A novel esophageal retractor with eccentric balloon during atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: Due to the anatomically adjacent relationship between the left atrium (LA) and esophagus, energy delivery on the posterior wall of LA is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a novel esophageal retractor (SAFER) with an inflatable C-curve balloon during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

Method: Nine patients underwent AF ablation assisted with the SAFER.

Risk Factors for Left Ventricular Thrombus Formation in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Background:  Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is a common complication of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), causing morbidity and mortality.

Methods:  This study retrospectively analyzed patients with DCM from January 2002 to August 2020 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital. Clinical characteristics were compared between the LVT group and the age and sex 1:4 matched with the LVT absent group.

Chronic kidney disease and risks of adverse clinical events in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the association between CKD and clinical consequences in AF patients is still under debate.

Methods: We included 19,079 nonvalvular AF patients with available estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values in the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry from 2011 to 2018.

Antithrombotic strategy and its relationship with outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic coronary syndrome.

This study aimed to explore antithrombotic strategy and its relationship with outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at high risk for stroke and chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) in real-world clinical practice. Patients with AF at high risk for stroke complicated with CCS from China Atrial Fibrillation Registry (CAFR) were enrolled. The patients were divided into non-antithrombotic (Non-AT) group, oral anticoagulants (OAC) group, antiplatelet therapy (APT) group (aspirin or clopidogrel), and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) group (aspirin + clopidogrel) according to their antithrombotic strategies at baseline.

Comparison of prognosis and outcomes of catheter ablation versus drug therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease: A prospective propensity-score matched cohort study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) frequently coexist.

Hypothesis: To investigate the prognosis of catheter ablation versus drug therapy in patients with AF and SCAD.

Methods: In total, 25 512 patients with AF in the Chinese AF Registry between 2011 and 2019 were screened for SCAD.

[Impact of diabetes on clinical outcomes following multivessel percutaneous interventions].

Objective: To compare the rates of mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), repeat revascularization and stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with implantation of stents for diabetics versus nondiabetics with multivessel disease to evaluate the impact of diabetes on long-term clinical outcomes.

Methods: We consecutively recruited a total of 1985 patients with multivessel disease at our institution from July 2003 to December 2005. And they were divided into two groups of diabetes (n = 587) or non-diabetes (n = 1398).

[Effects of chronic renal insufficiency and anemia upon long-term outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To assess whether chronic renal insufficiency and anemia are significant independent and combined predictors of poor long-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We examined the clinical and outcome data of 3770 PCI patients based on the pre-PCI values of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and hemoglobin (Hb). Depending on their baseline GFR and Hb, the patients were classified into six groups: normal renal function with anemia or not; mild renal impairment with combined anemia or not; severe renal insufficiency with anemia or not.

[Prognosis of metabolic syndrome in coronary artery disease patients of different genders].

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and characteristics of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) of different genders who underwent revascularization.

Methods: The clinical data of 2596 patients in the DESIRE (Drug-eluting Stent Impact on Revascularization) study who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were analyzed and the patients were followed up till death. MS was diagnosed based on the Chinese standard (modified ATP III).

[Impact of drug-eluting stents on transferring treatment with coronary surgical revascularization among patients initially admitted to department of internal medicine].

Objective: To evaluate the impact of drug-eluting stent (DES) on transferring treatment with coronary surgical revascularization among the patients initially admitted to department of internal medicine.

Methods: 2598 patients initially admitted in department of internal medicine underwent revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) before the introduction of DES from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002 [bare metal stent (BMS) era group, n = 923) or after the introduction of DES from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004 (DES era group). The clinical manifestations and coronary angiography characteristics were analyzed retrospectively.

[Safety and efficacy comparison of myocardial contrast enhancement-guided and angio-pressure-guided transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy].

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of myocardial contrast enhancement (MCE)-guided and angio-pressure (AP)-guided transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy (TASH) for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

Methods: TASH was performed under MCE-guide (n = 47, group I) or AP-guide (n = 25, group II) for drug-refractory patients with HOCM. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) data as well as other clinical data were compared.

Prevalence and impact of renal insufficiency on clinical outcomes of patients undergoing coronary revascularization.

Background: Patients with renal insufficiency are more likely to die after coronary revascularization, but mild renal insufficiency is neglected and little is known about its clinical effects.

Methods And Results: In the present study 3,025 patients grouped by estimated creatinine clearance (CrCl) were analyzed to evaluate the association between CrCl and clinical outcome. The mean serum creatinine was 1.

Effect of metabolic syndrome on prognosis and clinical characteristics of revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: People with metabolic syndrome are at higher risk for developing coronary artery disease (CAD). The effect of the metabolic syndrome on outcomes in patients with preexisting CAD has not been well studied. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence, characteristics, in hospital and long term prognosis of CAD with metabolic syndrome and to determine the factors influencing the prognosis of the disease.

[Influence of initial admission department for coronary arteriography on choice of mode of coronary revascularization].

Objective: To investigate the influence of initial admission department for coronary arteriography on the choice of mode of coronary revascularization.

Methods: From October 2003 to June 2004 2156 patients with coronary heart disease were admitted into the department of internal medicine (1667 cases) or department of surgery (489 cases) to undergo coronary arteriography (CAG) and coronary revascularization. The influence of the initial admission departments on the choice of mode of coronary revascularization for the patients with different clinical manifestations and angiographic characteristics, including one-vessel disease, two-vessel disease, three-vessel disease, and multi-vessel disease of different types was analyzed.