Elevated Human Endothelial Cell-Specific Molecule-1 Level and Its Association With Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Hypertension.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction plays an important role in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD). Previous studies suggested that human endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (endocan) may be a novel endothelial dysfunction marker. This study aims to investigate the relationship between serum endocan level and the presence and severity of CAD in patients with hypertension.

Serum fetuin-A levels are associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To clarify the correlation between serum fetuin-A levels and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: A total of 241 consecutive patients with T2DM and 69 controls were recruited. Serum fetuin-A levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Long-term outcomes of device closure of very large secundum atrial septal defects: a comparison of transcatheter vs intraoperative approaches.

Background: Transcatheter device closure (TCDC) and intraoperative device closure (IODC) have emerged as minimally invasive methods in the treatment of secundum atrial septal defects (ASDs), but the long-term safety and efficacy remains uncertain for the large ASDs.

Hypothesis: TCDC may be as safe and efficacious as IODC for closure of large ASDs in terms of long-term clinical outcomes.

Methods: Ninety-two patients who had ASDs with a defect diameter of ≥30 mm were included in this study.

Modified culotte stenting for treatment of complex coronary bifurcation lesions: immediate and 9-month outcomes in a pilot study.

Background: The optimal stenting strategy for the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions (CBLs) remains uncertain. The present study observed technical feasibility and reliability, 9-month clinical and angiographic outcomes of the modified culotte stenting (MCS) in the treatment of CBLs with drug-eluting stents.

Methods: A total of 34 consecutive patients with CBLs that required stenting the parent vessel (PV), the main branch (MB) and the side branch (SB) were included.

Circulating soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 levels are associated with angiographic coronary lesion complexity in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Angiographic coronary lesion complexity has been reported to predict plaque vulnerability. It is important to develop a noninvasive blood biomarker for accurate prognostication of angiographically complex lesions in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Hypothesis: Serum soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (sLOX-1) levels may be correlated with coronary lesion complexity in patients with CAD.

Choice of stenting strategy in true coronary artery bifurcation lesions.

Background: The optimal stenting strategy in true coronary artery bifurcation lesions has not been determined. In this study, a strategy of always stenting both the main vessel and the side branch (MV plus SB) was compared with a strategy of stenting the MV only with optional stenting of the SB. Stents used were sirolimus-eluting stents and paclitaxel-eluting stents.

Comparison of long-term clinical outcome between transcatheter Amplatzer occlusion and surgical closure of isolated patent ductus arteriosus.

Background: Transcatheter Amplatzer occlusion of patent ductus artertiosus (PDA) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to surgical closure. The goal of this study was to compare long-term clinical outcomes between two procedures, especially on chronic residual shunt, late or very late procedure-related complications, and regression of pulmonary hypertension and left ventricular dilation.

Methods: A total 255 patients having isolated PDA with a minimal diameter of >or= 4 mm treated from January 2000 to July 2003 were included in this study and have been followed up until July 2008.

Firebird and cypher sirolimus-eluting stents and bare metal stents in treatment of very long coronary lesions.

Background: As a kind of sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) made in China, Firebird SES is more effective than bare metal stent (BMS) and not inferior to Cypher SES for short coronary lesions in terms of reduction of restenosis and revascularization. However, Firebird SES does not show any benefits in patients with a very long coronary lesion (VLCL). The present study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Firebird SES for VLCL by comparison of Cypher SES and BMS.