Long Term Clinical and Angiographic Outcome Following Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty and Stent Placement for Iliac and Femoral Artery Stenosis

Objective This study reportsthe initial and late results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and intravascular stenting for atherosclerotic stenosis of the iliac and femoral arteries. Methods and Results From December 1994 to March 1997, we performed iliac and femoral artery angioplasty and primary intravascular stent placement in 37 vessel of 33 patients (19 men and 14 women; mean age, 70. 5 years). A total of 43 self - expanding Wallstents (Boston, Inc. ) were deployed. All patients underwent angioplasty and stent placement successfully. Clinical follow - up was available for all patients at a mean of 26±14months. All patient clinical is-chemic category (claudication or rest pain) was improved. Angiographic follow - up was completed for 17 of 23 patients at a mean follow-up of 10±5 months, The iliac artery restenosis rate was 0(0/8). The femoral artery restenosis rate was 33 % (3/9), All 3 patients underwent repeat balloon angioplasty successfully. Conclusion The iliac and femoral arteries can be performed and reasonable early and late patency rates.

EXPERIMENTAL WORK AND RESEAROHThe Experimental Study of Xue Guan Tong (血管通)on Preventing Restenosis after Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty

The effect of Xue Guen Tong (XGT) granule in preveriting restenosis of atherosclerotic iliacartery after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in rabbits was studied. Forty-two purebred NewZealand rabbits with their endothelium of iliac arteries denuded and fed with high cholesterol diet for sixweeks to form the model of atheresclerotic stenosis. After PTA, the high cholesterol diet was stopped imme-diately and they were divided into 3 groups randomly. the XGT group, the lovastatin group and the controlgroup. Arterial angiogreph and pathological observation were carried out 4 weeks after PTA. The resultesbewed that ( 1 ) The luminal diameter of artery was 1 . 82 0. 46mm in the XGT group, 0 . 96 0. 71mm in thelovastetin grcxjp and 0. 71 0 . 53mm in the control group. The former one was larger than the latter two sig-nificantly ( P< 0. 01 ) . (2) Thickness of intima of artery was 0 . 27 0 . 40mm in the XGT group, it was thinnerthan those in the other two groups (O. 43 0. 04mm in the lovastatin group arid 0. 48 0. 10mm in the controlgroup) . (3) In XGT group, the smooth muscle cells ( SMCs) contained fewer organelles. more muscular fibersand were well differentiated than in the other two groups. The conclusion was XGT has the preventive effecton past-PTA arterial restenosis in rabbits.

Self-management of coronary heart disease in older patients after elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Objective To explore how older patients self-manage their coronary heart disease （CHD） aider undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty （PTCA）. Methods This mixed methods study used a sequential, explanatory design and recruited a convenience sample of patients （n = 93） approximately three months after elective PTCA. The study was conducted in two phases. Quantitative data collected in Phase 1 by means of a self-administered survey were subject to univariate and bivariate analysis. Phase 1 findings in- formed the purposive samplhag for Phase 2 where ten participants were selected from the original sample for an in-depth interview. Qualita- tive data were analysed using thematic analysis. This paper will primarily report the findings from a sub-group of older participants （n = 47） classified as 65 years of age or older. Results 78.7% （n = 37） of participants indicated that they would manage recurring angina symptoms by taking glyceryl trinitrate and 34% （n = 16） thought that resting would help. Regardless of the duration or severity of the symptoms 40.5% （n = 19） would call their general practitioner or an emergency ambulance for assistance during any recurrence of angina symptoms. Older participants weighed less （P = 0.02） and smoked less （P = 0.01） than their younger counterparts in the study. Age did not seem to affect PTCA patients＇ likelihood of altering dietary factors such as fruit, vegetable and saturated fat consumption （P = 0.237）. Conclusions The findings suggest that older people in the study were less likely to know how to correctly manage any recurring angina symptoms than their younger counterparts but they had fewer risk factors for CHD. Age was not a factor that influenced participants＇ likelihood to alter lifestyle factors.

Study of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Intervening Vascular Remodeling after Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

Interventional therapy of coronary heart disease (CHD) includes percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), stent implantation etc. Owing to its revascularization without cardiac surgery, it has been the main effective method in treating CHD. But at the same time, there exists the problem of restenosis (RS). After PTCA, RS

Safety and efficacy of dalteparin in percutaneous coronary intervention in Chinese patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary artery syndromes： comparison with unfractionated heparin

Objective To prospectively evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy ofdalteparin in patients with high risk non-ST- elevation acute coronary syndromes （ACS） during percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. Methods A total of 175 patients with high risk non-ST-elevation ACS were randomly assigned to 2 groups [dalteparin group and unfractionated heparin （UFH） group]. The patients in dalteparin group were given dalteparin at a dose of 5,000U subcutaneously soon after diagnosis and then an additional 60U/ kg intravenous bolus ofdalteparin before emergent PCI. Vascular access sheaths were removed immediately after PCI or coronary artery angiography; the patients in UFH group were given UFH intravenously at a dose of 25mg just before PCI and an additional 65mg bolus was administered if angiographic findings showed that the patients were suitable for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty （PTCA）. Sheaths were removed at 4-6 hours after PCI; Results Eighty-three patients in dalteparin group underwent PCI while 82 patients in UFH group underwent PCI; anti-Xa activities of 52 patients in daltepafin group were measured. The average anti-Xa activity was （0. 83± 0.26） U/ml at 15 minutes after intravenous injection of dalteparin and anti-Xa〉0.SU/ml was obtained in 96.1% of the patients; hematomas at puncture sites were significantly fewer in dalteparin group as compared with UFH group （2.3% vs 9.2%, P 〈 0.05）; none of the patients in 2 groups suffered major bleeding events. No death, acute arterial reocclusion or emergent revascularization events occurred at 30 days after PCI. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that early subcutaneous injection ofdalteparin at a dose 5,000U after diagnosis and an additional 60U/kg intravenous bolus ofdalteparin before PCI is safe and efficacious for patients with high risk non-ST-elevation ACS undergoing emergent PCI.

Illness Perception, Treatment Adherence and Coping in Persons with Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Angioplasty

Background and Objective: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of sudden death. In this article, we compared patients’ illness perception (IP), treatment adherence and coping mechanisms of patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Methods: In this descriptive, prospective observational study IP, treatment adherence and coping of 140 patients were evaluated pre-PTCA, at the time of hospital discharge and 1 to 3 months post-PTCA by Illness Perception Questionnaire, Morisky Treatment Adherence and Carver’s brief COPE questionnaires. Results: 1 - 3 months post-PTCA, all dimensions of IP changed significantly except personal and treatment control. Adherence scores decreased simultaneously. With respect to coping mechanisms, all increased except behavioral disengagement, emotional support, instrumental support and religion which decreased significantly post-PTCA. Conclusions: In Overall, an improved IP and increased use of controllable causal attributions led to an increase in medication adherence and adaptive coping strategies. Post-treatment health behaviors are predictable by assessing patients’ illness-related beliefs beforehand.

Retrospective analysis of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and coronary stenting

Objective To examine long term efficacy of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA),coronary stenting and to assess the factors affecting its efficacy Methods A total of 790 patients who underwent successful PTCA and PTCA+stent in this hospital were followed by direct interview or letter The rate of follow up was 84 2% and the period of follow up was 0 9-12 7 (3 5±2 4) years Results During follow up, 4 (0 5%) patients died, 22 (2 8%) had nonfatal acute myocardial infarction, 10 (1 3%) had coronary artery bypass surgery, and 98 (12 4%) had repeat PTCA The rate of recurrent angina pectoris was 31 1% The cardiac event free survival rate calculated by the Kaplan Meier method was 88 2% at 1 year and 80 6% at 12 7 years Cox regression analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between AMI history, stent implantation and the risk of cardiac events, and there was a negative correlation between the number of diseased arteries and the risk of cardiac events Compared to the PTCA group, patients with PTCA+stent had significantly lower rates of total cardiac events Conclusion The long term efficacy of PTCA, especially PTCA + stent in Chinese patients was very satisfactory, suggesting that PTCA+stent therapy should be the major treatment for revascularization in patients with coronary heart disease

Sequential treatment for diabetic foot ulcers in dialysis patients:A case report

BACKGROUND Diabetic foot ulcers(DFUs)are common in patients with diabetes,especially those undergoing hemodialysis.In severe cases,these ulcers can cause damage to the lower extremities and lead to amputation.Traditional treatments such as flap transposition and transfemoral amputation are not always applicable in all cases.Therefore,there is a need for alternative treatment methods.CASE SUMMARY This report describes a 62-year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital with plantar and heel ulcers on her left foot.The patient had a history of renal failure and was undergoing regular hemodialysis.Digital subtraction angiography showed extensive stenosis and occlusion in the left superficial femoral artery,left peroneal artery and left posterior tibial artery.Following evaluation by a multidisciplinary team,the patient was diagnosed with type 2 DFUs(TEXAS 4D).Traditional treatments were deemed unsuitable,and the patient was treated with endovascular surgery in the affected area,in addition to supportive medical treatment,local debridement,and sequential repair using split-thickness skin and tissue-engineered skin grafts combined with negative pressure treatment.After four months,the wound had completely healed,and the patient was able to walk with a walking aid.CONCLUSION This study demonstrates a new treatment method for DFUs was successful,using angioplasty,skin grafts,and negative pressure.

PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY ITS SUCCESS RATE AND AFFECTING FACTORS

From December 1987 to October 1983, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed in 302 patients with 392 diseased vessels and 440 lesions. The success rate was 93.71% in 302 patients, 94.90% in 392 diseased vessels and 95.00% in 440 lesions. The success rate was 98.92% in Type A lesion, 95.71% in Type B lesion, and 86.57% in Type C lesion (A vs B P=NS, A vs C P<0.01). There were 55 lesions with total or subtotal occlusion, the success rate was 89.09% (93.10% in Type B lesion and 84.62% in Type C lesion). As to the diseased vessels, the success rate was 95.65% in LAD, 94.38% in LCX and 93.75% in RCA. The results showed no significant difference. In this series, acute ischemic complications were found in 6.59% (29 / 440). Of these 29 lesions, 23 were treated successfully, 5 developed Q wave myocardial infarction and 1 died.

PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL EXCIMER LASER CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY CLINICAL REPORT OF SIX CASES

Six patients with 95% to 100% occluded atheroseleroticlesions underwent percutaneous transluminal excimer lasercoronary angioplasty (PTELCA). Among them, 5 were maleand ! was female; their age ranged from 28 to 66 years. Fourpatients had LAD stenosis and 2 LCX lesions.Acuteangiographic and clinical success was achieved in all patientsbut one, with a success rate Of 83.3%. It was demonstratedthat PTELCA is a safe and effective therapy for selected pa-tients with coronary artery disease.

Plaque increase may be an important contributor to late restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary balloon angioplasty

There is considerable controversy over the mechanism of restenosis after percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PTCA). Vessel remodeling and plaque increase are among the possible contributors but angiography is methodologically limited since it can not differentiate these different mechanisms. For evaluating the contribution of vessel and plaque changes after PTCA, we analyzed serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) studies in 59 lesions. IVUS study (3.5 F, 20 MHz catheter, Boston Scientific Co,; Hewlett Packard console) was performed immediately after PTCA (POST), and at follow up (FU, 6±1 months). At follow up, 40 lesions (Group Ⅰ) did not show restenosis and 19 (32.2%) lesions (Group Ⅱ) developed restenosis (area Department of Cardiology, University of Essen, Essen, Germany (Liu FQ, Ge JB, Baumgart D, Grge G, Haude M and Erbel R) stenosis >50%). Cross sectional vessel area (VA, mm 2), plaque area (PA, mm 2), and percent area stenosis (A%) were measured. [BHDFG1*2,WK3,WK5,WK11,WK11W]GROUP Ⅰ (±s)GROUP Ⅱ (±s) [BHDZ,WK3ZQ,WK5ZQ,WK11,WK11ZQ2W]VAPOST18.1±4.919.1±5.6FU17.7±4.618.9±6.2PAPOST9.9±3.212.0±4.7 *FU10.2±3.415.4±5.0 * A%POST55.6±7.568.4±6.3 *FU58.4±8.781.6±3.4 * * P <0.05, Group I vs Group II. In summary, plaque increase contributed significantly to late restenosis. This may be partly due to “recovery” of the plaque from redistribution (induced by balloon compression) and/or partly due to intimal proliferation. Greater residual plaque burden was also related to higher possibility of rstenosis.

Iatrogenic aortic dissection during right transradial intervention in a patient with aberrant right subclavian artery:A case report

BACKGROUND Aberrant right subclavian artery(ARSA)is the most common congenital anomaly of the aortic arch.When patients having such anomalies receive transradial intervention(TRI),aortic dissection(AD)may occur.Herein,we discuss a case of iatrogenic type B AD occurring during right TRI in an ARSA patient,that was later salvaged by percutaneous angioplasty.CASE SUMMARY A 73-year-old man presented to our hospital with intermittent chest pain.Coronary computed tomography(CT)angiography revealed significant stenosis in the left anterior descending artery.Diagnostic coronary angiography was performed via the right radial artery without difficulty.However,we were unable to advance the guiding catheter past the ostium of the right subclavian artery to the aortic arch for percutaneous coronary intervention,while the guidewire tended to go down the descending aorta.The patient suddenly complained of chest and back pain.Emergent CT aortography revealed type B AD propagating to the left renal artery(RA)with preserved renal perfusion.However,after 2 d,the patient suddenly complained of right lower limb pain where the femoral pulse was suddenly undetectable.Follow-up CT indicated further progression of dissection to the right external iliac artery(EIA)and left RA with limited flow.We performed percutaneous angioplasty of the right EIA and left RA without complications.Follow-up CT aortography at 8 mo showed optimal results.CONCLUSION A caution is required during right TRI in ARSA to avoid AD.Percutaneous angioplasty can be a treatment option.

Clinical Study on The rapeutic Mechanism of Sini Decoction (四逆汤) in Treating Post-Percutane ous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty Ische mia-Reperfusion In jury in Terms of Syndrome Typing of TCM

Objective: To study the mechanism of Sini Decoction (SND) in prevention and treatment of post-percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) ischemia-reperfusion injury with different Syndrome typing of TCM.Methods: Forty patients who received PTCA were randomly divided equally into the SND group and the control group, there were 10 of Excess Syndrome (ES) and 10 of Deficiency Syndrome (DS)in each group.25 ml SND was gi ven daily to the SND group from 3 days before operation to the third day after operation. The blood superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) content of patients were determined before PTCA, and 1 hr, 12 hrs, 24 hrs, 48 hrs and 72 hrs after PTCA. Results: Before PTCA, the cases with DS were characterized by low SOD activity and high MDA content, as compared with the patients with ES, P<0.05. SND could relieve the post-PTCA deprivation of SOD activity and NO content and the elevation of MDA level in both ES and DS patients, the amplitude of elevation of SOD activity in DS patients was higher than that in ES patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: SND has antagonizing effect on post-PTCA ischemia-reperfusion injury, which is more effective in treating patients with DS.

Study on Influence of Sini Decoction (四逆汤) on Quality of Life of Patients after Percutane ous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

Objective: To determine the influence of Sini Decoction (SND) on quality of life(QOL) of patients after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Methods: Randomized case-control clinical trial was conducted to evaluate QOL of 40 post-PTCA patients before and after SND treatment by scoring. Results: The scores in physical symptoms, sense of well-being, degree of depression, index of satisfaction of life and work capacity of the patients after PTCA were improved significantly as compared with before PTCA, P<0.01. Scores of patients who received SND treatment were higher than those untreated with SND in the first three criteria, P<0.05, particularly in relieving palpitation and dyspnea. Conclusion: SND is helpful in improving QOL of patients after PTCA.

Direct Coronary Intervention Therapy in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective To introduce the initial experience of direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA) and intracoronary stenting in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) from October 1998 to November 2001 in our hospital. Methods Primary PTCA was performed in 38 patients with acute myocardial infarction.29 cases were 20 male and 9 female, ranging in age from 30 to 76 old years.23 cases had anterior and 15 had inferior wall infarction. The patients we chose for direct coronary intervention therapy had stable hemodynamics. Of the 38 infarct related arteries (IRA), 23 were left anterior descend arteries (LAD), 4 left circumflex (LCX) and 11 right coronary arteries (RCA). 33 IRA were TIMI 0 flow and 5 TIMI 1 flow. The indications for coronary stent implantation were: ① Acute reocclusion and high risk of reocclusion due to initial dissection after PTCA; ② Severe residual stenosis (stenosis of diameter≥50%) after repeated balloon dilation; ③ No response to recurrent infusions of Nitroglycerin in Obviously elastic recoil. Results Of the 38 patients with AMI, PTCA was successful in 35 Two patients were given up because 014 guide wire entered into false lumen. One was selected for emergency coronary artery bypass graft because of LAD infarct related artery accompanied by 70%stenosis of left main. 35 intracoronary stents were implanted.16 patients were followed up, of whom 2 patients had restenosis and were successful in the second attempt. Conclusion Direct PTCA and stent implantation are effective and safe means of treatment for AMI and stent implantation can prevent and cure the acute reocclusion after PTCA.

Clinical Observation on Shu Xin Yi Mai Capsules for Prevention of Recurrent Stricture after Coronary Artery Introducing Treatment

Shu Xin Yi Mai Capsules (舒心益脉胶囊) combined with western medicine was used in the routine treatment of 22 cases who successfully received coronary artery introducing therapy (Chinese-western medicine group),and the results was compared with the 26 cases treated routinely with simple western medicine in the control group (western medicine group).It was found that both the recurrence rate of angina pectoris and the incidence rate of recurrent stricture in the Chinese-western medicine group were significantly lower than that in the control group (both P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the two groups in expression of platelet activating molecules CD62P (a-granular membrane protein),CD63 (lysosome intact membrane protein) and CD41 (glucoprotein IIb) before the treatment,but with a significant difference after the treatment (P<0.05).

Stent supported coronary angioplasty in patients with severe ventricular dysfunction

OBJECTIVE: To assess the immediate- and long-term outcomes of stent supported coronary angioplasty in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. METHODS: Seventy-four consecutive patients with angiographic left ventricular ejection fractions or = 1 was seen in 29 (73%) of 40 successfully treated congestive heart failure patients at 6 months after the procedure. During long-term follow-up, 58 (87.9%) of 66 patients with clinical success were alive, including 44 (68.6%) free from cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction treated with stent supported PTCA experience a high rate of success, low procedure related mortality and satisfactory long-term survival.

Effects of upstream tirofiban versus downstream tirofiban on myocardial damage and 180-day clinical outcomes in high-risk acute coronary syndromes patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions

Background For patients with moderate to high-risk acute coronary syndromes （ACS） who undergo early, invasive treatment strategies, current guidelines recommend the usage of glycoprotein （GP） lib/Ilia inhibitors as an upstream treatment for a coronary care unit or as an downstream provisional treatment for selected patients who are undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. The relative advantage of either strategy is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of upstream tirofiban versus the effects of downstream tirofiban on myocardial damage and 180-day major adverse cardiovascular events （MACE） after PCI in high-risk non-ST-segment elevation ACS （NSTE-ACS） undergoing PCI. Methods From July 2006 to July 2007, 160 high-risk NSTE-ACS undergoing PCI were randomized to receive upstream （within 4-6 hours before coronary angiography） tirofiban or downstream （the guidewire crossing the lesion） tirofiban, to evaluate the extent of myocardial damage after PCI by quantitatively and qualitatively analyzing the value of cardiac troponin I （cTnl） as well as MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase （CK-MB） before and after PCI. The incidences of 24-hour, 3-day, 7-day, 30-day and 180-day MACE after PCI were followed up and the rates of bleeding complications and thrombocytopenia during tirofiban administration were recorded. Results The peak release and cumulative release of cTnl levels within 48 hours after PCI were significantly lower with upstream tirofiban than downstream tirofiban （0.45 vs 0.63 and 0.32 vs 0.43, respectively; P 〈0.05）. Post-procedural cTnl elevation within 48 hours was significantly less frequent among patients who received the upstream tirofiban than those who received the downstream tirofiban （66.3% vs 87.5%, P 〈0.05）. The peak and cumulative release of CK-MB levels as well as post-procedural CK-MB elevation within 48 hours after PCI were not significantly different between the two groups （16 vs 14,5 vs 3 and 26.3% vs 36.3%, respectively; P 〉0.05）. The incidences of 24-hour, 3-day, and 7-day MACE after PCI were the same between the two groups （0 vs 0, 0 vs 0 and 1.25% vs 1.25%, respectively）. Although the incidences of 30-day and 180-day MACE after PCI were not statisticially different between the two groups, the incidences were consistently lower with upstream tirofiban （3.75% vs 6.25% and 12.99% vs 16.67%; P 〉0.05）. Aging （OR=1.164, P 〈0.001）, hypertension （OR=4.165, P=0.037） and type 2 diabetes （OR=13.628, P 〈0.001） were independent risk factors of MACE. The timing of administrating the tirofiban （OR=2.416, P=-0.153） plays an extensive role in the incidence of MACE. The incidences of major and minor bleeding complications as well as mild thrombocytopenia during the administration of tirofiban were similar between the two groups （2.50% vs 1.25%, 1.25% vs 1.25% and 1.25% vs 1.25%, respectively; P 〉0.05）. Conclusions Based on the pretreatment with aspirin and clopidogrel, upstream tirofiban was associated with attenuated minor myocardial damage and the tendency of reducing incidences of 180-day MACE after PCI among high-risk NSTE-ACS patients undergoing PCI. Aging, hypertension and type 2 diabetes were independent risk factors of MACE in high-risk NSTE-ACS patients undergoing PCI associated with tirofiban.

Predictive value of postprocedural leukocyte count on myocardial perfusion, left ventricular function and clinical outcomes in ST-elevated myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention

Background Baseline white blood cell （WBC） count was correlated with ischemic events occurrence in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction （STEMI）. However, circulating WBC count is altered after percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between postprocedural WBC count and clinical outcomes in STEMI patients who underwent PCI. Methods A total of 242 consecutive acute STEMI patients who underwent successful primary PCI were enrolled and followed up for two years. WBC counts were measured within 12 hours after PCI. ST-segment resolution （ST-R） and myocardial blush grades （MBG） were evaluated immediately after PCI. Left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） was obtained at baseline and 12-18 months after PCI. Results Postprocedural WBC count was an independent inverse predictor of ST-R （OR 0.80, P 〈0.0001） and MBG 3 （OR 0.82, P 〈0.0001）. It was negatively correlated with LVEF （baseline r=0.22, P=0.001; 12-18 months r=0.29, P 〈0.0001）. The best cutoff value of WBC for predicting death was determined to be 13.0×10^9/L. The patients with a postprocedural WBC count above 13.0×10^9/L showed a significantly lower cumulative survival rate （30 days, 82.4% vs. 99.0%, P 〈0.0001 and 2 years 75.0% vs. 96.4%, P 〈0.0001）. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that a postprocedural WBC count was a strong independent predictor of 30-day mortality （HR 8.48, P=0.019） and 2-year mortality （HR 4.93, P=0.009）. Conclusions Increased postprocedural WBC count is correlated with myocardial malperfusion and left ventricular dysfunction, and is an independent predictor of poor clinical outcomes in STEMI patients who underwent PCI.

The influence of admission glucose on epicardial and microvascular flow after primary angioplasty

Background Patients with elevated admission glucose levels may be at increased risk of death after myocardial infarction, independent of other baseline risk factors and more severe coronary artery disease. However, data regarding admission glucose and epicardial and microvascular flow after primary angioplasty is limited. Methods Angioplasty was performed in 308 ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction patients. Patients were divided into 3 groups on the basis of admission glucose level： group 1, 〈7.8 mmol/L; group 2, （7.8 - 11.0） mmol/L; and group 3, ≥ 11.0 mmol/L. Results Compared with group 1, patients in group 2 and group 3 were more often female and older. Triglycerides （TG） in group 3 were significantly higher than group 1. At angiography, they more frequently had 2-vessel or 3-vessel disease. In the infarct-related artery, there was no relationship between hyperglycemia and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction （TIMI） 3 flow after percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） （89.7%, 86.0% and 86.3%, P=NS）. However, corrected TIMI frame count （CTFC） in group 2 and group 3 were more than group 1. TIMI myocardial perfusion grade （TMPG） 0-1 grade among patients with hyperglycemia after PCI were more frequent （30.9% and 29.0% vs 17.3%, P〈0.05）. There was less frequent complete ST-segment resolution （STR） and early T wave inversion among patients with hyperglycemia after PCI. Conclusion Elevated admission glucose levels in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with primary PCI are independently associated with impaired microvascular flow. Abnormal microvascular flow may contribute at least in part to the poor outcomes observed in patients with elevated admission glucose.