Comparing the effects of depression, anxiety, and comorbidity on quality-of-life, adverse outcomes, and medical expenditure in Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Depression and anxiety have been correlated with elevated risks for quality-of-life (QOL), adverse outcomes, and medical expenditure in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the relevant data are lacking for Chinese ACS populations, especially regarding different effects of major depression, anxiety, and comorbidity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the dynamic changes of depression and/or anxiety over 12 months and examine the effects of depression, anxiety, and comorbidity on QOL, adverse outcomes, and medical expenditure in Chinese patients with ACS.

Multivessel coronary artery ectasia and severe calcification in a patient with pheochromocytoma: a case report.

Multivessel coronary artery ectasia with severe calcification is rare among patients with coronary artery disease. A 74-year-old Chinese woman suffered from acute myocardial infarction on a background of 50 years of poorly controlled hypertension secondary to pheochromocytoma, which was surgically removed in June 2012 prior to the presentation. Coronary angiography revealed total occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery, and multiple ectasias with severe calcification in the left main, circumflex and right coronary artery.

Short- and Long-term Outcomes in Patients with Connective Tissue Diseases Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). Risk factors and clinical characteristics in these patients are not equivalent to those in traditional CAD patients. The objective of this study was to report short- and long-term clinical outcomes in a consecutive series of patients with CTD who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation.

Knowledge and Understanding of Hypertension Among Tibetan People in Lhasa, Tibet.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and understanding about hypertension among residents in Lhasa, Tibet.

Methods: A total of 1, 370 native Tibetan people aged ≥18 years old were enrolled in this survey. Individuals were selected using stratified proportional sampling and Lhasa was divided into Urban, Suburban, Agricultural and Pastoral areas.

Comparison of Intravenous plus Oral Pantoprazole Therapy and Oral Pantoprazole Alone for Preventing Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients with High Bleeding Risk.

Background: It is unclear whether intravenous proton pump inhibition is more effective than oral administration in preventing gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in high bleeding risk patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Methods And Results: A total of 504 patients with ACS and high bleeding risk were randomly assigned into two groups. Study group (n=252) received intravenous pantoprazole for five days and subsequent oral pantoprazole for 12 months.

Impact of red blood cell distribution width on long-term mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: Recent studies have reported increased red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been associated with adverse outcomes in heart failure and stable coronary disease. We investigated the association between RDW and risk of all-cause mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were free of heart failure at baseline.

Methods: We enrolled 691 patients with STEMI who were free of heart failure at baseline confirmed by coronary angiography in Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2007 to December 2008.

Atorvastatin improves endothelial progenitor cell function and reduces pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease.

Objective: To explore the effects of atorvastatin on the migration and adhesion of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and on pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease.

Methods: A total of 68 patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease were randomly assigned to either a control group (n=35) or a treatment group (n=33). In addition, 30 healthy volunteers (17 male, 13 female) were enrolled as healthy controls.

Correlation between serum high-mobility group box-1 levels and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and troponin I in patients with coronary artery disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between levels of serum high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and cardiac troponin I in patients with coronary artery disease. The levels of serum HMGB1, hs-CRP and cardiac troponin I were measured in 98 patients with coronary artery disease and in 30 healthy subjects. The correlation between serum HMGB1 levels and hs-CRP and cardiac troponin I levels was analyzed.

Anxiety disorders are associated with increased plasma adrenomedullin level and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension.

Objective: To investigate the association between anxiety disorders and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with essential hypertension.

Methods: Left ventricular structure and function were assessed with echocardiography in 56 patients with essential hypertension and anxiety disorder (study group) and in 56 patients with hypertension only (control group). Serum adrenomedullin levels were also measured in these patients.

Totally endoscopic atrial septal repair with or without robotic assistance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case series.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of totally endoscopic repair of atrial septal defect (ASD).

Methods: A review of the literature was conducted. Studies were obtained from the following sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and CENTRAL Library.

Prognostic values of serum tenascin-C in patients with ischaemic heart disease and heart failure.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic values of serum tenascin-C in patients with heart failure and ischaemic heart disease.

Methods: Serum tenascin-C levels were assessed in 83 patients with heart failure and in 30 healthy subjects. The correlations between serum tenascin-C levels and left ventricular ejection fraction, serum B-type natriuretic peptide and procollagen III were analysed.

Changes and prognostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the changes and the prognostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).

Subjects And Methods: A total of 79 patients with DTC and 30 healthy individuals were divided into four groups: (1) a healthy control group (n = 30); (2) DTC without recurrence (n = 35; 23 papillary, 12 follicular); (3) DTC with local recurrence (n = 24; 15 papillary, 9 follicular), and (4) DTC with lung metastasis (n = 20; 13 papillary, 7 follicular). Serum VEGF and thyroglobulin levels were measured in all patients.

Adherence to treatment guidelines in the pharmacological management of chronic heart failure in an Australian population.

Background: To document the pharmacotherapy of chronic heart failure (CHF) and to evaluate the adherence to treatment guidelines in Australian population.

Methods: The pharmacological management of 677 patients (female 46.7%, 75.

Prevalence, self-awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Lhasa, Tibet.

To investigate the prevalence, self-awareness, and treatment of hypertension in Lhasa, Tibet, a total of 1370 native Tibetan aged ≥18 years were selected, using stratified proportional sampling. The study showed that the prevalence of hypertension was 51.2%, significantly higher in men (56.

Effect of prostaglandin E1 on pulmonary arterial hypertension following corrective surgery for congenital heart disease.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)) on residual pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) after corrective surgery for congenital heart disease.

Methods: Thirty-one patients with postoperational PAH were randomly divided into control group (n = 15) and PGE(1) group (n = 16, 6 courses of intravenous PGE(1) plus conventional therapy). Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP), right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured by echocardiography before and 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatment.

Anticoagulation therapy with combined low dose aspirin and warfarin following mechanical heart valve replacement.

Introduction: This study was designed to evaluate safety and efficacy of combined low dose aspirin and warfarin therapy following mechanical heart valve replacement.

Methods: A total of 1496 patients (686 males, mean age 35±8.5 years) undergoing mechanical heart valvular replacement were randomly divided into study (warfarin plus 75-100 mg aspirin) or control (warfarin only) group.

Prediction values of T wave alternans for sudden cardiac death in patients with chronic heart failure: a brief review.

More than 50% of patients with heart failure die from sudden cardiac death as a result of malignant arrhythmia. T wave alternans (TWA) is a convenient, noninvasive, and inexpensive testing modality, with a higher sensitivity and specificity for sudden cardiac death. Its prediction value for malignant arrhythmia may even exceed electrophysiologic study.

Therapeutic effect of urapidil on myocardial perfusion in patients with ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of urapidil on myocardial perfusion, and ventricular function in patients with ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: Fifty-four patients were randomized into urapidil (12.5 mg, ic, n=27) or control group.

[Valsartan eluting-stents inhibited neointimal hyperplasia by decreasing collagen deposition in rabbits].

Objective: To assess the effect of valsartan eluting-stents on restenosis and collagen deposition in neointima hyperplasia in rabbits.

Methods: Valsartan eluting-stents and the carrier eluting-stents were made with patented multi-layers coating techniques. Bare stents (n = 8), carrier eluting-stents (n = 8) and valsartan eluting-stents (n = 10) were implanted into rabbit abdominal aortas, respectively.