Invasive versus conservative strategy in consecutive patients aged 80 years or older with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a retrospective study in China

Objective To investigate whether the very elderly patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) will benefit from an invasive strategy versus a conservative strategy. Methods 190 consecutive patients aged 80 years or older with NSTEMI were included in the retrospective study from September 2014 to August 2017, of which 69 patients received conservative strategy and 121 patients received invasive strategy. The primary outcome was death. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to assess the statistical association between strategies and mortality. The survival probability was further analyzed. Results The primary outcome occurred in 17.4% patients in the invasive group and in 42.0% patients in the conservative group (P = 0.0002). The readmission rate in the invasive group (14.9%) was higher than that in the conservative group (7.2%). Creatinine level (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.10–1.03, P = 0.05) and use of diuretic (OR = 3.65, 95% CI: 1.56–8.53, P = 0.003) were independent influential factors for invasive strategy. HRs for multivariate Cox regression models were 3.45 (95% CI: 1.77–6.75, P = 0.0003), 3.02 (95% CI: 1.52–6.01, P = 0.0017), 2.93 (95% CI: 1. 46–5.86, P = 0.0024) and 2.47 (95% CI: 1.20–5.07, P = 0.0137). Compared with the patients received invasive strategy, the conservative group had remarkably reduced survival probability with time since treatment (P < 0.001). Conclusions An invasive strategy is superior to a conservative strategy in reducing mortality of patients aged 80 years or older with NSTEMI. Our results suggest that an invasive strategy is more suitable for the very elderly patients with NSTEMI in China.

Association of serum lipoprotein(a) level with the severity and prognosis of calcific aortic valve stenosis: a Chinese cohort study

Background There was a causal relationship between elevated lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)]levels and increased risk of calcific aortic valve stenosis(CAVS)in whites and blacks.The present study aimed to investigate whether Lp(a)levels were associated with aortic stenosis(AS)severity and clinical events in Chinese patients.Methods Levels of serum Lp(a)were measured in 652 patients with CAVS,whom all underwent baseline echocardiographic examination.The clinical endpoint was defined as a composite of aortic valve replacement(AVR)and cardiac death.Results Patients in the tertile 3 of Lp(a)had a higher percentage of severe AS compared with those in the tertile 1 and 2 of Lp(a)(46.2%vs.33.9%,P=0.005).Moreover,the top tertile of Lp(a)was an independent predictor of severe AS(OR=1.78,95%CI:1.18-2.66,P=0.006).However,there was no significant association between tertile 3 of Lp(a)and clinical events(hazard ratio:0.73;95%CI:0.43-1.24;P=0.239)in the multivariate Cox regression analysis during a mean follow-up time of 3.16±2.74 years.Conclusions Elevated Lp(a)level was an independent predictor of severe AS by echocardiography in the Chinese population,but was not associated with the increased risk of AVR and cardiac death,suggesting that Lp(a)levels might be helpful in the risk stratification of patients with CAVS.

The effectiveness and safety of the RESTORE R drug-eluting balloon versus a drug-eluting stent for small coronary vessel disease： study protocol for a multi-center, randomized, controlled trial

bjective Small coronary vessel disease （disease affecting coronary vessels with main branch diameters of 〈 2.75 mm） is a common and intractable problem in percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. This study was designed to test the theory that the effectiveness and safety of drug-eluting balloons for the treatment of de novo lesions in small coronary vessels are non-inferior to those of drug-eluting stents. Methods We designed a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial aiming to assess the effectiveness and safety of the RESTORE R （Cardionovum, Bonn, Germany） drug-eluting balloon （DEB） versus the RESOLUTE R （Medtronic, USA） drug-eluting stent （DES） in the treatment of small coronary vessel disease. This trial started in August 2016. A total of 230 patients with a reference vessel diameter （RVD） 〉 2.25 mm and 〈 2.75 mm were randomly assigned to treatment with a DEB or a DES at a 1：1 ratio. The study was also designed to enroll 30 patients with an RVD 〉 2.00 mm and 〈 2.25 mm in the tiny vessel cohort. Results The key baseline data include demographic characteristics, relative medical history, baseline angiographic values and baseline procedural characteristics. The primary endpoint is in-segment diameter stenosis at nine months after the index procedure. Secondary endpoints include acute success, all-cause death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, target lesion revascularization and stent thrombosis. Conclusions The study will evaluate the clinical efficacy, angiographic outcomes, and safety of DEBs compared to DESs in the treatment of de novo coronary artery lesions in small vessels.

Assessment of causal direction between thyroid function and cardiometabolic health:a Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND Growing evidence have demonstrated that thyroid hormones have been involved in the processes of cardiovascular metabolism.However,the causal relationship of thyroid function and cardiometabolic health remains partly unknown.METHODS The Mendelian randomization(MR)was used to test genetic,potentially causal relationships between instrumental variables and cardiometabolic traits.Genetic variants of free thyroxine(FT4)and thyrotropin(TSH)levels within the reference range were used as instrumental variables.Data for genetic associations with cardiometabolic diseases were acquired from the genome-wide association studies of the FinnGen,CARDIoGRAM and CARDIoGRAMplusC4D,CHARGE,and MEGASTROKE.This study was conducted using summary statistic data from large,previously described cohorts.Association between thyroid function and essential hypertension(EHTN),secondary hypertension(SHTN),hyperlipidemia(HPL),type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),ischemic heart disease(IHD),myocardial infarction(MI),heart failure(HF),pulmonary heart disease(PHD),stroke,and non-rheumatic valve disease(NRVD)were examined.RESULTS Genetically predicted FT4 levels were associated with SHTN(odds ratio=0.48;95%CI=0.04−0.82,P=0.027),HPL(odds ratio=0.67;95%CI=0.18−0.88,P=0.023),T2DM(odds ratio=0.80;95%CI=0.42−0.86,P=0.005),IHD(odds ratio=0.85;95%CI=0.49−0.98,P=0.039),NRVD(odds ratio=0.75;95%CI=0.27−0.97,P=0.039).Additionally,genetically predicted TSH levels were associated with HF(odds ratio=0.82;95%CI=0.68−0.99,P=0.042),PHD(odds ratio=0.75;95%CI=0.32−0.82,P=0.006),stroke(odds ratio=0.95;95%CI=0.81−0.97,P=0.007).However,genetically predicted thyroid function traits were not associated with EHTN and MI.CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests FT4 and TSH are associated with cardiometabolic diseases,underscoring the importance of the pituitary-thyroid-cardiac axis in cardiometabolic health susceptibility.

Free triiodothyronine level correlates with statin responsiveness in acute myocardial infarction

Background Although thyroid hormone （TH） has important effects on lipid metabolism, the relationship between TH and statin responsiveness has never been investigated. We hypothesize that TH plays an important role in statin responsiveness in patients with acute myocardial infarction （AMI）. Methods Consecutive 1091 hospitalized AMI patients in Fuwai hospital （Beijing, China） were enrolled into this current study. The study population was divided into three groups based on the intensity of statin treatment： low-intensity （n = 221）, moderate-intensity （n = 712） and high-intensity （n = 158）. Lipid levels were measured after statin therapy lasting for 10-14 days. The association between TH, lipid profile levels and achievement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） lowering goals was explored in patients with AMI on statin therapy. Results By general linear analysis, a significant linear trend between free triiodothyronine （FT3） and LDL-C level （linear coefficient r = -0.082, P = 0.001） and FT3 and total cholesterol （TC） level （r = -0.105, P = 0.031） was observed in the moderate-intensity statin group. A more apparent linear trend was detected in the high-intensity statin group （for LDL-C： r = -0.113, P = 0.005; for TC： r = -0.172, P = 0.029, respectively）. However, no significant correlation was observed in the low-intensity statin group. Compared with the low-FT3 group （defined as FT3 〈 1.79 pg/mL）, the OR （95% CI） for attaining a LDL-C 〈 3.0mmol/L was found to be 2.217 （1.001–4.839） in the higher FT3 group （〉 2.95 pg/mL）. The OR （95% CI） for attaining the more intensive goal （LDL-C 〈 1.8mmol/L） was 2.836 （1.014–5.182）. Conclusions Our study reveals that variation in FT3 levels is related to the cholesterol-lowering responsiveness of statins in AMI patients. These findings suggest that low FT3 may be a factor responsible for lack of LDL-C goal attainment and patients’ poor responsiveness to statin treatment.

Development and validation of a nomogram predicting oneyear mortality in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVE To formulate a nomogram to predict the risk of one-year mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)based on a large-scale real-world Asian cohort.METHODS This study cohort included consecutive patients undergoing PCI in the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases of China.The endpoint was all-cause mortality.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression and backward stepwise regression were used to select potential risk factors.A nomogram based on the predictors was accordingly constructed to predict one-year mortality.The performance of the nomogram was evaluated.Patients were stratified into low-,intermediate-and high-risk groups according to the tertile points in the nomogram and compared by the Kaplan-Meier analysis.RESULTS A total of 9603 individuals were included in this study and randomly divided into the derivation cohort(60%)and the validation cohort(40%).Six variables were selected to formulate the nomogram,including age,renal insufficiency,cardiac dysfunction,previous cerebrovascular disease,previous PCI,and TIMI 0–1 before PCI.The area under the curve of this nomogram regarding one-year mortality risks were 0.792 and 0.754 in the derivation cohort and validation cohort,respectively.Kaplan-Meier curve successfully stratified the patients according to three risk groups.This nomogram calibrated well and exhibited satisfactory clinical utility in the decision curve analysis.CONCLUSIONS This study developed and validated a simple-to-use nomogram predicting one-year mortality risk in Asian patients undergoing PCI and could help clinicians make risk-dependent decisions.

Uric acid is associated with cardiac death in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND The role of uric acid(UA) in survival of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy(HOCM) has not been fully evaluated. This study aimed to determine whether UA could be an independent risk factor of cardiac death in patients with HOCM.METHODS A total of 317 patients with HOCM, who were receiving conservative treatment in Fuwai Hospital from October2009 to December 2014, all of them completed UA evaluations, were analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according to the UA levels: Tertile 1(≤ 318 μmol/L, n = 106), Tertile 2(319 to 397 μmol/L, n = 105), and Tertile 3(≥ 398 μmol/L, n = 106).RESULTS During a median follow-up of 45 months, 29 cardiac deaths(9.1%) occurred, including 6 sudden cardiac deaths and23 heart failure-related deaths. Cardiac death in Tertile 3(n = 16, 55.2%) was significantly higher than in Tertile 1(n = 6, 20.7%)and Tertile 2(n = 7, 24.1%). In univariate model, UA level(continuous value) showed predictive value of cardiac death [hazard ratio(HR) = 1.006, 95% CI: 1.003-1.009, P = 0.009]. Univariate Cox survival analysis had shown a significant higher property of cardiac death in patients of Tertile 3 when compared with those of Tertile 1, but cardiac death in patients of Tertile 2 did not show significant prognositic value compared with those of Tertile 1(HR = 3.927, 95% CI: 0.666-23.162, P = 0.131). UA was found to be an independent risk factor(HR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.001-1.009, P = 0.009) of cardiac death in the multivariate regression analysis after the adjustment for age, body mass index, atrial fibrillation, hemoglobin, creatinine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interventricular septum/left ventricular posterior wall ratio, left ventricular outflow tract and left ventricular ejection fraction.CONCLUSIONS UA concentration was found to be independently associated with cardiac death in HOCM patients receiving conservative treatment. Randomized trials of UA-lowering agents for HOCM patients are warranted.

LLMs in medicine:The need for advanced evaluation systems for disruptive technologies

In an era of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence(AI),the potential role of large language models(LLMs)in the medical field is receiving increasing attention.The progression of this technology not only highlights upcoming revolutionary changes in medical services but also offers unprecedented opportunities for the health care sector.1 LLMs’formidable capability to process natural language opens vast prospects for application in the medical field,including in the contexts of emergency triage,geriatric care,and digital medical workflows.

Assessment of causal association between thyroid function and lipid metabolism:a Mendelian randomization study

Background:Thyroid dysfunction is associated with cardiovascular diseases.However,the role of thyroid function in lipid metabolism remains partly unknown.The present study aimed to investigate the causal association between thyroid function and serum lipid metabolism via a genetic analysis termed Mendelian randomization(MR).Methods:The MR approach uses a genetic variant as the instrumental variable in epidemiological studies to mimic a randomized controlled trial.A two-sample MR was performed to assess the causal association,using summary statistics from the Atrial Fibrillation Genetics Consortium(n=537,409)and the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium(n=188,577).The clinical measures of thyroid function include thyrotropin(TSH),free triiodothyronine(FT3)and free thyroxine(FT4)levels,FT3:FT4 ratio and concentration of thyroid peroxidase antibodies(TPOAb).The serum lipid metabolism traits include total cholesterol(TC)and triglycerides,high-density lipoprotein,and low-density lipoprotein(LDL)levels.The MR estimate and MR inverse variance-weighted method were used to assess the association between thyroid function and serum lipid metabolism.Results:The results demonstrated that increased TSH levels were significantly associated with higher TC(β=0.052,P=0.002)and LDL(β=0.041,P=0.018)levels.In addition,the FT3:FT4 ratio was significantly associated with TC(β=0.240,P=0.033)and LDL(β=0.025,P=0.027)levels.However,no significant differences were observed between genetically predicted FT4 and TPOAb and serum lipids.Conclusion:Taken together,the results of the present study suggest an association between thyroid function and serum lipid metabolism,highlighting the importance of the pituitary-thyroid-cardiac axis in dyslipidemia susceptibility.

Clinical characteristics of early and late drug-eluting stent in-stent restenosis and mid-term prognosis after repeated percutaneous coronary intervention

Background:The mechanism and characteristics of early and late drug-eluting stent in-stent restenosis(DES-ISR)have not been fully clarified.Whether there are different outcomes among those patients being irrespective of their repeated treatments remain a knowledge gap.Methods:A total of 250 patients who underwent initial stent implantation in our hospital,and then were readmitted to receive treatment for the reason of recurrent significant DES-ISR in 2016 were involved.The patients were categorized as early ISR(<12 months;E-ISR;n=32)and late ISR(≥12 months;L-ISR;n=218).Associations between patient characteristics and clinical performance,as well as clinical outcomes after a repeated percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)were evaluated.Primary composite endpoint of major adverse cardiac events(MACEs)included cardiac death,non-fatal myocardial infarction(MI),or target lesion revascularization(TLR).Results:Most baseline characteristics are similar in both groups,except for the period of ISR,initial pre-procedure thrombolysis in myocardial infarction,and some serum biochemical indicators.The incidence of MACE(37.5%vs.5.5%;P<0.001)and TLR(37.5%vs.5.0%;P<0.001)is higher in the E-ISR group.After multivariate analysis,E-ISR(odds ratio[OR],13.267;[95%CI 4.984-35.311];P<0.001)and left ventricular systolic dysfunction(odds ratio[OR],6.317;[95%CI 1.145-34.843];P=0.034)are the independent predictors for MACE among DES-ISR patients in the mid-term follow-up of 12 months.Conclusions:Early ISR and left ventricular systolic dysfunction are associated with MACE during the mid-term follow-up period for DES-ISR patients.The results may benefit the risk stratification and secondary prevention for DES-ISR patients in clinical practice.

Impact of Body Mass Index on the Clinical Outcomes after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients ≥75 Years Old

Background：The impact of body mass index （BMI） on the clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） in patients ≥75 years old remained unclear.Methods：A total of 1098 elderly patients undergoing PCI with stent implantation were recruited.Patients were divided into four groups by the value of BMI：Underweight （〈20.0 kg/m^2）,normal weight （20.0-24.9 kg/m^2）,overweight （25.0-29.9 kg/m^2） and obese （≥30.0 kg/m^2）.Major clinical outcomes after PCI were compared between the groups.The primary endpoint was defined as in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events （MACEs）,which included death,myocardial infarction （MI） and target vessel revascularization.The secondary endpoint was defined as 1 year death.Logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust for the potential confounders.Results：Totally,1077 elderly patients with available BMIs were included in the analysis.Patients of underweight,normal weight,overweight and obese accounted for 5.6%,45.4%,41.5% and 7.5% of the population,respectively.Underweight patients were more likely to attract ST-segment elevation MI,and get accompanied with anemia or renal dysfunction.Meanwhile,they were less likely to achieve thrombolysis in MI 3 grade flow after PCI,and receive beta-blocker,angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker after discharge.In underweight,normal weight,overweight and obese patients,in-hospital MACE were 1.7%,2.7%,3.8%,and 3.7% respectively （P =0.68）,and 1 year mortality rates were 5.0%,3.9%,5.1% and 3.7% （P =0.80）,without significant difference between the groups.Multivariate regression analysis showed that the value of BMI was not associated with in-hospital MACE in patients at 75 years old.Conclusions：The BMI ＂obese paradox＂ was not found in patients ≥75 years old.It was suggested that BMI may not be a sensitive predictor of adverse cardiovascular events in elderly patients.

Mis-estimation of coronary lesions and rectification by SYNTAX score feedback for coronary revascularization appropriateness

Background::Imprecise interpretation of coronary angiograms was reported and resulted in inappropriate revascularization.Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery(SYNTAX)score is a comprehensive system to evaluate the complexity of the overall lesions.We hypothesized that a real-time SYNTAX score feedback from image analysts may rectify the mis-estimation and improve revascularization appropriateness in patients with stable coronary artery disease(CAD).Methods::In this single-center,historical control study,patients with stable CAD with coronary lesion stenosis≥50%were consecutively recruited.During the control period,SYNTAX scores were calculated by treating cardiologists.During the intervention period,SYNTAX scores were calculated by image analysts immediately after coronary angiography and were provided to cardiologists in real-time to aid decision-making.The primary outcome was revascularization deemed inappropriate by Chinese appropriate use criteria for coronary revascularization.Results::A total of 3245 patients were enrolled and assigned to the control group(08/2016-03/2017,n=1525)or the intervention group(03/2017-09/2017,n=1720).For SYNTAX score tertiles,17.9%patients were overestimated and 4.3%were underestimated by cardiologists in the control group.After adjustment,inappropriate revascularization significantly decreased in the intervention group compared with the control group(adjusted odds ratio[OR]:0.83;95%confidence interval[CI]:0.73-0.95;P=0.007).Both inappropriate percutaneous coronary intervention(adjusted OR:0.82;95%CI:0.74-0.92;P<0.001)and percutaneous coronary intervention utilization(adjusted OR:0.88;95%CI:0.79-0.98;P=0.016)decreased significantly in the intervention group.There was no significant difference in 1-year adverse cardiac events between the control group and the intervention group.Conclusions::Real-time SYNTAX score feedback significantly reduced inappropriate coronary revascularization in stable patients with CAD.Clinical trial registration::Nos.NCT03068858 and NCT02880605;https://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Assessing the association of appropriateness of coronary revascularization and 1-year clinical outcomes for patients with stable coronary artery disease in China

Background:The Chinese appropriate use criteria(AUC)for coronary revascularization was released in 2016 to improve the use of coronary revascularization.This study aimed to evaluate the association between the appropriateness of coronary revascularization based on the Chinese AUC and 1-year outcomes in stable coronary artery disease(CAD)patients.Methods:We conducted a prospective,multi-center cohort study of stable CAD patients with coronary lesion stenosis≥50%.After the classification of appropriateness based on Chinese AUC,patients were categorized into the coronary revascularization group or the medical therapy group based on treatment received.The primary outcome was a composite of death,myocardial infarction,stroke,repeated revascularization,and ischemic symptoms with hospital admission.Results:From August 2016 to August 2017,6085 patients were consecutively enrolled.Coronary revascularization was associated with a lower adjusted hazard of 1-year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events(MACCEs;hazard ratio[HR]:0.62;95%confidence interval[CI]:0.45-0.86;P=0.004)than medical therapy in patients with appropriate indications(n=1617).No significant benefit in 1-year MACCEs was found after revascularization compared to after medical therapy in patients with uncertain indications(n=2658,HR:0.81;95%CI:0.52-1.25;P=0.338)and inappropriate indications(n=1810,HR:0.80;95%CI:0.51-1.23;P=0.308).Conclusions:In patients with appropriate indications according to Chinese AUC,coronary revascularization was associated with significantly lower risk of MACCEs at 1 year.No benefit was found in coronary revascularization in patients with inappropriate indications.Our findings provide evidence for using Chinese AUC to guide clinical decision-making.