Objective To introduce the clinical significance and pathophysiologic aspects of the circulatory and cardiac complications in terminal stage cirrhosis. Methods Recently relevant literatures were reviewed and summarized. Results Haemodynamic changes in cirrhosis arose on the basis of combined humoral and nervous dysregulation, with abnormalities in cardiovascular regulation, volume distribution and cardiac performance. Conclusion Comprehending the mechanisms of cardiovascular complications will contribute a lot for the treatment of terminal stage cirrhosis.
Blood pressure variability (BPV) is a novel predictor related to blood pressure level, and a large number of studies based on the hypertension cohort have shown that BPV is an independent predictor of target organ damages and cardiovascular adverse outcomes. Due to the significant hemodynamic changes, BPV in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hemodialysis is higher than the simple hypertension cohort, suggesting that BPV may be of great significance to patients with chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis. In recent years, studies based on CKD and hemodialysis cohort have published in succession whose results revealed that BPV of this cohort is of great prognostic significance for predicting target organ damages and cardiovascular disease risks. This article aims to provide an overview on these research, so as to survey and predict the clinical significance of BPV in CKD and hemodialytic patients.
Blood pressure variability (BPV) refers to the fluctuations of blood pressure in a certain period of time. In recent years, BPV is becoming a predictive marker for cardiovascular events. Given the hemodynamic and internal environmental change brought by hemodialysis as well as the complex complications, hemodialysis patients always have complex BPV. Nowadays there is no consensus on an optimal standard to evaluate BPV in hemodialysis population. Metrics usually used are as follows: blood pressure change during a certain period of time, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, variation independent of mean, average real variability, weighted mean of daytime and night-time standard deviation, residual derived from generalized linear models, and residual standard deviation. Impact factors of BPV in hemodialysis patients include age, ultrafitration volume, hemodialysis frequency and time length, peripheral vascular disease, serum calcium, antihypertensive drugs and so on. Recent studies showed significant associations between both long-term and short-term BPV with prognosis of hemodialysis patients. This review focuses on the evaluation methods, the influencing factors and the impact on prognosis of BPV.
Objective To evaluate the robustness of cardiovascular meta-analysis with use of fragility index. Methods By searching PubMed, EMbase, and Web of Science databases from 2018 to 2022, relevant literature on cardiovascular meta-analysis was systematically collected and the fragility indexes were calculated; Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between fragility index and sample size, total number of events, effect size and its confidence interval width. Results A total of 212 meta-analyses from 29 articles were included, with a median fragility index of 11 (5, 25), a median sample size of 10301 (3384, 48330), and a median total number of events of 360 (129, 1309). Most meta-analyses chose relative risk as the effect measure (179/212), and chose Mantel-Haenszel method (102/212) and random effects model (153/212). The fragility index was positively correlated with the sample size (rs=0.56, P<0.05) and the total number of events (rs=0.61, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with confidence interval width of the effect size (rs=−0.52, P<0.05). No statistically significant results were obtained in the correlation between the fragility index and effect size. Conclusion The fragility indexes of cardiovascular meta-analyses published in comprehensive journals of high impact factors and professional cardiovascular journals are generally low, and therefore lack robustness. Fragility index is suggested to be reported in medical researches, assisting in explaining the P-value.
Objectives To analyze the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of different severities. Methods The study included 50 patients with mild-to-moderate COPD and 50 with severe-to-very severe COPD admitted between January 2014 and January 2016. Comorbidities were recorded on the basis of data obtained from medical charts and clinical evaluations. The Charlson comorbidity index was calculated, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score was determined in each subject. Results There were more prevalences of smoking, depression and dyslipidemia in the patients with mild-to-moderate COPD than those with severe-to-very severe COPD (all P<0.001). The prevalences of high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, and chronic heart failure were not different significantly between the two groups. The Charlson comorbidity index and HADS scores were not different between the two groups. Conclusions Comorbidities are fairly common in COPD regardless of its severity. Certain risk factors for CVD, as smoking, dyslipidemia, and depression, appear to be more prevalent in patients with mild-to-moderate COPD.
Objective To explore perioperative outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG） using the radialartery as the second arterial graft. Methods Clinical data of 175 consecutive patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting （OPCAB） in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from August 2011 to April 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. All the 175 patients were divided into two groups. There were 75 patients including 49 male and 26 female patients with their age of 56.8±8.2 years in group 1，who received radial artery as a graft vessel. There were 100patients including 66 male and 34 female patients with their age of 57.7±8.1 years in group 2，who received great saphenousvein but not radial artery as the graft vessel. The use of left internal mammary artery as a graft vessel was 100% in both groups. Perioperative cardiovascular events and other clinical results were compared between the two groups. Results All the patients survived OPCAB and there was no 30-day death. There was no statistical difference in operation time，thoracic drainage within the first 24 hours after surgery or postoperative hospital stay between the two groups（P＞0.05）. Length of postoperative ICU stay and mechanical ventilation time of group 1 were shorter than those of group 2，although the differencewas not statistically significant. The percentage of patients receiving prolonged postoperative inotropic therapy of group 2 was higher than that of group 1 ［16% （16/100） vs. 12% （9/75）］，although the difference was not statistically significant. Postoperatively，there was no patient in group 1 who had new-onset myocardial ischemia or received intra-aortic balloon pump （IABP） support for hemodynamic instability. In group 2，3 patients had new-onset myocardial ischemia and 2 patientsreceived IABP support after OPCAB. Conclusion Radial artery can partly replace great saphenous vein as a graft vesselfor OPCAB，which does not increase the risk of perioperative cardiovascular events but is beneficial for postoperativerecovery to some degree. Radial artery can be more extensively used in CABG.
Objective To measure the level of circulating endothelial progenitor cells ( EPCs) in peripheral blood of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( AECOPD) , and to explore the relationship between EPCs and severity markers of the disease and cardiovascular adverse outcome predictors.Methods Forty patients with COPD were recruited, including 27 at acute exacerbation phase and 13 with stable COPD from December 2010 to December 2011. Sixteen healthy nonsmokers were included as controls. Circulating EPCs were isolated by Ficoll density-gradient centrifugation and purified by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting system. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hsCRP) was estimated by using a latex immunoturbidimetric assay kit, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 ( MMP-9) was measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) . Arterial blood gas analysis and echocardiograph were performed in the AECOPD patients. The correlations between circulating EPCs, lung function, and cardiovascular markers were investigated. Results Circulating EPCs were significantly lower in AECOPD and stable COPD patients compared with the healthy controls [ ( 5.1 ±2.6) ×103 /mL and ( 6.0 ±3.2) ×103 /mL vs. ( 9.0 ±4.3) × 103 /mL, Plt;0. 05] . EPCs had a weak correlation with hsCRP ( P = 0. 033) , but not with MMP-9. In the AECOPD patients, EPC counts were significantly inversely correlated with PASP ( pulmonary artery systolic pressure) and NT-proBNP ( amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) levels, and positively with left ventricular ejection fraction. No correlations were found between EPCs and lung function, blood gas, hospital stays or smoking index. Conclusions Circulating EPCs were significantly lower in AECOPD patients compared with healthy controls, in which systemic inflammation might be involved. Decreased EPCs were correlated with cardiac dysfunction in patients with AECOPD, which may account for the increased cardiovascular risk in this population.
ObjectiveTo investigate the significance of using the term "high-normal blood pressure" and its intervention in the early stage. MethodsIn 1992 and 2007, we performed two similar investigations focusing on cardiovascular risk factors in 711 people in Chengdu city. Since 114 individuals were diagnosed with hypertension, 597 people without hypertension were eligible and divided into two groups:the normal-pressure[<120/80 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)] group and the high-normal blood pressure (systolic blood pressure 120-139 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure 80-89 mm Hg) group. Data in the two investigations were compared to explore the relationship among high-normal blood pressure, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and hypertension. ResultsThe high-normal blood pressure group had a higher level of CVD risk factors both in 1992 and 2007, and the 15-year cumulative incidence of hypertension in the high-normal blood pressure group was higher than that of normal-pressure group (91.2% vs. 22.2%, P<0.001). After adjusting for serum lipid, body weight and other CVD risk factors, high-normal blood pressure could predict the progression into hypertension[HR=5.354, 95% CI (4.094, 7.002), P=0.001]. There was no statistics difference in CVD prevalence in the two groups in 1992, but in 2007 the prevalence of CVD tended to be higher in the high-normal blood pressure group (6.6% vs. 3.1%, P=0.052). ConclusionHigh-normal blood pressure is a special stage of blood pressure with high level of CVD risk factors and high potential to progress into hypertension. The term should be emphasized and intervention should be done in the early stage for high-normal blood pressure people to prevent from hypertension and CVD.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical application of fresh autologous pericardial patch transplantation in cardiovascular surgery. MethodFrom January 2008 to December 2014, we used fresh autologous pericardial patch as a repair material in surgical treatment of congenital heart disease, valvular and vascular malformation. A total of 239 patients were included (130 males, 109 females), with a mean age of 0.40±13.80 years ranging from 0.25-69.00 years, including 180 infants. ResultThe time of intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 3-15 days and the time of ventilator-assisted breathing was 4-100 hours. Postoperative atelectasis and pleural effusion occured in 8 patients and was cured successfully by closed thoracic drainage and anti-infection therapy. Nine patients died within 30 days after surgery, including 3 deaths caused by low cardiac output syndrome and acute renal failure, 5 deaths caused by multiple organ failure, and 1 death caused by malignant arrhythmia. All patients had no infective endocarditis, thrombosis, hemolysis, blood vessel stenosis, or calcification of pericardial patch. The cause of death was associated with the primary lesion, but not with transplanted pericardium. We followed up 198 patients for 3-64 months. During follow-up, echocardiography showed no patch graft vegetation, thrombosis, perforation or calcification. ConclusionThe fresh autologous pericardium is a good material for repairing cardiac defects.
Objective To perform a systematic review on the safety (i.g. cardiovascular, mortality and gastrointestinal bleeding) of clopidogrel versus clopidogrel combined with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for the patients with coronary heart disease. Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, SSCI, VIP, CNKI, and CBM were searched from the date of their establishment to September 2010. The bibliographies of the retrieved articles were also checked. The data was extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently. The RevMan 5.0 software was used for meta-analyses. Results A total of 29 studies were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that the use of clopidogrel combined with PPIs was associated with increasing the risk of cardiovascular events (RR=1.27, 95%CI 1.09 to 1.47), as well as myocardial infarction (RR=1.45, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.76), total mortality (RR=1.23, 95%CI 1.06 to 1.43), and rethrombosis (RR=1.37, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.86). However, there was no enough evidence to reach the conclusion that the combination use could benefit the situation of gastrointestinal bleeding (RR=0.84, 95%CI 0.47 to 1.50). Conclusion?Compared with clopidogrel, the combination use of clopidogrel and PPIs increases cardiovascular events, mortality, and the risks of myocardial infarction and rethrombosis. However, more clinical studies are required to assess the effect of reducing gastrointestinal bleeding.