Pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)is characterized by progressively elevated pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance.The core pathological consequence is a significant increase in right ventricular afterload,leading to right ventricular-pulmonary arterial uncoupling,and ultimately resulting in right heart failure and death.This consensus was jointly developed by experts in the field,organized by National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases,China Specialized Alliance of Pulmonary Hypertension and National Expert Committee for Cardiovascular Diseases,Professional Committee of Right Heart and Pulmonary Vascular Diseases.The consensus focuses on the definition,classification,epidemiology,pathophysiological mechanisms,diagnosis,assessment,treatment,and management of PAH-induced right heart failure.By the integrating evidence-based medicine data and the clinical expertise of Chinese specialists,this consensus summarizes standardized evaluation and management protocols.Its goals are to enhance the diagnostic and therapeutic standards for PAH-related right heart failure and ultimately improve patients'quality of life while reducing mortality.

Cardiovascular disease and pneumonia are the leading causes of death in the world,and often co-exist in severely ill patients,resulting in high mortality and severe sequelae.Community-acquired pneumonia and severe viral pneumonia(such as COVID-19)can cause new or worsen heart failure,arrhythmia,myocardial infarction,myocarditis,thromboembolism and other cardiovascular events(CVE).In turn,cardiac injury can also exacerbate lung disease,leading to multiple organ failure and even death.In this paper,we reviewed the correlation the advancements in pathophysiological mechanisms,high-risk factors,and clinical risk prediction models between pneumonia and CVE.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)is characterized by progressively elevated pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance.The core pathological consequence is a significant increase in right ventricular afterload,leading to right ventricular-pulmonary arterial uncoupling,and ultimately resulting in right heart failure and death.This consensus was jointly developed by experts in the field,organized by National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases,China Specialized Alliance of Pulmonary Hypertension and National Expert Committee for Cardiovascular Diseases,Professional Committee of Right Heart and Pulmonary Vascular Diseases.The consensus focuses on the definition,classification,epidemiology,pathophysiological mechanisms,diagnosis,assessment,treatment,and management of PAH-induced right heart failure.By the integrating evidence-based medicine data and the clinical expertise of Chinese specialists,this consensus summarizes standardized evaluation and management protocols.Its goals are to enhance the diagnostic and therapeutic standards for PAH-related right heart failure and ultimately improve patients'quality of life while reducing mortality.

Cardiovascular disease and pneumonia are the leading causes of death in the world,and often co-exist in severely ill patients,resulting in high mortality and severe sequelae.Community-acquired pneumonia and severe viral pneumonia(such as COVID-19)can cause new or worsen heart failure,arrhythmia,myocardial infarction,myocarditis,thromboembolism and other cardiovascular events(CVE).In turn,cardiac injury can also exacerbate lung disease,leading to multiple organ failure and even death.In this paper,we reviewed the correlation the advancements in pathophysiological mechanisms,high-risk factors,and clinical risk prediction models between pneumonia and CVE.

Objectives:To evaluate the tricuspid valve(TV)geometric remodeling in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension(IPAH)by three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Methods:Two-dimensional and three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography were performed in 30 IPAH patients and 15 healthy controls,and the geometry parameters of TV were obtained by four-dimensional auto tricuspid valve quantitative(4D Auto-TVQ)in the right ventricular-focused apical view.Pulmonary arterial hypertension was determined by right heart catheterization within 48 hours of echocardiography. Results:The 4-chamber diameter,tricuspid annular(TA)perimeter,TA area,maximal tenting height,coaptation point height and tenting volume were larger in IPAH patients than those in healthy controls(all P＜0.05),2-chamber diameter was similar between two groups.In IPAH group,maximal tenting height and coaptation point height were moderately correlated with right ventricular end-diastolic volume(r=0.710,r=0.515,both P＜0.05),while TA perimeter,4-chamber diameter and TA area were moderately correlated with right atrial end-systolic volume(r=0.712,r=0.558,r=0.545,all P＜0.05). Conclusions:IPAH patients have larger maximal tenting height,coaptation point height and tenting volume,TA enlargement is mainly visible in 4-chamber diameter.TV tenting height is associated with right ventricular volume,but TA size is associated with right atrial volume in IPAH patients.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety profile of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir ± ribavirin (SOF/VEL/VOX±RBV) for salvage treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients who have failed direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).Methods:Patients with chronic hepatitis C who failed DAAs±RBV treatment and were treated in five hospitals in Chongqing, Guangdong, Guizhou, and Guangxi from January 2022 to December 2023 were included in this retrospective study. One or more courses of DAAs±RBV therapy were evaluated for all patients who had been previously treated. Virological rebound occurrence was observed during the follow-up. SOF/VEL/VOX±RBV was used for one course of salvage treatment. Virological and biochemical indicators were analyzed before salvage therapy, post-treatment, and drug discontinuation at 12 weeks. Adverse drug events were recorded during treatment. Data between groups were compared using t-tests or non-parametric tests.Results:A total of 26 cases of chronic hepatitis C who had failed DAAs±RBV were included in this study, with an age of (52.9±9.6) years. Twenty-one cases (80.8%) were male, sixteen (61.5%) had a history of drug abuse, two (7.7%) had combined human immunodeficiency virus infection, and fourteen (53.8%) had combined cirrhosis. The previous DAA regimen of 21 cases (80.8%) included SOF/VEL. The baseline HCV RNA load of salvage treatment was (5.8±1.6) log 10 IU/ml, and 16 cases (61.5%) were genotype 3. All patients completed the 12-week SOF/VEL/VOX±RBV salvage treatment and achieved sustained virological response (SVR) at the end of treatment. All 22 cases were followed up for 12 weeks following treatment completion and attained SVR12, including patients with genotype 3 and cirrhosis. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) had normalized return rates of 94.1% and 93.8%, respectively, following therapy. ALT, AST, FIB-4 index, APRI, and aPMAP scores were significantly lower than those before treatment ( Z=-3.980, -3.875, -3.461, -3.582, P<0.05). The proportion of patients in the high-risk group of liver cancer dropped (52.6% before treatment and 33.3% after treatment), and more patients were reclassified to medium-and low-risk groups. Two cases (7.7%) experienced nausea and diarrhea, one case (3.8%) had a headache, and one case (3.8%) had fatigue, all of which were well managed during treatment. There were no serious adverse events, deaths, or interruptions of treatment due to adverse reactions. Conclusions:SOF/VEL/VOX is a safe and effective salvage treatment option for chronic hepatitis C patients who have failed DAAs therapy, and may be particularly beneficial to refractory populations infected with genotype 3 and combined with cirrhosis.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety profile of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir ± ribavirin (SOF/VEL/VOX±RBV) for salvage treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients who have failed direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).Methods:Patients with chronic hepatitis C who failed DAAs±RBV treatment and were treated in five hospitals in Chongqing, Guangdong, Guizhou, and Guangxi from January 2022 to December 2023 were included in this retrospective study. One or more courses of DAAs±RBV therapy were evaluated for all patients who had been previously treated. Virological rebound occurrence was observed during the follow-up. SOF/VEL/VOX±RBV was used for one course of salvage treatment. Virological and biochemical indicators were analyzed before salvage therapy, post-treatment, and drug discontinuation at 12 weeks. Adverse drug events were recorded during treatment. Data between groups were compared using t-tests or non-parametric tests.Results:A total of 26 cases of chronic hepatitis C who had failed DAAs±RBV were included in this study, with an age of (52.9±9.6) years. Twenty-one cases (80.8%) were male, sixteen (61.5%) had a history of drug abuse, two (7.7%) had combined human immunodeficiency virus infection, and fourteen (53.8%) had combined cirrhosis. The previous DAA regimen of 21 cases (80.8%) included SOF/VEL. The baseline HCV RNA load of salvage treatment was (5.8±1.6) log 10 IU/ml, and 16 cases (61.5%) were genotype 3. All patients completed the 12-week SOF/VEL/VOX±RBV salvage treatment and achieved sustained virological response (SVR) at the end of treatment. All 22 cases were followed up for 12 weeks following treatment completion and attained SVR12, including patients with genotype 3 and cirrhosis. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) had normalized return rates of 94.1% and 93.8%, respectively, following therapy. ALT, AST, FIB-4 index, APRI, and aPMAP scores were significantly lower than those before treatment ( Z=-3.980, -3.875, -3.461, -3.582, P<0.05). The proportion of patients in the high-risk group of liver cancer dropped (52.6% before treatment and 33.3% after treatment), and more patients were reclassified to medium-and low-risk groups. Two cases (7.7%) experienced nausea and diarrhea, one case (3.8%) had a headache, and one case (3.8%) had fatigue, all of which were well managed during treatment. There were no serious adverse events, deaths, or interruptions of treatment due to adverse reactions. Conclusions:SOF/VEL/VOX is a safe and effective salvage treatment option for chronic hepatitis C patients who have failed DAAs therapy, and may be particularly beneficial to refractory populations infected with genotype 3 and combined with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the commonest cause of heart failure (HF), whereas pulmonary hypertension (PH) has not been established or reported in this patient population. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence, risk factors, and survival in CAD-associated HF (CAD-HF) complicated with PH. METHODS: Symptomatic CAD-HF patients were continuously enrolled in this prospective, multicenter registry study. Echocardiography, coronary arteriography, left and right heart catheterization (RHC), and other baseline clinical data were recorded. Patients were followed up and their survival was recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-two CAD-HF patients were enrolled, including 142 with HF with a preserved ejection fraction (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction [HFpEF]; left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] ≥50%) and 40 with a reduced ejection fraction (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction [HFrEF]; LVEF < 50%). PH was diagnosed with RHC in 77.5% of patients. Patients with PH showed worse hemodynamic parameters and higher mortality. HFrEF-PH patients had worse survival than HFpEF-PH patients. CAD-HF patients with an enlarged left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and reduced hemoglobin were at higher risk of PH. Nitrate treatment reduced the risk of PH. Elevated creatinine and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), diastolic pressure gradient (DPG) ≥7 mmHg, and previous myocardial infarction (MI) entailed a higher risk of mortality in CAD-HF patients with PH. CONCLUSIONS: PH is common in CAD-HF and worsens the hemodynamics and survival in these patients. Left ventricle enlargement and anemia increase the risk of PH in CAD-HF. Patients may benefit from nitrate medications. Renal impairment, elevated mPAP, DPG ≥7 mmHg, and previous MI are strong predictors of mortality in CAD-HF-PH patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02164526.
Coronary Artery Disease/epidemiology* ; Creatinine ; Heart Failure/complications* ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/complications* ; Nitrates ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Registries ; Risk Factors ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left

Objectives: To explore weather oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) may predict the prognosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Methods: The consecutive newly diagnosed IPAH patients in our hospital from 2010-11 to 2015-06 were prospectively enrolled and regular follow-up study was conducted to record cardiovascular events (death and lung transplantation). Kaplan–Meier curve, uni- and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to assess the survival rate in relevant patients. Results: A total of 210 IPAH patients at the mean age of (32±10) years were finished cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and received regular follow-up study including 159 female. There were 31 patients died and 1 received lung transplantation over 41 months follow-up period. OUES was positively related to peak oxygen uptake (VO2)/body weight (r=0.71, P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that OUESI and NT-proBNP could independently predict the prognosis of IPAH patients. The 5-year survival rate in patients with OUESI≤0.52 L/(min?m2) was lower than those with OUESI>0.52 L/(min?m2) (41.9% vs 89.8%), P<0.0001.Conclusion: OUES as a submaximal CPET parameter may well predict the prognosis in IPAH patients.