Objective To investigate the relationship between the levels of circulating pregnancy-associated plasma protein A(PAPP-A,a novel marker of atherosclerotic plaque activity) and myocardial perfusion before or after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome(NSTEACS).Methods Forty-four patients with high-risk NSTEACS were examined for serum PAPP-A levels,cardiac troponin T and the brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation(FMD) before PCI.The angiographic data was analyzed before and after PCI in terms of TIMI myocardial perfusion grade(TMPG) in the area of culprit vessels.Results Before PCI,twenty patients with TMPG 1-2 had higher PAPP-A levels(30.41?21.33 mIu/L vs.23.55?18.61 mIu/L,P=0.036) and lower FMD(2.95%?1.71% vs.3.54%?1.58%,P=0.027) companed with the patients with TMPG 2-3.After PCI,twelve patients with TMPG 1-2 had higher PAPP-A levels(35.64?20.58 mIu/L vs.21.87?19.30 mIu/L,P=0.009) and lower FMD(2.26%?1.83% vs.3.95%?1.43%,P=0.018) than those with TMPG 2-3.Conclusion The PAPP-A level and the degree of endothelial dysfunction play roles in myocardial perfusion in patients with high-risk NSTEACS.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Pravastatin versus Simvastatin in downregulating low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) and upregulating high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C).METHODS: A total of 66 patients with hypercholesterolemia were enrolled: 33 were randomly assigned to receive Pravastatin(40 mg) for 6 weeks,and another 33 to receive Simvastatin(40 mg) for 6 weeks.Serum lipid levels at baseline and 6 weeks after medication were measured.The primary effective indicator was LDL-C as compared with baseline value and the secondary effective indicator was HDL-C.Safety was evaluated based on laboratory data and clinical adverse reactions.RESULTS: Both Pravastatin and Simvastatin significantly decreased LDL-C level,showing significant differences as compared with before medication(P0.05).Less adverse drug reactions were noted in both groups.CONCLUSION: Pravastatin and Simvastatin were equivalent in lipid-regulatory effect and both were well-tolerated.