Efficacy and safety of individually tailored antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome after coronary stenting： a single center, randomized, feasibility study

Background Low responsiveness to clopidogrel （LRC） is associated with increased risk of ischemic events. This study was aimed to explore the feasibility of tailored antiplatelet therapy according to the responsiveness to clopidogrel. Methods A total of 305 clopidogrel naive patients with acute coronary syndromes （ACS） undergoing coronary stenting were randomly assigned to receive standard （n = 151） or tailored （n = 154） antiplatelet therapy. The ADP-induced platelet aggregation tests by light transmission aggregometry were performed to identify LRC patients assigned to the tailored group. The standard antiplatelet regimen was dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel. The tailored antiplatelet therapy was standard regimen for non-LRC patients and an additional 6-month cilostazol treatment for LRC patients. The primary efficacy outcome was the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction or stroke at one year. Results LCR was present in 26.6% （41/154） of patients in the tailored group. The percentage platelet aggregation for LCR patients was significantly decreased at three days after adjunctive cilostazol treatment （77.5% ± 12.1% vs. 64.5% ± 12.1%, P 〈 0.001）. At one year follow-up, a non-significant 37% relative risk reduction of primary events were observed in the tailored group as compared to the standard group （5.8% vs. 9.3%, P = 0.257）. There were no differences in the rates of stent thrombosis and hemorrhagic events between the two groups. Conclusions Tailored antiplatelet therapy for ACS patients after coronary stenting according to responsiveness to clopidogrel is feasible. However, its efficacy and safety need further confirmation by clinical trials with larger sample sizes.

Efficacy and safety of fondaparinux versus enoxaparin in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention treated with the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor tirofiban

Background: In worldwide, the mortality rate of acute myocardial infarction(AMI) raises year by year. Although the applications of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) and anticoagulants effectively reduce the mortality of patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS), but also increase the incidence of bleeding. Therefore, drugs with stable anticoagulant effects are urgently required.Methods: We enrolled 894 patients with acute coronary syndrome who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in Shenyang Northern Hospital from February 2010 to May 2012; 430 patients were included in the fondaparinux group(2.5mg/d), and 464 were included in the enoxaparin group(1mg/kg twice daily). Fondaparinux and enoxaparin were applied for 3–7 days. All patients were treated with tirofiban [10μg/kg for 3min initially and 0.15μg/(kg·min) for 1 to 3 days thereafter]. The primary efficacy endpoint was the incidence of a major adverse cerebrovascular or cardiovascular event. The primary safety endpoint was bleeding within 30 days and 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention.Results: One-year data were available for 422 patients in the fondaparinux group and for 453 in the enoxaparin group. The incidence of a major adverse cerebrovascular or cardiovascular event(10.9% vs 12.6%, P=0.433) and cardiac mortality(0.5% vs 1.5%, P=0.116) were generally lower in the fondaparinux group than in the enoxaparin group, although the differences were not significant. Compared with the enoxaparin group, the fondaparinux group had a significantly decreased rate of bleeding at 30 days(0.9% vs 2.9%, P=0.040) and 1 year(2.4% vs 5.5%, P=0.018). In addition, the rate of major bleeding events was lower in the fondaparinux group, but this difference was not significant(0.2% vs 0.9%, 0.2% vs 1.1%).Conclusion: In tirofiban-treated patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, fondaparinux presented similar efficacy for ischemia events as enoxaparin. However, fondaparinux significantly decreased the incidence of bleeding, thus providing safer anticoagulation therapy.

Staged versus ＂one-time＂ multivessel intervention in elderly patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of ＂one-time＂ versus staged multivessel stenting in elderly （〉 60 years）patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome （NSTE-ACS） and multivessel disease （MVD）. Methods We analyzed data of consecutive NSTE-ACS patients with multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） who were enrolled in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region between 2008 and 2012. A total of 1090 eligible patients aged 〉 60 were further categorized into ＂one-time＂ group （n = 623） and staged PCI group （n = 467） according to intervention strategy. The primary endpoint was composite outcome of myocardial infarction （MI） or cardiac death during 3-year follow-up. Results The estimated 3-year composite rate of cardiac death or MI was 7.0% in the staged PCI group and 9.5% in the ＂one-time＂ group （P = 0.110）. Multivariate analysis confmned the benefit of staged PCI on the primary events in the elderly （HR： 0.638, 95% CI： 0.408-3.998, P = 0.049）. In a propensity score matched cohort, staged PCI was associated with lower rates of primary events （6.1% vs. 10.4%, P = 0.046） and MI （3.4% vs. 7.4%, P = 0.037） at three years. In addition, there were reduced trends in the stent thrombosis at 30 days （0.3% vs. 1.4%, P = 0.177） and at three years （1.1% vs. 2.4%, P = 0.199） in the staged PCI group. There was no significant difference in the 3-year target vessel revascularization （15.5% vs. 14.4%, P = 0.746）. Conclusions In elderly NSTE-ACS patients with MVD, staged PCI might be an optimal strategy associated with reduced long-term cardiac death or MI compared with ＂one-time＂ PCI strategy, which needs further confirmation.

Predictors of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with coronary artery disease receiving contrast agents twice within 30 days

Background:None of study mentioned about contrast-induced acute kidney injury(CI-AKI)in people who have received contrast agents twice within in a short period of time.This study is trying to identify the predictors.Methods:We enrolled 607 patients between Oct.2010 and Jul.2015 who received contrast agents twice within 30 days in the Department of Cardiology of the General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region.The primary outcome was CI-AKI within 72 h after contrast agent exposure.Patients were divided into groups A(n=559)and group B(n=48)according to whether CI-AKI occurred after the second agent.Results:Patients in group B(CI-AKI occurred after the second agent)had a more rapid heart rate and more usage of diuretics and digitalis.In group B,CI-AKI occurred more frequently after the first agent.Multivariate logistic regression showed that diuretic(P=0.006)and intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP)usage(P=0.012)were independent predictors of CI-AKI after the first agent.Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/AngiotensinⅡreceptor antagonist(ACEI/ARB)usage(P=0.039),IABP usage(P=0.040)and CI-AKI occurring after administration of the first agent(P=0.015)were independent predictors of CI-AKI after the second.Furthermore,dividing the patients into tertiles of the time interval between the two agents showed that CI-AKI occurred more frequently when the second agent was administered within 1–3 days after the first exposure than within 4–6 days(12.4%vs.5.0%,P=0.008)or≥7 days(12.4%vs.6.4%,P=0.039).Conclusions:Diuretic and IABP usage are independent predictors of CI-AKI following exposure to a first contrast agent.The major predictors of CI-AKI after exposure to a second agent are time since the first contrast exposure,ACEI/ARB usage,and IABP usage.More importantly,a three-day interval between the two agents is associated with a higher incidence of CI-AKI following the second administration.

Effects of omeprazole or pantoprazole on platelet function in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients receiving clopidogrel

Background: This study evaluated the effect of omeprazole or pantoprazole on platelet reactivity in non-STsegment elevation acute coronary syndrome(NSTE-ACS) patients receiving clopidogrel.Methods: Consecutive patients with NSTE-ACS(n =620) from general hospital of Shenyang Military Command were randomized to the omeprazole or pantoprazole(20mg/d) group(1:1), and received routine dual antiplatelet treatment. Patients' reversion rate of adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation(ADP-PA) was assessed at baseline, 12 to 24 h after administration of medication, and after 72 h of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). The primary endpoint of the study was platelet reactivity assessed with ADP-PA at 30 days after PCI. Adverse events(AEs) were recorded for 30-day and 180-day follow-up periods.Results: There were no significant differences between both the groups in platelet response to clopidogrel at 12–24h after drug administration(54.09%±18.90% vs. 51.62%±19.85%, P=0.12), 72 h after PCI(52.15%±19.45% vs. 49.66%±20.05%, P=0.18), and 30 days after PCI(50.44%±14.54% vs. 48.52%±15.08%, P=0.17). The rate of AEs did not differ significantly between groups during the 30-day(15.2% vs. 14.8%, P=0.91) and 180-day(16.5% vs. 14.5%, P=0.50) follow-up periods after PCI.Conclusion: The addition of omeprazole or pantoprazole to clopidogrel did not restrict the effect of platelet aggregation by reducing the conversion of clopidogrel. Compared with clopidogrel alone, pantoprazole-clopidogrel and omeprazoleclopidogrel combinations did not increase the incidence of adverse clinical events during 30-day and 180-day follow-up periods after PCI.

Analysis of risk factors for early stent thrombosis in the Chinese population:A multicenter restrospective study

BACKGROUND:The predictive scoring systems for early stent thrombosis(EST)remains blank in China.The study aims to evaluate the risk factors and conduct a prediction model of EST in the Chinese population.METHODS:EST was defined as thrombosis that occurs within the first 30 days after primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Patients from ten Chinese hospitals diagnosed as stent thrombosis(ST)from January 2010 to December 2016 were retrospectively included as the study group.A control group(1 case:2 controls)was created by including patients without ST,major adverse cardiovascular events,or cerebrovascular events during follow-up.The present study evaluated 426 patients with single-vessel lesions and ultimately included 40 patients with EST and 80 control patients,who were included to identify factors that predicted EST and to develop a prediction scoring system.The other 171 patients without integrated 1:2 pair were used for external validation.RESULTS:EST was independently associated with a low hemoglobin concentration(adjusted odds ratio[OR]0.946,95%confi dence interval[95%CI]0.901-0.993,P=0.026),a high pre-PCI Synergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery(SYNTAX)score(OR 1.166,95%CI 1.049-1.297,P=0.004),and a DAPT(DAPT)duration of<30 days(OR 28.033,95%CI 5.302-272.834,P<0.001).The simple EST prediction score provided an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.854(95%CI 0.777-0.932,P<0.001)with 70.0%sensitivity and 90.0%specifi city,and 0.742(95%CI 0.649-0.835,P<0.001)with 54.5%sensitivity and 81.0%specifi city for external validation dataset.CONCLUSIONS:EST may be independently associated with DAPT discontinuation within 30 days,a low hemoglobin concentration,and a high SYNTAX score.The scoring system also has a good ability to predict the risk of EST and may be useful in the clinical setting.

Endovascular stent-graft for type B aortic dissection in elderly patients

Objective To report the clinical outcome and complications ofendovascular stent-graft treatment for type B aortic dissection in elderly patients, as compared with younger patients in a single medical center. Methods From May 2002 to July 2008, endovascular stent-graft implantation was performed in 124 patients with type B aortic dissection at the Department of Cardiology, Shenyang Northern Hospital. Among them, 39 patients were 60 yrs or older （ranging ~om 68 to 81 years） while 85 patients were younger than 60 years old （ranging from 31 to 58 years）. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 26 months （ranging from 1 to 78 months）. Clinical data were analyzed between the two groups. Results Comparing with the younger group, the elderly group had higher prevalence of coronary artery disease （59.0% vs 24.7%, P=0.001）. There was no significant difference of complication rates between the 2 groups （38.5% vs 31.8%, P=0.54）. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a similar 5-year survival rate（80.2% vs 89.6%; Log Rank, P=0.31） between the 2 groups. Conclusions Endovascular stent-graft implantation is safe and effective in the treatment of type B aortic dissection for both elderly and younger patients. The procedure-related complication rate seems independent of age .

Feasibility study of emergency intervention for vascular injury outside the hospital

Background: Minimally invasive surgery in the field of traumatic vascular injury diagnosis and treatment has achieved good results. This study was designed to determine whether pre-hospital emergency intervention is feasible for vascular injury in a field intervention cabin under the condition of war or a disaster site.Methods: Different types of animal experiments of vascular injury intervention were performed in a field intervention cabin. Treatment capacity was evaluated by data collection, including duration of surgery, clinical evaluation, image clarity, and equipment handling. Environmental adaptability and mobility were evaluated by maneuverability and long-distance mobility.Results: A total of 56 surgeries(7 types) were performed in the field intervention cabin. Digital subtraction angiography(DSA) had good imaging performance. A total of 4800 km of long-distance mobility was performed, and all the equipment operated normally without any equipment failure. We participated in the medical service maneuver twice. The cabin unfolded and worked properly. There was no equipment damage during the medical service maneuver.Conclusion: Use of a field intervention cabin under the conditions of war or disaster is feasible for pre-hospital emergency intervention of vascular injury.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study of the Effects of Tongxinluo Capsules in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients with High On-Treatment Platelet Reactivity

Background： High platelet reactivity （HPR） during clopidogrel treatment predicts postpercutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） ischemic events strongly and independently. Tongxinluo capsules （TCs） are a traditional Chinese medicine formulation used as antiplatelet treatment. However, its efficacy against HPR is not known. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of TCs in acute coronary syndrome （ACS） patients with HPR. Methods： This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study prospectively analyzed 136 ACS patients with HPR who underwent PCI. The patients were enrolled from November 2013 to May 2014 and randomized to receive placebo or TCs in addition to standard dual antiplatelet therapy （DAPT） with aspirin and clopidogrel. The primary end points were the prevalence of HPR at 30 days and the mean change in P2YIz reaction units （PRUs） between baseline and 30 days. Survival curves were constructed with Kaplan-Meier estimates and compared by log-rank tests between the two groups. Results： Both groups had a significantly reduced prevalence of HPR at 30 days versus baseline, but the TC group, compared with the placebo group, had greater reduction （ 15.8% vs. 24.8%, P = 0.013）, especially among patients with one cytochrome P450 2C 19 loss of function （LOF） allele （χ2 = 2.931, P = 0.047）. The TC group also had a lower prevalence of HPR （33.3% vs. 54.2%, t - 5.284, P 0.022） and superior performance in light transmittance aggregometry and higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hsCRP）, but the composite prevalence ofischemic events did not differ significantly （χ2 = 1.587, P = 0.208）. Conclusions： In addition to standard DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel, TCs further reduce PRU and hsCRP levels, especially in patients carrying only one LOF allele. The data suggest that TCs could be used in combination therapy for ACS patients with HPR undergoing PCI.

Safety and Necessity of Antiplatelet Therapy on Patients Underwent Endovascular Aortic Repair with Both Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection and Coronary Heart Disease

Background： Acute aortic dissection is known as the most dangerous aortic disease, with management and prognosis determined as the disruption of the medial layer provoked by intramural bleeding. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and necessity of antiplatelet therapy on patients with Stanford Type B aortic dissection （TBAD） who underwent endovascular aortic repair （EVAR）. Methods： The present study retrospectively analyzed 388 patients with TBAD who underwent EVAR and coronary angiography. The primary outcomes were hemorrhage, death, endoleak, recurrent dissection, myocardial infarction, and cerebral infarction in patients with and without aspirin antiplatelet therapy at 1 month and 12 months. Results： Of those 388 patients, 139 （35.8%） patients were treated with aspirin and 249 （64.2%） patients were not treated with aspirin. Patients in the aspirin group were elderly （57.0 ± 10.3 years vs. 52.5 ± 11.9 years, respectively, χ2 = 3.812, P 〈 0.001） and had more hypertension （92.1% vs. 83.9%, respectively, χ2 = 5.191, P = 0.023） and diabetes （7.2% vs. 2.8%, respectively, χ2 = 4.090, P = 0.043） than in the no-aspirin group. Twelve patients （aspirin group vs. no-aspirin group; 3.6% vs. 2.8%, respectively, χ2 = 0.184, P = 0.668） died at 1-month follow-up, while the number was 18 （4.6% vs. 5.0%, respectively, χ2 = 0.027, P = 0.870） at 12-month follow-up. Hemorrhage occurred in 1 patient （Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] Type 2） of the aspirin group, and 3 patients （1 BARC Type 2 and 2 BARC Type 5） in the no-aspirin group at 1-month follow-up （ χ2 = 0.005, P = 0.944）. New hemorrhage occurred in five patients in the no-aspirin group at 12-month follow-up. Three patients in the aspirin group while five patients in the no-aspirin group had recurrent dissection for endoleak at 1-month follow-up （2.3% vs. 2.2%, respectively, χ2 = 0.074, P = 0.816）. Four patients had new dissection in the no-aspirin group at 12-month follow-up （2.3% vs. 3.8%, respectively, χ2 = 0.194, P = 0.660）. Each group had one patient with myocardial infarction at 1-month follow-up （0.8% vs. 0.4%, respectively, χ2 = 0.102, P = 0.749） and one more patient in the no-aspirin group at 12-month follow-up. No one had cerebral infarction in both groups during the 12-month follow-up. In the percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） subgroup, 44 （31.7%） patients had taken dual-antiplatelet therapy （DAPT, aspirin ＋ clopidogrel） and the other 95 （68.3%） patients had taken only aspirin. There was no significant difference in hemorrhage （0% vs. 1.1%, respectively,χ2 = 0.144, P = 0.704）, death （4.8% vs. 4.5%, respectively, χ2 = 0.154, P = 0.695）, myocardial infarction （2.4% vs. 0%, respectively,χ2 = 0.144, P = 0.704）, endoleak, and recurrent dissection （0% vs. 3.4%, respectively, χ2 = 0.344, P = 0.558） between the two groups at 12-month follow-up. Conclusions： The present study indicated that long-term oral low-dose aspirin was safe for patients with both TBAD and coronary heart disease who underwent EVAR. For the patients who underwent both EVAR and PCI, DAPT also showed no increase in hemorrhage, endoleak, recurrent dissection, death, and myocardial infarction.

Sex-Related Differences in Short- and Long-Term Outcome among Young and Middle-Aged Patients for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background： Females with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） have higher in-hospital and short-term mortality rates compared with males in China, suggesting that a sex disparity exists. The age of onset of STEM1 is ahead of time and tends to be younger. However, there are relatively little data on the significance of sex on prognosis for long-term outcomes for adult patients with STEMI alter percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） in China. This study sought to analyze the sex differences in 30-day, l-year, and long-term net adverse clinical events （NACEs） in Chinese adult patients with STEMI after PCI. Methods： This study retrospectively analyzed 1920 consecutive STEMI patients （age 〈60 years） treated with PCI fYom January 01, 2006, to December 31,2012. A propensity score analysis between males and females was perfimned to adjust tbr differences in baseline characteristics and comorbidities. The primary endpoint was the incidence of 3-year NACE. Survival curves were constructed with Kaplan- Meier estimates and compared by log-rank tests between the two groups. Multivariate analysis was perforated using a Cox proportional hazards model for 3-year NACE. Results： Compared with males, females had higher risk profiles associated with old age, longer prehospital delay at the onset of STEMI, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease, and a higher Killip class （≥3）, with more multivessel diseases （P 〈 0.05）. The female group had a higher levels of low-density lipoprotein （2.72 [2.27, 3.29] vs. 2.53 [2,12, 3.00], P 〈 （1.001）, high-density lipoprotein （ 1.43 [1.23, 1.71] vs. 1.36 [1.11, 1.63], P - 0.003）, total cholesterol （4.98±1.10 vs. 4.70 ±1.15, t = -3.508, P 〈 0.001）, and estimated glomerular filtration rate （103.12 ± 22.22 vs. 87.55 ±18.03, t = 11.834, P〈 0.001 ） than the male group. In the propensity-matched analysis, being female was associated with a higher risk for 3-year NACE and major adverse cardiac or cerebral events compared with males. In the multivariate model, female gender （hazard ratio [HR]： 2.557, 95% confidence interval [CI]： 1.415-4.620, P=0.002）, hypertension （MR： 2.017, 95% CI： 1.138-3.576, P = 0.016）, and family history of coronary heart disease （HR： 2.256, 95% CI：1.115-4.566, P = 0.024） were independent risk factors for NACE. The number of stents （HR： 0.625, 95% CI：0.437 0.894, P = 0.010） was independent protective factors of NACE. Conclusions： Females with STEMI undergoing PCl have a significantly higher risk for 3-year NACE compared with males in this population. Sex differences appear to be a risk factor and present diagnostic challenges for clinicians.

One-year Outcomes in Patients with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Caused by Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Occlusion Treated by Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background： Very few data have been reported for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） caused by unprotected left main coronary artery （ULMCA） occlusion, and very little is known about the results of this subgroup of patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features and outcomes of patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI for acute ULMCA occlusion. Methods： From January 2000 to February 2014, 372 patients with STEMI caused by ULMCA acute occlusion （ULMCA-STEMI） who underwent primary PCI at one of two centers were enrolled. The 230 patients with non-ST-segment elevation MI （NSTEMI） caused by ULMCA lesion （U LMCA-NSTEMI） who underwent emergency PCI were designated the control group. The main indexes were the major adverse cardiac events （MACEs） in-hospital, at 1 month, and at 1 year. Results： Compared to the NSTEMI patients, the patients with STEMI had significantly higher rates of Killip class≥Ⅲ （21.2% vs. 3.5%,χ^2= 36.253, P 〈 0.001 ） and cardiac arrest （8.3% vs. 3.5%, χ^2= 5.529, P = 0.019）. For both groups, the proportions of one-year cardiac death in the patients with a post-procedure thrombolysis in myocardial infarction （TIMI） flow grade〈3 were significantly higher than those in the patients with a TIMI flow grade of 3 （STEMI group： 51.7% [ 15/29] vs. 4.1% [ 14/343], P 〈 0.001 ; NSTEM I group： 33.3% [3/9] vs. 13.6% [3/221], P = 0.001; respectively]. Landmark analysis showed that the patients in STEM I group were associated with higher risks of MACE （16.7% vs. 9.1%, P 0.009） and cardiac death （5.4% vs. 1.3%, P- 0.011 ） compared with NSTEMI patients at I month. Meanwhile, in patients with ULMCA, the landmark analysis for incidences of MACE and cardiac death was similar between the STEMI and NSTEMI （all P=0.72） in the intervals of 1-12 months. However, patients who were diagnosed with STEMI or NSTEMI had no significant difference in reinfarction （all P 〉 0.05） and TVR （all P〉 0.05） in the intervals of 0-1 rnonth as well as 1 month to 1 year. The results of Cox regression analysis showed that the differences in the independent predictors for MACE included the variables of Killip class ≥ Ⅲ and intra-aortic balloon pump support for the STEMI patients and the variables of previous MI, ULMCA distal bifurcation, and 2-stent for distal ULMCA lesions for the NSTEMI patients. Conclusions： Compared to the NSTEMI patients, the patients with STEMI and ULMCA lesions still remain at a much higher risk for adverse events at I year, especially on I month. Ira successthl PCI procedure is performed, the 1-year outcomes in those patients might improve.

Short-term Rosuvastatin Treatment for the Prevention of Contrast-induced Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Receiving Moderate or High Volumes of Contrast Media： A Sub-analysis of the TRACK-D Study

Background:Current randomized trials have demonstrated the effects of short-term rosuvastatin therapy in preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI).However,the consistency of these effects on patients administered different volumes of contrast media is unknown.Methods:In the TRACK-D trial,2998 patients with type 2 diabetes and concomitant chronic kidney disease (CKD) who underwent coronary/peripheral arterial angiography with or without percutaneous intervention were randomized to short-term (2 days before and 3 days after procedure) rosuvastatin therapy or standard-of-care.This prespecified analysis compared the effects of rosuvastatin versus standard therapy in patients exposed to (moderate contrast volume [MCV],200-300 ml,n =712) or (high contrast volume [HCV],≥300 ml,n =220).The primary outcome was the incidence of CIAKI.The secondary outcome was a composite of death,dialysis/hemofiltration or worsened heart failure at 30 days.Results:Rosuvastatin treatment was associated with a significant reduction in CIAKI compared with the controls (2.1％ vs.4.4％,P =0.050) in the overall cohort and in patients with MCV (1.7％ vs.4.5％,P =0.029),whereas no benefit was observed in patients with HCV (3.4％ vs.3.9％,P =0.834).The incidence of secondary outcomes was significantly lower in the rosuvastatin group compared with control group (2.7％ vs.5.3％,P =0.049) in the overall cohort,but it was similar between the patients with MCV (2.0％ vs.4.2％,P =0.081) or HCV (5.1％ vs.8.8％,P =0.273).Conclusions:Periprocedural short-term rosuvastatin treatment is effective in reducing CIAKI and adverse clinical events for patients with diabetes and CKD after their exposure to a moderate volume of contrast medium.

Correlation between Sex and Prognosis of Acute Aortic Dissection in the Chinese Population

Background： The prevalence, presentation, management, and prognosis of coronary heart disease differ according to sex. Greater understanding on the differences between men and women with acute aortic dissection （AAD） is needed. We aimed to investigate whether sex disparities are found in patients with AAD, and to study sex differences in complications, mortality in-hospital, and tong-term. Methods： We included 884 patients enrolled in our institute between June 2002 and May 2016. Considering psychosocial factors, treatments, and the outcomes in men versus those in women with AAD, we explored the association of sex with psychosocial characteristics and mortality risk. For categorical variables, significant differences between groups were assessed with the Chi-square test or Fisher＇s exact test, and continuous parameters were assessed with Student＇s t-test. Univariate and stratified survival statistics were computed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results： A total of 884 patients （76.1% male, mean age 51.4 ± 11.8 years） were inchidcd in this study. There were fewer current smokers in female compared with male （ 17.5% vs. 67.2%,χ^2= 160.06, P〈 0.05）. The percentage of men who reported regular alcohol consumption was significantly higher than that in women （40.6% vs. 3.8%, χ^2== 100.18, P 〈 0.05）. About 6.2% （55 of 884） of patients with AAD died before vascular or endovascular surgery was performed, 34.4% （304 of 884） of patients underwent surgical procedures, and 52.7% （466 of 884） and 12.8% （113 of 884） of patients received endovascular treatment and medication, Postoperative mortality similar （6.0% vs. 5.6%, respectively, χ^2= 0.03, P = 0.91） between men and women. Follow-up was completed in 653 of 829 patients （78.8%）. Adjustment for age, history of coronary disease, hypertension, smoking and drinking, Type A and use of beta-blocker, angiotensin II receptor blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme （ACE） inhibitor, calcium-channel blockers and statins by multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that age （odds ratios [ORs], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.07; P 〈 0.05）, using of calcium-channel blockers （OR, 0.37： 95% CI, 0.18-0.74; P 〈 0.05）, at discharge were independent predictors of late mortality, ACE inhibitors （OR, 1.91： 95% CI, 1.03-3.54： P = 0.04） was independent risk factor of late mortality.Conclusions： In Chinese with AAD, sex is not independently associated with long-term clinical outcomes. Age, the intake of calcium-channel blockers at discharge might help to improve long-term otitcomes.

Optimal strategy of switching from clopidogrel to ticagrelor in Chinese acute coronary syndrome patients with complicated coronary artery disease: the switching from clopidogrel to ticagrelor (SHIFT-CACS) study

Background:The dose and time point for switching from clopidogrel to ticagrelor remain controversial,especially for Chinese acute coronary syndrome(ACS)patients with complicated coronary artery disease(CAD).Hence,the purpose of this study was to further explore the optimal dose and time point for the switching strategy to balance the increase in platelet inhibition and the decrease in adverse events in Chinese ACS patients with complicated CAD managed by percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:From July 2017 to December 2017,the prospective,randomized,open-label study(the SwitcHIng from clopidogrel to ticagrelor study)assigned the eligible Chinese ACS patients with complicated CAD managed by PCI(n=102)for 90 mg of ticagrelor at 12 h(T-90 mg-12 h),90 mg of ticagrelor at 24 h(T-90 mg-24h)or 180 mg ticagrelor at 24 h(T-180 mg-24 h)after the last dose of clopidogrel.The primary endpoint was the comparison of maximal platelet aggregation(MPA)values at 2 h after switching strategies among the three groups.In addition,the MPA values at baseline,8 h and before discharge and the rates of high ontreatment platelet reactivity were evaluated,the incidences of bleeding episodes and dyspnea during hospitalization and at 30-day follow-up in our study were also recorded.The MPA was measured by light transmittance aggregometry in our study.A repeatedmeasures analysis of variance(ANOVA)model and one-way ANOVA were used to compare data for the primary endpoint.Results:The MPA values were significantly decreased in the T-180 mg-24 h group compared with the T-90 mg-12 h group(P=0.017)and decreased numerically compared with the T-90 mg-24 h group(P=0.072)at 2 h.In particular,the MPA values were markedly reduced in the T-90 mg-24 h group compared with the T-90 mg-12 h group at 8 h after switching treatment(P=0.002).There was no significant difference among the three groups in all bleedings and dyspnea events.Conclusions:The optimal treatment strategy recommended in this study for Chinese ACS patients with complicated CAD managed by PCI is 180 or 90 mg of ticagrelor at 24 h after the last dose of clopidogrel.In addition,a negative interaction was detected in this study between the overlap for clopidogrel and ticagrelor at 12 h after the last dose of clopidogrel.Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov,NCT03577652;http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03577652.

Value of a new post-procedural intravascular ultrasound score in predicting target vessel revascularization after coronary drug-eluting stents implantation

Objective:There is no simple or feasible post-procedural intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) score to predict major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients undergoing drug-eluting stents (DES) implantation. The aim of this study is to validate a new IVUS score for predicting MACE. Methods:A total of 295 patients (with 322 lesions) were enrolled. IVUS score was calculated in each lesion based on five IVUS morphological characteristics:inflow/outflow disease, malapposition, underexpansion, tissue protrusion, and edge dissection (iMUTE score). We assigned two points to an underexpansion and one point for each presence of other factors. Patients were divided into low score (iMUTE score<2, n=137) and high score (iMUTE score≥2, n=158) groups. Results:At one year follow-up, a trend was seen in favor of the low iMUTE score group in MACE (3.65% vs. 10.10%; P=0.052), and there was more target vessel revascularization (TVR) in the high iMUTE score group compared with low score group (6.96% vs. 1.46%; P=0.044). Low iMUTE score was an independent predictor of freedom from TVR at one year (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1-0.8; P=0.02). Conclusions:Post-procedural IVUS iMUTE scoring was simple and feasible in clinical practice, and can provide independent prognostic value for TVR in patients undergoing DES implantation.