Duration of dual antiplatelet treatment in the era of next generation drug-eluting stents

Current percutaneous coronary intervention guidelines recommend dual antiplatelets(aspirin 100 mg + clopidogrel 75 mg daily) for at least 12 mo following drugeluting stent(DES) implantation if patients are not at high risk of bleeding.Several reports have tried to shorten the dual antiplatelet therapy to 3-6 mo,especially following next-generation DES implantation,for cost-effectiveness.However,the clinical results are inconsistent and the data regarding next-generation DESs limited.In this report,recently published important pivotal reports regarding the optimal duration of dual antiplatelets following DES implantation are summarized.

Dual Phase Heat Treatment of Low-Alloy Steel

Dual phase heat treatment is an economical and effective way for improving the properties of low carbon steels and low-alloy steel materials. In this paper, the microstructures and mechanical properties of 20MnSi steel treated by different dual phase heat treatment have been studied. The results show that dual phase heat treatment with pre-quenching technique and then heating from room temperature to the critical zone can achieve finer and more homogeneous microstructure than that with pre-normalizing technique and then cooling from austenite zone to the critical zone. Among all factors affecting dual phase heat treatment, quenching temperature at the critical zone and tempering temperature play an important part in mechanical properties. Using proper dual phase heat treatment technique with computer optimized parameters, the yield strength, the elongation and impact toughness of 20MnSi can reach 860 MPa, 16% and 207 MPa respectively.

Dual antiplatelet therapy increases pocket hematoma complications in Chinese patients with pacemaker implantation

Objective To assess the prevalence of the bleeding complications in pacemaker implanted patients receiving different antiplatelet regimens, and the influence of each regimen on hospital stays after device implantation. Methods We prospectively enrolled 364 patients receiving the cardiac rhythm device implantations in Fuwai Hospital from July 2012 to December 2013. Bleeding complications including pocket hematoma, hemothorax, cardiac tamponade and blood transfusion requirement were measured as endpoints. Post operation hospital stay was also included in the endpoints. Results Bleeding complications were detected in 15 patients （14 with hematoma, one with hemothorax） out of all 364 patients （4.12%）. Dual antiplatelet therapy （DAT） significantly increased hematoma （19.3%） compared with aspi- fin treatment （ASA） （3.2%, P = 0.001） and no antiplatelet therapy （1.9%, P 〈 0.001）. There was no significant difference in incidence of pocket hematoma between the ASA group and the control group （P = 0.45）. The post procedure hospital stay was longer in DAT group （5.45 ± 2.01 days） compared to those in the ASA group （3.65 ± 1.37 days, P 〈 0.05） or control group （3.99 ± 2.27 days, P 〈 0.05）. Pocket hema- toma was considered an independent predictor of hospital stay prolongation （OR： 5.26; 95% CI： 1.56-16.64; P = 0.007）. Conclusions Among the Chinese patients undergoing device implantation in this study, the use of dual antiplatelet agents significantly increased the risk of pocket hematoma complications and led to a longer hospital stay. Use of aspirin alone did not increase the risk.

Association of α_(2A)-Adrenergic Receptor Genetic Variants with Platelet Reactivity in Chinese Patients on Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objective The alpha 2A-adrenergic receptor gene （ADRA2A） polymorphism in individuals antiplatelet response to sympathetic stimulation. The aim of this study was to investigate ADRA2A variants on platelet reactivity in Chinese patients on dual antiplatelet therapy undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. modifies the the effect of （DAPT） after Methods From March 2011 to March 2013, 1,024 patients were enrolled in this prospective, single-center, observational study in China. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） of ADRA2A gene （rs11195419, rs3750625, rs13306146, and rs553668） and CYP2C19^＊2 were detected by ligase detection reaction （LDR）, and adenosine diphosphate （ADP） inhibition was detected by thromboelastography （TEG）. Results The minor allele frequencies of ADRA2A SNPs were common. Platelet ADP inhibition was significantly different among patients carrying rs11195419 （adjusted P = 0.022） and rs3750625 （adjusted P = 0.016）. The homozygous allele carriers had the lowest ADP inhibition. However, ADP inhibition was not significantly different in rs553668 and rs13306146. At the multivariate analysis, rs11195419 （P = 0.033）, rs3750625 （P = 0.020） and CYP2C19＂2 （P = 0.002） were independent predictors of ADP inhibition. Subgroups analysis based on sex showed rs11195419 （P = 0.003） and rs3750625 （P = 0.002） were significantly associated with ADP inhibition in males, but not in females. Conclusion ADRA2A genetic variations were associated with ADP-induced platelet aggregation during DAPT in Chinese patients undergoing PCI, and the effect was particularly more pronounced in males.

Prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation improves long-term prognosis for acute coronary syndrome:five-year results from a large cohort study

BACKGROUND:To investigate the most appropriate dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)duration for patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)after drug-eluting stent(DES)implantation in the largest cardiovascular center of China.METHODS:We enrolled 5,187 consecutive patients with ACS who received DES from January to December 2013.Patients were divided into four groups based on DAPT duration:standard DAPT group(11-13 months,n=1,568)and prolonged DAPT groups(13-18 months[n=308],18-24 months[n=2,125],and>24 months[n=1,186]).Baseline characteristics and 5-year clinical outcomes were recorded.RESULTS:Baseline characteristics were similar across the four groups.Among the four groups,those with prolonged DAPT(18-24 months)had the lowest incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events(MACCEs)(14.1%vs.11.7%vs.9.6%vs.24.2%,P<0.001),all-cause death(4.8%vs.3.9%vs.2.1%vs.2.6%,P<0.001),cardiac death(3.1%vs.2.6%vs.1.4%vs.1.9%,P=0.004),and myocardial infarction(MI)(3.8%vs.4.2%vs.2.5%vs.5.8%,P<0.001).The incidence of bleeding was not different among the four groups(9.9%vs.9.4%vs.11.0%vs.9.4%,P=0.449).Cox multivariable analysis showed that prolonged DAPT(18-24 months)was an independent protective factor for MACCEs(hazard ratio[HR]0.802,95%confidence interval[CI]0.729-0.882,P<0.001),all-cause death(HR 0.660,95%CI 0.547-0.795,P<0.001),cardiac death(HR 0.663,95%CI 0.526-0.835,P<0.001),MI(HR 0.796,95%CI 0.662-0.957,P=0.015),and target vessel revascularization(HR 0.867,95%CI 0.755-0.996,P=0.044).Subgroup analysis for high bleeding risk showed that prolonged DAPT remained an independent protective factor for all-cause death and MACCEs.CONCLUSION:For patients with ACS after DES,appropriately prolonging the DAPT duration may be associated with a reduced risk of adverse ischemic events without increasing the bleeding risk.

Experimental Investigation of Environmental Hydraulic Parameters for Dual Mixed Media Biofilter for Greywater Treatment

Laboratory scale model of DMMBF （dual mixed media biofilter） were designed and installed in AI-Mustansiriya University Environmental Hydraulic Lab. Experiments were conducted using two mixed layers through PVR column--2.2 m height and 300 mm diameter. The first mixed media filter of depth 640mm mixed of sand, rice husk and granular activated carbon. The percentage volume mix is 1：1：1. While the other mixed media of depth 740 mm, consisting of coal, crash porcelinaite, rock and granite with equally percentage volume. Fifty samples were collected during the experiments, which was spread over a period of forty two weeks. The obtained results indicate that when the flow loading raised from 0.15 L/min to 2.7 L/rain, the removal efficiency of BOD decreased 8%-11%, and the removal efficiency of COD deceased 3%-4%, while the removal efficiency of turbidity increased with the decreasing of hydraulic loading. The results showed that the removal efficiency of turbidity is more than 95% at the lower discharge （0.15 L/min）. Therefore, infiltration should be conservatively designed using low loading rates.

Shortened dual antiplatelet therapy in contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention era

Percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting is followed by a duration of dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)to reduce stent thrombosis and avoid target lesion failure.The period of DAPT recommended in international guidelines following drug-eluting stent implantation is 12 mo for most patients with acute coronary syndrome,and 6 mo for patients with chronic coronary syndrome or high bleeding risk.The new generation of drug-eluting stents have metallic platforms with thinner struts,associated with significantly less stent thrombosis.Shortened DAPT has been investigated with these stents,with evidence from randomised clinical trials for some individual stents showing non-inferior safety and efficacy outcomes.This has to be balanced by the effect of DAPT on secondary prevention of systemic cardiovascular disease especially in high-risk populations.This review will outline the current evidence for individual stents with regards to DAPT duration for both acute coronary syndrome and chronic coronary syndrome and discuss further directions for research and personalised medicine in this contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention era.

Feasibility of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection with continuous low-dose aspirin for patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy

BACKGROUND Endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) for gastric neoplasms during continuous low-dose aspirin(LDA) administration is generally acceptable according to recent guidelines. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the effect of continuous LDA on the postoperative bleeding after gastric ESD in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT).AIM To investigate the feasibility of gastric ESD with continuous LDA in patients with DAPT.METHODS A total of 597 patients with gastric neoplasms treated with ESD between January2010 and June 2017 were enrolled. The patients were categorized according to type of antiplatelet therapy(APT).RESULTS The postoperative bleeding rate was 6.9%(41/597) in all patients. Patients were divided into the following two groups: no APT(n = 443) and APT(n = 154). APT included single-LDA(n = 95) and DAPT(LDA plus clopidogrel, n = 59)subgroups. In the single-LDA and DAPT subgroups, 56 and 39 patients were received continuous LDA, respectively. The bleeding rate with continuous singleLDA(10.7%) was similar to that with discontinuous single-LDA(10.3%)(P >0.99). Although the bleeding rate with continuous LDA in patients receiving DAPT(23.1%) was higher than that with discontinuous LDA in patients receiving DAPT(5.0%), no significant difference was observed(P = 0.141).CONCLUSION The bleeding rate with continuous LDA in patients receiving DAPT was not statistically different from that with discontinuous LDA in patients receiving DAPT. Therefore, continuous LDA administration may be acceptable for ESD in patients receiving DAPT, although patients should be carefully monitored for possible bleeding.

Reinforcing Paper Strength by Dual Treatment of a Cationic Water-soluble Polymer and Cellulose Nanofibril

Cellulose nanofibril(CNF)was used as the anionic component of two dual strengthening systems wherein polyamidopolyamine epichlorohydrin resin(PAE)or cationic starch(CS)was used as the cationic component.Their strengthening effects were investigated for lowbasis-weight(30 g/m2)paper composed of a mixture of fully bleached softwood and hardwood pulp in a 4:1 mass ratio.Using the PAE/CNF or CS/CNF dual system,it was generally easier to achieve higher wet and dry tensile strengths of paper compared to the paper using the single PAE or CS system.For example,the paper using the PAE(0.4%)/CNF(0.3%)dual system exhibited 89%higher wet tensile strength than the paper using the single PAE(0.4%)system,and the paper using CS(1.3%)/CNF(0.3%)dual treatment showed 21%higher dry strength than that using the single CS(1.3%)system.However,the PAE/CNF system only showed small improvement in the dry strength of paper(11%higher than that of paper using the single PAE system),so did the CS/NFC system on wet strength improvement(only 17%higher than that of paper using the single CS system).

Drug-coated balloons are not inferior to drug-coated stents in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction and shorten the duration of dual antiplatelet treatment

Background:Drug-coated balloons(DCBs)are an up-and-coming tactic in treating in-stent restenosis and coronary artery small vessel disease,but their efficacy in treating acute myocardial infarction needs to be further explored.Methods:A meta-analysis of 7 studies was conducted to make a comparison with the results of DCB and drug-eluting stent implantation after a median follow-up of 15 months.Results:A total of 922 patients were included in this analysis in total,including 375 patients in the DCB group and 547 patients in the stent group.A total of 962 vascular diseases were manifested in the 2 groups.After 6 to 24 months of follow-up,there was no statistically significant difference with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events(odds ratio[OR]:0.82;95%confidence interval[CI]:0.52–1.29;Z=0.85;P=0.39),cardiac death(OR:0.92;95%CI:0.39–2.12;Z=0.21;P=0.84),target lesion revascularization(OR:1.09;95%CI:0.53–2.25;Z=0.24;P=0.81),late lumen loss(MD:−0.05;95%CI:−0.15 to 0.06;Z=0.85;P=0.40),or dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)(OR:1.04;95%CI:0.53–2.05;Z=0.11;P=0.91)between the 2 groups.In the DCB group,persistent residual stenosis or C-F dissection occurrence necessitated that a total of 30 patients receive extra bailout implantations.The rate of bailout stenting was 11.8%(95%CI:7.1–16).Moreover,the DCB group had a shorter DAPT duration compared with the stent group.Conclusion:Drug-coated balloons with shorter DAPT durations may be as effective and safe as stent therapy in treating acute myocardial infarction.

Efficacy of Short-term Dual Antiplatelet Therapy after Implantation of Second-generation Drug-eluting Stents:A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review

Objective The benefit of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT) following second-generation drug-eluting stents implantation has not been systematically evaluated. To bridge the knowledge gap,we did a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of ≤6 months versus ≥12 months DAPT among patients with second-generation drug-eluting stents. Methods We searched online databases and identified randomized controlled trials that assess the clinical impact of short-term DAPT(≤6 months) published before March 3,2016. The efficacy endpoints included the incidence of all-cause death,myocardial infarction,cerebrovascular accidents,and definite or probable stent thrombosis. Safety endpoint defined as major bleeding was also evaluated and discussed. Results We included 5 trials that randomized 9473 participants(49.8%,short-term DAPT duration vs. 50.2%,standard duration). A total of 9445(99.7%) patients reported the efficacy endpoints,and the safety endpoint was available from 4 studies(n=8457). There was no significant difference in efficacy endpoints between short-term and standard DAPT duration(≥12 months) [risk ratio(RR) 0.96; 95% confidence intervals(CI),0.80-1.15]. Short-term DAPT duration did not significantly increase the individual risk of all-cause death,myocardial infarction,cerebrovascular accidents,or definite or probable stent thrombosis. Although short-term DAPT obviously reduced risk of major bleeding compared with standard DAPT(RR 0.53; 95% CI,0.29-0.96),significant publication bias was found when accessing the safety endpoint of the 4 studies(Egger's test,P=0.009). Conclusions The efficacy of short-term DAPT was comparable with that of standard duration DAPT.DAPT less than 6 months may be appropriate for patients receiving second-generation drug-eluting stents implantation.

Medical Waste Treatment Station Selection Based on Linguistic q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Numbers

During the COVID-19 outbreak,the use of single-use medical supplies increased significantly.It is essential to select suitable sites for establishing medical waste treatment stations.It is a big challenge to solve the medical waste treatment station selection problem due to some conflicting factors.This paper proposes a multi-attribute decision-making(MADM)method based on the partitioned Maclaurin symmetric mean(PMSM)operator.For the medical waste treatment station selection problem,the factors or attributes(these two terms can be interchanged.)in the same clusters are closely related,and the attributes in different clusters have no relationships.The partitioned Maclaurin symmetric mean function(PMSMF)can handle these complex attribute relationships.Hence,we extend the PMSM operator to process the linguistic q-rung orthopair fuzzy numbers(Lq-ROFNs)and propose the linguistic q-rung orthopair fuzzy partitioned Maclaurin symmetric mean(Lq-ROFPMSM)operator and its weighted form(Lq-ROFWPMSM).To reduce the negative impact of unreasonable data on the final output results,we propose the linguistic q-rung orthopair fuzzy partitioned dual Maclaurin symmetric mean(Lq-ROFPDMSM)operator and its weighted form(Lq-ROFWPDMSM).We also discuss the characteristics and typical examples of the above operators.A novel MADM method uses the Lq-ROFWPMSM operator and the Lq-ROFWPDMSM operator to solve the medical waste treatment station selection problem.Finally,the usability and superiority of the proposed method are verified by comparing it with previous methods.

Second-line rescue treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: Where are we now?

At present, the best rescue therapy for Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection following failure of firstline eradication remains unclear. The Maastricht Ⅴ/Florence Consensus Report recommends bismuth quadruple therapy, or fluoroquinolone-amoxicillin triple/quadruple therapy as the second-line therapy for H. pylori infection. Meta-analyses have shown that bismuth quadruple therapy and levofloxacin-amoxicillin triple therapy have comparable eradication rates, while the former has more adverse effects than the latter. There are no significant differences between the eradication rates of levofloxacin-amoxicillin triple and quadruple therapies. However, the eradication rates of both levofloxacin-containing treatments are suboptimal. An important caveat of levofloxacin-amoxicillin triple or quadruple therapy is poor eradication efficacy in the presence of fluoroquinolone resistance. High-dose dual therapy is an emerging second-line therapy and has an eradication efficacy comparable with levofloxacinamoxicillin triple therapy. Recently, a 10-d tetracyclinelevofloxacin(TL) quadruple therapy comprised of a proton pump inhibitor, bismuth, tetracycline and levofloxacin has been developed, which achieves a markedly higher eradication rate compared with levofloxacin-amoxicillin triple therapy(98% vs 69%) in patients with failure of standard triple, bismuth quadruple or non-bismuth quadruple therapy. The present article reviews current second-line anti-H. pylori regimens and treatment algorisms. In conclusion, bismuth quadruple therapy, levofloxacin-amoxicillin triple/quadruple therapy, high-dose dual therapy and TL quadruple therapy can be used as second-line treatment for H. pylori infection. Current evidence suggests that 10-d TL quadruple therapy is a simple and effective regimen, and has the potential to become a universal rescue treatment following eradication failure by all firstline eradication regimens for H. pylori infection.

Addiction Treatment Aftercare Outcome Study

Aftercare is crucial once an individual has completed drug or alcohol treatment and is in recovery. There is a continuity of care that should be followed once initial treatment is completed. This usually involves a lower level of treatment such as outpatient care and a sober living environment. In order to assess the efficacy and benefit of our addiction treatment program, we investigate a set of patients in which addiction treatment outcome and rehabilitation is determined for patients who have completed treatment and followed up. We determine abstinence rates and identify predictors of treatment outcome.

Efficacy of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Combined with Naoxintong Capsules(脑心通胶囊) Following Coronary Microembolization Induced by Homologous Microthrombi in Rats

Objective： To evaluate the efficacy of dual antiplatelet therapy combined with Naoxintong Capsule （脑心通胶囊, NXTC） in a rat model of coronary microembolization （CME）. Methods： A total of 95 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups： control, sham-operation, CME model, NXTC, dual antiplatelet （clopidogrel and aspirin） intervention （DA）, and NXTC combined with DA （NDA） groups. The complete data in 69 rats were obtained. The number of CME, myocardial apoptosis rate, bleeding time, clotting time, and adensosine diphosphate （ADP）-induced platelet aggregation were assessed. Results： Compared with the CME group, the number of CME and myocardial apoptosis rates were significantly decreased in the NXTC, DA, and NDA groups （P〈0.01）. Compared with other intervention groups, the number of CME and myocardial apoptosis rates were the least in the NDA group （P〈0.01）, and the incidence of surgical bleeding was the highest in the DA group （P〈0.01）. Compared with the CME group, ADP-induced maximum platelet aggregation rate was significantly inhibited in the NXTC, DA, and NDA groups （P〈0.01）, both bleeding time and clotting time were significantly increased in the NXTC, DA, and NDA groups （P〈0.01）, while the above parameters were the highest in the DA group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The combination therapy of NXTC and DA enhanced the anti-CME effect of either therapy alone and reduced the risk of the DA therapy-associated bleeding, demonstrating an improved benefit/ risk ratio in the rat model of CME.

Shorter- versus Longer-duration Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Drug-eluting Stents Implantation： A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background： Patients with diabetes mellitus （DM） have a higher risk of thromboembolic events： however, the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy （DAPT） remains unclear. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of various DAPT durations in patients with DM undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation. Methods： We conducted a literature search for randomized controlled trials （RCTs）. We searched databases including EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus up to June 2016. Investigators extracted data independently, including outcomes, characteristics, and study quality. A random-effect model was used to pool odds ratios （ORs） with 95% confidence intervals （C/s） of the clinical outcomes. Results： Six RCTs totaling 6040 patients with DM were included in the study. Shorter-duration DAPT resulted in an increased rate of stent thrombosis （ST） （OR, 1.83, 95% CI： 1.03-3.26, P = 0.04）, but did not increase the risk of myocardial inihrction （OR. 1.33, 95% CI： 0.71 2.47, P=0.37）, stroke （OR, 0.96, 95% CI： 0.52-1.77, P 0.90）, target vessel revascularization （OR, 1.19, 95% CI： 0.46-3.07, P = 0.71 ）, all-cause death （OR： 0.72, 95% CI： 0.48-1.09, P = 0.12）, or cardiac death （OR, 0.82, 95% CI： 0.49-1.36, P= 0.44） significantly. Shorter-duration DAPT was associated with a decreased risk of major bleeding （OR. 0.60, 95% CI： 0.38-0.94, P = 0.02）. Conclusion： In patients with DM, longer-duration DAPT had a lower risk of ST, but was associated with an increased bleeding risk.

Panax Notoginseng Saponin Attenuates Gastric Mucosal Epithelial Cell Injury Induced by Dual Antiplatelet Drugs through COX and PI3K/Akt/ VEGF-GSK-3β-RhoA Network Pathway

Objective To elucidate the underlying mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponin(PNS)on gastric epithelial cell injury and barrier dysfunction induced by dual antiplatelet(DA).Methods Human gastric mucosal epithelial cell(GES-1)was cultured and divided into 4 groups:a control,a DA,a PNS+DA and a LY294002+PNS+DA group.GES-1 apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,cell permeability were detected using Transwell,level of prostaglandins E2(PGE2),6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-keto-PGF1α)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in supernatant were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),expression of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase(PI3K),phosphorylated-PI3K(p-PI3K),Akt,phosphorylated-Akt(p-Akt),cyclooxygenase-1(COX-1),cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2),glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)and Ras homolog gene family member A(RhoA)were measured by Western-blot.Results DA induced apoptosis and hyper-permeability in GES-1,reduced supernatant level of PGE2,6-keto-PGF1αand VEGF(P<0.05).Addition of PNS reduced the apoptosis of GES-1 caused by DA,restored the concentration of PGE2,6-keto-PGF1αand VEGF(P<0.05).In addition,PNS attenuated the alteration of COX-1 and COX-2 expression induced by DA,up-regulated p-PI3K/p-Akt,down-regulated RhoA and GSK-3β.LY294002 mitigated the effects of PNS on cell apoptosis,cell permeability,VEGF concentration,and expression of RhoA and GSK-3βsignificantly.Conclusions PNS attenuates the suppression on COX/PG pathway from DA,alleviates DA-induced GES-1 apoptosis and barrier dysfunction through PI3K/Akt/VEGF-GSK-3β-RhoA network pathway.

Efficacy and safety of high-dose esomeprazole–amoxicillin dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori rescue treatment:a multicenter,prospective,randomized,controlled trial

Background:High-dose dual therapy(HDDT)with proton pump inhibitors(PPIs)and amoxicillin has attracted widespread attention due to its favorable efficacy in eradicating Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori).This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of high-dose PPI-amoxicillin dual therapy and bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for H.pylori rescue treatment.Methods:This was a prospective,randomized,multicenter,non-inferiority trial.Patients recruited from eight centers who had failed previous treatment were randomly(1:1)allocated to two eradication groups:HDDT(esomeprazole 40 mg and amoxicillin 1000 mg three times daily;theHDDTgroup)and bismuth-containing quadruple therapy(esomeprazole 40 mg,bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg,and furazolidone 100 mg twice daily,combined with tetracycline 500 mg three times daily;the tetracycline,furazolidone,esomeprazole,and bismuth[TFEB]group)for 14 days.The primary endpoint was the H.pylori eradication rate.The secondary endpoints were adverse effects,symptom improvement rates,and patient compliance.Results:A total of 658 patients who met the criteria were enrolled in this study.The HDDT group achieved eradication rates of 75.4%(248/329),81.0%(248/306),and 81.3%(248/305)asdetermined by the intention-to-treat(ITT),modified intention-totreat(MITT),and per-protocol(PP)analyses,respectively.The eradication rates were similar to those in the TFEB group:78.1%(257/329),84.2%(257/305),and 85.1%(257/302).The lower 95%confidence interval boundary(9.19%in the ITT analysis,9.21%in the MITT analysis,and9.73%in the PP analysis)was greater than the predefined non-inferiority margin of10%,establishing a non-inferiority of the HDDT group vs.the TFEB group.The incidence of adverse events in the HDDT group was significantly lower than that in the TFEB group(11.1%vs.26.8%,P<0.001).Symptom improvement rates and patients’compliance were similar between the two groups.Conclusions:Fourteen-day HDDT is non-inferior to bismuth-containing quadruple therapy,with fewer adverse effects and good treatment compliance,suggesting HDDT as an alternative for H.pylori rescue treatment in the local region.Trial registration:Clinicaltrials.gov,NCT04678492.

Current status of antiplatelet treatment before and after ischemic stroke, and an analysis of factors associated with antiplatelet treatment, in the Qingdao area of China

Background Stroke is the most common neurological disease in China, and antiplatelet treatment is important for primary and secondary prevention. This study aimed to describe the current status of antiplatelet treatment before, immediately after, and 1 month after ischemic stroke in the Qingdao area of China, and to determine the factors and potential barriers influencing use. Methods A total of 1114 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled from 11 hospitals in the Qingdao area. Patient demographic data, clinical data, and treatment before and after the stroke were recorded. Univariate analysis （two sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square test） and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to determine the frequency of antiplatelet treatment, and factors associated with treatment, at three time points： before the stroke, in hospital after the stroke, and at 1-month follow-up. Results The frequency of antiplatelet treatment was 6.4% before the stroke, 91.5% in hospital, and 77.2% at 1 month. Aspirin pretreatment was independently associated with higher education level, higher income level, history of hyperlipidemia, and history of cerebral vascular disease. Antiplatelet treatment in hospital was independently associated with treatment in an urban hospital, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at onset, and statin use in hospital. Antiplatelet treatment at 1-month follow-up was independently associated with higher income level, diagnosis of transient ischemic attack, antiplatelet treatment in hospital, large artery atherosclerosis according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification, and statin use at follow-up. Modified Rankin Scale ≥4 at 1-month follow-up and history of coronary heart disease were negatively associated with antiplatelet treatment at follow-up. Conclusions This study documents the current status of antiplatelet treatment in primary and early secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in China. Further education of clinicians and the public about stroke prevention is important.

Efficacy and safety of different dual antiplatelet strategies in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention:A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background:Dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)is key for preventing ischaemic events post-percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Various DAPT modifications like the shortened duration or P2Y12 inhibitor(P2Y12i)de-escalation are implemented to reduce bleeding risk.However,these strategies lack direct comparative studies.This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of such DAPT strategies,including de-escalated and short DAPT,in patients undergoing PCI.Methods:We searched PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for relevant randomized controlled trials(RCTs).We performed a network meta-analysis(NMA)to estimate risk ratios(RRs)and 95%confidence intervals(CIs).The primary efficacy endpoint was major adverse cardiac events(MACEs),and the primary safety endpoint was major bleeding.Secondary endpoints included individual components of MACEs and net adverse clinical events(NACEs).Results:A total of 17 RCTs comprising 53,156 patients(median age,62.0 years,24.8%female)were included.NMA suggested that de-escalation DAPT was associated with a significantly lower risk of MACEs(risk ratio[RR]=0.79,95%confidence interval[CI]=0.64-0.98),bleeding(RR=0.63,95%CI=0.49-0.82),and NACEs(RR=0.69,95%CI=0.60-0.79)compared with standard DAPT.Short DAPT followed by P2Y12i monotherapy exhibited a significantly decreased risk of major bleeding(RR=0.63,95%CI=0.46-0.86)compared with standard DAPT.Conclusions:De-escalation DAPT was the most effective strategy for preventing the risk of MACEs without increasing bleeding events,while short DAPT followed by P2Y12i monotherapy was the most effective strategy for reducing the risk of bleeding among patients undergoing PCI.