Relationship between left ventricular end-diastolic compliance and abnormal Doppler mitral filling in patients with coronary artery disease.

Left ventricular end-diastolic compliance (LVEDC) and transmitral flow velocities were measured in 19 patients with coronary artery disease associated with hypertension and 10 normal subjects by LV catheterization and pulsed-Doppler echocardiography. LVEDC was much lower in the patient than in the normal subjects (P less than 0.01). The data showed that abnormal Doppler diastolic function such as elevated late diastolic peak flow velocity (PVA) and decreased LVEDC occurred in the patients at the same time. In addition, the negative correlation of PVA with LVEDC observed in normal controls but not in patients suggested that in patients with impaired diastolic filling, factors other than the decreased LVEDC itself must also participate in the development of diastolic dysfunction.

     

ASSESSMENT OF DIASTOLIC FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY BY DOPPLER TISSUE IMAGING

Objective To determine the clinical application of pulsed Doppler tissue imaging in assessing the left ventricular diastolic function and in discriminating between normal subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with various stages of diastolic dysfunction. Methods We measured the peak diastolic velocities of mitral annulus in 81 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with various stages of diastolic dysfunction and 50 normal volunteers by Doppler tissue imaging using the apical window at 2-chamber and long apical views, respectively. The myocardial velocities were determined with use of variance F statistical analysis. Results Early diastolic myocardial velocities ofmitral annulus were higher in normal subjects than in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with either delayed relaxation, pseudonormal filling, or restrictive filling. However, peak myocardial velocities of mitral annulus during atrial contraction were similar in normal subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Conclusion Doppler tissue imaging can directly reflect upon left diastolic ventricular function. Early phase of diastole was the best discriminator between control subjects and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.     

TRANSCRANIAL DOPPLER CHARACTERISTICS IN PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATUS, LOCKED-IN SYNDROME AND BRAIN DEATH

Aim. Comparison d the trascraniat Doppler (TCD) characteristics of cerebral circulation in persistent vegetative status (PVS), locked-in syndrome and brain death patients. Methods. Using TCD ultrasound to detect the flow velocity and waveform patterns of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and basilar artery (BA) in patients with PVS, locked in syndrome and brain death. Resets. The mean velocities of middle cerebral artery (Vmca) and basilar artery (Vba) were30. 0cm/s and 24. 3cm/s in PVS patients respectively, which decreased 45. 0％ and 14. 4％ in comparing with normal value. For patients with locked-in syndrome, Vmca and Vba were 49. 7cm/s and 9. 8cm/s, which decreased 5. 0％ and 61.7％ than the normal value respectively. These results show that the de-erease of anterior circulation was predominant in PVS, and the decrease of posterior circulation was pre-dominant in locked-in syndrome. A unique diastolic reverse ilow, short peak systolic wave or undeteerable flow signal in middle cerebral artery were predominant in brain death patients, which was completely dif-ferent from that of either PVS or locked in syndrome.Conclushm. TCD was a valuable tool in distinguishing PVS, locked in syndrome and brain death pa-tients according to the differences in velocities and patterns of anterior and posterior cerebral arteries.     

Effect of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pills(麝香通心滴丸) on the Immediate Blood Flow of Patients with Coronary Slow Flow

Objective: To observe the immediate effect and safety of Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills(麝香通心滴丸, STDP) on patients with coronary slow flow(CSF), and furthermore, to explore new evidence for the use of Chinese medicine in treating ischemic chest pain. Methods: Coronary angiography(CAG) with corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI) frame count(CTFC) was applied(collected at 30 frames/s). The treatment group included 22 CSF patients, while the control group included 22 individuals with normal coronary?ow. CSF patients were given 4 STDP through sublingual administration, and CAG was performed 5 min after the medication. The immediate blood ?ow frame count, blood pressure, and heart rate of patients before and after the use of STDP were compared. The liver and kidney functions of patients were examined before and after treatments. Results: There was a signi?cant difference in CTFC between groups(P0.05). The average CTFC values of the vessels with slow blood ?ow in CSF patients were, respectively, 49.98±10.01 and 40.42±11.33 before and after the treatment with STDP, a 19.13% improvement. The CTFC values(frame/s) measured before and after treatment at the left anterior descending coronary artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery were, respectively, 48.00±13.32 and 41.80±15.38, 59.00±4.69 and 50.00±9.04, and 51.90±8.40 and40.09±10.46, giving 12.92%, 15.25%, and 22.76% improvements, respectively. The CTFC values of vessels with slow ?ow before treatment were signi?cantly decreased after treatment(P0.05). There were no apparent changes in the heart rate, blood pressure, or liver or kidney function of CSF patients after treatment with STDP(all P0.05). Conclusions: The immediate effect of STDP in treating CSF patients was apparent. This medication could signi?cantly improve coronary ?ow without affecting blood pressure or heart rate. Our ?ndings support the potential of Chinese medicine to treat ischemic chest pain.     

Cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in Chiari malformation associated with syringomyelia

Background About 50%--70% of patients with Chiad malformation I （CMI） presented with syringomyelia （SM）, which is supposed to be related to abnormal cerebrospinal fluid （CSF） flow around the foramen magnum. The aim of this study was to investigate the cerebrospinal fluid dynamics at levels of the aqueduct and upper cervical spine in patients with CMI associated with SM, and to discuss the possible mechanism of formation of SM. Methods From January to Apdl 2004, we examined 10 adult patients with symptomatic CMI associated with SM and 10 healthy volunteers by phase-contrast MRI. CSF flow patterns were evaluated at seven regions of interest （ROI）： the aqueduct and ventral and dorsal subarachnoid spaces of the spine at levels of the cerebellar tonsil, C2-3, and C5-6. The CSF flow waveforms were analyzed by measuring CSF circulation time, durations and maximum velocities of cranial- and caudal-directed flows, and the ratio between the two maximum velocities. Data were analyzed by ttest using SPSS 11.5. Results We found no definite communication between the fourth ventricle and syringomyelia by MRI in the 10 patients. In both the groups, we observed cranial-directed flow of CSF in the early cardiac systolic phase, which changed the direction from cranial to caudal from the middle systolic phase to the early diastolic phase, and then turned back in cranial direction in the late diastolic phase. The CSF flow disappeared at the dorsal ROI at the level of C2-3 in 3 patients and 1 volunteer, and at the level of C5-6 in 6 patients and 3 volunteers. The durations of CSF circulation at all the ROIs were significantly shorter in the patients than those in the healthy volunteers （P=-0.014 at the midbrain aqueduct, P=-0.019 at the inferior margin of the cerebellar tonsil, P=-0.014 at the level of C2-3, and P=-0.022 at the level of C5-6）. No significant difference existed between the two groups in the initial point and duration of the caudal-directed CSF flow during a cardiac cycle at all the ROIs. The maximum velocities of both cranial- and caudal-directed CSF flows were significantly higher in the patients than those in the volunteers at the aqueduct （P=-0.018 and P=-0.007） and ventral ROI at the inferior margin of the cerebellar tonsil （P〈0.001 and P=-0.002）, as so did the maximum velocities of the caudal-directed flow in the ventral and dorsal ROIs at the level of C2-3 （P=-0.004; P=-0.007）. Conclusions The direction of CSF flow changes in accordance with cardiac cycle. The syringomyelia in patients with CMI may be due to the decreased circulation time and abnormal dynamics of the CSF in the upper cervical segment. The decompression of the foramen magnum with dural plasty is an alternative for patients with CMI associated with SM.     

Thorombolytic therapy with rescue percutaneous coronary intervention versus primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a multicenter randomized clinical trial

Background Although thrombolytic therapy with rescue percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） is a common treatment strategy for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction （STEMI）, scant data are available on its efficacy relative to primary PCI, and comparison was therefore the aim of this study. Methods This multicenter, open-label, randomized, parallel trial was conducted in 12 hospitals on patients （age 〈70 years） with STEMI who presented within 12 hours of symptom onset （mean interval 〉3 hours）. Patients were randomized to three groups： primary PCI group （n=101）; recombinant staphylokinase （r-Sak） group （n=-104）; and recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator （rt-PA） group （n=-106）. For all patients allocated to the thrombolytic therapy arm, coronary angiography was performed at 90 minutes after drug therapy to confirm infarct-related artery （IRA） patency; rescue PCI was performed in cases with TIMI flow grade 〈2. Bare-metal stent implantation was planned for all patients. Results After randomization it required an average of 113.4 minutes to start thrombolytic therapy （door-to-needle time）and 141.2 minutes to perform first balloon inflation in the IRA （door to balloon time）. Rates of IRA patency （TIMI flow grade 2 or 3） and TIMI flow grade 3 were significantly lower in the thrombolysis group at 90 minutes after drug therapy than in the primary PCI group at the end of the procedure （70.5% vs. 98.0%, P 〈0.0001, and 53.0% vs. 85.9%, P 〈0.0001, respectively）. Rescue PCI with stenting was performed in 117 patients （55.7%） in the thrombolytic therapy arm. Rates of patency and TIMI flow grade 3 were still significantly lower in the rescue PCI than in the primary PCI group （88.9% vs. 97.9%, P=-0.0222, and 68.4% vs. 85.0%, P=0.0190, respectively）. At 30 days post-therapy, mortality rate was significantly higher in the thrombolysis combined with rescue PCI group than in primary PCI group （7.1% vs. 0, P=0.0034）. Rates of death/MI and bleeding complications were significantly higher in the thrombolysis with rescue PCI group than in the primary PCI group （10.0% vs. 1.0%, P=-0.0380, and 28.10% vs. 8.91%, P=-0.O001, respectively）. Conclusions Thrombolytic therapy with rescue PCI was associated with significantly lower rates of coronary patency and TIMI flow grade 3, but with significantly higher rates of mortality, death/MI and hemorrhagic complications at 30 days, as compared with primary PCI in this group of Chinese STEMI patients with late presentation and delayed treatments.     

MR IMAGING OF CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT： A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Objective. To make a preliminary investigation of the patency and function of coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) by magnetic resonance(MR) images and to establish a suitable method for follow-up study after CABG operation among Chinese. Methods. MR imaging was performed with a Toshiba 1.5-T unit in 27 patients with 74 grafts. All patients were examined with a breath-hold ECG-gated two-dimensional fast field echo (FFE) sequence to evaluate the patency of bypass grafts, among them 16 patients with 42 grafts were further examined with a phase shift magnetic resonance angiography flow (PSMRAflow) sequence to evaluate the grafts patency as well as the flow velocity and flow volume vs.time. Results. The results showed that 66 of the 74 grafts in the patients of the present series studied with FFE were patent with a patency rate of 89.2%. The results evaluated both with FFE and PSMRAflow remained the same except that two grafts were patent with FFE and the results with PSMRAflow were uncertain. Diastolic perfusion pattern curves were found in 25 of the 32 grafts in patients of the present series. Comparing the flow curves of the grafted left internal manmmry artery with those of the native right internal mammary artery in 7 patients, the systolic peak velocity value (SPV) of the grafted arteries was significantly lower than that of the ungrafted ones, whereas the diastolic peak velocity value(DPV) and the ratio of DPV to SPV were significantly greater than that of the ungrafed ones. Conclusion. The FFE and PSMRAflow sequences were efficient in evaluating patency and obtaining the curves of flow velocity and volume of the bypass grafts. Therefore, they may offer a non-invasive screening method for follow-up study in patients after CABG surgery, although its accuracy should be further evaluated in more patients and comparatively studied with other methods.     

Clinical profile and outcomes of atrial fibrillation in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background Atrial fibrillation （AF） occurs commonly in patients with acute myocardial infarction （MI） and is associated with an increased long-term mortality. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of AF in in-hospital elderly Chinese patients with acute MI.
Methods A total of 967 patients with acute MI, aged 〉65 years, were categorized on the basis of the absence or presence of AF. Patients with documented AF were classified into two subgroups： the ongoing AF group and the new-onset AF group. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical profile, in-hospital outcomes, and effects of revascularization on the incidence of AF in elderly patients with acute MI.
Results AF was documented in 100 （11.53%） patients and the incidence of new-onset AF was 6.51% during hospitalization. History of old MI and cerebrovascular events were more common in patients with AF than in those without AF （P 〈0.001, P 〈0.01, respectively）. The incidence of AF was higher in patients with non-ST elevated MI （P=0.014）, inferior wall MI （P=0.004） and cardiac function of Killip class Ⅲ or Ⅳ （P=-0.008）. Patients with AF had more complication of pneumonia （P=0.003） and longer hospital stay. Left circumflex coronary artery involvement was more common in patients with AF （compared with patients without AF, P 〈0.001）. Percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting significantly decreased the incidence of new-onset AF from 7.97% to 3.82% （P=0.017）. AF depended to heart failure, increased the in-hospital mortality.
Conclusions AF is common in elderly patients with acute MI and is associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Revascularization reduces the incidence of AF and thus improves the clinical outcomes in these patients.     

Identification of syndrome X using intravascular ultrasound imaging and Doppler flow mapping

Background The purpose of this study was to assess the morphological changes and physiological function of coronary arteries in patients presenting with chest pain but having normal coronary angiograms, using intravascular ultrasound imaging (IVUS) and intracoronary Doppler (ICD) flow measurements, in order to elucidate the mechanism of syndrome X. Methods A total of 126 patients ［67 males, 59 females, mean age (53.1±13.0) years］ who experienced chest pain but had normal coronary angiograms were included in this study. ICD flow measurements of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) were performed using a Cardiometrics FloMap Ⅱ system. Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) was defined as the ratio of the average peak velocity during hyperemia to that at baseline, induced by an intracoronary bolus injection of 18 μg adenosine. A 3.2F or 2.9F 30 MHz mechanical rotating ultrasound catheter (CVIS, Boston Scientific) or a 3.0F 20MHz electronic ultrasound catheter (Endosonics) was used for IVUS. Results The mean CFVR value of the LAD was 2.71±0.74. Reduction of CFVR (<3.0) was found in 82 of 126 (65.1%) patients. IVUS images of the LAD were available for 109 patients. Plaque formation was detected in 76/109 (69.7%) patients. Based on the presence or absence of plaque formation as well as the reduction or non-reduction of CFVR, patients were divided into four groups: Group Ⅰ (n=10), normal IVUS findings and normal CFVR; Group Ⅱ (n=23), normal IVUS findings with reduction in CFVR; Group Ⅲ (n=29), IVUS evidence of plaque formation but normal CFVR; and Group Ⅳ (n=47), IVUS evidence of plaque formation with reduction in CFVR. Conclusion This study shows the important clinical value of a combination of IVUS and ICD in diagnosing patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries. Only 10% of patients studied (Group Ⅰ) were found to be truly free of coronary disease, while 20% of patients (Group Ⅱ) would be diagnosed as suffering from syndrome X.     

Value of Quantitative Tissue Velocity Imaging in the Detection of Regional Myocardial Function in Dogs with Acute Subendocardial Ischemia

This study evaluated the application of quantitative tissue velocity imaging （QTVI） in assessing regional myocardial systolic and diastolic functions in dogs with acute subendocardial ischemia. Animal models of subendocardial ischemia were established by injecting microspheres （about 300 μm in diameter） into the proximal end of left circumflex coronary artery in 11 hybrid dogs through cannulation. Before and after embolization, two-dimensional echocardiography, QTVI and real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography （RT-MCE） via intravenous infusion of self-made microbubbles,were performed, respectively. The systolic segmental wall thickening and subendocardial myocardial longitudinal velocities of risk segments before and after embolization were compared by using paired t analysis. The regional myocardial video intensity versus contrast time could be fitted to an exponential function： y=A·（1-exp-β·t）, in which the product of A and β provides a measure of myocardial blood flow. RT-MCE showed that subendocardial normalized A·β was decreased markedly from 0.99±0.19 to 0.35±0.11 （P〈0.05） in 28 left ventricular （LV） myocardial segments after embolization, including 6 basal and 9 middle segments of lateral wall （LW）, 8 middle segments of posterior wall （PW） and 5 middle segments of inferior wall （IW）. However, there was no statistically significant difference in subepicardial layer before and after embolization. Accordingly, the ratio of A·β of subendocardial myocardium to subepicardial myocardium in these segments was significantly decreased from 1.10±0.10 to 0.31±0.07 （P〈0.05）. Although the systolic wall thickening did not change 5 min after the embolization in these ischemic segments （29%±3% vs 31%±5%, P〉0.05）, the longitudinal peak systolic velocities （Vs） and early-diastolic peak velocities （Ve） recorded by QTVI were declined significantly （P〈0.05）. Moreover, the subendocardial velocity curves during isovolumic relaxation predominant     

2008 Focus in Surgery

Background Muscle fibers overlying the intramyocardial segment of an epicardial coronary artery are termed myocardial bridging （MB）. Variable prevalence of MB has been described at autopsy and angiographic series with small and large sample size studies. In addition, no similar study was reported in Chinese population. The aim of this study was to investigate the angiographic prevalence of MB in consecutive 37 106 Chinese patients with chest pain from our center. Methods We conducted an observational study to evaluate the consecutive cases with MB among patients undergone selective coronary angiography, and analyzed the angiograhic prevalence and clinical features of MB in this study of very large sample size. Results Among 37 105 patients with chest pain we found 1002 cases with 1011 MBs in a retrospective manner, and the overall prevalence was 2.70%. Although more than 99% （991/1002） of patients had single bridge, 8 cases were found to have more than two MBs （seven with two, and one with three）. Altogether 54.39% of cases （545/1002） had MB without atherosclerotic lesions, and 96.24% （973/1011） of bridging located in the left anterior descending coronary artery （LAD）, mainly in the middle of LAD （792/1011,78.33%）. According to Nobel classification, of the single bridge （n=-991）, 〈50% of obstruction was predominant （471/991,47.52%）. Totally 50%-69% accounted for 34.81% （345/991）, 〉70% of obstruction was 17.65% （175/991）. Conclusions These data showed that the prevalence of angiographically detectable MB in Chinese patients with chest pain was similar to those of the previous studies, with 2.7% prevalence in this very large sample size.     

Novel parameter for assessment of left atrial size in patients with hypertension: ratio of left atrial volume to left ventricular volume

Background Left atrial enlargement has been suggested as a more robust marker of diastolic dysfunction. We hypothesize that the ratio of left atrial volume to left ventricular volume （LAV/LVV） may be more reasonable to reflect left atrial enlargement in the patients with hypertension, because hypertensive patients have a characteristic of concentric remodeling of the left ventricle which is often accompanied with diastolic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine if the LAV/LVV can be used as a new parameter to assess left atrial size in hypertensive patients and the relationship between the LAV/LVV and diastolic dysfunction. Methods Ninety-one patients with hypertension and forty-three normal controls were studied. The hypertensive patients were assigned to the normal wall （NW） and hypertrophic wall （HW） groups. The left atrial diameter （LAD）, LAV, left atrial volume index （LAVi）, LVV and LAV/LVV were measured and calculated by 2-dimensional echocardiography and real time 3-dimensional echocardiography. All of the above parameters were used to evaluate the size of the left atrium. The ratio of peak E velocity of mitral valve inflow to peak E＇ velocity of lateral mitral annulus （E/E＇） was measured by pulse Doppler and tissue Doppler. This parameter was used to evaluate diastolic function. Results The LAD, LAV, LAVi, LAV/LVV and E/E＇ in hypertensive groups were significantly higher than those in the normal group （P 〈0.05 or 0.01）, and those in the HW group were significantly higher than those in the NW group （P 〈0.05 or 0.01）. The E/E＇ had a positive correlation with LAV, LAVi and LAV/LVV. The correlation coefficient between E/E＇ and LAV/LVV was relatively higher than that between E/E＇ and LAD or LAVi. Conclusion LAV/LVV may be used as a new index to evaluate left atrial size in hypertensive patients with diastolic dysfunction.     

Selective anterior thoracolumbar/lumbar fusion and instrumentation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients

Background Selective anterior thoracolumbar/lumbar （TL/L） fusion and instrumentation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis （AIS） patients with a structural major TL/L curve and a nonstructural minor thoracic curve is rarely reported. We investigate the correction results of these patients.Methods By reviewing the medical records and roentgenograms of AIS patients undergone selective anterior TL/Lfusion and instrumentation, Cobb angle, correction rate of the major and minor curves, coronal balance, lowest instrumented vertebra （LIV） tilt, coronal disc angle immediately below the LIV （LIVDA） and radiographic shoulder height （RSH） were measured and analyzed.Results Forty patients were included. For the major TL/L curve, the mean coronal Cobb angle before and after operation were 43.9° and 8.7°, respectively, with an average correction rateof 80.2% （P=0.000）. While for the minor thoracic curve, the mean coronal Cobb angle before and after operation were 27.2° and 14.3°, respectively, with an average spontaneous correction rate of 47.4% （P=0.000）. At final follow-up, the coronal Cobb angles of the major and minor curves were 13.7° and 17.1°, respectively, with a mean correction loss of 5.0° and 2.9°, respectively. The coronal balance before and after operations was 13.2 mm and 11.5 mm, respectively. At the final follow-up, it turned to 5.6 mm,which was much better than that after operation （P=0.001）. The mean LIV tilt was 23.5° before operation, and was significantly improved after operation （8.3°, P=0.000）. At final follow-up, it was well maintained （10.6°）. The LIVDA averaged 3.5° before operation, and aggravated to 5.5° after operation （P=0.100） and 7.4° at final follow-up （P=0.012）,respectively. The RSH was 7.3 mm before operation, 5.6 mm after operation, and 2.2 mm at the final follow-up. The RSH at the final follow-up was significantly improved compared with that after operation （P=0.002）.Conclusions Selective anterior TL/L fusion and instrumentation can get good correction results of both curves, with good results of the coronal balance and RSH in AlS patients, while a larger LIVDA.     

Intensive cholesterol lowering with statin improves the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background The incidence of no reflow phenomenon limits the clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. This randomized controlled study was designed to evaluate the immediate protective effects of intensive statin pretreatment on myocardial perfusion and myocardial ischemic injury during PCI.
Methods Altogether 228 patients with acute coronary syndrome （ACS） were randomly assigned to standard statin group （SS group, n=115） and intensive statin group （IS group, n=-113）. Patients in the SS group received 20 mg simvastatin and patients in the IS group received 80 mg simvastatin for 7 days before PCI. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction （TIMI） flow grade （TFG）, corrected TIMI frame count （CTFC） and TIMI myocardial perfusion grade （TMPG） of the intervened vessel were recorded before and after stent deployment. Creatine kinase （CK） isoenzyme MB, troponin I and plasma level of high sensitive-C reactive protein （hs-CRP）, P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule （ICAM） were measured before and 24 hours after the procedure.
Results The TFG after stent deployment was significantly improved with less TIMI 0-1 and more TIMI 3 blood flow in the IS group than in the SS group （all P〈0.05）. Patients with no reflow phenomenon were less in the IS group （P〈0.001）. The CTFC was lower in the IS group than in the SS group （P 〈0.001）. TMPG was also improved in the IS group than in the SS group （P=0.001）. Although PCI caused a significant increase in CK-MB 24 hours after the procedure, the elevated CK-MB value was lower in the IS group than in the SS group （18.74±8.41 vs 21.78±10.64, P=0.018）. Similar changes were also found in troponin I （0.99±1.07 in the IS group vs 1.47±1.54 in the SS group, P=0.006）. CK-MB elevation occurred in 27.8% （32/115） of the patients in the SS group vs 15.9% （18/113） in the IS group （P=-0.030）. Myocardial necrosis was detected in 4.4% （5/115） of the patients in the SS group, whereas 0.9% （1/113） in the IS group （P=0.341）. But no myocardial infarction was found. Similarly, the patients with increased level of troponin I were much more in the SS group （36.5%, 42/115） than in the IS group （19.5%, 22/113） （P=0.04）. Among them, myocardial necrosis was detected in 13.0% （15/115） of the patients in the SS group, while 4.4% （5/113） in the IS group （P=-0.021）. Myocardial infarction was found in 4.4% （5/115） of the patients in the SS group and 0.9% （1/113） in the IS group （P=0.213）.
Conclusions Intensive statin pretreatment for 7 days before PCI can further improve myocardial blood perfusion, protect the myocardium from ischemic injury. These effects are associated with the lowered levels of hs-CRP, P-selectin and ICAM.     

Frequency of infarct-related artery with myocardial bridging in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and its impact upon percutaneous coronary intervention

Background Myocardial bridging （MB） as a congenital condition with a reported frequency of 5%-12% in diagnostic coronary angiography may be an important factor causing myocardial ischemia. However, its frequency in the infarct-related artery （IRA） of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） and the impact upon percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） remain undetermined. In this study, we investigated MB frequency and its impact upon primary PCI in patients with STEMI. Methods The data of coronary angiography for 554 consecutive patients with STEMI who had undergone successful primary PCI were retrospectively analyzed to identify a frequency of MB in the IRA and its association with gender and age. According to the angiographic findings, the patients were divided into MB patients and non-MB patients. The endpoints of this study included immediate angiographic findings after primary PCI and 6-month major adverse cardiac events （MACE） （death, recurrent myocardial infarction, target lesion or vessel revascularization） between the MB patients and the non-MB patients. Results A frequency of MB in the IRA of 46 patients （8.3%） was identified in this series; it was more common in patients ≥65 years old （36/206） than in those 〈65 years old （10/348） （17.5% vs 2.9%, P〈0.001）. The trend of MB in the IRA was observed more frequently in women without significant difference than in men （10.2% vs 7.8%）. TIMI grade Ⅲ flow was achieved in 91.9% （509/554） of all patients following primary PCI, in 60.9% （28/46） of the MB patients and in 94.7% （481/508） of the non-MB patients respectively （P〈0.001）. The in-hospital mortality was 4.7% （26/554） in this series including 13.0% （6/46） of the MB patients and 3.9% （20/508） of the non-MB patients （P〈0.001）. A significant difference in 6 months MACE was seen between the MB patients （19%） and the non-MB patients （6.2%） （P〈0.001）. Conclusions MB in the IRA is relatively common in elderly patients with STEMI with a more evident trend in women, suggesting that arteriosclerosis and plaque rupture occurs more easily in the proximal artery to MB than in younger patients. Poor TIMI grade flow in patients with MB in the IRA after primary PCI may contribute to a high in-hospital mortality rate （13%） and 6-month MACE （19%） in the MB patients.     

The influence of admission glucose on epicardial and microvascular flow after primary angioplasty

Background Patients with elevated admission glucose levels may be at increased risk of death after myocardial infarction, independent of other baseline risk factors and more severe coronary artery disease. However, data regarding admission glucose and epicardial and microvascular flow after primary angioplasty is limited. Methods Angioplasty was performed in 308 ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction patients. Patients were divided into 3 groups on the basis of admission glucose level： group 1, 〈7.8 mmol/L; group 2, （7.8 - 11.0） mmol/L; and group 3, ≥ 11.0 mmol/L. Results Compared with group 1, patients in group 2 and group 3 were more often female and older. Triglycerides （TG） in group 3 were significantly higher than group 1. At angiography, they more frequently had 2-vessel or 3-vessel disease. In the infarct-related artery, there was no relationship between hyperglycemia and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction （TIMI） 3 flow after percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） （89.7%, 86.0% and 86.3%, P=NS）. However, corrected TIMI frame count （CTFC） in group 2 and group 3 were more than group 1. TIMI myocardial perfusion grade （TMPG） 0-1 grade among patients with hyperglycemia after PCI were more frequent （30.9% and 29.0% vs 17.3%, P〈0.05）. There was less frequent complete ST-segment resolution （STR） and early T wave inversion among patients with hyperglycemia after PCI. Conclusion Elevated admission glucose levels in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with primary PCI are independently associated with impaired microvascular flow. Abnormal microvascular flow may contribute at least in part to the poor outcomes observed in patients with elevated admission glucose.     

Prevalence and influential factors of erectile dysfunction in male renal transplant recipients: a multiple center survey

Background Renal transplants can improve the quality of life for recipients, but the quality of their sexual life might not be improved. This study was conducted to research the prevalence of erectile dysfunction （ED） and the influential factors in male renal transplant recipients （RTRs）. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three renal transplantation centers. Structured questionnaires were administrated by trained interviewers to 824 male renal transplant patients, who had active sexual lives in the last 6 months. Results Complaints of ED were reported by 75.5% of the 809 RTRs （age range 19-75 years, mean age （45±10） years）, whose questionnaires were completed. Mild, moderate and severe ED were reported at 53.6%, 8.3% and 13.6%, respectively. The mean age and the graft duration were significantly higher in male RTRs with ED compared to potent graft recipients （P=-0.00 and 0.04, respectively）. The prevalence of ED increased with the increase in age. It was 60.7%, 65.8%, 75.2%, 87.5% and 92.2% in patients with age below 30 years, 31-40 years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years and over 60 years, respectively （P=-0.000）. Moreover, the severity of ED increased with aging. The percentage of moderate and severe cases of ED increased from 6.7% in patients below 40 years to 28.9% in those over 40 years （P=-0.000）. The prevalence of ED in the RTR who had no occupation was higher than in those who were holding a position （P=-0.001）. The prevalence of ED decreased with the increase in the education level. The prevalence of ED was 94.3%, 86.4%, 74.0% and 67.8% in men with elementary school or lower, middle school, high school, and college or higher degrees, respectively （P=0.000）. Patients, whose distal end of arteria iliaca interna was interrupted and underwent iterative transplantation, worried transplanted kidney function was impacted by sexual life, and received cyclosporine （CsA）-based immunosuppressive regimens, were more likely to have ED （P=-0.000, 0.001, 0.000, 0.000,     

RELATIONS OF ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION AND BLOOD FLOW IN BRACHIAL ARTERY AND CORONARY ARTERY

Objective To determine the relations between endothelium-dependent vasodilator functionand blood flow in the brachial and coronary arteries in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Methods Twenty-eight patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent brachial artery endothelial function test by using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound before coronary angiography (CAG) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) test by using intracoronary Doppler technique. The correlation of coronary artery dilatation induced by an increase in blood flow after intracoronary adenosine infusion and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) following reactive hyperemia was evaluated. The relation between the change of brachial artery blood flow and CFR was also studied. Results There was a positive correlation between brachial FMD and percent change of coronary diameter after adenosine infusion (12.50% ± 9 .35% vs 11 .38% ± 7.55% , r = 0 .425 ,P= 0.02). There was also a weak negative relation between brachia     

Myocardial bridging detection by non-invasive multislice spiral computed tomography: comparison with intravascular ultrasound

Background Invasive intravascular ultrasound （IVUS） is current diagnostic standard for myocardial bridging （MB）. Non-invasive multislice computerized tomography coronary angiography （MSCT） technique has provided a good anatomical view of the tunnel artery now. Methods A total of 51 consecutive patients with atypical or typical angina scheduled for IVUS were enrolled in this study and MSCT was performed 7 days before IVUS. Coronary imaging was quantified using IVUS and MSCT. Four main vessels （left main artery （LMA）, left anterior descending （LAD）, left circumflex （LCX）, right coronary artery （RCA）） were examined. Results Forty-one out of 51 （80%） patients received metaprolol （25 mg） before the MSCT scan and 25 of them were current beta-blocker users. The mean heart rate was （64_＋3） beats per minute. A total of 51 patients underwent IVUS examination （30 with MB and 21 without MB） were chosen for this study. Twenty-eight out of 30 MB cases were correctly diagnosed by MSCT and 2 patients with MB were not detected. Comparison with IVUS, the sensitivity of detection by MSCT was 93%, specificity was 100%. The lumen diameter of the tunnel artery derived from MSCT and IVUS significantly decreased from （2.9±0.3） mm to （2.4±0.4） mm （P〈0.001） and from （3.3±0.3） mm to （2.6±0.5） mm （P〈0.001）, respectively. Minimal and maximal diameters of MB derived from MSCT were significantly smaller than those from IVUS （（2.4±0.4） mm vs （2.6±0.5） mm, P〈0.05 and （2.9±0.3） mm vs （3.3±0.3） mm, P〈0.05）, respectively. Conclusions MSCT offers a reliable non-invasive method for MB in LAD and atherosclerosis diagnosis with diagnostic accuracy comparable with invasive IVUS.     

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.