Decreased plasma nesfatin-1 levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Nesfatin-1 is a novel anorexigenic hormone which has close relationship with diabetes, obese, anorexia nervosa, psychiatric disorders and neurogenic diseases. The aim of our study was to evaluate levels of plasma nesfatin-1 among patients presenting with coronary artery disease and the correlation between nesfatin-1 levels and other clinical parameters. Fasting plasma levels of nesfatin-1 were tested in 48 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients, 74 stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients and 34 control subjects. All of them were examined by coronary angiography. The severity of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed using the Gensini score. Plasma nesfatin-1 levels were significantly lower in AMI group than SAP group or control group (0.91 ± 0.08 ng/mL vs. 0.98 ± 0.19 ng/mL and 1.09 ± 0.39 ng/mL, respectively, P < 0.05). In AMI patients, plasma nesfatin-1 levels were negatively correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, neutrophil% or Gensini scores. Such information implies that lower nesfatin-1 concentration may play a very important role in the development of AMI.     

Effects of Rho-kinase inhibitor on vasopressin-induced chronic myocardial damage in rats

The aim of this study was to develop a new model of vasopressin-induced chronic myocardial damage based on sustained ST-segment depression in electrocardiogram (ECG) with progression of myocardial fibrosis in rats. Furthermore, using this model, we examined the prophylactic potential of fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, against myocardial damage induced by vasopressin. In 10-week old male Donryu rats, intravenous administration of arginine vasopressin (0.5 iu/kg) induced significant ST-segment depression. Two days and one week after the administration of vasopressin, ST-segment depression was -0.19 +/- 0.02 and -0.14 +/- 0.02 mV, respectively. Fasudil (10 and 30 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly attenuated the ST-segment depression induced by vasopressin. One week after the administration of vasopressin, the percent area of myocardial fibrosis in control animals (0.42 +/- 0.11%, p < 0.01) was significantly greater than that in normal animals (0.05 +/- 0.01%). Fasudil (10 and 30 mg/kg) significantly prevented the development of the fibrosis. We present a new model of chronic myocardial damage based on sustained ST-segment depression with progression of myocardial fibrosis in rats, and suggest that this model may be useful to investigate the treatment of chronic angina. Inhibition of Rho-kinase is efficacious in preventing the ECG change and development of fibrosis induced by vasopressin in this model.     

The peripheral blood mononuclear cell microRNA signature of coronary artery disease

Background

MicroRNAs are being used in the oncology field to characterize tumors and predict the survival of cancer patients. Here, we explored the potential of microRNAs as biomarkers for coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndromes.

Methods and results

Using real-time PCR-based profiling, we determined the microRNA signature of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from stable and unstable CAD patients and unaffected controls. 129 of 157 microRNAs measured were expressed by PBMCs and low variability between separate PBMC pools was observed. The presence of CAD in general coincided with a marked 5-fold increase (P < 0.001) in the relative expression level of miR-135a, while the expression of miR-147 was 4-fold decreased (P < 0.05) in PBMCs from CAD patients as compared to controls, resulting in a 19-fold higher miR-135a/miR-147 ratio (P < 0.001) in CAD. MicroRNA/target gene/biological function linkage analysis suggested that the change in PBMC microRNA signature in CAD patients is probably associated with a change in intracellular cadherin/Wnt signaling. Interestingly, unstable angina pectoris patients could be discriminated from stable patients based upon their relatively high expression level of a cluster of three microRNAs including miR-134, miR-198, and miR-370, suggesting that the microRNA signatures can be used to identify patients at risk for acute coronary syndromes.

Conclusions

The present study is the first to show that microRNA signatures can possibly be utilized to identify patients exhibiting atherosclerotic CAD in general and those at risk for acute coronary syndromes. Our findings highlight the importance of microRNAs signatures as novel tool to predict clinical disease outcomes.     

葛兰心宁软胶囊联合替格瑞洛片对冠心病心绞痛患者心功能和血管内皮功能的影响

摘要 目的：观察葛兰心宁软胶囊联合替格瑞洛片治疗冠心病心绞痛的疗效及对心功能和血管内皮功能的影响。方法：选择我院心内科收治的150例冠心病心绞痛患者,按门诊号单双数分为对照组和研究组,各为75例。对照组给予替格瑞洛片治疗,研究组给予葛兰心宁软胶囊联合替格瑞洛片治疗,对比两组疗效、血管内皮功能、心功能、心绞痛发作次数和持续时间以及不良反应发生率。结果：治疗1个月后,研究组的临床总有效率85.33%（64/75）高于对照组的69.33%（52/75）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。治疗1个月后,研究组左心室射血分数（LVEF）、心输出量（CO）、每搏输出量（SV）高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗1个月后,与对照组比较,研究组的心绞痛发作次数更少,持续时间更短（P<0.05）。治疗1个月后,研究组一氧化氮（NO）、血流介导的舒张功能（FMD）高于对照组,内皮素-1（ET-1）、胞间黏附分子-1（ICAM-1）、血管紧张素Ⅱ（Ang Ⅱ）低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率组间对比无明显差异（P>0.05）。结论：冠心病心绞痛患者经葛兰心宁软胶囊联合替格瑞洛片治疗后,疗效明确,可缓解患者临床症状,促进心功能和血管内皮功能恢复。     

银杏达莫联合通痹胶囊治疗冠心病心绞痛的临床疗效及对血清IL-1β、TNF-α、ET-1、MMP-9水平的影响

目的:研究银杏达莫联合通痹胶囊治疗冠心病心绞痛的临床疗效及对血清白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、内皮素-1(ET-1)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)水平的影响。方法:选取2015年8月至2016年7月我院收治的84例冠心病心绞痛患者,根据患者入院顺序分为观察组和对照组,42例每组。对照组使用通痹胶囊完成治疗,观察组在此基础上联合银杏达莫完成治疗。比较两组患者临床疗效、心绞痛发作次数、持续时间、ST段下移程度、血清IL-1β、TNF-α、ET-1、MMP-9水平的变化。结果:治疗后,观察组临床总有效率显著高于对照组[92.86%(39/42)比66.67%(28/42)](P0.05);两组患者心绞痛发作次数、持续时间、ST段下移程度、血清IL-1β、TNF-α、ET-1、MMP-9水平均较治疗前显著降低(P0.05),且观察组以上指标均明显低于对照组(P0.05)。观察组和对照组的不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:银杏达莫联合通痹胶囊治疗冠心病心绞痛能有效改善患者临床症状并提高临床疗效,可能与其显著降低患者血清IL-1β、TNF-α、ET-1、MMP-9水平有关。     

血清白介素-6和白介素-10浓度的变化与冠心病

目的探讨白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-10(IL-10)在冠心病心绞痛患者血中的变化规律。方法检测25例不稳定型心绞痛、23例稳定型心绞痛患者及22例正常对照者组血中IL6、IL-10浓度并进行比较。结果不稳定型心绞痛组、稳定型心绞痛组及正常对照组血中IL-6分别为(298.6±52.4)、(143.2±46.9)、(75.1±32.7)pg/m l;不稳定型心绞痛组分别高于稳定型心绞痛组及正常对照组,差异均有非常显著性(均为P<0.001)。不稳定型心绞痛组、稳定型心绞痛组及正常对照组血IL-10分别为(173.7±30.9)、(80.4±15.6)、(38.2±7.5)pg/m l,不稳定型心绞痛组分别高于稳定型心绞痛组及正常对照组(P<0.01)。结论冠心病患者血清IL-6、IL-10的浓度升高。     

One-year clinical follow-up of a registry evaluating a percutaneous revascularisation strategy combining a pre-specified simple selection process with the use of a new thin-strut bare cobalt-chromium stent

Objectives. To evaluate clinical events in a specifically selected cohort of patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), using a new generation thin-strut bare cobalt-chromium coronary stent. Methods. Patients with single- or multi-vessel, stable or unstable CAD eligible for percutaneous implantation of at least one bare cobalt-chromium stent were evaluated in a single-centre registry. Prospective pre-specified criteria for bare cobalt-chromium stent implantation in our centre were: any acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI), otherwise 1) de novo coronary lesion, and 2) lesion length <20 mm, and 3) reference vessel diameter >2.6 mm, and 4) no diabetes, unless reference vessel diameter >3.5 mm. Endpoints, retrospectively collected, were death, MI and clinically driven target-lesion revascularisation (TLR) and target-vessel revascularisation (TVR) after 12 months. Results. Between September 2005 and June 2007, 712 patients (48.7% one-vessel, 29.9% two-vessel, 20% three-vessel and 1.4% left main disease; 7.9% diabetics) were treated with 800 bare cobalt-chromium stents, for stable angina (40.9%), unstable angina (20.9%) or acute ST-elevation MI (38.2%). The procedural success rate was 99.3%. Peri-procedural MI rate was 2.2% in the semi-elective group. At 12 months there were 17 deaths (2.4%), of which nine non-cardiac, 20 (2.8%) MI, 19 (2.7%) TLR and 29 (4.1%) TVR. Early and late definite stent thrombosis occurred in four (0.6%) and three (0.4%) patients, respectively. Conclusion. A strategy aimed at minimising drug-eluting stent use and combining a pre-specified simple selection process with the use of a new thin-strut bare cobalt-chromium stent is safe and effective at one-year clinical follow-up. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:486-92.)     

Does height modify the risk of angina associated with economic adversity?

Adult height partly reflects childhood exposures, and we hypothesise that some exposures impairing growth may also increase susceptibility to coronary heart disease--angina pectoris (angina)--risks, such that shorter adults may be more susceptible to some exposures in adulthood that are risks for heart disease. This hypothesis is tested among all adults who participated in the National Health Interview Survey (USA), 1997-2000 [The National Health Survey, 1997-2000. Data file documentation, National Health Interview Survey (machine-readable data file and documentation). National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, Maryland, ]. In the entire study population, height was negatively associated with angina and after adjustment for potential confounding factors; the odds ratio (and 95% confidence interval) for angina risk associated with the tallest height fifth compared with the shortest fifth is 0.77 (0.97, 0.88). The association of low income (less than US 20,000 dollars) with angina was assessed separately in each of five height strata defined by fifths of the height distribution. The magnitude of this association is lower in the shortest than the tallest height fifth, with odds ratios of 1.18 and 1.60, respectively (effect modification). The unexpected results may be explained by the following: childhood adversity resulting in shorter stature may confer resilience against adult economic adversity; the relative disadvantage of low income may be perceived more keenly by those of taller stature thereby increasing stress and thus disease risk; or health-promoting characteristics associated with taller stature may be less effective in the face of adult economic adversity in the low-income group.     

Symptomatic relief precedes improvement of myocardial blood flow in patients under spinal cord stimulation

Background

Spinal cord electrical stimulation (SCS) has shown to be a treatment option for patients suffering from angina pectoris CCS III-IV although being on optimal medication and not suitable for conventional treatment strategies, e.g. CABG or PTCA. Although many studies demonstrated a clear symptomatic relief under SCS therapy, there are only a few short-term studies that investigated alterations in cardiac ischemia. Therefore doubts remain whether SCS has a direct effect on myocardial perfusion.

Methods

A prospective study to investigate the short- and long-term effect of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on myocardial ischemia in patients with refractory angina pectoris and coronary multivessel disease was designed. Myocardial ischemia was measured by MIBI-SPECT scintigraphy 3 months and 12 months after the beginning of neurostimulation. To further examine the relation between cardiac perfusion and functional status of the patients we measured exercise capacity (bicycle ergometry and 6-minute walk test), symptoms and quality of life (Seattle Angina Questionnaire [SAQ]), as well.

Results

31 patients (65 ± 11 SEM years; 25 male, 6 female) were included into the study. The average consumption of short acting nitrates (SAN) decreased rapidly from 12 ± 1.6 times to 3 ± 1 times per week. The walking distance and the maximum workload increased from 143 ± 22 to 225 ± 24 meters and 68 ± 7 to 96 ± 12 watt after 3 months. Quality of life increased (SAQ) significantly after 3 month compared to baseline, as well. No further improvement was observed after one year of treament. Despite the symptomatic relief and the improvement in maximal workload computer based analysis (Emory Cardiac Toolbox) of the MIBI-SPECT studies after 3 months of treatment did not show significant alterations of myocardial ischemia compared to baseline (16 patients idem, 7 with increase and 6 with decrease of ischemia, 2 patients dropped out during initial test phase). Interestingly, in the long-term follow up after one year 16 patients (of 27 who completed the one year follow up) showed a clear decrease of myocardial ischemia and only one patient still had an increase of ischemia compared to baseline.

Conclusion

Thus, spinal cord stimulation not only relieves symptoms, but reduces myocardial ischemia as well. However, since improvement in symptoms and exercise capacity starts much earlier, decreased myocardial ischemia might not be a direct effect of neurostimulation but rather be due to a better coronary collateralisation because of an enhanced physical activity of the patients.     

Tp-e间期、P波离散度对室性心律失常病情的预测价值

摘要 目的：探讨Tp-e间期、P波离散度(Pd)对室性心律失常病情的预测价值。方法：2016年6月到2018年6月选择在本院诊治的心绞痛患者110例,所有患者都给予动态心电图检查,记录Tp-e间期、Pd值与室性心律失常发生情况。随访患者的心绞痛复发情况,并判定预测价值。结果：在110例患者中,发生室性心律失常48例(失常组),发生率为43.6 %,其中偶发室早21例、频发室早19例、室早4例、心室颤动3例、室性心动过速1例。失常组的Tp-e间期、Pd值都显著高于非失常组(P<0.05)。随访至今,失常组的心绞痛复发率为45.8 %,显著低于对照组的8.1 %(P<0.05)。在失常组中,单因素与多因素logistics回归分析显示Tp-e间期、Pd都为影响患者心绞痛复发的重要因素(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析显示Tp-e间期、Pd预测心绞痛复发的敏感性与特异性都在85.0 %以上。结论：心绞痛合并室性心律失常患者多伴随有Tp-e间期、Pd增加,也会增加患者的复发率,Tp-e间期、Pd对预测室性心律失常复发情况具有重要价值。