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Accurately identifying coronary artery disease (CAD) is the key element in guiding the work-up of patients with suspected angina. Thickening of the arterial wall is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to determine whether abdominal aortic intima-media thickness (AAIMT), which is the earliest zone of atherosclerotic manifestations, has a predictive value in CAD severity. A total of 255 consecutive patients who were referred for invasive coronary angiography due to suspected stable angina pectoris were prospectively included in the study. B-mode ultrasonography was used to determine AAIMT before coronary angiography. Coronary artery disease severity was assessed with the SYNTAX score (SS). A history of hypertension, age, dyslipidemia, and higher AAIMT (odds ratio: 2.570; 95%CI 1.831-3.608; P < .001) were independent predictors of intermediate or high SS. An AAIMT

Objective To study the efficacy of Yangxin Recipe (YXR) in patients with stable angina pectoris of coronary heart disease and its impacts on coronary CT angiography. Methods A total of 78 patients with coronary heart disease and angina pectoris were randomly divided into a control group (n = 39) and a YXR group (n = 39). The control group adopted conventional Western medicine while the YXR group received conventional western medicine + oral administration of YXR. After six months of continuous treatment, the clinical efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the level of coronary CT vascular stenosis were observed. Results After treatment, the total effective rate of YXR was 92.31%, which was higher than ( P Conclusion The efficacy of YXR + conventional western medicine in treating coronary heart disease and angina pectoris is significantly improved compared with the simple conventional western medicine.

We hypothesized that the combination of a high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) would be a stronger predictor of future cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Both NLR and MPV were measured in 364 consecutive patients undergoing PCI. The primary end point was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis. The median values of NLR and MPV were 2.8 and 8.2 fL, respectively. There were 26 MACEs during a median follow-up duration of 29.3 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the higher NLR group had a significantly higher MACE rate than the lower NLR group and that the higher MPV group had a significantly higher MACE rate than the lower MPV group (log-rank: P = .0064 and P = .0004, respectively). The cumulative MACE-free survival can be further stratified by the combination of NLR and MPV. This value was especially useful in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). By multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, the combination of high NLR and high MPV was independently associated with MACE ( P = .026). The combination of a high NLR and high MPV is an independent predictor of MACE after PCI, especially in patients with ACS.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein (Apo) B levels and the SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score (SS) in patients with stable angina pectoris. We enrolled 594 patients who were suspected to have coronary heart disease (CHD) and who underwent coronary angiography. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on the SS: normal (SS = 0, n = 154), low SS (SS ≤ 22, n = 210), intermediate SS (22 < SS < 32, n = 122), and high SS (SS ≥ 33, n = 63). Positive correlations between lipoprotein (a), LDL-C, ApoB, total cholesterol, and SS were significant ( r = 0.132, 0.632, 0.599, and 0.313, respectively; P < .01), whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), ApoA1, and ApoA1/ApoB levels showed a significant negative correlation ( r = −0.29, −0.344, and −0.561, respectively; P < .01). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that LDL-C, ApoB, ApoA1/ApoB, fibrinogen (Fg), and HDL-C levels had an effect on SS (standardized regression coefficients were 0.41, 0.29, −0.12, 0.08, and −0.09, respectively; P < .05). In conclusion, LDL-C, ApoB, ApoA1/ApoB, Fg, and HDL-C levels affected the SS and were predictors of CHD complexity.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. We thereby sought to investigate whether the biomarkers, angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL-4) and galectin-3, reflect the severity of CAD. Methods: Patients were screened based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and written informed consent was obtained from the patients. Serum ANGPTL-4 and galectin-3 was quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and correlated with the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) and GENSINI score using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 226 patients consisting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI/unstable angina (USA), chronic stable angina (CSA) and normal controls (NCs) participated in the study. ANGPTL-4 and galectin-3 were significantly higher in CAD than the NC group. ANGPTL-4 showed significant negative correlation with GRACE score in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) ( r = −0.211, p = 0.03) patients. ANGPTL-4 showed significant positive correlation with serum creatinine ( r = 0.304, p = 0.056) and body mass index (BMI) ( r = 0.424, p = 0.009) in CSA patients. A modest positive correlation was observed between the serum galectin-3 levels and GRACE score ( r = 0.187, p = 0.055) in ACS patients. However, on multivariate analysis the positive correlation relationship between ANGPTL-4 and galectin-3 with the severity of CAD was not sustained. Conclusion: In conclusion, ANGPTL-4 and galectin-3 do not appear to have a promising role for assessing the severity of CAD. Nevertheless these biomarkers do warrant further exploration in improving the management of CAD.

Objective To evaluate the association between plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2; known to release inflammatory mediators that promote atherosclerosis) and coronary heart disease (CHD) in Chinese patients. Methods This observational, cross-sectional study included a patient cohort who were assessed by coronary angiography and divided into patients with coronary heart disease and patients with normal coronary angiography (controls). Data for several biochemical indicators were collected. Plasma Lp-PLA2 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyse the association between Lp-PLA2 concentration and CHD. Results A total of 531 patients were included, comprising 391 with CHD and 140 with normal coronary angiography (controls). Plasma Lp-PLA2 concentration was significantly higher in patients with CHD versus controls (median, 251 µg/l versus 219 µg/l, respectively), and particularly among patients with acute myocardial infarction and stable angina pectoris (249 µg/l and 266 µg/l, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that Lp-PLA2 ≥ 292 µg/l (upper quartile of the whole cohort) was independently associated with CHD (odds ratio 2.814, 95% confidence interval 1.519, 5.214). Conclusion Plasma Lp-PLA2 concentration was independently associated with CHD in Chinese patients.

Objective We aimed to compare functional exercise capacity, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, pulmonary function and quality of life between patients with stable angina and healthy controls. Methods We compared 33 patients with stable angina (55.21 ± 6.12 years old, Canada Class II–III, left ventricular ejection fraction: 61.92 ± 7.55) and 30 healthy controls (52.70 ± 4.22 years old). Functional capacity (6-minute walk test (6-MWT)), respiratory muscle strength (mouth pressure device), peripheral muscle strength (dynamometer), pulmonary function (spirometer) and quality of life (Short Form 36 (SF-36)) were evaluated. Results 6-MWT distance (499.20 ± 51.91 m versus 633.05 ± 57.62 m), maximal inspiratory pressure (85.42 ± 20.52 cmH2O versus 110.44 ± 32.95 cmH2O), maximal expiratory pressure (83.33 ± 19.05 cmH2O versus 147.96 ± 54.80 cmH2O) and peripheral muscle strength, pulmonary function and SF-36 sub-scores were lower in the angina group versus the healthy controls, respectively. Conclusion Impaired peripheral and respiratory muscle strength, reduction in exercise capacity and quality of life are obvious in patients with stable angina. Therefore, these parameters should be considered in stable angina physiotherapy programmes to improve impairments.

ObjectiveActivated platelets release serotonin, causing platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction. Serotonin levels were investigated in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and chronic stable angina (CSA) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsConsecutive patients undergoing PCI for either ACS or CSA were enrolled between July 2009 and April 2010. Patients were pre-treated with dual antiplatelet agents (aspirin and clopidogrel) before PCI. Serum serotonin levels, measured at baseline, pre- and post-PCI, and at 90 min, and 6, 12, 24 and 48 h following PCI, were compared between ACS and CSA groups.ResultsSixty-three patients with ACS and 60 with CSA were included. Overall baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. Serotonin levels at post-PCI (55.2 ± 120.0 versus 20.1 ± 24.0) and at peak (regardless of timepoint; 94.0 ± 170.9 versus 38.8 ± 72.3) were significantly higher in the ACS versus CSA group. At 90 min and 6, 24 and 48 h post-PCI, serum serotonin was numerically, but not significantly, higher in patients with ACS. Serotonin levels fluctuated in both groups, showing an initial rise and fall, rebound at 24 h and drop at 48 h post-PCI.ConclusionsIn patients undergoing PCI, serum serotonin was more elevated in patients with ACS than those with CSA, suggesting the need for more potent and sustained platelet inhibition, particularly in patients with ACS.

Background: Statins have proven cardioprotective effects, but higher doses are accompanied by various concerns and may not lead to superior clinical outcomes in Chinese/Asian populations. Objective: We designed a trial to test the efficacy of high-intensity statin therapy for the reduction of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) and 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs, including cardiovascular death, spontaneous MI, unplanned revascularization) in an Asian population. Methods: A total of 798 Chinese patients with stable angina or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were randomized to high-intensity atorvastatin (80 mg/d before percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] and 40 mg/d thereafter for 1 year, n = 400) or moderate-intensity atorvastatin (20 mg/d for 1 year, n = 398). The primary end point was 1-year incidence of MACEs. Result: In patients with stable angina, 1-year MACE rates were not significantly different between moderate- and high-intensity groups (7.6% vs 5.7%, P = 0.53). In contrast, in patients with ACS, the 1-year MACE rate was significantly higher in the moderate- than in the high-intensity atorvastatin group (16.8% vs 10.1%, P = 0.021; adjusted hazard ratio = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.08 to 2.77, P = 0.021). Conclusions: Whereas stable angina patients derive similar benefit from moderate- and high-intensity atorvastatin therapy over the duration of 1 year after PCI, high-intensity statin therapy is superior in ACS patients.

Chest pain is a common problem in women. There are many diagnostic strategies available to evaluate patients with chest pain for suspected ischemic heart disease (IHD), each with special considerations for sex differences in presentation and test characteristics. Stable angina is the most frequent manifestation of IHD in women, affecting approximately 4,200,000 (3.2%) women in the USA, and the age-adjusted prevalence of angina is greater in women than men [1–4]. Women with stable angina report more physical limitations and lower quality of life, and suffer from a greater number of nonfatal myocardial infarctions (MIs) and deaths compared with men after 1–2 years [5–7]. This underscores the importance of identifying IHD in women initially presenting with chest pain and other related ischemic symptoms. For patients with suspected IHD noninvasive stress testing is recommended as the first study to confirm diagnosis and risk stratify patients as per current guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) [8]. Computed tomography (CT) angiography is another choice for patients with symptoms and suspected ischemia. Symptomatic women are less likely than men to undergo stress testing [6–9]. This editorial addresses the challenges in selecting an initial diagnostic test for a woman with possible ischemic symptoms and proposes strategies for choosing the most appropriate first test to diagnose and risk-stratify women with suspected IHD.

Although coronary revascularization procedures are widely performed in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), angina is often reported, even after such procedures. This study evaluated the antianginal efficacy and effect of ivabradine treatment on quality of life (QOL) in patients with CAD and history of coronary revascularization. This is a post hoc analysis (926 post-revascularization patients) of a prospective, noninterventional study, which included 2403 patients with CAD and stable angina. The data were recorded at baseline, at 1 month and 4 months after inclusion. After ivabradine administration, mean number of anginal events decreased from 2.2 ± 2.3 (median: 2.0, minimum: 0.0, maximum: 21.0, range: 21.0) to 0.3 ± 0.6 (median: 0.0, minimum: 0.0, maximum: 7.0, range: 7.0) times/week ( P < .001), while nitroglycerin consumption decreased from 1.5 ± 2.2 (median: 1.0, minimum: 0.0, maximum: 20.0, range: 20.0) to 0.1 ± 0.4 times/week (median: 0.0, minimum: 0.0, maximum: 5.0, range: 5.0; P < .001). Quality of life improved at study completion compared to baseline ( P < .001). Ivabradine addition on top of optimal individualized dose of β-blockers is associated with decreased anginal events and improvement in QOL in patients with stable angina and history of coronary revascularization.

Trimetazidine (TMZ) is a metabolic agent used in cardiology for more than 40 years. Several studies assessed the cardioprotective effects of TMZ in patients with chronic coronary heart disease (CHD) as well as in patients with heart failure (HF). In light of the inclusion of TMZ in the current guidelines on the management of stable CHD, we reviewed the published literature on TMZ, focusing mainly its effects on patients with stable angina and HF. According to the published literature, there is sufficient evidence to support the addition of this agent in the treatment of symptomatic patients with stable angina.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and chronic total occlusion (CTO). Methods: A total of 294 patients with both SAP and CTO were classified according to their Rentrop collateral grades as either poor (Rentrop grades/0-1) or good (Rentrop grades/2-3). Results: The PLR values were significantly higher in patients with poor CCC than in those with good CCC (156.8 + 30.7 vs 132.1 + 24.4, P < 0.001). In regression analysis, PLR (unit = 10) [odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33 -1.65; P < 0.001] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were found to be the independent predictors of poor CCC. In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, optimal cut-off value of PLR to predict poor CCC was found as 138.1, with 76% sensitivity and 65% specificity. Conclusion: PLR may be an important, simple, and cost effective tool predicting the degree of collateralization in patients with SAP and CTO.

Background Atherosclerosis is a complex inflammatory process in which inflammatory markers are involved. Although pentraxin 3 (PTX-3), a newly identified inflammatory marker, was associated with adverse outcomes in stable angina pectoris, no association between PTX-3 and the complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been reported. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the association between the level of PTX-3 and the complexity and severity of CAD assessed with SYNTAX and Gensini scores in patients with stable angina pectoris. Methods The study population consisted of 2 groups: 161 patients with anginal symptoms and evidence of ischemia who underwent coronary angiography and 50 age- and sex- matched control subjects without evidence of ischemia were included. Patients were grouped into 3 groups according to the complexity and severity of coronary lesions assessed by the SYNTAX score (30 patients with a SYNTAX score of 0 were excluded). Serum PTX-3 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured. Results The PTX-3 levels demonstrated an increase from low to high SYNTAX groups ( r = 0.72, P < 0.001). Whereas the low SYNTAX group had statistically significantly higher PTX-3 levels when compared with the control group (0.50 ± 0.01 vs 0.24 ± 0.01 ng/mL, P < 0.001), the hs-CRP levels were not different (0.81 ± 0.42 vs 0.86 ± 0.53 mg/dL, P = 0.96). However, the intermediate SYNTAX group had higher hs-CRP levels compared with the low SYNTAX group (1.3 ± 0.66 vs 0.86 ± 0.53 mg/dL, P = 0.002). Serum PTX-3 levels and hs-CRP levels were correlated with the SYNTAX scores and Gensini scores (for SYNTAX: r = 0.87 [ P < 0.001] and r = 0.36 [ P = 0.01]; for Gensini: r = 0.75 [ P < 0.001] and r = 0.27 [ P = 0.002], respectively), and according to the results of univariate and multivariate analyses, for “intermediate and high” SYNTAX scores, age, diabetes mellitus, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hs-CRP, and PTX-3 were found to be independent predictors, whereas for the presence of “high” SYNTAX score only PTX-3 was found to be an independent predictor. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis further revealed that the PTX-3 level was a strong indicator of high SYNTAX score with an area under the curve of 0.91 (95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.96). Conclusions Pentraxin 3, a novel inflammatory marker, was more tightly associated with the complexity and severity of CAD than hs-CRP and was found to be an independent predictor for high SYNTAX score.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is related to the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Increased γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity is associated with atherosclerosis. We assessed the relationship between EAT and serum GGT activity in addition to cardiovascular risk factors in patients with stable anginal symptoms. Consecutive patients (n = 120) who underwent coronary angiography were included. Epicardial adipose tissue thickness was measured by echocardiography. Serum GGT activity was measured by enzymatic colorimetric assay. Epicardial adipose tissue thickness and serum GGT activity were higher in patients with CAD (n = 83). Patients with metabolic syndrome (n = 83) were found to have higher EAT thickness. Serum GGT activity was independently associated with EAT values. In conclusion, echocardiographic EAT was significantly higher in patients with CAD and serum GGT activity correlated with EAT thickness.

The Coronary Artery Disease in gENeral practiCE (CADENCE) study examined chronic stable angina (CSA). This further analysis examined atherosclerotic risk factors, symptomatic status, clinical management, and quality of life in patients with CSA with and without peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The CADENCE study involved 207 Australian general practitioners (GPs) recruiting 10 to 15 consecutively presenting patients with CSA (n = 2031). General practitioners completed a 2-page case report form, detailing demographic data, cardiovascular status, risk factors, and GP perception of control. Patients completed the Seattle Angina Questionnaire. Patients with coexisting CSA and PAD (17%) were more likely to be older and had more comorbidities than patients with CSA without coexisting PAD. Patients with peripheral arterial disease had a longer history of heart disease and were more likely to experience angina on a weekly basis. Patients with peripheral arterial disease had poorer quality-of-life indices.