Relationship between plasma C—reactive protein concentration and the severity of coronary artery lesion

Objective: To explore the relationship between C-reactive protein(CHP) concentration and severity of cor-onary artery lesion. Methods: The plasma CRP concentration were tested in 166 cases who underwent coronary angiog-raphy(CAG),coronary heart disease (CHD) was presented in 86 patients and absent in 80 cases as normal controlgroup, and results of the two groups and different numbers of diseased coronary vessels in CHD group were analyzed.Results: The plasma CRP concentration were 2293±198, 5126±508,12969±1076μg/L, respectively,for the nor-mal control group, the stable angina group and the unstable angina group. The CRP concentration in the stable angina     

Immune Vasculitis Induced Atherosclerosis

Summary： The relationship between immune vasculitis and atherosclerosis was studied. The experimental model of weanling rabbits for immune vasculitis was reproduced by intravenous injection of 10% bovine serum albumin. There were 6 groups： group A, 25 weanling rabbits with immune vasculitis subject to coronary arteriography; group B, 10 normal mature rabbits subject to coronary arteriography; group C, 10 weanling rabbits subject to coronary arteriography, group D, 8 weanling rabbits with vasculitis and cholesterol diet; group E, 8 weanling rabbits receiving single cholesterol diet; group F： 8 weanling rabbits receiving basic diet. Four weeks later, coronary arteriography was performed in groups A, B and C. The rabbits in groups D, E and F were sacrificed for the study of pathological changes in the coronary artery after 12 weeks. The results showed that the dilatation of coronary artery occurred in 6 rabbits of group A, but in groups B and C, no dilatation of coronary artery appeared. In comparison with group E, more severe atherosclerosis occurred in group D, showing the thickened plaque, fibrous sclerosis and atherosclerotic lesion. Percentage of plaques covering aortic intima, incidence of atherosclerosis of small coronary arteries and degree of stenosis of coronary arteries were significantly higher in group D than in group E （P〈0.01）. No atherosclerosis changes were found in group F. It was concluded that in the acute phase, the serum immune vasculitis can induce the dilatation of coronary artery of some weanling rabbits, and aggravate the formation of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed with cholesterol diet. Immune vasculitis is a new risk factor of atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease.     

Relationship between coronary atherosclerosis plaque characteristics and high sensitivity C-reactive proteins, interleukin-6

Background  The relationship between inflammatory markers and the characteristics of coronary atherosclerosis plaques is uncertain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the characteristics of coronary atherosclerosis plaques and inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive proteins (Hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Methods  All patients suspected of having coronary heart disease (CHD) underwent Siemens 64-slice CT angiography (64-SCTA) to distinguish the quality of plaque of coronary artery lesions. Blood samples were taken to measure levels of serum Hs-CRP and IL-6 in different plaque groups and the control group and compared with the value of 64-SCTA for detection of coronary artery plaque.

Results  The sensitivity of detecting coronary artery plaque by 64-SCTA was 87.4%, the specificity was 87.1%, the positive predictive value was 82.2%, and the negative predictive value was 91.0%. Comparing the levels of serum Hs-CRP and IL-6 among plaque groups, the mean levels of serum Hs-CRP and IL-6 in three plaque groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (P <0.01). The mean levels of serum Hs-CRP and IL-6 in the soft plaque group and mixed plaque group were significantly higher than those in hard plaque group (P <0.01). Plaque burden in the soft plaque group and mixed plaque group was significantly higher than in the hard plaque group (P <0.01), but there was no statistical difference between the soft plaque group and mixed plaque group (P=0.246). There was a negative correlation between the CT scale and Hs-CRP and IL-6 levels in the soft plaque group (r= –0.621, P <0.01, and r= –0.593, P <0.01 respectively). There was a positive correlation between the plaque burden and Hs-CRP and IL-6 levels in the soft plaque group (r=0.579, P <0.05 and r=0.429, P <0.05 respectively).

Conclusions  64-SCTA is an effective way to distinguish the different quality of coronary atherosclerosis plaque. Serum Hs-CRP and IL-6 levels can be considered as the indexes to judge the degree of CHD and may reflect the activity of plaque in CHD patients. Thus it is important for clinical diagnosis and risk evaluation of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.

     

Relationship between serum vasoactive factors and plaque morphology in patients with non-ST-segment elevated acute coronary syndrome

Background Vasoactive factors have been reported to correlate with vulnerable plaque and acute coronary syndrome （ACS）. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between vasoactive factors and plaque morphology in patients suffering from non-ST-segment elevated ACS. Methods From April 2007 to April 2009, 124 consecutive patients suffering from non-ST-segment elevated ACS who had received coronary angiography （CAG） and intravascular ultrasound （IVUS） in the People＇s Liberation Army General Hospital and Beijing Anzhen Hospital were enrolled in this study. Three serum vasoactive factors, plasma soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 （sFIt-1）, placental growth factor （PLGF） and interleukin-18 （IL-18）, were measured by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay of the patients. The levels of vasoactive factors were compared between vulnerable plaque group and stable plaque group, and between unstable angina pectoris （UAP） group and non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction （NSTE-AMI） group. The relationship between the plaque morphology and levels of vasoactive factors was analyzed. Results The levels of vasoactive factors were similar between the UAP group （69 patients） and NSTE-AMI group （55 patients）. The levels of sFIt-1 and PLGF in the vulnerable plaque group were significantly higher than those in the stable plaque group. The level of IL-18 was correlated positively with plaque morphology. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the level of PLGF was an independent risk factor for vulnerable plaque （OR=2.115, 95%Cl 1.415-5.758, P=0.018）. Using the ROC curve, PLGF was a significant factor for the diagnosis of vulnerable plaque （the diagnostic point was 26.3 ng/L, the proportion of square area under the ROC curve was 0.799, 95%C/0.758-0.839, P 〈0.001 ; the sensitivity of PLGF under the ROC curve was 86%, and the specificity 63%）. Conclusion Both IL-18 and PLGF are biomarkers for vulnerable plaques and helpful to predict vulnerable plaque.     

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in the early onset of coronary heart disease

Objective To assess the relationship between apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism and the early onset of coronary heart disease (CHD) and the effect of apoE on lipids and lipoproteins in healthy Chinese subjects. Methods Sixty-eight patients with CHD younger than 55 years (CHD1), 136 patients with CHD older than 65 years (CHD2), and 136 healthy subjects were enrolled, and their plasma levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined. The apoE genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.Results apoE 3/4 genotype and E4 allele frequency in the CHD1 group were higher than those in the CHD2 group and healthy subjects, while no differences were found between CHD2 and healthy subjects. Meanwhile, the plasma levels of TC and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were higher in the CHD2 group than in both CHD1 group and healthy subjects.Each apoE isoprotein has variable TC and LDL-C levels that is E2 (E2/2+E2/3)＜E3(E3/3)&lt;E4(E4/4+E3/4). Conclusion apoE is one of the genetic factors that affect TC and LDL-C levels, and apoE 4 has a very close relation to CHD, suggesting that apoE 4 is an independent genetic factor of the early onset of CHD.     

创伤骨科患者创伤严重程度和血浆D二聚体水平的相关分析

Background  The correlation between the plasma D-dimer level and deep vein thrombosis has not been conclusive in various studies. The aim of this research was to study the relationship between plasma D-dimer levels and the severity of orthopedic trauma by retrospective examination of orthopedic trauma cases.

Methods  Clinically acute trauma and non-acute trauma patients were selected and their plasma D-dimer levels were measured. Plasma D-dimer levels in patients of these two groups were compared. The relationship between the plasma D-dimer level and the severity of the trauma was also studied.

Results  There were 548 cases in the acute trauma group and 501 cases in the non-acute trauma group. The levels of plasma D-dimer were significantly higher in the acute trauma group than in the non-acute trauma group (P <0.01). In the acute trauma group, the correlation between the D-dimer level and the number of fractures was a positive linear correlation (r=0.9532).

Conclusions  Elevated plasma D-dimer is common in trauma patients. The D-dimer level and the number of fractures in the trauma patients are closely correlated. D-dimer is not only an indicator for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus, but also an indicator of the severity of trauma in acute trauma patients.

     

血清脂蛋白(a)水平与冠状动脉病变的关系

目的 探讨血清脂蛋白水平与冠心病患者冠状动脉病变的关系.方法 冠状动脉造影患者323例,分为冠心病组和正常对照组,其中根据冠状动脉病变狭窄程度分为轻度、中度、重度狭窄组,根据冠状动脉病变范围分为单支病变组、双支病变组和多支病变组.分别测定其血清脂蛋白、总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白、甘油三酯水平.结果 冠心病组血清脂蛋白、总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白、甘油三酯水平明显高于正常对照组.其中血清脂蛋白、总胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白水平与冠状动脉病变呈正相关;双支及多支病变组明显高于对照组和单支病变组(P<0.01),中度狭窄和重度狭窄组明显高于对照组和轻度病变组(P<0.01).结论 血清脂蛋白、总胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白能够反映冠状动脉的病变情况,其水平随冠状动脉病变范围及病变程度的加重而升高,可作为预测冠状动脉病变的一个因素. Abstract： Objective To investigate the possible relationship between the serum LP(a) and coronary artery changes in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods Coronary angiography (CAG) was performed in 323 patients. The patients were divided into CHD group and control group. The serum levels of lipids were measured. According to the coronary number of stenosis, CHD group was further divided into 1-vessel group, 2-vessel group and 3-vessel group according to the degree of coronary lesion, CHD group was further divided into light stenosis group, moderate stenosis group and severe stenosis group. Results The levels of total cholesterol (TC),LP(a),LDL-C and triglyceride (TG) in CHD patients were significant higher than those in the control group. The serum levels of TC,LP(a) and LDL-C were significantly related to CHD (P<0.01).The serum levels of TC,LP(a) and LDL-C were higher in the 2-vessel group and 3-vessel group than that in the control group and 1-vessel group (P<0.01).The serum levels of TC,LP(a) and LDL-C were higher in the moderate stenosis group, severe stenosis group than that in the control group and light stenosis group(P<0.01). Conclusions The increasing of TC, LP(a) and LDL-C are associated with the stenosis degrees and lesion degrees of coronary artery in patients with CHD which indicated that TC,LP(a) and LDL-C have clinical significance for evaluating the change of degree of coronary artery lesion.     

Pre-clinical atherosclerosis evaluated by carotid artery intima- media thickness and the risk factors in children

Background Atherosclerosis as a cardiovascular disease was found to begin even in the fetal period. However, information about risk factors of pre-clinical atherosclerosis in childhood has been limited. Hence, this study was aimed to find out the risk factors of atherosclerosis by measuring the carotid artery intima-media thickness in children. High resolution B-mode ultrasound used to examine the carotid artery inUma-media thickness was demonstrated to be useful in finding the early carotid structural changes. Methods The study included 79 children who were divided into two groups according to their ages： group I consisted of 42 children with ages from 5 to 9 years and group II consisted of 37 children with ages from 10 to 18 years, Among them, 23 had a positive family history for risk, such as hypertension, obesity or dyslipidemia. Blood samples were collected and total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein were assayed. The carotid artery intima-media thickness was measured by ultrasound. Comparisons were done between the two groups using Student＇s t tests and Chi-square analysis. Body mass index, blood pressure, levels of lipids, family history and the carotid artery intima-media thickness were calculated by conditional logistic regression analysis. Results Compared with the children without a positive family history, the incidence of the increased carotid artery intima-media thickness was significantly high （X^2=4.364, P〈0.05）. There were no statistically significant differences between left and right carotid arteries in carotid artery intima-media thickness （P〉0.05）. In this study, diastolic blood pressure and the atherosclerosis index were suggested to be the risk factors to the thickened carotid artery intima-media thickness. In group I the diastolic blood pressure＇s odds radio was 1.187 （P=-0.035） and the atheroscterosis index odds radio was 37.165 （P=-0.001）; in group II the diastolic blood pressure＇s odds radio was 1.371 （P=0.009） and the atherosclerosis index odds radio was 30.724 （P=-0.015）. Conclusion The diastolic blood pressure and atherosclerosis index were the risk factors in pre-clinical arthrosclerosis. Regularly monitoring the high-risk children for the development and progression of vascular lesion would be of great value in avoiding and preventing cardiovascular disease.     

Roles of human epicardial adipose tissue in coronary artery atherosclerosis

This study examined the adipocytokine-vascular interactions and link between epicardial adipose tissue and coronary artery atherosclerosis.Thirty-four patients undergoing open heart surgery were chosen randomly, and divided into groupⅠ(non-coronary artery disease group) and group Ⅱ(coronary artery disease group).Blood samples were taken through peripheral vein prior to surgery.Plasma levels of a panel of proteins (adiponectin, IL-10, TNF-α) were detected by using ELISA.Epicardial adipose tissue was taken near the proximal tract of the right coronary artery and subcutaneous adipose was taken from the leg before cardiopulmonary bypassing, adiponectin and CD68+ were detected by using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.Our results showed that plasma adiponectin level was significantly lower in the group Ⅱ as compared with group Ⅰ(P<0.05).There were no differences in plasma concentration (IL-10, TNF-α, tatal-chol, HDL-chol, LDL-chol) between group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ.The number of CD68+ cells in epicardial adipose tissue of group Ⅱ was significantly higher than that in subcutaneous adipose tissue.Adiponectin mRNA expression was 6 fold higher in subcutaneous adipose tissue than in epicardial adipose tissue of group Ⅱ (P<0.01).Furthermore, the level of adiponectin mRNA in the epicardial adipose tissue in group Ⅱ was also significantly lower than in group Ⅰ (P<0.05).We are led to conclude that inflammation that occurs locally in epicardial adipose tissue of CAD contributes to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease.     

Prevalence of CMV in arterial walls and leukocytes in patients with athero sclerosis

Objective To investigate the association of cylomegalovirus with atherosclerosis.Methods The presence of cylomegalovirus (CMV) nucleic acids was demonstrated in carotid and coronary arteries of patients with and without atherosclerosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).CMV was detected by PCR in the blood of patients with an d without atherosclerosis.Results 83.3%-86.7% of the samples obtained from atherosclerotic patient arterial wall s were shown to contain viral nucleic acids (CMV), CMV could be found among 6.7 % of patients’ arterial wall without atherosclerosis, significant difference can be found between them (P&lt;0.01).In blood CMV could be found in 42.4% of patients with atherosclerosis, in the control group, only 3% of samples had CMV, P&lt;0.01.Conclusion CMV plays an important role in the pathologic process of the atherosclerosis and the atherosclerotic cerebral infarction.     

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and coronary heart disease.

Serum lipoproteins and apolipoproteins were analyzed in 199 patients with acute myocardial infarction (CCU group), and in 211 normal healthy individuals (control group). It was shown that serum lipoprotein abnormalities, especially elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, are closely related to atherogenesis in relatively young patients and in subjects with severe coronary lesions. The frequency of apo E4 was higher and that of E2 was lower in the CCU group than in the control group. Apo E mutants, E7 and E5, were also frequent in the CCU group. Subjects with an E3/2 phenotype had reduced LDL and increased VLDL levels, and those with an E4/3 phenotype had increased LDL levels in serum. These results suggest that apo E4 is a positive risk factor and apo E2 a negative risk factor for atherosclerosis. The action of apo E isoproteins to increase or decrease serum LDL levels may be one of the mechanisms of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, the effect of apo E isoforms on serum lipoproteins was evident even in childhood. The mutant apo E binding to LDL receptors were investigated to clarify the metabolism of apo E5 and apo E7. The affinity of apo E5 was twice that of the wild form of apo E3. Apo E7, however, had a lower receptor affinity than apo E3. Therefore, the authors postulate that individuals with apo E5 have increased risk of developing hypercholesterolemia and subsequent atherosclerosis. From the binding data of apo E7, the action of apo E7 is considered similar to that of apo E2.

     

Apparent protective effect of high density lipoprotein against coronary heart disease in the elderly

Background This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and coronary heart disease (CHD) death and to explore the protective effect of HDL against CHD in the elderly Chinese.Methods Started from 1986, 1211 retirees (92% males) were enrolled consecutively and studied prospectively. The average starting age was 70±9 years, and that at the end of the study was 80±9 years. During the follow-up study, all the participants received yearly physical examination and blood chemistry survey from 1986-2000. The average duration of the follow up study was 11.2 years. The end point of this study was either attacks of AMI or death due to CHD and other causes. CHD risk factors were screened by logistic regression analysis. According to their HDL-C levels, cases were divided into low (&lt;1.03 mmol/L), medium (or normal, 1.03-1.56 mmol/L) and high (&gt;1.56 mmol/L) level groups, the differences in incidence of AMI and CHD death in each group were analyzed.Results The cumulative attacks of acute coronary syndrome (mostly AMI) were 214 cases, including 89 cases of coronary death and 308 death caused by other diseases during the follow up study. AMI occurrence and CHD death in normal HDL-C group were lower than those in the low HDL-C group by 40% and 53%; and those in the high HDL-C group were lower than in the normal group by 56% and 50%, respectively. Statistical analysis on normal lipid cases （411 cases, total cholesterol&lt;5.17mmol/L, triglyceride&lt;1.69 mmol/L） revealed that the cases at low HDL-C level had similar rates of AMI events and CHD mortality as those of the entire group (including hyperlipidemia); however, AMI attacks and CHD deaths decreased significantly at the normal and high HDL-C levels. The results demonstrated that the protective effect of HDL against coronary artery disease is more prominent in people with low lipid level.Conclusion Low HDL is an important independent risk factor for AMI attacks and CHD death in the elderly; high HDL has significant protective effect against coronary artery disease.     

Sex Hormones and Androgen Receptor：Risk Factors of Coronary Heart Disease in Elderly Men

Objective To investigate the variation of sex hormone and its receptor level in elderly male patients with coronary heart disease （CHD） and to evaluate the correlations between CHD and sex hormone as well as sex hormone receptor. Methods Altogether 139 male CHD patients （CHD group） aged 60-92 years and 400 healthy men （control group） aged 60-90 years were included in this cross sectional study. The plasma concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate （DHEAS）,total testosterone （TT）,free testosterone （FT）,estradiol （E2）,sex hormone binding globulin （SHBG）,luteinizing hormone （LH）,and follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH） were measured. The androgen receptor （AR） was tested by flow cytometry. Correlations between CHD and levels of sex hormones and AR were analyzed. Results Compared with the control group,the levels of DHEAS,TT,FT,SHBG,and the fluorescence intensity of AR in the CHD group significantly reduced （P0.05）,while the levels of FSH and E2 significantly increased （P0.01）. Age was negatively correlated with TT （r=-0.28,P=0.00） and FT （r=-0.17,P=0.01）,while it was positively correlated with SHBG （r=0.14,P=0.04） and E2 （r=0.33,P=0.00）. AR fluorescence intensity was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure （r=-0.12,P=0.01）. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that TT,SHBG,and AR were all negatively correlated with CHD （P0.05）. Conclusions Elderly male patients with CHD are found to have low levels of DHEAS,TT,FT,SHBG,and AR,while high concentrations of E2 and FSH. Low levels of TT and SHBG may be the potential risk factors of CHD in elderly men.     

Comparision of high sensitivity C-reactive protein and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in patients with unstable angina between with and without significant coronary artery plaques

Background Inflammation within vulnerable coronary plaques may cause unstable angina by promoting rupture and erosion. C-reactive protein (CRP) is the most reliable and accessible test method for clinical use for identifying coronary artery disease event. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is highly over-expressed in the vulnerable regions of a plaque.Our aim was to evaluate the plasma levels of MMP-9 and hsCRP in subjects with both unstable angina and coronary plaques, as well as in those with unstable angina without coronary plaques.Methods Patients with newly diagnosed unstable angina pectoris from clinical presentation and ECG, who were undergoing coronary angiography from April 2007 to April 2009, were included in this study. A total of 170 subjects were enrolled in the study. Before angiography, the baseline clinical data (mainly including conventional risk factors) was collected.These patients were divided into two groups, a non-plaque group (G1) which included 55 patients with no significant stenosis or less than 20% stenosis in at least one of the major coronary artery branches, and a plaque group (G2) which included 115 patients with at least one of the major coronary artery branches unstable angina pectoris with at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery. The patients presenting with calcified nodules of a major coronary artery were excluded from this study.We examined the serum levels of MMP-9 for all cases by multi-effect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results There was a significant difference in the serum levels of MMP-9 between the two groups (P＜0.001). The percentage of patients with hypertension, diabetes and current smokers were significantly different between the two groups (P=0.034, P=0.031, and P=0.044 respectively). The univariate Logistic regression analyses of risk factors showed that smoking was the main risk factor for angina in the non-plaque group with the OR being 1.95 (95% Cl 1.02-3.75).Hypertension, diabetes mellitus were negatively related with the occurrence of angina in the non-plaque group with the ORs being 0.50, and 0.36, respectively (95% Cl 0.26-0.96 and 0.14-0.94). The MMP-9 level was negatively related to the occurrence of angina in the non-plaque group with an OR of 0.59 (95% Cl 0.47-0.81).Conclusions There is a significantly difference in MMP-9 levels between the plaque and non-plaque groups. Current smoking has a significant influence on unstable angina patients without documented plaques. The serum MMP-9 level may be a significant biomarker which can help differentiate patients with unstable angina with plaques from those with unstable angina but without plaques.     

CHANGES OF SERUM TYROSINE IN YIN-DEFICIENT PATIENTS WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASE

The mean serum tyrosine concentrationswere 1.14 mg/dl for normal control group(17cases)and 1.43 for patients with coronary heartdisease(CHD)(67 cases),a significantly higherfigure in the latter.No significant differencewas found between male and female patients.Averages of the serum tyrosine levels of Yin-deficient(43 cases)and Yang-deficient(24 cases)groups were 1.50 and 1.29 mg/dl respectively.The differences were statistically significantbetween the two deficiency groups and betweenthe Yin-deficient and normal control groups.The values of male or female Yang-deficientpatients were not however significantly differentfrom the normal.We considered the increaseof serum tyrosine level in CHD patients possiblyto be one of the important pathologic biochemi-cal changes of Yin-deficiency.We found nosuch relationship between the tyrosine level andthe CHD as reported by some foreign investiga-tors.     

Correlation of serum lipids, lipoproteins, lipid peroxide products and metals with coronary heart disease.

Serum lipids, lipoproteins, malondialdelyde (MDA) and metal levels were determined in 86 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) proved angiographically and 33 controls subjects. Serum concentrations of TC, LDL-C, AI, MDA and Cu were significantly elevated and serum HDL-C, Zn and Mg contents were decreased markedly in patients. Correlation analyses indicated that the severity of coronary arterial lesions was related positively to serum TC, LDL-C, AI, MDA and Cu levels, and inversely to HDL-C levels; both the serum Cu and MDA contents were related positively to TC and LDL-C levels. These data suggest that serum Cu and MDA might have effects on the extent of CA lesions during the progress of atherosclerosis in patients with CHD.

     

~rognostic value of baseline C-reactive protein levels in patients mdergoing coronary revascularization

Background C-reactive protein （CRP） is a lowly expressed marker for inflammatory response. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of baseline CRP levels in patients undergoing coronary revascularization in the context of modern medical treatment. Methods This was a retrospective study in a single center. Four hundred and fourteen patients were enrolled, who underwent coronary revascularization and received adequate medication for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. The study compared the follow-up clinical outcomes between high level CRP group （CRP 〉5 mg/L） and low level one. The median follow-up time was 551 days. Results Compared with low CRP group, the relative risk （RR） of the major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events （MACCE） in high CRP group was 5.131 （95% CI： 1.864-14.123, P=0.002）. There were no significant differences in death myocardial infarction and stroke during the follow-up between two groups, but a higher risk of re-revascularization was found in high CRP group （RR 6.008, 95% CI： 1.667-21.665, P=0.006）. Cox regression analysis showed that only CRP level could contribute to MACCE during the follow-up. MACCE-free rate was much lower in high CRP group （Kaplan-Meier log-rank P 〈0.001）. Conclusion In the context of modern medical treatment, the baseline level of CRP is an independent predictor for long-term prognosis in patients with coronary revascularization.     

Association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and coronary artery disease severity

Background  Both non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are closely associated with many metabolic disorders. Invasive coronary angiography (CAG) is a common approach as an intervention for CAD. However, the association between angiographic severity of coronary artery and NAFLD remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between NAFLD and CAD.

Methods  Totally 542 consecutive patients who planned to undergo CAG due to a suspected CAD were enrolled. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed before angiography to detect NAFLD. CAD was defined as stenosis of at least 50% in at least one major coronary artery. The severity of CAD was assessed by the number of vessels affected and the vessel score multiplied by the severity score (Gensini score). Significant stenosis was defined as 70% or greater reduction in lumen diameter. A probability value of P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results  Of 542 patients studied, 248 (45.8%) were found to have NAFLD by abdominal CT, and 382 patients (88%) were found to have significant CAD by CAG. Age, diabetes mellitus, waist circumference, body mass index, and obesity were associated with NAFLD. According to the results of Logistic regression analysis, the presence of NAFLD independently increased the risk for CAD, as seen in CAG (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 7.585 (4.617–12.461); P <0.001). NAFLD was significantly more common in patients as CAD severity increased (P <0.001).

Conclusions  The presence of NAFLD is associated with high severity of CAD, requiring that patients with abdominal obesity be also investigated for NAFLD. Patients with NAFLD should be closely followed up for the presence and severity of CAD.

     

Soluble CD40 ligand is associated with angiographic severity of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background Recently,studies have disclosed soluble CD40 ligand （sCD40L） during atherosclerosis development and plaque destabilization.The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that sCD40L levels are higher in acute coronary syndrome （ACS） patients with a greater extent of angiographic coronary involvement.Methods This cross-sectional study examined ACS patients who underwent coronary angiography by measuring their sCD40L levels.In order to estimate the serum levels of sCD40L,10 ml of peripheral venous blood was drawn within 24 hours of admission.sCD40L levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA,RapidBio,West Hills,CA,USA）.Demographic data,presence of concomitant diseases,ACS characteristics,and angiographic findings were evaluated.A review of medical records and patient interviews were conducted to assess coronary risk factors.And the severity of coronary artery disease was evaluated using the Gensini score index.Results Two hundred and eighty-nine patients were included in the study,of whom 186 were male,with an average age of 64.1±10.0 years.Median sCD40L levels were 1.7 ng/ml （0.3-7.3 ng/ml） and Gensini scores were 50 （0-228）.After adjusting for demographic variables and cardiovascular risk factors,the Gensini score was associated with the natural logarithm of the sCD40L level （Coefficient b=0.002,95％ CI 0.000-0.003,P=0.029）.Conclusion sCD40L levels were independently associated with angiographic severity of coronary artery disease in patients with ACS.     

Smoking and hyperlipidemia are important risk factors for coronary artery spasm

Objective To investigate the role of coronary artery spasm in the etiology of chest pain lacking significant coronary stenosis and to identify the clinical risk factors related to coronary artery spasm.Methods Two hundred and seventy five patients with chest pain, but without significant coronary artery stenosis underwent the intracoronary acetylcholine test. Coronary artery spasm was diagnosed while coronary artery stenosis increased to 90% and was accompanied by the usual chest pain with or without ischemic changes on electrocardiogram. Logistic regression was employed to investigate the relationships between coronary artery spasm and sex, age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking,hyperlipidemia and results of electrocardiographic treadmill stress test. Left ventricular ejection fraction and end diastolic pressure were compared between spasm group and non-spasm group.Results Coronary artery spasm was detected in 103 out of 271 patients, a rate of 38%. Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking and hyperlipidemia increased the relative risk of coronary artery spasm 4.2 times and 2.3 times, respectively. There was a significantly negative relationship between diabetes mellitus and coronary artery spasm. Furthermore, there was no coronary artery spasm detected in left ventricular ejection fraction and end diastolic pressure.Conclusions Coronary artery spasm was one of the important etiological factors for patients with chest pain but no coronary artery stenosis. Smoking and hyperlipidemia were the main clinical risk factors for coronarv arterv spasm.