Easily misdiagnosed X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

Background: Addison's disease and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) (Addison's-only) are two diseases that need to be identified. Addison's disease is easy to diagnose clinically when only skin and mucosal pigmentation symptoms are present. However, X-ALD (Addison's-only) caused by ABCD1 gene variation is ignored, thus losing the opportunity for early treatment.

The effect and mechanism of dl-3-n-butylphthalide on angiogenesis in a rat model of chronic myocardial ischemia.

Objective: To assess the effect of dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) on angiogenesis and its underlying mechanism in a rat model of chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI).

Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: model, low-dose NBP (L-NBP), middle-dose NBP (M-NBP), or high-dose NBP (H-NBP) (n=10/group). All groups received intraperitoneal injections of isoprinosine hydrochloride daily for 14 days.

Safety and feasibility of low-dose ticagrelor in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Previous studies have confirmed the safety and feasibility of half-dose ticagrelor in Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome, but currently there is no plan for the use of ticagrelor for Chinese ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

Hypothesis: It is safe and feasible of low-dose ticagrelor in patients with STEMI.

Methods: The STEMI patients who were undergoing emergency intervention and taking ticagrelor were enrolled.

Renal protective effect of sodium ferulate on pulmonary hypertension patients undergoing computed tomography pulmonary angiography.

This study aimed to explore the correlation of sodium ferulate and the renal protective effect on computed tomography pulmonary angiography in patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension. This prospective study enrolled 92 consecutive patients with pulmonary hypertension diagnosed by echocardiography, and all included patients underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography after admission. The participants were randomized, divided into sodium ferulate group ( = 49) and control group ( = 43), of which patients in the sodium ferulate group received intravenous sodium ferulate 3.

Influence of dl-3-N-butylphthalide on infarction size in rats with acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: To study the influence of dl-3-N-butylphthalide (NBP) on infarction size in rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: AMI model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending artery. A total of 36 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats (weight, 180 t, 180 ght, 180 ligation of left anterior descending artery.

Efficacy and safety of intracoronary prourokinase during percutaneous coronary intervention in treating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients: a randomized, controlled study.

Background: Prourokinase is a single-chain plasminogen activator presenting with fewer hemorrhagic complications and reduced reocclusion rate compared with the conventional fibrinolytic agents in patients with coronary artery disease. However, prourokinase intracoronary injection during PCI for treating patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is rarely investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intracoronary prourokinase during the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in treating STEMI patients.

Effects of Levosimendan on Right Ventricular Function in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Background: To investigate the effects of levosimendan on right ventricular (RV) function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

Methods: Patients with ADHF admitted from January 2017 to October 2017 were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomized to receive 24-h intravenous levosimendan or placebo.

Comparison of myocardial microcirculatory perfusion after catheter-administered intracoronary thrombolysis with anisodamine versus standard thrombus aspiration in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: To evaluate efficacy, safety and feasibility of targeted intracoronary injection using pro-urokinase combined with anisodamine (TCA) versus thrombus aspiration (TA) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with high thrombus loads.

Background: The best method of avoiding thrombus detachment and stroke in PCI patients with high thrombus loads has not yet been established.

Methods: STEMI patients receiving coronary artery angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention (CAG/PCI) with thrombus grade ≥ 3 from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 were randomly assigned to targeted intracoronary thrombolysis (pro-urokinase and anisodamine via catheter (TCA) group), or the TA group which followed the standard thrombus aspiration procedure.

Effects of intensive pitavastatin therapy on glucose control in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of intensive pitavastatin therapy on glucose control in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients who had ACS with significant stenosis on initial coronary angiography and received successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China from August 2015 to January 2016 were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomized to receive pitavastatin (4 mg daily) or atorvastatin (20 mg daily).

Comparison of ticagrelor and high-dose clopidogrel on the platelet functions in patients with inadequate response to clopidogrel.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of ticagrelor and high-dose clopidogrel on the platelet functions in patients with inadequate response to clopidogrel.

Methods: In this prospective, randomized and controlled study, patients who had been diagnosed as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with inadequate response to clopidogrel in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from July 2015 to June 2016 were enrolled. Inadequate response to clopidogrel was defined as absolute reduction of platelet aggregation rate (PAR) <30% or PAR >70%.

Cardioprotective Effect of Anisodamine Against Myocardial Ischemia Injury and its Influence on Cardiomyocytes Apoptosis.

Anisodamine is an ancient Chinese medicine derived from Tibet as a belladonna alkaloid, which is usually used for improvement of blood circulation in patients with organ phosphorus poisoning or shock. In this study, for the first time, we report its cardioprotective effects on preventing ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and decreasing the myocardial infarction area and severity in heart of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Our results suggest a potential molecular mechanism of anisodamine against the I/R injury in cardiomyocytes is associated with its anti-apoptotic effect.

[Effects of pretreatment with recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide on infarct size in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objectives: To investigate whether the administration of recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) could further limit the infract size, improve left ventricular function, and alleviate cardiac dilation in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI).

Methods: A total of 93 consecutive patients presenting chest pain within 12 hours from the onset, suspicious of first STEMI located at anterior wall undergoing primary PCI, were eligible for enrollment and randomly assigned to either rhBNP group (rhBNP administration starting at 5 min before PCI, 1.5 µg/kg bolus intravenous injection followed by 0.

Effect of rhBNP on renal function in STEMI-HF patients with mild renal insufficiency undergoing primary PCI.

This study aims to investigate the effect of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) on renal function and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) incidence in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and heart failure (STEMI-HF) patients with mild renal insufficiency undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 116 participants were randomized into rhBNP (rhBNP, n = 57) and nitroglycerin group (NIT, n = 59), receiving intravenous rhBNP or nitroglycerin from admission to 72 h after PCI. Renal function was assessed by serum creatinine (SCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), Cystatin-C (Cys-C) and β2-microglobulin before and after primary PCI, and calculated the incidence of CIN within 72 h after PCI.

Thrombolysis Followed by Early Percutaneous Coronary Intervention via Transradial Artery Approach in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Infarction.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of thrombolysis followed by early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: A total of 161 patients were enrolled in the study. Fifty-three of them who underwent thrombolysis in non-PCI hospital and immediately transferred to receive early PCI were assigned to the early PCI group (E-PCI); the rest of the patients were assigned to the primary PCI group (P-PCI).

Preventive effects of anisodamine against contrast-induced nephropathy in type 2 diabetics with renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography or angioplasty.

Background: Anisodamine is widely used in therapy for treating acute glomerulonephritis and diabetic nephropathy because it can improve renal microcirculation. We performed a study to evaluate the preventive effects of anisodamine against contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in type 2 diabetics with renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography or angioplasty.

Methods: A total of 260 patients with type 2 diabetes and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 60 ml(-1)×min(-1)×1.

Efficacy and safety of standard-dose versus half-dose tirofiban in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes undergoing early percutaneous coronary intervention.

Introduction: To explore the optimal dosage of tirofiban associated with double benefits of efficacy and safety in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) undergoing early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Aims: A total of 163 patients were included in this study (78 in SD group versus 85 in HD group). In SD (HD) group, tirofiban was administered intravenously with a bolus dose of 10 (5) μg/kg within 3 min and followed by continuous intravenous infusion of 0.

Randomized comparison of radial versus femoral approach for patients with STEMI undergoing early PCI following intravenous thrombolysis.

Background: Early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following thrombolysis may be beneficial in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were admitted at a non-PCI hospital. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the radial artery as a vascular route for early PCI following thrombolysis in patients with STEMI.

Methods: All consecutive STEMI patients within 12 hours after thrombolysis were enrolled, and eligible patients were randomly assigned to either transfemoral (TFI group) or transradial catheterization (TRI group).

Beneficial effects of high-dose atorvastatin pretreatment on renal function in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing emergency percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objectives: To investigate whether preprocedural high-dose atorvastatin decreases the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and protects the renal function after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: Statin-naive patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing emergency PCI (n = 161) randomly received atorvastatin (80 mg, n = 78, ATOR group) or placebo [n = 83, control (CON) group] followed by long-term atorvastatin (40 mg/day). The primary end point was incidence of CIN.

Safety and efficacy of anisodamine on prevention of contrast induced nephropathy in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Previous studies have proved the renal protective effects of anisodamine in patients with septic shock. The aim of this study was to investigate anisodamine for the prevention of contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: Consecutive ACS patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: patients in the anisodamine group (ANI group) were assigned to receive intravenous infusions of anisodamine by an adjusted-dose (0.

Protective effects of anisodamine on renal function in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is the most severe type of heart attack, and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the first line treatment for STEMI. However, these patients are at higher risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), which increases the length of hospital stay and mortality rate. Anisodamine, an alkaloid extracted from a Chinese herb, has been shown to exert protective effects on the renal function.

Prediction of contrast-induced nephropathy in diabetics undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention: role of the ratio of contrast medium volume to estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Background: Diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have a higher incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) than nondiabetic patients, and no pharmacological approach has been demonstrated to offer consistent protection. Therefore, identifying individuals who are at increased risk becomes essential. This study was designed to assess the predictive role of the ratio of contrast medium volume to estimated glomerular filtration rate (CMV/eGFR) in diabetic patients undergoing elective PCI who developed CIN.

B-type natriuretic peptide for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with heart failure undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired renal failure and increase in the mortality and length of hospital stay after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Purpose: To evaluate the protective effect of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) on CIN in patients with heart failure undergoing PCI.

Material And Methods: In the prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, 149 consecutive acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with heart failure undergoing primary PCI received recombinant human BNP (rhBNP) or placebo from the time of admission to 24 h after PCI.

Equilibrium radionuclide angiography for evaluating the effect of percutaneous coronary intervention on ventricular aneurysm formation and systolic synchrony in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) after myocardial infarction often results in serious complications. So far, when the LVA happened is unclear. Furthermore, it is a question whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can change or reverse the formation of LVA? And the report about the long term follow-up was rare.

Comparison of usefulness of simvastatin 20 mg versus 80 mg in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Contrast-induced nephropathy limits the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The present study compared the protective effects of different statin doses on renal function. A total of 228 patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing selective PCI were randomly divided into simvastatin 20-mg group (S20, n = 115) and simvastatin 80-mg group (S80, n = 113).

Intensive cholesterol lowering with statin improves the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The incidence of no reflow phenomenon limits the clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This randomized controlled study was designed to evaluate the immediate protective effects of intensive statin pretreatment on myocardial perfusion and myocardial ischemic injury during PCI.

Methods: Altogether 228 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were randomly assigned to standard statin group (SS group, n = 115) and intensive statin group (IS group, n = 113).