OBJECTIVE To investigate the characteristics and safety of finerenone use in hospitalized patients with acute heart failure （AHF）.METHODS A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted， enrolling 171 AHF patients who initiated finerenone therapy during hospitalization at The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China between November 2023 and April 2026. Baseline characteristics， finerenone use patterns，in-hospital major and minor safety endpoints were collected. Univariate intergroup analysis， univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were performed to identify predictive factors （Firth’s penalized likelihood method was used when events were sparse）. Propensity score matching （PSM） and stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting （sIPTW） were employed to compare the safety differences between early initiation （≤3 d） and intermediate-to-late initiation （＞3 d） of finerenone. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to verify the robustness of the hyperkalemia-related results.RESULTS A total of 171 hospitalized patients with AHF were included， with 63.7% having heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The median time to finerenone initiation was 2 d after admission， with early initiation accounting for 64.3%， an initial dose of 10 mg once daily accounting for 83.0%， and concomitant use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor （SGLT2i） accounting for 83.6%. In the overall cohort， the incidence of hyperkalemia was 3.5%， the incidence of acute kidney injury was 13.5%， and the incidence of the composite endpoint was 21.6%. Concomitant SGLT2i use was associated with a lower risk of hyperkalemia in univariable Logistic regression （OR＝0.18， 95%CI of 0.04-0.86， P ＝0.032） and showed a trend toward a protective association after multivariable Logistic regression adjustment， although this did not reach statistical significance （OR＝0.24， 95%CI of 0.05-1.21， P ＝0.084）； after multivariable Logistic regression adjustment，baseline serum potassium was independently associated with the risk of the composite endpoint （OR＝2.01， 95%CI of 1.06-3.82， P ＝0.032）. Both PSM（OR＝0.70， 95%CI of 0.27-1.83）and sIPTW（OR＝0.70， 95%CI of 0.32-1.52）analyses showed that early initiation of finerenone did not increase the risk of the composite endpoint. Sensitivity analysis results were consistent with the overall cohort analysis.CONCLUSIONS The enrolled patients initiated finerenone early with reasonable starting doses， and a high proportion received concomitant SGLT2i therapy； early initiation did not increase the risk of in-hospital hyperkalemia or acute kidney injury， with an overall favorable safety profile， and concomitant SGLT2i use showed a protective trend with respect to hyperkalemia risk.

Objectives:To analyze the cardiac involvement of patients with Fabry disease(FD)in Anhui region.Methods:This retrospective analysis included 48 previously and currently diagnosed FD patients(25 males)in Anhui region,overall patient and gender specific cardiac involvement was analyzed.Results:The median age of FD patients is 28.0(19.0,46.0)years.The cardiac manifestations of patients with FD were most commonly characterized by palpitations/arrhythmias(13/42 cases)and exertional dyspnea(11/42 cases),electrocardiographic changes were most commonly characterized by T-wave inversion(22/42 cases),ST-segment depression(16/42 cases),and left ventricular hypervoltage(18/42 cases),cardiac structural and functional changes were most common in papillary muscle hypertrophy(29/36 cases),bilateral sign(22/37 cases)and left ventricular hypertrophy(21/46 cases),as well as reduced left ventricular global longitudinal strain(26/39 cases).Neuropathic pain(28/43 cases)was the most common extracardiac manifestation of FD patients.FD patients of different gender differed in age at diagnosis(P=0.018),alpha galactosidase A activity(P<0.001),globotriaosylsphingosine(lyso-GL3)levels(P<0.001),enzyme replacement therapy rate(P=0.043),dyshidrosis(P<0.01),and the incidence of angiokeratoma(P=0.004).Correlation analysis showed that genotype was not correlated with enzyme activity or Lyso-GL-3 levels,whereas the Sokolow-Lyon index was positively correlated with Lyso-GL-3 levels(ρ=0.423,P=0.008),and the Sokolow-Lyon indices(septal thickness:ρ=0.562,P<0.001;left ventricle posterior wall thickness:ρ=0.569,P<0.001)and QRS duration(septal thickness:ρ=0.543,P<0.001;left ventricle posterior wall thickness:ρ=0.557,P<0.001)were positively correlated with left ventricular wall thickness.Conclusions:Cardiac involvement in patients with FD in the Anhui region is characterised by palpitations or arrhythmias,accompanied by nonspecific electrocardiographic changes.Echocardiography frequently reveals papillary muscle hypertrophy.The manifestation of cardiac involvement in patients of different genders is similar.

Objectives:To analyze the cardiac involvement of patients with Fabry disease(FD)in Anhui region.Methods:This retrospective analysis included 48 previously and currently diagnosed FD patients(25 males)in Anhui region,overall patient and gender specific cardiac involvement was analyzed.Results:The median age of FD patients is 28.0(19.0,46.0)years.The cardiac manifestations of patients with FD were most commonly characterized by palpitations/arrhythmias(13/42 cases)and exertional dyspnea(11/42 cases),electrocardiographic changes were most commonly characterized by T-wave inversion(22/42 cases),ST-segment depression(16/42 cases),and left ventricular hypervoltage(18/42 cases),cardiac structural and functional changes were most common in papillary muscle hypertrophy(29/36 cases),bilateral sign(22/37 cases)and left ventricular hypertrophy(21/46 cases),as well as reduced left ventricular global longitudinal strain(26/39 cases).Neuropathic pain(28/43 cases)was the most common extracardiac manifestation of FD patients.FD patients of different gender differed in age at diagnosis(P=0.018),alpha galactosidase A activity(P<0.001),globotriaosylsphingosine(lyso-GL3)levels(P<0.001),enzyme replacement therapy rate(P=0.043),dyshidrosis(P<0.01),and the incidence of angiokeratoma(P=0.004).Correlation analysis showed that genotype was not correlated with enzyme activity or Lyso-GL-3 levels,whereas the Sokolow-Lyon index was positively correlated with Lyso-GL-3 levels(ρ=0.423,P=0.008),and the Sokolow-Lyon indices(septal thickness:ρ=0.562,P<0.001;left ventricle posterior wall thickness:ρ=0.569,P<0.001)and QRS duration(septal thickness:ρ=0.543,P<0.001;left ventricle posterior wall thickness:ρ=0.557,P<0.001)were positively correlated with left ventricular wall thickness.Conclusions:Cardiac involvement in patients with FD in the Anhui region is characterised by palpitations or arrhythmias,accompanied by nonspecific electrocardiographic changes.Echocardiography frequently reveals papillary muscle hypertrophy.The manifestation of cardiac involvement in patients of different genders is similar.

Background and Aims:Complex biliary stones are often accompanied by hilar adhesions,distorted anatomy,biliary variations,or biliary-enteric fistulas.Conventional laparoscopic surgery is limited in such settings,with high conversion and complication rates.Robotic surgical systems provide high-definition 3D vision and enhanced dexterity,potentially improving surgical outcomes.This study compared the clinical efficacy of robotic vs.laparoscopic surgery for complex biliary stones.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 145 patients with complex biliary stones who underwent minimally invasive surgery at Fujian Provincial Hospital,Fuzhou University,from January 2023 to January 2025.Patients were divided into a robotic group(n=62)and a laparoscopic group(n=83).Intraoperative outcomes,postoperative complications,and recovery parameters were compared.Stone recurrence was assessed during follow-up.Results:Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups(all P＞0.05).The conversion rate was 0 in the robotic group vs.7.2％in the laparoscopic group(P=0.038).The postoperative complication rate was significantly lower in the robotic group(1.6％vs.10.7％,P=0.044).Time to first oral intake,first flatus,and postoperative hospital stay were all shorter in the robotic group(all P＜0.05).No stone recurrence was observed in either group during follow-up until June 2025.Conclusion:Robotic surgery is a safe and feasible approach for complex biliary stones,offering reduced conversion and complication rates and faster recovery compared with laparoscopy.It holds promise for wider clinical application in complex biliary disease.

Background and Aims:Complex biliary stones are often accompanied by hilar adhesions,distorted anatomy,biliary variations,or biliary-enteric fistulas.Conventional laparoscopic surgery is limited in such settings,with high conversion and complication rates.Robotic surgical systems provide high-definition 3D vision and enhanced dexterity,potentially improving surgical outcomes.This study compared the clinical efficacy of robotic vs.laparoscopic surgery for complex biliary stones.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 145 patients with complex biliary stones who underwent minimally invasive surgery at Fujian Provincial Hospital,Fuzhou University,from January 2023 to January 2025.Patients were divided into a robotic group(n=62)and a laparoscopic group(n=83).Intraoperative outcomes,postoperative complications,and recovery parameters were compared.Stone recurrence was assessed during follow-up.Results:Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups(all P＞0.05).The conversion rate was 0 in the robotic group vs.7.2％in the laparoscopic group(P=0.038).The postoperative complication rate was significantly lower in the robotic group(1.6％vs.10.7％,P=0.044).Time to first oral intake,first flatus,and postoperative hospital stay were all shorter in the robotic group(all P＜0.05).No stone recurrence was observed in either group during follow-up until June 2025.Conclusion:Robotic surgery is a safe and feasible approach for complex biliary stones,offering reduced conversion and complication rates and faster recovery compared with laparoscopy.It holds promise for wider clinical application in complex biliary disease.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of Xihuang capsules as an adjuvant treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer and their impact on immune function. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 112 patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer. The patients were categorized into two groups: a control group (n=56) that did not take Xihuang capsules and an observation group (n=56) that did. The efficacy, improvement of quality of life, toxic and side effects and immune function of the two groups were analyzed and compared. Results After treatment, the disease control rate (DCR) and the rate of improvement in quality of life were significantly higher in the observation group compared to the control group. Additionally, levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and the incidence of adverse reactions, including bone marrow suppression and liver and kidney function damage, were significantly lower in the observation group. Furthermore, the percentages of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, the CD8⁺/CD4⁺ T cells ratio, as well as serum levels of high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) in observation group were significantly elevated compared to pre-treatment levels. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with a Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score ≤80, a high CD8⁺/CD4⁺ T cells ratio, and elevated HMGB1 levels experienced a significantly higher objective response rate (ORR) in the observation group. Conversely, patients with stage IVB disease, who had KPS score ≤80, a low CD8⁺/CD4⁺ T cells ratio and high CEA and IL-2 levels demonstrated a more pronounced DCR in the observation group. Conclusion Xihuang capsules exhibit promising clinical efficacy as an adjuvant treatment for advanced colorectal cancer. They not only enhance patients' quality of life and reduce the toxic and adverse effects of chemotherapy, but also improve immune function. These benefits are particularly significant in patients with a high tumor burden, indicating that Xihuang capsules are worthy of clinical application.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/immunology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Capsules ; Aged ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Adult ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Interleukin-2/blood* ; HMGB1 Protein/blood* ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant

Objective : To analyze the length of hospital stay of patients with heart failure in a multicenter cohort in order to explore the influencing factors of length of stay and provide data support for further intervention. Methods: A total of 2 794 patients enrolled in the multicenter prospective heart failure cohort were divided into two groups: long hospital stay group (≥9 days) and short hospital stay group ( < 9 days) . The general data of the two groups were compared, and the factors with statistical difference in univariate analysis were included in Logistic multifactor regression analysis to explore the difference in length of hospital stay between the two groups. According to left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), patients were divided into heart failure with preserved reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF)group, heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction(HFmrEF)group and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF) group, and Logistic multifactor regression analysis was performed to find influencing factors. Results : Logistic multifactor regression analysis showed that LVEF, pneumonia, N⁃terminal pro⁃B⁃type natriuretic peptide(NT⁃proBNP), serum sodium, cardiac resynchronization therapy( CRT) or implantable cardioverter defibrillator(ICD)implantation, β blockers, aldosterone receptor antagonists, positive inotropic drugs and vasodilators were all factors influencing the hospitalization of HF patients. In the HFpEF, HFmrEF, and HFrEF groupsCRT/ICD implantation, positive inotonic drugs, and vasodilator use were suggested to be common factors affecting length of hospital stay in all three groups. Conclusion LVEF, pneumonia, NT⁃proBNP, serum sodium, CRT or ICD implantation, β blockers, aldosterone receptor antagonists, positive inotropic drugs and vasodilators are the influencing factors of hospitalization time in HF patients.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of hemothorax after rib fracture and evaluate its predictive value for hemothorax.Methods:A retrospective case control study was made on the data of 449 patients with rib fracture admitted to Jiangsu Shengze Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to November 2019. There were 308 males and 141 females，with the age range of 19-97 years［（57.4±14.0）years］. The hemothorax was defined as pleural effusion on chest CT or X examination on admission or within one week after admission. There were 330 patients in hemothorax group and 119 patients in non-hemothorax group. Indices were compared between the two groups，including gender，age，occupation，weight，height，underlying diseases［diabetes，chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（COPD），hypertension，hyperlipidemia］，causes of injury，imaging findings［number of rib fracture，flail chest，bilateral rib fractures，locations of rib fracture and intramural injuries（pneumothorax，pulmonary contusion，mediastinal emphysema and myocardial contusion）］，thoracic cavity drainage，injury to admission time，vital signs（blood pressure and heart rate），routine blood［white blood cell，hemoglobin（Hb），platelet，hematocrit（Hct）］，blood type，urine routine（urinary occult blood，urinary protein，urinary ketone body），biochemical examination［total cholesterol（TCHO），triglyceride（TG），high density lipoprotein（HDL-C），low-density lipoprotein（LDL-C），albumin（ALB），total bilirubin（TBIL），glutamic oxalacetic transaminase（AST），alanine transaminase（ALT），urea nitrogen（BUN），creatinine（CRE），glycosylated hemoglobin（HbA1C）］，coagulation tests［prothrombin time（PT），fibrinogen（FIB），plasma D-dimer（D-D），thrombin time（TT）］after admission，trauma score［chest wall injury score（CIS），injury severity score（ISS），new injury severity score（NISS）］and length of hospital stay. The univariate analysis was used to observe the correlation between each factor and hemothorax after rib fracture and to screen the significant correlation factors，followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis to further identify the independent risk factors. The receiver operating characteristic（ROC）curve was used to analyze the predictive value of continuous variables in independent risk factors and to calcuate the optimal threshold.Results:The two groups showed no significant differences in gender，occupation，weight，height，diabetes，COPD，hyperlipidemia，injury to admission time，blood pressure，heart rate，platelet，urine protein，urine ketone body，TCHO，HDL-C，TBIL，ALT，CRE，HbA1C or PT（ P>0.05）. The hemothorax group showed significantly decreased Hb，Hct，TG，LDL-C and TT and significantly increased age，number of rib fracture，white blood cell count，AST，FIB，D-D，trauma score（CIS，ISS，NISS）and length of hospital stay when compared to non-hemothorax group（ P<0.05）. There were significant differences in hypertension，causes of injury，flail chest，bilateral rib fractures and locations of rib fracture and urinary occult blood between the two groups（ P<0.05）. The univariate analysis showed that age，hypertension，number of rib fractures，flail chest，bilateral rib fractures，locations of rib fracture（upper chest anterolateral segment，middle chest anterolateral segment，middle chest posterolateral segment，middle chest proximal spinal segment，lower chest posterolateral segment，lower chest proximal spinal segment），pneumothorax，pulmonary contusion，myocardial contusion，thoracic cavity drainage，white blood cell count，urinary occult blood，BUN，FIB，trauma score（CIS，ISS，NISS）and length of hospital stay were significantly associated with hemothorax（ P<0.05）. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that locations of rib fracture（including middle chest posterolateral segment，middle chest proximal spinal segment，lower chest posterolateral segment and lower chest proximal spinal segment），pulmonary contusion，thoracic cavity drainage，BUN and trauma score（CIS，ISS，NISS）were significantly associated with hemothorax after rib fracture（ P<0.05）. The ROC curve analysis of continous variables in independent risk factors showed BUN area under the curve（AUC）of 0.587（95% CI 0.529-0.645），CIS AUC of 0.824（95% CI 0.779-0.870），ISS AUC of 0.789（95% CI 0.739-0.840）and NISS AUC of 0.876（95% CI 0.835-0.917）（ P<0.05），and the optimal thresholds for the above variables were 5.0 mmol/L，2.5 points，15 points and 21.5 points，respectively. Conclusion:Locations of rib fracture（including the middle chest posterolateral segment，middle chest proximal spinal segment，lower chest posterolateral segment，lower chest proximal spinal segment），pulmonary contusion，thoracic cavity drainage，BUN，trauma score（CIS，ISS，NISS）are independent risk factors for hemothorax after rib fracture. BUN>5.0 mmol/L and trauma score（CIS>2.5 points，ISS>15 points，NISS>21.5 points）have significant values in predicting hemothorax.

Objective: To observe the impact of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on ventricular remodeling in patients with III°atrio-ventricular block (AVB) combining systolic dysfunction.
Methods: A total of 49 III °AVB patients received CRT in our hospital from 2009-01 to 2014-10 were studied. Echocardiography was conducted at pre-operation and 6, 12 months post-operation to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) and mitral regurgitation (MR) grade in order to observe the changes of cardiac structure and function in relevant patients.
Results: Compared with pre-operative condition, at 6 months post-operation, LVEF was increased (4.92±5.24)%and at 12 months post-operation, it was further increased (5.02±6.52)%, both P<0.05;at 6 months post-operation, LVESV reduced (25.02±17.95) ml and at 12 months post-operation, it was further reduced (24.79±22.49) ml, both P<0.05. Compared with pre-operative condition, at 6 months post-operation, LVEDV dropped (25.61±24.24) ml, LVEDD dropped (3.22±2.91) mm, LVESD dropped (4.43±2.86) mm and MR grade dropped 0.49±0.76, all P<0.05. Compared with 6 months post-operation, at 12 months post-operation, LVEDV declined (28.18±22.36) ml, LVEDD declined (4.17±3.14) mm, both P<0.05, LVESD declined (4.92±4.40) mm, P<0.01 and MR grade declined (0.22±0.55), P<0.05.
Conclusion:CRT may reverse ventricular remodeling and improve cardiac function in patients with III°AVB combining systolic dysfunction.

Objective: To analyze the predictors of left ventricular reverse remodeling in patients with III? atrio-ventricular block (AVB) combining left ventricular systolic dysfunction after cardiac re-synchronization therapy (CRT). Methods: A total of 65 III? AVB patients received CRT in our hospital from 2009-01 to 2015-05 were enrolled. Clinical information before and after the operation were recorded. Left ventricular reverse remodeling was deifned by left ventricular end systolic volume (LVESV) decreased 15% or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increased≥5% at 12 months after CRT. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Reversal group,n=36 and No reversal group,n=29. Clinical condition was compared between 2 groups, predictors for CRT reversing left ventricular remodeling were evaluated by two classiifcation Logistic regression analysis. Results: The patients' average age was (62±14) years and 36/65 (55.4%) with reverse remodeling. In Reversal group, the ratios of female (P=0.011), baseline QRS width>120ms (P=0.001), inter-ventricular mechanical delay (IVMD)≥40 ms (P=0.027) and standard deviation of time-to-minimum systolic volume of 16 segments [Tmsv16-SD (%R-R)≥8.3%, (P=0.001)] were higher than those in No reversal group. Two classiifcation Logisitic regression analysis indicated that female (OR=6.228, 95%CI 1.561-24.842, P=0.01), QRS duration>120 ms (OR=7.778, 95% CI 1.996-30.769,P=0.003) and Tmsv16-SD (%R-R)≥8.3% (OR=8.134, 95% CI 2.064-32.057,P=0.003) were the independent predictors for ventricular reverse remodeling . Conclusion: Female, QRS>120ms and Tmsv16-SD (%R-R)≥8.3% could be used as the predictors for CRT reversing left ventricular remodeling in III? AVB patients combining left ventricular systolic dysfunction.