[Correlation study on effects of salvianolate on inflammatory cytokines of patients with acute coronary syndrome].

Objective: To explore effects of salvianolate on inflammatory cytokines (C-reactive protein, resistin, and adiponectin) of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and to analyze its possible treatment mechanisms for ACS patients.

Methods: Eighty-three inpatients with ACS at the Cardiology Department of our hospital were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group from May 2011 to January 2012. Those in the treatment group (42 cases) were treated with routine Western medical treatment and intravenous injection of Salvianolate (200 mg/day), while those in the control group (41 cases) were treated with routine Western medical treatment.

Catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation with and without a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background: It is unclear whether a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) would impact the effect of catheter ablation on persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to compare the effect of catheter ablation on persistent AF with and without a history of PAF.

Methods: One hundred and eighty-three patients underwent catheter ablation of persistent AF lasting for > 1 month and were reviewed.

Atrium-atrioventricular node block: an unusual complication during catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation.

Ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation is still a challenge for the ablationist. Extensive ablation is required under some conditions and could lead to some unintended complications. Here we report a case of atrium-atrioventricular node block complicating multiple catheter ablation procedures for persistent atrial fibrillation.

Cigarette smoking inhibits the anti-platelet activity of aspirin in patients with coronary heart disease.

Objective: Tobacco smoking results in increased platelet aggregability, which suggests that low-dose aspirin used in common clinical practice may not effectively inhibit platelet activity in smokers with coronary heart disease (CHD). This review was performed to assess the effect of aspirin on platelet aggregation in patients with CHD.

Data Sources: We performed an electronic literature search of MEDLINE (starting from the beginning to March 15, 2009) using the term "smoking" or "tobacco" paired with the following: "platelet", "aspirin" or "coronary heart disease".

Epicardial isolation of pulmonary veins with ethanol in open chest dogs.

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation has become a widely accepted treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to identify the efficacy and safety of pulmonary vein (PV) ablation with ethanol and to explore an alternative energy source for catheter ablation of AF.

Methods: Twelve open-chest mongrel dogs were randomized into ethanol ablation group and control group.

Additional ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms after pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis.

Background: The efficacy of additional complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) ablation after pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains controversial. This meta-analysis was performed to assess the additional efficacy of CFAEs ablation after a single procedure without antiarrhythmic drugs.

Methods And Results: Trials were identified in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, Google Scholar, reviews, and reference lists of relevant papers.