Salvia Polyphenolates Combined with Doxophylline in the Treatment of Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Heart Disease in the Compensated Stage

Objective:To statistically determine the effect of salvia polyphenolates combined with doxophylline treatment in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease in the compensated stage.Methods:From January 2023 to January 2024,76 patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease in the compensated stage were selected as research subjects.The patients were divided into a research group and a reference group using a randomized numerical table method.The research group was treated with salvia polyphenolates combined with doxophylline,while the reference group received conventional therapy.The treatment effects of the two groups were compared.Results:The patients in the research group,treated with salvia polyphenolates combined with doxophylline,showed maximal ventilation of 73.26±4.83 L/min,left ventricular ejection fraction of 56.14±1.98%,and total effective treatment rate of 94.74%.These results were better than those of the reference group.The differences between the data of the research group and the reference group were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:For patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease in the compensated stage,treatment with salvia polyphenolates combined with doxophylline significantly improves maximum ventilation and left ventricular ejection fraction,and also results in a higher total effective treatment rate.

Analysis on pulse features of coronary heart disease patients with or without a history of ischemic stroke

Objective To evaluate the capability of wrist pulse analysis in distinguishing three physiolog-ical and pathological conditions:healthy individuals,coronary heart disease(CHD)patients without a history of ischemic stroke,and CHD patients with a history of ischemic stroke.Methods Study participants were recruited from Shuguang East Hospital,Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,and Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from April 15 to September 15,2021.They were categorized into three groups:healthy controls(Group 1),CHD patients without a history of ischemic stroke(Group 2),and CHD patients with a history of ischemic stroke(Group 3).The wrist pulse signals of the study participants were non-invasively collected using a pulse diagnosis instrument.The linear time-domain features and nonlinear time-series multiscale entropy(MSE)features of the pulse signals were extracted using time-domain analysis and the MSE methods,which were subsequently compared between groups.Based on these extracted features,a recognition model was developed using a random forest(RF)algorithm.The classification performance of the models was evaluated using metrics,including accuracy,precision,recall,and F1-score derived from confusion matrix as well as the area under the receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve(AUC).Results A total of 189 participants were enrolled,with 63 in Group 1,61 in Group 2,and 65 in Group 3.Compared with Group 1,Group 2 showed significant increases in pulse features H2/H1,H3/H1,W1,W2,and W2/T,and decreased in MSE_(1)-MSE7(P<0.05),while Group 3 showed significant increases in pulse features T5/T4,T,H1/T1,W1,W2,AS,and Ad,and de-creased in MSE_(1)-MSE_(20)(P<0.05).Compared with Group 2,Group 3 demonstrated notable increases in H1/T1 and As(P<0.05).The RF model achieved precision of 80.00%,61.54%,and 61.54%,recall of 74.29%,60.00%,and 68.97%,F1-scores of 70.04%,60.76%,and 65.04%,and AUC values of 0.92,0.74,and 0.81 for Groups 1,2,and 3,respectively.The overall accuracy was 67.69%,with micro-average AUC of 0.83 and macro-average AUC of 0.82.Conclusion Differences in pulse features reflect variations in arterial compliance,peripheral resistance,cardiac afterload,and pulse signal complexity among healthy individuals,CHD patients without a history of ischemic stroke,and those with such a history.The developed pulse-based recognition model holds the potential in distinguishing between these three groups,offering a novel diagnostic reference for clinical practice.

Exploring kidney biopsy findings in congenital heart diseases:Insights beyond cyanotic nephropathy

BACKGROUND The association between congenital heart disease and chronic kidney disease is well known.Various mechanisms of kidney damage associated with congenital heart disease have been established.The etiology of kidneydisease has commonly been considered to be secondary to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis(FSGS),however,this has only been demonstrated in case reports and not in observational or clinical trials.AIM To identify baseline and clinical characteristics,as well as the findings in kidney biopsies of patients with congenital heart disease in our hospital.METHODS This is a retrospective observational study conducted at the Nephrology Depart-ment of the National Institute of Cardiology“Ignacio Chávez”.All patients over 16 years old who underwent percutaneous kidney biopsy from January 2000 to January 2023 with congenital heart disease were included in the study.RESULTS Ten patients with congenital heart disease and kidney biopsy were found.The average age was 29.00 years±15.87 years with pre-biopsy proteinuria of 6193 mg/24 h±6165 mg/24 h.The most common congenital heart disease was Fallot’s tetralogy with 2 cases(20%)and ventricular septal defect with 2(20%)cases.Among the 10 cases,one case of IgA nephropathy and one case of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with immune complexes were found,receiving specific treatment after histopathological diagnosis,delaying the initiation of kidney replacement therapy.Among remaining 8 cases(80%),one case of FSGS with perihilar variety was found,while the other 7 cases were non-specific FSGS.CONCLUSION Determining the cause of chronic kidney disease can help in delaying the need for kidney replacement therapy.In 2 out of 10 patients in our study,interventions were performed,and initiation of kidney replacement therapy was delayed.Prospective studies are needed to determine the usefulness of kidney biopsy in patients with congenital heart disease.

Gender-specific associations between coronary heart disease and other chronic diseases: cross-sectional evaluation of national survey data from adult residents of Germany

Background Combinations of coronary heart disease(CHD) and other chronic conditions complicate clinical management and increase healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate gender-specific relationships between CHD and other comorbidities. Methods We analyzed data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey(DEGS1), a national survey of 8152 adults aged 18-79 years. Female and male participants with self-reported CHD were compared for 23 chronic medical conditions. Regression models were applied to determine potential associations between CHD and these 23 conditions. Results The prevalence of CHD was 9%(547 participants): 34%(185) were female CHD participants and 66%(362) male. In women, CHD was associated with hypertension(OR = 3.28(1.81-5.9)), lipid disorders(OR = 2.40(1.50-3.83)), diabetes mellitus(OR = 2.08(1.24-3.50)), kidney disease(OR = 2.66(1.101-6.99)), thyroid disease(OR = 1.81(1.18-2.79)), gout/high uric acid levels(OR = 2.08(1.22-3.56)) and osteoporosis(OR = 1.69(1.01-2.84)). In men, CHD patients were more likely to have hypertension(OR = 2.80(1.94-4.04)), diabetes mellitus(OR = 1.87(1.29-2.71)), lipid disorder(OR = 1.82(1.34-2.47)), and chronic kidney disease(OR = 3.28(1.81-5.9)). Conclusion Our analysis revealed two sets of chronic conditions associated with CHD. The first set occurred in both women and men, and comprised known risk factors: hypertension, lipid disorders, kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus. The second set appeared unique to women: thyroid disease, osteoporosis, and gout/high uric acid. Identification of shared and unique gender-related associations between CHD and other conditions provides potential to tailor screening, preventive, and therapeutic options.

Evaluation of chronic kidney disease in chronic heart failure: From biomarkers to arterial renal resistances

Chronic kidney disease and its worsening are recurring conditions in chronic heart failure(CHF) which are independently associated with poor patient outcome.The heart and kidney share many pathophysiological mechanisms which can determine dysfunction in each organ. Cardiorenal syndrome is the condition in which these two organs negatively affect each other, therefore an accurate evaluation of renal function in the clinical setting of CHF is essential. This review aims to revise the parameters currently used to evaluate renal dysfunction in CHF with particular reference to the usefulness and the limitations of biomarkers in evaluating glomerular dysfunction and tubular damage. Moreover, it is reported the possible utility of renal arterial resistance index(a parameter associated with abnormalities in renal vascular bed) for a better assesment of kidney disfunction.

Heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction in older patients with chronic kidney disease: the China Hypertension Survey (2012‒2015)

Background Heart failure(HF)is a leading cause of hospitalization and mortality for older chronic kidney disease(CKD)patients.However,the epidemiological data is scarce.We aimed to determine the prevalence of left ventricular(LV)dysfunction and HF,and to explore the risk factors for HF among those patients.Methods This is a cross-sectional analysis of the China Hypertension Survey conducted between October 2012 and December 2015.A total of 5,808 participants aged≥65 years were included in the analysis.Self-reported history of HF and any other cardiovascular diseases was acquired.2-D and Doppler echocardiography were used to assess LV dysfunction.CKD was defined as either estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)<60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 or urinary albumin to creatinine ratio(ACR)≥30 mg/g.Results Among CKD patients aged≥65 years,the weighted prevalence of HF,heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF),heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction(HFmrEF),and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF)was 4.8%,2.5%,0.8%,and 1.7%,respectively.The weighted prevalence of HF was 5.0%in patients with eGFR<60 mL/min per 1.73 m2,and was 5.9%in patients with ACR≥30 mg/g.The prevalence of LV systolic dysfunction was 3.1%,and while it was 8.9%for moderate/severe diastolic dysfunction.Multivariate analysis showed that smoking was significantly associated with the risk of HF.Furthermore,age,smoking,and residents in rural areas were significantly associated with a risk of LV diastolic dysfunction.Conclusions The prevalence of HF and LV dysfunction was high in older patients with CKD,suggesting that particular strategies will be required.

Heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Two for tea or tea for two?

A combination of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) is common yet it is inadequately and rarely recognized. Because of the similar clinical manifestations, comorbidity is frequently not considered and appropriate diagnostic tests are not performed. It is very important that a combination of COPD and HF is recognized as these patients have a worse prognosis than patients with an individual disease. When present, COPD should not prevent the use of life-saving therapy in patients with HF, particularly β-blockers. Despite clear evidence of the safety and tolerability of cardioselective β-blockers in COPD patients, these drugs remain grossly underprescribed and underdosed. Routine spirometry and echocardiography in HF and COPD patients, respectively, is therefore warranted to improve current clinical practice.

Role of Voltage-gated Potassium Channels in Pathogenesis of Chronic Pulmonary Heart Disease

The influence of hypoxia on the activity of voltage-gated potassium channel in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells （PASMCs） of rats and its roles in the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary heart disease were investigated. Eighty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into control group （n=10）, acute hypoxic group （n=10）, and chronic hypoxic groups （n=60）. The chronic hypoxic groups were randomly divided into 6 subgroups （n=10 each） according to the chronic hypoxic periods. The rats in the control group were kept in room air and those in acute hypoxic group in hypoxia envi- ronmental chamber for 8 h. The rats in chronic hypoxic subgroups were kept in hypoxia environmental chamber for 8 h per day for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days, respectively. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure （mPAP）, right ventricular hypertrophy index （RVHI）, and the current of voltage-gated potas- sium channel （IK） in PASMCs were measured. Results showed that both acute and chronic hypoxia could decrease the IK in PASMCs of rats and the I-V relationship downward shifted to the right. And the peak Ir density at ＋60mV decreased with prolongation of hypoxia exposure. No significant difference was noted in the density oflK （at ＋60 mV） and I-V relationship between control group and chronic hy- poxic subgroup exposed to hypoxia for 5 days （P〉0.05）, but there was a significant difference between control group and chronic hypoxic subgroup exposed to hypoxia for 10 days （P〈0.05）. Significant dif- ferences were noted in the IK density （at ＋60 mV） and I-V relationships between control group and chronic hypoxic subgroups exposed to hypoxia for 20 days and 30 days （P〈0.01）. Compared with con- trol rats, the mPAP and RVHI were significantly increased after chronic exposure to hypoxia for 10 days （P〈0.05）, which were further increased with prolongation of hypoxia exposure, and there were signifi- cant differences between control group and chronic hypoxic subgroups exposed to hypoxia for 20 days and 30 days （P〈0.01）. Both the mPAP and the RVHI were negatively correlated with the density OflK （r---0.89769 and -0.94476, respectively, both P〈0.01）. It is concluded that exposure to hypoxia may cause decreased activity of voltage-gated potassium channel, leading to hypoxia pulmonary vasocon- striction （HPV）. Sustained HPV may result in chronic pulmonary hypertension, even chronic pulmonary heart disease, contributing to the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary heart disease.

Prognostic impact of atrial fibrillation on clinical outcomes of acute coronary syndromes,heart failure and chronic kidney disease

Atrial fibrillation(AF) is the most common type of sustained arrhythmia,which is now on course to reach epidemic proportions in the elderly population. AF is a commonly encountered comorbidity in patients with cardiac and major non-cardiac diseases. Morbidity and mortality associated with AF makes it a major healthcare burden. The objective of our article is to determine the prognostic impact of AF on acute coronary syndromes,heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Multiple studies have been conducted to determine if AF has an independent role in the overall mortality of such patients. Our review suggests that AF has an independent adverse prognostic impact on the clinical outcomes of acute coronary syndromes,heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

Impact of Tobacco Smoking on Health Care Utilization and Medical Costs in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,Coronary Heart Disease and Diabetes

Objective To determine the impact of smoking on disease-specific health care utilization and medical costs in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases(NCDs).Methods Participants were middle-aged and elderly adults with chronic NCDs from a prospective cohort in China.Logistic regressions and linear models were used to assess the relationship between tobacco smoking,health care utilization and medical costs.Results Totally,1020 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),3144 patients with coronary heart disease(CHD),and 1405 patients with diabetes were included in the analysis.Among patients with COPD,current smokers(β:0.030,95%CI:−0.032-0.092)and former smokers(β:0.072,95%CI:0.014-0.131)had 3.0%and 7.2%higher total medical costs than never smokers.Medical costs of patients who had smoked for 21-40 years(β:0.028,95%CI:−0.038-0.094)and≥41 years(β:0.053,95%CI:−0.004β0.110)were higher than those of never smokers.Patients who smoked≥21 cigarettes(β:0.145,95%CI:0.051-0.239)per day had more inpatient visits than never smokers.The association between smoking and health care utilization and medical costs in people with CHD group was similar to that in people with COPD;however,there were no significant associations in people with diabetes.Conclusion This study reveals that the impact of smoking on health care utilization and medical costs varies among patients with COPD,CHD,and diabetes.Tobacco control might be more effective at reducing the burden of disease for patients with COPD and CHD than for patients with diabetes.

Chronic pancreatitis and the heart disease:Still terra incognita?

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that chronic pancreatitis(CP)may be an independent risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease(CVD).At the same time,it seems that congestive heart failure(CHF)and CP share the responsibility for the development of important clinical conditions such as sarcopenia,cachexia and malnutrition due to development of cardiac cachexia and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency(PEI),respectively.AIM To explore the evidence regarding the association of CP and heart disease,more specifically CVD and CHF.METHODS A systematic search of MEDLINE,Web of Science and Google Scholar was performed by two independent investigators to identify eligible studies where the connection between CP and CVD was investigated.The search was limited to articles in the English language.The last search was run on the 1st of May 2019.The primary outcomes were:(1)Incidence of cardiovascular event[acute coronary syndrome(ACS),chronic coronary disease,peripheral arterial lesions]in patients with established CP;and(2)Incidence of PEI in patients with CHF.RESULTS Out of 1166 studies,only 8 were eligible for this review.Studies regarding PEI and CHF showed an important incidence of PEI as well as associated malabsorption of nutritional markers(vitamin D,selenium,phosphorus,zinc,folic acid,and prealbumin)in patients with CHF.However,after substitution of pancreatic enzymes,it seems that,at least,loss of appetite was attenuated.On the other side,studies investigating cardiovascular events in patients with CP showed that,in CP cohort,there was a 2.5-fold higher incidence of ACS.In another study,patients with alcohol–induced CP with concomitant type 3c diabetes had statistically significant higher incidence of carotid atherosclerotic plaques in comparison to patients with diabetes mellitus of other etiologies.Earlier studies demonstrated a marked correlation between the clinical symptoms in CP and chronic coronary insufficiency.Also,statistically significant higher incidence of arterial lesions was found in patients with CP compared to the control group with the same risk factors for atherosclerosis(hypertension,smoking,dyslipidemia).Moreover,one recent study showed that PEI is significantly associated with the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with CP.CONCLUSION Current evidence implicates a possible association between PEI and malnutrition in patients with CHF.Chronic pancreatic tissue hypoxic injury driven by prolonged splanchnic hypoperfusion is likely to contribute to malnutrition and cachexia in patients with CHF.On the other hand,CP and PEI seem to be an independent risk factor associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Short-term outcomes in heart failure patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the community

AIM:To establish the short term outcomes of heart failure(HF)patients in the community who have concurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).METHODS:We evaluated 783 patients(27.2%)with left ventricular systolic dysfunction under the care of a regional nurse-led community HF team between June 2007 and June 2010 through a database analysis.RESULTS:One hundred and one patients(12.9%)also had a diagnosis of COPD;94% of patients were treated with loop diuretics,83% with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors,74% with β-blockers;10.6% with bronchodilators;and 42% with aldosterone an-tagonists.The mean age of the patients was 77.9 ± 5.7 years;43% were female and mean New York Heart Association class was 2.3 ± 0.6.The mean follow-up was 28.2 ± 2.9 mo.β-blocker utilization was markedly lower in patients receiving bronchodilators compared with those not taking bronchodilators(overall 21.7% vs 81%,P < 0.001).The 24-mo survival was 93% in patients with HF alone and 89% in those with both comorbidities(P = not significant).The presence of COPD was associated with increased risk of HF hospitalization [hazard ratio(HR):1.56;95% CI:1.4-2.1;P < 0.001] and major adverse cardiovascular events(HR:1.23;95% CI:1.03-1.75;P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:COPD is a common comorbidity in ambulatory HF patients in the community and is a powerful predictor of worsening HF.It does not however appear to affect short-term mortality in ambulatory HF patients.

CHDTEPDB:Transcriptome Expression Profile Database and Interactive Analysis Platform for Congenital Heart Disease

CHDTEPDB(URL:http://chdtepdb.com/)is a manually integrated database for congenital heart disease(CHD)that stores the expression profiling data of CHD derived from published papers,aiming to provide rich resources for investigating a deeper correlation between human CHD and aberrant transcriptome expression.The develop-ment of human diseases involves important regulatory roles of RNAs,and expression profiling data can reflect the underlying etiology of inherited diseases.Hence,collecting and compiling expression profiling data is of critical significance for a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and functions that underpin genetic diseases.CHDTEPDB stores the expression profiles of over 200 sets of 7 types of CHD and provides users with more convenient basic analytical functions.Due to the differences in clinical indicators such as disease type and unavoidable detection errors among various datasets,users are able to customize their selection of corresponding data for personalized analysis.Moreover,we provide a submission page for researchers to submit their own data so that increasing expression profiles as well as some other histological data could be supplemented to the database.CHDTEPDB is a user-friendly interface that allows users to quickly browse,retrieve,download,and analyze their target samples.CHDTEPDB will significantly improve the current knowledge of expression profiling data in CHD and has the potential to be exploited as an important tool for future research on the disease.

Effect of ivabradine in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with heart failure

Objective: To observe the effectiveness and safety of ivabradine in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and heart failure. Methods:Patients who were admitted to hospital with AECOPD during the period from August 2017 to July 2018. Then those both had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF) and a resting heart rate>70 beats/min were enrolled. A total of 86 cases were screened and completed, which were randomly divided into two groups for treatment. The control group(41 cases) received standard treatments, such as oxygen, anti-infection, anti-spasmodic, hormone, diuretic, ACEI/ARB, recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP), etc. The bisoprolol was given 2.5~5 mg orally once a day to control heart rate, and the test group(45 cases) was further treated with ivabradine 2.5~5 mg orally twice a day on the basis of the control group. The average heart rate, cardiac function, lung function, and 6-minute walking test were compared between the two groups. Results: After treatment, the average heart rate of the test group was lower than the control group, and the heart rate control rate(<70 beats/min%) of the test group was superior to the control group. The level of N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) in test group was significantly lower than that in control group. The distance of the 6-minute walking test in e test group was significantly longer than that in control group. Conclusion: Ivabradine combined with bisoprolol could help patients with AECOPD and heart failure to further reduce the heart rates, improve heart function and exercise tolerance. Moreover, the therapeutic safety was acceptable during the short term.

Effect of sequential assist-control ventilation on cardio-pulmonary function and systemic inflammatory state of chronic pulmonary heart disease complicated with respiratory failure patients

Objective:To discuss the effect of sequential assist-control ventilation on cardio-pulmonary function and systemic inflammatory state of chronic pulmonary heart disease complicated with respiratory failure patients.Method: A total of 90 cases of chronic pulmonary heart disease complicated with respiratory failure patients, who were treated in our hospital between May, 2012 and Feb., 2016, were selected, and were divided into study group (n=45) and control group (n=45) based on random number table. Patients in control group were given auxiliary - control ventilation. (A/C) treatment during the whole course, while patients in study group were given A/C+BiPAP treatment. Cardio-pulmonary function and serum inflammatory factor content difference was compared inboth groups before and after operation.Results: Before treatment, difference ofcardiac function indicator, ABG level and inflammatory factor content in both groups had no statistical significance. After treatment, cardiac function indicator (PASP, RVd) levels in both groups were lower than before treatment, and EFRV levels were higher than before treatment, and changes in study group were more obvious than that in control group;ABG indicator (PaO2) levels in both groups were higher than before treatment, and PaCO2 levels werelower than before treatment, and changes in study group were more obvious than that in control group;serum inflammatory factor (hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α) content in both groups was lower than before treatment, and changes in study group were more obvious than that in control group.Conclusion: sequential assist-control ventilation could optimize the cardio-pulmonary function of chronic pulmonary heart disease complicated with respiratory failure patients and reduce the systemic inflammatory response.

Effects of folic acid and vitamin B12 adjuvant therapy on serum inflammatory cytokines, Hcy and NT-proBNP in elderly patients with coronary heart disease and chronic heart failure

Objective:To investigate the effect of folic acid combined with vitamin B12 supplementation with conventional drugs on the levels of serum inflammatory factors, Hcy and NT-proBNP in elderly patients with chronic heart failure.Methods:89 elderly patients with chronic heart failure were randomly divided into control group (n=47) and observation group (n=42) based on the random data table. The control group was given diuretics, ACEI andβ receptor inhibitor group of three categories of drugs combined treatment, on this basis, the observation group supplemented by folic acid tablets and vitamin B12 treatment, both groups were treated for 8 weeks. The levels of TNF-α, hs-CRP and visfatin, Hcy and NT-proBNP were measured before and after treatment in both groups.Results: There was no significant difference in TNF-α, hs-CRP, visfatin, Hcy and NT-proBNP between the control group and the observation group before treatment. After treatment, the levels of TNF-α, hs-CRP, visfatin, Hcy and NT-proBNP in the two groups decreased significantly ,the difference was significant, the level of the above indexes of the observation group after treatment was significantly lower than that of the control group ,the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion: Folic acid combined with vitamin B12 can reduce the levels of serum inflammatory factors, Hcy and NT-proBNP in elderly patients with coronary heart disease and heart failure, which has certain clinical value.

Effects of Huang Qi Wu Wu Decoction on Plasma Proteins in 70 Cases of Chronic Pulmonary Heart Disease

Simple immune agar diffusion test was used to assay the contents of 12 plasma proteins in 70 cases of chronic pulmonary heart disease treated by Huang Qi Wu Wu Decoction (黄芪五物汤), with the other 70 cases who were not given Huang Qi Wu Wu Decoction as the control group. The total clinical effective rate in the treatment group was 90.0%, while that in the control group was 75.7%, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). In the treatment group, the levels of prealbumin, transferrin and fibronectin elevated obviously after treatment, and the contents of C-reactive protein, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, a 1-antitrypsin and a 1-acid glycoprotein decreased markedly (P<0.01). In the control group, only the levels of ceruloplasmin and C-reactive protein decreased significantly (P<0.05). It is shown that Huang Qi Wu Wu Decoction may enhance the therapeutic effects for pulmonary heart disease, regulate the metabolism of plasma proteins, and improve the life quality of the patients.

Hyperhomoysteinemia as a risk factor for coronary heart diseases in chronic hepatitis C patients

Hepatitis C virus is one of the major health problems worldwide. It affects mainly the liver but several extrahepatic manifestations are also accounted. Chronic hepatitis C patients are at an increased risk of developing hepatic steatosis, which share many clinical features with the metabolic syndrome. Hepatic steatosis has also been associated with elevated levels of markers of inflammation such as homocysteine, identified as hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC). HHC due to Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) gene, in particular the C677T polymorphism, was recently associated with coronary heart diseases (CHD) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. Homocysteine is an intermediate in methionine metabolism, which takes place mainly in the liver metabolism. Deficiencies of micronutrients (folate, vitamin B 6 and possibly vitamin B 12) along with mild hyperhomocysteinemia, perhaps, act synergistically with other classical risk factors to further increase the risk of CHD. Clinical data indicate that HHC is associated with an increased incidence of CHD as well as with the severity of the disease in CHC patients. In conclusion, HHC might be a potential aetiological factor of CHD in CHC patients. The aim of this review is to investigate the progression of coronary heart diseases in chronic hepatitis C patients and correlate with levels of homocysteine in concurrence to genetic defects and nutrient deficiencies. However, future studies need to clarify the mechanistic role of HHC in CHD and CHC as a useful paradigm with most interesting therapeutic implications.

Coronary heart disease beliefs and misconceptions among cardiac patients and people with chronic illness

What people believe about their illness may affect how they cope with it. It has been suggested that such beliefs may be commonly held within society. This cross-sectional investigation examined the cardiac beliefs and misconceptions among cardiac patients and people with chronic illness. Participants with a noncardiac chronic illness hold similar cardiac misconceptions to people with heart disease (p = 0.58). Both groups showed high agreement on “people with heart disease should take life easy” and “always avoid anything that might bring on angina”. People with chronic illness are more likely than cardiac patients to believe that “once you have has one heart attack you are bound to have another one”.

Effect of aerobic exercise training on red blood cell parameters, vascular endothelial function in elderly patients with coronary heart disease and chronic heart failure

Objective: To investigate effect of aerobic exercise training combined with conventional drug on red blood cell parameters, vascular endothelial function and cardiac function in elderly patients with coronary heart disease complicated with chronic heart failure. Methods: A total of 110 elderly patients with coronary heart disease and chronic heart failure according to random data table were divided into control group (n=54) and observation group (n=56). The patients in control group were treated with conventional drug, and patients in the observation group received conventional drug combined with aerobic exercise training. Before and after treatment, levels of red blood cell parameters, vascular endothelial function and cardiac function indexes were compared between the two groups. Results: Before treatment, the difference of HCT, RDW, RBC, NO, ET-1, LVEF, LVEDD and LVESD levels in the two groups were not significantly. After treatment, HCT and RBC levels in two groups were no statistically significant difference;The levels of RDW, ET-1, LVEDD and LVESD in observation group were significantly lower than those in this group before treatment, and significantly lower than those in the control group after treatment;The levels of NO and LVEF in two groups were significantly higher than those in the group before treatment, and levels of NO and LVEF in the observation group were significantly higher than those in control group after treatment. Conclusion: The clinical effect of aerobic exercise training combined with conventional drug in treatment of senile coronary heart disease with chronic heart failure was significant, which can effectively increase the RDW level of patients, improve vascular endothelial function and heart function, it has important clinical value.