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

Effect of Carvedilol on the Coronary Vascular Endothelial Function after Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

Objectives To understand the effect of carvedilol on the coronary vascular endothelial function of the patients with coronary heart disease after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Methods 51cases, having one or more than two branches narrow ( ≥ 70% ) , were diagnosed by coronary angiography. These patients were divided randomly into carvedilol group (n = 28) and control group ( n = 23) who did not take carvedilol. Endothelin (ET) and nitro dioxide (NO) levels of peripheral blood were measured before and after PTCA, before and after two weeks by taking earvedilol. Results Compared with the ET and NO levels before PTCA, ET were markedly increased and NO were decreased after PTCA (p <0. 05) ; compared with the ET and NO levels before taking carvedilol, ET were decreased and NO were increased after two week (p <0.05 ) , but the ET and NO levels of the control group did not change in the period of two weeks observation (p > 0.05). Conclusions Carvedilol may improve the coronary vascular endothelial function after PTCA.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Potassium in Prevention of Restenosis after PTCA

Objectives To investigate safety and effectivity of potassium inprevention of restenosis after PTCA. Methods Eighty patients with PTCA were randomized into two groups: Control group ( Group Ⅱ n= 40) with conventional therapy; Treatment group (Group Ⅰ n = 40) with conventional therapy plus oral potassium (Slow - K 1.2 g, q8h, given 3 days before PTCA and continued to the end ofsub - study). Observation indeces of two groups were compared in follow - up. Results Seventy - seven patients were followed -up(39 in group Ⅰ, 38 in group Ⅱ) All blood indices (including fat, sugar, uric acid, cretonne, Na+, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+ ) except blood potassium in both groups were similar. Oral potassium could increase blood potassium level about 0. 3 mmol/L in group Ⅰ without causing any side effects. Suspicious angina pectoris and evidence of myocardial ischemia by ETT were developed in group Ⅱ had 14 patients (28. 9 % ) and Group I had 7 patients (17. 9 % ); 6 of 17 patients(35. 3 % ) in groupⅠ and 11 of 21 patients in group Ⅱ (52. 3 % ) appeared restenosis confirmed by coronary arteriography. 10. 2 % in group Ⅰ (4/39) and 23.7 % in group Ⅱ (9/38) needed revascular-izations(PTCA or CABG) . Conclusions Therapy with potassium after PTCA showed that recurrence of myocardial ischemia, restenosis rate by follow - up coronary arteriography and revascularization rate tended to be lower in group Ⅰ than in group Ⅱ.

Treatment of in stent coronary restenosis with excimer laser angioplasty

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) with adjunctive balloon angioplasty in patient with in-stent restenosis. METHODS: ELCA was performed in 20 patients of instent restenosis. All patients were symptomatic and had class III-IV angina. ELCA was performed with the Spectranetics CVX-300 System. The laser catheter of Vittesse C (concentric) and E (eccentric) with diameter of 1.4-2.0 mm was used. RESULTS: Laser catheter crossed all stenotic stents without difficulty. The lesion length was 4.6-51.2 mm, mean 20.7 +/- 13.7 mm, including 14 lesions > 10 mm. Laser treatment alone increased minimal lumen diameter (MLD) from 0.3 +/- 0.3 mm to 1.4 +/- 0.3 mm (P

Intracoronary stent implantation under intracoronary ultrasound guidance with aspirin and ticlopidine therapy

Objective To observe the immediate angiographic and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) results and their effects on one month clinical outcomes in forty one patients who submitted to coronary stent deployment with IVUS guidance Methods All patients were allocated to coronary stent implantation with high inflation pressure After good angiographic results (<20% residual stenosis), all patients underwent IVUS and higher pressure dilatation would be necessary if criteria for optimal coronary stent implantation were not met The optimal criterion of IVUS for stent implantation was the ratio of intrastent lumen cross sectional area to the average of the proximal and distal reference lumen cross sectional areas ≥80% All patients had aspirin and ticlopidine therapy on the day of angioplasty and during the one month follow up period Results Optimal criteria of IVUS were obtained without any further intrastent dilatation in twenty five patients but intrastent higher pressure dilatation was performed in fourteen patients whose ultrasound results did not reach the criteria In these patients, we increased the minimal intrastent lumen area 25 7% ( P <0 05) Thirty five patients (90%) had good minimal intrastent lumen area of IVUS There were no deaths, myocardial infarction, acute stent thrombosis or need for revascularization during the study and the one month follow up Conclusions Intracoronary stent deployment under IVUS guidance, including combining aspirin and ticlopidine therapy, had beneficial ultrasound results and good clinical outcomes after one month follow up

Primary intracoronary stenting in comparison with intravenous rt-PA thrombolysis plus rescue intracoronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES: To compare primary stenting in the infarct-related coronary artery with intravenous rt-PA therapy plus rescue intracoronary stenting. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients with a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were randomly treated with primary intracoronary stenting (primary stenting group) or with intravenous rt-PA therapy plus rescue intracoronary stenting (thrombolysis plus stenting group). Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade was assessed by angiography in emergency, and cardiac function (left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF) was calculated by echocardiography before discharge between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 47 patients (97.91%) in primary stenting group and 50 patients (100%) in thrombolysis plus stenting group had achieved TIMI grade 2 - 3 flow after the procedure. But the former had more cases (93.8%) of TIMI 3 flow than that of latter (60.0%, P = 0.0001). There was no difference between the two groups in cardiac events during hospitalization. But the patients in primary stenting group had better cardiac function (LVEF 0.62 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.50 +/- 0.12, respectively, P = 0.0001) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Primary intracoronary stenting may improve myocardial reperfusion in emergency and inhibit the decline of cardiac function after AMI in comparison with intravenous rt-PA thrombolysis plus rescue intracoronary stenting.

Long-term outcomes of drug-eluting versus bare-metal stent implantation in patients with chronic total coronary artery occlusions

Background There are limited data on the efficacy of drug-eluting stents （DES） for treatment of chronic total occlusions （CTO）. The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of DES implantation for CTO compared with bare-metal stent （BMS） implantation.Methods Between June 1995 and December 2006, a total of 1184 patients with successful recanalization of at least one de novo CTO lesion were consecutively registered, including 660 （55.7%） who underwent DES and 524 （44.3%） who underwent BMS implantation. All patients were followed up for up to 5 years for occurrence of major adverse cardiac events （MACE）. Long-term survival rates were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method.Results Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were comparable between the two groups except that patients in the DES group received longer dual antiplatelet therapy （（7.4±2.5） months vs （1.7±0.8） months, P 〈0.001）. Average follow-up periods were （4.7±0.89） and （3.2±1.3） years for the BMS and DES groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in 5-year survival rates between the two groups （90.3% for DES group vs 89.6% for BMS group, Log-rank P=0.38）, but the 5-year target vessel revascularization （TVR）-free survival rate in the DES group was significantly higher than that in the BMS group （81.6% vs 73.5%, Log-rank P 〈0.001）. The cumulative MACE-free survival in the DES group was also significantly higher than that in the BMS group （80.6% vs 71.5%, Log-rank P〈0.001）. The rates of readmission caused by cardiovascular disease （27.0% vs 37.8%, P 〈0.001） and the need for bypass surgery were significantly lower in the DES group （1.5% vs 3.4%, P 〈0.05）. By multivariable analysis, DES implantation could significantly lower the long-term MACE risk of PCI for CTO patients （HR： 0.492; 95% Cl 0.396-0.656, P 〈0.001）. Left ventricular ejection fraction 〈50% and elderly （〉65 years） were identified as independent predictors of long-term MACE during follow-up.Conclusion This study demonstrates the long-term （up to 5 years） efficacy of DES for treatment of CTO, which is superior to BMS implantation in reducing the rates of TVR and MACE, as well as the need of re-admission and bypass surgery.

Use of cutting balloons in coronary interventions

Objective To study the efficacy and safety of cutting balloons in coronary interventions.Methods Twenty-two patients with 23 narrowed coronary arteries and 25 lesions enrolled the study, 17 of whom had 18 diseased coronary arteries and 18 lesions were in-stent restenosis. The average time from previous stenting was 7.60±3.53 months. The lesions were dilated with cutting balloons. Results All of the lesions were dilated successfully by 5.16±2.30 inflations of a cutting balloon. The mean total duration of balloon inflation was 233.96±94.83 seconds at pressures up to 9.40±1.96 bars. The severity of vascular stenosis was lessened substantially (89.64±8.65% vs 17.60±17.15%, P=0.000) without severe complications. Three restenotic lesions were further dilated with conventional balloons, another one was stented again because of a dissection distal to the previous stent. Three primary lesions were stented for dissection or residual stenosis. Angina pectoris reoccurred in two patients in a mean follow-up period of 7.42±6.87 (range 0.5-20) months. Conclusion Cutting balloon dilation is an effective and safe choice in interventions for coronary disease especially for in-stent restenosis.