Association of Uric Acid and C-reactive Protein with the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease Using SYNTAX Score and Clinical SYNTAX Score.

Background: The SYNTAX score (SXscore), an anatomical-based scoring tool reflecting the complexity of coronary anatomy, has been associated with the mortality and prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Clinical SYNTAX score (CSS), incorporating clinical factors further augmented the utility of the SXscore to longer-term risk. C-reactive protein (CRP) is related to SXscore.

Prognostic Value of Gai's Plaque Score and Agatston Coronary Artery Calcium Score for Functionally Significant Coronary Artery Stenosis.

Background: The prognostic values of the coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) score for predicting future cardiovascular events have been previously demonstrated in numerous studies. However, few studies have used the rich information available from CCTA to detect functionally significant coronary lesions. We sought to compare the prognostic values of Gai's plaque score and the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) of CCTA for predicting functionally significant coronary lesions, using fractional flow reserve (FFR) as the gold standard.

Intravascular Ultrasound Classification of Plaque in Angiographic True Bifurcation Lesions of the Left Main Coronary Artery.

Background: Accurately, characterizing plaques is critical for selecting the optimal intervention strategy for the left main coronary artery (LMCA) bifurcation. Coronary angiography cannot precisely assess the location or nature of plaques in bifurcation lesions. Few intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) classification scheme has been reported for angiographic imaging of true bifurcation lesions of the unprotected LMCA thus far.

Intermittent Oxygen Inhalation with Proper Frequency Improves Overall Health Conditions and Alleviates Symptoms in a Population at High Risk of Chronic Mountain Sickness with Severe Symptoms.

Background: Oxygen inhalation therapy is essential for the treatment of patients with chronic mountain sickness (CMS), but the efficacy of oxygen inhalation for populations at high risk of CMS remains unknown. This research investigated whether oxygen inhalation therapy benefits populations at high risk of CMS.

Methods: A total of 296 local residents living at an altitude of 3658 m were included; of which these were 25 diagnosed cases of CMS, 8 cases dropped out of the study, and 263 cases were included in the analysis.

[Long-term outcome of patients undergoing recanalization procedures for chronic total coronary occlusion].

Objective: To compare the long-term outcomes of patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), or medical therapy for treatment of chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO).

Methods: The patients with CTO were selected from a consecutive cohort of patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) between 2008 and 2009. The patients with multiple CAG were excluded.

Calculation of Coronary Angiographic Total Blush in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and its Prognostic Implication.

Background: Myocardial perfusion grade (MPG) is an accepted method of evaluating myocardial perfusion. However, it does not take into the account, the extent of the perfusion. We hypothesized that myocardial blush area times MPG (total blush) would be more accurate than simple MPG, and yield better prognostic information.

[An initial study on the feasibility of diagnosing myocardial ischemia with CT first-pass myocardial perfusion imaging at rest].

Objective: To assess the feasibility and accuracy of CT first-pass myocardial perfusion imaging (CT first-pass MPI) at rest for diagnosis of myocardial ischemia. Results of adenosine-induced myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) were used as gold standard.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with suspected or diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD) were included and CT coronary angiography (CTCA) and MPS were performed within 2 weeks.

Four-year clinical outcome in asymptomatic patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography.

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is indicated for angina with coronary stenosis. However, PCI for asymptomatic coronary stenosis remains controversial. We prospectively followed a group of patients for four years who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Thrombosis and morphology of plaque rupture using optical coherence tomography.

Background: Thrombosis following plaque rupture is the main cause of acute coronary syndrome, but not all plaque ruptures lead to thrombosis. There are limited in vivo data on the relationship between the morphology of ruptured plaque and thrombosis.

Methods: We used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to investigate the morphology of plaque rupture and its relation to coronary artery thrombosis in patients with coronary heart disease.

[Ex vivo assessment of coronary lesions by optical coherence tomography and intravascular ultrasound in comparison with histology results].

Objective: To explore the diagnostic accuracy of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in the detection of ex vivo coronary plaques with different compositions compared with histology results.

Methods: OCT and IVUS were performed in 15 autopsied heart specimens and the isolated coronary artery was assessed by routine histological processing thereafter. Coronary plaques were classified into 3 types (lipid-rich plaque, calcified plaque and fibrous plaque) according to standard criteria respectively.

Optical coherence tomography assessment of edge dissections after drug-eluting stent implantation in coronary artery.

Background: Edge dissections after coronary stent implantation are associated with increased short-term risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. The incidence and outcome of edge dissections after coronary stent implantation were reportedly different using different imaging techniques. We used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess the incidence, morphological findings and related factors of edge dissections after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.

Coronary plaque response after drug eluting stent implantation assessed by serial optical coherence tomography analysis.

Background: In general, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) relieves vessel stenosis by implantation of a stent, however, the relationship between plaque characteristics and response after stenting is not clear.

Methods: We enrolled 68 patients (68 vessels) with diagnosed unstable angina pectoris that prospectively underwent PCI and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination was done before and after stenting. Coronary plaques were classified as fibrous, lipid-rich and calcified plaque according to OCT examination, and fibrous cap thickness, lumen eccentricity, stent expansion, stent malapposition, tissue prolapse, thrombosis, dissection and stent symmetry were noted.

Incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of tissue prolapse after coronary intervention: an intravascular optical coherence tomography study.

Objectives: To evaluate the predictors of tissue prolapse after stenting and whether this phenomenon can affect the clinical outcome.

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination after stent implantation were included. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of tissue prolapse after stent implantation was performed.

Correlation between acute coronary syndrome classification and multi-detector CT characterization of plaque.

Objective: To determine if multi-detector CT (MDCT) characterization of plaque is correlated with the classification of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: Altogether 1900 patients were examined by MDCT from December 2007 to May 2009, of whom 95 patients fulfilled the criteria of ACS. Those patients were divided into the discrete plaque group ( n=61) and diffuse plaque group ( n=34) based on the findings in MDCT.

A pilot study on diagnosis of coronary artery disease using computed tomography first-pass myocardial perfusion imaging at rest.

Background: Although computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) can identify coronary stenosis, little data exists on the ability of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) to detect myocardial perfusion defects at rest.

Methods: In 33 patients with diagnosed or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), CTCA using retrospective electrocardiography (ECG) gating at rest and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) was performed. The 2D myocardial images were reconstructed in diastolic and systolic phases using the same raw data for CTCA.

[Value of combined CT coronary angiography and adenosine stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy for diagnosis of coronary artery disease].

Objective: To assess the accuracy and feasibility of combination of CT coronary angiography (CTCA) and adenosine stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) for diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: CTCA, MPS were performed in 105 patients with suspected or diagnosed CAD within 4 weeks before coronary angiography (CAG) examination.

Results: The sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy were 97.

[CT coronary angiography combined with adenosine stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy for detecting flow-limiting coronary stenoses].

Objective: To assess the feasibility and accuracy of CT coronary angiography (CTCA) combined with adenosine stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) for diagnosis of flow-limiting coronary stenosis.

Methods: A total of 105 patients with suspected or established coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent CTCA and MPS within 4 weeks before invasive coronary angiography. The accuracy of CTCA/MPS in the diagnosis of flow-limiting coronary stenosis was evaluated in comparison with the results of quantitative coronary angiography and MPS.

[Effect of erythropoietin combined with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction in rats].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) combined with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on left ventricular function and ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and investigate the possible mechanism.

Methods: The experimental design consisted of 5 groups of rats, namely the sham, myocardial infarction (MI) model, MI with EPO treatment, MI with G-CSF treatment, and MI with EPO plus G-CSF treatment groups. Apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes was detected by TUNEL staining, and HE staining, Masson trichrome staining, scarlatinum staining, and VIII agent staining were used to evaluate the survival, scar collagen deposition, and angiogenic effects.

Diagnostic accuracy of dual-source CT angiography and coronary risk stratification.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) in coronary artery disease, and to test the possibility of using this technique for coronary risk stratification.

Background: With the advent of DSCT, it is possible to image coronary plaque noninvasively. However, the accuracy of this method in terms of sensitivity and specificity has not been determined.

Computed tomography angiography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention in chronic total occlusion.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate if dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) could guide the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO).

Methods: We enrolled patients who were confirmed to have at least one native coronary artery CTO by DSCT before they underwent selective PCI in the period from December 2007 to October 2008. A CTO was defined as an obstruction of a native coronary artery with no luminal continuity.

[Correlation of heart and kidney biomarkers to the pathogenesis of cardiorenal syndrome].

Objective: The analyze the correlation of heart and kidney biomarkers to different heart and kidney diseases and explore the pathogenesis and classification of cardiorenal syndrome.

Methods: This study involved 841 consecutive patients (600 males and 241 females) admitted between January, 2008 and May, 2008, who underwent NT-ProBNP and creatinine tests during hospitalization. The patients were classified according to the clinical diagnosis at the admission and to the status of the heart and kidney biomarkers.

[Optical coherence tomography for evaluation of neointimal proliferation after placement of a new drug eluting stent].

Objective: To evaluate neointimal proliferation following placement of a new drug-eluting stent (BUMA) by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: Twenty-two patients with coronary artery disease were randomized into BUMA group (n=15) and Endeavor group (n=7) and underwent OCT imaging after 9 months of stent implantation.

Results: The neointima hyperplasia (NIH) thickness in BUMA group were significantly smaller than that in endeavor group (0.

[Changes of vasoactive substances in myocardium of chronic renal ischemia rats].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the vasoactive substances including endothelin-1 (ET-1), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and nitric oxide (NO) in myocardium and the cardiac functions in chronic renal ischemia rats.

Methods: Male Wistar rats weighting 180-200 g were randomly divided into 2 groups: operation group (n=30) and sham operation group (n=10). A ligation of abdominal aorta between right and left renal artery was made by silk suture in operation group and the necrosis degree of aorta was about 50%.