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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Heart failure after myocardial infarction in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention:Mechanisms,incidence and identification of patients at risk

Myocardial infarction(MI) remains the most common cause of heart failure(HF) worldwide. For almost 50 years HF has been recognised as a determinant ofadverse prognosis after MI, but efforts to promote myocardial repair have failed to translate into clinical therapies. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PPCI) has driven improved early survival after MI, but its impact on the incidence of downstream HF is debated. The effects of PPCI are confounded by the changing epidemiology of MI and HF, with an ageing patient demographic, an increasing proportion of non-STelevation myocardial infarction, and the recognition of HF with preserved ejection fraction. Herein we review the mechanisms of HF after MI and discuss contemporary data on its incidence and outcomes. We review current and emerging strategies for early detection of patients at risk of HF after MI, with a view to identification of patient cohorts for novel therapeutic agents.

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.

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.

Day-to-day blood pressure variability predicts poor outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention:A retrospective study

BACKGROUND For patients with cardiovascular disease,blood pressure variability(BPV),distinct from hypertension,is an important determinant of adverse cardiac events.Whether pre-operative BPV adversely affects outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)is to this point unclear.AIM To investigate the relationship between blood pressure variability and outcomes for patients post-PCI.METHODS Patients undergoing PCI in a single state in 2017 were studied(n=647).Systolic and diastolic BPV,defined as both the largest change and standard deviation for the 3-60 mo prior to PCI was calculated and patients with more than ten blood pressure measurements in that time were included for analysis(n=471).Adverse outcomes were identified up to a year following the procedure,including major adverse cardiac events(MACE),myocardial infarction,cerebrovascular accident,death,and all-cause hospitalization.RESULTS Visit-to-visit systolic BPV,as measured by both standard deviation and largest change,was higher in patients who had myocardial infarction,were readmitted,or died within one year following PCI.Systolic BPV,as measured by largest change or standard deviation,was higher in patients who had MACE,or readmissions(P<0.05).Diastolic BPV,as measured by largest change,was higher in patients with MACE and readmissions(P<0.05).CONCLUSION As BPV is easily measured and captured in the electronic medical record,these findings describe a novel method of identifying at-risk patients who undergo PCI.Aggressive risk modification for patients with elevated BPV and known coronary artery disease is indicated.

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.

EXCIMER LASER CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY ──A PRELIMINARY REPORT OF 11 CASES

We reported 11 cases of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA). All were males, the average age being 59.7 years. Five patients had sustained previous myocardial infarctions with post-infarction angina in 2 cases and 6 presented angina only. Coronary angiograms showed stenosis in LAD (N9), LCX(N6) and RCA (N6). According to the ACC/AHA classification, 6 were categorized as type B, and 5 type C. ELCA with adjunctive PTCA were performed in all 8 patients, 1. 3 mm (energy density 14. 5 mJ) and 1.6 mm (energy density 21.0 mJ) laser catheters with 20Hz pulse frequency were used There was one failure and in another ELCA was successful but death followed the procedure. The overall result was laser success 10 out of the 11 cases and procedure success 9.

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.

Cutting-balloon angioplasty before drug-eluting stent implantation for the treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions

Background Severely calcified coronary lesions respond poorly to balloon angioplasty, resulting in incomplete and asymmetrical stent expansion. Therefore, adequate plaque modification prior to drug-eluting stent （DES） implantation is the key for calcified lesion treat- ment. This study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cutting balloon angioplasty for severely calcified coronary lesions. Methods Ninety-two consecutive patients with severely calcified lesions （defined as calcium arc 〉 180% calcium length ratio 〉 0.5） treated with bal- loon dilatation before DES implantation were randomly divided into two groups based on the balloon type： 45 patients in the conventional balloon angioplasty （BA） group and 47 patients in the cutting balloon angioplasty （CB） group. Seven cases in BA group did not satisfactorily achieve dilatation and were transferred into the CB group. Intravascular ultrasound （IVUS） was performed before balloon dilatation and after stent implantation to obtain qualitative and quantitative lesion characteristics and evaluate the stent, including minimum lumen cross-sectional area （CSA）, calcified arc and length, minimum stent CSA, stent apposition, stent symmetry, stent expansion, vessel dissection, and branch vessel jail. In-hospital, 1-month, and 6-month major adverse cardiac events （MACE） were reported. Results There were no statistical differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups, including calcium arc （222.2° ± 22.2° vs. 235.0° ± 22.1 °, p=0.570）, calcium length ratio （0.67 ± 0.06 vs. 0.77± 0.05, P = 0.130）, and minimum lumen CSA before PCI （2.59 ±0.08 mm2 vs. 2.52 ± 0.08 mm2, P = 0.550）. After stent implantation, the final minimum stent CSA （6.26 ± 0.40 mm2 vs. 5.03 ± 0.33 mm2; P = 0.031） and acute lumen gain （3.74 ±0.38 mm2 w. 2.44 ± 0.29 mm2, P = 0.015） were significantly larger ila the CB group than that of the BA group. There were not statis tically differences in stent expansion, stent symmetry, incomplete stent apposition, vessel dissection and branch vessel jail between two groups. The 30-day and 6-month MACE rates were also not different. Conclusions Cutting balloon angioplasty before DES implantation in severely calcified lesions appears to be more efficacies including significantly larger final stent CSA and larger acute lumen gain, without increasing complications during operations and the MACE rate in 6-month.

Successful opening in-stent chronic total occlusion lesion of coronary artery by excimer laser coronary angioplasty

In percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), chronic total occlusion (CTO) coronary artery disease still remains difficult to treat. One of the reasons for the failure is the hard of the CTO lesions that balloon is difficult to pass through or expand. Previous methods to deal with CTO lesions that cannot be passed by balloon, include selecting reinforced catheter (such as 5 in 6 guiding catheter, Guidzilla catheter, or Tornus microcatheter), guidewire extrusion or rotary grinding technology. In recent years, excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) has been gradually applied to CTO lesions. Using inert halide as the laser medium, ELCA emits a 308 nm high-intensity unidirectional light wave with absorption depth of only 50 μmL, resulting in less thermal effect and less damage to non-target lesions. In this paper, we will describe a successful PCI case of an in-stent CTO lesion using ELCA with long term coronary angiography follow-up.

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.