How to manage the malposition of deep vein catheterization into the artery?

Central venous catheterization establishes temporary,efficient,and rapid use of deep venous access in patients,which provides high flow rate fluid perfusion,enables measurement of central venous pressure,and acts as an important reference for clinical decision-making.However,various complications such as pneumothorax,hemothorax,hematoma,and puncture failure can easily occur during the puncture and catheterization process.

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.

Percutaneous recanalization of total saphenous vein graft occlusion with excimer laser treatment

Patients presenting with recurrence of anginal symptoms after saphenous vein bypass surgery pose an increasingly frequent challenge.In general,approximately 40%to 50%of saphenous vein graft(SVG)will become diseased or occluded within the first ten years after surgery.[1]Because adverse clinical outcomes,such as high restenosis rates and distal embolization,have been reported,percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)for SVG is not recommended as a first-line strategy.[2]Distal embolization occurs in 2%–17%of patients despite advances in therapy,including the utilization of embolic protection device(EPD),which may lead to increased mortality at both short follow-up and midterm follow-up.[3]However,these patients often associated with inappropriate anatomic characteristics of native vessel intervention including calcification,tortuosity,abundant plaque burden,and complex chronic total occlusion(CTO)lesions.Moreover,repeat coronary bypass surgery is an option but is technically more demanding and is associated with a higher mortality.Therefore,it can sometimes result in SVG stenosis being the only intervention option.This is why the recanalization of SVG lesions,especially totally occluded lesions,remains one of the most challenging procedures in interventional cardiology.

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.

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 .

Optimal use of fielder XT guidewire enhances the success rate of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND Chronic total occlusion(CTO) is found in 18-31% of patients who undergo coronary angiography. Successful recanalization of CTOs is associated with reduced recurrent angina pectoris rates and increased long-term survival.Although the success rate of CTO percutaneous coronary intervention(CTO-PCI)has improved, CTO-PCI remains technically challenging. The Fielder XT guidewire was designed for CTO lesions. To validate whether the use of the guidewire increases the success rate, we compared the results of CTO-PCI with or without the guidewire. We hypothesized that the use of Fielder XT guidewire can increase the success rate of CTO-PCI.AIM To investigate whether the use of Fielder XT guidewire increases the final procedural success of CTO-PCI via the anterograde approach.METHODS Between January 2013 and December 2015, a retrospective study was conducted on 1230 consecutive patients with CTO who received PCI via the anterograde approach at the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command. The patients were divided into an XT Group(n = 686) and a no-XT Group(n = 544) depending on whether Fielder XT guidewire was used. Both groups were compared for clinical parameters, lesion-related characteristics, procedural outcomes and inhospital complications. The data were statistically analyzed using Pearson's χ~2 test for categorical variables, and Students' t test was used to compare the quantitative data. Significant independent factors and a risk ratio with 95%confidence interval(CI) were assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS In total, 1230 patients were recruited; 75.4% of the patients were male, and 55.8%of the patients were in the XT group. The overall success rate was 83.9%, with87.8% in the XT group. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, factors positively associated with procedural success were the use of Fielder XT guidewire(P = 0.005, 95%CI: 1.172-2.380) and systolic blood pressure(P = 0.011,95%CI: 1.003-1.022), while factors negatively associated with procedural success were blunt stump(P = 0.013, 95%CI: 1.341-11.862), male sex(P = 0.016, 95%CI:0.363-0.902), New York Heart Association(NYHA) class(P = 0.035, 95%CI: 0.553-0.979), contrast amount(P = 0.018, 95%CI: 0.983-0.998) and occlusion time(P =0.009, 95%CI: 0.994-0.999). No significant differences were found between the XT group and the no-XT group with respect to clinical parameters, lesion-related characteristics, coronary artery rupture [3(0.4%) vs 8(1.5%), P = 0.056], inhospital death [2(0.3%) vs 6(1.1%), P = 0.079] or in-hospital target lesion revascularization [3(0.4%) vs 7(1.3%), P < 0.099]. However, there were significant differences between the groups with respect to success rate [602(87.8%) vs 430(79.0%), P < 0.001], procedure time [(74 ± 23) vs(83 ± 21), P < 0.001], stent length[(32.0 ± 15.8) vs(37.3 ± 17.6), P < 0.001], contrast amount [(148 ± 46) vs(166 ± 43),P < 0.001], post-PCI myocardial infarction [43(6.3%) vs 59(10.8%), P = 0.004],major adverse cardiovascular event [44(6.4%) vs 57(10.7%), P = 0.007], side branch loss [31(4.5%) vs 44(8.1%), P = 0.009], contrast-induced nephropathy [29(4.2%) vs 40(7.4%), P = 0.018] and no reflow [8(1.2%) vs 14(2.9%), P = 0.034].CONCLUSION The use of Fielder XT guidewire shortens the Procedure and increases the success rate of CTO-PCI, and is also associated with reduced complication rates.

A new buddy stingray and stick technique for antegrade dissection and re-entry during chronic total occlusion recanalization: a case report

Although the retrograde approach was a promising strategy for chronic total occlusions(CTO)-percutaneous coronary interventions(PCI),[1]with the development of coronary interventional therapy technology and interventional instruments,antegrade dissection and re-entry(ADR)are commonly employed in PCI to open CTO of coronary arteries.

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.

A drug-eluting Balloon for the trEatment of coronarY bifurcatiON lesions in the side branch:a prospective multicenter ranDomized (BEYOND)clinical trial in China

Background:Treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions remains challenging;a simple strategy has been preferred as of late,but the disadvantage is ostium stenosis or even occlusion of the side branch(SB).Only a few single-center studies investigating the combination of a drug-eluting stent in the main branch followed by a drug-eluting balloon in the SB have been reported.This prospective,multicenter,randomized study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of a paclitaxel-eluting balloon(PEB)compared with regular balloon angioplasty(BA)in the treatment of non-left main coronary artery bifurcation lesions.Methods:Between December 2014 and November 2015,a total of 222 consecutive patients with bifurcation lesions were enrolled in this study at ten Chinese centers.Patients were randomly allocated at a 1:1 ratio to a PEB group(n=113)and a BA group(n=109).The primary efficacy endpoint was angiographic target lesion stenosis at 9 months.Secondary efficacy and safety endpoints included target lesion revascularization,target vessel revascularization,target lesion failure,major adverse cardiac and cerebral events(MACCEs),all-cause death,cardiac death,non-fatal myocardial infarction,and thrombosis in target lesions.The main analyses performed in this clinical trial included case shedding analysis,base-value equilibrium analysis,effectiveness analysis,and safety analysis.SAS version 9.4 was used for the statistical analyses.Results:At the 9-month angiographic follow-up,the difference in the primary efficacy endpoint of target lesion stenosis between the PEB(28.7%±18.7%)and BA groups(40.0%±19.0%)was-11.3%(95%confidence interval:-16.3%to-6.3%,Psuperiority<0.0001)in the intention-to-treat analysis,and similar results were recorded in the per-protocol analysis,demonstrating the superiority of PEB to BA.Late lumen loss was significantly lower in the PEB group than in the BA group(-0.06±0.32 vs.0.18±0.34 mm,P<0.0001).For intention-to-treat,there were no significant differences between PEB and BA in the 9-month percentages of MACCEs(0.9%vs.3.7%,P=0.16)or non-fatal myocardial infarctions(0 vs.0.9%,P=0.49).There were no clinical events of target lesion revascularization,target vessel revascularization,target lesion failure,all-cause death,cardiac death or target lesion thrombosis in either group.Conclusions:In de novo non-left main coronary artery bifurcations treated with provisional T stenting,SB dilation with the PEB group demonstrated better angiographic results than treatment with regular BA at the 9-month follow-up in terms of reduced target lesion stenosis.Trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov,NCT02325817;https://clinicaltrials.gov.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Drug-eluting Stents Versus Bare-metal Stents for the Treatment of Left Main Coronary Artery Disease

treatment of left main coronary artery （LMCA） disease in select patients. However, it is unclear whether drug-eluting stents （DESs） have better outcomes in patients with LMCA disease compared with bare-metal stent （BMS） during long-term follow-up in Chinese populations. Methods： From a perspective multicenter registry, 1136 consecutive patients, who underwent BMS or DES implantation for unprotected LMCA stenosis, were divided into two groups： 1007 underwent DES implantation, and 129 underwent BMS implantation. The primary outcome was the rate of major adverse cardiac events （MACEs）, including cardiovascular （CV） death, myocardial infarction （MI）, and target lesion revascularization （TLR） at 5 years postimplantation. Results： Patients in the DES group were older and more likely to have hyperlipidemia and bifurcation lesions. They had smaller vessels and longer lesions than patients in the BMS group. In the adjusted cohort of patients, the DES group had significantly lower 5 years rates of MACE （19.4% vs. 31.8%, P = 0.022）, CV death （7.0% vs. 14.7%, P = 0.045）, and MI （5.4% vs. 12.4%, P = 0.049） than the BMS group. There were no significant differences in the rate of TLR （10.9% vs. 17.8%, P = 0.110） and stent thrombosis （4.7% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.758）. The rates of MACE （80.6% vs. 68.2%, P = 0.023）, CV death （93.0% vs. 85.3%, P - 0.045）, TLR （84.5% vs. 72.1%, P = 0.014）, and MI （89.9% vs. 80.6%, P = 0.029） free survival were significantly higher in the DES group than in the BMS group. When the propensity score was included as a covariate in the Cox model, the adjusted hazard ratios for the risk of CV death and M1 were 0.41 （95% confidence interval [C/l： 0.21-0.63, P = 0.029） and 0.29 （95% CI： 0.08-0.92, P = 0.037）, respectively. Conelusions： DES implantation was associated with more favorable clinical outcomes than BMS implantation for the treatment of LMCA disease even though there was no significant difference in the rate of TLR between the two groups.

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.

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.

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.