Health-related quality of life one month after thrombolysis or primary PCI in patients with ST-elevation infarction. A DANAMI-2 sub-study

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or thrombolytic treatment for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). DESIGN: A questionnaire based study on patients randomised in the DANAMI-2 study to Primary PCI or thrombolysis for STEMI. A total of 1 351 patients (93.2% response rate) randomised in the DANAMI-2 study completed the HRQoL questionnaire one month after the infarction. RESULTS: With respect to the primary end-points (SF-36 physical component score, angina pectoris, and dyspnoea), patients randomised to primary PCI scored better on the SF-36 physical component score (PCS) (p=0.007), and reported significantly less angina pectoris (p=0.010) and dyspnoea (p=0.010). Higher scores among PCI patients were also found on the SF-36 scales physical functioning (p=0.015), role-physical (p=0.017), and general health (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: The results in this study support the hypothesis that primary PCI is superior to thrombolysis in treating STEMI, not only in clinical outcome, but also in quality of life outcome.     

Health-related quality of life after myocardial infarction,does choice of method make a difference?

Objectives. The aim of this study was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores obtained from the instrument Short Form (SF)-36 through the so-called SF-6D utilities, and those obtained from 15D, in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and to evaluate the consequences in estimation of quality adjusted life years (QALYs). Design. This was a sub-study of the Norwegian District Treatment of STEMI, in which patients with STEMI treated with tenecteplase, were randomized to early angioplasty or standard management (n = 266). HRQoL data were collected at all visits (0, 1, 3, 7 and 12 months). All patients with complete data were included (n = 248). Results. The score range was 0.33–1.0 for SF-6D and 0.49–1.0 for 15D. Mean utility scores from 15D were higher and had different distribution compared to scores from SF-6D. Mean QALY for the whole group was higher using 15D than SF-6D (0.89 vs. 0.77). The incremental number of QALYs with early angioplasty compared to standard treatment was 0.005 (95% CI: ? 0.018 to 0.028) using SF-6D, and 0.004 (95% CI: ? 0.010 to 0.018) using the 15D instrument. Conclusions. Choice of instrument may influence HRQoL scores, but not necessarily the gain in QALYs.     

Increased red cell distribution width predicts occlusion of the infarct-related artery in STEMI

Objective Infarct-related artery (IRA) patency yields a better outcome in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Red cell distribution width (RDW) emerges as a marker of adverse cardiovascular events and mortality in STEMI. Therefore, we aimed to assess the relationship between IRA patency and RDW value on admission in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. Methods A total of 564 patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI were recruited in this study. According to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade in the IRA before PCI, the study population was divided into two groups as TIMI 0 or 1 group (occluded IRA, n?=?398) and TIMI 2 or 3 group (patent IRA, n?=?166). Results RDW was significantly higher in the occluded IRA group (15.1?±?1.7 versus 13.4?±?1.3, p?<?0.001) as compared to the patent IRA group. White blood cell (WBC) count, platelet count, creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) and troponin-I levels were also significantly higher in the occluded IRA group (p?<?0.05). Moreover, RDW showed positive correlations with troponin-I (r?=?0.397, p?<?0.001), CK-MB (r?=?0.344, p?<?0.001) and WBC (r?=?0.219, p?<?0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, RDW (OR: 0.483, 95% CI: 0.412–0.567, p?<?0.001) and WBC count were significantly and independently associated with IRA patency. Conclusions Our findings suggested that RDW value and WBC count on admission were independent predictors of IRA patency in patients with STEMI. As RDW is an easily available, simple and cheap biomarker, it can be used in daily practice as a novel predictor for IRA patency.     

Predictors of health-related quality of life in neurosurgical brain tumor patients: focus on patient-centered perspective

Background

In brain tumor (BT) patients, the association between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychological characteristics remains largely unknown. We evaluated the association of personality traits, clinical factors, psychological distress symptoms, and cognitive state with HRQoL in BT patients.

Methods

On admission for BT surgery, 200 patients (69 % women; age 55.8?±?14.5 years) were evaluated for HRQoL (SF-36 scale), Big-Five personality traits (Ten-Item Personality Inventory), psychological distress symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale or HADS), cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination or MMSE) and clinical characteristics, including functional status (Barthel index or BI). The most common BT diagnoses were meningioma (39 %) and high-grade glioma (18 %).

Results

Only factors significantly associated with SF-36 domains in univariable regression analyses were included in their respective multivariable models and predicted from 6 %–49 % of the total variance of SF-36 scores. Greater TIPI emotional stability score was independently associated with greater SF-36 emotional well-being (β?=?0.23, p?<?0.001) and general health (β?=?0.18, p?=?0.01) scores, and greater TIPI consciousness score, with greater SF-36 emotional well-being score (β?=?0.13, p?=?0.02). HADS-anxiety and HADS-depression scores were the strongest independent determinants of all, except physical functioning, SF-36 scores (β-values range from 0.14 to 0.56; p values?≤?0.03). BI score was the strongest independent determinant of SF-36 physical functioning score (β?=?0.36, p?<?0.001). MMSE score was associated with all but emotional well-being and social functioning SF-36 scores.

Conclusions

Consciousness and emotional stability should be considered important personality-related determinants of HRQoL in BT patients. Psychological distress, functional disability, and cognitive impairment are also important predictors of HRQoL.     

Up to one third of individual cardiac patients have a decline in quality of life post-intervention

Objective. To investigate clinically relevant intra-individual and mean changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) need to acknowledge that SF-36 is trademarked ie: SF-36® following cardiac intervention for Australian and Danish patients. Design. Prospective observational study in tertiary cardiac centres in Townsville, Queensland, Australia and Copenhagen, Denmark. Two hundred coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) patients of two Townsville hospitals, and 47 CABG or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients of a Copenhagen hospital. The main outcome measures are eight SF-36 health subscales at baseline and six months post-intervention. Results. Australian and Danish patients experienced similar HRQoL pre-intervention. By six months post-intervention, patients experienced a significant mean improvement in all subscales of the SF-36 survey (p?≤?0.05), although up to 27% of patients had a clinically significant decline in HRQoL from baseline. Conclusions. These results demonstrate that it is necessary to investigate intra-individual changes in HRQoL as well as group mean changes as they produce different conclusions. In addition, establishing clinically significant intra-individual change standards may assist researchers and clinicians in determining whether an individual may benefit from therapy or intervention.     

Effect of estimated glomerular filtration rate on periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract

Backgrounds: Little is known about the effect of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on the periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI). The aim of this study was to determine an eGFR value that is related with PMI development in patients with stable angina undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 257 consecutive PCI patients with stable angina pectoris. The patients were divided into three groups according to eGFR: Group 1: eGFR?>?90?mL/min/1.73?m², Group 2: eGFR?=?60–89?mL/min/1.73?m², and Group 3: eGFR?=?30–59?mL/min/1.73?m². Cardiac biomarkers were measured before, at 8, and at 24?h after the procedure. Results: Periprocedural myocardial infarction occurred in 19% of the study patients. The frequency of PMI was 13.8% in group 1, 15.2% in group 2, and 35% in group 3 (p?=?0.002). There was an inverse relationship with increasing cardiac biomarkers and decreasing eGFR values. Multiple regression analysis showed that an eGFR value between 30 and 59?mL/min/1.73?m² was an independent variable that significantly affected PMI development after PCI. Conclusions: An estimated glomerular filtration rate between 30 and 59?mL/min/1.73?m² is a predictor of developing PMI after elective PCI in patients with stable angina pectoris.     

Health-related quality of life of children and adolescents with CKD stages 4–5 and their caregivers

Background

Renal replacement therapies may affect the quality of life of patients and their primary caregivers (PC).

Methods

This study describes the perception of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children/adolescents with CKD stages 4–5, as well as of their PC (n?=?64), in comparison to healthy peers and their PC (n?=?129), respectively, based on the Peds QL? 4.0 and Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaires and selected biomarkers.

Results

Patients reported a deleterious impact on physical capacity and on social and school activities. A negative influence on emotional aspects was reported by older patients, but not by their PC. Hemodialysis, followed by peritoneal dialysis, had a more negative impact on patients’ physical functioning domain. PC HRQol proxy reports differed from those of their children, especially in older patients. PC of both groups presented similar SF-36 scores. An association was demonstrated between the magnitude of treatment target inadequacies, lower specific dominion scores in the patients/PC proxy reports and PC SF-36 general health scores.

Conclusion

The HRQoL of patients with CKD stages 4–5 is negatively affected to different degrees depending on age and treatment modality. The results suggest an association between worsening HRQoL parameters and inadequate control of recognized therapeutic CKD treatment targets.     

Important determinants of quality of life in a peritoneal dialysis population in Turkey

Background: Patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important indicator for predicting the effectiveness of treatment, morbidity, and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the level of HRQoL and the most important factors affecting HRQoL in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed with 156 patients, 30 of whom (19.2%) had automated PD (APD), were over 18 years of age, and were followed up at the Erciyes University Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) Unit during the previous year. HRQoL, depression, and fatigue were measured by means of the Short Form-36 (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), respectively. Results: The mean mental component summary (MCS) score was 42.1 ± 11.9 and physical component summary (PCS) score was 39.1 ± 11.2, which was lower than MCS. Depression was the strongest predictor for both diminished mental (β = ?24.4, p < 0.001) and physical (β = ?16.5, p < 0.001) HRQoL. Fatigue was the next strongest predictor for diminished physical HRQoL only (β = ?7.74, p < 0.001). Depression and fatigue accounted for 37% of physical HRQoL impairment. Depression as a sole factor was responsible for 31% of mental HRQoL impairment. Age, hospitalization, total cholesterol, serum albumin levels, and Kt/V urea had affected the SF-36 in some domains score but not in all. Conclusion: HRQoL in our PD patients can be evaluated at a slightly poor level compared to the results of previous studies. Impaired HRQoL is more closely associated with depression and fatigue. Depression was the strongest predictor of both mental and physical HRQoL. Fatigue was the next strongest predictor for physical HRQoL only.     

Das akute Koronarsyndrom in der Prähospitalphase

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death in Germany. In 2002 about 70,000 people died of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and of these 37% died before arrival at hospital which underlines the relevance of adequate prehospital care. The generic term acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was introduced because a single pathomechanism accounts for the different forms and comprises unstable angina pectoris (iAP), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Characteristic features are retrosternal pain, vegetative symptoms and radiation of pain into the adjoining regions. Further differentiation can only be achieved by the 12-lead ECG, as cardiac-specific enzymes do not play a role in prehospital decisions. Prehospital delays should be avoided, history and physical examination should be brief but focused, vital parameters should be assessed and monitored. Basic treatment for ACS should comprise inhalative oxygen, nitrates, morphine, aspirin and beta-blockers. If STEMI is diagnosed, patients with symptoms <12 h should undergo fibrinolytic therapy unless there is primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) available within 90 min or if contraindicated. Heparin should be given to patients with STEMI depending on the choice of fibrinolytic agent, it otherwise results in a higher risk of bleeding, but in patients with iAP or NSTEMI it reduces mortality. All patients must be accompanied by the emergency physician during transportation and should be brought to a hospital with primary PCI, especially those with complicated ACS. Treatment of complications depends largely on the type, persistence and severity.     

Up to one third of individual cardiac patients have a decline in quality of life post-intervention

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinically relevant intra-individual and mean changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) need to acknowledge that SF-36 is trademarked ie: SF-36(R) following cardiac intervention for Australian and Danish patients. DESIGN: Prospective observational study in tertiary cardiac centres in Townsville, Queensland, Australia and Copenhagen, Denmark. Two hundred coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) patients of two Townsville hospitals, and 47 CABG or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients of a Copenhagen hospital. The main outcome measures are eight SF-36 health subscales at baseline and six months post-intervention. RESULTS: Australian and Danish patients experienced similar HRQoL pre-intervention. By six months post-intervention, patients experienced a significant mean improvement in all subscales of the SF-36 survey (p < or = 0.05), although up to 27% of patients had a clinically significant decline in HRQoL from baseline. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that it is necessary to investigate intra-individual changes in HRQoL as well as group mean changes as they produce different conclusions. In addition, establishing clinically significant intra-individual change standards may assist researchers and clinicians in determining whether an individual may benefit from therapy or intervention.     

High mortality rates in conservatively managed patients with acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVES: The revised diagnostic criteria for the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have created the need for accurate and representative data on treatment and outcome for the three categories of ACS. DESIGN: Consecutive patients admitted with a suspected ACS (n = 755) from February 1, 2003 to January 31, 2004 was registered and categorised into five diagnostic groups: 1) ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n = 126), 2) Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) (n = 185), 3) Unstable angina pectoris (UAP) (n = 55), 4) Coronary heart disease (CHD) without ACS (n = 164) and 5) Non-coronary chest pain (n = 225). RESULTS: All-cause one-year mortality rates were 20%, 32%, 7%, 10% and 3%, in patients with STEMI, NSTEMI, UAP, CHD without ACS and non-coronary chest pain, respectively. In patients with STEMI, 61% received immediate reperfusion therapy (ratio thrombolysis: primary PCI = 18:1). Only 3% of those with NSTEMI had PCI within two days. CONCLUSION: In this conservatively managed population of consecutive patients with ACS, the one-year mortality rate is significantly higher than seen in most registries and clinical trials.     

The negative impact of chronic rhinosinusitis on the health-related quality of life among adult patients with cystic fibrosis

BackgroundWith improved survival in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, it is crucial to evaluate the impact of chronic co-morbidities such as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The objectives were 1) To determine the prevalence of CRS with a large series of CF patients 2) To evaluate the impact of CRS on the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of CF patients and 3) To compare CRS-specific, CF-specific and general HRQoL instruments.MethodsConsecutive CF patients from the Toronto Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre were recruited between March 2018 and January 2020. Participants completed the 22-Item Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised for adolescents and adults over 14 years of age (CFQ-R), Cystic Fibrosis Quality of Life Evaluative Self-administered Test (CF-QUEST) and the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). HRQoL scores were correlated using Spearman's correlation coefficients.ResultsOut of 195 patients eligible for analysis, the prevalence of CRS with positive endoscopic findings was 42.6% (95% confidence interval: 35.5–49.8%). CRS patients reported significantly lower HRQoL with higher SNOT-22 scores and lower scores in the respiratory domain of CFQ-R and physical health domains of CF-QUEST and SF-36. The physical (ρ= ?0.63) and mental (ρ= ?0.66) domains of SF-36 and CF-QUEST (ρ= ?0.76) had a strong correlation with SNOT-22. Higher scores of SNOT-22 nasal subdomains correlated with lower scores of SF-36, CFQ-R and CF-QUEST.ConclusionCRS is a prevalent co-morbidity of CF patients, which significantly reduces HRQoL. SNOT-22, CFQ-R, CF-QUEST and SF-36 were strongly correlated. Severity of sinonasal symptoms have a strong correlation with HRQoL in CF patients.     

Health-related quality of life in hospital inpatients with pressure ulceration: Assessment using generic health-related quality of life measures

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of pressure ulceration on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to undertake a pilot study for a future larger study. The study comprised two parts. First, data from a large UK prospective cohort study were analyzed and the HRQoL of 218 people with pressure ulcers was compared with that of 2,289 people without ulcers using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. After adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities, patients with pressure ulceration had significantly lower scores for both the physical (coefficient=−3.12, p <0.001) and mental (coefficient=−1.50, p =0.04) component summary scores of the SF-36. Second, a small pilot study was conducted to explore use of other tools. HRQoL was assessed in six patients with and 16 patients without pressure ulcers using the SF-36, the EQ-5D and a pain visual analog scale. SF-36 scores indicated that patients with pressure ulcers had significantly poorer physical functioning ( d =22.3, p =0.001), role limitations due to physical problems ( d =12.9, p =0.02), and vitality ( d =20.6, p =0.04) than those without. EQ-5D scores were also poorer for patients with pressure ulceration, for both the visual analog scale ( d =19.2, p =0.02) and the index ( d =0.29, p =0.08). Patients with pressure ulceration had more perceived pain than those without; however, this difference was of borderline significance ( d =−23.9, p =0.06). Pressure ulceration therefore has an impact on HRQoL that is measurable and persists after adjusting for potential confounding.     

Coronary artery bypass grafting within 30 days after treatment of acute myocardial infarctions with angioplasty or fibrinolysis – a surgical substudy of DANAMI‐2

Objective—To calculate the incidence and analyse the indications and outcome after surgical revascularization within the first 30 days after randomization of 1572 patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) associated with ST‐segment elevation (STEMI).

Design—Data regarding the patients undergoing heart surgery within the first 30 days after randomization were collected.

Results—Three patients (0.2%) with acute STEMI and randomized to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) underwent emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A total of 50 patients (3.2%), 30 in the PCI group and 20 in the fibrinolysis group were revascularized by surgery within the first 30 days after randomization. The most frequent indication for surgery in both groups was unstable angina pectoris, followed by left main stenosis. The incidence of postoperative complications was higher compared with the outcome after elective CABG.

Conclusions—The incidence of emergency CABG in this study was low (0.2%) after treatment of acute MI with either PCI or fibrinolysis. The overall incidence within 30 days was 3.2%, however, the mortality is increased with a 30‐day mortality of 10% in this high‐risk patient group.     

超声二维应变评价冠状动脉介入治疗后左心室心肌收缩功能

目的应用超声二维应变（2DS）技术观察单支和多支冠状动脉病变心绞痛患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）后左心室局部心肌径向收缩功能改变有无差异。方法将63例心绞痛患者根据冠状动脉造影结果分为单支病变组（n=33）和多支病变组（n=30）,另选志愿者30名作为正常对照组,分别记录PCI术前、术后3个月及正常对照组左心室基底水平、乳头肌水平及心尖部水平18个室壁节段的二维灰阶图像。应用GE Echo PAC软件测量左心室短轴各室壁节段收缩期峰值径向应变。结果与正常对照组比较,单支病变组和多支病变组PCI术前大部分心肌节段和术后3个月部分心肌节段的左心室收缩期短轴峰值径向应变减低（P〈0.05）;单支病变组PCI术后3个月73.51%（136/185）心肌缺血节段恢复到正常水平,与多支病变组54.11%（158/292）差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。结论不同冠状动脉病变心绞痛患者PCI术后左心室径向收缩功能改善情况有所不同。     

Results from clinical trials on ST‐elevation myocardial infarction in a historic perspective with some pathophysiological aspects

Objective—Since the publication of the large trials on streptokinase and aspirin improving mortality related to an acute ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) there has been numerous studies on improving treatment results with new fibrinolytics, adjuvant heparin therapy and primary percutaneous intervention (PCI). The aim of the present overview is, in a historic perspective, to link some of the pathophysiology of mechanisms related to plaque rupture and following thrombosis to the effects of drug combinations and PCI observed in major clinical trials conducted in patients with STEMI.

Design—The overview comprises short analyses of the initial streptokinase trials (GISSI‐1 and ISIS‐2), the comparisons between streptokinase and tissue plasminogen activator (rt‐PA) and the role of adjuvant heparin treatment (GISSI‐2, ISIS‐3, GUSTO I). Also included is the comparison between the new bolus‐teplases and traditional, accelerated infusion of rt‐PA (GUSTO III and ASSENT‐2) and between unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparin (LWMH) given in addition to tenecteplase (ASSENT‐3). The pathophysiology of the antiplatelet and antithrombin effects is described, in order to elucidate the treatment differences observed in the trials. In addition, the role of primary PCI is discussed in view of the results in a recent meta‐analysis of controlled comparisons with fibrinolytic therapy.

Results—Based upon these trials it seems that the optimal thrombolytic treatment is a combination of a bolus‐teplase (tenecteplae) and LMWH given on top of aspirin. Primary PCI may be the most optimal treatment, provided given early following STEMI (<1?h), but whether PCI is the best alternative for all patients with STEMI is still a matter of debate.

Conclusion—During the last 15 years the optimal antithrombotic treatment of STEMI has developed from a combination of streptokinase and aspirin to the new bolus‐teplases combined with LMWH and aspirin. The use of primary PCI may be a better alternative than fibrinolytic therapy, but such a statement needs confirmation in a large comparison between PCI and a quick infusion of modern fibrinolytic agents.     

Deterioration in Quality of Life Following Hip Fracture: A Prospective Study

To examine longitudinal change in health- related quality of life (HRQoL) following hip fracture in elderly subjects, 32 patients with hip fractures and 29 sex-matched non-fracture control subjects (mean ± SD age 82 ± 8 and 86 ± 6 years respectively) were enrolled in a prospective, case–control study. Fracture subjects completed a generic questionnaire, Short Form 36 (SF-36), and a disease-targeted measure, the revised Osteoporosis Assessment Questionnaire (OPAQ2), on two separate occasions, within 1 week of fracture and 12–15 weeks after fracture. Controls completed both questionnaires on two occasions 12 weeks apart. SF-36 scores were significantly correlated with OPAQ2 in comparable domains of Physical Function (r= 0.76), General Health (r= 0.70) and Mental Health/Tension (r = 0.86). Control subjects had stable scores with the OPAQ2 and SF-36. At 3 months after fracture there was a significant reduction in HRQoL in the SF-36 domains Physical Function (–51%), Vitality (–24%) and Social Function (–26%) and in the OPAQ2 domains Physical Function (–20%), Social Activity (–49%) and General Health (–24%). Hip fracture patients thus had a lower baseline HRQoL and experienced a significant deterioration in HRQoL after hip fracture on both the SF-36 and OPAQ2. HRQoL should be part of a comprehensive assessment of the costs of osteoporosis including fracture-associated morbidity. Received: 21 October 1999 / Accepted: 15 November 1999     

The NORwegian study on DIstrict treatment of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NORDISTEMI)

Objectives. Thrombolysis is the treatment of choice for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) living in rural areas with long transfer delays to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This trial compares two different strategies following thrombolysis: to transfer all patients for immediate coronary angiography and intervention, or to manage the patients more conservatively. Design. The NORwegian study on DIstrict treatment of STEMI (NORDISTEMI) is an open, prospective, randomized controlled trial in patients with STEMI of less than 6 hours of duration and more than 90 minutes expected time delay to PCI. A total of 266 patients will receive full-dose thrombolysis, preferably prehospitally, and then be randomized to either strategy. Our primary endpoint is the one year combined incidence of death, reinfarction, stroke or new myocardial ischaemia. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00161005. Results. By April 2006, 109 patients have been randomized. Thrombolysis has been given prehospitally to 52% of patients. The median transport distance from first medical contact to catheterization laboratory was 155 km (range 90–396 km). Results of the study are expected in 2008.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00161005.     

Rho激酶抑制剂对ST段抬高心肌梗死PCI中冠脉血流的影响

目的评价Rho激酶抑制剂对急性ST段抬高心肌梗死（STEMI）患者行急诊经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）冠脉血流的影响。方法拟行急诊PCI术STEMI患者66例（均于发病12h内）随机分为治疗组及对照组各33例;两组均予严格冠心病二级预防;治疗组术前20min开始使用法舒地尔并继续使用至病程1周,主要观察患者PCI术中TIMI血流分级和心肌组织灌注,住院期间肌钙蛋白（cTNI）、肌酸激酶同功酶（CKMB）、超声心动图、主要不良心血管事件（MACE）、低血压发生情况。结果治疗组6例患者出现低血压停用法舒地尔;两组患者TIMI血流分级、校正的TIMI帧数计数（CTFC）、CKMB、cTNI、左室收缩功能差异有统计学意义（P=0.039、0.045、0.028、0.049）;住院期间MACE、出血、低血压等发生率差异无统计学意义。结论在STEMI患者急诊PCI术中,常规治疗基础上应用Rho激酶抑制剂可改善冠脉血流。     

Quality of sleep and health-related quality of life in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Sleep complaints are common in haemodialysis patients. In the general population, insomnia impacts negatively on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The objective of this study was to examine the association between quality of sleep and HRQoL in haemodialysis patients independent of known predictors of HRQoL. METHODS: Quality of sleep was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and HRQoL was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) in 89 haemodialysis patients. RESULTS: Sixty-three (71%) subjects were 'poor sleepers' (global PSQI >5). The SF-36 mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) correlated inversely with the global PSQI score (MCS, r = -0.28, P < 0.01; PCS, r = -0.45, P < 0.01). The PCS score also correlated with age (r = -0.24, P = 0.02), haemoglobin (r = 0.21, P = 0.048) and comorbidity (r = -0.40, P < 0.01), and mean PCS was lower in depressed subjects (26.2 vs 35.9, P = 0.02). Subjects with global PSQI >5 had a higher prevalence of depression, lower haemoglobin and lower HRQoL in all SF-36 domains. The global PSQI score was a significant independent predictor of the MCS and PCS after controlling for age, sex, haemoglobin, serum albumin, comorbidity and depression in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Poor sleep is common in dialysis patients and is associated with lower HRQoL. We hypothesize that end-stage renal disease directly influences quality of sleep, which in turn impacts on HRQoL.