Does eptifibatide confer a greater benefit to patients with unstable angina than with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction? Insights from the PURSUIT Trial.

AIMS: To evaluate the differential effects of eptifibatide therapy on unstable angina vs non-ST elevation myocardial infarction at enrollment, since the separate impact on these two major diagnostic subsets of acute coronary syndrome patients has not been fully investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the 9461 patients in the PURSUIT trial (conducted between 1995 and 1997) to compare the effects of eptifibatide on unstable angina and myocardial infarction. The study showed greater and more consistent effects of eptifibatide therapy on unstable angina than non-ST elevation myocardial infarction in reducing 30-day death/(re)infarction (from the unadjusted rate of 13.0% to 11.2%, P=0.059 for unstable angina; and 18.9% to 17.9%, P=0.387 for myocardial infarction), especially among patients who underwent early percutaneous coronary intervention (odds ratios=0.49 and 0.86, 95% confidence intervals=0.30-0.80 and 0.53-1.42, respectively, for unstable angina and myocardial infarction). The only subgroup for whom the benefit of eptifibatide was not evident was female myocardial infarction patients who did not undergo early percutaneous coronary intervention. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that eptifibatide benefited unstable angina patients more than myocardial infarction patients, especially among those who underwent early percutaneous coronary intervention, and support its use as concomitant therapy with early percutaneous coronary intervention especially in female myocardial infarction patients.     

Intracellular neutrophil myeloperoxidase is reduced in unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction,but its reduction is not related to ischemia

Objectives. This study sought to assess neutrophil activation in acute coronary syndromes and its relation to ischemic episodes.Background. Neutrophil activation has been reported in unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction; however, it is not clear whether it is related exclusively to ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods. We measured the index of intracellular myeloperoxidase in 1) patients with unstable angina, myocardial infarction, variant angina and chronic stable angina and in normal subjects (protocol A); and 2) in patients with unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction during the first 4 days of the hospital period (protocol B). To assess whether neutrophil activation was triggered by ischemia, the myeloperoxidase intracellular index was analyzed before and after spontaneous ischemic episodes and before and after ischemia induced by an exercise stress test in 10 patients with chronic stable angina. In 11 patients with unstable angina, we also compared values of the myeloperoxidase intracellular index at entry with those after waning of symptoms.Results. In protocol A, the myeloperoxidase intracellular index was significantly reduced in patients with unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction compared with patients with stable and variant angina and normal subjects (p < 0.01). In protocol B, the myeloperoxidase intracellular index did not change over time in patients with unstable angina and myocardial infarction. However, in 11 patients with waning symptoms, the myeloperoxidase intracellular index was significantly higher after symptoms had waned (p < 0.05). In patients with unstable angina, 23 ischemic episodes were studied; no changes in the myeloperoxidase intracellular index were observed. In 10 patients with chronic stable angina and positive exercise stress test results, no significant differences in the myeloperoxidase intracellular index were observed after stress-induced ischemia.Conclusions. Our study confirms that neutrophils are activated in acute coronary syndromes but suggests that their activation may not be only secondary to ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

冠状动脉支架术对冠心病患者血小板活化功能的影响

目的探讨冠心病患者行冠状动脉内支架置入术前后血小板活化指标的变化,了解冠心病不同临床类型支架置入数与血小板活化指标之间的关系。方法利用流式细胞术和单克隆抗体测定48例稳定型心绞痛、45例不稳定型心绞痛患者与37例急性心肌梗死患者外周血中血小板膜糖蛋白CD62p、CD63和凝血酶敏感蛋白的阳性表达率,并与45例冠状动脉造影正常者作对照分析。结果稳定型心绞痛患者、不稳定型心绞痛患者和急性心肌梗死患者支架置入后CD62p、CD63和凝血酶敏感蛋白的阳性表达率均显著高于支架置入前(P<0.01);不稳定型心绞痛组和急性心肌梗死组治疗前亦高于对照组(P<0.01),而稳定型心绞痛组治疗前与对照组比较差异无显著性(P>0.05)。稳定型心绞痛组和不稳定型心绞痛组CD62p、CD63和凝血酶敏感蛋白的阳性表达率与支架置入个数有关,置入支架越多阳性表达率越高。结论不稳定型心绞痛患者及急性心肌梗死患者存在血小板高活化状态、动脉粥样硬化斑块破裂以及急性血栓形成。支架置入术对冠状动脉内皮的损伤加强了血小板的活化,增加了血栓形成的风险。     

曲美他嗪伍复方丹参滴丸对冠心病疗效的影响

目的 :探讨曲美他嗪 (TMZ)伍复方丹参滴丸对冠心病 (CHD)治疗效果的影响。方法 :Logistic回归分析CHD分型、治疗方式、有无陈旧性心肌梗死等 12个因素对CHD临床疗效的影响。分层比较TMZ伍复方丹参滴丸对CHD一般内科治疗患者心绞痛缓解、心电图ST段抬高的影响 ,对CHD介入 (PCI)治疗患者冠状动脉内心电图ST段抬高值、心绞痛缓解、心律失常、射血分数的影响。结果 :CHD分型、治疗方式显著影响CHD的疗效。TMZ伍复方丹参滴丸对CHD一般内科治疗患者 ,可以改善心肌供血以及提高心肌细胞对缺血的耐受性 ,尤其对急性心肌梗死 (AMI)患者 ,这种作用更明显。对不稳定型心绞痛、AMI患者PCI治疗过程中有预防性干预瞬时心肌缺血和缺血后再灌注作用。结论 :各型CHD患者 ,无论一般内科治疗、PCI治疗 ,临床应当同时推广使用TMZ伍复方丹参滴丸。     

Circulating soluble CD40 ligand mediates the interaction between neutrophils and platelets in acute coronary syndrome

Following plaque rupture, activated platelet will induce subsequent inflammatory process including neutrophil recruitment. In vitro study demonstrated an interaction between neutrophils and platelets via a mechanism involving CD40-CD40 ligand. However, whether this mechanism exists in the clinical setting remains unknown. Fifty-four patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 25 with unstable angina of pain onset of ≤24 h were enrolled consecutively. Acute myocardial infarction was diagnosed from three diagnostic criteria, i.e., anginal pain, electrocardiogram ST-T changes, and cardiac enzyme elevation. Unstable angina was diagnosed in patients without elevated cardiac enzymes. Peripheral venous blood was drawn at admission for routine blood count and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) measurement. Neutrophil count was determined by an automated blood cell counter. Circulating sCD40L was measured using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neutrophil count was significantly higher in AMI as compared with unstable angina (P < 0.001), whereas circulating sCD40L did not significantly differ. Despite marked elevation, no correlation was observed between neutrophil count and circulating sCD40L in AMI. Interestingly, we observed a strong and positive significant correlation between neutrophil count and circulating sCD40L level (r = 0.607, P = 0.002) in unstable angina. Circulating sCD40L is associated with neutrophil count and may mediate interaction between neutrophils and platelets in acute coronary syndrome, particularly in unstable angina.     

C反应蛋白与冠心病病变程度的相关性

目的研究C反应蛋白（CRP）与冠心病病变程度的关系。方法测定经冠状动脉造影确诊的98例冠心病患者血浆CRP浓度。98例患者被分为3组:稳定型心绞痛组（n=32）、不稳定型心绞痛组（n=46）和急性心肌梗死组（n=20）;又根据血管病变程度分为单支血管病变组（n=56）及多支血管病变组（n=42）;同时以冠状动脉造影排除冠心病的23例患者作为对照组,比较各组间血浆CRP浓度。结果冠心病患者各组CRP浓度均较正常对照组增高（P<0.05）。在冠心病各亚组中,不稳定型心绞痛组血浆CRP浓度高于稳定型心绞痛组,而急性心肌梗死组CRP浓度分别高于稳定型心绞痛和不稳定型心绞痛组（P<0.01）。多支血管病变组CRP含量更显著高于单支血管病变组（P<0.01）。结论血浆CRP浓度与冠心病病变程度有密切关系。     

Prostaglandin I2 half-life regulated by high density lipoprotein is decreased in acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina pectoris

To investigate the prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) half-life regulated by high density lipoprotein (HDL) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), we determined the stability of PGI2 and serum apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) and apolipoprotein A-II (Apo A-II) levels in four age-matched groups of patients: controls (n = 17), angina pectoris (n = 18), unstable angina pectoris (n = 17), myocardial infarction (n = 19) (acute phase, 3.6 +/- 1.7 hours from onset; subacute phase, 75 +/- 15 hours from onset in the same patients). Serum PGI2 half-life and total serum Apo A-I levels were lower in the CAD group than in the control group. PGI2 was least stable in patients with unstable angina and the acute phase of myocardial infarction. In these patients, the molar ratio of Apo A-I to Apo A-II and HDL-associated Apo A-I levels were decreased, and free Apo A-I levels were increased. After in vitro incubation of HDL with increasing amounts of Apo A-II, Apo A-I in HDL was displaced by Apo A-II, with the parallel decrease in stability of PGI2. Free Apo A-I cannot stabilize PGI2. HDL-associated Apo A-I, whose amount is affected by Apo A-II, stabilized PGI2 and correlated well with stability of PGI2 in patients with CAD and control patients. Decreased PGI2 half-life may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and thrombus formation in the coronary arteries, especially thrombus formation during an acute coronary event.     

NLR、MPV及hs-CRP与冠心病的临床类型及冠脉狭窄程度的关联

目的:监测中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞(NLR)、平均血小板体积（MPV）及超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）3项指标在冠心病类型及冠脉狭窄程度中的临床价值。方法: 选取我院心内科行冠脉造影明确为冠心病的220例患者,其中不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)64例,急性心肌梗死(AMI)76例,对照组为稳定型心绞痛（SAP）患者80例。分别监测两组患者的白细胞计数（WBC）,中性粒细胞计数（NC）,淋巴细胞计数（LC）,hs-CRP,血小板计数（PLC）,MPV,计算NLR,分析冠心病类型及冠脉狭窄程度与3项指标的关联性。并进行多因素Logistic回归分析。结果: WBC、NLR、MPV、hs-CRP在3组的差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,不同程度的冠脉狭窄中三者亦有统计学差异,冠脉狭窄愈严重,NLR、hs-CRP及MPV愈大（P<0.05或P<0.01）。多因素回归分析提示hs-CRP是UAP及AMI的危险因素,NLR和MPV是AMI的独立危险因素。结论: NLR、MPV、hs-CRP与冠心病临床类型及冠脉狭窄程度有关联。     

Contraindications for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in treatment of unstable angina pectoris

In recent years, the indications for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty have expanded to include multivessel disease, unstable angina pectoris, stenosis of coronary bypass grafts, and recent total coronary occlusion. To evaluate our experience in using percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty to treat unstable angina, we reviewed the records of the patients who underwent this procedure at our hospital between January 1983 and December 1986. Of the 689 patients who underwent balloon angioplasty during the study period, 454 had stable angina and 235 had unstable angina; of the latter group, 34 (14.5%) required emergency coronary artery bypass grafting after balloon angioplasty failed. This outcome was associated with 2 risk factors: previous myocardial infarction and triple-vessel disease. Our data suggest that, in cases of unstable angina pectoris, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty should be reserved for patients with single-vessel disease and no evidence of previous myocardial infarction. They also lend credence to the conclusion that the disease process in unstable angina is different from that in stable angina, and that therapy should be directed towards reducing platelet aggregation and correcting global ischemia, rather than towards balloon angioplasty of "culprit lesions."     

冠心病患者中性粒细胞和单核细胞CD11b/CD18表达的研究

目的 :探讨不同类型冠心病患者中性粒细胞和单核细胞膜 CD11b/CD18表达的变化。方法 :选择经冠状动脉造影确诊的 49例心绞痛患者 ,30例急性心肌梗死患者和 2 0例正常人 ,用流式细胞仪直接免疫荧光法检测中性粒细胞和单核细胞膜 CD11b/CD18表达。结果 :冠心病患者中性粒细胞和单核细胞膜 CD11b/CD18表达较正常对照组均显著增加 （P<0 .0 1） ;不稳定性心绞痛和急性心肌梗死患者中性粒细胞和单核细胞膜 CD11b/CD18表达显著高于稳定性心绞痛患者 （P<0 .0 1）。与正常对照组比较 ,心绞痛患者组中性粒细胞和单核细胞计数无变化 （P>0 .0 5 ） ,而急性心肌梗死组明显增加 （P<0 .0 1）。急性心肌梗死患者中性粒细胞和单核细胞膜 CD11b/CD18表达与梗死范围无关。结论 :冠心病患者中性粒细胞和单核细胞膜 CD11b/CD18表达明显增加 ,其增加程度与心肌缺血的类型有关。     

Does reperfusion therapy reduce complications in acute inferior myocardial infarction?

Both right ventricular infarction and complete atrioventricular block were frequently seen in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction before the introduction of reperfusion therapy (RT). However, the effect of reperfusion therapy on these 2 complications is not well known. To evaluate the effect of reperfusion therapy in them, we retrospectively studied the in-hospital outcome of 103 consecutive patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction within 72 hr after the onset, 23 with right ventricular infarction and 36 with complete atrioventricular block. Patients were divided into 2 groups: RT group (n = 63) in which Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) III flow was obtained by reperfusion therapy within 24 hr after the onset, and the non-RT group (n = 40) in which TIMI III flow was not obtained or did not receive reperfusion therapy. Patients with right ventricular infarction in the RT group had a larger proportion of proximal occlusion of the right coronary artery and the absence of preinfarction angina. There were no effects of perfusion on complete atrioventricular block. In 23 patients with right ventricular infarction and 36 patients with complete atrioventricular block, in-hospital stay, duration of using temporary pacing and Swan-Ganz catheter were shorter in the RT group than the non-RT group. Reperfusion therapy does not decrease the incidence of both complications. However, successful reperfusion therapy results in a rapid improvement in hemodynamic instability and atrioventricular conduction injury, and early hospital discharge. Preinfarction angina may be associated with a protective effect against the development of these 2 complications.     

急性心肌梗死并发室间隔破裂的临床特征及冠状动脉造影特点分析

目的分析急性心肌梗死并发室间隔破裂的临床特征及冠状动脉造影特点,为该并发症的防治提供证据。方法对46例急性心肌梗死并发室间隔破裂患者的临床特征、冠状动脉造影特点、保守或外科手术疗效与生存率等数据资料进行回顾性分析,采用SPSS11．0软件统计。结果急性心肌梗死并发室间隔破裂的发病率约为1．88％;好发因素有：高龄（61～70岁）,未行再灌注治疗,无既往心绞痛／心肌梗死史,伴随高血压及高血脂等;易于发生室间隔破裂的最常见梗死部位为同时累及前壁和下壁的大面积梗死;大多数患者中性粒细胞比例、C反应蛋白及红细胞沉降率升高。胸片肺水肿者约30％,约半数患者入院时血流动力学不稳定（心功能Killip分级Ⅲ-Ⅳ级）。累及前壁梗死者其破裂部位多为前间隔远段,下壁＋后壁／右心室梗死者破裂部位多为后间隔基底段。冠状动脉造影提示室间隔破裂者多为前降支单支或三支病变,侧支循环少见。罪犯血管以前降支最为多见,其中又以前降支中段居多。保守治疗的住院死亡率高达65％,外科手术治疗的住院死亡率仅3．85％。结论尽早、成功的再灌注治疗是预防其发生的关键,心脏超声是敏感且简便易行的确诊手段,外科手术治疗明显提高生存率,早期外科手术（梗死后1个月左右）可行。     

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A elevation in patients with acute coronary syndrome and subsequent atorvastatin therapy

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) was associated with atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability, whereas statin therapy was associated with increased plaque stability. Eighty-six patients presenting with clinical indications (non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and stable angina) for invasive coronary angiography and subsequent verified coronary artery disease (CAD) were randomly assigned in a double-blind manner to atorvastatin 10 or 80 mg/day. PAPP-A, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and lipids were measured at baseline (before statin therapy) and at 1 and 6 months. PAPP-A was significantly increased in 35 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared with 51 patients with stable CAD (p <0.001). Patients randomly assigned to atorvastatin 10 mg did not show a significant decrease in PAPP-A from baseline at 1 or 6 months. Patients treated with atorvastatin 80 mg showed a significant decrease at 1 month compared with baseline, but not at 6 months. hs-CRP was not significantly different between the ACS and stable CAD groups. Patients receiving atorvastatin 10 mg showed no hs-CRP decrease at 1 or 6 months, whereas it significantly decreased in the 80-mg group at 6 months, but not at 1 month. In conclusion, PAPP-A significantly increased in patients with ACS compared with those with stable coronary disease. High-dose atorvastatin significantly decreased PAPP-A at 1 month and hs-CRP at 6 months in patients with verified CAD. Low-dose atorvastatin did not produce this effect.     

Medical costs of coronary artery disease in the United States

A model has been developed to determine the cost of coronary artery disease (CAD) based on the 5 primary events identified in the Framingham Study: acute myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, unstable angina pectoris, sudden death and nonsudden death. The costs for diagnostic and therapeutic service for patients with CAD were linked to medical decision algorithms outlining the diagnosis and management of patients with CAD. Because CAD is a changing illness not represented by a single event, the algorithm tracked patients for 5 years after the time of diagnosis, or until death, to develop average cost estimates. The estimated 5-year costs (in 1986 United States dollars) of the 5 CAD events were: acute myocardial infarction $51,211, angina pectoris $24,980, unstable angina pectoris $40,581, sudden death $9,078 and nonsudden death $19,697. The costs of major CAD surgical procedures were also calculated because of their impact on health care costs for patients with CAD. These include: coronary artery bypass surgery per case over 5 years $32,465, and angioplasty per case over 5 years $26,916. The high cost of CAD reflects the improved technology and more effective and expensive therapies now available.     

C-reactive protein and coronary artery disease

Evidence suggests that inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The chronic inflammatory process can develop to an acute clinical event by the induction of plaque rupture and therefore cause acute coronary syndromes. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of the circulating acute-phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a sensitive indicator of inflammation, in patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We studied 56 subjects: 1) 25 consecutive patients (18 men, 7 women; mean age, 68.5 +/- 14.3 years, range, 40-86) with unstable angina (UA) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI); 2) 31 consecutive patients (25 men, 6 women; mean age 64 +/- 12.7; range, 47-83, years) with signs and symptoms of clinically stable CAD. High-sensitivity-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were determined with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay method. In patients with unstable angina and AMI before reperfusion therapy, CRP levels were not significantly different to those in patients with stable CAD (5.96 +/- 2.26 versus 4.35 +/- 2.6 mg/L; P = 0.12), but tended to be higher in patients with unstable angina and AMI. Baseline CRP levels in the subgroup of patients with AMI (6.49 +/- 2.28 mg/L) were significantly higher than levels in patients with stable CAD (4.35 +/- 2.6 mg/L; P = 0.02). CRP levels in patients with unstable angina and AMI were measured four times during a 72-hour period (0, 12, 24, and 72 hours). The lowest value was observed at baseline and differed significantly from values measured at any other time of the observation period (P < 0.001; 5.96 +/- 2.26; 9.5 +/- 9.04, 18.25 +/- 11.02; 20.25 +/- 10.61). CRP levels after 12, 24, and 72 hours were also significantly different to the initial values for patients with stable CAD (P < 0.01). There was no correlation between CRP and creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB isoenzyme, or troponin I positivity as markers for the extent of the myocardial injury during the observation period. Baseline levels of serum CRP tended to be higher in patients with unstable angina or AMI but were not significantly different from levels in patients with chronic stable CAD. In the subgroup of patients with AMI, baseline CRP levels were significantly higher than the levels in patients with stable CAD. CRP as a marker of inflammation is significantly increased in patients with AMI and unstable angina shortly after the onset of symptoms (after a period of 12 hours), supporting the hypothesis of an activation of inflammatory mechanisms in patients with an acute coronary syndrome or AMI.     

血浆脂联素在冠心病患者中的变化及其临床意义

目的:观察冠心病患者血浆脂联素(APN)水平,及血浆APN水平与急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)之间的关系。方法:经冠状动脉造影证实的冠心病患者共110例,其中稳定型心绞痛组35例,不稳定型心绞痛组42组,急性心肌梗死组33例,并且选取20例正常健康人作为对照组。采用ELISA法检测血浆APN水平,同时检测各组生化指标,如空腹血糖、TC、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C等。结果:急性心肌梗死组、不稳定型心绞痛组中血浆APN浓度显著低于稳定型心绞痛以及对照组。logistic多元逐步分析显示吸烟、空腹血糖以及低血浆APN浓度与ACS发生独立相关。结论:血浆APN可能是评估冠心病的新的独立危险因素,可能与ACS的发生有关。     

胰岛素抵抗及氧化应激对急性冠脉综合征患者冠脉病变评估的研究

目的 探讨胰岛素抵抗及氧化应激对急性冠状动脉综合征（ACS）患者病情评估的价值及与冠脉病变程度的相关性.方法 入选急性心肌梗死患者30例为A组,不稳定型心绞痛患者30例为B组,冠脉造影正常者30例为C组.对各组受试者于入院24h内空腹抽取静脉血,测定入选患者血清脂质过氧化物（MDA）、一氧化氮（NO）、一氧化氮合酶总活力（tNOS）、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）、空腹血糖（FPG）、空腹胰岛素（FINs）水平,均采用分光比色法.计算胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）,对入选患者行冠脉造影检查,根据冠脉造影结果所显示的血管狭窄程度及部位计算Gensini积分值.对胰岛素抵抗及氧化应激指标与冠脉Gensini积分进行相关性分析.结果 FPG、FINs、HOMA-IR、MDA、Gensini积分急性心肌梗死组高于不稳定型心绞痛组及冠脉造影正常组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;而tNOS、iNOS、NO急性心肌梗死组低于不稳定型心绞痛组及冠脉造影正常组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;急性心肌梗死组及不稳定型心绞痛组FPG、FINs、HOMA-IR、MDA、Gensini积分均高于冠脉造影正常组,而NO、tNOS、iNOS均低于冠脉造影正常组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;急性心肌梗死组及不稳定型心绞痛组HOMA-IR与MDA、Gensini积分呈正相关,与NO、tNOS、iNOS呈负相关.结论 胰岛素抵抗与氧化应激反应与急性冠状动脉综合征（ACS）患者病情密切相关,且与冠脉病变程度呈正相关.     

血清瘦素、脂联素与冠心病病变程度的相关性研究

目的探讨血清瘦素、脂联素(APN)水平与冠心病(CHD)病变程度的相关性。方法应用ELISA法对稳定型心绞痛(SA)组(21例)、不稳定型心绞痛(UA)组(23例)、急性心肌梗死(AMI)组(24例)和正常对照(CO)组(20例)进行血清瘦素、脂联素水平检测,并进行统计学分析。结果血清瘦素水平冠心病各组明显高于正常对照组(P<0.05),UA组及AMI组高于SA组(P<0.05),AMI组高于UA组(P<0.05),血清瘦素水平与冠心病病变程度呈正相关(r=0.60,P<0.05);血清APN水平UA组及AMI组明显低于SAP组和对照组(P<0.05),冠心病各组与正常对照组比较有统计学意义(P<0.05),AMI组与UA组比较有统计学意义(P<0.05),脂联素与冠心病病变程度呈负相关(r=-0.59,P<0.05)。结论血清瘦素、脂联素与冠心病发病密切相关,冠心病患者血清瘦素水平升高,血清瘦素水平与冠心病病变程度呈正相关。冠心病患者血清APN水平下降,血清脂联素与冠心病病变程度呈负相关。     

Serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha,interleukin-2 and interleukin-10 activation in stable angina and acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND: Dynamic instability of coronary atherosclerotic plaque results in the development of both unstable angina and myocardial infarction. The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamics of serum concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-2 in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and unstable angina (UA) as compared to stable angina (SA) patients and healthy volunteers. METHODS: A total of 189 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied: 100 patients with SA (class II/III according to CCS), 57 patients with UA (Braunwald class IIIB; determinations at 6, 24, and 48 h after chest pain), and 32 patients with MI (determinations at admission, on the 7th and 30th days after MI). Twenty healthy volunteers acted as controls. RESULTS: Serum TNFalpha levels were elevated in all CAD groups (SA: 17.3+/-4; UA: 18.7+/-4; MI: 22.0+/-3 pg/ml; p<0.001) in comparison to the controls (8.3+/-1.4 pg/ml). However, the highest values were characteristic of MI patients, especially values obtained at admission (p<0.01 versus SA and UA). Mean serum concentrations of IL-2 were significantly higher in patients with MI and UA (89.6+/-40; 87.0+/-24 pg/ml, respectively; p<0.01) when compared to SA and the control group (58.3+/-49; and 51.5+/-39, respectively). Serum IL-10 levels were also higher in MI and UA patients. Levels of IL-2 and IL-10 measured following chest pain in unstable patients, as well as their consecutive determinations in MI patients did not show any change dynamics, that is, they were persistently elevated. CONCLUSIONS: When compared to stable CAD and healthy subjects, acute coronary syndromes are associated with long-term increase of serum concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. It seems likely that sudden CAD progression leading to acute coronary syndromes is triggered/accompanied by prolonged immune activation.     

Long-term outcomes of optimized medical management of outpatients with stable coronary artery disease

The objective of this study was to assess long-term clinical outcomes and their correlates in medically managed outpatients with stable angina pectoris, healed myocardial infarction (MI), or documented asymptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD). Management strategy emphasized maximally tolerated medical therapy and modification of coronary risk factors. Referral to invasive coronary interventions followed stricter criteria than standard published guidelines. Primary study outcomes were all-cause mortality or nonfatal myocardial infarction. Secondary study outcomes included cardiac death, unstable angina, or coronary revascularization. A total of 693 men and women with proved CAD (mean age 67 years at entry, 85% men, 41% with history of MI) were enrolled. The annual incidence of nonfatal MI, cardiac mortality, and total mortality was 2.2%, 0.8%, and 1.4%, respectively, during an average follow-up of 4.6 years. Coronary revascularization was performed in 24% of subjects; unstable or progressive anginal symptoms were the most common reasons for revascularization. In patients with documented stable CAD, a management strategy based on intensive medical therapy and modification of established coronary risk factors was associated with excellent long-term outcomes. Thus, coronary interventions can be safely delayed until clinical instability ensues, without increased risk of MI or death. This treatment approach represents a viable alternative to invasive strategies.