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

COMPLEX PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY

Percutancous transluminal coronary angioplasty was pcrfonned in 70patients with high risk characteristics from Jan.1998 toDcc.1997 These factors include age】70(10patients),unstableangina(35patients),ejection fraction【40%(7 patients),multivesseldisease(50patients).There were 96 lesions(79 vessels)dilated,amongthem type Alesion 15,type B lesion 52,type C lesion 29.Autoperfusion balloon was used in 7 patients, coronary stcnl wasimplantcd in 50 paticnts.One patient undcrgoing directional coronaryathrectomy(DCA).The clinical success rate was 91.5% and lesionsuccess rate was 89.6%.Average predilation stenosis was 89.5+8.2%and average postdilation stenosis was 16.9+6.2%.Two patients diedfrom abrupt vessel closureno acule myocardial infarction andemergency coronary bypass operation.The considerations in selectionand management of these high risk patients were discussed. The resultsshowed that PTCA can be performed safely in the complex cases.

Clinico-Angiographic Profile and Prevalence of Restenosis in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty to Left Main Coronary Artery: An Observational Cohort Study

Background: Patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in left main coronary artery (LMCA) requires special concern, being high risk and increasing patient population. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical profile, angiographic status, and prevalence of restenosis in patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in LMCA. Materials and Methods: This observational cohort study included 17 patients who underwent PTCA in LMCA during one-year study period at tertiary care centers in Government Medical College, Kozhikode, India. Data including various risk factors, clinical and angiographic details, stent used, procedural complications and outcomes including rate of restenosis were analyzed. Results: A total of 17 patients (mean age 53.88 ± 9.80 years) with 76.47% of males were included in the study. Smoking and hypertension were the most common risk factors presented in 52.94% and 47.06% of patients respectively. Single vessel disease (SVD) of LMCA was the most common pattern observed in 47.10%;the rate of restenosis was observed in 11.76% patients. Revascularization was performed in one patient (5.88%) with coronary artery bypass graft and in one patient (5.88%) with PTCA using drug eluting stent (DES). The overall procedural success was 88.24% in this study. Survival rate was 100% at one-year follow-up period. Conclusion: Our study involved patients who underwent PTCA in LMCA, showed smoking as a most prevalent risk factor for coronary artery disease and SVD as a most common pattern, comparatively low rate of restenosis and 100% of survival rate at one-year follow-up period.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY

Percutoneous transiuminal coronary anginplesty(PTCA)was performed in33 patients of coronary heart diseases(male 30 cases,female 3 cases, meanage 54.2) with Gruentzig’s method.Of all the 33 patients,there were 26narrow parts in 20 cases of the single branch lesions,27 narrow parts in 11cases of the double branch lesions and 11 narrow parts in 2 cases of thethree branch lesions.In 48 branches with lesion vessels,there were 27branches of the left anterior descending coronary arteries (LAD),7 branchesof the left cicumflex coronary arteries(LCX)and 13 branches of the rightcoronaw arteries.The narrow degrees varied from 75% to 100%. The resultswere that,of 33 patients,48 branches of lesion vessels and 64 narrow parts,the successful rates of dilation were 96.9%,87.5%,85.9%,respectively.Ventricular fibrillation occurred in one case during the procedure,whichsoon recovered sinus rhythm through cardioversion.Symptoms of thesuccessful 32 patients were lmproved obviously or diappeared after PATC.Combining with the documents,we think that the successful rates are higherin type A lesion undergoing PTCA.When PTCA for the multiple branchlesions are performed,we ought to master the principle of dilating the mainlessinos in advence.The long-tube lesions were dilated by the long balloonfitting for these lesions.The causes of failure of PTCA in the severe narrowlesions are mainly the the guilding wires or the balloon catheters cann’t passthrough the lesion parts,in addition,the complication problems in PTCA arealso discussed.

Amiodarone-induced bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia in patient following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Background: Many patients are affected by idiopathicbronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). There are several known causes of BOOP, and several systemic disorders have BOOP as an associated primary pulmonary lesion. Numerous agents including cytotoxic and noncytotoxic drugs have the potential to cause pulmonary toxicity. Descriptions of amiodarone-related BOOP continue to be reported throughout the world. Case Report: We reported a patient with original clinical presentation who developed recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia (SVT) despite the presence of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), hypoxaemia and interstitial pneumonitis in both lung bases. After percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, he developed bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). Conclusions: To our knowledge, such complications after percutaneous coronary procedure in patients with amiodarone therapy for arrhythmia prophylaxis, are not very frequent in literature.

CHANGES AND SIGNIFICATION OF SERUM CPK BEFORE AND AFTER PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASES

To study the damage effect of percutaneous transfuminalcoronary angioplasty(PTCA)on myocardium,wedetermined the serum CPK and CPK-MB level in 35 casesof patients with coronary henrt disease(CHD)beforePTCA and at 6th,12th,24th hour,2nd,3rd day afterPTCA.The results showed that after PTCA,the serumCPK and CPK-MB in 21 of 35 case of patients wised at12th hour.2nd day reached the peak level.But comparedwith others,it has no significant different(P】0.05).TheCPK and CPK-MB decreased to normal level at 3rd day.Itis suggested that PTCA has no significant damage effect onmyocardium.

CASE REPORT:130 CASES OF PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY AGIOPLASTY

Objective:An analysis of 130 cases admitted（during December.1993--December,1997）is reported b.All the patients were treated withprcutnous Transluminal Coronary agioplty （PTCA）.In addition to it10 cases underwent a second PTCA because of rt.The totalnumber is 140 cases.Thi paper up the pathlolgic changs ratecharacterized by coronary lesion in type A,B,and C1 percentage ofvaodilation;rate of success in type A,B,and C1 and the rate ofrt.Method:Coronary arteriography was performed in most cases add then PTCAwas exercised on selective cases with 7-10 days interval according tothe t plan.Coronary arteriography and PTCA were done synchronouslyin the rest cases.Kissing bicatheter technique were employed in 3cases because of bifurcated lesion and PTCA with insertion of a stntinto the spaces of the coronary artery at a diagonal was applied to 1case.Results:Classification of coronary lesion:Type A 33 cases （23.67%）,B57 （40.71%）,and C 50 （35.71%）.Number of coronary artery:single 40 （2857%）,double 59 （42.14%）,triple 39 （27.85%）,main 2 （1.44%）.Vasodilation:LAD 116（74.35%）,LCX 22（14.1%）,RCA 16（10.25%）,Middle 2（1.2%）.Rate of success:A 33 （100%）,B 57 （94.8%）,C 50 （94%）.Total rate ofsuccess:95.8% Rate of failure:6 cases（4.2%）,of which B 3 and C 3respectively,and one of limited myocardial infarction,one of coronaryabnormality,and others of 99-100% t with one failure of balloonwire to the lesion.Rtsis:10 cases had angina ptori 2-6 monthsafter PTCA and a second PTCA revealed LAD rtnosis,rated 5.7%.Concluon:In this group t lesion （76.42%） was found in Type B andType C,while lesion in Type A was L （23.5%）.That’s why highsuccess existed in Type A （100%）,while Type B and C with complicatedlesion needed complicated performance and rated low in success （94-94.8%）Vdilation:LAD】LCX】RCA.The rate of success lies in the degree ofcomplicated lesion,balloon wire and selection of catheter.Theinsertion of a tnt into the coronary artery might be the best way totreat PTCA t.

The changes of Hs-CRP and WBC count after percutaneous coronary intervention in different types of coronary heart diseases

Objective： To investigate the regulation of High sensitive C-reactive protein（Hs-CRP） and WBC count in patients with coronary heart disease（CHD） by percutaneous transluminal intervention（PCI） and to discuss the mechanism of inflammatory reaction after coronary stenting. Methods：127 patients who received successful percutaneous transluminal coronary stenting, were divided into groups of stable angina（SAP）, unstable angina（UAP）, and acute myocardial infarction（AMI） according to their clinical types. Another 41 stable angina patients with more than 70% of coronary artery tenosis who did not receive PCI served as control. Serum Hs-CRP levels and WBC count were determined before intervention, 3 days and 7 days post PCI and the data were analyzed statistically by t-test. Results： There showed no difference in clinical baseline characteristics between groups. The serum Hs-CRP level and WBC count was gradually raised in the UAP and AMI group（how about SAP group, andhad no difference in CAG group and SAP group）. After PCI serum HsCRP levels and WBC counts were significantly higher in the SAP group than in the coronary angiography group（CAG） at 3 days and had no difference at 7 days. In the UAP and AMI group, the serum Hs-CRP level at 3 days and 7 days declined obviously, however serum WBC count did not decrease apparently. Conclusion： The serum Hs-CRP level and WBC count elevate transiently after PCI. There are different inflammatory reactions in different types of coronary heart diseases after coronary stenting procedure.

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

有希望地与高风险 non-ST-elevation 在病人评估安全和治疗学的功效 ofdalteparin 的目的急性冠的症候群(交流) 在经皮的冠的干预(一种总线标准) 期间。有高风险 non-ST-elevation 交流的 175 个病人的方法 Atotal 随机被分到 2 个组[dalteparin 组和 unfractionated 肝磷脂(UFH ) 组] 。在 dalteparin 组的病人此后不久皮下地在 5,000U 的剂量被给 dalteparin 诊断然后另外的 60U/ kg 在突现的一种总线标准前的静脉内的大丸药 ofdalteparin。脉管的存取鞘在一种总线标准或冠的动脉 angiography 以后立即被移开；如果 angiographic 调查结果证明病人对经皮的 transluminai 合适，组在一种总线标准和一丸另外的 65mg 大丸药前在第 25mgju 的剂量静脉内地被给 UFH 的在 UFH 的病人被管理冠的 angioplasty (PTCA ) 。鞘在一种总线标准以后在 4-6 小时被移开；当在 UFH 组的 82 个病人经历了一种总线标准时，在 dalteparin 的 83 个病人组织的结果经历了一种总线标准；在 dalteparin 组的 52 个病人的 anti-Xa 活动被测量。平均 anti-Xa 活动是(0.83 ????慊煣敵 s ?? 倀汯祬 ??ò楔敧 r 吗？？

Effects of intracoronary arterial injection of tirofiban on no-reflow phenomenon in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective: To compare the effect of intracoronary arterial injection of tirofiban and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on no-reflow phenomenon in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) underwent primary percutaneous coro-nary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 68 patients with acute STEMI who had no-reflow phenomenon during PCI were chosen and randomly divided into SNP group (n = 34) and tirofiban group (n = 34). Aiming at no-reflow phenomenon during PCI, with the use of microcatheters, intracoronary arterial injection of tirofiban was given in tirofiban group, while intracoronary bolus of SNP was given in SNP group. Coronary angiography was conducted to record TIMI flow grade of the infarct-related artery after 10 minutes. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was monitored before and after PCI (in 24 hours). With the help of ultrasound cardiogram, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD) were recorded and compared in 30 days after PCI. Results: The ratio of TIMI grade 3 blood flow in tirofiban group was significantly higher than that in SNP group (76.5% (26/34) vs. 52.9% (18/34), p = .03)BNP levels in two groups had no statistical significance before PCI (p = .16), but in 24 h after PCI, BNP levels in tirofiban group were significantly lower than those in SNP group ((439.00 ± 4.90) μmol/L vs. (632.00 ± 3.63) μmol/L, p = .02)In 30 days after PCI, LVEF, LVEDD and LVESD in tirofiban group were all superior to those in SNP group (all p < .05). Conclusions: Intracoronary arterial injection of tirofiban was superior to SNP in improving no-reflow phenomenon in STEMI patients after PCI in the emergency treatment. Tirofiban therapy can increase coronary blood flow and myocardial perfusion after the occurrence of no-reflow phenomenon during PCI in STEMI patients, and improve long-term prognosis.

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.

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.

Successful percutaneous coronary intervention reduces plasma concentration of NT-proBNP in patients with coronary heart disease and normal ventricular function

Background To the effect of percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） on plasma level of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） in patients with coronary heart disease （CHD） and normal left ventricular function. Methods One hundred and five patients with CHD and normal ventricular function were enrolled. Blood samples for assessment of NT-proBNP and cTn-T were collected before and after PCI. Results The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 60.3 ± 5.3%. After revascularization, the level of lgNT-proBNP was signifi-cantly reduced （2.40 ± 0.44 vs 2.23± 0.43, P 〈 0.001）. Subgroup analysis showed that the level of lgNT-proB-NP ws consistently decreased in different clinical classifications （stable angina： 45, unstable angina： 31 and acute myocardial infarction： 29） and target-vessel revascularization （left anterior descending artery： 30, left cir-cumflex artery： 26 and right coronary artery： 49）, and in 99 patients without elevation of post-procedural cTn- T, but it showed a trend of non-significant increase in 6 patients with elevated cTn-T. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that successful PCI reduces plasma NT-proBNP concentration in patients with CHD and normal ven-tricular function. This implicates that the impact of PCI should be considered in the interpretation of NT-proBNP change in clinical practice, and further studies are necessary to investigate the direct and/or indirect effect of myocardial ischemia on BNP/NT-proBNP.

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.

Clinical outcome of patients with left anterior descending artery ostial lesions treated with percutaneous coronary intervention; case-matched comparison with bypass surgery

Objective To assess the immediate and late clinical outcome of left anterior descending artery ostial lesions treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.Methods Seventeen patients (6 females and 11 males) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention for ostial left anterior descending artery stenoses have had clinical follow-ups over 12 months. Clinical events were defined as an occurrence of death, myocardial infarction, recurrent angina, and reguiring repeat revascularization (either by angioplasty or by surgery). A matched population treated with coronary bypass surgery was selected based on the similarities in age, left ventricular ejection fraction and the number of diseased vessels. Kaplan-Meier event-free survival curves were generated and the matched comparison was done using the Chi-square test (Mc Neimar method).Results In the catheter-based angioplasty group, the patients' mean age was 63 ? years. One patient was treated with directional atherectomy plus balloon, 6 with rotational atherectomy plus balloon, 7 with stent and 3 with rotational atherectomy plus stent. Glycoprotein Ⅱ b/ Ⅲ a antagonist was used in 4 cases. Initial procedural success without major complications was achieved in all cases. The mean reference diameter was 2. 90±0. 48 mm. The minimum lumen diameter increased from 1. 05±0. 30 mm to 2.40±0. 45 mm, and the diameter stenosis decreased from 64%±7% to 8%±13%. During the follow-up period, adverse events reguiring repeat revascularization occurred in 8 patients. The event-free probability was 0.42±0.14 in a two-year period. In a matched population treated with bypass surgery (single mammary graft), only one event occurred, and the difference in event-free survival in two-year period between the two patient groups was significant.Conclusions Percutaneous coronary intervention for left coronary descending artery ostial lesion is technically feasible and safe, leading to an optimal early success rate, but has a higher risk of late restenosis and greater need for repeat revascularization than coronary bypass surgery.