REOPERATION FOR RECURRENT CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: RESULTS OF 200 CONSECUTIVE CASES

Background : It is well known that reoperation for recurrent coronary artery disease is more difficult than primary coronary artery bypass grafting. However, it is possible to reduce the morbidity and mortality of reoperation to the same level as the initial procedure with careful surgical technique. Methods : A retrospective study of the first 200 patients who underwent redo coronary bypass grafting was undertaken. Results : In the first 200 cases of redo coronary bypass grafting at St George Hospital, Sydney (August 1986–January 1995), there were five in-hospital deaths (2.5%). There was one case of sternal infection (0.5%), which required surgical debridement, three cases of stroke (1.5%), one case of postoperative bleeding (0.5%), which required a return to theatre and six cases (3%) required mechanical ventilation for more than 24h. The need for major postoperative support (such as intra-aortic balloon pumping/adrenaline infusion) was significantly affected by the degree of urgency and the degree of pre-operative ventricular impairment. Conclusions : The mortality rate of redo coronary artery bypass grafting in this series is similar to that of primary surgery described in other reports.     

Risk factors for coronary heart disease among inpatients who have mild intellectual disability and mental illness

Background Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the UK. The aim of this study was to screen inpatients with mild or borderline intellectual disability, many of whom also have mental illness, for risk factors for CHD. Methods Cross sectional survey. Participants were interviewed, measured and had blood samples taken. Results Of the 53 participants, 20 (37.7%) were overweight and 18 (34.0%) obese. The mean body mass index (BMI) of those participants prescribed regular antipsychotics was higher than those who were not. Nine (20.9%) had waist circumference measurements placing them at increased risk of CHD and 21 (48.8%) were at substantially increased risk. Twenty-eight (52.8%) were current smokers. Of the 49 participants who had their blood pressure measured, 3 (6.1%) had readings above the reference range. Of the 19 participants who had random blood tests, one (5.3%) had an elevated cholesterol level. Conclusions In this population there was a high prevalence of two risk factors for CHD (obesity and smoking), requiring ongoing monitoring and long-term measures to reduce risk.     

美托洛尔治疗老年冠心病慢性心力衰竭52例疗效观察

目的评价β-受体阻滞剂治疗老年冠心病慢性心力衰竭的疗效及安全性。方法105例老年冠心病慢性心力衰竭患者按就诊顺序随机分为两组，美托洛尔组52例在常规抗心力衰竭治疗基础上加用美托洛尔12．5～25mg，2／d；对照组53例采用常规抗心力衰竭治疗，未用美托洛尔。定期来诊随访，观察临床表现，监测治疗前后心率、血压、心功能参数变化。结果美托洛尔组显效率53．8％，总有效率88．5％；对照组显效率30．2％，总有效率67．9％，两者比较有显著性差异（P〈0．05）。美托洛尔组患者心率减慢、血压降低较对照组明显，超声心动图复查显示治疗6个月后左室舒张末期内径缩小，左室射血分数增高较对照组显著。结论美托洛尔为老年冠心病慢性心力衰竭提供一种较为安全有效的药物治疗手段。     

Off-pump resection of a coronary arterial fistula using the Harmonic Scalpel

Off-pump surgery was performed in a patient with post-infarction angina complicated with aneurysmal coronary-pulmonary arterial fistula. Epicardial echocardiography localized the artery feeding the fistula in the myocardium, which had not been revealed by visual inspection, palpation, or transesophageal echocardiography. The patient underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting concomitant with aneurysmectomy. The feeding arteries were dissected easily using a Harmonic Scalpel and ligated. The flow in the aneurysm disappeared immediately and aneurysmectomy was performed without bleeding.     

Lipoprotein (a) levels in those with high molecular weight apo (a) isoforms may remain low in a significant proportion of patients with end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported an increase in median Lipoprotein (Lp) (a) in patients with high molecular weight (HMW) apolipoprotein (apo) (a) isoforms and renal impairment. Some studies identify Lp (a) levels as a risk factor for vascular disease in renal failure whilst others have demonstrated an association with apo (a) isoform type and vascular disease. METHODS: A total of 239 patients at end-stage renal failure (ESRF) were studied prior to the initiation of dialysis. Blood was taken for Lp (a) levels and apo (a) isoforms. Clinical vascular disease (CVD) was assessed on the basis of clinical history and Rose questionnaire. The control group for Lp (a) levels consisted of 228 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Despite a higher median Lp (a) level in those with HMW isoforms, 30% of patients had Lp (a) levels <10 mg/dl. Overall, 49% patients were identified as having CVD. Diabetes, smoking history and Lp (a) levels were significantly associated with CVD in logistic regression analysis, although when patients with low molecular weight (LMW) and HMW isoforms were analysed separately, Lp (a) levels were not significantly associated with CVD in those with LMW isoforms. The rates of CVD in those with HMW isoform and low Lp (a) levels were significantly lower than those with HMW isoforms and elevated Lp (a) levels, 34 vs 57% (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although median Lp (a) levels in those patients at ESRF with HMW isoforms are higher than controls, in a third of such patients Lp (a) levels remain relatively low. These patients have lower rates of CVD than those with high levels of Lp (a).     

雷帕霉素洗脱支架预防冠状动脉再狭窄的研究进展

经皮冠状动脉介入治疗已成为治疗冠心病的重要手段之一，但术后再狭窄仍是介入心脏病学面临的难题。现论述雷帕霉素的一般药理特性和雷帕霉素洗脱支架预防再狭窄的基础研究、临床试验等方面的研究进展。并探讨了可能存在的问题。     

Carotid intima-media thickness in Parkinson's disease.

There have been a few studies and inconsistent results regarding the coincidence of Parkinson's disease (PD) and atherosclerotic diseases, such as cerebrovascular disease. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is a known marker for subclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the carotid IMT between PD patients and controls. We studied 43 patients with PD and 86 matched controls. The carotid IMT in PD patients was significantly smaller than in controls (0.796 +/- 0.179 mm vs. 0.913 +/- 0.237 mm, P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, the carotid IMT was inversely associated with the duration of levodopa medication and the severity of PD. These results suggest that PD patients have a lower risk of atherosclerosis.     

不稳定型心绞痛血运重建后氧化和抗氧化指标的动态变化及临床意义

目的　探讨不稳定型心绞痛 (UAP)患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗后丙二醛和超氧化物歧化酶水平的变化规律及临床意义。方法　连续观察 2 5例不稳定心绞痛患者经皮冠脉治疗术前及术后 1、2 4和 72h血液中丙二醛 (MDA)和超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)的变化。另设单纯行冠脉造影的不稳定型心绞痛患者 2 0例和健康者 2 0名作对照 ,MDA和SOD分别用硫代巴比妥酸法和黄嘌呤氧化酶法测定其血清含量 ,并随访术后 3个月心血管事件的发生情况。结果　MDA在不稳定型心绞痛患者中的浓度明显高于健康者 ,介入治疗后 1h进一步升高 ,持续至 2 4h(P =0 .0 0 1) ,72h回复至术前水平 ;单纯行冠脉造影者 ,术前与术后无明显改变。SOD在不稳定型心绞痛患者中的浓度明显低于健康者 (P〈0 .0 5 ) ,介入治疗后进一步降低。结论　不稳定型心绞痛患者介入治疗后MDA和SOD在 72h内有动态变化 ,可能是术后早期心血管事件的危险因素