2型糖尿病患者血清胆红素水平与糖尿病足的相关性

目的 探讨2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者血清胆红素水平与糖尿病足的关系。方法 选取2009-2015年海南省第三人民医院收治的1 269例T2DM患者,根据糖尿病足的诊断标准分为糖尿病足组(578例)和非糖尿病足组(NDF组,691例),同时根据Wagner分级将糖尿病足组分为低级别组(40例,Wagner 0级或1级)、中级别组(425例,Wagner 2级或3级)、高级别组(113例,Wagner 4级或5级)。再将578例糖尿病足患者根据是否截肢分为非截肢组(446例)和截肢组(132例)。所有患者入院时检测血清总胆红素、直接胆红素(D-BIL)和间接胆红素(I-BIL)水平,以及白细胞计数、肌酐、收缩压、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)、尿酸、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(LDL-C)、HbA1c和血红蛋白。收集糖尿病足患者的Wagner分级和截肢手术资料。进行二元或有序多元logistic回归分析,以确定T2DM患者糖尿病足及截肢的危险因素。结果 与NDF组相比,糖尿病足组患者年龄、吸烟和饮酒患者的比例、大血管并发症患者的比例均较高(χ2=3.852~474.272,P均<0.05);白细胞计数、肌酐、收缩压水平升高(U=6.485、35.421、36.155,P均<0.05),总胆红素、D-BIL、I-BIL、ALT、AST、GGT、尿酸、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、HDL-C、LDL-C、HbA1c、血红蛋白和高脂血症患者的比例降低(U=3.145~68.119,P均<0.05)。血清I-BIL水平≥6.0 μmol/L与糖尿病足呈负相关(OR=0.751,95%CI:0.570~0.980,P<0.05)。血清总胆红素>10.0 μmol/L与Wagner评分较低有关(OR=0.506,95%CI:0.298~0.857,P<0.05),血清I-BIL≥6.0 μmol/L是Wagner评分较低的保护因素(OR=0.280, 95%CI:0.147~0.538,P<0.05)。总胆红素≥10.0 μmol/L是截肢的保护因素(OR=0.474,95%CI: 0.243~0.921,P<0.05)。结论 T2DM患者血清胆红素水平下降与糖尿病足的严重程度以及截肢事件独立相关。     

Protective effects of serum bilirubin on peripheral vascular disease

Background: Bilirubin, with recently recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, has emerged as a candidate for atheroprotection. We hypothesized that higher levels of bilirubin would reduce susceptibility to peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Methods and results: We analyzed 7,075 adults with data available on the ankle brachial index, serum total bilirubin level, and PAD risk factors in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999 to 2004), a nationally representative cross-sectional examination of the United States population. A 0.1 mg/dL increase in bilirubin level was associated with a 6% reduction in the odds of PAD (OR 0.94 [95% CI 0.90 to 0.98]) after adjustment for age, gender, race/ethnicity, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, chronic kidney disease, CRP, and homocysteine. This result was not dependent on bilirubin levels above the reference range, liver disease, or alcohol intake. The inverse association of bilirubin with PAD tended to be stronger among men (OR 0.90 [95% CI 0.85 to 0.96]) compared with women (OR 0.97 [95% CI 0.91 to 1.04]; P (interaction) = 0.05), and was stronger among active smokers (OR 0.81 [95% CI 0.73 to 0.90]) compared with non-smokers (OR 0.97 [95% CI 0.93 to 1.02]; P (interaction) < 0.01). Conclusions: Increased serum total bilirubin level is associated with reduced PAD prevalence. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that bilirubin is protective from PAD.     

Exertional leg symptoms other than intermittent claudication are common in peripheral arterial disease

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data show that most community-dwelling men and women with lower-extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) do not have typical symptoms of intermittent claudication. We compared the prevalence of intermittent claudication, leg symptoms other than intermittent claudication, and absence of exertional leg symptoms between patients with PAD identified from a blood flow laboratory (group 1), patients with PAD in a general medicine practice (group 2), and control patients without PAD (group 3). METHODS: Numbers of participants in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 137, 26, and 105, respectively. Patients with previously diagnosed PAD were excluded from groups 2 and 3. All participants underwent ankle-brachial index measurement and were administered the San Diego claudication questionnaire to assess leg symptoms. RESULTS: Within groups 1, 2, and 3, prevalences of intermittent claudication were 28.5% (n = 39), 3.8% (n = 1), and 3.8% (n= 4), respectively. Prevalences of exertional leg symptoms other than intermittent claudication were 56.2% (n= 77), 42.3% (n= 11), and 19.0% (n = 20), respectively. Absence of exertional leg symptoms was reported by 15.3% (n= 21), 53.8% (n= 14), and 77.1% (n=81), respectively. Among patients with PAD, older age, male sex, diabetes mellitus, and group 2 vs group 1 status were associated independently with absence of exertional leg symptoms in multivariable regression analysis. Lower ankle-brachial index levels and group 1 vs group 2 status were associated with intermittent claudication. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical manifestations of PAD are diverse, particularly among patients identified by ankle-brachial index screening. Exertional leg symptoms other than intermittent claudication are common in PAD. Patients with PAD who are older, male, diabetic, or identified with ankle-brachial index screening in a primary care setting are more likely to have asymptomatic PAD.     

Serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels are associated with functional capacity in patients with peripheral arterial disease

We hypothesized that higher serum levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) are associated with lower functional capacity in patients with peripheral arterial disease ([PAD] n = 481, mean age 67, 68% men). Functional capacity was quantified as distance walked on a treadmill for 5 minutes. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the distance walked: >144 yards (group 1, n = 254); 60 to 144 yards (group 2, n = 80); <60 yards or did not walk (group 3, n = 147). The association between NT-pro-BNP levels and the ordinal 3-level walking distance was assessed using multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses that adjusted for several possible confounding variables. Higher levels of NT-pro-BNP were associated with a lower ordinal walking category independent of possible confounders (odds ratio [OR] 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-1.77; P < .001). In conclusion, higher levels of NT-pro-BNP are independently associated with lower functional capacity in patients with PAD and may be a marker of hemodynamic stress in these patients.     

老年冠心病患者血清胆红素与血脂含量测定

目的：研究老年冠心病患者血清胆红素与血清脂质水平的意义。方法：测定97例老年冠心病患者及48例正常老年对照组的血清总胆红素（TB）、甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（HDL—C）、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（LDL-C）、载脂蛋白A1（Apo A1）、载脂蛋白B（ApoB100）、脂蛋白（a）[Lp（a）]水平并分析之。结果：老年冠心病患者血清TB含量显著低于同龄正常对照组（P〈0．05）；老年冠心病患者血清TG、LDL—C水平显著高于对照组（P〈0．05）；而HDL-C水平却极显著低于对照组（P〈0．01）；血清TC、ApoAⅠ、ApoB及Lp（a）水平两组比较无显著性差异。结论：老年人低血清胆红素可能是动脉粥样硬化和冠心病危险因素之一。     

Knowledge and attitudes regarding cardiovascular disease risk and prevention in patients with coronary or peripheral arterial disease

BACKGROUND: We compared perceptions regarding risk of cardiovascular events and benefits of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor reduction between patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and patients without atherosclerosis (no disease). METHODS: Participants with no disease (n = 142) had a normal ankle-brachial index and no clinically evident atherosclerosis (group 1). The PAD participants (n = 136) had an ankle-brachial index less than 0.90 and no other clinically evident atherosclerosis (group 2). Participants with CAD (n = 70) had a normal ankle-brachial index and a history of heart disease (group 3). Participants were interviewed regarding risk of mortality, CVD, and the importance of CVD risk factor reduction for hypothetical patients with PAD and CAD. RESULTS: All groups reported that risks of myocardial infarction, stroke, and death were higher for a patient with CAD than for a patient with PAD. Group 2 was less likely than group 3 to believe that PAD is associated with an extremely high risk of stroke (13.3% vs 28.7%; P =.005) or mortality (10.9% vs 26.6%; P =.003). Group 2 was less likely than group 1 to believe that a patient with PAD has a very high risk of myocardial infarction (13.1% vs 23.8%; P =.02), stroke (13.3% vs 27.5%; P =.003), or mortality (10.9% vs 24.3%; P =.004). Compared with group 3, a smaller percentage of patients in group 2 reported that cholesterol lowering was very important in PAD (57.5% vs 75.8%; P =.005). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with other patients, those with PAD underestimated the high risk of cardiovascular events associated with PAD and the benefits of cholesterol-lowering therapy. These findings may help explain the low rates of CVD risk factor control previously reported in patients with PAD.     

Effect of the herbal medicine Inchin-Ko-To for serum bilirubin in hepatectomized patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Persistent hyperbilirubinemia is a symptom of postoperative liver failure after hepatectomy. We examined the effectiveness of a herbal medicine, Inchin-Ko-To (ICKT), on postoperative serum bilirubin levels in patients undergoing liver resection. METHODOLOGY: Patients were divided into two groups. ICKT group (n=50), 7.5g of ICKT was administered orally from three days before the operation and it continued after the operation. Control group (n=50), ICKT was not administered perioperatively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in postoperative serum total bilirubin levels, but in indirect bilirubin, the ICKT group showed significant decrease compared with the control group. Decreasing effect of postoperative serum bilirubin levels was much more conspicuous when a large amount of liver parenchyma was resected. In that subgroup of patients, serum all bilirubin subdivisions significantly decreased in the ICKT (n=12) group compared with controls (n=11). CONCLUSIONS: ICKT may be an effective and fresh agent in postoperative management of liver resection by its potent choleretic effect.     

血清总胆红素浓度与动脉粥样硬化性血栓性脑梗死的关系

目的　探讨血清总胆红素浓度在动脉粥样硬化性血栓性脑梗死发病中的作用。方法　选择动脉粥样硬化性血栓性脑梗死患者 32 7例和对照组 380例 ,并将病例与对照配对 93对。采清晨空腹肘静脉血测定血清总胆红素浓度 ,比较两组间血清总胆红素浓度的差异 ,并进一步利用病例对照配对研究 ,对低浓度血清总胆红素与动脉粥样硬化性血栓性脑梗死的关系进行分析。结果　病例组血清总胆红素浓度显著低于对照组 (u =5 5 7,P <0 0 1) ;病例组和对照组血清总胆红素低、中、高浓度构成不同 ,病例组低浓度的比例高于对照组 ,高浓度的比例低于对照组 (x2 =6 6 0 1,P <0 0 1) ;病例对照配对分析表明 ,低浓度血清总胆红素与动脉粥样硬化性血栓性脑梗死有关 ,与非低浓度组相比 ,低浓度可使动脉粥样硬化性血栓性脑梗死的危险性增加 1 0 5倍 (OR =2 0 5 ,x2 =6 2 2 ,P <0 0 5 )。结论　低浓度血清总胆红素可能与动脉粥样硬化性血栓脑梗死的发病之间存在相关性     

冠心病患者血清胆红素及尿酸水平的变化

目的:探讨冠心病患者及正常对照组血清胆红素及尿酸水平的变化。方法:应用全自动生化分析仪测定40例冠心病组和38例正常对照组的血尿酸(UA),总胆红素(T-BTL)直接胆红素(D-BIL)含量并进行分析。结果: 冠心病患者血尿酸水平显著高于正常对照组,但血清总胆红素水平则显著低于正常对照组(P均<0.01);而两组直接胆红素水平无明显差异。结论:血清胆红素、尿酸水平对冠心病的诊断有一定临床价值。     

Circulating hepatocyte growth factor level but not basic fibroblast growth factor level is elevated in angiography-proven symptomatic peripheral artery disease

Circulating vasogenic factors may be up-regulated in response to ischemia to promote angiogenesis in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Studies on this are limited in number and size, and results are inconsistent, especially regarding basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) level. From March 1999 to April 2004, all consecutive patients with lower limb PAD having serum samples at the time of intervention were recruited. The diameter of the primary PAD lesion had to be at least 70% stenotic at the lower limb artery. Control subjects, who underwent angiography, were free of PAD, coronary disease, and other major medical diseases. Serum samples were analyzed for circulating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and bFGF levels. Patients with PAD (n = 60) had higher circulating HGF levels (mean +/- SEM, 1,544 +/- 238 vs 970 +/- 129 pg/mL; P = .04) but similar bFGF distribution tertiles (P = .55) compared with control subjects (n = 30). Thirty-six patients with summed PAD lesion lengths exceeding 5 cm demonstrated a significantly higher circulating HGF level compared with control subjects (mean +/- SEM, 1,701 +/- 335 vs 970 +/- 129 pg/mL; P = .048). Patients with concurrent coronary artery disease tend to have a higher circulating HGF level (mean +/- SEM, 1,606 +/- 365 vs 970 +/- 129 pg/mL; P = .06) but not a higher bFGF level compared with control subjects. Circulating HGF level, but not bFGF level, is significantly elevated in patients with symptomatic angiographically documented PAD, especially in those with more extensive involvement.     

Serum uric acid in hypertensive patients with and without peripheral arterial disease

BACKGROUND: Uric acid is frequently elevated in hypertension. In addition to renal and metabolic disturbances, lower limb ischemia might contribute to hyperuricemia among hypertensives complicated by peripheral arterial disease (PAD). OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that uric acid status is related to lower limb function in hypertensives with PAD. METHODS: Serum and 24-h urine uric acid levels and other risk factors were examined in 145 hypertensives free of PAD and 166 hypertensives with PAD. Ankle/brachial index (ABI) and absolute claudication distance (in PAD) on a treadmill test (ACD) were assessed. RESULTS: In multiple regression analysis for serum uric acid in the total group, PAD emerged as an independent determinant (P=0.03) next to age (P=0.005), triglycerides (P=0.04), and insulin (P=0.02). Serum uric acid concentrations were higher in hypertensives with PAD (404+/-101 vs. 347+/-80 micromol/l, P<0.001) independent of components of the metabolic syndrome (body mass index, triglycerides, insulin) and of age, gender, diabetes mellitus, pulse pressure, cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and treatment. After adjustment for kidney function by uric acid/creatinine ratio, values remained higher in hypertensives with PAD (P=0.01). Uric acid excretion was higher in the PAD group (P<0.001), whereas uric acid clearance was comparable between both groups. In multiple regression analysis for ACD (357+/-183 m) in the PAD group, serum uric acid (P=0.02), C-reactive protein (P<0.0001), age (P=0.02), and smoking (P=0.004) were independently associated. ABI (0.62+/-0.17) was not related to uric acid in PAD patients. CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia is more pronounced in hypertensives complicated by PAD and is associated with worse functional status of the peripheral circulation.     

Underrecognized peripheral arterial disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome: prevalence of traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) frequently coexists with coronary artery disease. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), with or without PAD. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective study of 141 consecutive patients (< 70 years old) admitted to our hospital with ACS was performed. PAD was diagnosed when the ankle-brachial index (ABI) was < or = 0.9. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. C-reactive protein, homocysteine, amyloid A, lipoprotein (a), fibrinogen, apolipoprotein A1, and apolipoprotein B100 serum levels, and microalbuminuria were measured. Specific genotypes were also determined. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups according to whether PAD was present (37 patients, 26% of total, ACS-PAD group) or absent (104 patients, ACS group). In the ACS-PAD group, patients were older, and diabetes and hypertension were significantly more common. Moreover, levels of C-reactive protein (3.1 mg/L vs 2.18 mg/L; P<.05), homocysteine (11.45 mmol/L vs 9.4 mmol/L; P<.01), amyloid A (5.2 mg/mL vs 3.7 mg/mL; P<.05), and microalbuminuria (4.89 mg/L vs 3.1 mg/L; P<.05) were significantly higher in this group. Logistic regression analysis showed that poorly controlled diabetes (OR = 6.3; 95% CI, 1.1-36.7), time-dependent tobacco exposure (OR = 1.5 per decade; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0), and high pulse pressure (OR = 1.9 per 10 mmHg; 95% CI, 1.3-2.7) were independent predictors of the presence of PAD. CONCLUSIONS: Several traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors were more prevalent in patients with acute coronary syndrome and peripheral arterial disease. Moreover, some factors were independent predictors of peripheral arterial disease.     

冠心病患者红细胞分布宽度与动脉硬化的相关性

目的 探讨冠心病患者红细胞分布宽度(RDW)与脉搏波传导速度(PWV)之间的相关性。方法 选择冠心病患者(冠心病组)87例,健康体检者(对照组)94例。将87例冠心病患者按RDW四分位数将患者分为:最低四分位数组(A组)28例,低四分位数组(B组)21例,高四分位数组(C组)26例,最高四分位数组(D组)12例。收集临床一般资料及心血管病危险因素,测定血脂、肌酐、白细胞、血尿酸等,测量肱-踝PWV(ba PWV)。结果 冠心病组RDW和ba PWV水平较正常对照组明显升高〔(13.1±0.8)%vs.(14.2±0.6)%,(1856±392)cm/s vs.(2029±649)cm/s,P<0.05〕;从A组到D组,ba PWV逐渐增高,分别为〔(1945.5±525.3),(1973.5±598.4),(2020.7±650.9),(2616.3±695.6)cm/s〕;D组与前3组之间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);相关分析显示,RDW与ba PWV(r=0.236,P<0.05)、年龄(r=0.220,P<0.05)呈正相关,多元线性逐步回归分析表明RDW是ba PWV的独立影响因素(B=602.52,P<0.01)。结论 冠心病患者的RDW与ba PWV有相关性,RDW增高患者动脉硬化程度增加。     

A randomized controlled trial of lamivudine to treat acute hepatitis B

The role of antivirals in patients with acute viral hepatitis B (AVH-B) has not been evaluated in controlled trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lamivudine in patients with AVH-B. AVH-B patients with serum bilirubin of more than 5 mg/dL were randomized to receive either 100 mg of lamivudine daily for 3 months (group 1, n = 31) or placebo (group 2, n = 40). Patients were considered to have severe AVH-B if they fulfilled 2 of 3 criteria: (1) hepatic encephalopathy; (2) serum bilirubin > or = 10.0 mg/dL; and (3) international normalized ratio (INR) > or = 1.6. At week 4, HBV DNA levels were significantly lower (P = 0.037) in group 1 (median: 3.6721 log copies/mL) than group 2 (median: 4.2721 log copies/mL). Thereafter, HBV DNA levels were comparable in the 2 groups. The improvement in serum bilirubin, ALT, and INR values was similar in the 2 groups. Twenty-two patients (71%) in group 1 and 25 patients (62.5%) in group 2 had severe AVH-B. Results were similar when patients with severe AVH-B were analyzed separately. After 12 and 18 months, 93.5% and 92.5%, respectively, of patients in the lamivudine group and 96.7% and 97.5%, respectively, of patients in the placebo group lost HBsAg. There were no deaths in either group. After 1 year, 21 patients (67.7%) in group 1 and 34 patients (85%) in group 2 developed protective anti-HBs titers (P = 0.096). All HBeAg-positive patients in both groups lost e antigen and anti-HBe developed in 71% and 87.5% of patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.132). Conclusion: Though lamivudine causes a greater decrease in levels of HBV DNA, it does not cause significantly greater biochemical and clinical improvement as compared to placebo in patients with acute hepatitis B.     

血清总胆红素水平与急性缺血性卒中患者梗死灶体积、严重程度和病因学分型的相关性

目的 探讨血清总胆红素水平与急性缺血性卒中患者梗死灶体积、卒中严重程度和病因学分型的相关性.方法 以2012年1月至2014年1月期间收治的急性缺血性卒中患者作为研究对象,收集其临床和影像学资料,并检测血清总胆红素水平,分析血清总胆红素水平与缺血性卒中患者梗死灶体积、卒中严重程度和病因学分型的相关性.结果 共纳入290例急性缺血性卒中患者.根据脑梗死体积中位数将患者分为大梗死组(≥1.8 cm3;n=145)和小梗死组(＜1.8 cm3;n=145).大梗死组总胆红素水平显著高于小梗死组[(16.896±7.761) μmol/L对(13.039±4.477) μmol/L;=5.185,P＜0.001],多变量logistic回归分析显示,总胆红素最高四分位数组(＞17.893 μmol/L)为大梗死的独立危险因素[优势比(odds ratio,OR)2.754,95％可信区间(confidence interval,CI)1.028～7.375;P =0.044].根据美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale,NIHSS)评分将患者分为轻度卒中组(NIHSS评分＜8分;n=210)和中重度卒中组(NIHSS评分≥8分;n=80),中重度卒中组的总胆红素水平显著高于轻度卒中组[(16.861±7.689) μmol/L对(14.246±6.019)μmol/L;=3.052,P=0.002],多变量logistic回归分析显示,总胆红素水平并非中重度卒中的独立危险因素.将小动脉闭塞性卒中、大动脉粥样硬化性卒中和其他明确病因的卒中合并为非心源性脑栓塞组(n =244),心源性脑栓塞组(n=46)总胆红素水平显著高于非心源性脑栓塞组[(19.639±8.409) μmol/L对(14.087±5.831) μmol/L;t =5.479,P＜0.001],多变量logistic回归分析显示,总胆红素最高四分位数组(＞ 17.893 μmol/L)为心源性脑栓塞的独立危险因素(OR 8.405,95％ CI 1.719 ～41.106;P=0.009).结论 血清总胆红素水平升高是大梗死卒中和心源性脑栓塞的独立危险因素.急性期血清总胆红素作为一种氧化应激指标,可为早期判断缺血性卒中患者的梗死灶体积和病因学亚型提供帮助.     

Increased serum bilirubin levels coincident with heart failure decompensation indicate the need for intravenous inotropic agents

We have reported that chronic heart failure (HF) patients with increased serum bilirubin coincident with acute decompensation have a poor prognosis, indicating severe congestion and low tissue perfusion. The aim of this study was to analyze the possibility of increased bilirubin coincident with acute decompensation as a parameter which indicates the need for intravenous inotropic agents. We stratified 131 decompensated chronic HF patients with a LVEF or= 1.2 mg/dL), intravenous inotropics contributed to significantly more abundant diuresis, body weight reduction, and decreases in bilirubin and serum creatinine in the first 5 in-hospital days compared to those without (group A: inotropics +; n = 24 versus group B: -; n = 38: 1726 +/- 418 versus 1458 +/- 424 mL/day: P < 0.05, -3.1 +/- 1.6 versus -2.1 +/- 2.2 kg: P < 0.05, -0.74 +/- 0.51 versus -0.04 +/- 0.60 mg/dL: P < 0.01, -0.29 +/- 0.89 versus -0.01 +/- 0.24 mg/dL: P < 0.01), in spite of no significant difference in the doses of diuretics between the 2 groups. On the contrary, patients with low bilirubin (T-Bil < 1.2 mg/dL) recovered from decompensation equally irrespective of inotropic administration (group C: inotropics +; n = 15 versus group D: -; n = 54: 1557 +/- 329 versus 1507 +/- 406 mL/day, -2.9 +/- 1.7 versus -2.8 +/- 1.5 kg, -0.01 +/- 0.25 versus -0.08 +/- 0.23 mg/dL, 0.02 +/- 0.24 versus 0.47 +/- 0.19 mg/dL; NS, respectively). Inotropics were administered after all because of unimproved hemodynamics in 26% of group B patients, compared to 4% of group D patients (P < 0.01). Increased bilirubin coincident with HF decompensation can be a useful marker indicating the need for intravenous inotropic agent administration.     

Vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism are common complications in patients with peripheral arterial disease

OBJECTIVE: To investigate via the vitamin D status whether patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) tend to develop vitamin D deficiency that in turn influences their clinical symptoms. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred twenty-seven patients were evaluated; subjects with secondary causes of bone disease or bone active medication were excluded. One hundred sixty-one patients with either PAD stage II (n = 84) or stage IV (n = 77) were enrolled and compared to 45 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All patients underwent determinations of serum chemistry, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D3) intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin and were further stratified according to an individual restriction score into 3 groups: mildly, moderately, or severely restricted in daily life due to the underlying disease. Patients with PAD IV showed significantly lower vitamin D3 (P =.0001), and calcium (P =.0001) values and significantly higher iPTH (P =.0001), osteocalcin (P =.0001) and ALP (P =.02) levels as compared to patients with PAD II. Patients considering themselves as severely restricted due to the underlying disease showed lower vitamin D3 and higher iPTH levels than those who described only a moderate (vitamin D3: P <.001; iPTH: P <.01) or mild (vitamin D3: P <.001; iPTH: P <.001) restriction in daily life. CONCLUSION: Patients with PAD IV, especially those who feel severely restricted due to the disease, are at high risk of developing vitamin D deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and ultimately osteomalacia due to immobilization and subsequent lack of exposure to sunlight, all of which in turn lead to further deterioration. Monitoring of vitamin D metabolism and vitamin D replacement therapy could be a simple, inexpensive approach to mitigating clinical symptoms and improving quality of life in patients with advanced PAD.     

老年冠心病患者冠状动脉狭窄程度与血清胆红素水平的相关性

目的：探讨老年心血管病患者的冠脉狭窄程度与血清胆红素水平的关系及意义。方法：对264例老年冠心病患者行冠脉造影并测定血清胆红素水平。依据冠脉造影结果,患者被分为正常对照组（68例）和冠心病组（196例）,其中冠心病组又分为轻度组（66例）、中度组（64例）和重度组（66例）。结果：单因素方差分析显示,与正常对照组比较,冠心病轻、中、重组间血清总胆红素[（20.52±6.12）μmol/L比（18.07±5.81）μmol/L比（14.22±5.19）μmol/L比（15.63±6.30）μmol/L]、间接胆红素[（18.80±5.21）μmol/L比（15.46±6.71）μmol/L比（11.63±3.42）μmol/L比（13.37±4.35）μmol/L]水平显著下降（P〈0.05～〈0.01）;多元线性回归分析显示,血清总胆红素及间接胆红素与冠状动脉狭窄程度的评分呈明显负相关（其偏相关系数分别为-8.976、-2.492,P〈0.05）。结论：胆红素水平与老年心血管疾病的发生发展及其严重程度有密切相关,血清总胆红素和间接胆红素水平可作为临床预测冠脉病变严重程度和病变范围的一个良好指标。     

High levels of serum uric acid impair development of coronary collaterals in patients with acute coronary syndrome

We evaluated the association of serum uric acid (SUA) level and development of coronary collateral vessels (CCVs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients (n = 224) with ACS were included in the study. Coronary collateral vessels were graded according to the Rentrop scoring system. Rentrop grade 0 was accepted as absence of CCV (group 1; n = 117) and Rentrop grade ≥1 was accepted as presence of CCV (group 2; n = 107). Rentrop 0-1 (poor CCV) were determined in 167 patients and Rentrop 2-3 (good CCV) were determined in 57 patients. Both presence of CCV (P < .001) and development of good CCV (P = .003) were significantly associated with low levels of SUA. We suggest that high levels of SUA affect the CCV development negatively in nondiabetic and nonhypertensive patients with ACS.     

Abnormal circulating levels of metalloprotease 9 and its tissue inhibitor 1 in angiographically proven peripheral arterial disease: relationship to disease severity

BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with adaptive changes in the vascular and muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) in response to reduced blood flow. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs), are key modulators of ECM turnover. We hypothesized that patients with intermittent claudication (with low ankle-brachial blood pressure index, <0.8), and critical ischaemia would have raised circulating levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 compared with healthy controls, reflecting an increase in proteolytic activity which may be related to ECM turnover in PAD. METHODS: We studied 36 patients (23 males; 65 +/- 9 years) with intermittent claudication and 43 (25 males; 68 +/- 12) patients with critical ischaemia. All patients had angiographic evidence confirming significant PAD. RESULTS: Circulating levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were higher (both P < 0.0001) in the PAD patient groups compared with the controls. Patients with critical ischaemia had MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels that were significantly higher than those with intermittent claudication. There were no differences in circulating TIMP-2 levels between patients and controls. There was a modest positive correlation between the white cell count (WCC) and MMP-9, both patients with intermittent claudication (Spearman, r = 0.398, P = 0.016) and critical ischaemia (r = 0.378, P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: We demonstrate higher levels of circulating MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in patients with intermittent claudication and critical ischaemia. Circulating concentrations of both markers can be related to disease severity, being higher in critical ischaemia compared with levels in intermittent claudication.