthy conditions and aspects of their coronary disease. The baseline study was performed at Xining at an altitude of 2261 m, and then during acute exposure to altitudes of 2808 m, 4768m, 5072 m and 4257 m by train for 24 hours. Resting pulse rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, electrocardiograph (ECG), and cardiac work estimated by the heart rate-blood pressure double product were obtained five times in each subject at different altitudes. Results On arrival to altitudes between 4768 m and 5072 m, the older passengers, especially those with preexisting coronary disease, had higher HR, higher BP, and lower SaO2, as well as more frequent abnormalities on ECG, as compared to the younger healthy subjects. As compared with the healthy elderly controls, incomplete right bundle branch block, left ventricular hypertrophy, and ST segment depression were more frequently seen in the elderly coronary patients (P<0.01). Cardiac work in group 1 was increased by 13% 12 hours after arrival to altitudes between 2808 m and 5072 m. Oxygen saturation decreased significantly with the altitude increasing by train ascent but improved after inhalation of oxygen. Most of the older subjects tolerated their sojourn at high altitude well except one who developed angina repeatedly with a significant ST segment depression. Conclusions Coronary events and ECG signs of myocardial ischemia are rare in elderly individuals with CAD who travel from sea level to moderate altitudes of 1500m to 2800 m. Patients with CAD who are well compensated at sea level generally tolerate this moderate altitude well. However, it would be prudent for patients with CAD going to altitude above 3000 m. The patients should consult their physician before undertaking a trip to such altitude.

Background and Objective Hyperlipidemia is one of the most potent and best substantiated risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). Purified Salvia miltiorrhiza extract (PSME) had been shown to have hypolipidemic effect in animal experiments. This study aimed to evaluate its iipids modulating effects in hyperlipidemic patients. Methods In this single-blind, placebo controlled study, lipid profiles of 80 hyperlipidemic patients were checked at same conditions. They were divided into two equal groups randomly (each composing of 40 patients). They were given PSME tablet (800 mg) three times per day, or placebo tablet. All patients were put on NCEP type Ⅱ diet and six weeks later, lipid profiles were checked. Results In PSME group, total cholesterol decreased by 27.32 mg/dl (12.3% reduction), LDL-cholesterol decreased by 23.13 mg/dl (16.8% reduction) and HDL-cholesterol increased by 9.06 mg/dl (11.1%), all were statistically significant. Although triglyceride dropped by 12.12 mg/dl (5.1%) but this was not significant statistically (P=-0.34). There were no significant changes oflipids levels in the placebo group. Conclusions PSME has significant favorable effect on total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol and may be a potential agent for the treatment ofatherogenic dyslipidemia.

Objective To develop a tool capable of early and exactly predicting various outcomes in comatose survivors who restore spontaneous circulation after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and validate its performance.Methods Variables that were both readily available and predictive of outcomes were identified by systematically reviewing published literature on resuscitation.A value was assigned to these variables.We used these variables in combination with APACHE Ⅱ/score to devise a multifactorial prediction score system,which we called PRCSs Prognostication Score (PRCSs-PS).Outcomes in 115 hospitalized comatose survivors after CPR were retrospectively reviewed using PRCSs-PS.Score of patients with different outcomes was compared.The area under the receiveroperating characteristic (ROC) curve was determined to evaluate performance of this tool to identify patients with a poor outcome (CPC4 and 5) and other outcomes (CPC1,2,and 3).Results There were differences of PRCSs-PS score among multiple groups with five different outcomes (CPC1-5)(F=65.91,P=0.000).Pairwise groups with different CPC were compared:no significant difference was noted between CPC 1 and CPC2 (12.41±6.49 vs 17.38±6.91,P=0.092),but difference between other pairwise CPC groups was statistically significant (CPC2 vs CPC3:17.38±6.91 vs 24.50±5.80,P=0.041,CPC3 vs CPC4:24.50±5.80 vs 32.29±5.24,P=0.006).The performance of PRCSs-PS to discriminate patients with a poor outcome from patients with other outcomes went as follows:it had 100% sensitivity,78.6% specificity,and 178.6 diagnostic index at the score cut-off22.5; it had 77.8% sensitivity,100% specificity and 176.4 diagnostic index at the score cut-off32.5.Score 23 and 33 were two key cut-offpoints.The area under the ROC curve was 0.968,showing excellent discrimination.Conclusions The final outcomes in post-resuscitation comatose survivors can be accurately predicted using PRCSs-PS Score.

To investigate the relationship between severity of cerebrovascular atherosclerosis stenosis and that of coronary atherosclerosis stenosis.Methods Cerebral angiography and coronary angiography were performed in 34 patients who had coronary disease with cerebral ischemia.Patients were divided into 3 subgroups according to the degree ofstenosis on angiography,concomitant diseases,risk factors and biochemical data.Results The follow-up study showed that the incidence of cardiac and cerebrovascular death increased significantly in patients with moderate to severe stenosis of coronary and cerebral arteries;the severity of stenosis in the coronary artery parallels that in the solitary carotid artery,or dual carotid and vertebral arteries.Conclusions Patients with coronary and cerebral artery stenosis,especially those with multi-risk factors,such as hypertension,diabetes and cigarette smoking,should receive intensive treatment to reduce cardiac and cerebrovascular events.(J Geriatr Cardiol 2008;5:227-229)

Hypertension is a common clinical problem in the elderly worldwide and physicians of all types are likely to encounter patients with hypertensive urgencies and emergencies in these patients. Although various terms have been applied to these conditions,they are all characterized by acute elevations in blood pressure and evidence of end-organ injury. Prompt, but carefully considered therapy is necessary to limit morbidity and mortality. A wide range of pharmacologic alternatives are available to the practitioner to control blood pressure and treat complications in these patients. The management of the elderly patient with hypertensive crises needs to include close monitoring and a gentle decline in blood pressure to avoid catastrophic complications, exacerbation of ischemic myopathy, and vascular insufficiency.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the potential value of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging in the diagnosis of aortic intramural hematoma (AIH).MethodsFrom September 2002 to May 2005,a consecutive series of 15 patients with suspected aortic dissection (AD) underwent both IVUS imaging and spiral computed tomography (CT).Six patients diagnosed as acute type B AIH by CT or IVUS composed the present study group.ResultsThe study group consisted of five males and one female with mean age of 66 years old.All of them had chest or back pain.In one patient,CT omitted a localized AIH and an associated penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU),which were detected by IVUS.In another patient,CT mistaken a partly thrombosed false lumen as an AIH,whereas IVUS detected a subtle intimal tear and slow moving blood in the false lumen.In the four rest patients,both CT and IVUS made the diagnosis of AIH,however,IVUS detected three PAUs in three of them,only one of them was also detected by CT,and two of them escaped initial CT and were confirmed by follow up CT or magnetic resonance imaging.ConclusionsIVUS imaging is a safe examination and has high accuracy in the diagnosis of AIH,particularly for diagnosing localized AIH,distinguishing AIH with thrombosed classic AD and detecting accompanied small PAUs.