Publications by authors named "Ting-Hsing Chao"
For the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the recommended treatment target for each modifiable risk factor is as follows: reducing body weight by 5-10%; blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg (systolic pressure < 120 mmHg in high-risk individuals); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) < 100 mg/dL in high-risk individuals, LDL-C < 115 mg/dL in moderate-risk individuals, LDL-C < 130 mg/dL in low-risk individuals, and LDL-C < 160 mg/dL in those with a minimal; complete and persistent abstinence from cigarette smoking; hemoglobin A1C < 7.0%; fulfilling recommended amounts of the six food groups according to the Taiwan food guide; and moderate-intensity physical activity 150 min/wk or vigorous physical activity 75 min/wk. For the primary prevention of ASCVD by pharmacological treatment in individuals with modifiable risk factors/clinical conditions, statins are the first-line therapy for reducing LDL-C levels; some specific anti-diabetic drugs proven to be effective in randomized controlled trials for the primary prevention of ASCVD are recommended in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus; pharmacological treatment is recommended to assist in weight management for obese patients with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m (or 27 kg/m who also have at least one ASCVD risk factor or obesity-related comorbidity); an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, a sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, and finerenone can be used in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease for the primary prevention of ASCVD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) after surgical aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis has a significant effect on survival. Few studies have identified the risk factors for PPM and related outcomes. This study investigated these risk factors and clarified the outcomes.
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- * The guidelines address various aspects of ASCVD, including chronic coronary syndrome and cerebrovascular diseases, while promoting health education and the management of clinical risk factors like diet, exercise, and smoking.
- * A catchy slogan and a memorable acronym were proposed to reinforce lifestyle changes related to modifiable risk factors, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating, physical activity, and overall well-being for ASCVD prevention.
Article Synopsis
- The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rising, often linked to metabolic diseases and the risk of liver cancer, but effective treatments are lacking.
- Hydrogen-rich coral calcium (HRCC) was created as a more convenient alternative to hydrogen-rich water, with unknown effects on NAFLD.
- In a study, HRCC improved liver conditions in mice with NAFLD by reducing inflammation, enhancing antioxidant activity, altering gut microbiome composition, and increasing beneficial bile acid levels.
Article Synopsis
- The study explored the effectiveness of a "rapid intervention team" (RIT) strategy for addressing dysfunction in arteriovenous shunts among hemodialysis patients, aiming for early intervention to enhance outcomes.
- A total of 1054 patients were analyzed, with those in the RIT group experiencing significantly shorter times to intervention and lower rates of needing temporary dialysis catheters or shunt recreations compared to the control group.
- The cumulative survival rate between the two groups was similar; thus, while the RIT strategy improved certain care aspects, it did not significantly impact overall mortality.
Background: Demographics of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has changed a lot over the past forty years. Several recent registries noted an increase in mean age of PH but only a few of them investigated the characteristics of elderly patients. Thus, we aimed to analyze the characteristics of PH in such a population in this study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTaiwan Association for the Study of the Liver-Taiwan Society of Cardiology Taiwan position statement for the management of metabolic dysfunction- associated fatty liver disease and cardiovascular diseases.
Clin Mol Hepatol
January 2024
Article Synopsis
- - Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a rising global health concern that is diagnosed through imaging, histology, or serum markers, alongside metabolic conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
- - MAFLD not only affects the liver but is also linked to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which significantly increase the health risks and mortality for affected individuals.
- - A recent position statement from Taiwan synthesizes research on MAFLD's prevalence, risk factors, and treatment options, emphasizing the need for collaboration between liver and heart specialists to better manage this interrelated health issue.
Article Synopsis
- High blood pressure indices, such as SBP, DBP, MAP, and PP, are linked to cardiovascular diseases and mortality, but their relationship with arterial stiffness in normotensive individuals (BP < 120/80 mmHg) is not well understood.
- A study of 2,129 participants showed that higher blood pressure indices correlated with greater arterial stiffness, measured using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).
- The findings indicate that while all BP indices were positively associated with arterial stiffness, SBP and MAP had the strongest relationships, with higher quartiles indicating a significantly increased risk for arterial stiffness.
Article Synopsis
- A nationwide registry study is being conducted in Taiwan with 3,600 patients to better understand the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) by gathering data during and after hospitalization.
- Data will be collected at three key time points: during hospitalization, 6 months, and 12 months post-discharge to assess the use of guideline-directed therapies and identify predictors of one-year health outcomes.
- The study aims to improve ACS treatment by analyzing results over the next 20 years, enhancing knowledge about the adherence to medical guidelines and patient prognoses.
Article Synopsis
- Cardiac amyloidosis is a type of systemic amyloidosis where abnormal amyloid fibrils accumulate in heart tissue, leading to heart failure due to restrictive cardiomyopathy and conduction problems.
- The condition is more common than previously thought, especially in certain populations, but is often diagnosed late, indicating a need for better awareness and collaboration among healthcare professionals.
- The Taiwan Society of Cardiology has created an "Expert Consensus" to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac amyloidosis, introducing helpful tools and algorithms to aid in early detection and care for patients, including acronyms for diagnosing transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.
Article Synopsis
- The study explored the potential link between nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) and subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic adults, focusing on coronary CT-derived metrics.
- Results indicated that nearly half of the participants had some level of coronary artery calcium score, with a greater prevalence of nephrolithiasis among those with any calcium score.
- While nephrolithiasis was associated with higher levels of coronary artery calcification, it did not affect the severity of coronary luminal blockage, suggesting that further research is needed to clarify the relationship between kidney stones and CAD.
The prevalence of heart failure is increasing, causing a tremendous burden on health care systems around the world. Although mortality rate of heart failure has been significantly reduced by several effective agents in the past 3 decades, yet it remains high in observational studies. More recently, several new classes of drugs emerged with significant efficacy in reducing mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The optimal alternative treatment strategy to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) for in-stent restenosis (ISR) in left main (LM) coronary artery disease remains uncertain.
Methods: We retrospectively screened all intervention reports from an intervention database and extracted those mentioning an LM stent. We then manually confirmed reports involving LM ISR and divided them into two groups, those in which the patient received a new drug-eluting stent (new-DES) strategy, and those in which the patient received a drug-coated balloon (DCB) only.
Background: The National Health Insurance Administration in Taiwan has promoted the heart failure post-acute care (HF-PAC) program as a means to provide proactive integrated care within the optimal treatment timeframe to enhance functional recovery after acute decompensated heart failure (HF).
Objectives: The aim of this program was to reduce HF readmission rates, improved medication prescription rates, and improve the quality of life in HF patients.
Methods: Patients who had a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤ 40% were included and followed up for 6 months after discharge.
Article Synopsis
- This study aimed to estimate time and transportation costs incurred by individuals aged 50-80 in Taiwan who underwent low-dose CT (LDCT) screening and lung diagnostic procedures between 2021 and 2022.
- A total of 209 participants provided data on their time spent receiving care, traveling, and time off work for both themselves and their caregivers through a questionnaire.
- The average costs for time and transportation associated with LDCT screening, non-surgical, and surgical procedures were approximately US$126.4, US$290.7, and US$749.8, respectively, highlighting the need for these insights in evaluating lung cancer screening cost-effectiveness in the future.
Article Synopsis
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) ranges from asymptomatic individuals to those experiencing acute coronary syndromes and sudden cardiac death, highlighting its spectrum and serious nature.
- Over time, CAD is marked by the development of atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries, with a tendency for sudden progression to critical events despite stable periods and treatments.
- Recent changes in CAD guidelines now categorize the disease into acute and chronic coronary syndromes, recognizing its complexity and emphasizing a shift from merely addressing coronary ischemia to focusing on the broader aspects of atherosclerosis for better prevention and treatment.*
Article Synopsis
- * In experimental settings with human cells and diabetic mice, cilostazol promoted cell survival, proliferation, and blood flow recovery through activation of the adiponectin/adiponectin receptor (adipoR)/SIRT1/AMPK signaling pathway.
- * The beneficial impacts of cilostazol on endothelial function and blood flow in diabetic conditions were linked to increased SIRT1 and AMPK activity, while inhibition of these pathways reduced its effectiveness, highlighting the importance of adipoR1 in these processes.
Article Synopsis
- - This study aims to find the best body composition cutoffs related to mortality in older adults, addressing the unclear standards for this demographic.
- - A total of 1200 individuals were studied in central western Taiwan, with a focus on 428 older participants, and various body measurements were taken to analyze health outcomes.
- - The results showed specific waist circumference and BMI cutoffs for predicting all-cause mortality: 86.7 cm WC for women and 23.8 kg/m² BMI, 77.6 cm WC, and 8.7 kg/m² SMMI for men, highlighting the need for gender-specific assessments.
Article Synopsis
- * Understanding the shared mechanisms between psoriatic disease and CV diseases is crucial for managing patients, especially considering screening and treatment choices to avoid complications.
- * A collaborative Task Force of clinicians from various specialties in Taiwan has been formed to create expert recommendations aimed at improving care for psoriasis patients while addressing CV comorbidities.
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates the link between platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), and arterial stiffness in young to middle-aged adults, filling a gap in prior research.
- It analyzed data from 2,464 health checkup participants, finding that higher platelet counts corresponded to increased arterial stiffness, as indicated by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) levels.
- The results suggest that midlife individuals with higher platelet counts are at a greater risk for developing arterial stiffness, while MPV levels showed no significant connection.
Article Synopsis
- PCSK9 is important for controlling cholesterol levels, and this study investigates how cilostazol, a drug with positive effects on cells and metabolism, influences PCSK9 expression.
- The research found that cilostazol increased PCSK9 mRNA and protein levels in liver cells (HepG2) and emphasized that this effect is mediated through its interaction with the PPARγ receptor.
- In animal models and clinical data, cilostazol was shown to raise PCSK9 levels in healthy mice but lower them in obese mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic use for cilostazol in managing cholesterol in obesity.
Purpose: This study aimed to show that the efficacy of 1PC111 is superior to that of either ezetimibe or pitavastatin alone (monotherapy) for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.
Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, Phase III study. Patients with hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia were randomized to receive 1PC111 (which was a fixed-dose combination of pitavastatin 2 mg and ezetimibe 10 mg), pitavastatin 2 mg, or ezetimibe 10 mg daily for 12 weeks.
Coral Hydrate, a Novel Antioxidant, Improves Alcohol Intoxication in Mice.
Antioxidants (Basel)
June 2022
Article Synopsis
- Alcohol consumption can lead to unpleasant hangovers and promote liver damage due to free radicals produced during ethanol breakdown.
- This study explored the use of coral hydrate, a stable hydrogen source, as a potential treatment for alcohol intoxication in mice, showing promising results in reducing sleep time and lowering blood alcohol levels.
- Coral hydrate also increased the expression of liver enzymes that help metabolize alcohol and reduced inflammation caused by alcohol consumption, suggesting it could be a novel therapeutic option for alcohol-related issues.
Previous studies found that cilostazol has a favorable effect on glucose and lipid homeostasis, endothelial function, atherosclerosis, and vasculo-angiogenesis. However, it is poorly understood whether these effects can translate into better clinical outcomes. This study investigated the outcome effect of cilostazol in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or at a high risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease.
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